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 Prospect, 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 Prospect Avenue Historic District 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 Prospect, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
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.
“I am so appreciative for the time, patience, and insight that Cynthia Montano provided to”
I am so appreciative for the time, patience, and insight that Cynthia Montano provided to my brother and me in helping us transition our mother from independent to assisted living. Cynthia educated us about the various “models” of assisted living communities in an effort to ascertain the appropriate level of support required for our mom. She was sensitive to finances and lifestyle preference. Cynthia has a network of relationships among assisted living facilities, and always did hands on research before presenting us with options to tour. She is truly a professional. Cynthia has generously made herself available to brainstorm, as we begin to think about eventual next steps. Thank you, Cynthia.
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent.
You can feel how caring she”
This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent.
You can feel how caring she is for her patient and for the entire family. Self directed.
“I am a past client of this provider
My Mom started requiring 24x7 care 2 years”
I am a past client of this provider
My Mom started requiring 24x7 care 2 years ago and her primary aid was attentive to her needs and treated her with dignity and respect. She would often call my Mom her "Queen". They always provided advanced notice whenever the aid needed time off and was responsive to questions and concerns. I don't know what we would have done if not for ABC and its services.
“I am a past client of this provider
My Mom started only requiring part time care”
I am a past client of this provider
My Mom started only requiring part time care due to her cancer but as it progressed, we needed around the clock care. The aides were always extremely helpful and kind to my Mom and when we needed care 24x7 our aide was Na who was here for my Mom day in and day out. In a six month period she had only taken two days off where we needed coverage which Always Best took care of for us. Na was just wonderful and my Mom loved her and everything she had done to comfort her.
I also appreciated everything Na had done for my Mom and to have an aide as dedicated to my Mom was critical in my eyes.
I would also like to thank their entire office they always worked with me and were always available whenever I needed anything.
Thank you Always best Care, my Mom couldn't have been treated any better!!!
“I am a current client of this provider
They are doing everything they can to help,”
I am a current client of this provider
They are doing everything they can to help, they have sent me a lovely person that is agreeable.
They came through on what they promised, I have a lovely person to come help me.
“I am a current client of this provider
The impact is great on my life, they”
I am a current client of this provider
The impact is great on my life, they have helped me in my house.
They sent me people at fist that were not good but now they sent me a good person to work.
“I am a past client of this provider
My mother had short term care while I”
I am a past client of this provider
My mother had short term care while I was vacationing. The agency matched her up with a wonderful caregiver whom my mother loved. She arrived on time every day and helped keep my mother company by sitting and chatting with her while still helping out with the evening meal and housekeeping. We will use the services again in the future. It was a positive experience for my mother and our family.
“I am a current client of this provider
They have changed my life because they take”
I am a current client of this provider
They have changed my life because they take me to the doctors and will take me to the grocery store
I like that they help me clean my house for me.
“I am a current client of this provider
They only come once a week but it”
I am a current client of this provider
They only come once a week but it has been extremely helpful.
They strive to get you the best care possible. If they can't fulfill something they work until they get you that.
“I am a current client of this provider
They have helped the most in providing care”
I am a current client of this provider
They have helped the most in providing care for personal hygiene.
I like the caregiver that the company has provided us.
“I am a current client of this provider
Always Best Care has been doing a tremendous”
I am a current client of this provider
Always Best Care has been doing a tremendous job with my father’s daily needs. My fathers caretaker, has been doing a tremendous job and has really gone above and beyond with helping my father. Everything from getting a haircut, to bringing him to see a the podiatrist, and taking him out for food, it’s all gone very well. My father has grown accustomed to Steve and that has helped tremendously. I’m glad someone is there to fill in the gaps because it’s just not possible for me to do the things he needs solely on the weekends. The service is very flexible and has been a great help to me as I’m working full time and my father lives by himself. Highly recommended!
“I am a current client of this provider
Absolutely the BEST care provided! Simple and easy”
I am a current client of this provider
Absolutely the BEST care provided! Simple and easy to deal with. Easy to contact and responded to our needs very quickly!
“I am a current client of this provider
They watch over my mother because I am”
I am a current client of this provider
They watch over my mother because I am on a the road a lot. I need somebody who will do a good job taking care of her while I'm away.
We were having problems finding an aide that was consistent.
“I am a current client of this provider
We are lost without them. My husband can't”
I am a current client of this provider
We are lost without them. My husband can't get out of bed in the morning without the aides helping him with a lift. I am not able to help him in the ways that he needs, so the services are critical.
They could have more substitute caregivers available. Every once in a while, we need a substitute, but we have to wait.
“I am a current client of this provider
They have exhibited everything they are supposed to.”
I am a current client of this provider
They have exhibited everything they are supposed to. When I have people who come and care for me, it means a lot and usually lifts my spirits.
