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
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Home Care In Columbia, CT
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 Clermont State Historic Site 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 Columbia, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Since 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.
“The level of dedication Crystal has to her work is amazing!! I cannot say how”
The level of dedication Crystal has to her work is amazing!! I cannot say how impressive the effort and the results Crystal has displayed over the last several months, how lucky I feel to have her apart of my mother’s weekly life. Crystal has established trust, friendship, and a sincere companionship with my mother who, not so long ago, was so adamantly opposed to having anyone in her house. When speaking with Crystal and my mother, I could hear the excitement in Crystal’s voice when she shared her success in getting my Mom out of the house. Can’t thank you enough!!
“Always Best Care of Central CT is helping me with my mom who is 92”
Always Best Care of Central CT is helping me with my mom who is 92 and still living on her own. The in-home care they are providing is the best. Without the assistance they are providing us in Enfield this would be overwhelming.
“I’ve been a nurse for over 40 years, and I am currently a nursing professor.”
I’ve been a nurse for over 40 years, and I am currently a nursing professor. When my mom was recently in the hospital, I knew it would not be possible for her to be completely on her own right away. She loves where she resides and enjoys all of the activities that are offered. My goal was to get her back into her apartment as soon as possible with the support she needed to increase her strength and return to her prior level of wellness she had before she went into the hospital. She was used to walking a couple miles a day. When I reached out to ABC I made it clear that my mom would need somebody who would be willing to walk with her in the morning, and in the evening enabling her to get back to her baseline. I would like to complement all of the staff at ABC who provided my mom such wonderful support after two weeks she returned to her baseline and remained in her apartment. She really enjoyed all of the staff that were with her , they were professional they encouraged her to walk, drink fluids, eat and were instrumental in assisting her to reach her prior level of independence. I would strongly recommend ABC to anybody who is in need of support for their loved one.
“Mom’s care needs have been progressing over the past month - increased difficulty standing. walking,”
Mom’s care needs have been progressing over the past month - increased difficulty standing. walking, decreased appetite, increased incontinence. (Part of the expected declining process per her Dr.) Tara has been wonderful in adapting to Mom’s changing needs as they develop and a very helpful partner in troubleshooting. brainstorming how to adapt to best support Mom. It’s also been helpful in my regular communication with Mom’s Dr, to let her know in detail what has come up and how we have approached. Thank you (again) for your talented staff!
“Outstanding personal service from this company. All of the caregivers were personable and provided outstanding”
Outstanding personal service from this company. All of the caregivers were personable and provided outstanding care to our aunt. I would highly recommend them to anyone who has an elder family member in need. Also, the staff that helped to set up their services was outstanding as well. They made the decisions easy to understand with no hidden agenda. Thank you again to "ABC!"
“Sabina always has a pleasant, caring, and respectful attitude. I feel she treats me as”
Sabina always has a pleasant, caring, and respectful attitude. I feel she treats me as she would as her own mother. She treats me the way she would like to be treated. We are a good “team” together.
“Diana has a total commitment of compassion, empathy, and respect for myself and my family.”
Diana has a total commitment of compassion, empathy, and respect for myself and my family. My daughters feel she is truly a tremendous caregiver. They know I am in good hands. She acknowledges with commitment of my physical, emotional, and practical needs, my quality of life has excelled due to Diana’s help. I look forward to her presence everyday her attitude is exceptional, Diana comes to work daily with a smile on her face. She enters the front door, singing softly ready to work. She has never taken a day off, I have had many caregivers, but Diana is truly the best!
“Tina has been with us since the start, caring for my mom. Tina has nothing”
Tina has been with us since the start, caring for my mom. Tina has nothing but my mom’s best interest at heart. She continues to go above and beyond to care for my mom, and ensure anyone else who may be there also understands my mom’s needs. Tina has even gone so far to rearrange her schedule or give up her free time to stay with my mom to avoid her having someone that doesn’t know her. I can see that she genuinely cares for my mom, and treats her as if she was her own family member. That also goes both ways, my mom lights up when she sees Tina.
We consider Tina part of our family.
“Always Best Care helped our family get through a very difficult time with my mother's”
Always Best Care helped our family get through a very difficult time with my mother's care. Kristine and Taylor are a pleasure to work with. They are very knowledgable and had the answers to all our questions. They were able to help with all aspects of the care we needed. I highly recommend them.
“I approached Kristine regarding care for my elderly father. Even though he was outside”
I approached Kristine regarding care for my elderly father. Even though he was outside her service area, she helped to find resources for us. Her commitment to providing outstanding care is only surpassed by her desire to help others. Thank you Kristine!
“I have known Kristine Lajeunesse for many years now through business networking and she and”
I have known Kristine Lajeunesse for many years now through business networking and she and her Team at Always Best Care are very caring and professional and exactly who you would want on your side if you have a loved one who needs help!
“We needed some home care services for Dad who has dementia, and we made the”
We needed some home care services for Dad who has dementia, and we made the right decision to trust ABC Senior Services for this support. Dad was lined up with a caregiver who was attentive and helpful, and she and Dad really hit it off. The management and administrative staff from ABC were also very effective and professional. You'll make a good decision to go with ABC Senior Services...
“Kristine and John are extremely caring and compassionate about helping their client's and family and”
Kristine and John are extremely caring and compassionate about helping their client's and family and making sure they receive the best care available. Highly recommended!
