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

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TESTIMONIALS

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

Babispyce S.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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TESTIMONIALS

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

Daniel S.
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“Caring for family can be difficult and challenging at times. It's so nice to know that Always Best Care Senior Services is there to help!”

Cathy K.
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TESTIMONIALS

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

Daniel S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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“The client care at Always Best Care Senior Service is outstanding”

Kimberly O.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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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
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“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.
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“i really like my caregiver, Victor very much. Victor is a very patient and observant aide who knows when I need his help. I knew from the first day meeting him that we would get along very well.”

Johnson L.
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““I want to give a huge thank you for the care that Always Best Care provided over the last year and a half. They started out assisting just my dad since he was wheelchair bound and then began providing care to my mom as well who had advanced dementia. The two ladies that helped them both did an amazing job and gave me the confidence that they were being well cared for since I live on the other side of the country. Up to my dad’s passing, his caregivers were there for him to provide comfort and companionship while managing my mom’s emotions as well during the difficult time my dad had. Being a nurse myself and in the healthcare field for a while, I had high expectations which were exceeded by the caregivers and office staff of Always Best Care.”

harry B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Both of Mom’s caregivers are exceptional. They are always professional, calm and extremely patient with my mom. They know how to keep her calm and to manage her anxiety. My whole family is very grateful, knowing that Mom is getting really competent care, great meals and friendly companionship. Thank you.”

Kathleen F.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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
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“They are very caring and easy to deal with. They work with the family and the patient to see that the patient has what is needed for their care. In all we had a good experience with Best Care.”

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

Bob G.
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“Anything from Always Best Care is good to have. The care from them has given me my life back. I wasn’t expecting a perfect match on the first caregiver, but Always Best Care did a very good job.”

Claudia B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We have been using the services of ABC for almost three years, and I have worked personally with John, Kristine, Taylor, Michelle and Wilda, as well as the many wonderful caregivers who have attended to my mother’s needs with great care and attention. Throughout this time, my mother’s care needs have changed many times, and they have always been very responsive to any requests, including the directives of the hospice nurses that work in concert with all of them. Taylor and Michelle are incredibly diligent about keeping on top of issues that arise day-to-day, and running their questions and concerns by me. I remain a loyal customer to ABC because I feel that my mother is getting really great care, and will continue to see the warm, friendly faces she has come to know and trust today and every day. At 94 yrs old, my mother is quite dependent on the care providers for almost all her needs, and they always show up and make her feel safe and secure.”

Rachel C.
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TESTIMONIALS

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

Joe L.
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“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 Rockfall, CT

How does In-home Senior Care in Rockfall, 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.

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 Senior Care Rockfall, 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 Rockfall, 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 Rockfall, 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 Rockfall, 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 Rockfall,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 Rockfall, 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

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

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

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

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 Rockfall, CT

Stragglers Pack Up as Swiss Village Is Evacuated Under Rockslide Threat

Stragglers packed up belongings in cars, trucks and a least one pickup truck before an evacuation order took effect on Friday in a tiny village in eastern Switzerland that is facing an urgent rockslide threat.As geologists and other experts in fluorescent vests took measurements on Friday, villagers and vacationers bared their emotion that the centuries-old Alpine village of Brienz — home to under 100 residents — could be soon be subsumed under spilling rock.Swiss authorities say about 2 million cubic meters of rock...

Stragglers packed up belongings in cars, trucks and a least one pickup truck before an evacuation order took effect on Friday in a tiny village in eastern Switzerland that is facing an urgent rockslide threat.

As geologists and other experts in fluorescent vests took measurements on Friday, villagers and vacationers bared their emotion that the centuries-old Alpine village of Brienz — home to under 100 residents — could be soon be subsumed under spilling rock.

Swiss authorities say about 2 million cubic meters of rock on an Alpine mountainside overhead could soon come crashing down.

Erosion over generations has left the bald-faced mountainside white, gray and orange with exposed rock and earth, and a few boulders have already made their way onto the edge of the village in the verdant valley. One sat menacingly next to a small wood cabin.

The rumble of shifting ground, the sporadic crackle of rocks colliding, and the remains of dead trees and dirt sliding down the mountain facade Friday brought an eerie sense of portent to the village and underscored the rising urgency for locals to get out of town by the 6 p.m. deadline set by authorities.

Earlier this week, authorities upgraded the alert status to “orange,” which meant residents had to evacuate but could also return during the day to pick up belongings, if conditions allowed.

By Friday evening, authorities had raised the alert to “red” — meaning that no returns would be allowed for the foreseeable future, said Christian Gartmann, a member of the crisis management board in the town of Albula, which counts Brienz in its municipality.

