If your aging loved ones need help with their daily living tasks, you’ve likely been considering senior home care or an assisted living facility. The choice between the two comes from preference, need, and cost. Still, some families that opt for assisted living do so for the plethora of amenities, constant care, and social aspect of living amongst a community of peers. Whether you’re located near Danbury, Stamford, New Haven, or Hartford, the location, home size, particular facility, and level of care that best suits your family’s needs will affect the cost of assisted living in CT.

As you’d expect, the more care services your loved one needs, the more you can expect to pay for assisted living. In this article, we’ll break down the variables that affect assisted living costs in CT to help you estimate expenses based on current data and the types of care offered. We’ll also provide tips on making the assisted living cost in CT more affordable.

Read More: How to Choose Assisted Living in CT

Types of assisted living in CT

The type of assisted living is one of the most significant variables to consider when assessing the assisted living cost in CT. Individual facility offerings will vary, but to give you an idea of the types of care and services available, we’ve highlighted common features included in the various assisted living care levels.

Independent living

Independent living communities often share campuses with assisted living and other levels of care. Independent living residents can live full, healthy lives without assistance but enjoy freedom from daily tasks like cooking and cleaning, plus the convenience of on-site amenities — salons, barbers, and movie theaters. Transportation to local events, activities, and shopping centers is often included. Typically seniors who want to downsize, enjoy less daily responsibility, be social, and do so with the security of having others nearby in case of emergency choose this option.

Assisted living

Assisted living communities offer all the benefits of independent living plus personalized care services to meet their residents’ needs. When activities of daily living become troublesome for seniors, assisted living caregivers offer support with personal care — bathing, grooming, dressing — medication management and administration, incontinence care, and more.

Respite care

Respite care is short-stay assisted living. Respite care gives families a way to take a break from being primary caretakers, and it comes at a lower cost than a full-time live-in residency. If family members become ill, busy, or have other obligations, respite care is a way to ensure loved ones are in good hands while their caregivers recover. It’s also a way for seniors to get acquainted with staff, community members, and the general lifestyle of an assisted living community before deciding if they’d like to move in full-time. (NIH)

Memory care

Memory care communities are divisions of assisted living facilities that cater to the unique needs of residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other forms of cognitive decline. Oftentimes the environment is designed to create familiarity and nostalgia for residents, and equally as important, have added security measures as memory care patients are prone to wander. Staff is specially trained to recognize residents’ symptoms and needs. Some facilities have different tiers of memory care based on the degree of their residents’ symptom development and physical capabilities. (AARP)

Nursing home/Skilled nursing

Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, offer medically-focused care for elderly residents. Assisted living residents may require stays in a skilled nursing community after surgery, injury, or hospitalization. Sometimes, as aging or disease takes its toll, a nursing home becomes the appropriate place for elders to live full-time. Essentially, a nursing home is a place for seniors who don’t require hospitalization but can’t live independently or in assisted living due to medical necessity. (MedlinePlus.gov)

Continuing care retirement communities

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) offer a continuum of care as resident needs change with age. There is often a hefty up-front cost associated with CCRCs in addition to monthly maintenance and living expenses. The allure is that once a resident moves into a CCRC, they’ll receive the care they need in-house for the remainder of their lives, no matter how their needs may change. It creates a seamless process for residents and their families should an elder fall ill or require additional care as the aging process continues. (AARP)

Determining levels of care

Now that you understand the different types of assisted living available to you, you can determine what level of care your loved one needs based on their abilities. Different levels of care offer increased services, and any elevation in care will drive up the senior living cost in CT. Review these example scenarios for an idea of what level of care your loved one may need:

Scenario 1: Independent Living

An older couple in their 70s with no children is relatively healthy but realistic about possible health issues arising as they age. They opt to move into an independent living community that shares a campus with assisted living facilities they’d be comfortable moving to if the need arose. Alternatively, they may select a continuing care community where transitioning between care levels is seamless.

Scenario 2: Assisted Living

A loved one has maintained their mental capacity, but physically, they’ve become fragile with age. They require help getting in and out of bed and bathing, and arthritis makes it difficult to open their medication bottles. They enjoy the social aspects of game night and dining with friends but feel more comfortable and safe with the supervision that comes with residing in an assisted living facility.

Scenario 3: Memory Care

An elder showing signs of cognitive decline has received a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Their adult children can no longer keep up with their growing need for care, so the family finds a memory loss community where specially-trained care providers understand the unique needs of memory loss patients. Having their loved one in a memory care center allows family members to focus on enjoying every moment spent together.

Ultimately, when anticipating the cost of assisted living in CT, the level of care the resident requires largely dictates how much you can expect to pay. On average, $5,129 is the monthly cost in CT for a private, one-bedroom accommodation in an assisted living community. (Genworth)

The average cost of assisted living in CT

Costs vary by facility, level of care, home size, and geographic location. CareScout, a Genworth company, researched extensively to uncover the cost of assisted living in CT. From June through November 2021, CareScout contacted 67,742 providers by phone to complete 14,698 surveys of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult day health facilities, and home care providers throughout the United States. The table below includes local figures we’ve extracted based on the thorough research CareScout performed in CT. The costs displayed are for a private, one-bedroom in local assisted living facilities. This way you can fairly compare apples to apples.

