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 Southington Historical Society 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 Southington, 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 Southington Memorial 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 New Mill Restaurant or visit Barnes 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 Southington, 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 Southington, 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 Southington, 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.
SOUTHINGTON, CT — The local business and employment scene was stunned this week after a manufacturing company in Plantsville announced its imminent closure.Officials with the J.J. Ryan Corp., doing business as "Rex Forge" in Plantsville, notified the state Department of Labor on Monday, Feb. 3, of its imminent plans to cease operations this month.The announcement comes after ...
SOUTHINGTON, CT — The local business and employment scene was stunned this week after a manufacturing company in Plantsville announced its imminent closure.
Officials with the J.J. Ryan Corp., doing business as "Rex Forge" in Plantsville, notified the state Department of Labor on Monday, Feb. 3, of its imminent plans to cease operations this month.
The announcement comes after a federal arbitration ruling on Jan. 15 settled a dispute the company had with its lone customer, according to records in U.S. District Court in Ohio.
According to a letter sent by Rex Forge Controller Colleen Hedges, the closure will take place between Feb. 10-24 and result in 103 employees losing their jobs.
Rex Forge is located at 355 Atwater St. in the Plantsville section of Southington.
Rex Forge manufactures steel fittings, molding steel into parts used in the transportation industry.
According to Rex Forge, its lone customer was Ohio-based Dana Corp., which manufactures drive trains and other propulsion systems for a variety of car and truck manufacturers.
Both companies were in the U.S. District Court in Ohio on Nov. 18, 2024, for an arbitration hearing regarding multiple disputes both Rex Forge and Dana Corp. had against each other.
According to the final arbitration ruling handed down on Jan. 15, Dana and Rex Forge were disputing several issues in their business arrangement.
Ultimately, the federal arbitrator awarded Dana Corp. a total of $965,358 on Dana's claim of being subjected to both excess freight and "non-conforming" charges.
Meanwhile, Rex Forge was awarded $144,383 on its claim of "improper debits" taken by Dana.
The dispute was not mentioned in Rex Forge's letter to the state regarding the company's impending closure.
Hedges, in her letter, said Dana officials notified Rex Forge on Jan. 29 that it was exercising "its right to terminate its contract" with Rex Forge to supply them with parts.
She said this was done "with no advance notice."
As a result, with no primary customers, Rex Forge is, simply, closing.
"The termination of the contract was unexpected and unforeseen. Rex Forge had every reason to believe and expect, from the daily actions and communications with Dana, that future business would continue. It was shocking to receive the notice that Dana no longer wished to do any business with Rex Forge," wrote Hedges to the state.
"Without the Dana contract, which represents the sole business for Rex Forge, the company has no ability to continue on and will be shutting down its operations permanently."
She said employees have already been notified of the closure and the job losses are likely permanent.
Rex Forge is working with employees to help them find work elsewhere and to prepare for the job market.
The positions impacted include all Rex Forge workers, from the chief executive officer to manufacturers, inspectors, and other members of management.
For the full notification letter sent to the State of Connecticut, click on this link.
For more information on Rex Forge in Plantsville, click on this link.
The Southington PZC voted last week to approve a new garden center project that will focus on sustainable agriculture.Patch StaffSOUTHINGTON, CT — A local resident plans to transform his property into a sustainable garden center where sustainably grown plants, compost, and fertilizer will be for sale.In addition, Southington resident Ryan Vassar wants to teach others about the basics of plant sustainability at his property at 1248 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington, where he wants to resurrect the site's pas...
Patch Staff
SOUTHINGTON, CT — A local resident plans to transform his property into a sustainable garden center where sustainably grown plants, compost, and fertilizer will be for sale.
In addition, Southington resident Ryan Vassar wants to teach others about the basics of plant sustainability at his property at 1248 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington, where he wants to resurrect the site's past use as a garden center to a new one owned by him.
Last week, the Southington Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-0 in favor of a site plan modification that, essentially, greenlighted the project.
According to consultant Brian Panico of Cole Civil & Survey, who represented Vassar at the Jan. 21 Southington PZC meeting, the site is zoned for mixed-use and is located in a commercial/industrial/business area.