“Rosemary has many great qualities. She is a hardworker, sensitive, has a giving nature and”
Rosemary has many great qualities. She is a hardworker, sensitive, has a giving nature and has an immense desire to help my father. Reliability is vital trait in Rosemary. When my father was in the hospital and came home she immediately wanted to be by his side. My father has come to rely and depend on Rosemary. She is always on time whether it is giving medication or administering food and often encourages my father and helps my father maintain his dignity
“Always Best Care provides caregivers to our building on a regular basis when we are”
Always Best Care provides caregivers to our building on a regular basis when we are short staffed. Due to our licensing, we can only have CNAs on the floor and Always Best Care has provided excellent CNAs every time we need some extra help. All of their CNAs have been helpful, willing to go above and beyond for our residents and we always have great responses from our own CNAs and supervisory staff. I am so thankful to Michelle and Wilda who will always staff a shift that I need, even if I call 30 minutes before the shift starts. You’ve been such a huge help!
“I have known John and Kristine Lajeunesse for almost 20 years and when my dad”
I have known John and Kristine Lajeunesse for almost 20 years and when my dad needed care following a diagnosis of dementia, I knew there wouldn’t be anyone better to call than them. The caregivers that have worked with my dad have been wonderful. They are true saints to my family, allowing us the knowledge that Dad is okay to stay at home. They have navigated all of the changes in his cognitive state with grace and kept my father’s dignity in place. He was always a very active man and the caregivers have managed to keep him active, even as his health declines.
“Always Best Care helped me to get care lined up for my uncle, after I”
Always Best Care helped me to get care lined up for my uncle, after I received their information from a close friend of mine that also used their agency. My uncle was a very proud man and did not want help from anyone, including family. Taylor met with me and spent time getting to know the ins and outs of my uncle’s care as well as his personality. She asked about his background so that they could look for a caregiver with similar interests. Although he took a turn for the worse rather quickly, the short time care was provided was wonderful. Thank you for your help and compassion.
“My dad’s caregiver is great. He is a man of few words, but she is”
My dad’s caregiver is great. He is a man of few words, but she is able to get him talking about all aspects and experiences of his life. They go out regularly and she encourages my dad to participate in the activities put on by the community he lives in. They run errands, go out for meals, or go for a drive just to get a change of scenery. I was nervous at first about how my dad would take having a caregiver come in to help him, but he seems so happy and has great things to talk about after his time spent with his caregiver.
“Thank you, Kristine - I am very appreciative of the professional manner with which you”
Thank you, Kristine - I am very appreciative of the professional manner with which you and your organization operates. From the initial phone and in-person conversations with Taylor, to the ongoing support of my mother's care - it's been thorough, timely and well managed.
I am also struck by how the home-health employees conduct themselves. They are reliable/responsive *and* responsible, and making every effort to work through the challenges day to day with my mother.
Thanks for the great job you and your organization are doing. It means a lot to me, especially during this trying time!
Best Regards
“I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your staff for all of”
I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your staff for all of your hard work and dedication to their clients. When my parents finally realized they needed help in their home, I chose ABC as the company I felt would be the best fit. Yes, we have had some ups and down, but when you paired Leah with my parents, it was truly a blessing. My parents love her. She genuinely cares for them and they speak highly of her work ethic. As my mom says, “she is too good to be true”. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your working with me to find the right fit. Well on our end, Leah fits like a glove and I hope she feels the same. She is a special person so I wanted to acknowledge her hard work and dedication to my parents. It makes me feel more at ease knowing there is someone coming to the home to properly care for them. Again I want to thank you all and encourage you to keep up the good work.
“I am very pleased with the care that Craig gave to my husband. My husband”
I am very pleased with the care that Craig gave to my husband. My husband enjoyed having another man to talk to instead of conversation only between him and I. Craig managed to keep him occupied and safe so that I could go and get some time to myself, allowing me peace of mind that my husband was in great hands
“I hired Always Best Care to help my mom who was living with me at”
I hired Always Best Care to help my mom who was living with me at home. She was diagnosed with dementia and within 3 months she could hardly do much for herself anymore. I was able to continue working full time while my mom received care from Always Best Care. We had the same caregiver from day 1 and she was absolutely amazing. She kept everyone in the loop with any changes my mom experienced and the regular in person and phone check ins were a great added support to myself and my family. Thank you ABC for all the help and compassion that you showed my mom until her passing.
“My husband had care from Always Best Care until he passed away. Thankfully he is”
My husband had care from Always Best Care until he passed away. Thankfully he is on his "next journey" and finally pain free, while he was here with us, his caregiver, Craig, did an amazing job caring for him and was here to help us from our first day of services. Craig always managed to get my husband to share stories from his time in the war that even I had not heard before. It was a great way to get to know more of my husband so his memory can continue with others around him.
“My family provides the care to my mother 24/7, we called Always Best Care to”
My family provides the care to my mother 24/7, we called Always Best Care to provide respite care to my mom while we took some time to ourselves for a weekend. Mom’s caregiver, Gloria, was great and she had the perfect disposition to work with my mom. She was attentive and kept mom well fed and engaged during the time we were away. We would definitely call Always Best Care again when we need some time away.
“The caregiver that helped my husband and I were so kind to us both, especially”
The caregiver that helped my husband and I were so kind to us both, especially to my husband while I spent some time in the hospital and rehab. Our caregiver brought my husband to see me every day while I was at the hospital and at rehab, I knew he was in excellent hands and I could focus on getting stronger again.
“i really like my caregiver, Victor very much. Victor is a very patient and observant”
i really like my caregiver, Victor very much. Victor is a very patient and observant aide who knows when I need his help. I knew from the first day meeting him that we would get along very well.
