It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Bridgewater Historical Society 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 Bridgewater, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Wonderful agency, great caregivers, responsive, personal. Would have given 5+ but please pay your”
“It is a pleasure to write this! The BEST way to describe your staff:--Pleasant—congenial. Choosing”
“I am writing on behalf of my family to tell you how appreciative we are”
“Your service was timely and most satisfactory !, I'll definitely keep you in mind for”
“Thank you so much for everything. Mom is not ready to take the step to”
“Thank you so much for your kind, personalized service. My mother was always resistive to”
“This company is courteous and very compassionate when it comes to caring for your loved”
“My experience interacting with Always Best Care far surpassed my expectations. They’re polite and courageous”
“I am sending you some of my thoughts about Always Best Care now that I”
“I have learned so much with having you and your staff care for my mother.”
“Excellent company and high levels of customer service!”
“I forgot to tell you that I miss your compassion toward your people. You positive”
“I just wanted to shoot you a quick email expressing our thoughts about Mary, who”
“Thank you so much for your kind, personalized service. My mother was always resistive to”
“I am a current client of this provider Thank you for all of your help over”
“Other Your service was timely and most satisfactory! I’ll definitely keep you in mind for future”
“I am a past client of this provider Shame on me for not writing sooner. The”
“I am a past client of this provider My Mom’s last 15 months were made easier”
“Other We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always”
“Other I just wanted express our thoughts about Mary, who was the caregiver for the weekend.”
“I am a current client of this provider Thank you so much for your kind, personalized”
“I interviewed this provider I have learned so much with having you and your staff care”
“I am a past client of this provider I was so happy with the services which”
“Excellent company and high levels of customer service!”
“Wonderful agency, great caregivers, responsive, personal. Would have given 5+ but please pay your caregivers every week not every other week. They are dedicated and deserve to be paid weekly. They are the only agency that pays biweekly…. Thank you”
“It is a pleasure to write this! The BEST way to describe your staff:--Pleasant—congenial. Choosing Always Best Care was one our better decisions. You have sent us the perfect people to help my wife. I am grateful for that. Best wishes for continued success.”
“I am writing on behalf of my family to tell you how appreciative we are of Always Best Care and your services. These have not been the best of times for my family and especially hard on my Mom but we take great comfort knowing you are there to help. Our caretaker has been wonderful since my Dad was sent to River Glen in Southbury and from the very beginning of our ordeal. My Mom is extremely protective of my Dad and has always requested for Judy to help out with my Dad. To me that is the biggest proof of our confidence that has been my Mom's faith in her. Anything we have asked of her she has delivered and shown what most can't - that she really cares. Your Professional staff is a pleasure to work with - adapting schedules, applying payments quickly, and always courteous. I felt like great service should be made aware of and should set a standard that Always Best Care always seems to meet..”
“Your service was timely and most satisfactory !, I'll definitely keep you in mind for future needs.”
“Thank you so much for everything. Mom is not ready to take the step to accepting in-home help yet, but I can assure you that when she is, you will be our agency of choice. Knowing that you will be able to assist us when the time comes makes me feel so much better about all of this. For me, it makes a big difference to actually know someone who is in charge and I think that will make a difference with my Mom too.”
“Thank you so much for your kind, personalized service. My mother was always resistive to someone coming into her home to help care for her, but she is very, very pleased. 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.”
“This company is courteous and very compassionate when it comes to caring for your loved ones. They are available 24/7 to help you fill all your caregiving needs and have a great pool of caregivers. The office staff is friendly, very supportive and they will go above and beyond to provide their customers the best service around. I would highly recommend them for any of your Homecare needs.”
“My experience interacting with Always Best Care far surpassed my expectations. They’re polite and courageous and always available 24/7 to answer questions and respond in an emergency situation.”
“I am sending you some of my thoughts about Always Best Care now that I have had time to reflect. Mom’s move to Assisted Living has gone very well and I’d like you to know:--From the initial home meeting and throughout my mother’s care, everyone was extremely personable, professional and knowledgeable of the home care industry. --ABC matched caregivers to my Mother’s needs and personality and we (and my Mother) were very happy with the care received and with the communication between caregivers and family.--Although my Mother is in Memory Care now, she still remembers ‘her ladies’ that not only assisted in her care, but more importantly, offered friendship. We would be very happy to be used as a reference if needed!”