"It's in a business zone with industrial users to the south, with business zoned and industrial uses, pretty much, surrounding the property," Panico said.
The last site plan approved for the property called for residential/office uses, with the amendment approved last week allowing for the return of the garden center use.
Panico said the new use will feature greenhouses, raised garden beds, bee hives, and an aquaculture pond.
After Panico's presentation, Vassar himself unveiled further details to the PZC and answered some PZC members' questions.
Vassar said garden centers have operated at the property before and he was the operator of the garden center back in 2017.
"I've actually operated the garden center out of this building in years past," Vassar said, saying he moved on to a new job in 2017 and is now looking to come back to the site as its owner. "I've always wanted to come back."
According to Vassar, the new garden center would include some of these features:
• Rainwater would be collected and reused.
• No pesticides would be used on the site.
• A "learning experience" for plant sustainability will be offered as he plans to show how these processes work.
As an example, Vassar said he would practice aquaculture and use fertilizer produced by fish and turning it back into the raised garden beds.
Vassar, who has a long career working at garden centers, said this is a sustainable source of energy along with bees.
He said he would be collecting honey, though not for retail, but, rather, for personal uses.
According to Vassar, he wants to sell organic amendments; compost, naturally produced fertilizers, "only things that are sustainable."
A pallet storage area will hold neatly bagged soil, seaweed, etc.
In addition, Vassar said there will be no smells or messes.
PZC members had some concerns about the location of the hives (with five initially proposed) to abutting property owners and fears the bees could get out and, possibly, impact nearby properties (especially for people with bee allergies).
As a result, the approved motion calls for only three hives to be located a sufficient distance away and with buffers utilized on the property borders (vegetation/fence buffers).
The motion calls for only three hives, though the PZC left room for Vassar to put in two more if Southington land-use staffers approve this in the future.
Vassar told PZC members he's excited about the opportunity of this new endeavor.
"It's important to me. I want to work where I live and be able to sustainably commute," he said.
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The annual October celebration was able to donate thousands of dollars to three local causes and add to the event's surplus.Patch StaffSOUTHINGTON, CT — The town's beloved annual autumn celebration is not only much looked forward to on the local calendar, it is also profitable.That was the crux of Southington Town Councilman Christopher Palmieri's recent report to colleagues about the Southington Apple Harvest Festival's financial returns from 2024.Palmieri, who serves on the festival's organizing committe...
Patch Staff
SOUTHINGTON, CT — The town's beloved annual autumn celebration is not only much looked forward to on the local calendar, it is also profitable.
That was the crux of Southington Town Councilman Christopher Palmieri's recent report to colleagues about the Southington Apple Harvest Festival's financial returns from 2024.
Palmieri, who serves on the festival's organizing committee, said the 2024 edition of the event earned a $ 14,338 profit, resulting in donations to three causes in the Southington community.
The good fiscal news, Palmieri said, was from the festival spending $287,213 and taking in $301,551 in revenues.
He said the festival was self-sustaining, meaning no town revenues were needed to balance the budget last year.
In fact, Palmieri said, the festival committee was able to donate $4,000 to the United Way, $2,000 to Southington Community Services, and $2,000 for the Southington-based Bread of Life.
"We've been trying to give back to our community," Palmieri said. "We know part of the festival is we want it to be self-sustaining, which it has been, and we want to try and contribute back to our community."
Palmieri attributed the event's 2024 success to many factors, especially the weather last October.
"I also want to point out this year was actually a picture-perfect year as far as weather," he said. "I can't remember a time where we had better weather than what we had this past fall."
The festival has become so profitable, it is mulling the investment of its surplus to, possibly, grow the festival fund.
That was the suggestion of Southington Town Council Chairman Paul Chaplinsky Jr., who pointed out festival organizers haven't had to dip into the surplus much, if at all, in recent years.
He said the festival could, say, set aside $100,000 and let it grow, possibly earning 4 to 5 percent interest per year.
Chaplinsky said that would still allow the festival to have $60,000 in cash available to tap into if needed.
"It's just something to consider," Chaplinsky said to Palmieri, who said that is something the organizing committee could discuss.