““I want to give a huge thank you for the care that Always Best Care”
“I want to give a huge thank you for the care that Always Best Care provided over the last year and a half. They started out assisting just my dad since he was wheelchair bound and then began providing care to my mom as well who had advanced dementia. The two ladies that helped them both did an amazing job and gave me the confidence that they were being well cared for since I live on the other side of the country. Up to my dad’s passing, his caregivers were there for him to provide comfort and companionship while managing my mom’s emotions as well during the difficult time my dad had. Being a nurse myself and in the healthcare field for a while, I had high expectations which were exceeded by the caregivers and office staff of Always Best Care.
“Both of Mom’s caregivers are exceptional. They are always professional, calm and extremely patient with”
Both of Mom’s caregivers are exceptional. They are always professional, calm and extremely patient with my mom. They know how to keep her calm and to manage her anxiety. My whole family is very grateful, knowing that Mom is getting really competent care, great meals and friendly companionship. Thank you.
“They are very caring and easy to deal with. They work with the family and”
They are very caring and easy to deal with. They work with the family and the patient to see that the patient has what is needed for their care. In all we had a good experience with Best Care.
“Anything from Always Best Care is good to have. The care from them has given”
Anything from Always Best Care is good to have. The care from them has given me my life back. I wasn’t expecting a perfect match on the first caregiver, but Always Best Care did a very good job.
“Always Best Care has done a fantastic job in providing us with at-home care for”
Always Best Care has done a fantastic job in providing us with at-home care for my step-mother while we prepared for her transition to move permanently to a skilled nursing facility. With their help, she was able to spend a full six months at home before moving. We would not have been able to do it without them. All the caregivers we have met and used have been kind and attentive, frequently going the extra mile, whatever that may be on any given day. The office staff is friendly, empathetic and very diligent in keeping all parties informed of all aspects of day-to-day care. They are knowledgeable, respectful and efficient. I would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone who is looking for help in keeping their loved one at home for as long as possible.
“We have been using the services of ABC for almost three years, and I have”
We have been using the services of ABC for almost three years, and I have worked personally with John, Kristine, Taylor, Michelle and Wilda, as well as the many wonderful caregivers who have attended to my mother’s needs with great care and attention. Throughout this time, my mother’s care needs have changed many times, and they have always been very responsive to any requests, including the directives of the hospice nurses that work in concert with all of them. Taylor and Michelle are incredibly diligent about keeping on top of issues that arise day-to-day, and running their questions and concerns by me.
I remain a loyal customer to ABC because I feel that my mother is getting really great care, and will continue to see the warm, friendly faces she has come to know and trust today and every day. At 94 yrs old, my mother is quite dependent on the care providers for almost all her needs, and they always show up and make her feel safe and secure.
“I appreciate that they always accommodate me and have someone here to drive me, even”
I appreciate that they always accommodate me and have someone here to drive me, even if I only call them the day before. I’m so glad I was able to find them, because I didn’t know what I was going to do. I just lost my sister and she helped me out a lot.
“I appreciate that they always accommodate me and have someone here to drive me, even”
I appreciate that they always accommodate me and have someone here to drive me, even if I only call them the day before. I’m so glad I was able to find them, because I didn’t know what I was going to do. I just lost my sister and she helped me out a lot.
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Bob H.
Bob R.
Robin Y.
Jeremy H.
KEVIN M.
Daniel S.
Daniel S.
Cathy K.
Tracy H.
Anne H.
David L.
John S.
Matt B.
Ann B.
Kimberly O.
Liam M.
Greg G.
Denise D.
Kaytee S.
Belinda F.
Karel O.
Martin F.
Anna T.
Craig F.
Sonia T.
Laura
Beth F.
Brenda
Heather R.
Johnson L.
harry B.
Kathleen F.
Elaine G.
Claudia B.
Sarah C.
Rachel C.
Donna .
Janey B.
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TESTIMONIALS
“The level of dedication Crystal has to her work is amazing!! I cannot say how impressive the effort and the results Crystal has displayed over the last several months, how lucky I feel to have her apart of my mother’s weekly life. Crystal has established trust, friendship, and a sincere companionship with my mother who, not so long ago, was so adamantly opposed to having anyone in her house. When speaking with Crystal and my mother, I could hear the excitement in Crystal’s voice when she shared her success in getting my Mom out of the house. Can’t thank you enough!!”
Bob H.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care of Central CT is helping me with my mom who is 92 and still living on her own. The in-home care they are providing is the best. Without the assistance they are providing us in Enfield this would be overwhelming.”
Bob R.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I’ve been a nurse for over 40 years, and I am currently a nursing professor. When my mom was recently in the hospital, I knew it would not be possible for her to be completely on her own right away. She loves where she resides and enjoys all of the activities that are offered. My goal was to get her back into her apartment as soon as possible with the support she needed to increase her strength and return to her prior level of wellness she had before she went into the hospital. She was used to walking a couple miles a day. When I reached out to ABC I made it clear that my mom would need somebody who would be willing to walk with her in the morning, and in the evening enabling her to get back to her baseline. I would like to complement all of the staff at ABC who provided my mom such wonderful support after two weeks she returned to her baseline and remained in her apartment. She really enjoyed all of the staff that were with her , they were professional they encouraged her to walk, drink fluids, eat and were instrumental in assisting her to reach her prior level of independence. I would strongly recommend ABC to anybody who is in need of support for their loved one.”
Robin Y.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Mom’s care needs have been progressing over the past month - increased difficulty standing. walking, decreased appetite, increased incontinence. (Part of the expected declining process per her Dr.) Tara has been wonderful in adapting to Mom’s changing needs as they develop and a very helpful partner in troubleshooting. brainstorming how to adapt to best support Mom. It’s also been helpful in my regular communication with Mom’s Dr, to let her know in detail what has come up and how we have approached. Thank you (again) for your talented staff!”