One woman loaded up a pickup truck with a caged pet turtle, named Max, and other belongings as neighbors packed up cars and trucks, too. Barriers blocked off roads and a sign under a portable traffic light read: "Extreme danger of rockfall when red.”

A Zurich woman who has for years vacationed in the bucolic village stood back about 30 meters (100 feet) from a barrier on the edge of the village to look up worryingly at the mountainside.

Centuries-old Brienz straddles German- and Romansch-speaking parts of the eastern Graubunden region, sitting southwest of Davos at an altitude of about 1,150 meters (3,800 feet).

The mountain and the rocks on it have been moving since the last Ice Age, officials say. But on Tuesday, they said measurements indicated a “strong acceleration over a large area” in recent days, and “up to 2 million cubic meters of rock material will collapse or slide in the coming seven to 24 days.”

Gartmann said experts estimate a 60% chance the rock will fall in smaller chunks, which may not reach the village or the valley. The landslide could also move slowly. But there’s also a 10% chance that the rock mass may spill down, threatening lives, property and the village itself.

Glacier melt has affected the precariousness of the rocks over millennia, but melting glaciers due to “man-made” climate change in recent decades wasn’t a factor, he said.

Krishna Winston Named 2022 Environmental Champion by Rockfall Foundation

Krishna Winston, Marcus L. Taft Professor of German Language and Literature, Emerita, and Professor, College of the Environment, Emerita, was recognized with the Tom ODell Distinguished Service Award by the Rockfall Foundation at a ceremony held Thursday, October 6.The award, which recognizes long-term accomplishments in environmental conservation and preservation, was given for Winston’s many years of advocacy for the ...

Krishna Winston, Marcus L. Taft Professor of German Language and Literature, Emerita, and Professor, College of the Environment, Emerita, was recognized with the Tom ODell Distinguished Service Award by the Rockfall Foundation at a ceremony held Thursday, October 6.

The award, which recognizes long-term accomplishments in environmental conservation and preservation, was given for Winston’s many years of advocacy for the environment in Middletown.

Winston’s formal service to the City began in 1989 when she was appointed to the task force that designed Middletown’s recycling program. When mandatory recycling began in Connecticut two years later, she became the chair of Middletown’s Resource Recycling Advisory Commission, a position she still holds. Currently, she is a member of the Pollinator Pathway group and the City’s Clean Energy Task Force (CETF). In addition, Winston convenes the Sustainable Middletown Team, is president of the Jonah Center for Earth and Art and participates in the Environmental Collective Impact Network (ECoin).

“The Rockfall Foundation encounters many individuals in the Lower Connecticut River Valley who are working to improve the environment and to living a more sustainable lifestyle; no one is more dedicated to that effort than Krishna. She is a true environmental champion,” said Tony Marino, the foundation’s executive director. His interview with Krishna, pictured below can be viewed here.

Winston’s passion for the environment began long before she arrived in Middletown 50 years ago. It started as an outgrowth of her upbringing in southern Vermont. Growing up on a subsistence farm, with its hard work and isolation, had a lot to do with contributing to her connection to the environment and experiencing the rhythms of the seasons. Her family cooked with a wood stove, heated the house with a coal furnace, owned a Jersey cow, and raised much of their food. Experiencing this way of life and helping with seasonal chores like haying and maple-sugaring, she learned “where things came from and where they ended up.”

Having parents who worked at home gave her a work ethic and influenced her perspective on work-life balance. “Work is life if you do what you love,” Winston said.

Winston’s interest in recycling work came from a childhood where the family repurposed everything. “When I first arrived in Middletown, I looked for recycling and found the drop-off at the City Yard,” Winston said.

When one of her former students, Janet Brooks ’75, who had become an environmental attorney, started a petition to the Common Council to establish a Recycling Task Force, Winston not only signed the petition but also joined the Task Force. “I stayed on the task force for one or two years, and [Krishna] stayed forever. I didn’t realize I was starting a 30-year passing of the baton,” Brooks said.

From that early connection, Winston has contributed to sustainability in Middletown in numerous ways. This summer, she spent four hours almost every week at the Farmers’ Market on the Green, educating shoppers on recycling and salvaging food waste for composting. She has also promoted recycling and sustainability at Wesleyan, serving on committees and developing a course called “The Simple Life.”

Her work ethic has impressed her fellow CETF members and is an example of community engagement, linking Wesleyan and Middletown together. “Krishna is one of the most active volunteers on the Clean Energy Task Force. Whether helping pull together an Energy Plan, working through the Climate Emergency Resolution that was passed unanimously by the Common Council, or compiling information on Energy Coordinator job descriptions, Krishna’s expertise and sharp eye have been invaluable,” said Anna Salo-Markowski, Chair of the Middletown Clean Energy Task Force and Development Associate at Wesleyan University.

