It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Sailor's Refuge gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Bristol, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work and truly cares about the people she is in contact with. She is dedicated, diligent, and is devoted to her job assignment. She not only takes care of my Mom, but she goes above and beyond her call of duty. Bessie has a unique ability to connect with every person she meets. No day goes by that my Mom is not pampered. Bessie make sure she's always comfortable. She makes exceptional meals for her 3 times a day, cleans her clothes, gives her showers, washes her hair and makes her look amazing every single day. Bessie is so beneficial to our family we can't imagine our family without her. I myself and my family members could never do what she does for our Mom. She has been with my mom and our family for almost 1 year and we don't know what we would do without her, she truly is a gift from God. She not only takes care of my Mom daily, nightly and weekly, she also takes care of her personal life and whatever life throws at her. She is a devoted caretaker and should be recognized with the utmost respect. Her dedication to improving the health and well-being of my Mom is commendable. You can't find anyone as special as she. Her life commitment has touched our lives through her delivery of exceptional care in a compassionate, respectful, and safe manner on a daily basis. She has become a member of our family and she has shown us the meaning of adaptability. Her strong faith in God, Forgiveness, and Believing in each other makes her the great person that she is. On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for the extraordinary care and services your company has provided to us. Thank you for all you do”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a few hours a week, they were very thorough in asking about my mother's condition, and what were the needs that were required. It's more like bathing, medication, and companionship. We used them for about a week.”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of Always Best Care for the outstanding service you have provided for our parents. ABC provided professional, first-class support that allowed our parents to remain in their home while relieving of us of concern for their care and is something we will never forget. You can be sure we will happily refer any family member or friend that is seeking care at home to Always Best Care.”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at home assisted by the caregivers from your company Always Best Care of Greater Bristol. This letter is a personal thank you from my father and the entire Ceuch family on how your caregivers treated and attended to my father during this time. The caregivers became part of our extended family who shared in countless family events resulting in beautiful lasting memories. Caregivers Frances Boateng, Jeremy Turner, and Yanice Hernandez were awesome in their care of my father. I want to especially acknowledge Francis as a person who went above and beyond his responsibility and became part of the Ceuch inner circle. It was not uncommon for Francis on his off days to stop by during a family picnic to say hello...he is truly loved by my father. Again, I want to thank you for the loving care your caregivers provided my father. I would highly recommend your company to anyone interested in having a caregiver attend to a loved one. Thanks again”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my step father, Daryl. It's unbelievable how the progression of his illness happened so quickly, however, Always Best Care was always ready to provide the level of care he needed as it increased. Most importantly, I'd like to thank his aide, Sue Malasics. She was wonderful to Daryl and took great care of his needs. I knew I did not have to worry with Sue there with him. She was always cooking wonderful homemade meals and desserts and I was happy to see how happy she made Daryl. I think she is a wonderful asset to Always Best Care. Should I know of anyone needing help in the future, I would recommend Always Best Care and Sue Malasics.”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure. My mother was also very demanding about her care and who she would allow into her home. After several attempts with various in-home care agencies my mother really responded well to Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater Bristol and we cant thank them enough for the high level of compassionate care they were able to provide during my moms final months.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal care assistant until placement in a quality skilled nursing facility became available. We reached out to home health care agencies in her local area but, by this point, had already worked with several agencies for med reminders for Barbara (and 24/7 care for our Mom in another area of CT) and were a bit skeptical that that we’d find one that could provide consistent quality of care.When I spoke with Rick Downey of Always Best Care Senior Services in Bristol, he conveyed both confidence in his knowledge of health care and empathy in understanding the frustrations that families experience when seeking quality care for their loved ones. We were next contacted by their care coordinator,Heather Kozikowski, who came to our sister’s home to conduct an assessment and further explain the services offered by Always Best Care.A further testament to the exceptional quality of Always Best Care is the service and care we’ve received after Barbara is no longer a client; our thanks to Always Best Care for the excellent care of our sister, and the peace-of-mind it afforded our family knowing that she was in such kind and competent hands!”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary caregiver for my husbamd/ My husband suffers from dementia and is aphasic. On a Saturday morning in October of 2015, a sudden change in my health required an emergent hospitilization, which late resulted in an extensive rehabilitation stay. Upon my hospitalization, my son reached out to Always Best Care Senior Services of greater Bristol. The Always Best Care team assessed my husband, his needs, and had his care staffed within hours of my son's call. The care provided to my husband has been exceptional. The caregivers as well as the office staff have been attentive to our needs and have met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to you and anyone who is in need of care for their loved one.”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company, Always Best Care, offered our family and especially the caring, loving attitude that Amber and Natalie displayed to Carol at all times. They were outstanding and you should be proud to place them in any situation with the full expectation they will represent your firm in a most professional manner. Thanks again for all your help.”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of care will be recommended to others. You went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Page Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Chef's Table or visit Old Post Office, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Bristol, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bristol, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Bristol, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Nursing home operator Athena Health Care Systems plans to close two skilled nursing homes in Bristol by March 21 and lay off all facility employees, according to a notice received this week by the state Department of Labor.A total of 178 workers will be laid off at Countryside Manor, at 1660 Stafford Ave., and another 253 will lose their jobs at Sheriden Woods, located at 321 St...