Jeremy H.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Outstanding personal service from this company. All of the caregivers were personable and provided outstanding care to our aunt. I would highly recommend them to anyone who has an elder family member in need. Also, the staff that helped to set up their services was outstanding as well. They made the decisions easy to understand with no hidden agenda. Thank you again to "ABC!"”
KEVIN M.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Taylor, John, and Kristine and their crew are the best. They are patient, understanding, and a joy to work with.”
Daniel S.
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TESTIMONIALS
“You can't go wrong with this crew. Extremely patient and caring.”
Daniel S.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Caring for family can be difficult and challenging at times. It's so nice to know that Always Best Care Senior Services is there to help!”
Cathy K.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Sabina always has a pleasant, caring, and respectful attitude. I feel she treats me as she would as her own mother. She treats me the way she would like to be treated. We are a good “team” together.”
Tracy H.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Diana has a total commitment of compassion, empathy, and respect for myself and my family. My daughters feel she is truly a tremendous caregiver. They know I am in good hands. She acknowledges with commitment of my physical, emotional, and practical needs, my quality of life has excelled due to Diana’s help. I look forward to her presence everyday her attitude is exceptional, Diana comes to work daily with a smile on her face. She enters the front door, singing softly ready to work. She has never taken a day off, I have had many caregivers, but Diana is truly the best!”
Anne H.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Tina has been with us since the start, caring for my mom. Tina has nothing but my mom’s best interest at heart. She continues to go above and beyond to care for my mom, and ensure anyone else who may be there also understands my mom’s needs. Tina has even gone so far to rearrange her schedule or give up her free time to stay with my mom to avoid her having someone that doesn’t know her. I can see that she genuinely cares for my mom, and treats her as if she was her own family member. That also goes both ways, my mom lights up when she sees Tina.
We consider Tina part of our family.”
David L.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care helped our family get through a very difficult time with my mother's care. Kristine and Taylor are a pleasure to work with. They are very knowledgable and had the answers to all our questions. They were able to help with all aspects of the care we needed. I highly recommend them.”
John S.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I approached Kristine regarding care for my elderly father. Even though he was outside her service area, she helped to find resources for us. Her commitment to providing outstanding care is only surpassed by her desire to help others. Thank you Kristine!”
Matt B.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I have known Kristine Lajeunesse for many years now through business networking and she and her Team at Always Best Care are very caring and professional and exactly who you would want on your side if you have a loved one who needs help!”
Ann B.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“The client care at Always Best Care Senior Service is outstanding”
Kimberly O.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“We needed some home care services for Dad who has dementia, and we made the right decision to trust ABC Senior Services for this support. Dad was lined up with a caregiver who was attentive and helpful, and she and Dad really hit it off. The management and administrative staff from ABC were also very effective and professional. You'll make a good decision to go with ABC Senior Services...”
Liam M.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Kristine and John are extremely caring and compassionate about helping their client's and family and making sure they receive the best care available. Highly recommended!”
Greg G.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Rosemary has many great qualities. She is a hardworker, sensitive, has a giving nature and has an immense desire to help my father. Reliability is vital trait in Rosemary. When my father was in the hospital and came home she immediately wanted to be by his side. My father has come to rely and depend on Rosemary. She is always on time whether it is giving medication or administering food and often encourages my father and helps my father maintain his dignity”
Denise D.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care provides caregivers to our building on a regular basis when we are short staffed. Due to our licensing, we can only have CNAs on the floor and Always Best Care has provided excellent CNAs every time we need some extra help. All of their CNAs have been helpful, willing to go above and beyond for our residents and we always have great responses from our own CNAs and supervisory staff. I am so thankful to Michelle and Wilda who will always staff a shift that I need, even if I call 30 minutes before the shift starts. You’ve been such a huge help!”
Kaytee S.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I have known John and Kristine Lajeunesse for almost 20 years and when my dad needed care following a diagnosis of dementia, I knew there wouldn’t be anyone better to call than them. The caregivers that have worked with my dad have been wonderful. They are true saints to my family, allowing us the knowledge that Dad is okay to stay at home. They have navigated all of the changes in his cognitive state with grace and kept my father’s dignity in place. He was always a very active man and the caregivers have managed to keep him active, even as his health declines.”
Belinda F.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care helped me to get care lined up for my uncle, after I received their information from a close friend of mine that also used their agency. My uncle was a very proud man and did not want help from anyone, including family. Taylor met with me and spent time getting to know the ins and outs of my uncle’s care as well as his personality. She asked about his background so that they could look for a caregiver with similar interests. Although he took a turn for the worse rather quickly, the short time care was provided was wonderful. Thank you for your help and compassion.”
Karel O.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“My dad’s caregiver is great. He is a man of few words, but she is able to get him talking about all aspects and experiences of his life. They go out regularly and she encourages my dad to participate in the activities put on by the community he lives in. They run errands, go out for meals, or go for a drive just to get a change of scenery. I was nervous at first about how my dad would take having a caregiver come in to help him, but he seems so happy and has great things to talk about after his time spent with his caregiver.”
Martin F.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Thank you, Kristine - I am very appreciative of the professional manner with which you and your organization operates. From the initial phone and in-person conversations with Taylor, to the ongoing support of my mother's care - it's been thorough, timely and well managed.
I am also struck by how the home-health employees conduct themselves. They are reliable/responsive *and* responsible, and making every effort to work through the challenges day to day with my mother.
