It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Boxwood Manor 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 Old Lyme, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Where can I begin? The short review: ABC Caregivers are FABULOUS!! The long review: We landed in”
“Thank you for being such a great leader. The way you lead our team is”
“I am writing to express our deepest gratitude for the extraordinary care provided to my”
“I’m very happy to have found ABC Care! The caregivers are very professional and”
“I have been working with this company for 3 and a half years. My employers”
“High quality, reliable service. Caregivers are selected carefully, are well trained, and office support is”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. This company is professional and caring. Porsha, Sunny and”
“The level of dedication Crystal has to her work is amazing!! I cannot say how”
“Staff is great there a great place to work and call your workplace”
“Always Best Care of Central CT is helping me with my mom who is 92”
“I’ve been a nurse for over 40 years, and I am currently a nursing professor.”
“Mom’s care needs have been progressing over the past month - increased difficulty standing. walking,”
“Outstanding personal service from this company. All of the caregivers were personable and provided outstanding”
“Taylor, John, and Kristine and their crew are the best. They are patient, understanding, and”
“You can't go wrong with this crew. Extremely patient and caring.”
“Caring for family can be difficult and challenging at times. It's so nice to know”
“Sabina always has a pleasant, caring, and respectful attitude. I feel she treats me as”
“Diana has a total commitment of compassion, empathy, and respect for myself and my family.”
“Tina has been with us since the start, caring for my mom. Tina has nothing”
“Always Best Care helped our family get through a very difficult time with my mother's”
“I approached Kristine regarding care for my elderly father. Even though he was outside”
“I have known Kristine Lajeunesse for many years now through business networking and she and”
“The client care at Always Best Care Senior Service is outstanding”
“We needed some home care services for Dad who has dementia, and we made the”
“Kristine and John are extremely caring and compassionate about helping their client's and family and”
“Rosemary has many great qualities. She is a hardworker, sensitive, has a giving nature and”
“Always Best Care provides caregivers to our building on a regular basis when we are”
“I have known John and Kristine Lajeunesse for almost 20 years and when my dad”
“Always Best Care helped me to get care lined up for my uncle, after I”
“My dad’s caregiver is great. He is a man of few words, but she is”
“Thank you, Kristine - I am very appreciative of the professional manner with which you”
“I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your staff for all of”
“I am very pleased with the care that Craig gave to my husband. My husband”
“I hired Always Best Care to help my mom who was living with me at”
“My husband had care from Always Best Care until he passed away. Thankfully he is”
“My family provides the care to my mother 24/7, we called Always Best Care to”
“The caregiver that helped my husband and I were so kind to us both, especially”
“i really like my caregiver, Victor very much. Victor is a very patient and observant”
“Where can I begin? The short review: ABC Caregivers are FABULOUS!! The long review: We landed in a gap of care for my mom. I called Taylor at ABC on a Thursday and early the next week we had completed the intake process, and Taylor was able to secure 3 caregivers (12 hrs a day for 7 days a week) for my mom. The caregivers (Teresa Rose, Asha, Doreen) were great. Each had their own approach with mom, regardless, they all had empathy, compassion and kindness any time they engaged with mom. The support from ABC give us the time to find a new community that better fit where mom was with her Alzheimer's journey. We are so very grateful for the quick support, the follow up and the care needed in a critical time for us and for mom. THANK YOU ALWAYS BEST CARE!!! You are amazing!!!!”
