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 Mary and Eliza Freeman Houses in Bridgeport, CT gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Bridgeport, 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.
“I had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care of Milford. They were very”
“Jermaine is an OUTSTANDING care provider! Service oriented, friendly, professional and SAFETY first always! Bravo”
“The staff at ABC has been wonderful! It's easy to reach them, they are responsive,”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always”
“I just wanted express our thoughts about Mary, who was the caregiver for the weekend.”
“Excellent company, very experienced management and staffs. Highly recommend”
“Thank you so much for your kind , personalized service. My mother was always resistant”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always”
“Always Best Care Services is a good place to get good care. The employees would”
“My mother was in need of help after she broke her hip at 101 years”
“I had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care of Milford. They were very kind and professional from the inside staff and the care providers. Always Best Care provided my family with peace of mind while they took care of my 93-year-old mother-in-law at her home with breakfast, light PT , showering, dressing keeping her engaged. They provided the very best care.”
“Jermaine is an OUTSTANDING care provider! Service oriented, friendly, professional and SAFETY first always! Bravo Jermaine!”
“The staff at ABC has been wonderful! It's easy to reach them, they are responsive, respectful, and cheerful. This was the first step in getting outside assistance for our Mom and we were so impressed with how thorough the care was - the first helper checked to see that her home was safe and that she knew how to use her cell phone. We'd highly recommend using their in home care.”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always Best Care is providing our parents. You have guided us through this very difficult time and have helped us deal with my mother’s illness and her inability to care for my dad. Your caregivers are very capable and caring, and your staff is competent and thorough. We believe this makes your company invaluable to families with loved ones in need of assistance. We would recommend Always Best Care to anybody in search of quality care for their loved one. Thank you for all you and your staff do.”
“I just wanted express our thoughts about Mary, who was the caregiver for the weekend. We all thought she was wonderful!! I think her biggest strength is that she sees the work, needs little/to no direction, offers to take things out of our hands, and is a true-go-getter. For Billie, this type of help is great since she feels like she can take some time to rest and trust all is okay. Mary works hard and is also very patient. I really think Mary is a natural dealing with elderly. She is patient and kind! Anyway, what I wanted to ask is if Mary can be the consistent caregiver for the weekends. The other 4 caregivers that I have met are also very nice. We would like Mary as much as possible as she is punctual, and as I mentioned before, sees what needs doing. She is focused on what she can do to help. She doesnt just sit there next to Bill, she has eyes in the back of her head and goes the extra mile. Anything that needs to get done, she says no wait, let me do it if she hasnt already initiated it herself. She seems to have endless energy and never complained. I just felt compelled to drop you a this note to let you know how impressed we were with her. Thanks”
“Excellent company, very experienced management and staffs. Highly recommend”
“Thank you so much for your kind , personalized service. My mother was always resistant to have someone come into her home to help care for her, but she is very, very pleased with Betsy. Not only does she have someone to keep her company and meet her physical needs—her kitchen is looking cleaner than I have seen it in a while. Thank you again. Your kind manner was reassuring to my mother and to me, and you have made the process of caring for my mother at home easy, and provided me with much needed relief so that I can actually return to work with a calm mind.”
“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always Best Care is providing our parents. You have guided us through this very difficult time and have helped us deal with my mother’s illness and her inability to care for my dad. Your caregivers are very capable and caring, and your staff is competent and thorough. We believe this makes your company invaluable to families with loved ones in need of assistance. We would recommend Always Best Care to anybody in search of quality care for their loved one. Thank you for all you and your staff do.”
“Always Best Care Services is a good place to get good care. The employees would do their very best to take care of you in your time of need. I will recommended this facility to family and friends. I want to thank you so much for the exceptional care you took of my dad. I hold your agency in the highest regard and you have my deepest appreciation.”
“My mother was in need of help after she broke her hip at 101 years old. She refused to leave her home. Susan Oderwald took wonderful care of her. She found caregivers for her who treated her with kid gloves and she herself went above and beyond by getting papers signed, visiting her in the hospital and fetching things for her. I don't know what I would have done without her, since I live 3,000 miles away. I highly recommend her, her services and her staff of caregivers.”