Nursing home operator Athena Health Care Systems plans to close two skilled nursing homes in Bristol by March 21 and lay off all facility employees, according to a notice received this week by the state Department of Labor.
A total of 178 workers will be laid off at Countryside Manor, at 1660 Stafford Ave., and another 253 will lose their jobs at Sheriden Woods, located at 321 Stonecrest Drive.
Athena intends to move all patients at both homes to other facilities, with deadlines for those relocations in late March, the document states.
“This decision was not made easily and was regrettably reached only after considering every possible option,” Athena said in its letter to the state. No specific reason for the two closures was given.
Doctors, nurses, therapists, cooks and housekeepers were listed as workers slated to lose their jobs.
Athena has asked the Connecticut Department of Social Services for permission to close the two skilled nursing facilities but is still awaiting final approval, according to the DOL notice.
According to its annual report filed with the state, Countryside Manor had a capacity of 90 beds and 81 residents as of Sept. 30, 2023, the most recent year available. The nursing home's balance sheet total at the end of the reporting period was a negative $9.4 million, according to the report.
Sheriden Woods had a capacity of 146 beds and 127 residents as of Sept. 30, 2023, according to its most recent annual report, with a balance of negative $16.6 million.
Another Athena home, Abbott Terrace Health Center in Waterbury, was slated to close as of Nov. 8, with 209 employees to be laid off. Athena officials had said it was forced to close the home due to a federal decision to terminate its ability to bill the federal Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services for care at Abbott Terrace. That facility is not listed as a Connecticut location on the Athena company website.
Athena Health Care Systems also closed a 150-bed nursing home in Middletown this spring, citing a “challenging healthcare landscape.” The home, Middlesex Health Care Center, had 55 residents at the time of the closing announcement. Wadsworth Glen Health Care and Rehabilitation Center on Boston Road in Middletown remains open, according to the company website.
431 employees to be laid offPublished: Dec. 26, 2024 at 4:19 PM PST|BRISTOL, CT (WFSB) - Athena Health Care Systems plans to shut down two nursing homes in Bristol, Countryside Manor at 1660 Stafford Avenue and Sheriden Woods at 321 Stonecrest Drive.A total of 431 employees are set to be laid off, according to a notice filed with the Department of Labor.In a statement, a spokesperson for Athena Health Care Systems said, “the timing of these layoffs depends on the transfer and discharge of residents and sta...
Published: Dec. 26, 2024 at 4:19 PM PST|
BRISTOL, CT (WFSB) - Athena Health Care Systems plans to shut down two nursing homes in Bristol, Countryside Manor at 1660 Stafford Avenue and Sheriden Woods at 321 Stonecrest Drive.
A total of 431 employees are set to be laid off, according to a notice filed with the Department of Labor.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Athena Health Care Systems said, “the timing of these layoffs depends on the transfer and discharge of residents and staff upon state approval for closure.”
They went on to say that those same employees will be provided priority consideration for positions within the Athena Health Care network.
As for the around 200 residents at both homes, Athena intends to move all patients to other facilities, with the facilities closing after everyone is moved, but the timetable is set for no later than late March 2025.
When asked why they are closing, Athena Health Care Systems said in a statement, “a combination of environmental factors: staffing challenges, facility maintenance needs, and rising operational costs – made it impossible to continue operating both facilities consistent with our high standards for care.”
One man, who did not want to be identified, says his mom has dementia and has been living at Sheriden Woods for 5 years.
“First of all, it’s a clean place, the people managing the floors and taking great care of the place. You had some good staff here. It’s just sad that those people are just going to be out of work,” he says.
He says the staff and residents were first informed of the intended closures last month. He says he and his brother were on their own to find housing for their mother, and after being on several waitlists, they were able to find her a place in Southington.
“We are the ones who are moving her. And by moving her also, with her dementia, and for her to get reestablished there is also going to be hard because she is going to be lost.“
He says he wants the state to get involved.
Now the Department of Social Services does need to officially approve the plan before any closure.
State Representative Joe Hoxha says he’s been talking with Athena’s COO.
“They are in the process of currently working with some potential buyers, so that would be the best-case scenario because the process would be seamless. A new company would take over, no one would be removed from where they are,” says Representative Hoxha.
But he says they are prepared for all scenarios, which could include closure.
Republican State Senators Kevin Kelly, Tony Hwang and Henri Martin, who represents Bristol, say they plan to hold hearings on the closures.
“These decisions impact hundreds of seniors and their caregivers, together with the health care workers at these facilities and their families. Hearings will be held to allow the public to weigh in on these decisions, but the trend is clear: the financial instability of nursing homes in Connecticut is getting worse. We need answers and long-term solutions. As policymakers, we can either watch these closures adversely affect senior’s lives and healthcare jobs, or we can work in bipartisan fashion at the State Capitol to bring stability and predictably to long term care. We must choose the latter course of action because seniors and labor deserve better.”
Copyright 2024 WFSB. All rights reserved.
