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 The Glass House, National Trust for Historic Preservation 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 Canaan, 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.
“We have been very pleased with Always Best Care Agency for the past year. Sue has”
“This is a 5 star home care company. Our aide Seth is very professional and”
“We have had wonderful aides. Agency has been responsive to our needs.”
“I am a current client of this provider Most caring agency around. My husband needs total”
“Other ABC provides a person to cook and do laundry for my mother. The people I”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us”
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work”
“I am a current client of this provider We used Always Best Care for my mother.”
“Thank you so much for all the incredible attention you gave our family and dad”
“Thank you so much for all the incredible attention you gave our family and dad”
“To honor Bob's memory, enjoy a round of golf, share your music with others, make”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”
“Thank you for the excellent care given to my mom. It was a huge weight”
“The Renchy family of Guilford would like to thank the staff and caretakers at CT”
“Rick/Heather, Thank you for providing excellent customer service !! I have received several emails and”
“I am a past client of this provider Dave and staff, thank you or consistently”
“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”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”
“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 with”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with”
“I am a past client of this provider Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring”
“I am a current client of this provider I have a very good providers from this”
“We have been very pleased with Always Best Care Agency for the past year. Sue has helped us with finding the perfect match for our mother’s needs. The caregivers that they screen are kind and capable, very professional, my mother glows with contentment when they arrive which puts us at ease as a family.”
“This is a 5 star home care company. Our aide Seth is very professional and caring. She does a great job making my life much easier. I would recommend Always Best Care Bristol to anyone.”
“We have had wonderful aides. Agency has been responsive to our needs.”
“I am a current client of this provider Most caring agency around. My husband needs total care and the agency does a perfect job supplying us with the right caregivers.”
“Other ABC provides a person to cook and do laundry for my mother. The people I have spoken to at the agency have been extremely helpful but more importantly kind and understanding. I have gotten quick responses to any inquiries I have made. The caregiver has been more than flexible and provides reliable help for my mother. I am feeling confident my mother is getting quality care to help her stay in her home.”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us longer than we did. This was very sudden and in Gods hands I guess. Her last meal was the pasta you made. We tried it too. It was excellent. So you provided her favorite meal. Thank you for that. We would recommend you to anyone who is in need of such services. Be well.”
“We appreciate all that you did and would have loved to have Seth with us longer than we did. This was very sudden and in Gods hands I guess. Her last meal was the pasta you made. We tried it too. It was excellent. So you provided her favorite meal. Thank you for that. We would recommend you to anyone who is in need of such services. Be well”
“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”
“I am a current client of this provider 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 so much for all the incredible attention you gave our family and dad during his illness. We are so grateful that your service was available and that you were all true to your words - you were there to help EVERY step of the way - Our words don't seem enough to express our gratitude. We will miss you all but never forget and we tell everyone we know about your agency and staff.”
“Thank you so much for all the incredible attention you gave our family and dad during his illness. We are so grateful that your service was available and that you were all true to your words - you were there to help EVERY step of the way - Our words don't seem enough to express our gratitude. We will miss you all but never forget and we tell everyone we know about your agency and staff”
“To honor Bob's memory, enjoy a round of golf, share your music with others, make your town a better place, have coffee with a friend, help someone in need, and fill every day with two days' worth of life! The family would like to thank caregivers Pauline and Yvette of Always Best Care of Bristol and Hartford Healthcare at Home for their extraordinary care.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Thank you for the excellent care given to my mom. It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders knowing that Cynthia was there to care for her. Mom was very fond of Cynthia as well as the rest of the family.”
“The Renchy family of Guilford would like to thank the staff and caretakers at CT Hospice of Branford and the CT Hospice Homecare as well as the staff and caretakers from Always Best Care. A special thank you to Sue Dow who helped the family navigate the homecare process over the past several years.”
“Rick/Heather, Thank you for providing excellent customer service !! I have received several emails and phone calls from caregivers who have provided positive feedback about the aids that you deploy to their loved ones (my consumers). This can only be a reflection of your hiring practices and the training that you provide, we appreciate the excellent quality of service.”
“I am a past client of this provider 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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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 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.”
“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.”
“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 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.”
“I am a past client of this provider 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 am a current client of this provider 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 Waveny 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 5Diamond Restaurant at Winvian Farm or visit Falls Village Canaan Historic Soc, 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 Canaan, 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 Canaan, 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 Canaan, 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.
New Canaan encourages residents to once again help beautify its parks, schools and neighborhoods during the 2025 Clean Your Mile event.Information via the town of New Canaan NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan encourages residents to once again help beautify its parks, schools and neighborhoods during the 2025 Clean Your Mile event.According to a news release provided by New Canaan, the town is joining forces with the Cham...
Information via the town of New Canaan
NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan encourages residents to once again help beautify its parks, schools and neighborhoods during the 2025 Clean Your Mile event.
According to a news release provided by New Canaan, the town is joining forces with the Chamber of Commerce and Planet New Canaan for the event.
