AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

×
TESTIMONIALS

“Staff is great there a great place to work and call your workplace”

Babispyce S.
×
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

“You can't go wrong with this crew. Extremely patient and caring.”

Daniel S.
×
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.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Taylor, John, and Kristine and their crew are the best. They are patient, understanding, and a joy to work with.”

Daniel S.
×
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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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.
×
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.
×
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.
×
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

“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

“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.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Our caregiver is the absolute best, you all got lucky finding her.”

Bob G.
×
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.
×
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.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“It has been a true pleasure working with you and your organization. You all demonstrate empathy and compassion in caring for frail elderly family members and insure distant families are comforted knowing you are there.”

Steve S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Mom’s caregiver is a part of the family, we absolutely love her!”

Joe L.
×
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.
 In-Home Care Columbia, CT

How does In-home Senior Care in Columbia, CT work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

Request More Informationright-arrow-light
 Senior Care Columbia, CT

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, 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:

Comfort
Comfort

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, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Columbia, CT 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

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.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

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.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

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.


Respite Care Columbia, CT

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

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.

 Caregivers Columbia, CT

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 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

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.

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.

Latest News in Columbia, CT

Columbia Regional - South Carolina vs. Central Connecticut State game recap: Gamecocks rout Blue Devils 19-1

1-seed South Carolina got off to a hot start in the Columbia Regional, trouncing 4-seed Central Connecticut State 19-1 on Friday night to advance to the winner’s bracket.After leaving the bases loaded in the first, the Gamecocks cashed in on another bases loaded situation in the second. Gavin Casas singled to lead off, Dylan Brewer knocked a base hit with one out, and Will McGillis walked to fill up the bases before Ethan Petry walked with two outs, forcing in a run. USC added several more runs in the next inning. Talmadge LeCro...

1-seed South Carolina got off to a hot start in the Columbia Regional, trouncing 4-seed Central Connecticut State 19-1 on Friday night to advance to the winner’s bracket.

After leaving the bases loaded in the first, the Gamecocks cashed in on another bases loaded situation in the second. Gavin Casas singled to lead off, Dylan Brewer knocked a base hit with one out, and Will McGillis walked to fill up the bases before Ethan Petry walked with two outs, forcing in a run. USC added several more runs in the next inning. Talmadge LeCroy doubled to start things off, then Casas also doubled with one out to bring LeCroy in and make it 2-0. Will Tippett got hit by a pitch, then McGillis hit a homer to put the Cocks on top 5-0.

Carolina broke things all the way open in the fourth, scoring a total of 11 runs. Petry reached on an error to lead off the inning, LeCroy walked with one out, and Michael Braswell singled to load the bases. Casas followed with a base hit that brought in two runs, making it a 7-0 game, then Tippett walked to re-load the bases and Dylan Brewer singled to get Casas and Braswell home and push the lead to 9-0. After that, McGillis walked to fill the bases yet again, then Braylen Wimmer walked too to force in another run, making the score 10-0. With two outs, Cole Messina doubled to bring McGillis and Brewer in and put the Gamecocks up 12-0. LeCroy then walked and Braswell doubled to clear the bases, making it 15-0, and he later scored on a base hit by Tippett to extend the lead to 16-0.

USC’s final three runs of the game came in the fifth. Wimmer started things off with a single, then Petry homered to make the score 18-0. Messina walked after that and later came home when Braswell hit into a fielder’s choice, giving the Cocks a 19-0 lead. The Blue Devils’ only run of the game came in the eighth on a wild pitch.

South Carolina starter James Hicks worked five innings and allowed one hit and no runs. He also didn’t walk any batters, struck six out, and got the win, making him 9-1. Will Sanders, Austin Williamson, and Connor McCreery combined to go the rest of the way for the Gamecocks. Central Connecticut State starter Jake Neuman pitched 3.1 innings and gave up eight hits and nine runs. He also issued four walks, struck out four batters, and took the loss, making him 6-3.

Casas led USC at the plate with three hits, while he, Petry, McGillis, and Braswell tallied three RBI each. Jimmy Sullivan had two hits to pace the Blue Devils.

The Cocks are now 40-19, while Central Connecticut State is 36-13. Carolina will play 3-seed North Carolina State on Saturday, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. at Founders Park.