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 Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Joseph's Steakhouse or visit Marina Park Historic District, 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.
Request More Information
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 Bridgeport, 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 Bridgeport, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Bridgeport, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
To the Editor:It is my pleasure to share my thoughts and experiences pertaining to Lisa Miro, who as you know is running for State Representative for the District 133 in Fairfield.I first met Lisa when she was appointed by former Bridgeport mayor, Bill Finch, to implement the very first conservation department in the state’s largest city of Bridgeport. She and Bill paid a visit to our manufacturing facility in Bridgeport to introduce me to the program and discuss ways in which the city could help support our business and ...
To the Editor:
It is my pleasure to share my thoughts and experiences pertaining to Lisa Miro, who as you know is running for State Representative for the District 133 in Fairfield.
I first met Lisa when she was appointed by former Bridgeport mayor, Bill Finch, to implement the very first conservation department in the state’s largest city of Bridgeport. She and Bill paid a visit to our manufacturing facility in Bridgeport to introduce me to the program and discuss ways in which the city could help support our business and we them.
Since that time, our paths have crossed often in various ways including charitable events, fund raisers, town, business and social events. I have come to know Lisa as a very diligent and no-nonsense person who takes ownership of her ideals and goals, both personally and professionally. Lisa’s foundation in business stems from her operation of the family restaurant business, along with her husband. Lisa managed the business of the business from ordering supplies to managing payroll and employee relations. She also handled the accounting responsibility. Lisa knows business and the effort, sacrifices and time required for success. She operated the business for many years until her husband’s health issues caused them to make the difficult decision to sell the business they so loved.
Lisa continued a career that includes currently working with Mayor Mark Lauretti of Shelton. She is well qualified with the necessary skill set and experience required to run a town of this size including zoning, voting procedures, tax assessment, and town clerk responsibilities. Lisa has been instrumental in the training and support of co-workers within town hall and is always available to assist wherever necessary. She does not watch the clock.
I admire Lisa’s priorities of which many align with mine. One of which is the very important goal of protecting local control of zoning and opposing irresponsible overdevelopment and zone busting. I live in Easton which has many similar issues as Fairfield being adjacent to one another. Easton is a very rural area with watershed property comprising a large portion of the town. I agree with Lisa in that proper development is important to the growth of a community but not at the expense of the residents. I also support strong public schools such as the Easton Redding school district which both towns share. I support fiscal responsibility in all areas of municipal budgeting and expenditures. With a manufacturing facility in Bridgeport many of our employees are local residents with school age children. Quality education is critical to the health and growth of our local communities, cities, states and the country. Lisa endorses better education for all. We support many of the non-profits in the city as well as having a close relationship with Fairfield University and their graduate class senior projects. Lisa has and continues to be active in community activities giving much of her time supporting causes close to her heart and on her platform.
Lisa would be a strong supporter and advocate for Fairfield & Bridgeport when elected as their state representative for the 133 district. She has experience, common sense, and the ability to communicate at all levels thereby giving her the unique ability to interact with her constituents no matter what their station in life may be.
?Joe CalzoneFairfield, CT
Here's everything you need to know concerning the Nov. 3 state and federal elections in Bridgeport.BRIDGEPORT, CT — On Nov. 3, Bridgeport residents will cast their votes for several key state and federal positions, including for governor. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming election.Visit MyVote.CT.gov for information about voting in Connecticut. Bridgeport election information can be found here.Election DayPolls open in Bridgeport and throughout the state at 6 a.m. on Nov. 3, and ...
BRIDGEPORT, CT — On Nov. 3, Bridgeport residents will cast their votes for several key state and federal positions, including for governor. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming election.
Visit MyVote.CT.gov for information about voting in Connecticut. Bridgeport election information can be found here.
Election DayPolls open in Bridgeport and throughout the state at 6 a.m. on Nov. 3, and close at 8 p.m. If you are in line when polls close, you will be allowed to vote.
The Secretary of State’s website has information to find your polling place.
There are changes for four Bridgeport voting districts for the Nov. 3 election, 127-03, 130-01, 130-02, and 130-04. Click here to view the new locations for those four voting districts.
