Every town and city in Connecticut must have a Municipal Agent for Aging. This person helps residents who are age 60 and older by sharing information about services, programs, and benefits in the community.
The Municipal Agent program began in 1972. At that time, the state saw an opportunity to support older people and to connect them with local resources. Federal laws like the Social Security Act and the Older Americans Act helped create programs and funding for services for older people.
In the early 1970s, many senior centers in Connecticut had not been officially created yet. The Municipal Agent program has helped towns build local support systems for older people and caregivers, connecting them with regional agencies on aging. Today, Connecticut has five nonprofit Area Agencies on Aging that work closely with Municipal Agents across the state.
Municipal Agents for Aging are guided by important values such as fairness, inclusion, accessibility, and honesty. Although their duties have changed over time, their main goals remain the same: strengthening communities by helping older residents and caregivers to get information and support.
What Does a Municipal Agent for Aging Do?
Municipal Agents:
- Give fair and unbiased information
- Share information about community resources
- Help people find services and programs
- Assist with applying for benefits
- Provide information about local housing options
- Learn about the strengths and needs of older adults in the community
- Share community concerns and suggestions with local leaders
What Does the Town or City Do?
Each municipality must:
- Appoint at least one Municipal Agent for Aging
- Appoint the person for either a 2-year or 4-year term
- Have the Town Clerk notify the state about the appointment using the Municipal Agent Appointment Form
- Keep the appointment active by reappointing the current agent or choosing a new one when the term ends
- Contact Aging and Disability Services’ Claire Côté (email) with questions
What Does Connecticut Aging and Disability Services Do?
The state Department of Aging and Disability Services:
- Receives appointment information from towns and cities
- Keeps a statewide directory of Municipal Agents
- Provides guidance about the role and duties of Municipal Agents
- Supports and strengthens the aging services network
- Shares training and helpful materials
- Connects Municipal Agents with local and state resources
- Works with Area Agencies on Aging to provide training opportunities
How Can You Find Your Town’s Municipal Agent for Aging?
You can:
- Call 1-800-994-9422
- Search “municipal agent” on the Connecticut Open Data Portal