Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Understanding Residential Care Homes in Connecticut

Residential Care Homes, often called RCHs, are one option in Connecticut's long-term services and supports system. This page is intended to help prospective residents, families, hospital discharge planners, case managers, housing partners, Access Agency staff, and community partners better understand what Residential Care Homes are, who they may serve, how they fit into community-based care, and where to find trusted resources.

This page is not intended to replace information from the Department of Social Services, Department of Public Health, MyPlaceCT, or other state agencies. Instead, it is designed to help connect people to the right resources when exploring Residential Care Homes as a possible community-based option.

What is a Residential Care Home?

A Residential Care Home is a licensed community-based residential setting that provides housing and supportive services for adults who may need assistance with daily living, supervision, meals, and coordination of services, but who do not require 24-hour skilled nursing care.

Residential Care Homes may support older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals who need a stable, supportive living environment. RCHs can be an important option for people who need more support than living fully independently but do not need the level of medical care provided in a nursing home.

Services commonly associated with Residential Care Homes

Services may vary by home, but Residential Care Homes commonly provide or help coordinate:

  • Room and board
  • Meals
  • Supervision and support
  • Medication supervision
  • Housekeeping and laundry
  • Social and recreational opportunities
  • Coordination with health care providers and community services

Learn more about Residential Care Homes

Who may be a good fit for an RCH?

An RCH may be worth exploring for someone who:

  • Needs a stable and supportive place to live
  • Needs meals, supervision, and support with daily routines
  • Has difficulty living completely independently
  • Does not require 24-hour skilled nursing care
  • Is transitioning from a hospital, nursing home, shelter, or unsafe living situation
  • Would benefit from help coordinating community services
  • Has a disability and may benefit from a stable residential setting, with community supports coordinated separately when needed
  • Wants a community-based setting rather than a nursing home, when appropriate

An RCH is not the right setting for everyone. The best placement depends on the person's needs, preferences, health status, available supports, payment source, and informed choice.

How do RCHs compare with other long-term care options?

General comparison of common long-term care and supportive housing options
Option General description May be a good fit when
Home with supports The person remains in their own home or apartment with services, family support, or community-based assistance. The person can remain safely at home with the right services and supports.
Residential Care Home A licensed community-based residential setting that provides room, meals, supervision, medication supervision, and supportive services. The person needs supportive housing and daily structure but does not require 24-hour skilled nursing care.
Assisted Living A residential option that may provide apartment-style living with services through an Assisted Living Services Agency. The person can live in a more independent apartment-style setting with supportive services.
Nursing Home A licensed facility that provides 24-hour nursing care and more intensive medical and personal care services. The person requires ongoing skilled nursing care or a higher level of medical and personal care support.

Explore other long-term care options

Finding a Residential Care Home

Finding an RCH often starts with learning which homes are located in the preferred area, whether the home has an opening, what services are available, and whether the home may be a good fit for the person's needs and preferences.

The Department of Social Services maintains Residential Care Home census information that may help individuals, families, hospital discharge planners, and community partners identify homes that may have available beds. Census information is a snapshot in time and may not reflect real-time availability. People should contact homes directly to ask about current openings, admission criteria, services, payment sources, and fit.

Paying for Residential Care Home placement

Some people pay privately for Residential Care Home placement. Others may be eligible for financial assistance through Connecticut's State Supplement Program.

State Supplement

State Supplement is a Department of Social Services program that may help eligible individuals pay for room, board, and personal care costs in a Residential Care Home. Eligibility may depend on age, disability status, income, assets, living arrangement, and other program rules.

For individuals age 65 or older, age may satisfy the aged, blind, or disabled eligibility category. For individuals under age 65, disability status may be an important part of eligibility. If a prospective resident is newly disabled or has not yet received a disability determination, this issue should be identified early because it may affect the timing of benefit approval.

Residential Care Home providers do not determine State Supplement eligibility. Individuals, families, hospital discharge planners, Access Agencies, case managers, and trusted supports may help gather documents and apply through DSS.

Disability determination resources

Preparing for a transition

Preparing early can help prevent delays. People exploring Residential Care Home placement may need identification, insurance cards, benefit letters, financial records, legal documents, medical information, and contact information for trusted supports.

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program's Important Discharge Documents Checklist can help individuals, families, hospital discharge planners, MFP assessors, case managers, and community partners gather key documents before a move.

Resident rights in Residential Care Homes

Residents of Residential Care Homes have important rights related to dignity, privacy, choice, autonomy, communication, visitors, personal possessions, participation in decisions, and protections related to transfer and discharge.

Resident rights are an important part of community living. Questions about resident rights should be approached in a person-centered way that balances individual choice, dignity of risk, safety, and the rights of others in the home.

