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 Fort Columbia in Washington, CT 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 Washington, 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.
“Always Best Care in Bristol provided wonderful support for our family. Their team was compassionate,”
“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”
“Always Best Care in Bristol provided wonderful support for our family. Their team was compassionate, reliable, and truly attentive to our loved one’s needs. They kept us updated, which gave us great peace of mind. Highly recommend them to anyone seeking trustworthy, professional senior home care in the Bristol area. Outstanding service!”
“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 Birch Bay State Park in Washington, CT 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 Canlis or visit Stevens-Van Trump Historical Monument, 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 Washington, 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 Washington, 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 Washington, 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.
NORWALK, CT — The city's annual Halloween Nightfair celebration will return to South Norwalk this weekend.According to a news release provided by the city, the popular seasonal event will be held Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Washington Street.The Halloween Nightfair is one of Norwalk's most anticipated fall festivities, during which Washington Street transforms into a lively celebration with activities and entertainment for all ages to enjoy, according to the city."The Halloween Nightfair is a family-fri...
NORWALK, CT — The city's annual Halloween Nightfair celebration will return to South Norwalk this weekend.
According to a news release provided by the city, the popular seasonal event will be held Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Washington Street.
The Halloween Nightfair is one of Norwalk's most anticipated fall festivities, during which Washington Street transforms into a lively celebration with activities and entertainment for all ages to enjoy, according to the city.
"The Halloween Nightfair is a family-friendly event that truly captures Norwalk’s creative and welcoming spirit," Mayor Harry Rilling said in a news release. "It has become a wonderful tradition. The Halloween Nighfair is designed to celebrate local businesses, strengthen community connections, and bring residents and visitors together to have fun and show support for our local businesses."
In the afternoon, there will be several family-friendly activities, including pumpkin painting sponsored by Wegmans, face painting, games and a trick-or-treat trail for kids.
This year's event also includes an assortment of carnival rides and, for the first time, a beer garden by The Blind Rhino—adding new ways for adults to enjoy the celebration while families take in the full day of festivities, according to the city.
A costume contest for all ages will take place at 6:30 p.m., and participants are encouraged to gather at the main stage starting at 6 p.m.
Whether scary, silly, cute or clever, all costumes are welcome and will be judged on creativity, effort and overall presentation, according to the city.
Visitors can also browse an array of local vendors offering themed candles, eclectic jewelry, cozy sweatshirts, kettle corn, candy and other fall favorites.
As evening sets in, Washington Street will come alive under glowing lights with live entertainment and music by For Legal Reasons and Similar Kind that will carry the celebration well into the night.
Guests can enjoy delicious food from local favorites and food trucks and take in the festive atmosphere that makes the Halloween Nightfair a growing Norwalk tradition, according to the city.
The Norwalk Business Development and Tourism Department hosts the Halloween Nightfair along with other signature community events such as the SoNo Saturday Market and the Norwalk Holiday Extravaganza.
These programs are part of Norwalk's ongoing efforts to support its local businesses in its vibrant downtown areas, according to the city.
On Saturday morning, 63 veterans took a trip from Windsor Locks to Washington, D.C. aboard Breeze Airways as part of the Fall 2025 Honor Flight.WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — For the more than one million Americans currently serving in the Armed Forces, the call to action takes a great sacrifice.It is that sacrifice loved ones and community members wanted to celebrate at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks Saturday morning.Sixty-three veterans, representing multiple generations of service, made the trek from Con...
On Saturday morning, 63 veterans took a trip from Windsor Locks to Washington, D.C. aboard Breeze Airways as part of the Fall 2025 Honor Flight.
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — For the more than one million Americans currently serving in the Armed Forces, the call to action takes a great sacrifice.
It is that sacrifice loved ones and community members wanted to celebrate at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks Saturday morning.
Sixty-three veterans, representing multiple generations of service, made the trek from Connecticut to Washington, D.C. as part of the Fall 2025 Honor Flight aboard Breeze Airways.
Cheers echoed across the terminal at the airport, as the veterans were escorted by a motorcade and first responders. The participating veterans represented five branches of the Armed Forces.
Clarence Papanic served way back in 1948 and was thrilled to be making the trip.
“It’s hard to express, believe me, I’m bursting with joy. I’m shocked,” said Papanic.
For many of the veterans, the call to protect their country took them across the globe, and it was a trip they were willing to make.
