Connecticut is a popular retirement destination for seniors. As of the 2019 Census, 17.7% of the state's 3.6 million residents were aged 65 or over. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that 80,000 seniors in Connecticut are living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, and that figure is expected to increase to 91,000 by 2025.
Coping with the symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia can be difficult. Many seniors who are living with the condition require a high level of care and supervision. Fortunately, memory care facilities give seniors the opportunity to receive care in a secure environment, while still benefiting from a degree of freedom and independence within the scope of their current abilities. Memory care is usually delivered in assisted living facilities with a memory care unit that offers 24-hour supervision, individualized programs and therapeutic spaces to help those living with Alzheimer's feel safe and comfortable. The average monthly cost of memory care in Connecticut is $6,100, which is notably higher than the U.S. average of $5,064.
This detailed guide helps families make informed decisions about care services for their loved ones. It looks at the cost of memory care in Connecticut, examines the state's SeniorScore and talks about financial assistance, memory care regulatio
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Connecticut
Connecticut has a SeniorScore of 71, which is just 1 point lower than the national average. The SeniorScore is a rating based on 100 metrics drawn from public and government databases that quantifies how livable a city may be for seniors. The ratings are broken down into four categories: General Quality of Life, Health & Safety, Finances and Recreation & Leisure. Connecticut scores 74 for Health & Safety due to the high number of hospitals and Medicare-registered healthcare providers in the state, and the average life expectancy of 80.8 years, which is 2.2 years longer than the national average. Yale New Haven Hospital is a nationally ranked hospital that's considered high-performing in several adult specialties. The state also scores well for Recreation & Leisure because of the high percentage of seniors living there and the number of churches, golf courses and other facilities for residents to take advantage of.
Connecticut's two lowest-scoring categories were General Quality of Life, where it scores 57, and Finances, where it earned a 55. The state sees a lot of rain and very cold winters, which some seniors may not find favorable. Income and sales tax rates in Connecticut are slightly lower than the national averages, but the overall cost of living is high and the income tax rules in the state aren't friendly for retirees. Some seniors may feel that the increase in the cost of living is worthwhile for access to the state's healthcare facilities and leisure amenities.
Pendleton Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 120 room skilled nursing facility. It is located at 44 Maritime Dr in Mystic, Connecticut. With an average per-family income of $73,348, the community is in a generally middle class area. ...
Salmon Brook Center is a 130 room senior care facility. It is located at 72 Salmon Brook Dr in Glastonbury, Connecticut. The facility is in a predominantly upscale area, with a median per-household income of $103,875. With ...
Greenwich Woods Rehabilitation and Health Care Center is a 217 unit nursing home facility located in Greenwich, Connecticut. With about 16,000 poeple living in the 06831 zip code, the neighboring area has a medium-density population. It is a ...
Wilton Meadows Health Care Cen is located at 439 Danbury Rd Rt 7 in Wilton, Connecticut. It is a 148 room nursing facility. The facility is in a primarily wealthier area, with an average family income of $160,286. ...
Cassena Care at Norwalk is a 150 bed senior care facility located in Norwalk, Connecticut. With approximately 19,000 individuals living in the zip code of 06850, the neighboring area has an average population density. It is a largely ...
Groton Regency is located at 1145 Poquonnock Rd in Groton, Connecticut. It is a 162 room senior housing facility. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with approximately 32,000 individuals residing in the 06340 zip code. It is ...
Located close to the Madison Center neighborhood of Madison, Connecticut, Madison House is a 90 unit senior housing facility. The facility is in a generally upscale area, with an average household income of $108,242. It has a medium-density ...
Cheshire Regional Rehab Center is a 120 unit nursing facility. It is located at 745 Highland Ave in Cheshire, Connecticut. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with around 30,000 residents in the 06410 zip code. With an ...
Witherell, Nathaniel is a 202 bed senior community located nearby the Riverside neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut. With a median per-household income of $137,453, the community is in a primarily upscale area. It is densely populated, with about 25,000 ...
