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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Fairfield, CT

Home Care Fairfield, CT

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Ogden House 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 Fairfield, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Fairfield, CT

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Peg L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Hunter L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Petra D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Excellent company, very experienced management and staffs. Highly recommend”

Fiona S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Varner M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Fiona H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Jaymie B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Susan A.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Fairfield, CT?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Fairfield, CT

Types of Elderly Care in Fairfield, CT

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Fairfield, CT
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Fairfield, CT
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 Riverside Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Fairfield, CT
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 BONDA Restaurant or visit Fairfield Burr Homestead, 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.

 In-Home Care Fairfield, CT

Benefits of Home Care in Fairfield, CT

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:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Fairfield, 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.

 Elderly Care Fairfield, CT

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your CT's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Fairfield, CT

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 Fairfield, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Fairfield, CT

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Fairfield, CT

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:

  • Sturges Ridge of Fairfield Assisted Living Memory Care
  • Maplewood at Southport
  • Sunrise of Fairfield
  • River Valley Retirement Community
  • Benchmark Senior Living at Split Rock
  • Monarch Spring Meadows
Home Care Fairfield, CT

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.

 In-Home Care Fairfield, 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 Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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

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

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Fairfield, 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.

 Elderly Care Fairfield, CT

Latest News in Fairfield, CT

Fairfield Launches Birth Control Pilot Program For Common Problem

FAIRFIELD, CT — In a move designed to be more environmentally friendly, Fairfield has launched a novel way to deal with rodents.The town has contracted with Wisdom Good Works, a Flagstaff, Arizona-based nonprofit company, to provide an all-natural, non-toxic food that renders "both male and female mice and rats infertile without poisons that could harm the environment."Over time, the rodent population will drop because fewer will be born....

FAIRFIELD, CT — In a move designed to be more environmentally friendly, Fairfield has launched a novel way to deal with rodents.

The town has contracted with Wisdom Good Works, a Flagstaff, Arizona-based nonprofit company, to provide an all-natural, non-toxic food that renders "both male and female mice and rats infertile without poisons that could harm the environment."

Over time, the rodent population will drop because fewer will be born.

During a meeting in March, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the pilot program, which is the first such effort in Connecticut.

According to James Ryan, building maintenance manager for the Department of Public Works, the town is targeting two locations in the pilot program, the Transfer Station at 530 Richard White Way, and at the compactor behind the Fairfield Theatre Company on Carter Henry Drive.

Find out what's happening in Fairfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Ryan added that the pilot program is not costing the town any more money than it currently spends on rodent control at the two sites.

The pilot program will last for a year, so in 2026, the town hopes that the results will allow for use of this technique at additional sites throughout Fairfield.

"It's a non-lethal way to address rodent control," said Fairfield Purchasing Director Adam Tulin.

According to Fairfield Conservation Commissioner Ted Luchsinger, the town currently uses a stage-two anticoagulant poison for rat and mouse control.

"Which is an awful way to die," Luchsinger said, adding that essentially the rodents bleed out through wounds because their blood does not clot after ingesting the poison.

Birds of prey, such as hawks, which capture rodents can end up becoming poisoned, too, from the anticoagulant.

The non-toxic pellets provided by Wisdom Good Works are safe for other animals if ingested.

"It's much safer, and I think it's the direction that this type of control is going to go in the future," Luchsinger said.

Read More: 2 Residents Charged In Online Monkey Abuse Ring

The Connecticut General Assembly is considering a law to ban the use of stage-two anticoagulant poisons, also known as rodenticides, in the state.

Dabney Bowen, president of Call of the Wild CT, said that with the pilot program, Fairfield is at the forefront of using safer techniques to address rodent control.

"We could also help stem the spread of lyme disease," Bowen said, adding that some mice that are native to the region are vectors for the disease.

Fairfield University Celebrates Historic Graduation

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.SchoolsFairfield Bellarmine celebrated its first graduating class, highlighting strong academic outcomes and the program's role in expanding accessNancy Sasso Janis, Community ContributorPress releaseFai...

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Fairfield Bellarmine celebrated its first graduating class, highlighting strong academic outcomes and the program's role in expanding access

Nancy Sasso Janis, Community Contributor

Press release

Fairfield Bellarmine celebrated its first graduating class, highlighting strong academic outcomes and the program's role in expanding access to Jesuit education.

FAIRFIELD — As part of Fairfield University’s 75th Commencement exercises, the inaugural Fairfield Bellarmine Class of 2025 received their associate’s degrees in a momentous ceremony held on May 15 at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. This event celebrated a milestone in Fairfield’s ongoing mission to broaden access to Jesuit Catholic higher education.

The 35 graduates are the first to complete Fairfield Bellarmine’s rigorous two-year program, which launched in 2023 in partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport. The initiative was created to serve underrepresented students in the Greater Bridgeport area, offering associate’s degrees in business, computer science, health studies, and liberal studies—alongside a comprehensive support system of academic, financial, and personal development resources.

Fairfield Bellarmine’s innovative model is already yielding exceptional outcomes, with an 80% two-year graduation rate—exceeding Connecticut’s community college three-year graduation rate, which remains below 20%. Approximately 90% of the graduates plan to continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree at Fairfield University.

Find out what's happening in Fairfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

During the ceremony, students were recognized for academic achievement, leadership, and service:

Student speaker Scarllet E. Lopez, reflected on the support and encouragement she and her classmates received from faculty and staff throughout their time at Fairfield Bellarmine.“What we experienced here wasn't just academic learning. The professors and the Bellarmine staff made sure our time here was about more,” Lopez said. “They pushed us to be better. They believed in us even when we didn't believe in ourselves. They encouraged us when we felt overwhelmed... They reminded us that we were capable of more than we ever imagined.”