“Something had to be done,” said Navy Veteran Joe Cozza, who served back in 1966.
RELATED: 70 veterans participate in Honor Flight Connecticut on Saturday
“I would suggest that the 63 folks seated here in the front of the room today are the truest version of the word patriot and the greatest asset our country has,” said Dan Sparks, with Honor Flight Connecticut, “When their country called, they answered. They put service before self... It’s up to you to share your stories, and it’s up to us to relay them to the next generation.”
To see photos from Honor Flight Connecticut, you can use THIS LINK.
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WASHINGTON — Though he’s only watched a few episodes of “Gilmore Girls,” Blane Withers understands what fans are looking for when they come to Washington to create a “Stars Hollow” experience.Though Stars Hollow is the fictional Connecticut town in the television show "Gilmore Girls," the towns that inspired it in Litchfield County are very much real. And for many fans of the show, those towns serve as a stand-in to have an experience the main characters Lorelai and Rory, might have &mdash...
WASHINGTON — Though he’s only watched a few episodes of “Gilmore Girls,” Blane Withers understands what fans are looking for when they come to Washington to create a “Stars Hollow” experience.
Though Stars Hollow is the fictional Connecticut town in the television show "Gilmore Girls," the towns that inspired it in Litchfield County are very much real. And for many fans of the show, those towns serve as a stand-in to have an experience the main characters Lorelai and Rory, might have — even 25 years later.
“There’s just something about reliving what they fell in love with on the screen,” said Withers, owner of Marty’s Café in Washington. “Visitors come in looking for a taste of Stars Hollow, and they find something real — neighbors catching up over coffee, regulars sitting in their seats — and the kind of warmth that doesn’t need a script… “Gilmore Girls” captures the story of small-town life. That’s the environment of the show and at Marty’s, we live it every day.”
Gilmore Girls aired in the early 2000s and followed mother-daughter relationships across three generations.
“Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino has said in interviews that the area surrounding Washington Depot was a direct inspiration for the fictional town of Stars Hollow where the show is set. Stars Hollow itself was a set on the Warners Brothers lot in California.
But over the past few years, Connecticut towns, including New Milford, Hartford and Guilford have hosted gatherings for "Gilmore Girls" fans and transformed their communities into Stars Hollow to offer fans an immersive experience — including in some cases an iconic gazebo.
Washington launched the first Gilmore Girls Fan Festival in October 2016, just in time for the show’s Netflix reboot in November 2016, "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life."
Nearly a decade later, Washington has become an iconic destination for generations of fans.
Over at Hickory Stick Bookstore in Washington, Fran Keilty said her shop sees “Gilmore Girls” fans every day.
"You just know who they are," she said.
While Keilty herself has only watched a few episodes of the show, she said, “I’m a fan of the fans because they’re such nice people.
Washington First Selectman Jim Brinton said the show has certainly helped the town's economy.
“It’s difficult to put a dollar figure to the impact, but from my perspective, it has all been very positive for the town,” Brinton said.
In the 2024 metrics report for Washington’s tourism website, seven of the top 10 searches for things to do in Washington involved "Gilmore Girls," according to Michelle Gorra, Washington’s economic and community development director.
“We see fans of the show visiting year-round, but fall is the most popular season,” Gorra said. “We have seen an increase in fan traffic this 25th anniversary month.”
The town's tourism site even has a “Gilmore Girls Getaway” itinerary to highlight local businesses and landmarks that share similarities with the series’ sets.
Among the locations is the Mayflower Inn & Spa where Sherman-Palladino stayed and was inspired to create the show, according to the Explore Washington CT website.
The itinerary also highlights Marty’s Café and The Po Café as places for fans to get “an authentic Luke’s Diner experience” as well as Washington Supply Company, Washington’s Green, Hickory Stick Bookshop and Washington Food Market.
While the fall is the busy season for “Gilmore Girls” fans, Lisa Stein, manager of Washington Food Market, said the market gets “a good amount” of visitors on a regular basis, sometimes in “groups of three or four” and sometimes from people who have traveled internationally to get to Washington.
“We were going to start a map, so we can tag all the people that come through, but we haven’t done that yet,” Stein said. “Everyone has different connections to the show… I feel like when they do come, they get what they’re looking for or what they had in their minds.”
Stein said visitors also ask where they should go in Washington and what they should look for while they’re visiting.
