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The Alzheimer’s Association is here to help. |
Helpline
The Alzheimer's Association Helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in 140 languages. Our staff is highly trained and knowledgeable about all aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. Call us if you have questions about:
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Alzheimer’s disease or memory loss, medications and treatment options, brain health and care options
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How the Association can help you
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Caregiving tips and respite care options
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Services available in your community and referrals
You can also call us for emotional support –– as often as you need. We know that living with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming at times. Remember, we are here for you –– all day, every day.
24-7 Helpline 1.800.272.3900
E-mail help
If you prefer, send us a message at ehelpline@alz.org We check the e-mail box daily and will respond to your inquiry within 24-48 hours thank you.
Care consultation
Our professional staff is dedicated to helping people navigate through the difficult decisions and uncertainties people with Alzheimer’s and their families face at every stage of the disease. We can provide care consultation services to you by telephone, e-mail or in person. These include:
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Assessment of needs
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Assistance with planning and problem solving
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Supportive listening
Contact us for more information:
Phone: 1.800.272.3900
E-mail: ehelpline@alz.org
Support groups
We offer a variety of support groups for all individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease. Groups are facilitated by trained volunteers. Many locations offer specialized groups for children, those with early-onset and early-stage Alzheimer’s, adult caregivers and others with specific needs.
Message boards
The Alzheimer’s Association message boards and chat rooms provide an online community for persons with Alzheimer's, caregivers and care providers. Our message boards have thousands of registered members from around the United States and thousands more who refer to the stories and information that is available 24 hours a day.
Join the Alzheimer’s Association online community.
Publications
The Alzheimer’s Association offers dozens of fact sheets and brochures. Click here for a listing.
We also maintain a variety of educational materials (brochures, videos, audiotapes and books) on topics related to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. To learn more about our library, call us at 1.800.272.3900.
Newsletter
Our electronic newsletter is sent out several times per year and contains the latest information about Alzheimer’s disease and the programs and services of the Connecticut Chapter. If you would like to become a subscriber, click here to sign up.
Educational programs
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Family Training Seminars
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Partnering with Your Doctor
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Maintain Your Brain
Professional training
The Connecticut Chapter Dementia Training Institute offers trainings to professionals in the dementia field such as in residential homes or home health agencies. Presentations can be tailored to the audience. All of the programs are evaluated by the participants to assess quality and product innovation. Customized in-services are also available. To learn more about professional training opportunities, call us at 860.828.2828
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Foundations of Dementia Care (FDC)
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Specialized Dementia Care Education (SDCE)
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Activity Based Alzheimer’s Care (ABAC)
Professional training listings.
Multilingual information
Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders that cause dementia know no boundaries. Many individuals and families in ethnic and cultural minority groups are in need of solid information about Alzheimer’s disease and health resources.
MedicAlert® + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return® is a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer's or a related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. We provide 24-hour, nationwide assistance, no matter when or where the person is reported missing.
Safe Return Scholarships in Connecticut
The Connecticut Chapter offers scholarships to any family who cannot afford the cost of the enrollment fee on a first come, first serve basis. The scholarship covers the cost of registration which includes the administration fee and the cost of all the identification products. Additional jewelry and caregiver jewelry is not covered under the scholarship. To learn more about scholarship opportunities, call us at 860.828.2828
Respite Care
Connecticut Statewide Respite Care
What is The Connecticut Statewide Respite Care Program?
The Connecticut Statewide Respite Care Program is funded by the State Department of Social Services and is operated in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association Chapters of Connecticut and the Connecticut Area Agencies on Aging. Eligible families may apply for daytime or overnight respite care services including but not limited to: Adult day care, home health aide, homemaker/companion, skilled nursing care, self-directed care, Cognitive Training, or short term nursing home placement. Contact the Area Agencies on Aging for an application: 1-800-994-9422.
The Connecticut Statewide Respite Care Program is funded by the State Department of Social Services and is operated in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association Chapters of Connecticut and the Connecticut Area Agencies on Aging. Eligible families may apply for daytime or overnight respite care services including but not limited to: Adult day care, home health aide, homemaker/companion, skilled nursing care, self-directed care, Cognitive Training, or short term nursing home placement. Contact the Area Agencies on Aging for an application: 1-800-994-9422.
Program Eligibility and Guidelines:
The applicant or authorized agent must provide a Physician's statement declaring that the patient has Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder such as: Multi-Infarct dementia, Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease or Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. The applicant cannot be receiving services under the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE), must have an income of no more than $41,000 per year and liquid assets of $109,000 or less. The program pays for up to $7,500 in respite care services per family per year. A 20% co-payment of the cost of the service is required, but may be waived based upon financial hardship.
The applicant or authorized agent must provide a Physician's statement declaring that the patient has Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder such as: Multi-Infarct dementia, Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease or Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. The applicant cannot be receiving services under the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE), must have an income of no more than $41,000 per year and liquid assets of $109,000 or less. The program pays for up to $7,500 in respite care services per family per year. A 20% co-payment of the cost of the service is required, but may be waived based upon financial hardship.