Equity is a big part of Winston’s sustainability efforts. She finds it frustrating that much environmental activism doesn’t connect directly with social justice. However, Winston is gratified that sustainability awareness is growing, filtering down to initiatives that work with younger children, like school gardens. “I am eager to spread the word and work with the low-income and minority populations who always bear the brunt of environmental abuses and crises,” Winston said.

Despite the challenges, Winston exemplifies pragmatic idealism and remains hopeful, “One thing at a time, step by step.”

Much like her work translating German literature into English, Krishna has translated lessons about the environment from her childhood into a commitment to environmental sustainability, from which she hopes the Wesleyan and Middletown communities will benefit future generations.

OnCall Imaging set to welcome patients

Key Takeaways:OSF OnCall, the digital health arm of OSF HealthCare, joined with Imaging Centers of Illinois LLC to celebrate the opening of a modern retail imaging center that will serve a wide area and numerous communities in the Sterling-Rock Falls region. The center will offer low-cost imaging services in an easy-to-access location, at the intersection of First Avenue, state Route 40 and U.S. Highway 30.OnCall Imaging is located within 7,800 square feet of the former Illinois Bank & Trust Building at 1609 1st ...

Key Takeaways:

OSF OnCall, the digital health arm of OSF HealthCare, joined with Imaging Centers of Illinois LLC to celebrate the opening of a modern retail imaging center that will serve a wide area and numerous communities in the Sterling-Rock Falls region. The center will offer low-cost imaging services in an easy-to-access location, at the intersection of First Avenue, state Route 40 and U.S. Highway 30.

OnCall Imaging is located within 7,800 square feet of the former Illinois Bank & Trust Building at 1609 1st Avenue, with convenient, on-site parking. The building has been renovated to provide a welcoming, easy-to-navigate atmosphere and has been equipped with state-of-the-art, non-invasive imaging technology to offer 3D mammography, X-rays, ultrasound, CTs, MRIs and Dexa scans for bone density.

A blessing of the building was followed by a ribbon cutting involving several Chambers of Commerce in the region. OnCall Imaging will be open for screening and diagnostic services October 30.

We know often when a person needs to get imaging completed, they can need it quickly for a diagnosis. So, we made sure to offer same-day options with self-scheduling or walk-in appointments. Quick, convenient access to affordable imaging services can make a critical difference in treatment approaches for diseases such as cancer.

Jennifer Junis, Senior Vice President Digital Health, OSF OnCall

Junis added, “We believe this new center will offer a timely level of service, clinical excellence, and transparency with upfront pricing listed on the OnCall Imaging website (oncallimaging.net) that will help us fulfill our OSF Mission to serve with the greatest care and love.”

On Call Imaging is prepared to help physicians and advance practice providers optimize diagnostic evaluations for patients, communicate results and recommendations, and provide innovative solutions for improving the patient experience.

“I am pretty connected in the community, and I heard regularly from individuals and insurers that this type of imaging facility was needed,” stressed Pete Harkness who is among the lead investors in the joint venture. “This is about seeing an important gap in health care services in the region, and joining forces to provide a sustainable option to ensure imaging can be provided when it’s needed and within a reasonable distance for residents in the region.”

Currently, there is no retail imaging center in Lee and Whiteside counties.

Thousands of tires on Middlefield property spark frustration

MIDDLEFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — A home on Ross Road in Middlefield has become the focus of several complaints because tires keep piling up on the property.News 8 spoke with the homeowner’s son, Salvatore Russo, who said he started collecting tires for a wall that was approved to be built. He said he’s collected about 4,000 so far.Not only do they fill the backyard of his mother’s Ross Road home, but now some are in the front yard as well.“Would you want to buy a house on that road? Jerry Finch, ...

MIDDLEFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — A home on Ross Road in Middlefield has become the focus of several complaints because tires keep piling up on the property.

News 8 spoke with the homeowner’s son, Salvatore Russo, who said he started collecting tires for a wall that was approved to be built. He said he’s collected about 4,000 so far.

Not only do they fill the backyard of his mother’s Ross Road home, but now some are in the front yard as well.

“Would you want to buy a house on that road? Jerry Finch, a Middlefield resident asked. “Come on.”

Finch and other neighbors say they have been complaining about the property to the town and state for years,and now the tires have gotten out of hand.

“I’m on the conservation commission, and you know, unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about it,” Finch said. “We know that’s a breeding grown for mosquitos, but again, it’s falling on deaf ears.”