Early voting details Early voting begins Oct. 19 and runs through Nov. 1. Early voting hours are: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on October 27 and 29.
The location for early voting in Bridgeport is the Margaret Morton Government Center, 999 Broad St.
If you are not registered, but want to vote during the early voting period, you may register in person every day of Early Voting at the early voting location. To find your Early Voting location, visit MyVote.CT.gov or call 860-509-6200.
Voter registration details The deadline to register to vote is Friday, Oct. 16. If you register by mail, it must be postmarked by that date.
If you miss the deadline, same-day voter registration is also available. As mentioned above, registration is available at the early voting location.
Same-Day Registration is available on Election Day.
Absentee ballot informationTo receive your absentee ballot, complete and sign an application and return it to the Town Clerk. Information about absentee ballots in Bridgeport can be viewed here.
Candidates
Governor and Lt. Governor (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz; Republican Party, Ryan Fazio and Matt Corey; Working Families Party, Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz; Independent Party, Ryan Fazio and Matt Corey
U.S. Representative (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Jim Himes; Republican Party, Michael Ted Goldstein; Independent Party, Benjamin Wesley
State Senator, District 23 (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Herron Keyon Gaston; New Movement Party, Natasha Williams
State Senator, District 22 (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox; Republican Party, Scott M. Modlin; Independent Party, Scott M. Modlin
State Representative, District 124 (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Andre F. Baker, Jr.; New Movement Party, Alexander Leon
State Representative, District 126 (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Fred Gee, Jr.
State Representative, District 127 (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Marcus A. Brown
State Representative, District 128 (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Christopher Rosario; Independent Party, Christopher Rosario
State Representative, District 129 (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Steve Stafstrom
State Representative, District 130 (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Antonio "Tone" Felipe
State Representative, District 133 (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Cristin McCarthy Vahey; Republican Party, Lisa Miro; Working Families Party, Cristin McCarthy Vahey; Independent Party, Lisa Miro
Secretary of State (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Stephanie Thomas; Republican Party, Peter Lumaj; Working Families Party, Stephanie Thomas; Independent Party, Stephanie Thomas
Treasurer (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Erick Russell; Republican Party Fred Wilms; Working Families Party, Erick Russell; Independent Party, Fred Wilms
Comptroller (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Sean Scanlon; Republican Party, Jennifer S. Tooker; Working Families Party, Sean Scanlon; Independent Party, Sean Scanlon
Attorney General (Vote for one): Democratic Party, William Tong; Republican Party, John Bolton; Working Families Party, William Tong
Judge of Probate (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Paul J. Ganim
Registrar of Voters (Vote for one): Democratic Party, Patricia A. Howard; Republican Party, Linda A. Grace
BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport's unemployment rate fell to 6.5 percent in September, down from 6.7 percent in August, according to data released Monday by the Connecticut Department of Labor.The city's rate remained above Connecticut's, which held at 5.1 percent for a second straight month. The state's rate has now topped the national rate of 4.2 percent for nine consecutive months.Of Bridgeport's estimated labor force of 77,050 residents in September, 72,012 were employed and 5,038 were unemployed, the data show. That is 99...
BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport's unemployment rate fell to 6.5 percent in September, down from 6.7 percent in August, according to data released Monday by the Connecticut Department of Labor.
The city's rate remained above Connecticut's, which held at 5.1 percent for a second straight month. The state's rate has now topped the national rate of 4.2 percent for nine consecutive months.
Of Bridgeport's estimated labor force of 77,050 residents in September, 72,012 were employed and 5,038 were unemployed, the data show. That is 99 fewer unemployed residents than in August. The August estimates, published last month by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, counted 5,137 unemployed out of a labor force of 76,913.
The town figures come from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics program and are not seasonally adjusted. On that same unadjusted basis, the statewide rate in September was 5.1 percent, with 96,521 of Connecticut's 1,907,124 labor force participants out of work.
Of the state's 169 towns, 164 had a lower rate than Bridgeport's 6.5 percent and four had a higher one.
