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THE CONNECTICUT HOME CARE PROGRAM FOR ELDERS
. . . or CHCPE, is
a program of the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services
Alternate Care Unit (ACU) that provides supportive services to adults
age 65+ so they may remain independent in the community rather
than in an institutional setting.
We administer CHCPE in South Central Connecticut. If you are in
our service area, contact us at
203-752-3040 or TOLL FREE at 1-888-811-1222 (or see our contact
page) or you may refer yourself directly to the program by calling the Department of Social Services Alternate Care Unit at 1-800-445-5394, choose option 4.
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Want
to Know More? Click on the links below.
What
Services does the CHCPE Offer? (BACK TO LIST)
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assessment
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care management
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ongoing monitoring
of services
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adult day care
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home-delivered
meals
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homemakers
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home health aides
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skilled nursing
visits
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physical, occupational and speech therapy
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mental health counseling
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companion services
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chore services
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emergency response
systems
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Who
Pays for Services? (BACK
TO LIST)
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The Connecticut
Home Care Program is funded in part by the State of Connecticut directly
and in part through a state/federal partnership known as a Medicaid
"waiver."
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Program
participants may be required to contribute toward the cost of services if the individual receiving assistance has income over a set minimum (as of
1/2006, $1,809/month - subject to change).
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Although CHCPE
cannot provide 24-hour, round-the-clock care, CHCPE services may be
coordinated with other services paid for by family or personal resources
in order to keep the client in the community.
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Who
is eligible for CHCPE? (BACK
TO LIST)
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65 or older (there
may be other programs available for those under 65)
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a Connecticut
resident
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needs help with at least one activity of daily living such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, meal preparation, or medication management
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meets the program's
financial eligibility requirements
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How
do you access CHCPE? (BACK
TO LIST)
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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.
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You may also contact the Agency on Aging for an in-home assessment and screen; if you are not eligible
for CHCPE you may be able to purchase services from the Agency on Aging directly.
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How
do you know if you are in the region served by the Agency on Aging? (BACK TO LIST)
Can I own my own home and still qualify? (BACK
TO LIST)
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Yes, you may own your own home and participate in the program.
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What else can I own and still qualify for CHCPE? (BACK
TO LIST)
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This is not always a simple question. If you own $1,600 or less (plus your home) you qualify financially for all versions of CHCPE. Under one component of the program, if you
own $19,908 (or $28,062 if a couple), you may qualify. (Figures as of 1/2006 - subject to change.) These numbers do not include certain "exempt assets."
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If you require services and your spouse does not, you may be able to ask the State to allow your spouse to keep more than these amounts and still qualify. This is a
request for a "spousal assessment." You may wish to consult an elder law attorney knowledgeable about Medicaid.
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Do I need to pay the State back for the services I get from CHCPE, and
if so, when? (BACK
TO LIST)
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Yes - At the time you are discharged from the program, the Department of Social Services could ask you or your estate to pay the state back for the amount of services that were
provided by CHCPE if you or your estate has assets to do so, subject to certain limitations (such as protecting your home for your spouse or disabled child).
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However, as long as you, your spouse, or your disabled child are living in the home, the Department of Social Services will not record a lien on your home at the town Land Records.
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Will I have a say in what home care services are arranged for me?
(BACK
TO LIST)
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Your services are based upon the findings of your assessment, your individual needs and preferences, your level of care, CHCPE 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.
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Does the Agency on Aging itself provide the home care services I need? (BACK
TO LIST)
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The Agency on Aging
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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. We can't generally work with individual
freelance aides.
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How often will I talk with or see my care manager? (BACK
TO LIST)
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Once you become a home care client 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.
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You can always call your care manager if you need help.
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How does the Agency on Aging protect my privacy?
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As required by law, the Agency on Aging has a privacy policy which you should read if applying for services.
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Where
can I find out more? (BACK
TO LIST)
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