Thanks for the great job you and your organization are doing. It means a lot to me, especially during this trying time!
Best Regards”
Anna T.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your staff for all of your hard work and dedication to their clients. When my parents finally realized they needed help in their home, I chose ABC as the company I felt would be the best fit. Yes, we have had some ups and down, but when you paired Leah with my parents, it was truly a blessing. My parents love her. She genuinely cares for them and they speak highly of her work ethic. As my mom says, “she is too good to be true”. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your working with me to find the right fit. Well on our end, Leah fits like a glove and I hope she feels the same. She is a special person so I wanted to acknowledge her hard work and dedication to my parents. It makes me feel more at ease knowing there is someone coming to the home to properly care for them. Again I want to thank you all and encourage you to keep up the good work.”
Craig F.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am very pleased with the care that Craig gave to my husband. My husband enjoyed having another man to talk to instead of conversation only between him and I. Craig managed to keep him occupied and safe so that I could go and get some time to myself, allowing me peace of mind that my husband was in great hands”
Sonia T.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I hired Always Best Care to help my mom who was living with me at home. She was diagnosed with dementia and within 3 months she could hardly do much for herself anymore. I was able to continue working full time while my mom received care from Always Best Care. We had the same caregiver from day 1 and she was absolutely amazing. She kept everyone in the loop with any changes my mom experienced and the regular in person and phone check ins were a great added support to myself and my family. Thank you ABC for all the help and compassion that you showed my mom until her passing.”
Laura
×
TESTIMONIALS
“My husband had care from Always Best Care until he passed away. Thankfully he is on his "next journey" and finally pain free, while he was here with us, his caregiver, Craig, did an amazing job caring for him and was here to help us from our first day of services. Craig always managed to get my husband to share stories from his time in the war that even I had not heard before. It was a great way to get to know more of my husband so his memory can continue with others around him.”
Beth F.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“My family provides the care to my mother 24/7, we called Always Best Care to provide respite care to my mom while we took some time to ourselves for a weekend. Mom’s caregiver, Gloria, was great and she had the perfect disposition to work with my mom. She was attentive and kept mom well fed and engaged during the time we were away. We would definitely call Always Best Care again when we need some time away.”
Brenda
×
TESTIMONIALS
“The caregiver that helped my husband and I were so kind to us both, especially to my husband while I spent some time in the hospital and rehab. Our caregiver brought my husband to see me every day while I was at the hospital and at rehab, I knew he was in excellent hands and I could focus on getting stronger again.”
Heather R.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“i really like my caregiver, Victor very much. Victor is a very patient and observant aide who knows when I need his help. I knew from the first day meeting him that we would get along very well.”
Johnson L.
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TESTIMONIALS
““I want to give a huge thank you for the care that Always Best Care provided over the last year and a half. They started out assisting just my dad since he was wheelchair bound and then began providing care to my mom as well who had advanced dementia. The two ladies that helped them both did an amazing job and gave me the confidence that they were being well cared for since I live on the other side of the country. Up to my dad’s passing, his caregivers were there for him to provide comfort and companionship while managing my mom’s emotions as well during the difficult time my dad had. Being a nurse myself and in the healthcare field for a while, I had high expectations which were exceeded by the caregivers and office staff of Always Best Care.”
harry B.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Both of Mom’s caregivers are exceptional. They are always professional, calm and extremely patient with my mom. They know how to keep her calm and to manage her anxiety. My whole family is very grateful, knowing that Mom is getting really competent care, great meals and friendly companionship. Thank you.”
Kathleen F.
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TESTIMONIALS
“They are very caring and easy to deal with. They work with the family and the patient to see that the patient has what is needed for their care. In all we had a good experience with Best Care.”
Elaine G.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Anything from Always Best Care is good to have. The care from them has given me my life back. I wasn’t expecting a perfect match on the first caregiver, but Always Best Care did a very good job.”
Claudia B.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care has done a fantastic job in providing us with at-home care for my step-mother while we prepared for her transition to move permanently to a skilled nursing facility. With their help, she was able to spend a full six months at home before moving. We would not have been able to do it without them. All the caregivers we have met and used have been kind and attentive, frequently going the extra mile, whatever that may be on any given day. The office staff is friendly, empathetic and very diligent in keeping all parties informed of all aspects of day-to-day care. They are knowledgeable, respectful and efficient. I would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone who is looking for help in keeping their loved one at home for as long as possible.”
Sarah C.
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TESTIMONIALS
“We have been using the services of ABC for almost three years, and I have worked personally with John, Kristine, Taylor, Michelle and Wilda, as well as the many wonderful caregivers who have attended to my mother’s needs with great care and attention. Throughout this time, my mother’s care needs have changed many times, and they have always been very responsive to any requests, including the directives of the hospice nurses that work in concert with all of them. Taylor and Michelle are incredibly diligent about keeping on top of issues that arise day-to-day, and running their questions and concerns by me.
I remain a loyal customer to ABC because I feel that my mother is getting really great care, and will continue to see the warm, friendly faces she has come to know and trust today and every day. At 94 yrs old, my mother is quite dependent on the care providers for almost all her needs, and they always show up and make her feel safe and secure.”
Rachel C.
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TESTIMONIALS
“I appreciate that they always accommodate me and have someone here to drive me, even if I only call them the day before. I’m so glad I was able to find them, because I didn’t know what I was going to do. I just lost my sister and she helped me out a lot.”
Donna .
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TESTIMONIALS
“I appreciate that they always accommodate me and have someone here to drive me, even if I only call them the day before. I’m so glad I was able to find them, because I didn’t know what I was going to do. I just lost my sister and she helped me out a lot.”