Care is very prominent in the people that come.
“I am a current client of this provider
The aides are very good. They are reliable.”
I am a current client of this provider
The aides are very good. They are reliable. When they say something, it happens.
The aides are very good and responsive on service issues. If they say something, it will happen.
“I am a current client of this provider
The caregiver is always here when she says”
I am a current client of this provider
The caregiver is always here when she says she is going to be here. She comes in the door and asks what she can do. She is very very helpful to my loved one and me. She often helps my loved one get dressed. She will fix breakfast if we haven't had breakfast. She makes lunch for us. She will do pretty much anything I ask her to do.
I like the fact that I can count on them to do what they say. They follow through with everything they say they will do.
Read full testimonial
Mollys D.
Cynthia N.
Robert M.
AMS
KBPells
Domenico B.
kevinRK
Gilmay L.
Maria S.
Gloria S.
Demings
Judy A.
Marcie D.
Odilia M.
Maryellen S.
kmfent
Judith K.
Laurie W.
Transfan1976
Bruce B.
Richard W.
Linda A.
John M.
Paul C.
and E.
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TESTIMONIALS
“We had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care.
Cynthia was an answer to our prayers ????”
Mollys D.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am so appreciative for the time, patience, and insight that Cynthia Montano provided to my brother and me in helping us transition our mother from independent to assisted living. Cynthia educated us about the various “models” of assisted living communities in an effort to ascertain the appropriate level of support required for our mom. She was sensitive to finances and lifestyle preference. Cynthia has a network of relationships among assisted living facilities, and always did hands on research before presenting us with options to tour. She is truly a professional. Cynthia has generously made herself available to brainstorm, as we begin to think about eventual next steps. Thank you, Cynthia.”
Cynthia N.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
They help me out a lot and things I can't do, they help me.
I like that they are prompt and always on time.”
Robert M.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent.
You can feel how caring she is for her patient and for the entire family. Self directed.”
AMS
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a past client of this provider
My Mom started requiring 24x7 care 2 years ago and her primary aid was attentive to her needs and treated her with dignity and respect. She would often call my Mom her "Queen". They always provided advanced notice whenever the aid needed time off and was responsive to questions and concerns. I don't know what we would have done if not for ABC and its services.”
KBPells
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
The client feels comfortable with the provider.
I like that they are attentive to the patient.”
Domenico B.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a past client of this provider
My Mom started only requiring part time care due to her cancer but as it progressed, we needed around the clock care. The aides were always extremely helpful and kind to my Mom and when we needed care 24x7 our aide was Na who was here for my Mom day in and day out. In a six month period she had only taken two days off where we needed coverage which Always Best took care of for us. Na was just wonderful and my Mom loved her and everything she had done to comfort her.
I also appreciated everything Na had done for my Mom and to have an aide as dedicated to my Mom was critical in my eyes.
I would also like to thank their entire office they always worked with me and were always available whenever I needed anything.
Thank you Always best Care, my Mom couldn't have been treated any better!!!”
kevinRK
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
I deal with Deanna, and I can ask her to do what I need without question.
I like that they're prompt.”
Gilmay L.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
They are doing everything they can to help, they have sent me a lovely person that is agreeable.
They came through on what they promised, I have a lovely person to come help me.”
Maria S.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
The impact is great on my life, they have helped me in my house.
They sent me people at fist that were not good but now they sent me a good person to work.”
Gloria S.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a past client of this provider
My mother had short term care while I was vacationing. The agency matched her up with a wonderful caregiver whom my mother loved. She arrived on time every day and helped keep my mother company by sitting and chatting with her while still helping out with the evening meal and housekeeping. We will use the services again in the future. It was a positive experience for my mother and our family.”
Demings
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
They give great service.
I like that the caregivers are on time and they know how to do their job.”
Judy A.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
They made a great difference in the client's life.
I like that they work until they find the right person.”
Marcie D.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
They have changed my life because they take me to the doctors and will take me to the grocery store
I like that they help me clean my house for me.”
Odilia M.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
She helps me with bathing and she helps me with my dinner.
They are very reliable.”
Maryellen S.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
We have worked with Linda and team at ABC for quite a while. Very professional and reliable at all times”
kmfent
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
They only come once a week but it has been extremely helpful.
They strive to get you the best care possible. If they can't fulfill something they work until they get you that.”
Judith K.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
They have helped the most in providing care for personal hygiene.
I like the caregiver that the company has provided us.”
Laurie W.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
Always Best Care has been doing a tremendous job with my father’s daily needs. My fathers caretaker, has been doing a tremendous job and has really gone above and beyond with helping my father. Everything from getting a haircut, to bringing him to see a the podiatrist, and taking him out for food, it’s all gone very well. My father has grown accustomed to Steve and that has helped tremendously. I’m glad someone is there to fill in the gaps because it’s just not possible for me to do the things he needs solely on the weekends. The service is very flexible and has been a great help to me as I’m working full time and my father lives by himself. Highly recommended!”