Community supports and long-term services

Residential Care Home placement may be one part of a broader community support plan. Some residents may also benefit from long-term services and supports, waiver services, home and community-based services, transportation assistance, adult day services, senior center programming, employment or day supports, behavioral health supports, or other community resources.

CHOICES and SHIP counseling

CHOICES is Connecticut's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, also known as SHIP. CHOICES provides free and unbiased counseling about Medicare, Medicaid, State Supplement, prescription drug coverage, long-term care options, benefits screening, and community-based services.

Intellectual disability, autism, and DDS supports

Some people exploring Residential Care Home placement may have an intellectual disability, autism, or a history of receiving services through the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, also known as DDS. In some situations, connecting with DDS or reconnecting with a previous DDS case manager may help identify available supports, clarify eligibility, and strengthen community-based planning.

DDS services may include case management, employment and day supports, community living supports, family supports, and Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver supports for eligible individuals. These supports may help a person remain connected to their community, participate in meaningful daytime activities, maintain routines, and increase independence.

When to consider contacting DDS

It may be helpful to contact DDS or ask whether the person has a DDS case manager when the person:

  • Has an intellectual disability or autism diagnosis
  • Previously received DDS services
  • May already have a DDS case manager or DDS regional contact
  • Needs support with employment, day services, community participation, or meaningful daytime activities
  • Has aging caregivers or family members who can no longer provide the same level of support
  • May benefit from additional supports to remain successful in a Residential Care Home or other community-based setting

DDS eligibility, applications, and contacts

  • DDS Eligibility Information
    Information about DDS eligibility, including eligibility for individuals with intellectual disability and autism.
  • How to Apply for DDS Services
    Information about applying for DDS services and documentation that may be needed.
  • DDS Contact Information
    Contact information for DDS regional and central office supports.
  • Access to DDS Supports
    Information about how eligible individuals can access DDS supports, services, programs, and waiver-related guidance.
  • DDS Help Line
    Regional help line information for individuals, families, providers, and community partners seeking guidance about DDS supports.

DDS waiver, employment, day, and autism-related supports

A person's support services and their Residential Care Home payment source may involve different programs. Payment, eligibility, and service questions should be clarified early with DSS, DDS, the person's case manager, or other appropriate supports.

Behavioral health, recovery, and aging supports

Some people exploring Residential Care Home placement may also be navigating behavioral health needs, substance use recovery, grief, isolation, housing instability, repeated hospitalizations, or difficulty connecting to services. Community-based behavioral health and recovery resources may help support stability and successful community living.

DMHAS older adult services

Substance use treatment and recovery supports

Recovery supports may be helpful for individuals who are exploring changes in alcohol or substance use, seeking peer support, returning to recovery, or trying to remain stable in the community.

DMHAS Access Line

The DMHAS Access Line can help connect individuals to behavioral health services, substance use treatment, medication-assisted treatment, recovery supports, transportation assistance, and available treatment beds.

DMHAS Access Line: 1-800-563-4086

Real-time treatment availability

Safety, advocacy, and protective services

People exploring Residential Care Home placement may be doing so because they are experiencing safety concerns, housing instability, self-neglect, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or difficulty managing in their current living situation. The following resources may help individuals, families, providers, and community partners connect with appropriate support.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

The Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents of long-term care settings, including Residential Care Homes. The Ombudsman Program can provide information about resident rights, help residents understand their options, and support resident-directed advocacy.

Elder Protective Services

Elder Protective Services may assist adults age 60 and older who may be experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation, self-neglect, or unsafe living conditions.

Sexual violence support

Individuals exploring Residential Care Home placement may need assistance with legal questions, benefit applications, public benefits, housing issues, advance directives, powers of attorney, health care representative documents, immigration documents, or replacement identification.

Legal assistance

Important documents and replacement records

Questions to ask when considering an RCH

Before choosing a Residential Care Home, individuals and their trusted supports may want to ask questions to better understand whether the home is a good fit.

Questions about availability and payment

  • Do you currently have an opening?
  • Do you accept State Supplement?
  • What costs are included?

Questions about services and daily life

  • What services are provided by the home?
  • How are meals, laundry, and housekeeping handled?
  • How is medication supervision provided?
  • What activities or social opportunities are available?
  • Are residents able to come and go from the home?
  • How are visitors supported?

Questions about health, safety, and support

  • How does the home support residents with changing needs?
  • How does the home coordinate with doctors, hospitals, Access Agencies, and case managers?
  • Does the person currently have a DDS case manager, waiver case manager, or other community support coordinator?
  • How does the home coordinate with DDS, Access Agencies, behavioral health providers, or other community partners?
  • If the person receives employment, day, or community participation supports, how will transportation and daily routines be coordinated?
  • What happens if a resident needs more support over time?
  • How does the home approach resident choice, dignity of risk, and safety?
  • How are concerns, grievances, or conflicts addressed?

Additional resources