Connecticut Coalition on Aging

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2011/2012 Legislative Survey

The results of this survey will be used to determine which priorities the Coalition will work for during the 2011/2012 Legislative Session of the Connecticut General Assembly.

PRIORITIES FOR ACTION

Results of the CT Coalition on Aging 2012 Legislative Survey

1.     Provide access to prescription drugs and reduce drug costs. 

(60% of respondents)

2.     Support funding and access for hearing aids and glasses.

(58% of respondents)

3.     Improve support for dental care.

(56% of respondents)

4.     Provide comprehensive universal health care for all.

(43% of respondents)

5.     Recognize the need for housing (owned and rented) improvements for seniors and disabled.

(41% of respondents)

The Connecticut Coalition on Aging (CCOA), founded in 1974, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all elders, especially those most vulnerable.  An important facet of this mission is the administration of our annual survey of legislative issues.  These are the top five legislative priorities identified by the survey respondents.  For further information on the Connecticut Coalition on Aging go to our web site at www.coalitionagingct.org.

The CT Coalition on Aging Annual Survey of State Legislative Issues generated a total of 1255 responses from across the state. 78% of the people were over the age of 65, and the survey had fifteen issues for consideration including the top five choices above, grandparents raising grandchildren, end of life issues, property tax reform and more. In addition to the above responses the following comments and concerns were also noted:    

·        Approve more state funded assisted living facilities around CT; also more money follows the person.

·        Better access to transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping, essential errands.

·        Provide tax credits and funding assistance for family caregivers.

·        Biggest problem is property taxes; there should be a cap as there is in New York State.

·        Taxes constantly increasing for seniors.

·        Don’t take away energy assistance or rent rebate.

·        End observation status under Medicare in the hospital.

·        Mixing seniors and young disabled in the same housing is a problem, they have a different lifestyle.

·        More spaces for handicapped parking.

·        Support feeding seniors, both congregate and home delivered meal programs.

·        Need support for caregivers.

·        Need outreach programs for Hispanics.

·        Provide support for senior volunteers.

·        Respite care for caregivers – I’m tired!

·        Socialization programs to prevent depression.

·        Ensure adequate support for grandparents raising grandchildren.

·        Financial assistance with energy bills for low income seniors very important.

·        Help pay for high costs of assisted living and nursing home facilities.

·        Help us with our house taxes.

·        Higher Social Security benefits, seniors do not have enough money to live on.

·        The need for more truly affordable housing has never been greater.

·        Strongly oppose calling Social Security and Medicare benefits entitlements, I worked and paid for them.

·        Home care agencies have not received an increase since 2006, making it hard to get quality employees.

·        Improve funding and access to podiatry care.

·        Length of time processing T-19 applications is a problem.

·        The high cost of home heating oil, there is no price control.

·        To provide cost of living raises every year for people on Social Security.

·        Dental should be covered in universal health care and so should glasses and hearing aids.

·        Create a system to follow elder patients from hospital to community as a means of reducing readmission and chronic severity of illness.

·        Help families maintain seniors in their homes by expanding funding for in-home care.

John F. Hogarth

President

Connecticut Coalition on Aging

jhogarth@ci.meriden.ct.us

January 23, 2012

                                                                      CCOA Surveys By Town