Transfan1976
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
Absolutely the BEST care provided! Simple and easy to deal with. Easy to contact and responded to our needs very quickly!”
Bruce B.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
They watch over my mother because I am on a the road a lot. I need somebody who will do a good job taking care of her while I'm away.
We were having problems finding an aide that was consistent.”
Richard W.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
We are lost without them. My husband can't get out of bed in the morning without the aides helping him with a lift. I am not able to help him in the ways that he needs, so the services are critical.
They could have more substitute caregivers available. Every once in a while, we need a substitute, but we have to wait.”
Linda A.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
They have exhibited everything they are supposed to. When I have people who come and care for me, it means a lot and usually lifts my spirits.
Care is very prominent in the people that come.”
John M.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
The aides are very good. They are reliable. When they say something, it happens.
The aides are very good and responsive on service issues. If they say something, it will happen.”
Paul C.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
The caregiver is always here when she says she is going to be here. She comes in the door and asks what she can do. She is very very helpful to my loved one and me. She often helps my loved one get dressed. She will fix breakfast if we haven't had breakfast. She makes lunch for us. She will do pretty much anything I ask her to do.
I like the fact that I can count on them to do what they say. They follow through with everything they say they will do.”
and E.
What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Prospect, CT?
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:
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:
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 Canfield Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
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 Mirabelle's Italian Restaurant or visit Prospect Historical Society, 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:
Age in Place
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.
Peace of Mind
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.
Socialization
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.
Personalized Care Plan
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.
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 Prospect, 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.
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.
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 Prospect, 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.
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
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:
Family Options Inc.
The Ivy at Watertown Assisted Living and Memory Care
Fernwood West
Pleasant View Manor
The Village at East Farms
Complete Care at Glendale
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.
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
01
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
02
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
03
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Prospect, 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.
CT AG probing Prospect Medical Holdings' 'financial practices' amid sale of ECHN hospitals to Yale
Eric Bednerhttps://www.ctinsider.com/journalinquirer/article/ct-prospect-medical-attorney-general-investigation-18466708.php
The financial practices of Prospect Medical Holdings are under investigation by the Connecticut attorney general's office as the for-profit health care company is attempting to sell three hospitals in the state to Yale New Haven Health.Elizabeth Benton, spokeswoman for Attorney General William Tong, confirmed that Tong's office is conducting an investigation into ...
Citing an ongoing investigation, she would not comment further regarding the specifics of the investigation that began in April.
Prospect is in the process of selling Waterbury, Rockville General, and Manchester Memorial hospitals to Yale New Haven health for what was initially $435 million.
The economic fallout resulting from a cyberattack and deteriorating conditions at the hospitals has led Yale New Haven Health officials to seek to reduce the price tag, though officials have not revealed what the revised asking price is.
In October 2016, Prospect purchased Rockville General and Manchester Memorial hospitals for $105 million, with the promise of an additional $75 million in upgrades to the facilities, which are operated by Eastern Connecticut Health Network. Prospect also purchased the Greater Waterbury Health Network at the same time for $45 million, along with an agreement to spend $55 million on capital projects there.
At almost every stage in the buyout, residents and some lawmakers spoke out against it, citing Prospect's track record in California and ECHN's own history of mismanagement.
While ECHN had lost a combined $23 million in its last year of operation as a nonprofit system before the purchase, Rockville and Manchester hospitals did not fare well under Prospect either.
Although Waterbury Hospital ended with close to $15.4 million in revenue in Prospect's first full year of ownership, Rockville and Manchester's profits were down by about 14 percent and 2.5 percent in 2017, respectively.
The two hospitals were among just five out of 28 in the state at the time to lose money, and also lost roughly $9 million each in 2019.
That same year, Prospect announced its plans to sell and lease back its Connecticut, California, and Pennsylvania real estate to Alabama-based Medical Properties Trust Inc. in a billion-dollar deal. The health care company used the cash infusion to settle its loan debts.
Prospect is a privately held entity and therefore does not make its financial information available to the public. Quarterly and annual reports are available only to lenders.
CT presents draft settlement in YNHH-Prospect hospitals sale
Dave Altimarihttps://ctmirror.org/2023/11/30/prospect-medical-holdings-ct-hospitals-ynhh-sale/
State officials have presented a draft settlement agreement to parties involved in Yale New Haven Health’s bid to purchase three Connecticut hospitals owned by Prospect Medical Holdings, and hospital executives are exchanging proposals with the state, a spokeswoman for Office of Health Strategy told The Connecticut Mirror.“In-person meetings are taking place, and the state continues to advocate for a settlement that ensures access, quality, equity and affordability for the residents in the impacted areas,” the spokes...