Located at 1 Glen Hill Rd in Danbury, Connecticut, Glen Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a 100 unit nursing care facility. With approximately 50,000 people residing in the zip code of 06810, the neighboring area has a dense ...
Located at 1 Emily Way in West Hartford, Connecticut, The Reservoir is a 75 unit senior housing facility. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with around 20,000 individuals living in the zip code of 06107. With ...
Governor's House is a 73 bed senior housing community located in Simsbury, Connecticut. With a median per-family income of $113,662, the community is in a predominantly well-to-do area. It has an average population density, with around 16,000 residents ...
Hancock Hall is a 96 unit senior care community located in Danbury, Connecticut. With a median household income of $56,766, the facility is in a generally middle class area. It is densely populated, with roughly 50,000 individuals residing ...
Fox Hill Center is a 150 room senior community. It is situated in the Rockville neighborhood of Rockville, Connecticut. With an average household income of $64,308, the facility is in a predominantly middle income area. It has ...
Woodlake at Tolland is a 130 bed senior care community. It is situated close to the Rockville area of Tolland, Connecticut. The community is in a largely upscale area, with an average household income of $99,136. It ...
Located in the West River neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut, Goodwin-Levine Adult Day Health Center is a 226 room nursing care facility. With an average household income of $30,676, the facility is in a largely lower income area. ...
Located within the Fair Haven area of New Haven, Connecticut, Mary Wade Home is a 93 room senior housing community. The facility is in a predominantly middle class area, with an average per-family income of $40,943. It is ...
Skyview Center is located nearby the Wallingford Center area of Wallingford, Connecticut. It is a 97 unit senior care facility. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with about 46,000 individuals residing in the 06492 zip code. It ...
Beechwood is located close to the Central Waterford area of New London, Connecticut. It is a 60 room senior housing community. The neighboring area is densely populated, with roughly 29,000 residents in the zip code of 06320. ...
Westside Care Center is a 180 room senior community. It is located at 349 Bidwell St in Manchester, Connecticut. With about 36,000 residents in the 06040 zip code, the neighboring area has a dense population. It is ...
Memory care services are typically delivered in assisted living facilities with specialized memory care units. There isn't an authoritative database of memory care costs for individual states, but in general, memory care costs 20 to 30% more than basic assisted living services. The increase in cost is due to the higher care levels required by dementia patients, which necessitate increased staff-to-patient ratios, more specialized support services, increased security and more dementia-focused activities. We calculated memory care prices in this guide at 25% above the assisted living rates published in the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2019. Actual rates charged for memory care vary depending on the size of the facility, its location, pricing structure and amenities.
With fees of $6,100 per month, memory care in Connecticut is over $1,000 a month more expensive than the United States average. Connecticut's memory care fees aren't the highest on the east coast, however. While memory care services in New York are slightly more affordable, at $5,788 per month, fees in other neighboring states are higher. It costs $399 more for memory care services in Rhode Island, and fees in Massachusetts are even higher at $7,050. The most expensive nearby state is New Jersey, where monthly fees at a memory care facility average $8,000.
Connecticut: $6,100
National: $5,064
Rhode Island: $6,499
Massachusetts: $7,050
New York: $5,788
New Jersey: $8,000
The Cost of Memory Care in Connecticut's Top Cities
Memory care costs vary between cities in Connecticut. In the Hartford and Norwich areas, fees are lower than the state average at $5,813 and $5,309, respectively. The New Haven area is the most affordable in the state for memory care services, with average costs of just $4,688 per month. Meanwhile, fees in the Bridgeport area are the most expensive in Connecticut, averaging $7,938 per month.
