The fastest growing segment of Connecticut's population is its senior citizens - because those from the "baby boom" are moving through their 60s and because seniors now simply tend to live longer. With this in mind, it was gratifying to review this year's legislative wrap-up prepared by the Connecticut Elder Action Network (CEAN), a summary of new public policy for older adults.

Perhaps most importantly, the common-sense "money follows the person" program was further refined and expanded to allow federal Medicaid funding, administered by the state Department of Social Services, to help more elderly residents transition between institutionalized and home or community-based care.

Prior to the launch of this program, families were given a de facto incentive to admit older relatives into nursing homes: public funding was shortsightedly limited to that most expensive, least desirable option. We are now gradually expanding the types of elder care and long-term care to qualify for this program and everyone wins: seniors remain at home or in community care facilities longer, families are spared the heartbreak of institutionalizing a loved one, and government helps more residents more cost effectively.

An estimated 65 percent of Connecticut's Medicaid expenditures are for long-term care, serving only about half the state's elderly Medicaid recipients. The remaining 35 percent is spent on home and community-based services for the other half of the state's seniors. That makes it quite clear to me that if Connecticut wants to stretch every dollar it spends to care for the elderly, our state will do so by investing in lower cost care and services delivered to where the elderly live.

The General Assembly also enacted a new law to help Connecticut encourage and transition to what's called "aging in place" in a broader sense. As a society we must complete a comprehensive shift from institutionalized care to home health services for the elderly and rebalance our long term care system so it provides the least restrictive environment possible and/or desirable for clients.

Under provisions of the new law "aging in place" will become an increasingly familiar part of the landscape with the following specific considerations:

• Infrastructure and transportation improvements to assist stay-at-home seniors.

• Municipal zoning changes to facilitate home care.

• Enhanced nutrition programs and home delivery options.

• Improved fraud and abuse protections against those who would prey on seniors.

• Expansion of home medical care options.

• Tax incentives for individuals and family members.

• Incentives for private insurance to provide coverage for at-home services.

Another innovative program will train independent support brokers, who in turn will help elderly residents access and acquire personal care attendants (PCAs) and others to help them stay independent. These brokers will teach clients how to advertise for help, how to interview prospective caregivers, how to hire a PCA and if necessary, how to fire an inadequate one.

Our comprehensive effort to rebalance the state's long-term care system is based upon the premise that seniors are entitled to dignity and respect, and ought to be first in the long term care planning process, ahead of doctors, insurers or even family members. And the cost of institutionalized long term care is staggering, especially in light of the booming number of new seniors each year. The General Assembly is positioning our state in the best interests of all these seniors.

ANDREA STILLMAN REPRESENTS THE 20TH SENATORIAL DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES NEW LONDON, WATERFORD, EAST LYME, OLD LYME, OLD SAYBROOK, SALEM AND MONTVILLE.