State officials have presented a draft settlement agreement to parties involved in Yale New Haven Health’s bid to purchase three Connecticut hospitals owned by Prospect Medical Holdings, and hospital executives are exchanging proposals with the state, a spokeswoman for Office of Health Strategy told The Connecticut Mirror.
“In-person meetings are taking place, and the state continues to advocate for a settlement that ensures access, quality, equity and affordability for the residents in the impacted areas,” the spokeswoman, Tina Kumar Hyde, said.
Dana Marnane, a spokeswoman for Yale New Haven Health, confirmed that settlement proposals were exchanged and that hospital officials are “engaged in discussions” with the state.
“While we remain hopeful that a settlement can be reached, any conditions to the [certificate of need] must account for the recent cyber-attack and its ongoing detrimental impact on the Prospect hospitals,” she said. “Yale New Haven Health has responded to OHS’s proposals and looks forward to continuing to negotiate an agreement that will allow us to operate the Waterbury and ECHN hospitals safely while ensuring access to affordable, high-quality health care.”
Representatives for Prospect Medical and Eastern Connecticut Health Network, which owns Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals, could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday. A spokeswoman for Waterbury Hospital declined to comment.
Hospital leaders agreed last month to keep the negotiations with OHS confidential. They have been meeting regularly and are scheduled to meet again next week, sources said.
Hospital executives, legislators, health care workers and local officials have called on the state to expedite its approval of the YNHH-Prospect deal, which has been pending for more than a year.
Records show that the acquisition has already taken longer to gain state approval than several other Connecticut hospital mergers. YNHH’s purchase of Milford Hospital in 2019 took 204 days from the time a certificate of need was filed, Hartford HealthCare’s acquisition of Saint Vincent’s Medical Center the same year took 267 days, YNHH’s purchase of the Hospital of Saint Raphael in 2012 took 147 days, YNHH’s merger with Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in 2016 took 337 days, and Hartford HealthCare’s 2017 acquisition of Charlotte Hungerford Hospital took 351 days.
As of Thursday, the YNHH-Prospect deal has gone 373 days without state approval.
Meanwhile, as the months pass, hospital executives, legislators and local officials say the threat of closure is growing, with the Prospect hospitals owing tens of millions of dollars to vendors and physicians and in taxes.
Surgeries have been postponed because health care providers don’t have the needed resources. Contracts with traveling nurses and technicians are in jeopardy and remain in place only on a “week-to-week” basis, physicians at the hospitals said. An anesthesiologist group is suing over nonpayment of more than $3 million. The hospitals were also hit with a cyberattack over the summer that crippled operations and set them back further financially.
But Kumar Hyde has said the current deal is more complex than any the agency has dealt with over the past decade.
While many certificate of need applications were approved more quickly, some — such as Hartford HealthCare’s acquisition of Charlotte Hungerford Hospital — are similar in length to the YNHH-Prospect deal, she noted.
“There are three hospitals involved in this transaction, while most other transactions in the past 10 years have only involved one hospital. The process has involved three times the data collection, analysis and synthesis,” Kumar Hyde said.
“OHS’ obligation in reviewing Transfer of Ownership applications is to ensure that the statutory requirements of addressing quality, access and cost effectiveness are met. Our obligation is to ensure we have adequate information to address those concerns, and to protect the interests of the public in every transaction reviewed. It is not unusual for complex hospital acquisitions that require multiple layers of review to take a year or more to complete.”
Sources have told CT Mirror that YNHH officials are seeking $16 million per year over five years, or $80 million total, from the state to help with recovery efforts from the recent cyberattack across the three Prospect-owned hospitals, to update computer systems and to address “deteriorating” conditions at the facilities. YNHH has also asked Prospect Medical to adjust the previously agreed upon purchase price of $435 million.
In the meantime, the hospitals are struggling. In a meeting with about 30 legislators in September, ECHN and Waterbury Hospital executives said they are behind on paying bills and, if the deal with YNHH is not approved, the facilities may not remain financially viable or functional, according to people in attendance.
The executives have said they owe millions to vendors and physicians contracted to provide care at the hospitals.
Yale New Haven Health officials are concerned about the software at the Prospect-owned hospitals following the cyberattack, which began in early August and lasted for nearly six weeks. At the meeting with legislators, the computer system used by the hospitals was described as outdated.
Earlier this month, lawmakers and health care workers from Waterbury Hospital and ECHN also rallied at the state capitol in an effort to speed up the deal.