+40000

+7500

Columbia Dental Owner Agrees To Settlement In False Claims Case

A dentist who owns a chain of clinics in Connecticut has settled in a federal and state false claims case. |Updated Thu, Oct 1, 2020 at 11:13 pm ETMANCHESTER, CT — A dentist who owns a chain of clinics in Connecticut and a major imaging center in Manchester has reached a six-figure settlement in a federal and state false claims case, a leading prosecutor said.John H. Durham, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said Thursday that Dr. Abbas Mohammadi, and his businesses, Columbia Dental and Colu...

A dentist who owns a chain of clinics in Connecticut has settled in a federal and state false claims case.

|Updated Thu, Oct 1, 2020 at 11:13 pm ET

MANCHESTER, CT — A dentist who owns a chain of clinics in Connecticut and a major imaging center in Manchester has reached a six-figure settlement in a federal and state false claims case, a leading prosecutor said.

John H. Durham, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said Thursday that Dr. Abbas Mohammadi, and his businesses, Columbia Dental and Columbia Oral and Maxillocacial Imaging, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with federal and state authorities and paid $300,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

Mohammadi, a dentist and oral surgeon, owns 15 Columbia Dental clinics throughout Connecticut, and Columbia Oral Maxillofacial Imaging in Manchester.

Mohammadi and both corporations are enrolled as providers in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program, which includes the state’s Medicaid program, Durham said.

Mohammadi is accused of billing Medicaid for dental restoration services that were not provided or were not medically necessary from January 2012 through February 2016, Durham said.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Case records show that Mohammadi is also accused of billing Medicaid for x-ray services that were not provided by individuals who had been certified by the Dental Assisting National Board to take x-rays from January 2014 through November 2015.

To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC paid $300,000 in order to reimburse the Medicaid program, Durham said.

A complaint against Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC was filed in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the both the federal and state False Claims Acts, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government, according to Durham.

The whistleblower provisions of both the federal and state False Claims Acts provide that the whistleblower is entitled to receive a percentage of the proceeds of any judgment or settlement recovered by the government.

The whistleblower, Brittany Ames Mahoney, a former employee at CDPC, will receive $45,000, Durham said.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to [email protected].

From farm to ring, Connecticut fighter’s work ethic feeds her success

Middle school bullies sparked Stevie Coleman’s interest in boxing.Coleman grew up on a family farm in Eastern Connecticut and some boys at school called her something akin to a stupid hayseed.“I actually punched one of them,” she said.She told her father about it and he said she could vent her anger and defend herself by learning to box.Now at age 19, Coleman is an up and coming amateur fighter with a 7-3 record, a good jab and the drive to go far, her coach, Paul Cichon of Manchester Ring of Cha...

Middle school bullies sparked Stevie Coleman’s interest in boxing.

Coleman grew up on a family farm in Eastern Connecticut and some boys at school called her something akin to a stupid hayseed.

“I actually punched one of them,” she said.

She told her father about it and he said she could vent her anger and defend herself by learning to box.

Now at age 19, Coleman is an up and coming amateur fighter with a 7-3 record, a good jab and the drive to go far, her coach, Paul Cichon of Manchester Ring of Champions Society (ROCS), said.

“She’s got a lot going for her. She’s fast, strong, definitely determined,” Cichon said. “And she’s just a good person. She’s a beast when the bell rings, but when she gets out of the ring, she’s just a sweet person.”

The work ethic that Coleman absorbed on the farm has served her well in training, Cichon said. In stark contrast to many boxing wannabes whose interest dissolves when they see how hard they have to train, Stevie shows no signs of quitting, Cichon said.

“She’s just determined — that beats out skill,” he said. “She is determined to learn… and she’s fearless.”

Coleman has been feeding and watering animals from the age of five and showing her sheep and beef cows at up to 14 fairs a year. Her mom, Ivy Coleman, said the family still raises their own food and makes their own soap and bug repellent. It’s not a living — Ivy is a school custodian and Stevie’s father, Stephen Coleman, is a heavy equipment operator. But with their gardens and stock of laying hens, cattle, pigs, sheep and a goat named Charlie, the family tries to be as self reliant as possible, Ivy Coleman said.

Stevie attended local schools and graduated last year from Lyman Memorial High School in Lebanon, where she wrestled, ran track and played basketball, softball and soccer. She had hefted heavy sheep shears since she was little, her father said, and none of her high school hoops opponents could get the ball away from her.

