Connecticut nursing‑home occupancy edges up to 89.2% as state panel discusses ‘‘right‑sizing’’ and rebalancing

Summary

State health and social services staff told a public meeting the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2025, averaged 89.2% nursing‑home occupancy while officials and stakeholders said Connecticut has made substantial progress shifting long‑term care toward home‑and‑community based services but regional gaps and housing shortages remain.

At a Department of Public Health meeting on Oct. 9, 2025, state staff reported that average nursing‑home occupancy for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2025, was 89.2%, up from 88.3% the previous quarter and reflecting a substantial decline from pandemic-era vacancy levels.

The statistic matters because Connecticut officials and long‑term care stakeholders said during the meeting that the state has made measurable progress toward ‘‘right‑sizing’’ its nursing‑home capacity while expanding home‑and‑community‑based services (HCBS). Still, participants said regional workforce shortages, housing constraints and local access needs mean the system remains a work in progress.

Nick Mazzotto, representing the Department of Social Services, presented the quarterly census figures and told the panel the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2025, had an average occupancy of 89.2%. Lorraine Cullen, branch chief for healthcare quality and safety at the Department of Public Health, said Connecticut currently has 192…

Connecticut nursing‑home occupancy edges up to 89.2% as state panel discusses ‘‘right‑sizing’’ and rebalancing

Summary

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