Finding Nursing Homes in Connecticut

In the New England State of Connecticut, there are as many as 241 nursing home locations and care homes available with the highest standards. Located near the Atlantic coast and just a short drive from New York City, there’s always something to enjoy for seniors and their families. The strong reputations of skilled nursing homes in Connecticut make for ideal candidates when locating professional care options for your senior loved one.

Connecticut defines nursing care with two main categories:

  • Residential Care Homes - Provide basic food, shelter, and laundry services through trained personnel also capable of assisting with bathing, dressing, meals, and the supervision/administration of medication given particular state laws.
  • Chronic and Convalescent Nursing Homes - Provide 24-hour, constant medical attention for residents with acute or debilitating illnesses, in addition to providing the necessities of residential care homes.

Connecticut nursing staff is required to have 12 hours of training per year on matters regarding resident rights, personal care, general safety, and nutrition. With proper amenities and licensed personnel, moving into a skilled nursing home in Connecticut can be quite a pleasant experience.

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Nursing Home Care in Connecticut - Cost Comparison

City Monthly Minimum Monthly Maximum Monthly Median
Bridgeport $8,240 $14,300 $12,170
Hartford $9,125 $12,890 $11,380
New Haven $8,090 $14,450 $11,900
Stamford $8,240 $14,300 $12,170
West Hartford $9,125 $12,890 $11,380

Regardless of the necessary transition to a nursing home, your finances may not always reflect this. Shopping around and comparing the wide range of locations can help formulate a plan for your senior’s preferred care option. Annually, residential care homes in Connecticut will cost around $146,000 for a semi-private room and closer to $158,775 for private spaces.

For more information regarding costs of nursing home care costs in Connecticut, check out: Genworth's 2015 Cost of Care Survey - Connecticut.

Recreation & Attractions in Connecticut

Though one of the smaller states in the United States, there are numerous things to do in Connecticut. Nautical lovers may want to visit the Mystic Seaport. This attraction is a recreation of a historical seaport village and is also a major nautical museum in the United States. Visitors can see the las antique whaling ship as well as other historical ships and steam vessels.

The Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University provides visitors with a range of artifacts and exhibits. Visitors can go learn about dinosaurs, Native American lifestyle and artifacts, and ancient Egypt. The museum also has many different educational events for people of all ages to attend. 

Aviation aficionados will enjoy visiting the New England Air Museum featuring more than 70 air crafts throughout two large hangers. On display are helicopters, amphibious aircraft jets, WWII air crafts and more. There is even a flight simulator that you can try out if your wish to take to the skies!

Connecticut's Climate, Geography, & Culture

One of the original 13 colonies, Connecticut is the third smallest state in the nation in terms of area. Connecticut lacks any large metropolis city like other states, instead, inland river valleys are mottled with small villages and towns. People living in this state are typical Yankees - independent and hard working. The state is fairly conservative so you many not find much in terms of entertainment, but it is a place where you can get a rare look into the origins of the United States.

In general, Connecticut has a humid continental climate, which means that the state has cold winters and warm humid summers. The southern and coastal regions of the state have warmer winters and longer frost-free seasons. During the summer months, you can expect to see average temperature highs in the 80-degree Fahrenheit range. Summer also brings frequent thunderstorms to the area. 

Winter are moderately cold in the state. In coastal lowlands, you can expect winter temperatures in the 30-degree range, while northern and inland areas will have temperature averages in the 20-degree range. In the northern parts of the state, you can expect to see about 50-60 inches of snowfall a year, while coastal regions may only get 20-25 inches annually.

Connecticut's Nursing Home Regulations and Laws

Nursing homes in Connecticut are subject to state laws and regulations to ensure residents are receiving quality care in a safe environment. Not only are nursing home communities subject to licensing, but the owner must also submit records every other year to indicate they are of sound physical and mental health. Records must be kept for all staff members, and they are required to receive at least 12 training hours per year. This training can cover various topics like behavioral management, personal care, nutrition and food safety, and more.

The actual nursing homes are held to high standards in terms of cleanliness and safety. Resident bathrooms must be of a reasonable size and provide amenities like a comfortable chair, as well as access to the toilet and bathing facilities. The building must also have a recreational space both indoors and out, sitting rooms, dining facilities, and emergency power systems for resident safety.

Crime & Safety in Connecticut

In addition to the wealth of activity in and around your preferred nursing home, it is important to evaluate the safety and crime of anywhere sought for long-term care. Connecticut has a relatively low crime rate compared to the rest of the country. In fact, the violent crime rate and property crime rate are 40% and 25% lower, respectively.

LocationViolent Crimes Per 1,000 ResidentsProperty Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Ridgefield0.042.57
Wilton0.053.24
Weston0.003.17
Easton0.003.92

(source: safewise.com)

Payment Options for Connecticut Nursing Home Care

Paying for skilled nursing home care can be extremely expensive, especially in Connecticut. You can use your own personal resources to pay for care if you can afford it. Some insurance companies may also let you use your life insurance towards the cost. You will need to ask your agent if this is possible. You can also consider paying for nursing home care with long-term care insurance. Again, you will need to talk to your agent and check your policy to determine if you're are eligible to use it to pay for skilled nursing care.

You can also receive help from the state by applying to Medicaid. Medicaid covers the expenses of 70 percent of nursing home residents. When choosing a nursing home, be sure to compare the services covered and not covered by Medicare and their costs.  

Senior & Elderly Rights for Nursing Home Care in Connecticut

As a resident in a Connecticut nursing home, you have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, as well as the right to exercise any of your rights. You have the right to participate in making decisions about your care, medications, and treatment, including the right to refuse any treatment, medication, or experimental procedures. You are free to manage your own finances or receive help to manage them. You have the right to be fully informed of your rights, information regarding your health condition, and any nursing home rules or regulation changes.

CT Skilled Nursing Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Health care facilities are required by law to provide residents with access to information from their medical record, including test results, diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis. If the resident or their legal representative would like copies of any or all of their records, they are to be provided at a reasonable rate not to exceed more than 65 cents per page. 

If a health care provider determines that the information is detrimental to the physical or mental health of the resident, or will cause them to likely harm themselves or others, that information may be withheld from the patient. Nursing home communities are required to keep all medical records for at least 7 years since the last date of treatment, and 3 years since the death of the resident.

 

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.