“I have learned so much with having you and your staff care for my mother. I never would have expected her to rally so much after my father’s death. But it’s amazing what loving care can do –just amazing! Tracy and I cannot thank you enough – you have helped us see how to make our mother’s last days as pleasant and meaningful as possible–which is not only good for her but also for her whole family. I and my boys and husband, and my sister and her son and his family, we can all have time to connect with my mother that will surely enrich our lives forever—and that is such a precious gift! Thank you”
“Excellent company and high levels of customer service!”
“I forgot to tell you that I miss your compassion toward your people. You positive and helpful approach toward them is admirable. I did not have such luck with the local companies in MA, lacking good organization and consideration to the clients and the care givers. It is not an easy job accomplish such a success like yours.”
“I just wanted to shoot you a quick email expressing 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, 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 doesn’t 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 hasn’t 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”
“Thank you so much for your kind, personalized service. My mother was always resistive to someone coming into her home to help care for her, but she is very, very pleased. 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.”
“I am a current client of this provider Thank you for all of your help over the last few weeks. Your caregivers were all terrific and I just don’t know what we would have done without you.”
“Other Your service was timely and most satisfactory! I’ll definitely keep you in mind for future needs.”
“I am a past client of this provider Shame on me for not writing sooner. The days go by so fast –and thanks to your good care I am back to doing things for myself and being busy. Did my own deck this year! And other gardening ---feels good! Have started walking 3 times a week at the track! The big 90 will be here in October ---and I am going to be ready to celebrate it! Thank you again for all your help. It’s good to know it is there when I need it.”
“I am a past client of this provider My Mom’s last 15 months were made easier with the diligent and devoted care provided by Scheryl and your support to come up with replacements when she needed time off. Scheryl was caring and compassionate for both my Mom and her sister when she came to stay. They had a really nice bond. Both the ladies were ever grateful for Scheryl’s attention, conversation, cooking and friendship. Larry and I send best wish and sincere thanks!”
“Other 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.”
“Other 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 doesn’t 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 hasn’t 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”
“I am a current client of this provider 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.”
“I interviewed this provider I have learned so much with having you and your staff care for my mother. I never would have expected her to rally so much after my father’s death. But it’s amazing what loving care can do –just amazing! Tracy and I cannot thank you enough – you have helped us see how to make our mother’s last days as pleasant and meaningful as possible–which is not only good for her but also for her whole family. I and my boys and husband, and my sister and her son and his family, we can all have time to connect with my mother that will surely enrich our lives forever—and that is such a precious gift! Thank you”
“I am a past client of this provider I was so happy with the services which Angela provided! She was very courteous, hands-on and would do anything I asked her to do. She was pleasure. I enjoyed having her work for me.”
“Excellent company and high levels of customer service!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Bridgewater Town Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Cafe Emilia or visit Van Veghten House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Bridgewater, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bridgewater, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Bridgewater, 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.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateBRIDGEWATER — Gov. Ned Lamont and his wife Annie Lamont have donated a 45-acre preserve to the Bridgewater Land Trust, according to the nonprofit.The property, which will be called The Lamont Preserve, has been owned by the couple since 2005, the Bridgewater Land Trust said.In a statement, Annie Lamont said she’s “confident” the Bridgewater Land Trust will be...
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BRIDGEWATER — Gov. Ned Lamont and his wife Annie Lamont have donated a 45-acre preserve to the Bridgewater Land Trust, according to the nonprofit.
The property, which will be called The Lamont Preserve, has been owned by the couple since 2005, the Bridgewater Land Trust said.
In a statement, Annie Lamont said she’s “confident” the Bridgewater Land Trust will be “good stewards” of the preserve.
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“The environmental benefits, protection of wildlife and extension of a protected forest is truly a gift to the entire community,” she said in the release.