“It’s definitely been a great thing and it’s helped a lot of towns in the area,” she said.
Such towns include the neighboring New Milford, which also shares similar visual motifs to “Gilmore Girls,” including the iconic bandstand on the town green.
New Milford hosted its first “A Weekend in the Life” fan festival this past April and “A Weekend in the Life Fall Edition” festival in September, both of which offered fans three days of “Gilmore Girls”-themed events, activities and celebrity appearances.
The festival was held in various locations across town, including town hall, the library and Connecticut Sports Arena, while local businesses transformed into Stars Hollow shops for the weekend.
Among the “Stars Hollow” shops was Robertson Jewelers, which became “Stars Hollow Jewelers” for the festival with “Gilmore Girls”-themed signs placed near its jewelry displays, said Despina Sanango, a diamond specialist at Robertson Jewelers.
Throughout the year, Sanango said the jewelry store offers gazebo charms "taken after the iconic gazebo" and dragonfly jewelry — both of which are popular with "Gilmore Girls" fans.
She said the store has welcomed fans that have traveled from all over, including California, Ohio,New Jersey, the United Kingdom and Australia. During the fan festival, she said the store had a map in front of the gazebo pendants and dragonfly jewelry where visitors could indicate where they traveled from to get to New Milford.
“We expect to see those types of fans coming in, especially around the fall," Sanango said. "That is 'Gilmore Girls' season to us.”
Washington, Conn., draws "Gilmore Girls" fans worldwide, boosting local stores 25 years after the show's debut.WASHINGTON, Conn. — Twenty-five years after the debut of "Gilmore Girls," the small town of Washington, Conn. has become a pilgrimage site for fans.Washington, a town located in the western part of the state with a population of just under 3,500, holds the inspiration of Lorelai and Rory’s small-town life. On maps and mail, it’s Washington. But for fans, it's "Stars Hollow.&qu...
Washington, Conn., draws "Gilmore Girls" fans worldwide, boosting local stores 25 years after the show's debut.
WASHINGTON, Conn. — Twenty-five years after the debut of "Gilmore Girls," the small town of Washington, Conn. has become a pilgrimage site for fans.
Washington, a town located in the western part of the state with a population of just under 3,500, holds the inspiration of Lorelai and Rory’s small-town life. On maps and mail, it’s Washington. But for fans, it's "Stars Hollow."
The small town served as the model for the show’s fictional setting, where creator Amy Sherman-Palladino drew inspiration while visiting.
“It’s the people that really make Washington Stars Hollow,” said Michelle Gorra, the town’s economic and community development coordinator.
For 25 years, locals and shop owners have embraced their connection to the show. The "Gilmore Girls" fans driving the local economy help stores sustain during the quieter winter months.
Washington’s tourism website, "Explore Washington," features a guide for "Gilmore Girls" fans, highlighting landmarks and local businesses that have similar sets in the series. Among these is Fran Keilty’s Hickory Stick Bookstore, a 70-year-old independent shop that has flourished thanks to a dedicated fan base of book lovers, much like Rory Gilmore, the bookish protagonist.
“We do see 'Gilmore Girls' fans every single day,” said Keilty, who has a special affection for the show’s admirers. “I’m a fan of the fans because they really are universally such nice people.”
The "Gilmore Girls" craze has brought new global generations of viewers to the show, especially with its availability on streaming platforms like Netflix. In the past six months alone, more than 50 million hours of the show have been watched.
Dawn Belanger, a sales associate at Washington Supply Company, also enjoys keeping track of fans who come from all over the globe.
“We’ve had visitors from Ukraine, Austria, Australia, Italy, Germany, Switzerland,” she said.
The hardware store has capitalized on the "Gilmore Girls" boom, offering souvenirs like T-shirts, mugs and keychains for fans to take home.
“The fan base of the show is so wide and so large,” Belanger said. “And it’s now on a second generation.”
For Belanger and Keilty, the "Gilmore Girls" resurgence has helped their stores stay busy during slow months.
As Washington celebrates a quarter-century of "Gilmore Girls," the town is ready for another 25 years of welcoming fans to their own "real-life Stars Hollow."
“I think it really all does come back to Washington,” Keilty said.
Victoria Anderson is a Multi-Skilled Journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at . Follow her on and .
