Giving Seniors the Gift of Aging Safely in Their Own Home

With the holiday season upon us, many Connecticut residents are now realizing that their elderly parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have exhibited signs of physical and mental decline that may indicate a need for in-home assistance to keep them aging safely in place. What most do not know, however, is that there is a state program that pays family members to care for their elderly parent or loved on in the comforts of their own home. Named the CT Adult Family Living / Foster Caregiver – or AFL program, the family caregiver can receive a tax-free stipend of over $500 per week, depending on the complexity of care. Assisted Living Home Care Services, Inc, an independent homecare company in Cheshire, Putnam and Westport, is a credentialed provider that helps local families access the program’s many benefits.

“One of the most unfortunate consequences of growing older is loss of independence and the solution often involves expensive assisted living or nursing home facilities,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA, chief operating officer of Assisted Living Home Care Services. “The Adult Family Living program offers another reality by allowing a family member or close friend to administer the necessary care right in the elderly person’s home, while getting compensated for their effort. Home care is much more cost-effective than an in-patient care facility, so it’s a win-win-win scenario all around.”

D'Aquila notes that the AFL program is part of the Department of Social Services’ Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE). In order to qualify, applicants must be a Connecticut resident, 65 years of age or older, at risk of nursing home placement, meaning the applicant needs assistance with critical personal care such as bathing, dressing, eating, taking medications, toileting or transferring, as well as meet the program’s financial eligibility criteria.

For a full listing of eligibility requirements, or to apply for an assessment, visit the Connecticut Department of Social Services website at https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/Health-And-Home-Care/Connecticut-Home-Care-Program-for-Elders/Connecticut-Home-Care-Program-for-Elders-CHCPE .

In its formal role as a credentialed provider of the program, Assisted Living Home Care Services provides approved caregivers, whether they be daughters, sons, nieces, nephews or other relatives and friends with the “tools” necessary to be comfortable and successful at caregiving, such as:

• Conducting a free home assessment to ensure that fire alarms, life alert systems and other safety measures are up to date.
• Guiding them through the program application process.
• Orientation, education and ongoing support that’s only a phone call away and staffed with bi-lingual professionals able to translate and answer any questions.
• Ensuring that the home is properly maintained as required by the State.
• Making sure the caregiver is meeting the homecare and safety needs of the participant.
• Paying the caregiver weekly and offer direct deposit for convenience.
• Enlisting resources, such as a Certified Dementia Care Specialist, to assist in training for certain circumstances.
• Utilizing the company’s unique and innovative program called CarePlus that combines caregiving and technology to help address client needs at no additional cost.
• Providing the caregiver with resources to take care of their emotional and mental health during the process.

D'Aquila notes that the AFL Program offers four levels of compensation based on the total activities of daily living required by the aging individual. The family caregiver must work through an intermediary agency like Assisted Living Home Care Services to get paid. What’s more, the income is tax-free as a difficulty of care stipend.

Further, many caregivers are still working full-time jobs from home, or part-time jobs, while simultaneously managing their senior relative or friend under the same roof. Here, the AFL Program can serve to help deal with the nation’s rising inflation rates and ongoing turbulent economy by providing financial stability through additional income.

“The #1 wish of most senior citizens is that they want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible throughout their aging process,” adds D’Aquila. “We encourage Connecticut residents caring for an elderly person to apply for this hidden jewel as it will truly be a life-changing experience for the entire family.”

About Assisted Living Services, Inc.

Since 1996, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Home Care Services, Inc. (ALS) in Cheshire, Putnam and Westport has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Its unique CarePlus program blends personal care by over 700 employees and caregivers with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. ALS was ranked on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies and recognized by Home Care Pulse® as a “Best of Home Care Leader In Excellence”, a designation given to the best home care providers in the nation. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203.634.8668.