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.
Fewer patients are being admitted to all three Connecticut hospitals owned by bankrupt operator Prospect Medical Holdings and fewer babies are being born at Waterbury Hospital this year, according to a new report.Patient advocate Suzanne Koenig filed her ...
Fewer patients are being admitted to all three Connecticut hospitals owned by bankrupt operator Prospect Medical Holdings and fewer babies are being born at Waterbury Hospital this year, according to a new report.
Patient advocate Suzanne Koenig filed her latest report on Waterbury, Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals on Tuesday in a North Texas federal court as part of Prospect’s ongoing bankruptcy case.
“Generally, there has been low census across the debtors’ Connecticut hospitals,” Koenig said in the report, referring to the number of admitted patients.
Waterbury Hospital’s birthing unit was delivering between 80 and 90 babies a month as of this summer, down from more than 100 a month in prior years, according to the report.
“Birth volume has dropped significantly at Waterbury compared to last year due to the loss of certain physician groups,” Koenig said. Later in the report, she quoted a veteran nurse at Waterbury Hospital blaming the decline in births on the loss of two physician groups, teams of doctors who are contracted to deliver babies at a certain hospital.
Fewer patients in general have also led to the recent closing of a unit at Manchester Memorial Hospital, according to the report. The hospital’s 1 East unit was temporarily closed as of June due to a drop in patient numbers.
Koenig’s report, which covers patient care for the period from May 31 through July 29, also highlighted ongoing efforts by the three hospitals to retain and hire staff amid the parent company’s financial strain.
Manchester and Waterbury hospitals have hired new nurses and mostly eliminated staffing shortages that impacted patient care, Koenig said.
“Waterbury continues to have RNs call out sick or no-show, but to a much lesser degree than reported previously,” Koenig said. More Waterbury nurses have also resigned since her last report, she added.
Nurses and other staff have cited uncertainty about the hospitals’ future in contributing to staffing challenges.
Delays in selling Prospect’s Connecticut and California hospitals are contributing to a deteriorating financial situation at the company and an urgent need for emergency financing, a lawyer for the company said at a hearing earlier this month. The Texas bankruptcy judge approved a new $30 million loan, with the expectation that Prospect may need $55 million more next month to keep operating through the summer.
Prospect’s financial woes are unlikely to be helped by a new development last week in its ongoing lawsuit against Yale New Haven Health, which scuttled a bid to buy the Connecticut hospitals last year amid allegations of mismanagement.
At stake is the $435 million that Yale New Haven Health agreed to pay Prospect for its three Connecticut hospitals in 2022, before scotching the deal in 2024. Prospect had argued that the soured deal was pivotal to its decision to file for bankruptcy and a favorable outcome in the lawsuit could enable it to pay some of its debts, estimated to be as high as $10 billion.
A Connecticut federal judge ruled last week that the lawsuit should stay in state courts, rather than be moved to bankruptcy court. He stated that the court action concerned events not directly related to the bankruptcy and keeping the case in the state courts would speed a resolution.
“This case is a contract dispute and concerns whether the terms of the contract were or were not honored,” Judge Michael P. Shea wrote in his ruling. “I find that the Connecticut Superior Court is comparatively better suited to address this case.”
“Yale New Haven Health is pleased with the Federal Court’s decision to keep our case against Prospect in Connecticut Superior Court as Prospect’s multiple breaches of its obligations is of great concern to thousands of Connecticut residents,” spokesperson Dana Marnane said in a statement. “Prospect’s mismanagement of its facilities has been well documented.”
Prospect did not respond to requests for comment.
Prospect also filed a new document this week seeking to legally “abandon” two of its shuttered hospitals in Pennsylvania, Delaware County Memorial and Taylor Hospital. The for-profit company had once operated four hospitals in the state, but closed two prior to its bankruptcy filing in January, then closed the remaining two in April.
Prospect said in the filing it has been trying to sell the two hospitals, but the low bids received came nowhere near covering the cost of property taxes and maintenance.
“The debtors believe that it is necessary, appropriate, and in the best interests of their estates to seek approval of a safe and expeditious process for abandoning the burdensome real property,” Prospect argued in its emergency motion. If the judge approves the abandonment, a lender can move to foreclose on the properties.
A hearing on the fate of Prospect’s Pennsylvania hospitals is scheduled for Aug. 4.
Is your water line made out of lead? We can help you find out.Join CT Mirror journalists, Andrew Brown, Elizabeth Hamilton, and Jenna Carlesso for a conversation on the public water systems in Waterbury, Connecticut and the lead service lines that are still in use.Location: Silas Bronson Library, 267 Grand St.Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Across the country, trust in news is eroding....
Is your water line made out of lead? We can help you find out.
