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 Tarrywile Mansion in Danbury, 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 Danbury, 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 Tarrywile Park in Danbury, 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 Rein Osteria or visit Main Street Historic District, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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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 Danbury, 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 Danbury, 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 Danbury, 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.
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01:00 15° | 02:00 15° | 03:00 14° | 04:00 14° | 13° | 06:00 13° | 13° | 19° | 19° | 18° | 17° |
Danbury air quality index (AQI?) forecast
| Today | 37 | 19° | 16 km/h | 74% | |
| Sun | 21 | 15° | 15 km/h | 88% | |
| Mon | 35 | 20° | 22 km/h | 68% |
What is the current air quality in Danbury?
| PM2.5Fine particles (≤ 2.5 µm)1µg/m³ |
| PM10Coarse particles (≤ 10 µm)22µg/m³ |
Health recommendations
Open your windows to bring clean, fresh air indoors |
What is the pollen count in Danbury today?
| 0% |
DANBURY, Connecticut (WABC) -- A fire at the Ashwood Valley apartment complex in Danbury on Thursday afternoon displaced approximately 80 residents and caused extensive damage to part of the building, officials said.The fire started around 4:15 p.m. on the third floor of a three-story unit at the apartment complex. No serious injuries were reported, but much of the structure was gutted by the blaze.Doorbell video recorded from inside the building showed residents evacuating as the fire spread."It was scary. I mean, ...
DANBURY, Connecticut (WABC) -- A fire at the Ashwood Valley apartment complex in Danbury on Thursday afternoon displaced approximately 80 residents and caused extensive damage to part of the building, officials said.
The fire started around 4:15 p.m. on the third floor of a three-story unit at the apartment complex. No serious injuries were reported, but much of the structure was gutted by the blaze.
Doorbell video recorded from inside the building showed residents evacuating as the fire spread.
"It was scary. I mean, every but I literally walked out and just flip flops and a T shirt, and I just left with the clothes on my back and my pets, and, you know it was smoky inside of there," fire victim Allysa Alvear said.
Officials said the interior of one section partially collapsed, pancaking three floors and leaving significant damage to the building.
For many residents, the loss has been devastating.
"It's like your entire life. Like it's like surreal. I don't think it hit me until, like, I left and got to the hotel last night. I was like, wow, I have no clothes. My medicine's gone. My kids, all my kids' stuff is in there. It's horrible," said resident Bethany Davis.
The American Red Cross, the city of Danbury and the property management company are assisting displaced residents. On Friday afternoon, fire marshals helped residents retrieve valuables from apartments that were considered safe enough to reenter.
"We're trying to take care of anyone with any type of immediate medical needs, as well as the elderly and then work through, in a systematic way to get everyone in and take care of, like I said, getting them any type of documents or things they may need," Danbury Fire Marshal Terrence Timan said.
3 residents and 1 firefighter were treated for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
DANBURY — A developer in contract to buy a sprawling office complex built 45 years ago to house the world headquarters of Union Carbide wants to “reinvigorate” the 1.3 million-square-foot structure by bringing in a data center and changing the energy source to fuel cells.“We have ideas to make it wildly better,” said developer Dan Bertram on Thursday from his office at Innovation Studios — the 10-story former Crowne Plaza hotel near Interstate 84’s Exit 2 that is being converted into 200 micro...
DANBURY — A developer in contract to buy a sprawling office complex built 45 years ago to house the world headquarters of Union Carbide wants to “reinvigorate” the 1.3 million-square-foot structure by bringing in a data center and changing the energy source to fuel cells.
“We have ideas to make it wildly better,” said developer Dan Bertram on Thursday from his office at Innovation Studios — the 10-story former Crowne Plaza hotel near Interstate 84’s Exit 2 that is being converted into 200 micro apartments and 20,000-square-feet of maker space. “The concept is to have this not be so disconnected. There is a lovely walkable infrastructure that just has certain gaps.”
The short version of Bertram’s vision for the 100-acre complex known most recently as the Summit is to connect the signature structure’s stores and services to the thousands of new Danbury residents who live in walking distance in Rivington — the expansive hilltop development on the city’s west side.
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Bertram’s plans call for a redesign of the complex’s southern entrance that features a pedestrian walkway between two rebuilt ramps. The walkway would connect to a sidewalk loop — giving the first walk-up access to the complex for thousands of next door neighbors.
“How do you get the core of the place to come alive and interact with the rest of the Rivington community and everyone else, frankly?” said Bertram during an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. “The building needs something to reinvigorate it. There is a lot of flow that needs to be optimized.”
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He added that bringing in a data center to offset the expense of the infrastructure improvements and unplugging the building from the grid and converting its energy source to fuel cells were necessary mechanisms to make his vision economically workable.