“Thank you for being such a great leader. The way you lead our team is admirable, and you are constantly inspired to do great work. I know that under your leadership, not only do you care about the (clients,)but you also care about (us)the caregivers …We will continue to grow. Thank you for your time Have a great and prosperous week. Elsa”
“I am writing to express our deepest gratitude for the extraordinary care provided to my mother, Gerry Mikulka, during her final weeks of life. In particular, I want to recognize Evelyn, whose exceptional service as a live-in health aide made an immeasurable difference in my mother's end-of-life journey. From the moment Evelyn walked into the house, she created a special bond with our mom. In those first few weeks, Evelyn recognized Mom's need for companionship, spending time with her watching television and working on puzzles together. It warmed our hearts to see Mom so comfortable with someone in the home since she had lived there alone for many years. As Mom's condition progressed, Evelyn's true expertise shined through. She worked beautifully with our family and the hospice nurses, providing invaluable guidance on necessary medical equipment, dietary adjustments, and other modifications to ensure mom's comfort. What touched us most was how Evelyn went above and beyond in Mom's final days. She moved into Mom's room to be there whenever she was needed – day or night. And she had a wonderful way of being there for us too. Whenever we were visiting with Mom, Evelyn would quietly step back, but she was always just around the corner if we needed help. She knew exactly when to step in and when to give us privacy. We never felt alone in caring for Mom because Evelyn was such a steady, caring presence. She managed Mom's pain with real skill while keeping her comfortable and peaceful. I wanted you to know what an extraordinary person you have in Evelyn. We'll always be grateful for the peace of mind she gave us and the tender care she gave Mom. Warmly, Linda Knox”
“I’m very happy to have found ABC Care! The caregivers are very professional and kind. My past experiences have been exacerbating to say the least. ABC is the fifth agency I’ve chosen and it’s the last! ABC has what I was looking for. Compassionate, and loving caregivers with my mom. With Always Best Care my mother is treated very well. She’s a person not just another client.”
“I have been working with this company for 3 and a half years. My employers along with the office staff are very caring. They do their due diligence in pairing caregivers with clients, they show their appreciation to us for the work we do, they provide us with training so that we are equipped to succeed at our jobs. Working with this company has been an awesome and fulfilling experience.”
“High quality, reliable service. Caregivers are selected carefully, are well trained, and office support is excellent.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. This company is professional and caring. Porsha, Sunny and Nicola gave my mother the best care. They cared about my mom. My mother trusted them, as did I. Their excellent care of my mom put my mind at ease. When I needed additional care, it was put in place immediately. I never had to worry about someone not showing up. I appreciate the care Always Best Care gave to my mom.”
“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!!”
“Staff is great there a great place to work and call your workplace”
“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. 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, 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 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!"”
“Taylor, John, and Kristine and their crew are the best. They are patient, understanding, and a joy to work with.”
“You can't go wrong with this crew. Extremely patient and caring.”
“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!”
“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. 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 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 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 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 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!”
“The client care at Always Best Care Senior Service is outstanding”
“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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 aide who knows when I need his help. I knew from the first day meeting him that we would get along very well.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Ferry Landing State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local La Marea Ristorante or visit Florence Griswold Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Old Lyme, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Old Lyme, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
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A Connecticut town nestled along the picturesque shores of the Long Island Sound has earned a spot among the nation’s most vibrant art scenes, according to USA Today readers.USA Today this week named Old Lyme to its 2025 “...
A Connecticut town nestled along the picturesque shores of the Long Island Sound has earned a spot among the nation’s most vibrant art scenes, according to USA Today readers.
USA Today this week named Old Lyme to its 2025 “Best Small Town Art Scenes” list, part of the news organization’s “10 Best” series of readers' choice lists. USA Today said a panel of experts selected nominees for which readers could vote once a day. The “Small Town Art Scenes” list looks at towns across the U.S. with a population under 30,000. According to the most recent census figures, Old Lyme has a population of about 7,700.
“They were selected by an expert panel and voted by our readers as the best in the U.S. for their arts scenes, because what each of these towns lacks in size, they make up for with museums, art galleries, performing arts, and busy event calendars,” USA Today said of the list.
Another New England town, Stowe, Vermont, earned the No. 10 spot on the list. But Old Lyme made it to No. 2.
“This town was once home to a thriving artist colony which later became the Lyme Art Association,” USA Today said about Old Lyme. “The work of many important American artists from the colonial period to today can be found at the Florence Griswold Museum. Both are part of the Old Lyme Arts District, a vibrant central village area with art galleries, live music and the prestigious Lyme Academy of Fine Arts.”
