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 Waterbury Green 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 Waterbury, 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 Fulton 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 Diorio Restaurant Bar or visit Mattatuck Museum, 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 Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, 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.
The biological mother of the man who said he was held captive in a Waterbury home for 20 years speaks out exclusively to NBC Connecticut.The 52-year-old, who wishes to remain anonymous, was emotional as she spoke to NBC Connecticut on Monday, saying she’d been looking for her son for decades.She got a call last week from her sister that her son had finally been found, and is distraught to hear of what he’s endured, and the condition he was in.“We all love him. I love him. He’s so strong, and I&rsq...
The biological mother of the man who said he was held captive in a Waterbury home for 20 years speaks out exclusively to NBC Connecticut.
The 52-year-old, who wishes to remain anonymous, was emotional as she spoke to NBC Connecticut on Monday, saying she’d been looking for her son for decades.
She got a call last week from her sister that her son had finally been found, and is distraught to hear of what he’s endured, and the condition he was in.
“We all love him. I love him. He’s so strong, and I’m so proud of him for doing what he needed to do. I wish he did it sooner,” she said.
Her daughter, the victim’s half-sister, said she’d been using social media and other tools to locate him for him for years to no avail.
“I just want him to know that he has a big sister, and I’ve always known he’s existed, and I’ve always loved him, and I’ve always been trying to find him. I’ve been looking for him for over a decade. I wanted to wait until he was 18. I’m almost 35 now. There was nothing…no social media, no court records,” his half-sister said.
#BREAKING: The biological mother of the man who said he was held captive for 20 years inside a Waterbury home speaks out - only to @NBCConnecticutShe told me she'd been looking for her son for decades, after giving up custody of him as a child."We all love him." More at 11. pic.twitter.com/q5gBScT0py
— Amanda Pitts (@AmandaPittsTV) March 17, 2025
The victim’s mother said she’d given up custody when he was a child, but that didn’t stop her from attempting to be in his life.
She said his late father and stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, wouldn’t allow it.
“Neither one of them. I don’t know if she was controlling him,” she said.
Sullivan’s attorneys maintain her innocence, laying the blame on her late husband for how his son was raised.
She said she hopes everyone involved faces charges.
“All of them in that home…need to get…charged, and she needs to actually spend the rest of her life in solitary confinement and fed two cups of water a day,” she said.
She said she hasn’t yet connected with her son, but hopes to in the future.
“He does have everybody here, on both sides, on both sides of his family that love him, and have looked for him…I’m heartbroken,” she said. “I still just can’t fathom it. How can anybody treat somebody like that?”
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Prospect Medical Holdings, which ran hospitals in Waterbury, Manchester and Rockville, filed for bankruptcy in January.MANCHESTER, Conn. — Anxiety continues for people in several Connecticut communities after a potential deal with a hospital buyer fell through.Back in January, Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy, putting the future of several state hospitals into question.In Connecticut, the ...
Prospect Medical Holdings, which ran hospitals in Waterbury, Manchester and Rockville, filed for bankruptcy in January.
MANCHESTER, Conn. — Anxiety continues for people in several Connecticut communities after a potential deal with a hospital buyer fell through.
Back in January, Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy, putting the future of several state hospitals into question.
In Connecticut, the Los Angeles-based company owns Waterbury Hospital and the Eastern Connecticut Health Network, or ECHN, which includes Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital. All three remain open.
Yale-New Haven Hospital had been looked at as a main solution to the issue and engaged in talks to acquire the hospitals for years. In February, leaders said it was impossible to reach a deal with PMH. In the time that has since passed, workers say conditions at the hospitals have eroded.
RELATED: Prospect Medical Holdings files for bankruptcy; Connecticut officials respond
“The part that’s really scary about this whole scenario, we can’t stop it,” said Ed Gadomski, with Connecticut Healthcare Associates District 1199 NUHHCE.
The internal union organizer's emotional words kicked off the week for lawmakers during the Public Health Committee hearing Mar. 3, where he brought the current conditions at the Waterbury hospital to light.