The Southington Apple Harvest Festival takes place in early- and mid-October over the course of two consecutive weekends at the beloved town green area downtown.
It is one of the most anticipated festivals in New England and can draw more than 100,000 visitors each year.
The 2025 Southington Apple Harvest Festival will take place Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-12 this fall.
From Oct. 1, 2024: 'Southington's Apple Festival Ready For Another Enjoyable Run'
SOUTHINGTON — Last month the future of Southington’s Polish Plate became uncertain when owner Margaret Kopacz put the restaurant up for sale, looking to exit the restaurant industry.This month however, new owners have been found — Kopacz's cousins who are looking to continue the restaurant’s ...
SOUTHINGTON — Last month the future of Southington’s Polish Plate became uncertain when owner Margaret Kopacz put the restaurant up for sale, looking to exit the restaurant industry.
This month however, new owners have been found — Kopacz's cousins who are looking to continue the restaurant’s menu and grow its footprint within the community.
Ewa and Chris Wirkowski, of Southington, will take over likely sometime next month. They said they want to offer the same authentic Polish cuisine, while expanding to offer more seasonal food options and letting customers book the food truck and space for private events.
Ewa Wirkowski said it’s been her dream for many years to own her own restaurant. She was born in Poland, where her father ran a shop that always had the whole family in the kitchen preparing food for a variety of private events. She's been able to maintain that passion after moving to the U.S. When she heard of Kopacz’s intentions to sell the Polish Plate, she knew it was the perfect opportunity to finally achieve her dream.
“I couldn't sleep because I didn't want to pass this opportunity because that was always a dream of mine to have a business like that,” Wirkowski said.
“I love cooking, I love this, I love feeding people, I love working with people, it's my dream," she said. "We're trying to work with (Kopacz) and they're going to teach us and mentor us for many months to show us everything and every holiday, how they did it. We’re going to take over eventually soon, and we're going to try to just keep the business going.”
Wirkowski said that with both of her children now in college, it was the perfect time to take over the Polish Plate.
With her children having gone to college, Wirkowski wishes to pour all her energy into continuing on the success of Polish Place, bringing on other members of her family and keeping all the current employees to make that happen.
Stepping into the role left by Kopacz was a daunting one, Wirkowski said, adding learning all the ins and outs of the restaurant business is one of the most difficult aspects of getting her foot in the door. With the encouragement of her family and the customers who’ve heard of the change though, she’s excited to be taking over.
“Honestly, that's the most scary part for me, but I'm very grateful because my husband's going to help me a lot with it," Wirkowski said. "My oldest daughter, she's doing finance, business and accounting in college, so I'm hoping the whole family's going to pitch in and we’re going to just go day by day and hope for the best."
Kopacz said she was happy to have Wirkowski take over to see what she built continue rather than having to close. She said she’ll remain around in an advisory role until the end of the year to help through the holiday rush as they get their footing.
“I'm very happy about it because we worked on the business for over five years," Kopacz said. "We grew it from scratch. And to think just to close it will be heartbreaking for us, it's like our baby. We worked so hard to get to that point, and I'm very happy that she will take over and I know she can handle it."
The Polish Plate began in 2019 as a side project to keep her husband busy – but the interest and demand in the business increased well beyond their expectations and continued to require more of their attention. Before that, she worked at Hartford Healthcare as an accountant for ten years, only giving up the position two years ago to look after the restaurant full-time.
She said the stress of running the business in the competitive food industry while also trying to look after her 3-year-old son was too much so she listed the business for sale.
Kopacz has since gotten a position with the state Department of Revenue Services, so that she can maintain regular hours and spend more time with her son.
“I'll have more time for my little one. I still have to work, but at least during the weekend, I can take him somewhere or spend a little bit more time with him than I'm able right now,” Kopacz said, adding she looks forward to returning to accounting.
Reflecting back on the time she spent with the business, Kopacz said she was flattered so many people warmly embraced the restaurant with some people driving about an hour to get a taste of their Polish cuisine.
“That means a lot," she said. "People really appreciate our hard work and we are very thankful for them. We didn't expect it, so I'm very happy with the outcome, so that's why it's hard for us to step away, but sometimes you have to make that hard decision, unfortunately.”