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The town of New Milford in the leafy hills of northwest Connecticut looks like the set of Gilmore Girls come to life.White-steepled buildings and mom-and-pop-shops surround the classic New England town green. There's even a band stand at the center of it all, and it looks a lot like the gazebo where mother-daughter pair Lorelai and Rory Gilmore sat for their heart-to-hearts on the show.Fans of the series, which turns 25 this fall, trickle in all year round for photos on the town green. Recently, the ...
The town of New Milford in the leafy hills of northwest Connecticut looks like the set of Gilmore Girls come to life.
White-steepled buildings and mom-and-pop-shops surround the classic New England town green. There's even a band stand at the center of it all, and it looks a lot like the gazebo where mother-daughter pair Lorelai and Rory Gilmore sat for their heart-to-hearts on the show.
Fans of the series, which turns 25 this fall, trickle in all year round for photos on the town green. Recently, the town even hosted a "Weekend in the Life" festival for thousands hoping to get a taste of the Stars Hollow experience, complete with meet-and-greet events with some of the stars from the series.
"Our moms heard about the event," said 11-year-old Abby Thorgersen.
Abby and her best friend, Rylie Nicollet, traveled with their moms Kim Thorgersen and Kerry Nicollet from Long Island, New York for the festival. The girls dressed up in blue and grey prep school uniforms to match Rory Gilmore on the show.
Viewers first watched young mom Lorelai Gilmore and her teenage daughter Rory walk into a diner and beg for their coffee fix in October 2000. Gilmore Girls aired for seven seasons — plus a 2016 revival on Netflix. Over the past few years, the show has seen a surge in streaming in the fall.
But Abby and Rylie watch it year round.
"We watch it together," Abby said. "I would say I've seen it, like,15 times from start to finish."
"I finished it like once, but I keep watching multiple episodes," Rylie said.
I met the girls waiting in line to meet actor Scott Patterson, who played Luke Danes, a main love interest and coffee supplier on the show. The moms may have been just as excited to meet him as the girls. They brought picture frames for autographs and the girls brought a gift for Patterson — a beaded friendship bracelet that spells "L-U-K-E".
After the photo-op, Abby and Rylie were a bit starstruck.
"They have no words!" Kerry Nicollet said.
Browsing at a festival merch table, fans Shawna Tobens and her daughter Angelina said they got to meet Patterson multiple times over the festival weekend.
"It feels like it's really him," Tobens said.
"He's very kind. Very genuine!" Angelina said.
The Tobens came to Connecticut all the way from Celina, Ohio and made a whole week of it — including a visit to Yale, the university that Rory Gilmore attends. But of all the towns they'd visited so far, Shawna said New Milford feels the most like Stars Hollow.
"This is it. Right here," Tobens said, with a caveat. "We haven't been to Washington."
So where is the real Stars Hollow, Connecticut? Depends on who you ask.
Less than ten miles away, the town of Washington, Connecticut is home to about 4,000 residents — just a fraction of the number in New Milford. Washington is also where show creator Amy Sherman Palladino stayed when she got the inspiration to write Gilmore Girls.
The Mayflower Inn, where Sherman Palladino spent the night, became the Independence Inn on the show. Sherman Palladino told Deseret News that she saw a customer go behind the counter at a busy diner in town to pour themselves coffee — and she took notes. That's something Lorelai does at Luke's Diner all the time.
"It doesn't exactly look like the Gilmore Girls, but the people, the characters, the way we operate. We still have town meetings. We still vote for our town budget with a show of hands," Economic Development Coordinator Michelle Gorra said. "That, I think, is the part that she really captured well."
Inside her office at the Washington town hall, Gorra said the town embraces its role in the show's origin story. According to her, Gilmore Girls content on the town's tourism blog gets nearly five times the traffic of any other content on the website. The Connecticut state tourism office says its website sees the same seasonal surge that some streamers do — with Gilmore Girls content hits increasing nearly 150% in the fall.
Across the way at the Washington Food Market, which looks a lot like Doose's Market on the show, co-owner Lisa Stein wanted to set the record straight. She said Washington is Stars Hollow.
"I do live in New Milford, so, you know, I get that, but this is definitely Stars Hollow," Stein said. "It's a lot smaller of a town, more tight knit."
And, Stein said, this tight-knit community of Washington embraces the giddy Gilmore Girls fans, too.
To hear more about how Gilmore Girls shaped generations of fans, and how Connecticut shaped the show, check out Generation Gilmore Girls from Connecticut Public. Visit to subscribe.
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