Among its neighbors, Bridgeport's rate was higher than in Stratford (5.7 percent), Trumbull (5.2 percent) and Fairfield (5.1 percent).
Statewide, town rates ranged from 2.8 percent in Warren to 8.5 percent in Waterbury.
Bridgeport's rate was 5.2 percent in September 2025, so the city's jobless rate is up 1.3 percentage points over the year. Last year, the rate also fell from August to September, from 5.7 percent to 5.2 percent.
Bridgeport is part of the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury labor market area, which added 1,200 jobs in September, a 0.3 percent increase, to 415,800. The area is up 5,200 jobs, or 1.3 percent, from a year earlier.
Connecticut's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in September, the same as in August, the department said. A year earlier the rate was 4.2 percent.
The state's employers added 1,400 jobs in September, a 0.1 percent increase, bringing nonfarm employment to 1,731,600. The department said that's a new all-time high. Over the year, the state has gained 15,200 jobs, or 0.9 percent.
Last month's report had put August's job loss at 300. With Monday's revision, the department now says the state lost 600 jobs that month.
Six of the state's 10 major industry sectors added jobs in September. Education and health services led with 2,200, followed by manufacturing with 900 and trade, transportation and utilities with 800.
Professional and business services lost the most, 2,700 jobs. Other services lost 600 and information lost 400. Construction and mining was unchanged.
"Payroll jobs hit a new all-time high in September. Manufacturing has added more jobs than any other industry so far this year and construction remains at its highest level since May 2008," Patrick Flaherty, director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor, said in a statement. "The unemployment rate has been stable since late spring and unemployment insurance claims are below last year's level."
First-time unemployment claims averaged 1,842 a week in September, down 64.9 percent from September 2025, the department said.
Private sector average hourly earnings rose 2.1 percent over the year to $40.06. That trailed inflation: the national consumer price index was up 3.7 percent over the same period.
The labor department's monthly comparison of state and national unemployment rates shows Connecticut's seasonally adjusted rate at 5.1 percent in both August and September.
The state's rate climbed through the first half of the year, from 4.5 percent in January to a peak of 5.2 percent in June and July. It then eased to 5.1 percent in August and held there in September.
The national rate moved the other way last month. The U.S. rate rose to 4.2 percent in September from 4.1 percent in August, its first increase since February, according to federal figures in the state's comparison.
As a result, the gap between Connecticut and the nation narrowed to nine-tenths of a percentage point in September, down from a full point in August. The gap was widest in July, at 1.1 points.
Connecticut's rate has been higher than the national rate in every month of 2026, starting in January at 4.5 percent compared with 4.3 percent. A year ago, the state's rate was lower than the nation's: 4.1 percent compared with 4.3 percent in August 2025, and 4.2 percent compared with 4.4 percent in September 2025.
The comparison has no figures for October 2025. They weren't produced because of the 2025 federal government shutdown.
| Month (2026) | Connecticut | U.S. | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4.5 percent | 4.3 percent | 0.2 points |
| February | 4.7 percent | 4.4 percent | 0.3 points |
| March | 4.8 percent | 4.3 percent | 0.5 points |
| April | 5.0 percent | 4.3 percent | 0.7 points |
| May | 5.1 percent | 4.3 percent | 0.8 points |
| June | 5.2 percent | 4.2 percent | 1.0 points |
| July | 5.2 percent | 4.1 percent | 1.1 points |
| August | 5.1 percent | 4.1 percent | 1.0 points |
| September | 5.1 percent | 4.2 percent | 0.9 points |
State and national rates are seasonally adjusted; town rates are not, so direct comparisons should be made with caution. All figures are preliminary and subject to revision. The department will release its preliminary October report on Thursday, Nov. 19.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
Wanda Geter-Pataky’s case is heading to trial rather than resolving through a plea. I respect that every defendant has the right to have their case heard, and I won’t comment further on the specifics of an ongoing legal matter — that is for the court, not for politicians, to decide.What I can say is this: the last time Ms. Geter-Pataky was asked directly about her conduct, back in October 2023, she invoked her Fifth Amendment right 71 separate times rather than answer even the simplest questions. Nearly three years l...