Janey B.
What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Columbia, CT?
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:
Personal 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 Camp Columbia State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
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 The Kings Contrivance or visit Columbia Historic Preservation Society, 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:
Age in Place
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.
Peace of Mind
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.
Socialization
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.
Personalized Care Plan
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.
Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors
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.
Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:
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 Columbia, 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.
Affordable 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:
If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your CT's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.
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 Columbia, 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.
Assisted Living Referral Services
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:
Housekeeping
Laundry
Recreational Activities
Social Outings
Emergency Medical Response
Medication Monitoring
Family Visitation
Personal Care
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:
The Pines at Columbia Assisted Living Community
Best Assisted Living Columbia - Luxury Senior Living Columbia SC & Senior Care South Carolina
Brookdale Columbia
Atria Forest Lake
SC Senior Living
Fairforest Grove Senior Living
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.
Taking the First Step with Always Best Care
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
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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
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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 Columbia, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was notified about a bobcat attack in Tolland County on Hunt Road in the town of Columbia on Friday, Dec. 23, the Town of Columbia reported.UPDATE 12/31/22 10:45 AM - DEEP is working on trying to find a trapper and is in close communication with Town of Columbia Animal Control. Anyone with a siting of this aggressive bobcat please call Animal Control with both the time and place of the siting/encounter to help us with our search. Siting's to date have been on Wellswood ...
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was notified about a bobcat attack in Tolland County on Hunt Road in the town of Columbia on Friday, Dec. 23, the Town of Columbia reported.
UPDATE 12/31/22 10:45 AM - DEEP is working on trying to find a trapper and is in close communication with Town of Columbia Animal Control. Anyone with a siting of this aggressive bobcat please call Animal Control with both the time and place of the siting/encounter to help us with our search. Siting's to date have been on Wellswood Rd, Hunt Rd. and Macht Rd.
To reach Animal Control please call 860-873-5044. During daytime hours press #1, for evening and weekend hours press #2...
DEEP reported that a man said the bobcat was under his truck and attacked his leg. The man kicked the animal off and sought medical treatment.
The bobcat's behavior suggests the animal may have rabies, authorities reported.
DEEP contacted an animal control officer for the town, who was unable to locate the bobcat, officials said.
Columbia Town officials advised residents to take the following precautions if they encounter a bobcat:
Click here to follow Daily Voice Tolland and receive free news updates.
Columbia-Presbyterian surgeon failed to notify patient of cyst that grew to stage IV cancer: suit
Carl Campanilehttps://nypost.com/2023/12/11/metro/columbia-presbyterian-doctor-failed-to-notify-patient-of-cancerous-cyst-suit/
A prominent heart doctor at New York’s Columbia-Presbyterian hospital has been sued for allegedly failing to tell a patient she had a cyst — which then grew into full-blown stage IV pancreatic cancer, new court documents show.Dr. Michael Argenziano, a cardiac surgeon at the hospital, is being accused of negligence by patient Jo-hanna Punzone, 79, who claims she could have been spared th...
A prominent heart doctor at New York’s Columbia-Presbyterian hospital has been sued for allegedly failing to tell a patient she had a cyst — which then grew into full-blown stage IV pancreatic cancer, new court documents show.
Dr. Michael Argenziano, a cardiac surgeon at the hospital, is being accused of negligence by patient Jo-hanna Punzone, 79, who claims she could have been spared the dire outcome had she known about the cancerous growth back in 2021, according to her lawsuit.
Instead, “the cancer grew undiagnosed and untreated, metastasizing” — and by the time it was discovered this September, the “pancreatic cancer now involved her liver and pelvic bones,” the Manhattan Supreme Court suit states.
“No one told me I had a cyst. If they did I wouldn’t be in this predicament,” Punzone, who walks with the aid of a walker and wheelchair and has undergone chemotherapy, told The Post in a recent interview.
“I wouldn’t be going through what I’m going through now. I could have taken care of it,” she said.
Argenziano — the associate chief of the adult cardiac surgery section and director of the thoracic surgery residency program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center — had ordered a CT scan for Punzone before performing a surgery replacing her mitral valve on August 24, 2021, the suit alleges.
The CT scan found Puzone had a 1-centimeter cystic lesion in the tail of her pancreas — “an unexpected, abnormal and significant finding,” according to the court documents filed Dec. 6 by Punzone’s lawyer Andrew Carboy.
The radiologist, Honga Ma — also listed as a defendant along with Argenziano’s physician assistant Elizabeth Wist — recommended follow up tests of Puzone’s pancreatic cyst, the suit states.
That didn’t happen and Punzone was never informed she had a small cancerous cyst, according to the complaint.
Two years later, Punzone, complaining of hip and bone discomfort, was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer by her current doctors at New Jersey’s Riverview Medical Center.
“There can be no reading comprehension without reading, in the first instance. It is apparent, and more than likely, that no one, other than defendant [radiologist] Ma, even read the report section detailing the pancreatic mass and the recommendations for further evaluation,” the filing states.
The lawsuit claims the then-small cyst could have been contained or removed in 2021, when it was manageable — before it blew up into cancer that spread through Punzone’s pancreas, liver and pelvis.
“The defendants diminished her chance of a better outcome with respect to her pancreatic cancer, aggravating and/or increasing the spread and lethality of the disease, and depriving her of a substantial opportunity of cure,” Carboy wrote in the court papers.
“Because of the defendants’ negligence, at the time of diagnosis, Ms. Punzone’s cancer was inoperable, having raged unchecked for years,” the filing states, adding that Punzone “is not a candidate for surgical removal of her cancer.”
