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 Sundial Bridge in Redding, CT gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Redding, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am a current client of this provider We are using Always Best Care of Western”
“Lisa has been my aid for several weeks and I find her to be a”
“Always Best Care in Southbury was fantastic. Their team was caring, professional, and truly attentive”
“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 current client of this provider We are using Always Best Care of Western Connecticut. They're good. At this point, my husband just needs companion care. They don't have to do a lot for him, but I just want someone there. I have been using them. It was recommended by a couple of other people. The caregiver is very good. She's talkative, and she is prompt. Always Best Care is caring, and I can rely on them to always have somebody to cover. Their billing and scheduling are very good. They send a bill in the mail. I feel comfortable with them, and they're reliable. I would recommend them to other friends or family members.”
“Lisa has been my aid for several weeks and I find her to be a perfect match right from the start. She knows my routine and tends to my every wish. She wipes down the shower, puts towels in washer or dryer, does my hair and I couldn't have anyone who would exceed her capable care and knowledge. She has personality plus and I'm very lucky to have her as my aid.”
“Always Best Care in Southbury was fantastic. Their team was caring, professional, and truly attentive to our loved one’s needs. Communication was excellent throughout. Highly recommend them for anyone seeking reliable, compassionate senior home care in the Southbury area.”
“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”
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 Rivercrest Park in Redding, CT with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local View 202 or visit Shasta State Historic Park, 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 Redding, 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 Redding, 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 Redding, 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.
HARTFORD — As the Savannah Bananas have grown in popularity, the organization has maintained strong connections to Connecticut.From star player and New Milford native Jackson Olson to founder Jesse Cole drawing inspiration from P.T. Barnum, who was born in Bethel, the sport has always had ties to the state.AdvertisementArticle continues below this adBanana Ball returned to Hartford for the first time since 2023 on Thursday, with the first game of a three-game series between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Pa...
HARTFORD — As the Savannah Bananas have grown in popularity, the organization has maintained strong connections to Connecticut.
From star player and New Milford native Jackson Olson to founder Jesse Cole drawing inspiration from P.T. Barnum, who was born in Bethel, the sport has always had ties to the state.
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Banana Ball returned to Hartford for the first time since 2023 on Thursday, with the first game of a three-game series between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals.
Redding's Clark Gilmore is one of two Connecticut natives who have returned home for the series, along with East Haven's Mark Smith.
Smith appeared as a pinch runner in Thursday's game, taking off his Party Animals jersey to reveal a Sacred Heart University (where he played college baseball) jersey underneath.
Gilmore is slated to pitch Saturday in front of a crowd that will include his friends and family, while more than 100 of Smith's friends and family are expected to attend.
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Smith joined the Party Animals, the original opponents of the Bananas, in 2025. Since then, the Banana Ball Championship League has expanded to six teams, including the Indianapolis Clowns, who roster Gilmore.
"It means the world, I had my parents drop me off at work today," Gilmore said. "It doesn't get much better than that. But to get to play in front of hundreds of people that supported me and helped me get there, and now they get to watch me play in front of a sold-out crowd at Dunkin' Park, it doesn't get better."
Gilmore graduated from Joel Barlow High School in 2020, and went on to pitch at Dartmouth University, where he was highlighted on ESPN's SportsCenter Top 10 after making back-to-back behind-the-back snags on comebackers.
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It was a sign of things to come.
"When I was a kid playing in Connecticut, we had a lot of time in between our games," Gilmore said. "My friends and I would just mess around with trick plays. I started catching the ball behind my back when I was about 12 years old, and sure enough, there is a perfect outlet for that. I always worked on those things, and I developed a behind-the-back pitch that I have been throwing since before COVID."
After graduating from Dartmouth, Gilmore spent a year at Notre Dame, where he played his final season of eligibility in 2025. After graduating from Notre Dame, he returned home to Connecticut and began making his pitch to become the newest Connecticut member of the Banana Ball Championship League.
He posted videos regularly and trained in Stamford, throwing bullpens in which he would throw around 50 behind-the-back pitches.
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"I posted videos of my trick pitches a couple times on social media, but after graduating from Dartmouth and then Notre Dame, I started posting those videos more and it got the attention of Banana Ball," Gilmore said. "They invited me to a tryout after I posted an application video and I was selected as the last overall player in the first-ever Banana Ball draft."
It has been a dream come true for Gilmore, who has shown off his trick plays all over the country.
He even used a trick pitch to strike out Olson, who also played baseball in the South-West Conference at New Milford High years ago.
"(Us Connecticut guys) have such a great bond," Gilmore said. "Getting to talk about the similar experiences we have, our shared love of the best pizza in the world, it is so cool to get to do in Connecticut growing up and now get to do it across the United States."
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The Banana Ball Championship League has been off for a few weeks for a midsummer break, which has allowed Gilmore to come home for a few weeks.
The league's first game after the break was Thursday in front of a sold-out crowd at Dunkin' Park, including many people who were involved in Gilmore's early baseball career.
"We had a couple of weeks off before this, so I got to come back home and see all of my loved ones," Gilmore said. "Spent some time in Redding, and Fairfield County, got to train. I am just so excited to play in front of some Nutmeggers and show them the greatest show in sports."