“This is the first time I’m seeing a real scenario, I’m sorry to say, that these hospitals could close,” said Dr. Saqib Naseer, a cardiologist who has worked in the Eastern Connecticut Health Network. “This has dragged on too long to the extent that we are worried if they put enough conditions on Yale, they could walk away because they are under no obligation to do this. If Yale walks away, there is no other buyer for these hospitals.”
Jenna is CT Mirror’s Health Reporter, focusing on health access, affordability, quality, equity and disparities, social determinants of health, health system planning, infrastructure, processes, information systems, and other health policy. Before joining CT Mirror Jenna was a reporter at The Hartford Courant for 10 years, where she consistently won statewide and regional awards. Jenna has a Master of Science degree in Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University and a Bachelor or Arts degree in Journalism from Grand Valley State University.
Yale Health, CT officials resume negotiating Prospect hospitals sale
Jenna Carlesso and Dave Altimarihttps://ctmirror.org/2023/10/25/prospect-medical-holdings-yale-health-ct-negotiations/
Officials from Yale New Haven Health, Prospect Medical Holdings and the state’s Office of Health Strategy have resumed negotiations in Yale’s bid to acquire three Prospect-owned hospitals in Connecticut after the health systems agreed to sign a confidentiality agreement to keep the talks private.“OHS has provided the applicants with a draft settlement agreement and the applicants have agreed to confidential settlement negotiations,” said Tina Kumar Hyde, spokeswoman for the health strategy office. “OHS is...
Officials from Yale New Haven Health, Prospect Medical Holdings and the state’s Office of Health Strategy have resumed negotiations in Yale’s bid to acquire three Prospect-owned hospitals in Connecticut after the health systems agreed to sign a confidentiality agreement to keep the talks private.
“OHS has provided the applicants with a draft settlement agreement and the applicants have agreed to confidential settlement negotiations,” said Tina Kumar Hyde, spokeswoman for the health strategy office. “OHS is unable to comment any further at this time.”
Last week, negotiations broke down after Yale and Prospect indicated they did not want to keep the talks private. Kumar Hyde said at the time that, in the absence of further negotiations, the state would move ahead quickly with a decision on whether to approve the deal. Yale has moved to purchase Waterbury, Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals. Manchester and Rockville hospitals are part of the Eastern Connecticut Health Network.
Kumar Hyde has said OHS is not required to keep negotiations confidential, but the agency prefers to do so. “We routinely carry out our agreed settlement discussions in a confidential manner,” she said.
In a statement Wednesday, Yale spokeswoman Dana Marnane confirmed the health system had agreed to confidential talks.
“We signed the confidentiality agreement because we felt it was very important to continue productive conversations with OHS,” she said.
A spokesperson for Prospect Medical could not immediately be reached for comment.
Sources have told the Connecticut Mirror that Yale is seeking $16 million per year over five years, or $80 million total, from the state to help with recovery efforts from a recent cyberattack across the three Prospect-owned hospitals, to update computer systems and to address “deteriorating” conditions at the facilities.
Yale officials presented a two-page “recovery” plan to state leaders, including Gov. Ned Lamont, as well as representatives from Prospect and Medical Properties Trust Inc., which owns the properties and leases them back to Prospect.
In 2018, Prospect took out a $1.12 billion loan and used the funds to pay its executives and shareholders a $457 million dividend, CBS News reported. To pay back the loan, Prospect sold the land and buildings from hospitals it owns in Connecticut, California and Pennsylvania to a real estate investment trust, then leased back those hospitals from the trust.
“Yale believes the four parties should come together to carry out a recovery plan to preserve the essential community health care resources … represented by the Waterbury/ECHN organizations,” Yale officials wrote in the recovery plan. A copy of the plan was obtained by the CT Mirror.
Yale’s proposal would include state financial support with a guarantee from Yale that the money would go toward the hospitals’ recovery, not the health systems or trust.
“This financial support will not flow to or benefit Prospect Medical, [the properties trust] or Yale New Haven Health,” officials wrote. “It will directly support the Waterbury/ECHN organizations as they recover. The state will provide financial support that goes directly to narrow the financial deficit at Waterbury/ECHN.”
The plan also asks the state to approve the deal as soon as possible with no “conditions or restrictions on YNHH other than those mutually agreed [upon] between YNHH and OHS.”
In exchange, Yale is offering — before the acquisition is even completed — to provide professional management and information technology expertise to “support and stabilize” the three hospitals through a management services agreement.
Under the plan, the properties trust would have to transfer ownership of the properties to Yale and participate in negotiations. Yale also asks Prospect to adjust the previously agreed upon purchase price of $435 million for the hospitals. The document did not specify an alternative price.
In an interview with the CT Mirror last week, Lamont said he sees no reason for the state to chip in taxpayer funds, but Yale is free to renegotiate the purchase price.
