There are two cuts in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget now before the General Assembly that are aimed at programs for those already in nursing homes or those who could avoid going to a hospital or nursing home if they could be effectively treated at home.

One measure ends a program that helps the elderly avoid short, but expensive, stays in hospitals or nursing homes for ailments that can be cared for at home.

It keeps in place a home care program for those whose only alternative would be a nursing home.

The other cut reduces a pitiful allowance for people who have given up their incomes to get nursing home care they cannot otherwise afford but can no longer avoid.

The 1,009 individuals currently participating in the home care category, to be closed at a savings of $1.8 million, can continue to receive their home care. However they and 2,606 clients in the home-care category that would continue under the governor's plan, will see the copays for their home care increase from 7 percent to 15 percent. Those qualifying can have assets of up to $32,868, which makes them too well off to qualify for federally funded Medicaid.

The Department of Social Services estimates the average copay payment for these not quite poor people will go up from $66 to $141 a month, a significant increase that will save the state about $3 million a year.

All of these cuts are in state-funded care for the elderly, but the 17,000 beneficiaries of state and federal Medicaid funds for long-term care in nursing homes will also be hit. Their nursing home care is paid for by the state and Medicaid after they sign over their income, which includes pensions and Social Security, to a nursing home. To qualify, an individual is limited to an income of $2,022 a month and assets of $23,512, when a spouse remains at home.

Homes and personal possessions like furnishings and clothing are not considered assets.

After signing over their income, these nursing home residents are allowed to keep $60 a month for personal needs, which the governor's budget would reduce to $50. It was reduced from $69 to $60 just four years ago.

In a letter to The Hartford Courant, Ronnie Martin, president of the residents council at the Bayview Health Care Center in Waterford, left no doubt about how far residents must stretch this already modest allowance.

"We use this $60 for such items as clothing, shoes, cosmetics and personal grooming products, telephone, haircuts, gifts and maybe a takeout meal once in a while," said Ms. Martin. "Further reduction will compromise the quality of life for those of us who are already in a difficult situation." It would indeed.

The state will save about $2.04 million next year by cutting the allowances by $10.

Next year's savings in all these programs adds up to about $12.8 million. Not much money in a multi-billion- dollar budget, but comparable to the $9 million annual budget of the unnecessary Department on Aging, which, as we pointed out earlier this month, Gov. Malloy revived in 2013 after the state had done without it for 20 years. We suggest the legislature look there before taking away needed home care or reducing the pocket money of our older citizens.