Stephen Coleman had boxed a bit in his youth and he and a partner started a boxing club in Coleman’s barn in 1998. Stevie’s four brothers all learned to box in the hayloft gym.

So when Stevie said she would like to learn, Stephen Coleman said he told her, “Ok, let’s see how much you like it.” He gave her the basics and started her on a training regimen — jump-roping, bag work, running.

At first, Ivy Coleman said, she and her husband thought their daughter’s interest in the sport was just a phase, but Stevie kept at it.

“She just reshaped herself; she wants to be a fighter,” Ivy Coleman said.

“She fell in love with it,” Stephen Coleman said.

Stevie started formal training in Hartford at age 15 and about two months ago began working with Cichon at her father’s suggestion.

“It was like an instant connection,” she said. “He’s the real deal. He wouldn’t bull—- me.”

She is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and fights in the 152-pound open class. Bouts have been on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Coleman said she will continue training and fighting with the goal of going professional at age 21. She also is due to complete the massage therapy program at the American Institute in West Hartford in September.

Asked if she is ever scared in the ring, Coleman said, “I really don’t get nervous. If you train hard, you don’t have to be worried.”

She sticks with the sport, in part because it provides “an escape from everything else.” When she’s in the ring, Coleman said, her focus is complete.

“She’s wicked tough,” Ivy Coleman said. “She’s a beautiful girl.”

Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at [email protected]

Bobcat bites man in Columbia, officials say; two other close encounters reported

COLUMBIA — A bobcat bit a man and then aggressively approached his neighbor, who had to beat the growling, hissing animal before it left his garage, local and state officials and one of the residents involved said Tuesday.A neighbor of the victim who was hauling a generator out of his garage due to a power failure said he heard screaming and soon after saw the bobcat near his own house. The 70-year-old man, who spoke on the condition that he not be identified, said he was on crutches due to a broken right ankle. The bobcat walke...

COLUMBIA — A bobcat bit a man and then aggressively approached his neighbor, who had to beat the growling, hissing animal before it left his garage, local and state officials and one of the residents involved said Tuesday.

A neighbor of the victim who was hauling a generator out of his garage due to a power failure said he heard screaming and soon after saw the bobcat near his own house. The 70-year-old man, who spoke on the condition that he not be identified, said he was on crutches due to a broken right ankle. The bobcat walked into the garage and approached within about 4 feet.

The man said he hit the animal 10 or 12 times with his crutches as he put weight on the broken ankle for the first time since October. The cat was growling, hissing, and swatting at the crutches as the man and his wife yelled at it. She threw a piece of plywood at the animal, and it sauntered away, the woman said.

"It was in no hurry," she said.

In another incident, Walter said, DEEP notified local animal control that a man walking a dog in Mono State Park reported a bobcat approached "uncomfortably close" Friday, prompting him to leave the park. Walter said he did not know if it was the same animal that bit the man on nearby Hunt Road. The town alerted residents about the attack via an email and on the town website and Facebook page.

Bobcat attacks are rare in Connecticut and usually are due to a sick animal. The cats typically steer clear of humans.

Considered a threat to livestock and game, bobcats were subject to a bounty in the state from 1935 to 1971. Since being named a protected species in 1972, the cats have been resurgent across Connecticut. A DEEP biologist estimated the statewide population in 2019 at 800 to 1,000.

Bobcats are adept at finding scrubby habitats, even in densely populated areas, where they hunt squirrels, rats, turkeys, rabbits, woodchucks and other prey. Their territory often includes wetlands and brushy areas, even along highways and rail lines.

In the first half of this year, nearly 2,500 bobcat sightings were reported to DEEP from just about every town in the state. People might not see them, but they are there, lurking in shadows, tall grasses and thick brush, waiting to pounce on prey, state wildlife biologist Jason Hawley told Hearst Connecticut Media in July.

Females grow to about 20 pounds, while males can weigh up to 35 pounds. The Columbia residents said the cat they confronted in their garage was on the larger side. Hawley said bobcats don’t hunt house pets, which is generally the work of coyotes.

Rabid bobcats, however, do come after pets and people. In January 2021, Southbury animal control reported that a rabid cat attacked two people and their dog. Officials said the dog was up to date on its rabies vaccinations.

