The Connecticut Home Care Program for Disabled Adults is a pilot program offering packages of services to individuals ages eighteen to sixty-four with degenerative neurological conditions and need supportive services. This program is state funded and administered by the State Department of Social Services. It is for individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid (Title 19). Under the program, a care manager completes a comprehensive financial and functional assessment. The purpose of the assessment is to determine if the individual can remain at home with the help of home care services. If eligible, the applicant may receive assistance with activities such as household chores, meal preparation, medication management, and bathing/dressing.

Applicants must meet the programs functional criteria, and income and asset guidelines. Functional criteria includes the need for assistance with at least one "critical need." Critical needs are: bathing, dressing, medication management, meal preparation, toileting, transferring, and eating/feeding. Financial criteria includes assets not exceeding $34,092.00 for a single person, and $45,456.00 for a couple.

What services does CHCPDA offer?

Assessment
Care Management
Ongoing Monitoring of Services
Adult Day Care
Home-Delivered Meals
Homemakers
Home Health Aides
Skilled Nursing Visits
Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies
Mental Health Counseling
Companion Services
Chore Services
Emergency Response Systems

Who pays for services?

The Connecticut Home Care Program for Disabled Adults is funded by the State of Connecticut.
Program participants may be required to contribute towards the cost of services if the individual receiving assistance has income over a set minimum, currently, $1,862.00.
Although CHCPDA cannot provide 24-hour care, round-the-clock care, CHCPDA services may be coordinated with other services paid for by family or personal resources in order to keep the client in the community.

Who is eligible for CHCPDA?

Participants must be between the ages of eighteen and sixty-four
Participants must have a degenerative neurological condition
Participants must meet the programs functional criteria, and income and asset guidelines.

How do you Access CHCPDA?

Older adults, family members or any interested person may call the Department of Social Services Alternate Care Unit at 1-800-445-5394 Option # 4. When calling the Alternate Care Unit to make a referral you will need: Social Security and Medicare numbers, basic financial information (assets and income), primary health problem(s) and why help is needed, as well as who the care manager should call to arrange the assessment home visit. ACU will perform a quick financial and physical eligibility screen. All potential eligible individuals are then referred to the Agency on Aging for an in-home assessment visit.

Can I own my own home and still qualify?
Yes, you may own your own home and participate in the program. Will I have a say in what home care services are arranged for me?
Your services are based upon the findings of your assessment, your individual needs and preferences, your level of care, CHCPDA program guidelines and service availability. The care manager will utilize your input as an important part of the decision making process. Our goal is to implement a plan of care that meets your needs and your individual preferences.

Does the Agency on Aging itself provide the home care services I need?
The Agency on Aging establishes contracts with provider agencies in the community to provide the direct care. The Agency on Aging does not provide the home care services directly.
If you have preferences for what agencies you wish to utilize we try to honor this as long as we have a contract with the agency.

How often will I talk with or see my care manager?
Once you become a client on the Connecticut Home Care Program for Disabled Adults, your care manager will stay in contact with you and/or the agencies providing you home care services on a monthly basis. The care manager will visit you at least every six months, but more often if your situation indicates the need for more frequent visits.
You can always call your care manager if you need help.