Lopez added, “We are Cohort 1. The very first class of Bellarmine...We set the standard. And I know deep in my heart that the path we walked will open doors for others—students who once doubted if college was for them, who just needed one more chance to believe they belonged.”

In his remarks, Fairfield Bellarmine Vice Provost and Executive Director Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., recalled a powerful question asked by a student during an early campus visit: “Before the first day of classes of your first fall semester, we invited you to campus to see the newly renovated buildings. When we got to St. Ambrose Hall, and the Bank of America study lounge, with its vaulted ceilings and stained glass, one of you paused, and asked me: ‘Is this all for us?’ ‘Yes, all for you,’ I replied.”He reflected on how that simple question grew in meaning over time: “‘Is this all for us?’ Yes, Fairfield Bellarmine is for you, because you are a child of God, worthy of an education rooted in excellence that forms the mind, heart and spirit…This is for you, because you have remarkable gifts, talents and beauty.”

Fr. O’Brien praised the graduating class for their lasting contributions, recognizing their role in shaping Bellarmine’s future: “Before you arrived, we spent three years planning and laying a foundation. And you trusted us and our vision to come here, to expand access and opportunity in Jesuit higher education. Then, you helped us create what Fairfield Bellarmine is all about…you helped us shape the experience for the next class and beyond.”

He concluded by urging the graduates to embrace their deeper purpose: “Your diploma... means little unless it is a summons to service. In this way, you are messengers of hope.”

To watch a recorded livestream of the event, please visit: https://vimeo.com/1073317705

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

CT student wins $40,000 scholarship from College Board program: 'I had no idea'

FAIFIELD — Aiden Otey, a junior at Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University, said he would have been happy receiving even a $500 scholarship, but what he got was b...

FAIFIELD — Aiden Otey, a junior at Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University, said he would have been happy receiving even a $500 scholarship, but what he got was beyond his wildest dreams.

He thought he was walking into a normal, boring assembly Monday morning. Little did he know, he would be awarded a $40,000 scholarship in front of hundreds of his peers, with his father proudly cheering for him in the front row.

"I was really nervous the entire time because I had no idea what it was; no one told me," Otey said.

Otey, a Hamden resident, was presented the scholarship from the College Board BigFuture Scholarship Program by Associate Director Jeffrey Roth. The program allows students to apply for the monthly drawings of $500 and $40,000 scholarships with minimal requirements.

During what started as an informational assembly on what the program has to offer, Otey was "chosen" from the audience and brought up front.

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When it was announced that he won the $40,000 scholarship, the nearly 400 students in the room erupted in applause, while Otey stood in shock and his father, Christopher Bessette, hugged him tightly.

Bessette said one of the biggest values he instilled in his son was not giving up, even if his any of his pursuits were unsuccessful. Instead, he told Otey to "learn from it, grow from it and get back up there to change the game and figure out how to succeed."

Born in Bridgeport, Otey said his dream is to become an accountant, and follow his father's footsteps into finance.

"I want to become an accountant because I was always taught, especially by him, that no matter what the economic situation is, you always need an accountant," he said.

Raised solely by his father, Otey said he overcame some rough beginnings as a child and is grateful for their tight-knit relationship.

"Every time I've needed help, I can always count on him to be there. He is my lighthouse right there," Otey said. "My father is my motivation, my inspiration, love him to death and I want to make him proud. And I’m glad I got this because now I have more opportunity to make him proud."

Bessette, 53, said his son is a caring person who aspires to help other children overcome any struggles they might be facing in silence.

"He has aspirations someday of being able to help those kids and be able to tell them success can occur and you can get out of it and there are people who are there to help," he said. "He wants to be part of that; its personal to him and something relatable."

Otey said he already has his career goals and dream school picked out.

"Because I want to go into business and accounting and get my Master's in economics and finance, I would say that college is really important to me," he said. "And Sacred Heart University – because I’m picking there – has probably one of the best college business programs."

Otey said he's always been passionate about mathematics and wanted to use it to fuel a life he can be proud of with "no regrets."

"I’m a very good math student, I love math. So I want to do something I know I can do for the next 50 years and still love," Otey said.

Christopher Cipriano, who's been principal at Notre Dame Prep for 15 years, said Otey's accomplishment is a testament to what is possible for all the other students too.

"They saw a classmate win this money, so I think it makes it real and hopefully gives them a reason to hop on and begin the process," Cipriano said.

He said due to cuts in education on the federal level, a scholarship like this is paramount to ensuring a student's success in funding their college career.

"Every little bit helps because college is just so overwhelmingly expensive and we know students need a college degree to really do what they want in life," he said. "... You have to take advantage of these opportunities and I’m so glad Aiden did that."

Sen. Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield, who attended the assembly, said it is important to celebrate students' achievements.

"I think these kind of stories, to honor Aiden through this scholarship recognition, is an acknowledgement for so many other kids who are striving to do their best and fulfill their potential," Hwang said. "I appreciate being here, being supportive and recognizing the successes of our young people."

May 20, 2025

General Assignment Reporter

Shaniece Holmes-Brown is a reporter with the Trumbull Times. She served as a Hearst Newspapers Reporting Fellow from 2021-2023, working at both the Times Union in Albany, New York and the Houston Chronicle. She has been with Hearst Connecticut Media Group since 2023. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading books, cooking and watching documentaries on Netflix.

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