National Association of Social Workers / Connecticut Chapter                                            

         Cheryl Wilson, LCSW, MBA, President

Stephen Wanczyk- Karp, LMSW, Executive Director

Testimony on HB 6575 An Act encouraging Socialization for Nursing Home

Residents by Providing Transportation for Visits with Family

            Aging Committee

               February 16, 2023

                      Submitted By William M Knoegel, L.C.S.W.

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT. Chapter representing over 2,300 members we strongly support HB 6575.

NASW/CT has many social workers who are working in nursing home facilities. They interface with the residents in coordinating care and involving family and friends in those efforts.

We know that Covid has had a profound effect on the elderly and disabled population in nursing homes. The inability of family/friends to have direct contact on the nursing home residents have been profound. Social Workers were able to use social media to aid in the contact but there in the contact but it is not a substitute for actual physical contact.

Enabling nursing home residents to visit family and friends will greatly improve their overall health and mental health. Reducing isolation is imperative to helping nursing home residents to have a better quality of life.

NASW/CT. urges passage of HB 6575 and encourage the Aging Committee members to co-sponsor this positive, solution-oriented bill.