For the last several years, the Clean Your Mile effort has included three key components: New Canaan citizens individually tackling neighborhoods, community groups scouring public spaces such as parks and schools and the chamber's efforts with merchants to clean up sidewalks, storage areas and parking spaces surrounding the shops and restaurants in the downtown village district, according to town officials.
Clean Your Mile is scheduled to take place April 21-27, however residents are welcome to participate anytime, town officials said.
Individual volunteers and members of numerous community organizations help give New Canaan its annual spring cleaning, beautifying the town and its environment. Youth Groups and Civic organizations are asked to clean the parks, parking lots, schools and public areas where they have volunteered in previous years, according to town officials.
"We welcome families to organize neighborhood teams to clean up roadside trash on their street," town officials said in a news release. "All help is appreciated."
Town officials also noted upon completion of neighborhood CYM collection, volunteers are asked to notify the Highway Department with the location of bags for pick up by calling 203-594-3704.
Volunteers are asked to secure bags for pick up and place on grassy shoulder and not along roadways, town officials said.
New this year, Walter Stewart's Market and Planet New Canaan will be providing a promotional giveaway, while supplies last, for those who participate in Clean Your Mile, details of which are forthcoming, according to town officials.
Garbage bags and a limited supply of grabbers for loan are available for pickup at the Public Works Department or Inland Wetlands at Town Hall in New Canaan. Dumpsters will be located in the train station commuter lot Friday-Sunday.
"Remember to work safe when cleaning roadside," town officials said.
NEW CANAAN — Plans to turn an estate previously owned by Richard Gere and by Paul Simon into a new subdivision has neighbors concerned that the near-doubling of homes in their neighborhood will have negative consequences on their street.“The proposed development will be massively destructive to the environment — removal of mature trees being presented (in) the wetlands are going to be substantial,” Brookwood resident Spencer Grimes told Hearst Connecticut Media Group. “That has an adverse effect on the ne...
NEW CANAAN — Plans to turn an estate previously owned by Richard Gere and by Paul Simon into a new subdivision has neighbors concerned that the near-doubling of homes in their neighborhood will have negative consequences on their street.
“The proposed development will be massively destructive to the environment — removal of mature trees being presented (in) the wetlands are going to be substantial,” Brookwood resident Spencer Grimes told Hearst Connecticut Media Group. “That has an adverse effect on the neighborhoods and the neighbors, specifically, who… are already impacted by stormwater runoff.”
Brookwood Hills LLC, owned by Stamford-based developers from SBP Homes, is looking for approval to turn the 32-acre estate at 82 Brookwood Lane into a nine-lot subdivision with a new road.
"This is a spectacular property and it’s our responsibility as stewards of this land to conceptualize a plan that is in full compliance with all local zoning laws, environmental standards and meets the requirements of New Canaan’s Wetlands and P&Z Commissions," SBP partner Jim Hoffman told HCMG in a statement. "We’re confident that we have done this and that the Wetlands and Planning & Zoning Commissions will ultimately see a thoughtful and responsible development plan."
The developers purchased the property from Gere for $10.75 million in October but had been in talks with town officials about creating a new subdivision as early as August, attorney Amy Zabetakis said at the start of the application’s public hearing on Jan. 29.
Zabetakis, representing the developers, clarified that just because there are nine new lots proposed does not mean there will be nine new homes. Instead the property owner is expected to sell and have the new owners develop the lots individually.
“They've had some preliminary conversations, someone could come along and want to buy two lots and we'll just see one house,” she said. “I think it's easier for people to see a subdivision and acknowledge that it works, quote unquote, if you can see some houses. But these are not intended to be locations where houses… or driveways or septic systems, etcetera, would actually be located.”
That is not to say some of the Brookwood Lane residents are happy with the plans to nearly double the number of homes in their neighborhood.
Grimes and neighbor Robert Fraiman filed intervening petitions with the Inland Wetlands and Planning and Zoning commissions, citing concerns the subdivision and subsequent development of the property could harm the surrounding environment.
Grimes said he and other neighbors were unaware of the developers’ plans for the property until around Thanksgiving, saying he felt as though the developers had “gone out of their way to give us as little time as possible to formulate a response,” especially since the owners’ attorney said town officials were looped in as early as August. Neighbors met with the developer around January, Grimes said.
Resident Lindsay Burn, a practicing landscape developer and Grimes's wife, submitted a letter Feb. 14 claiming the proposal "will adversely and irrevocably impact the native habitats" listed on the developers' wetland impact assessment report, including some federally protected species spotted in New Canaan like the bald eagle and others observed but not listed including several butterfly and bee species. The scale of habitat loss including tree clearing also does not include future home development, which she said could have further negative effects.
In addition to the environmental concerns, Grimes said neighbors are also concerned about how construction will affect traffic, particularly at a troublesome intersection. Several also said they were concerned with the scale of development, Brookwood Lane resident Carolyn Susanin saying the developers' plan to sell the parcels “shows that he has no regard for our town or properties.”
“He is in this to make money and not care about the environmental impact this will have on our very small community of 12 homes,” she wrote. “Our quaint little block will turn into a superhighway of construction which negates the reason why we moved here.”