Alzheimer's Association Respite Fund
Purpose of the Fund
The Alzheimer's Association Respite Fund, subsidized from individual and corporate donations to the Association, is a financial reimbursement program designed to assist caregiving families in accessing respite care services. It provides up to $500 per family per year. Eligible families may purchase any of the following respite care services: adult day care, home health aide, adult foster care, homemaker/companion, skilled nursing care or short term nursing home care. Funds may be used for daytime or overnight respite. It is the family's responsibility to arrange for respite care services. Resource lists of providers are available from the Chapter. Reimbursement will be made directly to the service provider after receipt of purchase is submitted to the Chapter. At the present time there is a waiting list.
The Alzheimer's Association Respite Fund, subsidized from individual and corporate donations to the Association, is a financial reimbursement program designed to assist caregiving families in accessing respite care services. It provides up to $500 per family per year. Eligible families may purchase any of the following respite care services: adult day care, home health aide, adult foster care, homemaker/companion, skilled nursing care or short term nursing home care. Funds may be used for daytime or overnight respite. It is the family's responsibility to arrange for respite care services. Resource lists of providers are available from the Chapter. Reimbursement will be made directly to the service provider after receipt of purchase is submitted to the Chapter. At the present time there is a waiting list.
The Need for Respite
Respite care is a service designed to provide a break, or a time of caregiver relief, from the constant physical and emotional stress of caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. Family caregivers generally find that the task of caring for a person with dementia is overwhelming. They often develop stress-related illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, or ulcers. An occasional break from caregiving enables an exhausted caregiver to regroup, both physically and emotionally, and find the strength to carry on. Respite care is an invaluable service that truly saves caregiver lives. With financial assistance, many family caregivers who would not otherwise use this service will have the opportunity to obtain temporary relief for themselves, and may be able to care for their Alzheimer's loved ones at home much longer than would otherwise be possible.
Respite care is a service designed to provide a break, or a time of caregiver relief, from the constant physical and emotional stress of caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. Family caregivers generally find that the task of caring for a person with dementia is overwhelming. They often develop stress-related illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, or ulcers. An occasional break from caregiving enables an exhausted caregiver to regroup, both physically and emotionally, and find the strength to carry on. Respite care is an invaluable service that truly saves caregiver lives. With financial assistance, many family caregivers who would not otherwise use this service will have the opportunity to obtain temporary relief for themselves, and may be able to care for their Alzheimer's loved ones at home much longer than would otherwise be possible.
How to Qualify There are no income requirements for program eligibility. In order to qualify for financial assistance, the primary caregiver must:
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reside with the person with dementia;
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live in Connecticut;
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complete an application form;
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provide a statement from a physician that the patient has Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder;
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utilize a respite service;
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the individual with dementia can not be on Title XIX/Medicaid;
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Preference is given to applicants who are not accessing other respite services.
Download Respite Application
Click to download an application for the Alzheimer's Association, Connecticut Chapter Respite Program. Contact the Chapter for more information.
Connecticut Chapter Respite Application (PDF)
Connections Project
The Aging Services Division of the Connecticut Department of Social Services was awarded a grant from the Federal Administration on Aging to administer the “CONNECTIONS” project. This project is designed to empower families living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or a related dementia by offering streamlined access to available services, as well as the provision of Cognitive Training as an innovative respite option. The project partners are the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter, New England Cognitive Center, Connecticut Community Care, Inc, the North Central Connecticut Aging and Disability Resource Center, the Veteran’s Administration, Seabury, The Retreat, and the Alzheimer’s Resource Center. For more information on the CONNECTIONS Project, call 1-800-994-9422 ex. 251. For more information on cognitive training, call (860) 243-6024.
Local resources and referrals
We maintain updated information on home care, adult day care, care coordination, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, eldercare lawyers and transportation available in the community. Our staff and trained professionals can help assess whether a specific care provider meets the needs of an individual with Alzheimer’s.
Click on the links below to view a printable PDF:
Physicians
ElderLaw Attorneys
Home Health Agencies
Adult Day Centers
Assisted Living Facilities
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Diagnostic Center
Casemanagment
Dentists
For more information, please contact us:
By phone: 800.272.3900
By e-mail: ehelpline@alz.org
Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit Studies
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Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch ™
The Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch™ program is a free service that makes it easy for people with Alzheimer's, caregivers, families and physicians to locate clinical trials based on personal criteria (diagnosis, stage of disease) and location. Click the link above for the open trial listings in TrialMatch for Connecticut. For more information, please contact 1-800-272-3900
Brain Autopsy Information
Autopsies done through research programs enhance scientific knowledge about dementia, its treatment and, hopefully its prevention. Our Medical Scientific Advisory Council has provided some information on this option based on requests from constituents.
Please click here if you wish to learn more