“I have it on good information that there are a couple other folks who could step in if Yale doesn’t want to complete the deal,” he said. “I want Yale to complete the deal. I mean, it was just a year-plus ago that they came in, put in place a bid that Prospect accepted. I think now, maybe there are some second thoughts about that bid.”
Lamont said Yale’s ability to demand a new price or walk away would be dependent on whether it could show a “material change” in the value of the hospitals since the deal was done.
“We’ll see whether the last 100 days is really a material change,” he said. “But that doesn’t involve the taxpayers of the state. That’s Prospect-New Haven seeing if they can reach an agreement. And that’d be a good solution for all if they can.”
Officials from Yale, Waterbury Hospital and ECHN have been urging the state to speed up its approval of the acquisition, saying the financial situation at the Prospect-owned facilities is dire. Yale agreed to buy the hospitals in 2022.
In a meeting with about 30 legislators late last month, hospital executives said they are struggling to pay bills and, if the deal with Yale is not approved, the facilities may not remain financially viable or functional, according to people in attendance.
The executives have said they owe millions to vendors and physicians contracted to provide care at the hospitals.
ECHN alone owes $42 million in taxes to the state, $5.18 million to physicians, and $5.9 million to local vendors, sources have said.
Yale officials are concerned about the software at the Prospect-owned hospitals following a cyberattack, which began in early August and lasted for nearly six weeks. At the meeting with legislators, the computer system used by the hospitals was described as outdated.
Prospect also told the Attorney General’s office that 63 Connecticut residents who were patients at Prospect hospitals in California may have had their information breached, including patient names, health insurance and financial information. Of those breaches, 13 had Social Security numbers involved, according to the Attorney General’s office.
CT Mirror Staff Writer Mark Pazniokas contributed to this report.
CT to issue decision on Prospect hospital deal as talks with Yale Health break down
Jenna Carlesso and Dave Altimarihttps://ctmirror.org/2023/10/17/ct-prospect-medical-holdings-yale-health-deal/
Talks between state officials and Yale New Haven Health over its bid to purchase three ailing Connecticut hospitals have broken down, prompting the state to move ahead on a final decision over whether to approve the acquisition, officials with Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy said Tuesday.Tina Kumar Hyde, a spokeswoman for OHS, which is overseeing the certificate of need process for the purchase, said Yale and Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns the three hospitals Yale New Haven Health has agreed to purchase, do not wa...
Talks between state officials and Yale New Haven Health over its bid to purchase three ailing Connecticut hospitals have broken down, prompting the state to move ahead on a final decision over whether to approve the acquisition, officials with Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy said Tuesday.
Tina Kumar Hyde, a spokeswoman for OHS, which is overseeing the certificate of need process for the purchase, said Yale and Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns the three hospitals Yale New Haven Health has agreed to purchase, do not want to keep negotiations confidential.
Yale made a bid to acquire Prospect’s three Connecticut facilities — Waterbury, Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals — but now wants to renegotiate the terms of its agreement because of deteriorating conditions at the hospitals.
“In an attempt to move the transfer-of-ownership process to a resolution, the Office of Health Strategy reached out to the Yale/Prospect [certificate of need] applicants to initiate discussions on an agreed settlement,” Kumar Hyde said in a statement. “As is routine with this type of negotiation, OHS requested that the substance of the negotiations remain confidential while discussions were ongoing. Yale and Prospect have chosen not to agree to confidential negotiations, and therefore, to keep the process moving as expeditiously as possible, OHS will prepare and issue a Proposed Final Decision on the certificate of need.
“If the parties are interested and willing to resume confidential settlement discussions, OHS will reconvene those as well. OHS has also completed the Cost and Market Impact Review as required by law and has shared it with the applicants and the Office of the Attorney General.”
Kumar Hyde said OHS is not required to keep negotiations confidential, but the agency prefers to do so. “We routinely carry out our agreed settlement discussions in a confidential manner,” she said.
OHS officials did not say when they will issue a final decision on the acquisition.
In an emailed statement Tuesday, Dana Marnane, a spokeswoman for Yale New Haven Health, said: “We continue to be ready and willing to meet with OHS and any appropriate state officials to bring this transaction to a successful conclusion.”
Spokespeople for Prospect Medical, Waterbury Hospital and Eastern Connecticut Health Network, which operates Manchester and Rockville hospitals, did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday night.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Ned Lamont declined to comment on the development. Earlier in the day, Lamont said he has not taken a position on the sale.
“I’m neutral. I want to make sure we have the best quality of health care in Waterbury and beyond. Yale stepped up, they put an agreement on the table, [a] signed deal. If they want to change their mind on it, there were two other bidders,” he said during a press conference in Bristol, although he did not elaborate.
Yale had agreed in 2022 to buy the hospitals, along with imaging equipment and the hospitals’ equity interests in certain joint ventures, for $435 million. But following a recent cyberattack at the Prospect-owned facilities, Yale sought a lower purchase price and asked the state to contribute taxpayer funds to the deal.