Regional Breakdown

Source: Genworth

As you can see, location makes a sizable difference when determining how to afford assisted living in CT. And as we previously referenced, the type of care offered will also be a significant factor in your overall cost. We’ll break down the services and amenities typically included in different assisted living tiers and the associated costs to help you make the best and most educated decision.

Read More: How to Choose Assisted Living in CT

Does Medicaid cover the cost of assisted living in CT?

CT elders who reside in specific assisted living communities may have Medicaid coverage options through the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE). This program is open to all CT residents who are:

• Age 65 and older
• Referred to and eligible for CHCPE by meeting functional and financial requirements

While Medicaid coverage under CHCPE does not pay for room and board, services are provided at state-funded congregate housing facilities, federally-funded HUD facilities, and four affordable Assisted Living Demonstration Sites located in Glastonbury, Hartford, Middletown, and Seymour. This coverage is not widespread, but there is a private assisted living pilot program with limited slots for residents in private assisted living facilities in CT.

Ways to pay for assisted living in CT

Over 800,000 Americans over the age of 65 live in one of 28,000 assisted living facilities across the country. More baby boomers are reaching retirement age every day, and by 2035, more than 78 million Americans will be over 65. (AARP)

With the increasing need and rising rates of senior care, families from all walks of life are grappling with the question of how to afford assisted living. Below are common strategies families use to make assisted living more affordable:

Self-funded

Families often pool financial resources to cover the cost of assisted living in CT. If this is your family’s plan, you may source funds to self-pay for assisted living from pensions, retirement accounts, or by taking out a reverse mortgage on your loved one’s home. Otherwise, selling your loved one’s property may provide a substantial amount of money to put toward the cost of assisted living.

Life insurance

When deciding how to afford assisted living, one often overlooked option is the senior’s life insurance policy — or one belonging to a family member. Life insurance policies can be sold to third-party purchasers and converted into long-term care plans, with or without reserving a death benefit. Another option is to cash out a life insurance policy through its original provider. It leaves no death benefit but can provide a sizable lump sum to apply toward your senior living cost in CT.

Occupationally-driven programs

Depending on seniors’ vocations before retirement, monthly stipends may be available to help offset the assisted living cost in CT. See if your loved one falls into any of the categories below, as savings may be available:

• Veterans: Eligible veterans, their spouses, and surviving spouses of departed veterans may qualify for funding from the VA. Monthly benefit amounts range between $1,153 and $2,127, so this won’t cover the total cost of assisted living in Connecticut, but it can significantly offset the expense. Find out your eligibility status and request more information at VeteranAid.org.
• Federal & U.S. Postal Service employees: Members of the “federal family” are eligible for The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. The federal family includes anyone on the government payroll who is eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits, regardless of enrollment status, federal family retirees, and qualified family members. Depending on the plan you choose, your stay in an assisted living facility could be partially or completely covered by this plan. Learn about individual options and apply directly through The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program.

Ways to save on the cost of assisted living in CT

For budget-conscious families looking for ways to lower their assisted living cost in CT, here are some tips for how to make assisted living options more affordable without sacrificing the quality of care your loved one needs and deserves:

Tip 1: Only get what you need

While many view the fully-inclusive package to be a draw of assisted living, for those wondering how to afford the cost of assisted living while continuing to make ends meet, it can actually be a drawback. If and when you meet or speak with assisted living facility representatives, inquire about a la carte features. Selecting only the services your loved one needs to remain happy and healthy can offer savings, but keep in mind that as seniors age, they may require additional support, making this a temporary solution.

Tip 2: Negotiate

Believe it or not, the assisted living cost in CT — and elsewhere — is somewhat negotiable. Understand that you likely won’t save tens of thousands, but trying your hand at getting fees waived, a free month, or specific amenities discounted could be realistic.

Tip 3: Check your eligibility for tax breaks

Tax breaks are another way to reduce senior living costs in CT. If you can claim a parent as a dependent, or if their residency in an assisted living facility allows you to work or look for work, up to $8,500 in tax breaks may be available. “Other dependent” funding from your employer could also allow up to $10,500 pre-tax dollars to be spent on the cost of assisted living in CT.

Tip 4: Consider a roommate

No, it’s not college, but some solo seniors might enjoy having a roommate. Those who’ve lost a spouse commonly experience loneliness, or perhaps a friend or cousin of the same generation has similar needs. Splitting the cost of an apartment in an assisted living community can reduce costs. It could be an enjoyable living environment for your loved one, making it a win-win.

For families willing to get creative, there are various ways to lower the cost of assisted living in CT. With more elders needing care every day, we expect new and varied solutions to continue to emerge.

How to choose the best assisted living in CT for your family

Deciding on the best assisted living in CT for your family members is a multi-faceted choice made with love, care, and practicality. Honestly evaluate the level of care your loved one needs, where and how you can gather resources, and proximity from you and other key members of the family. Also, review our How To Choose Assisted Living In CT article with step-by-step tips to make sure you cover all your bases.

Once reviewing the process for how to choose, contact CT senior living facilities that interest you. Begin with our carefully-researched lists (below) of the best assisted living communities throughout CT, and trust that by taking the time to be thorough and thoughtful throughout this process, you’ll locate the best assisted living community for your family’s needs.

The Best Assisted Living Near Danbury

The Best Assisted Living Near New Haven

The Best Assisted Living Near Stamford

The Best Assisted Living Near Hartford

Read More: How to Choose Assisted Living in CT