Old Lyme’s contributions to the art world date back to the turn of the 20th century. In 1900, Henry Ward Ranger founded the Lyme Art Colony in Florence Griswold's boardinghouse. According to the Connecticut History website, in 1902, the Lyme Art Colony became the first art colony in the country to have a summer exhibition, earning it early praise as a vibrant arts community.
“Newspapers and periodicals all over the country soon ran reviews, and Old Lyme became the largest, best-known Impressionist art colony in the nation,” Connecticut History wrote.
Today, the Lyme Art Association continues to operate a summer festival and says it is “dedicated to celebrating and nurturing the rich artistic heritage of the American Impressionists.”
OLD LYME, CT (WFSB) - Teacher staffing will look a bit different in the Region 18 school district next year.The board of education announced Wednesday night that they’re making cuts at schools in Lyme and Old Lyme.The cuts will affect the music education program, with one teacher being let go.To fill the gap, one of the two high school music teachers will also teach at the middle school.However, Superintendent Ian Neviaser says that the teacher already does that and her time at the high school will be less f...
OLD LYME, CT (WFSB) - Teacher staffing will look a bit different in the Region 18 school district next year.
The board of education announced Wednesday night that they’re making cuts at schools in Lyme and Old Lyme.
The cuts will affect the music education program, with one teacher being let go.
To fill the gap, one of the two high school music teachers will also teach at the middle school.
However, Superintendent Ian Neviaser says that the teacher already does that and her time at the high school will be less frequent.
“We are taking half a person away from the high school and moving that to the middle school. We have less students taking courses, we don’t need as many teachers,” he said.
That is a decision Mary Powell-St. Louis wasn’t happy to hear.
Her child is an 11th grader who’s in the band at the high school, and she is worried about the quality of his education.
“You’re losing the level of expertise from this high school teacher that is having to split her duties,” she said.
She also fears that the only music teacher who will still be full time at the high school will have a bigger workload.
“You still have one person who has to have additional duties at the high school and I don’t think that’s fair either,” she continued.
Carmen is a Spanish teacher who also had to split time at schools outside of the district. She says it’s something she wishes she didn’t have to do.
“You actually miss a lot in terms of what you can provide to the students when you’re running back and forth. To me, that is a huge regret,” she said.
Neviaser says a big reason for the change is that the high school class sizes are getting smaller and middle school classes are getting larger.
Despite the shift in staffing, he ensured that music students will still get the best quality education.
“For the past 5 years, we cut the English department, the math department, science department, world language department, so to say that this is going to ruin our programs…are our other programs ruined? I would argue they’re not, they’ve just been right sized to the amount of students that we have. That’s all we’re doing here with music,” he said.
The decision was a unanimous one by the board of education.
Copyright 2025 WFSB. All rights reserved.
OLD LYME — Still one day after a Zoning Commission hearing to consider plans to redevelop Halls Road was suddenly cancelled, town officials were not able to offer a clear or coherent explanation for why the decision was made or who made it.In posts to social media on Wednesday, Mark Terwilliger, a de facto spokesperson for the Halls Road Improvements Committee, and domestic partne...
OLD LYME — Still one day after a Zoning Commission hearing to consider plans to redevelop Halls Road was suddenly cancelled, town officials were not able to offer a clear or coherent explanation for why the decision was made or who made it.
In posts to social media on Wednesday, Mark Terwilliger, a de facto spokesperson for the Halls Road Improvements Committee, and domestic partner of its chair Edie Twining, placed the blame for the decision squarely on Paul Orzel, chair of the Zoning Commission and on Zoning Enforcement Officer, Eric Knapp.
“HRIC and the Town would have preferred no delay,” wrote Terwilliger, “but the chair of the zoning commission and the ZEO asked for it. As the proposer of the regulations, the Town had the right to refuse, but granted the request. Facts for anyone who’s interested in such things.”