Grimes said he would be more open if the scale of the development was downsized to something “less aggressive” like six homes and assurances that the area’s wildlife and wetlands would not be affected.
Developers, however, claim the project would have a net benefit for the wetlands by restoring some of the area's watercourses and habitats.
"We have spent months carefully designing this plan to preserve key natural areas, restore wetland corridors that have been lost over the years and enhance green spaces, which also serve as natural buffers for many surrounding property owners," Hoffman told HCMG. "We can appreciate that some of the neighbors are resistant to change and while we respect everyone’s right to express their opinions, it is important that the conversation remains rooted in facts and not hyperbole."
When asked during the public hearing if a traffic study would be conducted, given neighbors’ concerns, Zabetakis said such a study was not necessary because the proposal was a standard residential use.
“If this was a commercial use or if we were putting some sort of multifamily development here, I think that would be appropriate,” she said. “It's not even the maximum of lots that we could get in here. It's an addition of nine residential homes. We're not expecting a major increase in traffic.”
Another potential issue up for debate is whether the developers set aside enough land for conservation as mandated by open space requirements for subdivisions or if they should instead pay a fee in lieu of the open space.
Under the town’s subdivision regulations, based on state statute, at least 10% of a subdivision must be set aside for open space which, unless waived or modified by the commission, would not include a greater percentage of wetland, watercourse or floodplain in excess of 25% of the whole parcel.
The New Canaan Land Trust urged developers to pursue a fee “as a better method to achieve New Canaan’s overall objective of protecting valuable open space,” in a letter submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
“The proposed subdivision is suggesting slivers of land which will not establish a greenbelt or provide other links to open space, it will not supplement existing open space, and it will not provide or enhance local trails," the letter reads.
Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission were similarly hesitant with the conservation easements, member John Kriz saying, “It strikes me as something that frankly is not going to be built on anyway, so it's not much of a give up."
During the Jan. 29 meeting, Zabetakis — the developer's attorney — acknowledged the Land Trust’s concerns but maintained the proposed subdivision “can provide the necessary open space.”
“We believe the goals of the town plan of conservation development (are) better protected with this low impact development… protecting this space now rather than putting money in a fund with the hope that at some point some open space will become available somewhere else in the town," she said.
When asked if willing to adjust the design based on initial feedback from the commissions and residents, Hoffman said the developers are still waiting for further feedback but are "proactively engaged with a group of neighbors who expressed interest in discussing the project with our team," implementing some adjustments based on their input.
Feb 21, 2025
Weeklies Editor
The Board of Selectmen appointed a new chief building official and hired two new administrative assistants during a recent meeting.RJ Scofield, Patch StaffNEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectmen appointed a new chief building official and hired two new administrative assistants during a recent meeting.Scott Becker was appointed to the chief building official position for a four-year term after being appointed to an...
RJ Scofield, Patch Staff
NEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectmen appointed a new chief building official and hired two new administrative assistants during a recent meeting.
Scott Becker was appointed to the chief building official position for a four-year term after being appointed to an interim position back in November.
Human Resources Personnel Director Cheryl Pickering-Jones said during the Feb. 25 board meeting Becker has "worked out very well" in his current position and wanted to move him into a permanent role.
First Selectman Dionna Carlson agreed Becker, who has been with the town since 2021, has "worked out great" in his current position.
His appointment was unanimously approved by all four board members.
The Board of Selectmen also unanimously approved the hiring of Linda Sidani and Nicole Barrett as new administrative assistants to the tax collector and assessor respectively.
Pickering-Jones noted Sebastian Caldarella will assume the role of the town's new director of assessments and taxation following the departure of Collector of Taxes Rosanna DiPanni at the end of February.
The board previously approved Caldarella's appointment to the new position back in early January.
According to Pickering-Jones, part of the town's agreement over putting Caldarella in charge of both departments entailed having one part-time assistant in each office.
Selectman Amy Murphy Carroll asked how many hours were required for each position, which Pickering-Jones noted was "less than 19."
Carlson also noted there are currently two administrative assistants in both offices for when Caldarella is not present.
Pickering-Jones said the town is currently working with Caldarella to determine what hours will work best for the two part-time positions with the two administrative assistants already in each office.
"It's really to cover lunches," Pickering-Jones said, "they'll be here when people are on vacation, to cover that type of stuff."
Pickering-Jones said Sidani has "great customer service experience" and is a critical thinker with strong communication, organization and computer skills.
She also noted Barrett, who previously worked as administrative assistant for the city of Stamford, is "very detailed-oriented" and has good customer service and computer skills.
"We would like to have them both start in those offices to assist when [Caldarella] takes over," Pickering-Jones said.
Jones noted the town received 32 applications for the positions and interviewed nine, then picked Sidani and Barrett from that pool.
Caldarella and DiPanni were both involved in deciding which of the two part-time employees would work in which office, according to Pickering-Jones.
"They came in and got involved in the interview," Pickering-Jones said, "and really looked at both set of skills and personalities and figured out which one would fit better."
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