Yale asked the state to provide $16 million per year for five years, or as much as $80 million total, to help with recovery efforts from the cyberattack, to update computer systems and to address “deteriorating” conditions across the hospitals.
Asked about the possibility of contributing state funds to the deal, Lamont said Tuesday: “This is an agreement between Yale New Haven and Prospect. I don’t know why they need the taxpayers to step in, but we’ll be talking.”
Officials from Yale, Waterbury Hospital and ECHN have been urging the state to speed up its approval of the acquisition, saying the financial situation at the Prospect-owned facilities is dire.
In a meeting with about 30 legislators late last month, hospital executives said they are struggling to pay bills and, if the deal with Yale New Haven Health is not approved, the facilities may not remain financially viable or functional, according to people in attendance.
The executives have said they owe millions to vendors and physicians contracted to provide care at the hospitals.
ECHN alone owes $42 million in taxes to the state, $5.18 million to physicians, and $5.9 million to local vendors, sources have said.
Yale officials are concerned about the software at the Prospect-owned hospitals following the cyberattack, which began in early August and lasted for nearly six weeks. At the meeting with legislators, the computer system used by the hospitals was described as outdated.
Prospect also told the Attorney General’s office that 63 Connecticut residents who were patients at Prospect hospitals in California may have had their information breached, including patient names, health insurance and financial information. Of those breaches, 13 had Social Security numbers involved, according to the Attorney General’s office.
Staff Writer Mark Pazniokas contributed to this report.
Jenna is CT Mirror’s Health Reporter, focusing on health access, affordability, quality, equity and disparities, social determinants of health, health system planning, infrastructure, processes, information systems, and other health policy. Before joining CT Mirror Jenna was a reporter at The Hartford Courant for 10 years, where she consistently won statewide and regional awards. Jenna has a Master of Science degree in Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University and a Bachelor or Arts degree in Journalism from Grand Valley State University.
Medical staff, CT legislators rally for Prospect hospitals’ sale to Yale New Haven Health
Dave Altimarihttps://ctmirror.org/2023/11/13/ct-prospect-medical-hospitals-yale-health-sale/
Nurses, physicians and legislators — frustrated at the length of time the state has taken to approve the acquisition of three Connecticut hospitals by Yale New Haven Health — rallied at the state Capitol Monday in an effort to expedite the deal.YNHH wants to purchase Waterbury, Manchester Memorial, and Rockville General hospitals — a move lawmakers and hospital executives said is crucial to the hospitals’ survival. The heads of Waterbury Hospital and Eastern Connecticut Health Network, which includes Manchester...
Nurses, physicians and legislators — frustrated at the length of time the state has taken to approve the acquisition of three Connecticut hospitals by Yale New Haven Health — rallied at the state Capitol Monday in an effort to expedite the deal.
YNHH wants to purchase Waterbury, Manchester Memorial, and Rockville General hospitals — a move lawmakers and hospital executives said is crucial to the hospitals’ survival. The heads of Waterbury Hospital and Eastern Connecticut Health Network, which includes Manchester Memorial and Rockville General, have told legislators and Gov. Ned Lamont that their financial situation is dire, that vendors and physicians under contract are owed money, and that if the deal with Yale falls through, the hospitals may not remain financially viable.
The hospitals are currently owned by Prospect Medical Holdings, which purchased them in 2016. YNHH moved to buy the hospitals in 2022.
“I never would have thought in my life that I would come across a situation like this. Patients in the office will say, ‘Dr. Gandhi, I heard that Rockville is [going to] close. I heard that Manchester hospital is closed. I never thought I would hear that,” said Dr. Dushyant Gandhi, a cardiologist and president of the medical staff at ECHN.
“Cardiologists, general surgeons, vascular surgeons are making phone calls — they are not getting paid for their services, including myself. And we are not talking about only delayed or delinquent payments. In some situations, [it’s] no payment,” he said. “I never thought that would happen in the field of medicine. I always have enjoyed the honor of taking care of patients. But when a colleague says, ‘I probably will not take calls … and the reason is nonpayment,’ that is not acceptable. I believe the situation is deteriorating fast. We are in a dire situation. We need to be resuscitated.”
Anne-Marie Cerra, a registered nurse at Manchester Memorial and president of the Manchester Hospital Nurses Union, urged state officials to speed up their approval of the sale.
“Just because Prospect [Medical] has put us in a chokehold every single day, I still see nurses and doctors do their absolute very best for patient safety and great outcomes. I don’t want this to be forgotten, even though we’re struggling right now to stay viable,” she said. “The fact that I have to be here today and beg that it stays open … it’s just bewildering to me.
