New Program In Simsbury Helps The Elderly Stay In Their Homes

SIMSBURY, CT — A Simsbury senior living community has kicked off a new program designed to help seniors live and thrive in their homes, even if the challenges of aging can make that difficult.

McLean, a not-for-profit life plan community at 75 Great Pond Road in Simsbury, has launched a new program aimed at helping older adults plan for future health care needs while remaining in their homes, as demand for senior housing and care continues to rise.

The initiative, called 'Thrive at Home with McLean,' is designed for healthy, independent adults who want to prepare for long-term care needs without immediately moving into a senior living community.

“Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65. McLean saw the need for a program to give healthy, independent adults a plan for future what-ifs,” said Lisa Clark, McLean president. “The need is truly staggering.”

Clark cited national projections showing a shortage of nearly 800,000 senior housing units by 2030, driven by a growing aging population.

According to the 2025 Connecticut Healthy Aging Data Report, about one-quarter of the state’s population—more than 885,000 people—is age 60 or older, a figure expected to increase.

The program was developed in collaboration with Thrive at Home with Whitney Center, a similar program based in Hamden.

Michelle Pandolfi, executive director of Thrive at Home with Whitney Center, said many Americans underestimate their future care needs.

“Seventy-five percent of people age 65+ will need some form of long-term care one day, yet only about 30 percent believe they will,” Pandolfi said. “Thrive at Home is for people who are planning for something most people underestimate.”

The program offers care coordination, access to wellness services, and medical transportation, along with cultural and social programming.

Participants are also guaranteed priority access to McLean’s health center, with coverage that can include up to the full cost of care, according to program details.

Organizers say the model is intended to help residents “age in place,” allowing them to remain at home while ensuring access to services such as in-home assistance, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing if needed.

“The new Thrive at Home with McLean program allows us to bring our exceptional care and services to members who are not yet ready to make the move to our campus, or who prefer to age in place — that is, thrive in place — at home,” Clark said.

An informational session on the program is scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 23 at McLean in Simsbury. Officials said panelists will include program leaders and current participants. RSVP is available by phone or online.

McLean provides a range of senior services, including independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation, and home health care, and manages the 4,400-acre McLean Game Refuge.

For more information on 'Thrive at Home' and to register for the April 23 information session, click on this link.