Hartford Area: $5,813
Norwich Area: $5,309
New Haven Area: $4,688
Bridgeport Area: $7,938
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Connecticut
In addition to memory care services, seniors can also access other forms of long-term care in Connecticut. Memory care is one of the most expensive care options in the state, due to the extra security and personalized care services provided. Assisted living costs just $4,880 in comparison. In-home care and home health care services are more affordable, costing $4,195 per month for homemaker services, and $4,576 for limited healthcare services. Adult day care services, which offer help with the activities of daily living in a group setting during daytime hours, costs just $1,842 per month, making it the state's most affordable care option. Nursing home care is by far the most costly, with a semiprivate room in a facility where round-the-clock skilled nursing is provided costing $12,699 per month.
Memory Care: $6,100
Assisted Living: $4,880
In-Home Care: $4,195
Home Health Care: $4,576
Adult Day Care: $1,842
Nursing Home Care: $12,699
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Connecticut
The CHCPE Medicaid waiver is open to Connecticut residents aged 65 and over who are at risk of nursing home placement and who meet the financial eligibility criteria. The program helps eligible seniors avoid premature nursing home placement by supporting them to obtain the services they need to live independently, either at home or in an assisted living facility. While the program's name mentions home care, CHCPE contains the Assisted Living Program, which allocates Medicaid and state funds to cover assisted living and memory care services for those who require a greater level of assistance.
Connecticut Memory Care Rules and Regulations
Memory care in Connecticut is provided by assisted living facilities with special care units for Alzheimer's residents. These facilities are licensed and regulated by the Department of Public Health, Facility Licensingand Investigations Section. All assisted living facilities are required to register with the Department and follow regulations relating to the scope of care provided and staffing requirements.
Scope of Care
Memory care facilities must provide the standard services offered in assisted living facilities, including safe accommodation, housekeeping, laundry, nutritious meals and recreational activities. In addition to these services, facilities must provide 24-hour security and monitoring, take steps to prevent residents from wandering and have programs in place for the benefit of residents with memory impairment.
Care Plan Requirements
All new residents must be evaluated by a registered nurse within 7 days of being admitted to the facility. The nurse must draft a plan of care to address the resident's individual needs, including any required nursing services, prescribed medications and day-to-day management. Care plans must be reviewed regularly, at intervals based on the patient's assessed condition.
Medication Management Requirements
Residents who are able to do so may self-administer medication. Facilities may monitor residents to ensure they're complying with their medication plan by providing reminders, opening packaging or otherwise verifying that medications were taken. Licensed medical personnel may pour medication or administer doses for residents who are unable to self-administer.
Staff Screening Requirements
State law requires that all staff and volunteers in long-term care facilities who will have contact with residents pass a background check. This check includes a search of state and federal criminal records, relevant professional databases and abuse and neglect registries.
The Alzheimer's Association offers a variety of supportive services for seniors and their families. Services include support groups, newsletters, community events and awareness-building programs. The association also contributes to research into Alzheimer's disease and advocates for those affected by the condition both directly and indirectly.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers throughout Connecticut provide services and supports to older adults and individuals with disabilities. Services include information, application assistance and referrals to benefit and support programs, options counseling, advocacy and care transition assistance. All seniors residing in Connecticut are eligible for support from their local ADRC, regardless of income.
Area Agencies on Aging in Connecticut
There are five Area Agencies on Aging in Connecticut. These agencies are private, nonprofit organizations that deliver a range of social services to the state's older residents. Some agencies offer benefits counseling, which may help seniors access funds to cover the cost of memory care or assisted living, case management and senior transportation services. Eligibility for individual programs varies, but programs are typically offered on a tiered contribution basis depending on the senior's income.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Connecticut
Veteran Affairs Offices work with former service people and their families, helping them access pensions and benefits as well as other support, including long-term care options. Seniors who've served in the military may be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance pension top-up benefit, which can be used to cover the cost of assisted living and memory care services.
Social Security Offices in Connecticut
Low-income seniors may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income payments, depending on their circumstances. These cash payments may be used to cover the cost of room and board in an assisted living facility or put toward other memory care costs. Seniors can receive information and assistance applying for SSI benefits at their nearest Social Security Office.