Gov. Ned Lamont's office said he doesn't have a comment.
The land trust will permanently protect the land, which consists of forestland, meadow and wetlands along Lake Lillinonah with connecting frontage on Northrup Street, according to the nonprofit.
The conservation value of the land is "particularly high with almost half of a mile of lake frontage. In addition, it extends an existing protected greenway owned by the Nature Conservancy and is part of an identified small core forest ... protecting vital wildlife habitat," according to the nonprofit.
The land includes small meadows near the Northrup Street entrance that gives way to a mature hardwood forest descending steeply to the shoreline along Lake Lillinonah, the Bridgewater Land Trust said.
Julie Stuart, executive director of the Bridgewater Land Trust, said she’s "very grateful" to the Lamonts “for preserving this land in perpetuity. We look forward to further evaluation of the property to determine how it can be best preserved. There is potential for public access from existing trails owned by the Nature Conservancy.”
Christian Feuer, president of the land trust, said the donation “will not only enrich our community but also inspire others to support our mission of conserving our precious land.”
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate10GREENWICH — A year ago, the founder of one of the world’s largest hedge fund managers completed handing over control of the firm. Today, he maintains that he is not rethinking his decision.Ray Dalio dismissed on Tuesday recent reports that he was considering a return to Westport-based Bridgewater Associates that wo...
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GREENWICH — A year ago, the founder of one of the world’s largest hedge fund managers completed handing over control of the firm. Today, he maintains that he is not rethinking his decision.
Ray Dalio dismissed on Tuesday recent reports that he was considering a return to Westport-based Bridgewater Associates that would extend beyond his current roles as a board member and mentor to the firm’s chief investment officers. He outlined his plans during an on-stage interview with Bloomberg TV anchor and reporter David Westin, on the first day of the 2023 Greenwich Economic Forum’s annual conference at the Greenwich Delamar hotel.
“That is such a wrong,” Dalio said in response to a question from Westin about the reports. “By the way, don’t trust the media.”
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Dalio appeared to be referencing an article published last month by The New York Times that said the retirement contract for the 74-year-old Dalio allowed him to retake control of the firm if its financial performance declined. The article cited five unnamed people “with knowledge of the agreement.”
Dalio, “doesn’t necessarily want to come back to run the firm he founded 50 years ago,” the Times article said. “Instead, he has repeatedly brought up the idea of starting a new fund within Bridgewater that he hopes would help improve the firm’s investment returns, four of the people said. Bridgewater’s main fund has been on a downward slide since Mr. Dalio’s retirement.”
But Dalio said at the conference that, “I’m not creating my own fund. I have a family office that manages family and foundation funds. I’m doing that.”
Family offices are private wealth management advisory firms that serve exceptionally wealthy individuals. By many measures, Dalio ranks as the richest person living in Connecticut. As of Tuesday, his net worth totaled $16.5 billion, ranking No. 103 worldwide, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Bridgewater officials were not immediately available to comment on Dalio’s remarks at the conference.
As he has handed off control of Bridgewater’s investment portfolio and day-to-day operations, Dalio has become in recent years a prominent speaker and writer on management and economic issues. He has written a bestselling series of “Principles” books.
“I’m 74-years-old, and the most important thing for me is to pass along everything, to pass along some of the knowledge and principles that I’ve learned over a period of time, which is why I’m doing this, why I’m writing the books and so on,” said Dalio, a longstanding Greenwich resident who has spoken at all six of the Greenwich Economic Forum’s annual conferences in its hometown since its launch in 2018. “And to pass along the wealth, and to pass along other things, and pass along Bridgewater. What a joy it’s been to start it out of a two-bedroom apartment, and 47 years later, to build this extended family and these wonderful people, who are very, very capable. To have them, this next generation, flourish and being a bit of mentor to them — what a joy that is. So my objective is to do that.”
Dalio referenced a book by Joseph Campbell, called “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” which he said one of his sons gave him, to describe the current stage of his life.