Wanda Geter-Pataky’s case is heading to trial rather than resolving through a plea. I respect that every defendant has the right to have their case heard, and I won’t comment further on the specifics of an ongoing legal matter — that is for the court, not for politicians, to decide.
What I can say is this: the last time Ms. Geter-Pataky was asked directly about her conduct, back in October 2023, she invoked her Fifth Amendment right 71 separate times rather than answer even the simplest questions. Nearly three years later, this trial may finally force a full accounting, in a court of law, of what happened to Bridgeport’s absentee ballots.
Bridgeport has already paid a heavy price for what happened in our elections, and this is not the first time. Three different Connecticut judges have thrown out Bridgeport Democratic primaries over absentee ballot irregularities — in 2017, in 2022, and again in 2023, when Judge Clark called the video evidence in that case ‘shocking.’
And the state has had to appoint and fund election monitors to watch over Bridgeport’s elections three separate times since 2017 — in 2017, 2020, and 2023 — because Bridgeport keeps failing to safeguard its own elections.
The city even commissioned its own investigation into Ms. Geter-Pataky’s conduct that led directly to her firing, and to this day the findings of that taxpayer-funded report have never been made public. Whatever the outcome of this trial, that pattern of damage to public trust is real, and it’s on all of us — candidates, party leaders, and residents alike — to make sure it never happens again.
The gravest injustice is the disenfranchisement of voter participation in Bridgeport elections. In the last two Democratic mayoral primaries, turnout fell from roughly 21 percent in 2019 to roughly 17 percent in 2023 — even as absentee ballots became a larger and more disputed share of the vote each time.
When a judge voids a primary because of mishandled absentee ballots in violation of state law, Bridgeport residents are not being irrational when they conclude their vote doesn’t count. That perception is earned, and it has consequences: fewer people showing up, fewer people believing their voice matters, and a shrinking electorate that makes it easier, not harder, for the next scheme to succeed.
If this trial finally produces a full accounting, it can be a first step toward rebuilding that trust and reversing years of declining participation. A trial does not undo a decade of judges voiding elections and absentee ballots deciding outcomes — restoring voter participation in Bridgeport elections will take sustained transparency and the passing of consequential election integrity reform legislation by the Connecticut legislature, not a single day in court.
Bridgeport is now heading into a November general election for governor, with absentee ballot voting beginning October 2. Should there be any controversies surrounding absentee ballots this fall, the sitting governor and our state legislators will only have to blame themselves for their lack of action to restore trust in Connecticut elections. No politician in Hartford – incumbent or challenger – is entitled to the votes of Bridgeporters. Anyone asking for our support will have to earn it by standing with our city, not with the corrupt political machine at City Hall. Bridgeport is tired of being taken for granted, especially by those who rush to endorse the status quo while our residents are still fighting for fair elections and real accountability.
And regardless of how this case concludes, one question remains unanswered: why is it always the low-level campaign workers who face felony charges, while the people who allegedly designed and directed these absentee ballot schemes, and who benefited most from them at the ballot box, have never been charged? I don’t think Bridgeport gets real justice until the people who gave the directives and issued the payments are held to the same standard as the people who carried them out.
This upcoming trial is another reminder of how important it is that every vote in Bridgeport be cast and counted honestly. I will always stand on the side of transparent, lawful elections where the people — not political machines — decide the outcome. .
What I can say today is this: I will continue to fight for the people of Bridgeport, and I welcome anyone who wants to join me in that effort. My focus right now is on continuing to stand up for fair elections, safer neighborhoods, better schools, and economic opportunity for every family in Bridgeport.
John Gomes is a former Bridgeport mayoral candidate who ran in the city’s 2023 Democratic primary and general election.
Bridgeport and Fairfield share a border. When it comes to school attendance, they can look like two different Connecticuts.During the 2024–25 school year, 33.1% of Bridgeport Public Schools students were chronically absent, compared with 8.8% in Fairfield. Connecticut’s statewide rate was 17.2%. Chronic absenteeism means missing at least 10% of the school year, or roughly 18 days in a typical 180-day year.We can look at that difference and ask why Bridgeport families aren’t getting their children to school. I ...