Join CT Mirror journalists, Andrew Brown, Elizabeth Hamilton, and Jenna Carlesso for a conversation on the public water systems in Waterbury, Connecticut and the lead service lines that are still in use.
Location: Silas Bronson Library, 267 Grand St.Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
(WFSB) - Connecticut was under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch through 9 p.m. on Friday.As of 5 p.m., several roads were closed due to downed trees and wires across the state.A tree actually fell on top of a house near Fulton Park in Waterbury.The homeowner was not there at the time and everyone was okay.However, the house and the neighborhood was left without power.&l...
(WFSB) - Connecticut was under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch through 9 p.m. on Friday.
As of 5 p.m., several roads were closed due to downed trees and wires across the state.
A tree actually fell on top of a house near Fulton Park in Waterbury.
The homeowner was not there at the time and everyone was okay.
However, the house and the neighborhood was left without power.
“Well I was just laying in bed watching tv and all of a sudden you know you start hearing thunder and lightning. You could hear it. And then all of a sudden you heard a loud boom and a bunch of crackling and then the power went out. Then you come outside and you see the tree laying across the street,” said Melissa Almeida from Waterbury.
According to the Department of Transportation, Route 341 was closed at Preston Mountain Road in Kent for a tree down in wires.
The DOT also reported a tree down with wires in the road along Route 167 at Harris Street in Avon.
Over in Hartford, the fire department responded to a storm-related electrical fire on North Beacon Street around 2:45 p.m.
“The storm was coming down and I was closing my window and as I was closing my window, which is directly across from the street right here, I heard pop and all of a sudden fire and then I ran to call 911,” said Maria, eyewitness.
Firefighters received reports of a lighting strike and a fallen tree which took out power lines in the area.
Authorities said a fire started and posed electrical hazards.
There were no injuries reported.
North Beacon Street was closed between Cone Street and Fern Street for the incident.
“It was truly remarkable in one of the worst ways. The fact that you could see the wires completely on fire was almost a panic moment where you’re like what’s going on? Are things going to be OK. Is there’s literally melting plastic falling into the street pull out,” said Sebastian Torres, Hartford.
Wallingford also faced heavy damage, particularly in the Heritage Woods area.
As of 6 p.m., Eversource reported about 3,400 outages across the state.
Click HERE to report an outage.
Watch Channel 3 and refresh this page for the latest damages.
Thunderstorms rolled across the state Friday afternoon and evening, damaging property and causing power outages to homes and businesses along the way, officials said.A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for all of Connecticut through 9 p.m. on Friday, and storms with potentially damaging winds were expected to progress southeastward across the area during the afternoo...
Thunderstorms rolled across the state Friday afternoon and evening, damaging property and causing power outages to homes and businesses along the way, officials said.
A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for all of Connecticut through 9 p.m. on Friday, and storms with potentially damaging winds were expected to progress southeastward across the area during the afternoon and evening, according to reporting from Hearst Connecticut Media meteorologist Dan Amarante.
In Waterbury, a tree fell around 2:50 p.m. because of the storm and caused minor damages to a house on the 140 block of Greenwood Avenue, Deputy Chief John Perugini said by phone.
A single fire company responded to the tree fall, Perugini said.
In Kent, Route 341 was closed at Preston Mountain Road because of a fallen tree. A portion of Route 167 in Avon was also closed because of a fallen trees that had brought down wires Friday, the Connecticut Department of Transportation's website reported.
The state's largest power company Eversource reported that around 5,000 of its customers were without power as of late Friday afternoon, and Waterbury had the most outages at 900 at the time.
In Lisbon, a lighting strike caused a fire at a home on Ethel Acres Road. Smoke damage from the strike left the home uninhabitable, Lisbon Fire Department Chief David Gifford said by phone.
The homeowner, a past firefighter, heard the lighting hit the ground and went outside to see what had happened. When he turned around, the house was smoking, Gifford said. The fire was contained to the attic and upper floor.
"What we believe happened is lightening hit the ground, traveled to the house," Gifford said. "They believe it might have followed up the service line and got into the attic."
The residents were uninjured and are in "good spirits," he said.
Additionally, a high tension line came down on Interstate 395 north before Exit 19, leaving a fire burning under the highway, Gifford said. The incident was still active as of Friday evening, he said, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation is responding.
Trees also brought down power lines in other areas in Lisbon, he said.
There were also several crashes on state roads during the late afternoon Friday that may have been related to the storm, including a rollover in Salisbury and a crash into a guardrail on Route 8 in Naugatuck.
In Naugatuck, a vehicle crashed into a guardrail on Route 8 south near Exit 26 just before 3 p.m., and, in Salisbury, two cars collided on Route 44, causing minor injuries.
