Memory Care in Connecticut

The southernmost state in New England, Connecticut is a popular destination for residents of the New York metropolitan area looking for a scenic getaway — particularly during October, when fall colors are most vibrant. Known as the “Constitution State” for its nation-building contributions following the Revolutionary War, Connecticut is rich with historic Colonial landmarks in cities like Hartford and New London. The southern coastline along the Long Island Sound includes Hammonasset Beach State Park, as well as New Haven, the state’s second-largest city. Here you’ll find Yale University, the antique carousel at Lighthouse Point Park, and the famous New Haven-style thin crust pizza. Although Connecticut can be a bit more expensive than other states, you’ll find it to be a serene, picturesque escape from the big city and an excellent retirement destination.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 120 senior living communities in Connecticut that provide memory care.

The median monthly cost of memory care in Connecticut is about $7,200.

Connecticut memory care facilities are licensed as special care units (SCUs) in assisted living communities. Also known as Assisted Living Services Agencies (ALSAs), these communities are licensed by the Department of Public Health’s Facility Licensing and Investigations Section. A licensed ALSA can provide assisted living services and memory care services in a Managed Residential Community (MRC).^[01]

The laws and regulations for memory care SCUs mostly overlap with assisted living communities, but reviewing the detailed requirements below may bring you peace of mind while considering memory care for your loved one.

Resident and staff requirements

Seniors who need memory care in Connecticut aren’t required to be screened or assessed before moving into the specialized care unit (SCU) of an assisted living community. However, all seniors must complete a service program with a registered nurse, and it should include a summary of all current needs and both the type and schedule of services needed.^[02]

It may also be helpful to understand the requirements of the SCU staff who will care for and interact with your loved one:^[02]

• Direct care staff must complete at least eight hours of Alzheimer’s- and dementia-specific training within six months of employment.
• They must also complete at least eight hours of annual training.
• Each staff member must have at least two hours of training in pain recognition and pain management.
• All other community staff members must complete at least one hour of Alzheimer’s- and dementia-specific training within six months of employment.

In addition, communities must have a 24-hour on-call nurse.^[02] Other caregiving staff who are awake and on site at all hours can be scheduled depending on the senior’s needs.^[01]

Memory care services

Just as they would in a standard assisted living community, your loved one should receive basic services such as laundry, transportation, housekeeping, and meals. Plus, each senior should be given a written disclosure that outlines what their memory care services are in addition to other community-specific details:^[02]

• How memory care plans are modified when needs change
• The staff-to-patient ratio
• What physical designs and features exist to support seniors with dementia
• How families are involved and if family support groups are available
• The cost of memory care, including fees

Living spaces

In addition to each memory care program’s dementia-friendly layout, your senior loved one’s living space should follow the same guidelines as an assisted living community:^[02]

• Units must be private, but seniors can choose to share a room.
• Each unit must have a full bath.
• All common spaces must have room for at least half of the residents at one time.

While Connecticut doesn’t have specific square foot requirements or guidelines for the maximum number of seniors per unit, you can contact the community you’re interested in for more information.

Connecticut Department of Health contact information

Connecticut State Department of Public Health
410 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06134

Phone: 860-509-8000

Email: askdph@ct.gov

License details and inspection reports

It may bring peace of mind to know you can find information on the licenses and inspections of the communities you’re interested in. The Facility Licensing and Investigations Section of the Department of Public Health inspects Assisted Living Services Agencies (ALSAs) every two years, and they share updated information on licenses and inspection reports with the public.^[01]

Via the State of Connecticut License Lookup site, choose Assisted Living Service Agency from the “License Type” menu. In the “Business Name/DBA” textbox, type the name of the community you’re interested in. Then, choose Connecticut from the “State” menu and click the “Submit” button. The inspection reports for the community can be viewed by clicking the blue “Details” button.