What is the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders?

Connecticut's Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) operates as a Medicaid waiver program under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act. It was created to give older adults a choice between institutional care and community-based assisted living by covering residential services and supports when individuals meet income and asset limits.

The program covers services such as assisted living facility room, board, personal care assistance, medication reminders, and coordination of services. Residents pay a portion of their income toward their room and board, with Medicaid covering the remainder of the facility costs and associated services up to program limits.

Eligibility requires applicants to be at least 65 years old and have medical, cognitive, or functional needs that would otherwise require nursing home care. Income and asset limits apply, and Connecticut residents must establish Medicaid eligibility to qualify. Because CHCPE operates under a waiver, enrollment may be subject to waiting lists during periods of high demand.

For assisted living operators and property owners in the Greater Hartford area, CHCPE participation means accepting Medicaid as a payment source for qualifying residents. The program shapes the assisted living market in Connecticut by making residential care financially accessible to seniors who could not otherwise afford it, influencing which facilities in the region serve low-income populations.