“In that third transition — (Campbell) described it, and I essentially feel it — there’s what he called the passing of the boon,” Dalio said. “The boon is what you’ve acquired — the gifts you’ve acquired over that period of time. So I’m now in that phase. I’m going to put out one more book, (about) economic investment principles, and then I’m going to be done with that phase … I’m savoring life with my family and the things that I like to do. That’s where I am.”
In its post-Dalio era, Bridgewater is navigating many changes. In March, Bridgewater CEO Nir Bar Dea announced a restructuring that would include layoffs. He did not specify the number of job losses, but Bloomberg reported that the firm was eliminating about 100 jobs from a workforce of approximately 1,300 people.
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Bridgewater has not responded to inquiries in recent months from Hearst Connecticut Media about the current head count at its headquarters in the Nyala Farms complex, off Interstate 95’s Exit 18.
Among other recent developments, Bridgewater earlier this year ended its jobs-based incentives deal with the state Department of Economic and Community Development, a decision that resulted in it paying off the approximately $6.5 million balance of a state loan and forgoing the possibility of earning $18 million in additional tax credits.
“Bridgewater is proud to be based in Connecticut. We’ve called Connecticut home for over four decades, and we have no plans to relocate,” Sarah Fass, Bridgewater's chief human resources officer, said in a statement in May. “We made an agreement with the state to enter the program in 2016, and like many companies, our workforce and workplace has evolved significantly since that time. Even with these changes, we remain a strong supporter, contributor and advocate for Connecticut.”
Bridgewater had $123.5 billion in assets under management, as of Jan. 31 — ranking No. 2 globally, beyond the London-headquartered Man Group, according to Preqin, one of the leading providers of financial services data. Bridgewater’s clients include public and corporate pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, university endowments, charitable foundations, foreign governments and central banks.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateBRIDGEWATER — One of the goals of the town's new master plan is to address power outages and other weather-related disruptions to residents’ lives.“As long as they get their piece of paper, you get your checkbox that you’re eligible for state grants, and you have your POCD on file,” he said.GoalsAnother goal of the plan is to continue strengthening and maintaining the town's existing facilities and protecting its open spac...
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BRIDGEWATER — One of the goals of the town's new master plan is to address power outages and other weather-related disruptions to residents’ lives.
“As long as they get their piece of paper, you get your checkbox that you’re eligible for state grants, and you have your POCD on file,” he said.
Another goal of the plan is to continue strengthening and maintaining the town's existing facilities and protecting its open spaces, environment, water and farming community — all of which were goals outlined in the plan the town approved in 2012.
In the last decade, Read said the town has improved its senior center and sidewalks, which have been made more walkable and bike-friendly, among other goals suggested in the 2012 plan. Despite its name, the plan doesn't need to focus solely on conservation and development.
“In my mind, development is a very bad word to use for a town plan,” Read said. “Development gets construed as lots of buildings, which Bridgewater doesn’t want. Nobody really wants that around here … The town is actually very well built out, according to our zoning regulations, and that hasn’t changed since 2012.”
Given Bridgewater’s rural community and low water supplies, Read said the town is not suitable for intense development. Because of the town’s low water supplies, he said Bridgewater doesn’t have any sewers or public water availability, but instead has on-site wells and on-site septic systems.
“It’s a very sensitive area that way because it has no public water, no public sewer, no public transportation,” Read said. “It’s not really conducive to concentrated development — it was true 10 years ago and it’s true today. It reaffirms the concept that development is limited to single family homes within our zoning regulations. Could it change a little bit? Possibly, but the zoning regulations would have to change.”
The Planning and Zoning Commission adopted the new master plan on Nov. 17. Read said the Board of Selectmen will vote on the plan at its Dec. 13 meeting. The plan would then be submitted to the Connecticut State Library with copies of sent to the state Office of Policy and Management.
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Once the plan is fully approved, Read said it will be available on the town’s website.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateBRIDGEWATER -- Bill Stuart, who held sway as first selectman in this small town for so long that a bumper sticker on his car reads, "This is my Town," is packing it in after 30 years.Stuart announced Wednesday he will not seek another four-year term in November. An FBI investigation of town finances ...
