CT Policymakers Attend Senior Care Summit at Assisted Living Services

Government and Politics

May 3, 2024

One of Connecticut’s largest home care providers hosted a legislative summit on April 19, 2024 to address the state’s current eldercare crisis. State Senator Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven) and policy makers met with the owners and caregivers of Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) at the company’s headquarters in Cheshire to discuss policies in the 2024 legislative session that would improve the delivery of home care for the 900,000 state residents over the age of 65.

“For more than 28 years, Assisted Living Services has led the charge to raise the quality standards while providing cost-effective, comprehensive home care,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA and Chief Operating Officer of the family-owned homecare agency with additional offices in Westport and Putnam. “Therefore, we believe that we have a direct responsibility to come up with solutions in partnership with the heads of State agencies and departments, as well as our trusted elected legislators and officials.”

D’Aquila is the Chairman of the Department of Social Services (DSS) Medicaid Committee for Home Care Association of America, Connecticut Chapter and serves on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home (HCAOA Connecticut).

HCAOA Connecticut members and Assisted Living Services employees urged Sen. Cicarella to endorse policies that would help improve the delivery of in-home care; protect caregivers, seniors, persons who are disabled and consumers, while supporting small businesses and the economy. Other pending legislation would create industry standards for home care, increase Medicaid reimbursement rates, improve caregiver safety and address the caregiver shortage. Additionally, transfer registration and oversight of the homecare industry from the Department of Consumer Protection to the Department of Public Health. The group opposes a caregiver registry.

“My visit was very informative as I continue to support measures that allow seniors to remain at home as they age, as well as the small businesses that help them achieve that goal,” said Sen. Cicarella. “Everyone in this arena must make the effort to foster relationships that ensure the health and wellbeing of this growing segment of our population, and the caregivers who make that possible.”

About Assisted Living Services, Inc.

Since 1996, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) in Cheshire, Putnam and Westport has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Its unique CarePlus program blends personal care by over 700 employees and caregivers with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. ALS was ranked on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies and recognized by Home Care Pulse® as a “Best of Home Care Leader In Excellence”, a designation given to the best home care providers in the nation. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203.634.8668.

PHOTO: The owners of Assisted Living Services, Inc. invited local policy makers to the company’s Cheshire, CT headquarters on April 19, 2024 to discuss legislation that addresses the current senior homecare crisis in Connecticut. From left: Ron D’Aquila-co-owner, Sharon D’Aquila-co-owner, Connecticut State Senator Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven), Nick D’Aquila-Chief Information Officer and Mario D’Aquila-Chief Operating Officer.