“I’m in god’s hands now,” Punzone told The Post.
The suit asks for unspecified damages for negligence.
Argenziano, Columbia Medical and Presbyterian Hospital, also listed as defendants, all had no immediate comment.
Wist, who no longer works at the hospital, declined to comment. Ma also declined comment.
The two New York hospitals last year agreed to pay more than $165 million to 147 former patients who have accused former gynecologist Robert Hadden of sexual abuse and misconduct.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian had reached a settlement to establish a $71 million compensation fund with 79 of Hadden’s former patients.
Eye on History: Remnants of Camp Columbia still stand
Jo Ann Jaackshttps://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Eye-on-History-Remnants-of-Camp-Columbia-still-16908646.php
MORRIS — In 1885, there were many summer camps surrounding Bantam Lake, but only one could boast being founded by Columbia University, an Ivy League research university in New York City; serving as a military combat training center during World War I; and having a connection with Dwight D. Eisenhower, who became the president of the university in 1948 and facilitated the addition of a football field on the camp grounds for Columbia athletes to practice. Eisenhower also enjoyed hunting on the camp property.The beginnings of Camp ...
MORRIS — In 1885, there were many summer camps surrounding Bantam Lake, but only one could boast being founded by Columbia University, an Ivy League research university in New York City; serving as a military combat training center during World War I; and having a connection with Dwight D. Eisenhower, who became the president of the university in 1948 and facilitated the addition of a football field on the camp grounds for Columbia athletes to practice. Eisenhower also enjoyed hunting on the camp property.
The beginnings of Camp Columbia in Lakeside, Connecticut encompassed farms and woodland where students from Columbia University took summer courses in engineering, technology and international affairs, initially living in tents. Permanent school buildings including dormitories, a large bath house, dining hall and administration office were eventually erected. In the early 1900s, Columbia University added 471 acres to the property, including access to Bantam Lake.
To celebrate the Centennial for the town of Morris, a book entitled “One Hundred Years of History for Morris, Connecticut 1859-1959” was compiled by Laura Stoddard Weik, which provides more details about the camp. “Camp Columbia was developed for summer field work in surveying in connection with the College of Mines. Summer classes for Columbia University were started prior to 1884 and were at first held in Central Park. When this locality was first used in 1885 for practical experience, the students boarded at various places near the village of Litchfield, their exuberance frequently disturbing the tranquility of that staid old town.”
In 1917, during World War I, a course in military training was offered at the camp, to students who were planning to become officers in the armed forces. Map-making, military drills and rifle practice with live ammunition were part of the curriculum and the War Department used the property to organize a camouflage corp.
To establish a relationship between students and Morris town residents, the university provided a series of free lectures by their noted professors, including the subjects of “How Ships Find Their Way at Sea,” “Chemistry of Air and Water,” and “Bridge Construction.” The students were warmly welcomed in the Morris community, according to a newspaper article stating that “Camp Columbia has enlivened the town. Merchants and farmers are benefiting and the presence of the school adds a stimulus to the rapid grown of Morris and Bantam Lake as a summer resort.” The daily mailing of 300 letters from the students required the town to create a new post office in the village of Lakeside to handle the overflow.
The students enjoyed entertainment on Bantam Lake, where they had access to swimming and boating. In the 1920s there was a popular venue on the lake known as the Music Box, which switched to a hard rock dance hall known later as Beverly’s, featuring bands like Herman’s Hermits, the Guess Who and Chubby Checker, where local teenagers ran into university students, who were probably amazed to find some of the same popular rock stars they saw in New York City.
Morris residents who were born and raised in the town shared some of their experiences with Camp Columbia. “As youngsters, my brothers and I would visit the camp during off-season since it was close enough to walk to. It was a fascinating place. There were only caretakers and maintenance workers on the property then. We caught bull frogs and climbed the stone tower and were sometimes lucky to watch the football team practice,” said Tom Weik.
“Model airplanes — the precursor to drones — were very popular for young and old and there was a small landing strip used by a RC (radio-control) club just a short distance from the camp,” said David Weik.
After 90 years of higher learning in an outdoor environment, and declining enrolment for a summer semester, the university decided to sell the property. After the existing structures fell into disrepair, they were used by the Morris Fire Department for firefighter training. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection acquired the 591-acre camp property and it was dedicated as an historic state park in 2004.
The magnificent stone water tower, a gift from the class of 1906 to replace the wooden tower, was dubbed an “inland lighthouse” by a university press release at the time. The tower, and a deteriorating stone building that was referred to as the Instrument House (where surveying instruments were kept), are now the only remainders of this nearly 100 years of history.
Camp Columbia is located on Route 109 in Lakeside, Morris.
Connecticut Media Group
Columbia VA’s CT scanning machine’s many benefits for patients
VA Newshttps://news.va.gov/94382/columbia-vas-ct-scanning-machines-many-benefits-for-patients/
Columbia VA Health Care System’s Radiology Department is stepping into the future with the installation of its new GE Revolution Apex computed tomography (CT) scanning machine.The new machine, replacing a model in commission since 2009, became operational following a ribbon cutting ceremony August 23 and will provide several benefits to both practitioner and patient.“The bore size for the new machine is 80 centimeters, which is 10 centimete...
Columbia VA Health Care System’s Radiology Department is stepping into the future with the installation of its new GE Revolution Apex computed tomography (CT) scanning machine.
The new machine, replacing a model in commission since 2009, became operational following a ribbon cutting ceremony August 23 and will provide several benefits to both practitioner and patient.
