Connecticut Aging Committee Passes Bill Authorizing Use of the Word ‘Care’ by HCAs, But Long Road Ahead as DCP Opposes

​Last week, the Aging Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly unanimously approved a bill that allows home care agencies to use the word “care” in their business names and advertising, following aggressive grassroots efforts by the HCAOA Connecticut Chapter and the testimony of many individual members in support of the bill. 

However, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is opposed to the changes, despite the overwhelming feedback—including nearly 200 HCAOA Legislative Advocacy Network messages sent to Gov. Ned Lamont. If you are a citizen of Connecticut and haven’t already, please click here to urge Gov. Lamont to allow our agencies to use the word “care” in their advertising and materials.
 
Before the bill can become law, several significant steps, including possible committee referrals, must occur. HCAOA Connecticut encourages all home care providers to contact their legislators and ask them to approve the bill as amended.
 
Senate Bill 1025, which implements the Home Care Task Force recommendations, was amended to specify that “homemaker services” includes in-home care. In late January, the Department of Consumer Protection issued guidance that prohibited HCAs from using the term.
 
Additionally, the bill authorizes HCAs to include in their business names and advertising any words that accurately describe that they have employees who are trained to provide homemaker services to individuals experiencing memory difficulties. The Connecticut Chapter has long maintained that caregivers provide essential non-medical care and support to persons with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to help them age in place safely at home.
 
The Governor also reached across the aisle last week to nominate Bryan Cafferelli to serve as commissioner of Consumer Protection (DCP). Cafferelli currently serves as legal counsel to the Connecticut Senate Republican Office. Previously, he served as a drug control attorney for the Department and as a state prosecutor.