News 8 spoke with the first selectman and said a cease and correct order was issued about four months ago but was ignored. After that, a citation was issued, fining the owner $150 a day. The next step would be taking the owner to court. The owner’s son, however, said he is working with the zoning officer in town to try to avoid that.

“Somebody called the DEEP, or whatever, and then they went to where I was getting rid of the tires, and then the tire place where I was getting rid of them said I can’t bring them no more,” Russo said.

He said he is trying to get rid of the tires and the ones in front of the house are ones he has moved from the backyard. He also said getting the tires taken away isn’t going to be cheap.

“They said it will be three trucks, $1,300 each truck, and they’ll come out here,” Russo said.

He also said it hasn’t been easy.

“Right now, like I said, I put off my back surgery, and I had to go back to work to get rid of these,” Russo said.

Removing the tires may not come soon enough for his neighbors’ liking.

“God forbid if those ever caught on fire, you would not be able to put those out,” Finch said.

Rich Farm Ice Cream opens new Middlefield shop with slow-churned, small-batch treats

After 20 years working in "corporate America," Jill Serra decided it was time for a career change.The Seymour resident spent Thursday afternoon setting up the latest addition to the Rich Farm Ice Cream franchise at 1 Lorraine Terrace in Middlefield, where Wood and Smoke BBQ used to run seasonally until 2019. Serra opened ...

After 20 years working in "corporate America," Jill Serra decided it was time for a career change.

The Seymour resident spent Thursday afternoon setting up the latest addition to the Rich Farm Ice Cream franchise at 1 Lorraine Terrace in Middlefield, where Wood and Smoke BBQ used to run seasonally until 2019. Serra opened up her business in tune with the July 4 holiday, just as the original stand in Oxford did. She held a soft opening to work out any kinks the next day, and enjoyed a fair number of customers hungry for the cold treats on hot summer days.

“I’m excited about this new beginning [and] new chapter in our lives,” she said.

Serra has long been a fan of the company’s slow-churned, small-batch ice cream since it opened its first stand in Oxford in 1994. Her personal favorite flavors are black raspberry and coconut. The five-generation family farm dates back to 1950, and was originally named Ajello’s Farm, after Raffaele Ajello, the great-grandfather of Dan Rich, who launched the ice cream business adjacent to the farm. Rich Farm has three other ice cream stand locations in Connecticut (Oxford, Bristol and Brookfield) and another in Placentia, Calif., run by a family member.

Serra said she and other franchise staff members had been searching for a new location for a couple of years before the Middlefield location came on the market. The location provides the same open atmosphere as the other locations, with cows grazing nearby and six picnic tables, Serra said, and customers are already bringing blankets and sitting out on the grass while their kids run around.

“... I am excited to be part of the [Rich Farm] family. It’s a high-traffic location and has a good feel,” she said.

Serra passed her health department inspections last week, and, in the run-up to the holiday weekend, spent most of her time making batches of ice cream. The stand will be open daily from noon to 9 p.m. through Dec. 22.

To ensure brand consistency, the location will carry the same two dozen everyday flavors as the other shops, as well as seasonal flavors such as Irish cream (in March), Cowabunga (June), and upcoming fall blends, including pumpkin Oreo and caramel apple.

There is also a rotating list of specialty flavors, such as salted caramel bacon, lemon meringue pie, cinnamon bun, Hawaiian cow, Fluffernutter and the popular Jersey cow.

Besides traditional ice cream, which uses all-natural ingredients, dairy-free and sugar-free options are also available including dairy-free chocolate peanut butter swirl. The ice cream contains no corn syrup, growth hormones, polysorbates or phosphates, Serra said. Serra notes she will have fresh waffle cones daily and expects to soon add soft serve to the menu. She will also make ice cream cakes and other holiday treats the parent company is already known for, such as ice cream cannolis and ice cream pies.

"I believe in the product," she said. "It’s a premium mix that we use that makes the ice cream very rich and creamy. And it's just delicious."

That product has earned Rich Farm multiple accolades on both the state and national levels. Hearst Connecticut readers voted Rich Farm as the state’s best ice cream shop in 2021 and 2023, and this year it was featured on Yelp's list of the country's top 100 ice cream shops based on customer reviews. Rich Farm Ice Cream was also recognized as a Dairy Farm of Distinction by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

Rich Farm Ice Cream is unlike other ice cream shops, Serra said. “We use high- quality ingredients and it’s made fresh daily on premises."

The Middlefield location will be open on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., Serra said. Starting Saturday, the shop will be open from noon to 9 p.m. daily. For information, visit Rich Farm Ice Cream, Middlefield on Facebook.

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