In the summer of 2020, a bobcat attacked a family’s dog in Preston, then entered their home, according to Fox61. When they were unable to get the bobcat out of the house, officials euthanized the animal. The bobcat tested positive for rabies, according to the Day of New London.

In December 2019, a 12-year-old boy in Fairfield was in his backyard when he was attacked by what was believed to be a bobcat. The animal ran into the woods after the boy suffered a minor finger scratch and a torn shirt, police said at the time.

In April 2019, a golfer at the Mohegan Sun golf course was injured by a bobcat. Officials said the bobcat also attacked a horse. The animal was euthanized and tested positive for rabies.

From farm to ring, Connecticut fighter’s work…

Middle school bullies sparked Stevie Coleman’s interest in boxing.Coleman grew up on a family farm in Eastern Connecticut and some boys at school called her something akin to a stupid hayseed.“I actually punched one of them,” she said.She told her father about it and he said she could vent her anger and defend herself by learning to box.Now at age 19, Coleman is an up and coming amateur fighter with a 7-3 record, a good jab and the drive to go far, her coach, Paul Cichon of Manchester Ring of Cha...

Middle school bullies sparked Stevie Coleman’s interest in boxing.

Coleman grew up on a family farm in Eastern Connecticut and some boys at school called her something akin to a stupid hayseed.

“I actually punched one of them,” she said.

She told her father about it and he said she could vent her anger and defend herself by learning to box.

Now at age 19, Coleman is an up and coming amateur fighter with a 7-3 record, a good jab and the drive to go far, her coach, Paul Cichon of Manchester Ring of Champions Society (ROCS), said.

“She’s got a lot going for her. She’s fast, strong, definitely determined,” Cichon said. “And she’s just a good person. She’s a beast when the bell rings, but when she gets out of the ring, she’s just a sweet person.”

The work ethic that Coleman absorbed on the farm has served her well in training, Cichon said. In stark contrast to many boxing wannabes whose interest dissolves when they see how hard they have to train, Stevie shows no signs of quitting, Cichon said.

“She’s just determined — that beats out skill,” he said. “She is determined to learn… and she’s fearless.”

Coleman has been feeding and watering animals from the age of five and showing her sheep and beef cows at up to 14 fairs a year. Her mom, Ivy Coleman, said the family still raises their own food and makes their own soap and bug repellent. It’s not a living — Ivy is a school custodian and Stevie’s father, Stephen Coleman, is a heavy equipment operator. But with their gardens and stock of laying hens, cattle, pigs, sheep and a goat named Charlie, the family tries to be as self reliant as possible, Ivy Coleman said.

Stevie attended local schools and graduated last year from Lyman Memorial High School in Lebanon, where she wrestled, ran track and played basketball, softball and soccer. She had hefted heavy sheep shears since she was little, her father said, and none of her high school hoops opponents could get the ball away from her.

Stephen Coleman had boxed a bit in his youth and he and a partner started a boxing club in Coleman’s barn in 1998. Stevie’s four brothers all learned to box in the hayloft gym.

So when Stevie said she would like to learn, Stephen Coleman said he told her, “Ok, let’s see how much you like it.” He gave her the basics and started her on a training regimen — jump-roping, bag work, running.

At first, Ivy Coleman said, she and her husband thought their daughter’s interest in the sport was just a phase, but Stevie kept at it.

“She just reshaped herself; she wants to be a fighter,” Ivy Coleman said.

“She fell in love with it,” Stephen Coleman said.

Stevie started formal training in Hartford at age 15 and about two months ago began working with Cichon at her father’s suggestion.

“It was like an instant connection,” she said. “He’s the real deal. He wouldn’t bull—- me.”

She is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and fights in the 152-pound open class. Bouts have been on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Coleman said she will continue training and fighting with the goal of going professional at age 21. She also is due to complete the massage therapy program at the American Institute in West Hartford in September.

Asked if she is ever scared in the ring, Coleman said, “I really don’t get nervous. If you train hard, you don’t have to be worried.”

She sticks with the sport, in part because it provides “an escape from everything else.” When she’s in the ring, Coleman said, her focus is complete.

“She’s wicked tough,” Ivy Coleman said. “She’s a beautiful girl.”

Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at [email protected]

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.