“Staffing levels are greatly understaffed, computers and medical equipment have not been maintained or replaced and critical services have been threatened," said Gadomski, "And [they] have loaded the hospital with debt, only to leave patients, workers and communities with the consequences.”
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Dave Hannon is president of the union and said he spoke to hospital workers after the deal fell through, as conditions spiraled in the time the entities tried to work out a potential deal. Now, Hannon believes there is a strong feeling of uncertainty. However, a longing for justice still remains.
“There’s a very strong feeling they should not get away with this,” said Hannon.
A common criticism of PMH was how funds at the hospitals were organized. According to state Sen. Saud Anwar, the money generated from the hospitals was sent to California, before any would return to Connecticut, which made it hard to properly invest in the proper services needed for the hospitals and their communities.
The senator said that while the bankruptcy filing has helped tackle some of this issue, it has not solved it.
“Some of the money is coming back to the state of Connecticut, but Prospect still has a say of how much of the money can come to the state of Connecticut,” said Anwar, of East Hartford, “Because they can’t reinvest into the community, they cannot provide all of the adequate services that the community needs.”
RELATED: Counter lawsuit filed against Yale New Haven Health by Prospect Medical Holdings
At the moment, the lawmaker and the union are championing HB 06873 to help prevent another company from taking over Connecticut hospitals similar to PMH, and correct a longstanding issue in the state. This comes as a new deal is being developed to keep the hospitals open.
“It covers about half a million population in our state, so they will continue to need service, and are financially very viable," said Anwar. "So, any healthcare systems - who are hopefully not for profit ones - will look at this as a very serious opportunity for them.”
Anwar added that it will take several months before a deal will be finalized. According to court documents, a potential sales timeline shows that a sales hearing for the Connecticut hospitals is scheduled for June 5. No concrete groups have been named as interested parties at this time.
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Since Yale New Haven Health has made clear that purchasing three Prospect Medical Holdings hospitals in Connecticut is now ‘impossible,’ a lawmaker and some hospital staff are raising concerns about the fragile state of the hospitals as a new buyer is sought.State Sen. Saud Anwar, Senate chairman of the Public Heal...
Since Yale New Haven Health has made clear that purchasing three Prospect Medical Holdings hospitals in Connecticut is now ‘impossible,’ a lawmaker and some hospital staff are raising concerns about the fragile state of the hospitals as a new buyer is sought.
State Sen. Saud Anwar, Senate chairman of the Public Health Committee, said because resources are limited, patients may be at risk.
”Because they are eroding all the resources, the quality of care is being impacted and every day we are not getting a real buyer, we are losing ground,” he said.
The impact of private equity in health care has been on display in Connecticut recently as Prospect Medical Holdings, a private equity company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this past January. A United States Senate Committee on the Budget investigation conducted last year that included Prospect found that private equity in health care prioritized profits over patient care.
Prospect, which operates Manchester Memorial, Rockville General and Waterbury Hospital, has faced fiscal challenges in many of its hospitals in the state, from delayed payments to physicians and vendors to a shortage of health care providers.
The state Office of Health Strategy’s latest Annual Report on the Financial Status of Connecticut’s Short Term Acute Hospitals found that Prospect lost $86.4 million in Fiscal Year 2023.
Dana Marnane, director of communications for Yale New Haven Health, said that while Yale New Haven Health had hoped to acquire the hospitals and enhance clinical care for the impacted communities, “Prospect’s failure over several years to pay vendors and state and local taxes and to fund their pension obligations have made this transaction impossible.”
In 2022, Yale New Haven Health agreed in a tentative agreement to purchase Prospect’s three hospitals for $435 million but the deal was mired in stalemates and lawsuits.
Anwar said it is not all doom and gloom and that he is “confident rather than hopeful that any organization that is going to do its due diligence will find (the hospitals) a viable option.”
Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. said he fully expects someone to be interested in bidding on the hospitals.
“It is a lucrative market and there is a great deal of potential there,’ he said.