Bridgeport and Fairfield share a border. When it comes to school attendance, they can look like two different Connecticuts.
During the 2024–25 school year, 33.1% of Bridgeport Public Schools students were chronically absent, compared with 8.8% in Fairfield. Connecticut’s statewide rate was 17.2%. Chronic absenteeism means missing at least 10% of the school year, or roughly 18 days in a typical 180-day year.
We can look at that difference and ask why Bridgeport families aren’t getting their children to school. I think that’s the wrong question. I don’t believe parents become less invested in their children’s education when they cross a town line. A mother in Bridgeport doesn’t want less for her child than a mother in Fairfield. What changes are the circumstances around them and the demands placed on the institutions serving them.
I’ve seen that tension in my own work. In New York City Public Schools, I led community engagement efforts that brought families and educators face to face with system leadership. I learned quickly that what looks accessible from inside an institution can feel anything but accessible to the people trying to navigate it.
Bridgeport serves far more students experiencing economic hardship and far more multilingual learners than Fairfield. Those realities matter because attendance does not happen in a vacuum. But demographics cannot become our stopping point. A school system serving families facing greater barriers needs more time to solve problems, more staff who know families by name and more ways for parents to reach an actual person.
Think about something as ordinary as a 6 p.m. school meeting. One parent leaves work, drives ten minutes and takes a seat. Another loses an hour of pay by leaving early, catches a bus and still has to figure out who can watch the other children. Both may care just as much, however our systems are simply better at seeing one of them.
Children need to be in school. Missing weeks of instruction has consequences. But responsibility cannot belong only to families.
And this isn’t only a Bridgeport story. Waterbury’s chronic absenteeism rate was 25.8% in 2024–25. Regional School District 15, serving Middlebury and Southbury, reported 8.6%. Different communities but yet a familiar divide.
Connecticut’s Learner Engagement and Attendance Program, or LEAP, offers a useful lesson. LEAP sends trained school staff or community partners to meet directly with families, not to enforce attendance rules, but to build relationships and understand what is keeping a student from school.
A 2022 evaluation of students served during the 2021–22 school year found that attendance improved after LEAP visits. It also found that visits at a student’s home or school had significantly greater effects than visits conducted by Zoom or phone.
New Haven offers an even sharper lesson. The district did not initially conduct one-on-one visits as the LEAP model intended. Instead, a nonprofit partner canvassed neighborhoods with high concentrations of chronically absent students. The evaluation found no measurable impact on attendance there. New Haven later changed its approach to more closely match the model used in other districts. Same program name but yet a very different result.
Counting an outreach attempt is not the same thing as making a connection.
Bridgeport’s more recent numbers make this worth watching. The district reported chronic absenteeism at 22.6% in October 2025, down from 32% in October 2024. Those are preliminary, point-in-time numbers, not final school-year results, and no single program can claim credit for them. Still, the direction matters. Relationships aren’t the soft side of attendance work. They are part of the infrastructure.
Connecticut should start measuring them that way.
The Connecticut State Department of Education should pilot a family-responsiveness measure in districts with persistently high chronic absenteeism, including districts already doing relationship-based attendance work. And it shouldn’t be another satisfaction survey.
The families who find institutions hardest to navigate may also be the least likely to complete one. So measure what institutions actually do. How long does it take to respond when a family asks for help? When a school reaches out about attendance, did someone actually connect with the parent or guardian? When a problem is raised, was there follow-through? Those aren’t sentimental questions. They are questions about institutional performance.
Connecticut already includes chronic absenteeism in its 12-indicator Next Generation Accountability System. A family-responsiveness pilot could tell us whether measures of actual connection and follow-through reveal something our current indicators miss. If they do, CSDE should consider incorporating that information into the state’s broader accountability framework.
We are very good at counting whether families show up for institutions. We should become just as serious about whether institutions show up for families. Bridgeport and Fairfield share a border. Their attendance numbers tell us that proximity does not mean families experience public education in the same way. Before we decide that some families simply need to show up more, our institutions should answer the harder question of what have we done to make showing up possible?
Mychael Williams lives in Waterbury.
203-877-1377