Bristol resident Chris Hayden said he never brought his used cans back to the supermarket to get the 10 cent deposit until he heard about a new way to return bottles and cans that he says is faster, easier and more efficient.“I always just put my cans in the re...
Bristol resident Chris Hayden said he never brought his used cans back to the supermarket to get the 10 cent deposit until he heard about a new way to return bottles and cans that he says is faster, easier and more efficient.
“I always just put my cans in the recycling bin and take them out to the curb because it was always such a pain to put each can in the machine and then have it go full,” Hayden said. “But now all I have to do is just scan my card, drop my bag off and go shop. It’s such an easy process.”
Hayden is now a customer with Maine-based CLYNK, a company offering a technology-based bottle and can return system that bills itself as quicker and simpler than visiting the local supermarket bottle room or one of the state’s increasingly rare redemption centers. In Maine, CLYNK has had a partnership with the Hannaford’s grocery store chain for years, crediting customer accounts each time they return bags of bottles and cans at a CLYNK drop-off location.
Now in Connecticut, CLYNK has announced a new partnership with the Stop & Shop grocery chain, rolling out the first locations at the Bristol Stop & Shop on Farmington Avenue and the Simsbury Stop & Shop on Bushy Hill Road. The company said more drop-off locations will soon follow.
“We’ve been in business for about 18 years in Maine and we’re incredibly excited to be here in Connecticut,” said Dan Kiley, chief of staff at CLYNK. “Part of our commitment to the state of Connecticut is not only bringing a different modality for bottle and can redemption to the state, but with our partner RecyclX LLC, we’re bringing new processing power and capabilities to the city of Bristol. All of these bottles and cans will get processed in Bristol.”
How it works: customers bring their CLYNK bags full of redeemable beverage containers to “sustainability drop-off stations” located in Stop & Shop grocery store parking lots. The drop-off stations process the bags using high-tech barcode scanners that instantly credit the deposits to a customer’s account. The materials are then sold to manufacturers to help close the recycling loop and prevent more waste from ending up in landfills and oceans.
“I will start off by saying I’m a CLYNKster myself,” said Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano at a press briefing Tuesday. “This is really a win, win situation. I’ll bring all my bottles and cans here from now on and they won’t go into the blue recycle barrel anymore. That really helps the city of Bristol because the city is paying to have cans and bottles taken to the recycling facility on Murphy Road.
“By the way, they do a great job on Murphy Road, as they say 40% of recyclable bottles and cans come through their facility. But now it’s (the deposits) going directly back to where it’s intended, to the citizens of Bristol. I’m very proud that we’re going to be the first one to have this,” he said.
The goal of the new program is to increase recycling access and sustainability efforts across Connecticut, according to CLYNK. Connecticut’s bottle redemption rate is just 45%, the second-lowest in New England states with bottle bills, ahead of only Massachusetts which has a redemption rate of just 38%, according to the company.
To encourage more people to redeem bottles, Connecticut passed a bill to further expand the bottle redemption program by raising the deposit values from five cents to 10 cents and the handling fee from two cents to 3.5 cents, to modernize the bill to current levels of inflation and other trends. Eligible beverages now include non-carbonated beverages, hard ciders and malt-based hard seltzers. Those changes went into effect on Jan. 1, according to officials.
“Connecticut has always been dealing with a lack of convenient redemption access,” said Shahil Kantesaria, CEO and Founder of RecyclX. “We only have about 18 redemption centers in the state, whereas other states have hundreds of centers. It’s very tough to permit and site locations, and with real estate prices being elevated, it’s a tough business position to be in. But we’re hoping with the CLYNK bag drop system, we can go and cover all the untouched territories in Connecticut and make it easy to redeem their bottles.”
RecyclX LLC, a 21,000-square-foot recycling plant located at 95 Wooster Court in Bristol, is partnering with CLYNK to be the drop-off location for the thousands of bottles and cans deposited at sustainability stations. Kantesaria said that the goal is to have drop-off stations at over 80 Stop & Shop locations across Connecticut in the next year, giving customers easy access to bottle redemption.
“It’s so much easier for customers than having to wait in line or have to wait once a bottle machine is full,” Kantesaria said. “It’s really the ease of use and the greater access that are a huge win for customers.”
Downloading the CLYNK app and signing up is free, but the company does charge to use its bags. Anyone using the recycling service must only use official CLYNK bags to drop off their bottles and cans. A box of 10 CLYNK bags costs $2.49 plus tax, and each 30-gallon bag can hold approximately 20 pounds of empty containers. Customers can buy the bags at Stop & Shop locations.
With each new account signup, the first box of 10 CLYNK bags is free, according to the company. If you sign up online, a voucher will be included in the company’s welcome kit, which is mailed within two to four days of signing up.
CLYNK offers customers two ways to redeem their deposits, including “grow your balance” or a $5 instant payment. With “grow your balance,” customers can collect containers without counting, let their balance accumulate in the CLYNK app and withdraw up to $99.99 per transaction. For immediate payment, customers can use the $5 instant payment option by counting exactly 50 containers per bag, dropping it and redeeming their instant $5 voucher at any Stop & Shop register.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected].
860-261-4405