In the meantime, nurses and unions at several of Prospect’s hospitals in the state told the Courant that their hospitals have been decimated, with some worried about the quality of care as they wait for a new owner to purchase the hospitals.
Ed Gadomski, Connecticut Healthcare Associates Internal Union Organizer, who represents the nurses and technicians at Waterbury Hospital, said almost all of its departments are understaffed with nursing-to-patient ratios well over the appropriate levels set by the Hospital Staffing Committee. He said antiquated supplies are used to treat patients.
Further, he said the Operating Room has a 50% vacancy rate.
“Anytime you are understaffed and nurses are taking on a larger workload along with trying to pick up extra shifts, it leaves them exhausted and overworked, leaving a higher chance of a medical error occurring,” Gadomski told the Courant.
Testifying before the Public Health Committee Monday, Gadomski expressed support for HB 6873, requested by Gov. Ned Lamont, which seeks to strengthen the review of health care entity transactions.
“We are now left in the hands of a beast that provides toxic leadership inhouse, has a blatant disregard for law enforcement, and prioritizes profits over patient care,” Gadomski said in his testimony.
“They have extracted wealth through sale-leaseback transactions, including outsourcing the IT department back in 2020 to India, and have loaded the hospital with debt, only to leave patients, workers, and communities with the consequences,” Gadomski continued. “Staffing levels are greatly understaffed, computers and medical equipment have not been maintained or replaced, and critical services have been threatened. Nurses and technicians are beat-down and mentally struggle with the current working conditions due to non-compliance of legally submitted staffing plans.”
Gadomski said the part that is really “scary about the whole scenario is we can’t stop it.”
In December of last year, an independent monitor was put in place to oversee patient care at Waterbury Hospital after concerns were raised about patient care.
Maura Fitzgerald, chief marketing officer for the Department of Public Health, said the independent monitor remains in place at the hospital.
“Any concerns raised by the monitor would be promptly investigated by DPH,” she said in an email. “DPH is also conducting routine monitoring of all Prospect sites to ensure health care quality and safety is upheld.”
Lauresha Xhihani, director of communications for Waterbury Health, did not return repeated requests for comment.
Anne-Marie Cerra, a registered nurse at Manchester Hospital, told the Courant Wednesday that the hospital’s 300 nurses have the resources to perform their duties on a daily basis.
However, she said there are vacancies in the hospital that have been in place since COVID and that she has seen how private equity in health care has impacted the hospital, with physicians and vendors not being paid. She said physicians have finally been paid due to the bankruptcy.
“The tone of staff is certainly disappointed that the Yale deal fell through,” she said. “We have been at this for three years. It’s upsetting that someone like PMH can have a practice that just decimates health care services throughout our state and other states. People want to hang in there. It is just a terrible situation to be in because of someone else’s greed. That is all that it is.”
She added she hopes the hospital can get their vendors back.
“They have poor business practices that just revolve around stuffing their pockets full of money for their shareholders,” she said.
Prospect Medical Holdings also did not return requests for comment.
Cerra said it is hard to show up everyday without wondering what is going to happen in the next three months.
“Hopefully private equity won’t come to the table with the highest bid,” she said.
Decrying private equity’s slash and burn tactics, Connecticut AFL-CIO President Ed Hawthorne, in written testimony supporting HB 6873, described a serious situation at the three hospitals.
“Prospect has ignored the certificate of need process when ceasing to provide services, failed to maintain necessary equipment, delayed payments to physicians and stopped paying into the employee pension plan,” he wrote. “In short, Prospect has hollowed out three community hospitals and put critical healthcare services in jeopardy so it can deliver profits to investors.”
Anwar said Prospect has “taken away the financial resources from the hospitals and not allowed them to invest in the well-being of the employees of the hospital.
“It has a direct effect on the patients,” he said, citing testimony at the committee from those at Waterbury Hospital.
“They shared how quality has eroded at Waterbury Hospital,” he said. “We have a responsibility to make sure we have safe health care in our towns and community and do whatever it takes to protect it.”