“The bore size for the new machine is 80 centimeters, which is 10 centimeters larger than the previous machine’s, and will accommodate larger patients with increased girth,” said Brittany Mahomes, the supervisory CT/diagnostic radiologic technologist. “Patients with claustrophobic tendencies may also benefit from the larger opening, which will ease anxiety during the exam.”
Along with the larger bore size, the new CT machine also boasts a scanner four-times larger than the scanner on its predecessor.
“The current scanner has a 16-centimeter detector, compared to the previous scanner’s four-centimeter detector,” Mahomes said. “The wider scanning area will allow scanning of any organ in one rotation.”
Lower doses of radiation
With the increased size of the scanner, patients will also have the benefit of receiving lower doses of radiation due to the decreased amount of time they will spend getting their scans.
Along with quicker scanning times and a larger bore opening, Mahomes says the new CT machine is also quieter, which will help with patient discomfort and anxiety.
The scanner is a 256-detector system that utilizes a 160-millimeter detector configuration, which Mahomes said allows the machine to take an image in 512 slices, and stitch the images together using an advanced algorithm. The final product will be more enhanced images that are smoother and sharper in appearance.
Eliminates contrast studies for some exams
“We will get more clear and detailed images,” she added. “It will pick up on more sensitive lesions of small pathology, allowing us to see more clearly. It also contains some post processing software that will eliminate the need to perform contrast studies for some exams because the scanner can pick up on those sensitivities without the IV contrast.”
Columbia VA is currently the only hospital in the state of South Carolina with this new piece of medical technology.
Lung Cancer Screening Program Launches at Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian
Columbia University Irving Medical Centerhttps://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/lung-cancer-screening-program-launches-columbia-and-newyork-presbyterian
ColumbiaDoctors and NewYork-Presbyterian have launched a comprehensive lung cancer screening program in Upper Manhattan. The new program brings together physicians and nurse practitioners from multiple disciplines to provide care for smokers and ex-smokers who are at high risk for lung cancer and other complications.The core of this comprehensive program is a 10-minute imaging exam with low-dose computed tomography (CT), which detects lung cancer using a very small amount of radiation. The screening tool is very effective at finding l...
ColumbiaDoctors and NewYork-Presbyterian have launched a comprehensive lung cancer screening program in Upper Manhattan. The new program brings together physicians and nurse practitioners from multiple disciplines to provide care for smokers and ex-smokers who are at high risk for lung cancer and other complications.
The core of this comprehensive program is a 10-minute imaging exam with low-dose computed tomography (CT), which detects lung cancer using a very small amount of radiation. The screening tool is very effective at finding lung cancer before it causes symptoms, when it is still treatable. Studies have shown that when used annually by smokers and former smokers, low-dose CT significantly reduces the risk of dying from lung cancer—by more than 20%.
Low-dose CT exams are currently offered at multiple ColumbiaDoctors locations, but the new lung cancer screening program provides patients with a much broader range of services, including coordination of care, smoking cessation counseling, and, if cancer is found, a team of physicians with extensive expertise in lung cancer care.
"The whole continuum of lung health in smokers is covered with this program," says Maura Abbott, PhD, associate professor of nursing and assistant dean of clinical affairs at Columbia's School of Nursing, who is one of the program organizers. "We have all the necessary resources to care for patients with lung nodules that need to be followed, patients who need further testing, or patients who have cancer."
When found at an early stage through screening, lung cancer can be treated effectively with surgery, radiation, or both.
"It's hard to overemphasize the importance of lung cancer screening," says Bryan Stanifer, MD, MPH, professor of surgery who runs the Women's Lung and Health Center at Columbia. Stanifer, also a thoracic surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, will be the surgeon associated with the program. "This is the single most effective treatment we have for lung cancer right now."
Coordinated care
Patients who make an appointment for lung cancer screening will be scheduled for a video visit with Abbott, who will explain the benefits and risks of the exam, provide resources for smoking cessation if needed, and schedule the exam.
Immediately after their CT scan, patients will meet with Mary Salvatore, MD, associate professor of radiology, to review their results and discuss next steps.
Meeting with a radiologist is one of the things that sets the program apart from a standard CT scan and is a critical step in the process. "It's not easy to have a test for lung cancer," says Salvatore, a radiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia who worked closely with Abbott to organize the screening program. "I help them understand what I'm seeing on the scan. I can show them what it looks like and go over next steps. That's day and night different from getting a letter in the mail with the results, and it keeps patients coming back each year."
Salvatore, a former smoker, also will provide smoking cessation counseling and resources during her meetings with patients.
Patients who need further testing or treatment for cancer will be scheduled with appropriate providers within two weeks of their exam, with all necessary appointments taking place on the same day.
The lung cancer screening program at Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian grew out of a shared passion among the team members for helping patients with lung cancer. "We are the champions of preventative medicine," says Abbott. "If we have an opportunity to prevent people from dying of cancer, that's the work we want to do."
During the initial phase of the program, CT scans will be offered once a week at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in Upper Manhattan. Expansion of the program to other ColumbiaDoctors locations is planned for the future. NewYork-Presbyterian currently offers comprehensive lung cancer screening at NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital in Westchester and NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell in Manhattan.
References
More information
Other Lung Cancer Screening Program members:
Keith Brenner, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and pulmonologist at NYP/CUIMC
Simon Cheng, MD, assistant professor of radiation oncology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and radiation oncologist at NYP/CUIMC
Angela DiMango, MD, associate professor of medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and pulmonologist at NYP/CUIMC
Joshua Weintraub, MD, professor of radiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and interventional radiologist at NYP/CUIMC
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