This page serves to help residents of Connecticut better understand the costs associated with various forms of elder care throughout their state. This includes assisted living, in-home care, and adult day care. It also explores various financing options, as well as monetary aid to help with affordability of aging care.
To search for additional financial assistance at a national level, please use our Resource Locator Tool. This will help give a view of all assistance options, as opposed to just resources at the state level for Connecticut. It will allow you to choose the best program for your situation.
Connecticut Eldercare Costs for 2024
Assisted Living / Memory Care
According to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in Connecticut is $4,776 / month. That being said, the average range of cost throughout the state is quite large, between $838 and $15,750 / month. In the cities of Connecticut with the highest cost of assisted living, Bridgeport and Norwich, the monthly average is $10,213-$15,750. The least expensive assisted living can be found in the Hartford. In New Haven, the average daily cost is approximately $5,475 / month.
Memory care, on average, costs between 20% and 30% more than traditional assisted living. This means it runs approximately $1,194 more each month for persons with Alzheimer’s, or other forms of dementia, who require constant supervision, but not constant care.
Home Care
The average hourly rate for home care across Connecticut, per the 2023 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, is $34. The least expensive area of the state for home care is the New Haven area. The most expensive areas are Hartford and Bridgeport, where the cost averages $33 – $24 / hr. For individuals that need a bit more care, home health care is available, and is on average $4 more an hour than home care.
Adult Day Care
Adult day care is the most affordable care option for seniors and their families. According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2023, the average daily cost in Connecticut is $114 throughout the state. However, the average cost for this type of care ranges from $100 – $125 / day. The most expensive area of the state is Hartford. The most affordable daily cost is found in Bridgeport at $102.
Connecticut Medicaid Financial Assistance Programs
Medicaid Programs & Waivers for the Elderly
State Medicaid Programs
Like all states, Medicaid (also called HUSKY Health) in Connecticut will cover the cost of nursing home care for elderly and frail individuals with limited financial means. The state Medicaid program will also provide limited personal care at home. Via the state plan, Medicaid enrollees have the option to self-direct their own care.
Community First Choice
The Community First Choice (CFC) State Plan Option is a plan created from the launch of the Affordable Care Act. It offers elderly residents the option to choose who will provide them with various types of help in order for them to remain living in their homes. With this option, family members can be hired to provide personal care.
HCBS Waivers
The state of Connecticut also offers HCBS (Home and Community Based Services) Medicaid Waivers. These waivers are intended to help individuals who would otherwise require nursing home care to remain living at home or in the community. HCBS Waivers, unlike the state Medicaid plan, have caps on enrollment. This means, at times, there are waiting lists for these programs. Currently, Connecticut offers three Medicaid-based waiver assistance programs relevant to the elderly.
Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Program
Designed for persons age 18 to 64 who need help completing basic daily living activities, this program provides personal care and adult day care. Care recipients are responsible for hiring, training, managing, and even firing their own personal care assistants. After the Community First Choice option for the state Medicaid plan was introduced, this plan no longer follows the self-direct model.
Assisted Living Program (CHCPE Alternative Care Unit)
This program is designated to give care in assisted living residences. It is open to residents who are eligible and those who are ineligible for Medicaid.
Adult Family Living (AFL) Program
This program, which is also called Caregiver Homes of Connecticut, is similar to adult foster care. Financial and supportive assistance is provided and enables seniors to live in a private home with a family member or friend.
Medicaid Eligibility
The state of Connecticut requires that in order to qualify for Medicaid as a disabled or elderly person, one must be a resident of the state, and be at least 65 years of age or under the age of 65 and disabled.
The asset limits for long-term care are set at $1,600 for single persons, and $3,200 for married couples. That said, several assets are considered exempt, or put another way, not counted toward eligibility purposes. This includes one’s home (up to an equity interest of $1,071,000), household furnishings, personal belongings, an automobile, and prepaid funeral and burial arrangements.
Income limits also apply for Medicaid eligibility. Generally speaking, single applicants with income less than 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) should be eligible. As of 2024, this figure is equivalent to $2,829 / month.
Persons with income and / or assets over these limits may still qualify by working with a Medicaid planning professional to assist with reallocation of assets and income. Read more about this option.
Connecticut Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
The state of Connecticut offers three non-Medicaid assistance programs for the disabled and elderly residents of Connecticut. These programs are intended to provide financial assistance for housing or services in order to keep them from having to leave their homes and move to more expensive nursing homes.
Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE)
Seniors receive personal care in their home, a foster home, or assisted living facility. Other services, such as adult day care, delivered meals, and minor home modifications are covered. Please note that this program is both state funded and Medicaid funded.
Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP)
This program has 14 locations offering subsidized housing with personal care services and other benefits, like hot meals, housecleaning, and transportation assistance.
Connecticut Statewide Respite Care Program
Respite care provides adult day care and homemaker services. This program is intended to give primary caregivers a break from their caregiving duties. The care recipient must have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.
Other Financial Options for Care
Financial assistance for aging care is not limited to just the state of Connecticut. There are also federal programs from a diversity of agencies, Veterans options, as well as non-profit assistance. For a complete view, and to find the program most suitable for your situation, please use our Resource Locator Tool. There is no fee to use this invaluable tool.
Finding Affordable Care in Connecticut
Due to the widely varying range of prices for all types of elder care throughout Connecticut, it is strongly recommended that one contacts several potential providers to find the best and most affordable care.
Senior care costs in the New England region are much higher than the surrounding areas. This organization provides a free service to help match the unique care and budgetary needs of individuals and families.
Click here for assistance with finding differing forms of affordable care.
Top Cities for Senior Care in Connecticut
For more information about the costs and resources available in Connecticut cities, click on the links below.
Top Cities for Memory Care
Top Cities for Assisted Living
