Health & Wellbeing

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented public health crisis, and despite the best efforts of government officials and healthcare workers, nearly 13,000 Connecticut nursing home residents have contracted the virus since March, and more than 3,600 residents have died. These devastating losses have exposed long-standing and serious deficiencies in the systems that we rely on to serve older adults and people with disabilities.

The following post was submitted by Dr. Dana Wade, founder of Monitor My Health, Inc. The non-profit organization, fully recognized by the CDC, has delivered much-needed prevention services to underserved and minority communities, and elder groups since 2016. The program is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurances. For more information, please go to www.monitormyhealth.org website, call (203) 683-5946 & (860) 960 2610, or email Admin@monitormyhealth.org.

AARP Connecticut is pleased that the State has convened a Nursing Home and Assisted Living Oversight Working Group to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and how to protect residents moving forward. However, we are very disappointed that this working group, despite having 34 members, does not include a single person who resides in a nursing home or assisted living facility, or who receives long-term supports and services in a community setting.

We may be physically apart, but AARP continues to provide valuable information and resources in communities across Connecticut through a wide variety of free educational and fun online events, including our weekly Webinar Wednesday series.

The significant and unprecedented challenges nursing homes and other residential care facilities are facing due to the pandemic has created an urgent and vital need for increased accountability to ensure the safety and health of their residents. The June 8 Washington Post article (As nursing home residents died, new covid-19 protections shielded companies from lawsuits. Families say that hides the truth.) illustrates the urgent need for policy changes.

View the latest information and articles from AARP Connecticut.

AARP is providing information and resources about COVID-19 to help older Connecticut residents, and their families protect themselves from the virus and prevent it from spreading to others.

AARP will host a live Coronavirus Information Tele-Town Hall every Thursday at 12 p.m. (CST). Experts at this week’s live Q&A event will address your questions related to protecting yourself and loved ones from the virus, staying healthy and reducing social isolation.

Resources for government services, home health visits, food banks, grocery access, meal delivery and unemployment benefits.

On April 1, 2020, AARP Connecticut sent the letter below to Governor Ned Lamont strongly recommending immediate actions related to the rescheduled June 2, 2020, Connecticut Primary that will provide older adults and those at most risk from COVID-19 access to voting while ensuring their health protection.