Sen. Prague returns to Hartford, backs home health care resource

State Sen. Edith Prague (D-19) returned to the state capital on Jan. 27, a little more than a month after suffering a stroke, to help introduce a statewide information clearinghouse on home health care options. Prague and other members of the Home Health Services Legislative Work Group introduced an informational brochure they developed, aimed at helping patients and their families navigate the many types of state-funded home health resources available and match them with individual patient needs.

“Among all those who require home care, senior citizens comprise the fastest growing segment of Connecticut’s population, so it follows that we must fortify and then publicize the necessary services to address their needs at home, where they overwhelmingly prefer to be, where they are most comfortable, and where it is usually the most cost-effective way to care for them,” Prague said. “With this in mind, each family faces heart-wrenching decisions about how to best serve the needs of their loved ones, so this clearinghouse of information regarding home care will be invaluable to residents statewide.”

The Home Health Services Legislative Work Group was formed last January to aid the implementation of the state’s long-term care and “right-sizing” plan. The goal is to meet state Medicaid budget saving projections, while establishing what it calls a “person-centered community-based health care delivery system” for the 600,000 state residents receiving state-subsidized care.

Prague, who serves as assistant president pro tempore of the state senate, was hospitalized on Christmas Day and was later transferred to a rehabilitation facility to continue her recuperation. Her return to the capital occurred well in advance of the Feb. 8 start of the new legislative session.

Prague, 86, represents the towns of Norwich, Lisbon, Sprague, Andover, Bozrah, Columbia, Hebron, Lebanon, Ledyard and Montville. She has served in the state Senate since 1994, and for eight years prior, in the state House of Representatives. Currently, she is chair of the Senate’s Aging Committee and Labor and Public Employees Committee. She has also served as commissioner of the State Department on Aging. She resides in Columbia.

To access the brochure, “What Consumers Should Consider When Hiring a Personal Caregiver," go to Connecticut Association for Home Care & Hospice website at: www.cahch.org.