Hana Ikramuddin is a Hearst Fellow in Connecticut. She spent the first part of her fellowship at the Houston Chronicle.
Raised in the Twin Cities, Hana majored in journalism and political science at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
She has held internships with the Star Tribune, APM Reports and Sahan Journal. In her free time, she loves to cook, make chai and take care of her houseplants.
Bankrupt Prospect Medical Holdings is close to launching the auction process to sell Waterbury, Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals, one of its lawyers told a judge on Wednesday.Prospect is in final talks to secure a “stalking horse” bidder, a party that sets the minimum price on assets sold as part of a bankruptcy auction, attorney Anne Wallice told Judge Stacy Jernigan at a hearing Wednesday morning....
Bankrupt Prospect Medical Holdings is close to launching the auction process to sell Waterbury, Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals, one of its lawyers told a judge on Wednesday.
Prospect is in final talks to secure a “stalking horse” bidder, a party that sets the minimum price on assets sold as part of a bankruptcy auction, attorney Anne Wallice told Judge Stacy Jernigan at a hearing Wednesday morning.
The bankrupt hospital operator, which hopes to sell hospitals in both Connecticut and California to satisfy debts estimated at up to $10 billion, plans to file documents relating to the stalking-horse bidder in coming weeks, Wallice said. Prospect said it intends to meet or beat an Aug. 15 deadline set as part of an emergency loan deal struck earlier in the month, she said.
“We are working with multiple active parties that cover all hospital operations in California and Connecticut,” Wallice said. “We will be back before your honor and file a notice with the court related to the deadlines for qualified bids, auction and a sale order, but we are focused right now on ensuring we have that stalking horse.”
“So it sounds like it’s looking positive you’re going to have a stalking horse,” Jernigan said.
“Your honor, it is looking very positive that we are going to have a stalking horse,” Wallice replied.
“We are pleased to hear that they will be hopefully beating that Aug. 15 milestone ? that’s something we’ve been pushing for a while as well,” said Gabe Sassoon, attorney to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Prospect bankruptcy. Connecticut union members and cities like Waterbury who are owed property taxes are among the company’s unsecured creditors.
Gov. Ned Lamont said at an event on Tuesday that several bidders remain “at the table” for the Connecticut hospitals.
“We’re paying special attention to make sure our hospitals keep going and quality of care is never compromised,” Lamont said. “We’re making sure that the bidders are there, making sure they have a full response, letting them know what a priority it is for all of us.”
The Prospect sales update comes as anxiety mounts in Waterbury, Manchester and Vernon about the fate of the three Connecticut hospitals that are ensnared in the bankruptcy process. After failing to find any willing bidders, Prospect shut down its two hospitals near Philadelphia in April.
The fallout of the Pennsylvania closures was also on view at Wednesday’s hearing, when the judge heard a plea from former patients of the hospitals to get affordable access to their medical records. Prospect closed Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Chester and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, both safety-net hospitals in low-income areas.
After closing the hospitals, Prospect started charging fees from $35 to $75 to transfer each electronic medical record to a patient, fees that quickly mount into the hundreds of dollars for multiple records, according to Pennsylvania officials.
“Many of the citizens here live in poverty. They just do not have the money. It is not going to come from anywhere, and they had no control over this hospital being closed,” said Kristin Motley, health commissioner of the city of Chester. “I would like to see that this cost is not placed on the community that is already burdened by having to find new providers and all the health risks that will come from that.”
Jernigan urged the parties to come to an agreement that would lower the cost for patients.
“We've got a sad, sad situation where, despite what everyone wanted, these Pennsylvania hospitals shut down,” Jernigan said. “The debtor entity has been cash-strapped from the moment it filed bankruptcy.”
Laid-off employees of Prospect’s two Pennsylvania hospitals also argued in court on Wednesday that the company should have given them more notice before closing down the facilities and terminating their jobs. Crozer-Chester employed 1,856 people and Taylor Hospital employed 347 people prior to the closings.
Another Prospect attorney argued that the company could not have foreseen the financial morass that led to the layoffs, including a failed sale deal involving major hospital system Penn Medical.
“An abrupt turn is what happened here,” said Jon Muenz, Prospect’s lawyer in the matter. “Everyone was working towards a solution that we thought was in view with a consortium of transaction partners. We lost it, and then the (state layoff) notice was issued shortly thereafter.”
Jernigan ruled that the court arguments relating to the layoffs could continue. “The plaintiffs have stated enough facts to state a claim of a possible (layoff notice) violation that is plausible on its face,” she said in ruling for the terminated Prospect employees.
Additional reporting by Cris Villalonga-Vivoni.
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