But as of late Wednesday, Orzel did not reply to numerous requests for explanation from CT Examiner, or apparently from members of the Zoning Commission.
Terwilliger’s explanation was at odds with a letter sent by First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker on Tuesday to Orzel requesting the delay on the grounds that the Halls Road Improvements Committee and Shoemaker needed more time to review testimony in the case.
Shoemaker cc’ed her request for a delay to Twining, Knapp, and the committee’s lawyer, William Sweeney, but has not replied to numerous requests for comment by CT Examiner.
Her letter meanwhile was contradicted on Wednesday in a post to social media by Michaelle Pearson, wife of Selectman Jim Lampos, claiming that the meeting had been postponed at Zoning’s request.
That was echoed in an email to parishioners at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, that “the Halls Road Improvements Committee would have preferred to go as scheduled, but it is impolitic to refuse requests from the Chair, whatever one’s objections.”
That in turn was directly contradicted by Knapp, who provided perhaps the clearest explanation to members of the Zoning Commission in an email on Wednesday, in an apparent attempt to quell questions raised by CT Examiner editor Gregory Stroud with town officials.
In an email on Wednesday morning, Stroud asked Orzel and Mike Miller, the vice-chair of Zoning, to reconcile varying explanations.
In an apparent reply, sent to members of the Zoning Commission, but not CT Examiner, Knapp seemed to take broad responsibility for decision, but which he said was at the request applicant — Shoemaker and the Halls Road Committee.
Knapp also explained that the hearing would likely have overwhelmed the auditorium and would have been postponed, in anycase, on Thursday night.
“This is clearly a matter of significant public interest. The best path forward is to move the hearing to the high school, the biggest forum we have in town, and to proceed when the applicant has had the chance to review the materials submitted,” Knapp wrote members of Zoning. “I believed that yesterday afternoon. I believe that this morning. Of course, you are free to disagree with me. This was a judgment call, and my judgment is not infallible. But this was not done in bad faith, and we will strive moving forward to give everyone the opportunity to be heard.”
“It was the applicant who indicated that it wanted more time to review the many, many items submitted into the record. For the Commission to say ‘no’ would have smacked of bad faith,” Knapp explained. “Ultimately, this is an application. It is being heard by the Commission, but it is not the Commission’s application. To force a hearing when the applicant indicated it was not prepared would have reflected poorly.”
But asked by at least one member of Zoning to explain who exactly made the decision to cancel, Knapp would not answer.
In an email on Wednesday responding to Knapp, and shared with CT Examiner, Miller questioned how the decision was carried out.
“Typically, an applicant can come forward and make the request to postpone. And the ZC would consider the reasons and take a vote,” wrote Miller. “If we followed this procedure like we have done many times before then the public would know who requested the postponement and the reasons for it. The public would know the reasons why our ZC denied or approved the request. In my opinion that is transparency that people need to trust their government.”
“In lieu of the above, you could have sent the commissioners an email informing us of the applicants intent to request a postponement,” Miller offered alternatively. “Based on past experience we would have granted it and the special public meeting would have been cancelled. If that were done then that email chain would provide a clear understanding of who requested the postponement.”
“I certainly was not notified of any request to postpone.”
“So, my query is, who made the request to postpone this special meeting and who was the decision maker that granted it?,” Miller asked Knapp.
OLD LYME — Warrior, a sturdy warmblood horse, stood calmly and patiently as his drill partner, Jane Barnett, who has Parkinson's disease, gently brushed his shiny coat in the stable area at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc.The grooming came at the end of a practice drill, part of a horsemanship program for people with Parkinson's launched earlier this year ...
OLD LYME — Warrior, a sturdy warmblood horse, stood calmly and patiently as his drill partner, Jane Barnett, who has Parkinson's disease, gently brushed his shiny coat in the stable area at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
The grooming came at the end of a practice drill, part of a horsemanship program for people with Parkinson's launched earlier this year at the Old Lyme barn and arena.
Barnett smiled while another program participant held out his hand for the 25-year-old bay horse to take a sniff to make sure everything was OK.