She said she hopes people continue to support the restaurant, thanking the community for everything they’ve done for her during her tenure as the owner.
“The community is amazing, it's really amazing," Kopacz said. "Great people, and the new owners are very, very hardworking and they're still young, they have a lot of ideas. They want to grow, they want to listen to customers … So they want to learn a lot and of course grow the business the way we are not able to because we don't have enough time.”
Feb 24, 2025
Christian Metzger
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SOUTHINGTON — Rex Forge, a forging company that supplies the automotive industry, plans to shut down and lay off 103 employees because it said that its sole customer has unexpectedly ended its contract.The Southington-based company, which has a facility at 355 Atwater St., in the town’s Plantsville section, disclosed ...
SOUTHINGTON — Rex Forge, a forging company that supplies the automotive industry, plans to shut down and lay off 103 employees because it said that its sole customer has unexpectedly ended its contract.
The Southington-based company, which has a facility at 355 Atwater St., in the town’s Plantsville section, disclosed its situation in a layoff notice sent Monday to the state Department of Labor and Southington Town Manager Alex Ricciardone. The catalyst for the firm’s expected shutdown was its notification on Jan. 29 that its sole customer, Dana Corp., had exercised its right to terminate its contract, according to the letter.
“The termination of the contract was unexpected and unforeseen. Rex Forge had every reason to believe and expect, from the daily actions and communications with Dana, that future business would continue,” Colleen Hedges, Rex Forge's controller, said in the letter. “It was shocking to receive the notice that Dana no longer wished to do any business with Rex Forge. Without the Dana contract, which represents the sole business for Rex Forge, the company has no ability to continue on and will be shutting down its operations permanently.”
Employees have been informed of the plan to close the Plantsville facility and make the layoffs, which are scheduled to take place between Feb. 10 and Feb. 24, according to the letter. The layoffs appear to affect all Rex Forge employees, as the list of affected positions included with the layoff notices includes the CEO, the chief operating officer and Hedges’ position. Other affected positions include 16 trimmers, 15 forgers and 10 sprayers.
The company will provide support to employees that includes “outplacement services,” according to the letter.
A message left Monday for Ricciardone inquiring about the extent of support that town officials planned to provide to Rex Forge employees was not immediately returned.
Dana Corp. appears to refer to Dana Inc., a Maumee, Ohio-based company that makes drivetrain and electrified-propulsion systems for passenger vehicles. The company recently announced a cost-cutting initiative that aims to save $200 million by 2026 and a plan to sell its off-highway business.
“While Dana continues to improve its profitability in a challenging operating environment, the company announced further actions to support sustained long-term profitability and enhanced cash flow generation,” Dana officials said in a Nov. 25 news release. “This includes substantial reductions in selling, general and administrative costs across all the company’s businesses and engineering expenses to match current industry dynamics, including the ongoing delay in the adoption of electric vehicles.”
Among other recent developments, a dispute pertaining to Rex’s timing and delivery of goods to Dana and Dana’s debiting of Rex’s account for those goods was resolved through arbitration last month, according to a filing in a federal court in Ohio. An arbitrator awarded Dana a total of about $965,000 for claims related to excess freight and “non-conforming charges,” while Rex was awarded about $144,000 on its claim for “improper debits” taken by Dana, according to the filing.
Dana officials were not immediately available to comment on the layoff notice.
Rex Forge was founded in 1867 as the Atwater Manufacturing Co. In recent years, it has focused on the “heavy truck and off highway vehicle; light truck and automotive; fluid control; and ordnance industries,” according to its website.
“While always maintaining a primary focus and expertise in serving the automotive and truck industries, during the 1900s Rex Forge expanded into serving customers in the mining, railroad, fluid control and ordnance industries as well,” says part of a summary of the company’s history on its website. “Rex Forge underwent a large transformation beginning in the 1980s, when much of its business shifted from hammers to mechanical presses, utilizing newer technology and increasing the Company’s efficiency and breadth of capabilities. The plant was expanded several times as new equipment was added to facilitate growth.”
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