Pilot Program Advocacy with Senator Martin

At Shady Oaks Assisted Living, we have been actively involved in conversations with Connecticut leaders about one of the most important issues facing seniors today: affordability.

Recent discussions with State Senator Henri Martin and other policymakers highlight growing momentum to improve the state’s Assisted Living Pilot Program and expand access for local families. Martin has emphasized the need for reforms that would make assisted living more affordable and accessible for Connecticut seniors.

Understanding the Assisted Living Pilot Program

Connecticut’s Assisted Living Pilot Program was created in 2002 to help low-asset seniors afford care in assisted living communities. While the program was well-intentioned, it has not kept pace with the rising cost of care over the past two decades.

Today, the program serves only a limited number of residents statewide and provides a maximum monthly benefit of about $2,900. With the average cost of assisted living significantly higher, this leaves a substantial gap that many families are left to cover on their own.

The Cost Gap Facing Connecticut Seniors

One of the biggest challenges discussed with state leaders is the imbalance in how care is funded:

• Nursing home care can cost around $10,000 per month
• Assisted living averages closer to $5,000 per month
• Pilot program support is currently capped at roughly $2,900 per month

Despite assisted living being a more cost-effective option, it often receives far less financial support. This gap forces many seniors to delay care or transition into nursing homes earlier than necessary.

Proposed Improvements to the Program

Efforts to improve the Assisted Living Pilot Program have involved ongoing discussions between Shady Oaks Assisted Living, State Senator Henri Martin, and state agencies.

One of the primary proposals includes increasing the maximum monthly support from approximately $2,900 to around $4,500. This adjustment would better reflect the actual cost of assisted living and help close the gap many families face when trying to access care.

There is also a broader push to expand participation in the program. Currently, only a limited number of assisted living communities in Connecticut are able to take part, which restricts access for many seniors who could benefit from this type of support.

Expanding both funding levels and program availability could allow more residents to choose assisted living earlier, before higher levels of care become necessary.

Why This Matters for Families

When assisted living becomes financially out of reach, families are often left with limited options. In many cases, this leads to earlier placement in nursing homes, which can be both more expensive and less aligned with a senior’s preference for independence.

Expanding and improving the pilot program would:

• Help seniors age in place with dignity
• Reduce long-term costs for the state
• Provide families with more flexible care options

Past data has already shown that supporting assisted living can reduce overall spending compared to nursing home care, making this a practical solution for both families and policymakers.

Local Advocacy and Ongoing Progress

Shady Oaks Assisted Living has been actively involved in ongoing discussions with State Senator Henri Martin, the Department of Social Services, and the Office of Policy and Management regarding improvements to the Assisted Living Pilot Program.

As Belanger noted during a recent community discussion, “Decades went by and now the time has come,” highlighting the need to update a program that has not kept pace with rising costs.

These conversations have helped move the issue forward at the state level. Following meetings with agencies, Belanger also shared that officials were receptive to potential changes, stating, “They seemed open to increasing the top care package assistance.”

“We are grateful for Sen. Henri Martin’s pioneering work,” Belanger said, recognizing the role of leadership in advancing these discussions.

While change takes time, there is growing momentum behind updating the program and expanding options for families across the state.

Learn More About Your Options

If you are exploring assisted living for yourself or someone you love, understanding your financial options is an important first step.

The team at Shady Oaks Assisted Living can help walk you through available programs, explain what may apply to your situation, and guide you through the process.

If you have questions or would like to learn more, contact Shady Oaks Assisted Living today. Assistance is available to help you take the next step with confidence.