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BRIDGEWATER -- Bill Stuart, who held sway as first selectman in this small town for so long that a bumper sticker on his car reads, "This is my Town," is packing it in after 30 years.
Stuart announced Wednesday he will not seek another four-year term in November. An FBI investigation of town finances and a long-running feud with a former friend and political ally cast a pall over his last year in office.
"I'm leaving the town in great shape," Stuart said Wednesday. "Recreation, the senior center, town facilities, the highways, all are in great shape. The town's in the best fiscal shape it has been in all my years in office."
But Stuart acknowledged that his political battles have taken a toll.
"I might have run for another term, but George Allingham has been ruthless in coming after me over the last few years," he said, "and Bridgewater doesn't deserve to be continually dragged through the mud."
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Allingham, the town's former Board of Finance chairman and for decades fast friends with Stuart, first raised questions about Stuart's management of town finances in 2008.
Since then, there have been lawsuits and accusations brought against Stuart by and regarding the Allingham family. New Milford attorney Paul Garlasco and Stuart also have had a running feud involving lawsuits and ethics charges.
The FBI last July raided Town Hall, seizing boxes of records and later interviewing some town officials. Federal officials have declined to discuss the status of any investigation.
In recent years, Stuart's management of the Burnham Fund, a charity for the needy, had drawn criticism from some who said he mismanaged it, claims that Stewart said were baseless.
The Burnham Fund was created in 1925 from the $10,000 bequest of a former resident who directed the money be used to aid the town's poor. The fund has grown in value to more than $250,000.
Until three years ago, Stuart, as first selectman, had sole authority over how the funds were to be disbursed. Now, a majority of the town's selectmen have to approve any grants.
Supporters and foes alike have acknowledged through the years that Stewart has got his way on most matters, major and minor.
"He runs the town as his personal fiefdom," neighbor and friend Michael Chelminski told The News-Times last year. "But he's done a lot of good things for the town. You go to his office and tell him your road needs fixing. The next week, the road crew is out there."
With a population of 1,727, according to the 2010 census, Bridgewater is the smallest town in the area. It's also, by far, the least densely populated town in the region, with 106 people per square mile.
Celebrities like its leafy beauty and its privacy. Writers like Van Wyck Brooks and Theodore White lived there. For a time, so did theater and film director Mike Nichols and his wife, newswoman Diane Sawyer. Actress Mia Farrow is still in residence.
Bridgewater is the only dry town in the state. Stuart, like other residents, has a bar set up in his garage.
The first selectman and his family own Shallow Brook Farm, which raises, sells and boards horses. His son, Bill Stuart Jr, also raises beef cattle. Their land has been owned by the Stuart family since 1926.
Stuart said Wednesday that he is happy fellow Democrat Curtis Read is running for first selectman. Read now serves on the Board of Selectmen.
"With Curtis Read running, there's a bright future ahead for the town," Stuart said. "I've been waiting for someone to come along who can keep moving the town forward."
"With his experience and business knowledge," he concluded, "Curtis will do just that."
stuz@newstimes.com; 860-355-7322
It is such a treat when unexpectedly I find a great place to eat. When I am off duty and just enjoying the scenic beauty of Connecticut, it is a gift to find a terrific meal. This is what happened when I was driving around Bridgewater a few days ago with no plan but to look at the beautiful countryside and imagine what it would be like to live here.This part of Connecticut reminds me of a aspirational Ralph Lauren ad. Tastefully rustic, tantalizingly low key, reeking of wealth and privilege without the vulgarity of Beverly Hills or th...
It is such a treat when unexpectedly I find a great place to eat. When I am off duty and just enjoying the scenic beauty of Connecticut, it is a gift to find a terrific meal. This is what happened when I was driving around Bridgewater a few days ago with no plan but to look at the beautiful countryside and imagine what it would be like to live here.
This part of Connecticut reminds me of a aspirational Ralph Lauren ad. Tastefully rustic, tantalizingly low key, reeking of wealth and privilege without the vulgarity of Beverly Hills or the Hamptons. This is not the land of glitz or bling.
