Governor Rell: New Department on Aging

Will Deliver Services, Care to State’s Seniors

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that her office has submitted testimony to the Legislature’s Committee on Aging in support of her bill to re-establish the state Department on Aging as a separate agency on July 1.

            Under the Governor’s bill, the current Department of Social Services will continue to operate the state’s services for senior citizens until the new Department on Aging is fully operational. Once the new agency is up and running, it will take responsibility for the existing network of services, regional administration and funding allocated under the Older Americans Act.

            “This legislation recognizes that Connecticut has a steadily growing population of older residents – and that it is our intention to make sure their ‘golden years’ are truly golden,” Governor Rell said. “The decision several years ago to absorb the then-independent Department on Aging into DSS was the right decision at the time – just as it is the right decision now to re-establish this agency as a separate office. As our population ages it will become increasingly important to make sure we are delivering the services, care and attention they need.

            “This legislation is structured to ensure a smooth and sensible shift in responsibilities from the Department of Social Services to the new agency,” the Governor said. “I am confident that the General Assembly will agree and I look forward to working with the Committee on Aging and the full Legislature to create an agency that will provide the very best in services to Connecticut’s senior citizens.”

            Other programs the new agency will manage include CHOICES, Connecticut’s program for health insurance assistance, outreach, information and referral, counseling and eligibility screening; the Alzheimer Respite Care Program; nutritional programs for needy elderly persons; and the state’s Long Term Care Ombudsman program, which helps investigate and resolve the complaints and concerns of long term care residents.

            Other programs, such as ConnPACE, the state prescription drug assistance program, will remain under the purview of DSS but will the two agencies will coordinate outreach and other efforts.