AARP: Cost-Effective Home Care Must be a Budget Priority

AARP Connecticut, on behalf of nearly 614,000 Connecticut members age 50+, is concerned about the impact of the Malloy Administration budget proposal on vulnerable seniors.

People want to age in their homes – in a community of their choice.  In addition to being what people want, it is fiscally prudent.  A report by Health Management Associates shows that delivering home care is three times more cost-effective than taxpayer funded, institutional care, and that 88 percent of seniors prefer to age in their own community as long as they are able.  The report, hma-fact-sheet-on-hcbs-in-ct-final.pdf, also reveals that an estimated 459,000 unpaid family caregivers support loved ones in Connecticut, providing 427 million hours of care with an economic value to the state of $5.93 billion.

This budget erodes the programs, from prescription drugs to nutrition programs and more, which make it possible for seniors to afford to stay at home and avoid more costly institutional care.  It also further financially strains family caregivers who are spending an average of nearly 20 percent of their income providing care for a family member or other loved one, according to an AARP Research Report, “ Family Caregiving and Out-of-Pocket Costs: 2016 Report.” The report shows that family caregivers spend an average of $6,954 in out-of-pocket (OOP) costs related to caregiving, with Hispanic/Latino and low-income family caregivers spending an average of 44 percent of their total annual income.

Very concerning in the Governor’s Budget proposal is a cap on the Category 2 caseload for the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE), a program that was specifically created as a cost effective way to save on the Medicaid costs associated with institutional care.  This comes on the heels of a freeze to Category 1 caseload that helped prevent short-term nursing facility placement.

“AARP will work with the Governor and legislators to empower people to choose how they live as they age,” said AARP Connecticut State Director Nora Duncan.  As a state we should pursue strategic initiatives that increase home- and community-based services by streamlining eligibility, expanding Connecticut’s long-term services infrastructure, and securing additional federal reimbursements for home-care services.