Guide to Independent Living in Connecticut
Connecticut has one of the oldest cultural heritages in the country and spectacular scenery that’s beautiful in all four seasons. The state has an above-average number of seniors — 17.7% of its 3.6 million residents are in the 65+ age group. In Connecticut, homeowners aged 65 and older can benefit from property tax credits linked to their annual incomes of up to $1,250 for a couple or $1,000 for a single adult. They may also qualify for a deduction on their taxable benefits if they’re a Social Security recipient.
Independent living offers built-in communities for older citizens with relatively similar needs. These include homes that don’t require as much maintenance, amenities focused on the needs of seniors and staff who keep watch 24/7 but don’t intrude on residents’ independence. There are often varying styles of residences, such as apartments and cottages, and a center where residents can relax and join in with fun games and activities. Many communities also have spas, and some have their own golf courses.
This guide explores the costs of independent living in Connecticut and its neighboring states. It also compares the costs for other types of senior care and lists some free resources.
How Much Does Independent Living Cost in Connecticut?
Note:There currently isn’t authoritative data on the average cost of Independent Living Facilities nationwide, so instead, we use the cost of Assisted Living to estimate it. Since the cost of Independent Living is typically 30-40% lower than the cost of Assisted Living, the numbers below were calculated by subtracting 35% from the cost of Assisted Living as reported in the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey.
Although costlier than the national average by approximately $409 per month, Connecticut’s median fee of $3,334 is at the more affordable end of the scale for the region. Only New York, where the typical senior pays $2,977, has lower average costs. Seniors in New Hampshire pay around $600 per month more than their peers in Connecticut, which is competitive when compared to other nearby states. In New Jersey, the average fee is $4,222, and in Massachusetts, $4,225. A Rhode Island senior can expect to pay $1,103 per month more for an independent living community than their counterpart in Connecticut.
The Cost of Independent Living in Connecticut’s Top Cities
The most affordable city for seniors considering assisted living in Connecticut is Norwich, where the average fee is $2,795 per month. New Haven also averages fees below the state median, although, at $3,307, there is a significant leap from Norwich’s costs. In Hartford, it’s common for seniors to pay around $3,396, while in Bridgeport, the average is $4,077, making the city by far the costliest in the state.
The Cost of Independent Living vs. Other Types of Care
When comparing independent living fees with other types of senior care, it’s important to note costs are linked to care levels and staff-to-senior ratios. With this in mind, an independent living facility in Connecticut will typically charge $3,334 for its services, while an assisted living facility will normally add another $1,795 per month to the bill due to trained staff helping residents with daily tasks. A nursing home will charge much more than an independent living facility — typically $10,430 more — as its care is almost at hospital levels. Homemakers and home health aides also have high fees — $5,243 and $5,339, respectively — as their services are one-on-one, while adult day centers are a more affordable $1,842 because they operate during business hours and have wider staff-to-senior ratios.
Does Medicare or Medicaid Cover Independent Living in Connecticut?
The short answer is no, Medicaid and Medicare do not cover the cost of living in an independent living community. That being said, those who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), may be able to take advantage of financial assistance programs in Connecticut to partially or fully cover the cost of care in Assisted Living. For more information about financial assistance for those who need help with ADLs, read our guide to Assisted Living in Connecticut.
For more information about other ways to make Independent Living more affordable, such as retirement funds, the sale of a home, etc, read the section below.
How to Make Independent Living More Affordable in Connecticut
Seniors with sufficient savings and annual incomes may be able to finance Independent living via those means, but not everyone is in that position. To make it more affordable, some seniors may want to consider a reverse mortgage, which is a home equity loan often paid in installments the senior can use to cover monthly fees. Insurance can also pay some or all the costs of independent living, depending on the scope of the policy. Several types of life insurance, such as accelerated death benefits, may cover costs, while long-term care insurance is specifically aimed at helping seniors pay for their care in later years. An annuity is a regular payment made over a predetermined period of time that can also cover monthly costs.
Free Independent Living Resources for Seniors in Connecticut
Many nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Connecticut provide free resources for seniors. Those listed here can offer legal advice and assistance in filing taxes. They can also reduce educational costs, help seniors access benefits and make transportation more accessible.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| Academic Classes for Seniors | (203) 575-8000 | The State of Connecticut requires higher education institutions, such as Naugatuck Valley Community College and the University of Connecticut, to provide free tuition to adults aged 62+. There are some restrictions, but the resource can help seniors work toward a degree for little or no cost. |
| Connecticut Legal Services | (860) 344-0447 | Connecticut Legal Services provides legal aid throughout the state, helping seniors who may otherwise not be able to get representation in civil law matters. The program can help older residents who have suffered abuse because they are elders, been injured by faulty products or faced illegal harassment due to debt issues. |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | (860) 616-3600 | The Department of Veterans Affairs is divided into offices, each focused on helping the state’s veterans in several areas. The Office of Advocacy and Assistance helps vets and their dependents access the state and federal benefits they’re entitled to, while the Veterans Crisis Line offers nonmedical support to those experiencing mental health issues. |
| AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program | (888) 687-2277 | AARP helps seniors throughout Connecticut prepare and file their taxes. The organization trains IRS-certified volunteers to support seniors, operating in multiple venues throughout the state. Older residents can choose to drop off their tax documents for a volunteer to prepare and then return to finalize them together or use the AARP’s online option. |
| Area Agencies on Aging | (860) 424-5055 | There are five Area Agencies on Aging covering the whole of the state, each funding services dedicated to assisting the elderly. Although much of their work focuses on aging in place, they can also assist seniors in independent living communities, such as providing transportation for people with no other means of getting around. |
COVID-19 Rules and Restrictions for Connecticut Independent Living Communities
The following rules and guidelines were obtained from ct.gov/DPH, as well as other state-level government sites. Among others, these rules apply to independent living communities and assisted living facilities.
This data has been most recently updated on 2/2/2022, but keep in mind that COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, so all of the below information can change at any time. For additional questions and up-to-date information, you can contact your loved one’s senior living facility or your local Area Agency on Aging.
Visiting Loved Ones
| Can I visit my relative in person if he/she wants emotional support from me? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
| Can I visit my relative in person for end-of-life compassion care? | Yes |
| Will my loved one be required to self-quarantine after I visit him or her? | Not Available* |
| Do I need to wear PPE and/or a cloth mask if I do visit my relative in person? | Yes |
| Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors still allowed in senior living facilities? | Yes |
| Does the state recommend or require that senior living facilities assist families with setting up virtual visit alternatives? | Yes |
| Are visitors being screened for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
| Are visitors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact? | Yes |
*NOTE: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.
Outings and Group Activities
| Are residents allowed to leave the facility for non-medical reasons? | Not Available* |
| Are residents of senior living facilities who leave and return required to self-quarantine? | Not Available* |
| Are senior living facilities required to cancel all group outings? | No |
| Are residents still eating together in the dining hall? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
| Are facilities still allowed to host group activities within the community? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
*NOTE: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.
Safety Measures for Staff & Contractors
| Are staff members and contractors being screened for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
| Are staff members and contractors being tested for Coronavirus? | Yes |
| Are staff members and contractors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact? | Yes |
Safety Measures for Residents
| Are staff members required to regularly screen residents for coronavirus symptoms? | Not Available* |
| Are residents relied on to screen themselves and self-report potential coronavirus symptoms? | Not Available* |
| Are staff members required to take residents’ temperatures? | Not Available* |
| Are residents being tested for coronavirus? | Yes |
*NOTE: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.