AARP Connecticut

Age discrimination has been illegal in America for 50 years. But thanks to loopholes in the hiring process, many Americans aged 40 and older still experience illegal age discrimination when applying for jobs.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, AARP Connecticut and other organizations fought for changes that will allow Connecticut voters to cast their ballots in 2021 without risking their health. Once again, like in 2020, every Connecticut voter will have access to an absentee ballot by checking the COVID-19 reason on their absentee ballot application. This change will be in effect through the November 2nd, 2021 municipal elections.

A sweeping set of AARP-backed nursing home reforms have gone into effect: allowing residents to have electronic equipment, better infection controls and more direct care per resident.

AARP CT Livable Communities Grant Application

AARP Connecticut announced three Connecticut organizations will receive 2021 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.2 million awarded among 244 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects to promote livable communities by improving housing, transportation, public spaces, civic engagement, and connection with family, friends, and neighbors with an emphasis on the needs of the 50-plus. Many of this year’s awards support revitalizing communities adversely impacted by the pandemic and include a focus on diversity, inclusion, and disparities.

Is your 65th birthday coming up? You know what that means: It’s time to prepare for Medicare. Get ahead of the game with answers from our free webinar on Medicare, including when to enroll, what’s covered and where to find help along the way.

More than 4 out of 5 Americans say they want to receive care at home instead of in an institutional setting if they need long-term care services in the future, according to a recent AARP survey. As part of ongoing state and federal efforts to “rebalance” long-term services and supports, the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) included a 10% temporary enhancement to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for home and community-based services (HCBS). This unprecedented investment in home and community-based services presents Connecticut with a tremendous opportunity to bolster the programs and services that allow individuals to safely remain in their homes as they age.

AARP Connecticut advocates on issues including caregiving, financial security, independent living, prescription drug prices and community programming that supports older adults aging in place.

AARP Launches National Campaign Urging More Support for Family Caregivers, Passage of Bipartisan Credit for Caring Act

2021 was a very unusual year at the Connecticut General Assembly. The Connecticut Capitol may have been closed to the public because of COVID-19 restrictions, but AARP Connecticut staff and volunteers were still vocal and active, virtually advocating on behalf of older adults and submitting nearly 50 pieces of legislative testimony. Below is a summary of the AARP Connecticut-supported bills that successfully passed both the House and Senate and are expected to be signed into law.