Other state bills on private equity include SB 469, introduced by Sens. Anwar and Jeff Gordon, which would also restrict private equity firms from the acquisition of hospitals and prohibit real estate investment trust transactions involving hospitals.
Further, SB 567, also introduced by Anwar, would expand the authority of the state attorney general and commissioner of health strategy to regulate health care facilities owned by private equity and restrict property transactions deemed as “self-dealing,” according to a release from Anwar.
The Aging Committee held a public hearing on Feb. 28 on SB 1332 which would prohibit private equity companies and real estate investment trusts from acquiring or increasing any direct or indirect ownership interest in a nursing home or any operational or financial control in a nursing home beginning in October of this year.
The governor recently signed HB 7067, which would create an emergency Certificate of Need Process, specifically addressing hospitals undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.
According to a release from Anwar, the usual Certificate of Need process under current law has a number of potential delay periods. First, the Office of Health Strategy has 30 days to determine if an application is complete followed by a 30-day public comment period, public hearing and further waiting period.
The new Certificate of Need process would shorten many of those time frames, with the period to determine the completion of applications shrinking from 30 to just three days followed by decision deadlines cut in half and public hearings made optional, according to a release from Anwar.
It took more than 16 months for the Certificate of Need to be approved for Yale New Haven Health to buy Prospect’s three hospitals in March 2024.
Anwar said part of that delay was due to Prospect Medical Holdings not completing its application.
Originally Published: March 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM EST
WATERBURY — A sweeping federal investigation using wiretaps, electronic surveillance and controlled drug purchases led to the indictment of two alleged drug traffickers responsible for funneling fentanyl and cocaine in Waterbury, officials said.Terrance Johnson, 39, of Hackensack, N.J., and Jordan Jamison, 29, of Waterbury, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute significant quantities ...
WATERBURY — A sweeping federal investigation using wiretaps, electronic surveillance and controlled drug purchases led to the indictment of two alleged drug traffickers responsible for funneling fentanyl and cocaine in Waterbury, officials said.
Terrance Johnson, 39, of Hackensack, N.J., and Jordan Jamison, 29, of Waterbury, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute significant quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Marc Silverman said in a joint news release with the DEA Tuesday.
Federal agents from the DEA's New Haven District Office Task Force used court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics, physical and electronic surveillance, and other investigative techniques, to dismantle the drug trafficking operation.
In one intercepted call on Dec. 2, 2024, Johnson received a phone call from an associate seeking to purchase narcotics, according to the federal search warrant affidavit.
“I need to see you and spend a couple dollars really quick, bro,” the caller said.
Johnson responded, “I’ll call you when I get there.”
Another wiretap from Dec. 16, 2024, captured Johnson discussing his long-term plans, stating, “I’m about to be done with this (expletive deleted) in the next couple years… trying to start a couple businesses so I don’t have to keep looking over my shoulder.”
These wiretaps, coupled with surveillance, revealed that Johnson and Jamison used a residence on High Street in Naugatuck and another on Hunthill Road in Waterbury to store, package, and distribute their narcotics, officials said. Investigators also uncovered that Johnson and Jamison used multiple burner phones to coordinate transactions and avoid detection, according to the affidavit.
On Feb. 5, Johnson and Jamison travelled together on a flight to California and, later that day, attempted to mail a package from Monterey Park to Connecticut, Silverman said. Investigators seized the package, which contained approximately one kilogram of fentanyl and three kilograms of cocaine, Silverman said.
Days later, federal agents executed a search warrant at their alleged stash site in Naugatuck and uncovered approximately 5.4 kilograms of fentanyl and 1.4 kilograms of cocaine packaged for street distribution, and more than 300 grams of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer used by narcotics traffickers as a fentanyl additive, according to prosecutors.
Johnson was arrested in California on Feb. 12 and Jamison was arrested in New Jersey on Feb. 13, and have been detained since their arrests.
The indictment, which was returned on Feb. 25, charges Johnson and Jamison with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Jamison appeared Monday in New Haven federal court and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. Johnson’s arraignment has not been scheduled.
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