"So, they do get to know our smell and the way we are around them," said Carol Merkt, an equestrian who spearheaded the program. "And they learn to trust, both sides — the human and the horse learn to trust."
Merkt knows firsthand the many benefits of being around horses for people with Parkinson's. She came up with the idea for the program after her Parkinson's diagnosis.
"With Parkinson's, there can be a lot of anxiety, depression," Merkt said. "And I think that even those that have never been around the horses are finding that there is something very relaxing about having your hand on one of these horses. And the horse feels when the participant can feel that."
"It's very rewarding," she said.
Warrior, originally imported from New Zealand to compete in the World Equestrian Games for Jumping in 2000, is affectionately called "a true gentleman" by staff. He is an old hand as a teaching partner for therapeutic riding and horsemanship.
Participants in the High Hopes program work on gentle stretching exercises, grooming, and leading horses as part of a therapeutic regimen designed to encourage physical activity, relieve muscle tension, and promote relaxation from "the calming presence of the animals," according to staff.
The six participants are paired up to drill the horses. The animals include Churro, an Appaloosa named after the cinnamon-sugar pastry who has a dark, spotted coat, and Lulu, a white miniature horse "mighty in spirit" and stubborn at times, joked Merkt, a former High Hopes instructor.
Merkt pitched the idea for the therapy four years after she was diagnosed with Parkinson's. The pilot program took place in 2024.
"That, combined with my love of horses, just kind of all fell together. It started to make sense to me that trying to do something like this would be very meaningful for some folks," Merkt said.
Her idea really took shape when she participated in a boxing program for people with Parkinson's. She wondered if her classmates would be interested in working with horses.
"There's something about being around them that is very special for me," she said. "I find that when I'm with the horses, that's where my head is. My head is connecting with the animal. Typically, I walk around with ideas flitting in and out of my head a hundred miles an hour."
The lifelong horsewoman missed being around horses after retiring, she said. She had two "retired" horses at her Old Lyme home whom she had to place at other farms after caring for them became too much. She even misses mucking out the stables, she said, laughing.
Merkt noted that even though participants in the High Hopes program are not riding, they reap benefits from the movement and exercise while leading the horses in a choreographed pattern around cones in the arena.
"Not only are we moving, which is critical for Parkinson's, we're also having to multitask because we need to pay attention to what the horse is doing, in addition to what we are doing and what the others are doing," Merkt said. "All of that is good. All positive."
Missy Lamont, High Hopes executive director, said that participants said, "When they leave, they kind of feel that relaxation for the rest of the day."
Working closely with the horses, who "live in the moment," Lamont said, their human partners must pay attention to lead them. "You also have to be present, mindful, and in the moment."
Merkt agreed. "The connection that you make with the horse is key." She noted that some participants had experience with horses when they were younger, but some "had never touched a horse and were afraid."
Those novices spent time grooming the animals and learning how a horse communicates.
"You can watch these horses relax as they realize that nothing bad is happening," she said. "This is something new, but it's gentle hands on their backs. And you can just see the relaxation in both the person and the horse."
When the horse is relaxed and happy, it makes a noise that sounds like it's blowing a raspberry, Lamont said.
In addition to bonding with the horses, the program has other health benefits.
Before hand-leading the horses, the group does gentle stretching exercises to warm up. After drills, grooming is followed by an hour of coffee and refreshments.
"They chat, and they talk, and they laugh," Lamont said. "We will always make sure that we have the cookies or the muffins or the bread or whatever we pull together so that they stay and stick around and enjoy that moment."
The group is practicing drills for a show in March at High Hopes. "So, there's a goal, and it's something that they're really excited (about), and they've even given themselves a name for the show, which I thought was very clever," Lamont said.
Defying the tremors that are one of the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the group's name is "The Unshakables."
"To know that they're really proud of what they've been working on and want to invite others to come and watch them in their drill team, I also think, is pretty special," she said.
Feb 23, 2025
Editor, ShoreLine Times
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