“All of my life has been spent taking care of patients and I can’t even imagine if [the hospital] closes. It will be an injustice that profit comes before patients, that the state can’t get behind the deal to Yale New Haven Health. It’s what we need.”
Tina Kumar Hyde, a spokeswoman for the state Office of Health Strategy, which is overseeing the ‘certificate of need’ process and weighing approval of the sale, said it is not unusual for a “complex” hospital acquisition like this one to take a year or longer.
“In this matter, there are three hospitals involved in this transaction (Manchester Memorial Hospital, Rockville General Hospital and Waterbury Hospital), while most other transactions in the past have only involved one hospital,” she said. “Additionally, unlike many other hospital acquisition applications, there is a sister application for the transfer of ownership of a medical group. OHS has needed to consider that application both individually and as it relates to the hospital application.
“Despite all these factors, OHS’ process for this application is still well within the statutory guidelines. … OHS understands the concerns expressed by affected citizens and is processing the various components as quickly as possible.”
The state recently insisted that all parties sign a confidentiality agreement barring them from discussing the status of talks on the sale.
A spokesperson for Lamont could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
“Today’s rally was neither coordinated nor sanctioned by ECHN’s or Waterbury Hospital’s leadership or Prospect Medical. However, we understand that some members of our medical staff and other employees felt compelled to participate in this event due to its relevance to the hospitals’ future,” Prospect Medical officials said in a statement. “While we respect the rights of our employees to engage in civic activities, patient care remains our utmost priority. We continued to provide quality, compassionate care to our patients today, as we do every day.”
Sources have told the Connecticut Mirror that YNHH officials are seeking $16 million per year over five years, or $80 million total, from the state to help with recovery efforts from a recent cyberattack across the three Prospect-owned hospitals, to update computer systems and to address “deteriorating” conditions at the facilities. YNHH has also asked Prospect Medical to adjust the previously agreed upon purchase price of $435 million.
In the meantime, the hospitals are struggling. In a meeting with about 30 legislators in September, ECHN and Waterbury Hospital executives said they are behind on paying bills and, if the deal with YNHH is not approved, the facilities may not remain financially viable or functional, according to people in attendance.
The executives have said they owe millions to vendors and physicians contracted to provide care at the hospitals.
ECHN alone owes $42 million in taxes to the state, $5.18 million to physicians, and $5.9 million to local vendors, sources have said.
Yale New Haven Health officials are concerned about the software at the Prospect-owned hospitals following a cyberattack, which began in early August and lasted for nearly six weeks. At the meeting with legislators, the computer system used by the hospitals was described as outdated.
On Monday, lawmakers said the longer the deal awaits approval, the more that services are at risk.
Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, a co-chair of the Public Health Committee and a physician under contract at Manchester Memorial, said contracts with traveling nurses and technicians are in jeopardy and remain in place only on a “week-to-week” basis.
“There’s a chance that if the money is not paid, some of the nurses and staff who are providing travel services would go away,” he said. “That’s a problem. Whatever services they provide would have to be decreased.”
Anwar said surgeries at some of the facilities have been postponed because of issues obtaining anesthesia services.
“Things are very, very limited and difficult, and literally people are making decisions on a single day [basis] at times,” he said. “It’s almost to the point that it’s at the brink and suddenly things [can] fall to the point of being unsafe.”
Rep. Jason Doucette, D-Manchester, called the situation “untenable” and the state’s approval process “never-ending.”
“It’s been extremely frustrating,” he said. “The only thing that should be a play in the [Certificate of Need] process is what is in the public interest, what is in the interest of delivering health care. … We’ve suffered as this process has went on for far too long.
“Private equity has no place in the health care business. The sooner we can get this transaction done and the sooner we can get Prospect Medical out of the state, the better. The alternative is, frankly, something I don’t even want to think about.”
Rep. Kevin Brown, D-Vernon, asked state officials to “treat this [sale] as the emergency that it is.”
“I can’t imagine where we will be if any of these hospitals were to close,” he said. “Those communities need them. My community needs Rockville General Hospital. We need to prioritize this.”
Jenna is CT Mirror’s Health Reporter, focusing on health access, affordability, quality, equity and disparities, social determinants of health, health system planning, infrastructure, processes, information systems, and other health policy. Before joining CT Mirror Jenna was a reporter at The Hartford Courant for 10 years, where she consistently won statewide and regional awards. Jenna has a Master of Science degree in Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University and a Bachelor or Arts degree in Journalism from Grand Valley State University.
Dave does in-depth investigative reporting for CT Mirror. His work focuses on government accountability including financial oversight, abuse of power, corruption, safety monitoring, and compliance with law. Before joining CT Mirror Altimari spent 23 years at the Hartford Courant breaking some of the state’s biggest, most impactful investigative stories.
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