When Clark Gilmore was pitching in college, at Dartmouth and Notre Dame, there were moments when his coaches admonished him to take baseball “more seriously.” It just wasn’t his nature.“My whole life, I’ve played sports because I loved them,” Gilmore says. “In high school basketball, baseball, coaches would get upset at my behind-the-back passes, through-the-legs dribbling. Even at Notre Dame last year, I would catch fly balls in batting practice behind my back and coaches really wanted me to ...
When Clark Gilmore was pitching in college, at Dartmouth and Notre Dame, there were moments when his coaches admonished him to take baseball “more seriously.” It just wasn’t his nature.
“My whole life, I’ve played sports because I loved them,” Gilmore says. “In high school basketball, baseball, coaches would get upset at my behind-the-back passes, through-the-legs dribbling. Even at Notre Dame last year, I would catch fly balls in batting practice behind my back and coaches really wanted me to take the game more seriously because they thought that’s what it’s all about. But I figured the more fun I had, the better I would play.”
Gilmore, 24, has since gotten the first, last and every laugh in between. Some of those coaches may wish that Gilmore, from Joel Barlow High in Redding, unfurled what has become his signature pitch: a fake overhand, behind-the-back change-up that drops perfectly over the plate. Even a major league hitter would likely screw himself into the ground facing it the first time.
The pitch is, however, perfect for “Banana Ball,” the baseball-themed entertainment phenomenon that has taken the world by storm. The flagship Savannah Bananas have now sprouted a league of six teams, and the Indianapolis Clowns made Gilmore the very last pick of the league’s draft for the 2026 season. He has been far from Mr. Irrelevant, however. When he sprung that pitch on UHart’s Jackson Olson, perhaps the most famous Banana of all, on May 12 for a called third strike, the video practically blew up the internet.
“It has gone nuclear, as far as virality,” says Mark Smith of East Haven, who plays for the Party Animals of the Banana Ball League. “If he threw that pitch in college, it would have stopped the world.”
Gilmore, who has well over 100,000 followers on various social media platforms, has gotten two strikeouts, two ground balls, one a double play, and given up two hits with his behind-the-back blooper pitch. “I try to throw it at least once an outing,” he says.
The Clowns and Party Animals will be playing and performing at Dunkin Park in Hartford this week, Thursday-Saturday, all three dates sold out long ago. Olson and the flagship team played here in 2023, but the original Bananas have risen to a level that not even MLB stadiums can contain the enthusiasm. They’ve been packing 100,000-seat college football venues this summer. The Connecticut guys in the league, Smith, Gilmore, Olson and Avon’s Connor Harris trade notes, mostly about — what else? — pizza.
“The non-Connecticut guys can’t relate to us,” Smith says.
The teams coming to Hartford bring their unique personalities, tricks and treats. The Clowns are named for the famous Negro Leagues barnstormers of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, for which 18-year-old Hank Aaron played three months in 1952. The current Clowns, who feature former Red Sox star Jackie Bradley Jr. performing his old acrobatics in the outfield, pay homage to the originals.
“We do a serious job of carrying that name with us,” Gilmore says. “One of the most special moments of our show, which the fans will get to see in Hartford, is a moment we call ‘Diamond of Dreams,’ where myself, Jackie Bradley Jr. go out onto the field with a microphone to share the legacy of some of the most famous Clowns and share their names because legends only die when you stop telling their story.”
Most of the evening’s festivities are on the lighter side, with meet-and-greet periods for fans to meet players, get autographs, take photos, make videos before and after games. Smith, who played for East Haven High, Avon Old Farms and Sacred Heart, and Gilmore will each have about 50 friends and relatives at the games this week.
“I wish this were earlier in the season,” Smith says, “because it seems I’ve been looking forward to it for an eternity now.”
Smith earned a master’s degree at Salem State before intending to “hang up my cleats,” he says. He was back home in East Haven painting houses and working in construction when he sent in his interest form to the Bananas. He went to a tryout in Philadelphia, and impressed the coaches in the necessary ways.
“I always had a love for Banana Ball,” he says. “I loved what they were doing with the sport. In November of 2024, he got the call from Berry Aldridge, the organization’s director of recruiting. “He told his boss at the site, ‘I got to take this call, it may be one of the most important calls of my life.'”
So Smith, 5 feet 11 and 160 pounds, went on to become a Party Animal, and now has 228,000 followers on TikTok alone. He has been working on a back-flip move to unveil on the base paths when he goes in to run. He’s planning some surprises for the hometown folks.”
“Mark is the most positive, joyous ball of energy on the sidelines and in the stands,” Gilmore says. “He’s one of the funniest guys you’ll ever meet. He’s a fan favorite, and he deserves it.”
With their educational backgrounds and their massive internet followings, both Smith and Gilmore will be able to write their own tickets whenever this all ends, but for now they live in the moment, more than content to be a Clown or Party Animal, maybe one day a Banana. Gilmore also does some of his best work in the stands, bringing smiles to the children he meets. One adult crossed his path in West Virginia a few months ago that has stuck with him.
“We love having children at our games and we love inspiring the youth to love the game of baseball through a Banana Ball lens,” he says. “But one of the most impactful moments I’ve had this year, we were in Morgantown and a woman had lost her house the morning of the game due to a water boiler explosion. She still came to the game because, she said, ‘All I needed in my life was some joy.’
“I didn’t play that day, I was on the sidelines dancing away, and after the game she came up and told me this story and broke down in tears. She said, ‘All I needed was to smile today and you did that for me.’ It was so crazy to me that I could have an impact on one person like that. If that’s all I do this year, I’m proud of what I do.'”
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