27 Main St., Bridgewater
As I was cruising along in my car, I saw a large white building, the sign proclaiming it to be a village store and bistro all under one roof. It was such a pretty place that I pulled in the driveway and was delighted that despite the fabulous location it was just my kind of place, meaning casual and affordable, a place you could order pancakes, egg sandwiches and a great slice of pie without relinquishing your 401K.
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The term “Village Store” conjures up a place where country folk go to buy a barrel of sorghum or some calico cloth for a new apron. This is not why you would come to this country store. It is not a place for daily necessities but rather an airy display of interesting jams and jellies, some cookware and pretty little gifty things.
The more intriguing part of this all under one roof place is the bistro. In this case, bistro refers to an area of the store set up with tables and chairs. It is very casual, nothing swanky or off-putting about it. There is a simple menu but also glass cases that show off the wonderful baked goods and lunch specials.
The Bridgewater Bistro is a breakfast and lunch stop. While the village store stays open later, food service at the Bistro ends at 4 p.m., but on Thursday through Sunday, starts up again at 5. The hours are confusing enough that I would check in before going.
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I have found two constants in this part of Connecticut. First, many of the best places to eat around here are only open for breakfast and lunch, and it is impossible to go anywhere without seeing displays of the locally made Bridgewater Chocolates, which are as delicious as they are expensive.
If you don’t mind plunking down $85 on a modest box of chocolates, please do. They are very attractive and call attention to the fact that while not ostentatious, Bridgewater is home to actors, publishers and artists who are household names. Somebody must be gobbling up these chocolates, but it is not this budget-strapped writer.
I could, however, afford breakfast, lunch and pastries. My favorite breakfast item is the Big Pancake. I like the Shaker-like simplicity of the name. It is literally a single big flat pancake, a very good one to which you can add blueberries or chocolate chips. If you want a second Big Pancake it will add another two bucks to the bill.
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Bridgewater is not showy, but it is trendy. In the last few years there I have seen a tsunami of avocado toast on cafe menus. Usually I am keyed into trends but avocado toast never registered on my radar until recently. Avocado toast is ubiquitous on every hip coffee shop menu. Some of it is little more than slices of ripe avocado on a piece of toast, while others like that served at the Bridgewater Bistro is over-the-top. It is a pastiche of fried egg, bacon, goat cheese, tomato on grilled country bread. I asked one of the young people behind the pastry cases why avocado toast was so popular. He looked at me with wonder. “Because it is so healthy,” he said. I smiled, thinking at least I found a health food that even I liked.
The lunch menu is unpretentious. My favorite item was the Righteous Grilled Cheese, a melted cheese sandwich of sharp cheddar, gruyere, manchego and goat cheese on grilled country bread. You have the option of adding bacon, tomato or avocado to make it healthy!
The menu is short and simple. The Bistro is a neighborhood gathering spot where all ages can find something good to eat. Salads, soups, wraps, breakfast burritos, french toast and roast beef sandwiches are crowd pleasers.
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Despite the beauty of Bridgewater and the glut of well-heeled creative types, the offerings here could just as easily be from your local luncheonette or diner.
I mean this as a compliment. Often in high-end towns it is hard to get “normal” food. Chefs and restauranteurs are often under the assumption that a snazzy crowd of diners wants something cutting edge. I have seen many places go out of business trying to sell some weird sous vide molecular concoction topped with truffle foam when the customer really just wants a hamburger. The Bistro has avoided this trap.
To be honest, my favorite way to dine here is not so much “dining” as ordering three or four items from the pastry case and a big cappuccino to go. The lemon squares are tart perfection, the croissants big and flaky and the slice of cake is made from scratch.
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My plan for leaf season is to drive around Bridgwater with a good cup of coffee and a bag of Bistro lemon squares. If anyone feels the need to gift me with a box of Bridgewater Chocolates, I will not put up much of a fuss. I will, of course, make a theatrical display of refusing them, but then after I have been forced to accept them I will plow through the chocolates like a locust on a bender.
Jane Stern, a Ridgefield resident, co-authored the popular “Roadfood” guidebook series with Michael Stern.
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