Data center is an umbrella term for computer processing plants that are needed in greater numbers because of the popularity of AI tools and services. Public concern about data centers’ energy usage and water usage has made headlines across Connecticut and the region.
It was too soon on Thursday to say whether Bertram’s plans for a data center in the parking garage and fuel cells on the roof of the Summit would trigger a review by one of Danbury’s land use commissions.
“We think this is an appropriate application of technology … that energizes this place literally and figuratively,” Bertram said.
Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves was more circumspect.
“With data centers raising quality of life concerns in communities across the country, we need to carefully consider what any proposal would mean for our neighborhoods and the residents who call Danbury home,” Alves said on Thursday. “We want Danbury to grow, but that growth has to be thoughtful and responsible.”
Bertram said he agreed with the mayor that the size of the data center would have to be worked out with the city and neighbors, adding that cooling systems in modern data centers are no longer the water hogs they once were, and that the electricity-use concern would be addressed by fuel cells.
“Fuel cells have been used by the Danbury Fair mall since 2014,” Bertram said. “So the technology is completely fine. It takes in natural gas and emits CO2 and water vaper. It’s a known environmentally friendly energy source.”
The goal with the conversion to fuel cells would be to cut down on the Summit’s annual electricity bill, which Bertram said was “in the neighborhood” of $3 million.
Bertram and his Bright Ravens development group are the latest investors to take on one of the largest commercial complexes in the state. The property last changed hands in 2018 when Summit Development of Fairfield bought the site for $17 million. Among other changes, Summit converted empty office space into 180 apartments. Another 200 apartments have been approved to be converted from office space.
That apartment conversion alone was enough for Bertram to sign a purchase agreement, he said.
“The current business plan is sufficient to acquire the property and build the second phase of apartments,” Bertram said. “There’s just more potential here. And it can be realized to everybody’s benefit in making that core come alive.”
By the core, Bertram is referring to the center section of the huge complex, between the north wing and the south wing, where there is a fitness center, a yoga studio, a massage therapy practice, a barber shop, a salon, a café and a bookshop.
“The site has been struggling for a long time. I am not saying it is struggling now. I’m saying there is something more grand to be done with it,” he said.
The city’s economic development czar agreed.
“Mayor Alves’ economic strategy is about bringing new investment, careers and opportunity to Danbury while making sure it makes sense for the community and our residents,” said Farley Santos.
What if Bertram’s plans are more ambitious than successful?
“The transaction is going to happen,” Bertram said of the sale, adding that if Danbury does not go for his plans for the data center and fuel cells, he will concentrate on converting offices into more apartments.
“If anything is going to happen it’s because it is going to be beneficial to the city and Rivington,” Bertram said. “There is no path to doing something useful unless we can all say there is something to do here.”
DANBURY, Conn. (WFSB) - Danbury Unites for Immigrants held a rally demanding an end to increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city, which group leaders say have resulted in at least 64 people being taken into ICE custody this week.Juan Fonseca Tapia, co-founder of Danbury Unites for Immigrants, said the organization wants to bring awareness to what is happening in the city.“We need more help,” Fonseca Tapia said. “Even though ICE agents have weapons and they are scaring us, our resista...
DANBURY, Conn. (WFSB) - Danbury Unites for Immigrants held a rally demanding an end to increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city, which group leaders say have resulted in at least 64 people being taken into ICE custody this week.
Juan Fonseca Tapia, co-founder of Danbury Unites for Immigrants, said the organization wants to bring awareness to what is happening in the city.
“We need more help,” Fonseca Tapia said. “Even though ICE agents have weapons and they are scaring us, our resistance is strong and you can see it right behind us.”
The rally also aimed to share resources and information with the community, including the organization’s helpline, according to organizers.
Some arrests were captured on camera this week, including one involving a man identified as Johnny Queda. Video provided to Eyewitness News also shows a man being forced into a store window during another encounter with agents.
Britney Gouchen, who was born and raised in Danbury by two immigrant parents, said the situation has been difficult to watch.
“It just breaks my heart every day, and I literally cry. I can’t really sleep,” Gouchen said.
“We are all here to work. We are not here just to do anything. We’re all here to find a better life, and it’s just sad that people don’t think that way,” Gouchen said.
Ken Healy, a Danbury resident of nearly four decades, said he believes ICE is enforcing laws that were not strictly enforced before.
“They’re not tracking down legal immigrants. They’re looking for illegals,” Healy said. “They can go back and come in legally. Come in the front door. That’s my only objection.”
Healy also said he has no issue with the tactics being used by agents, citing safety concerns for agents and their families.
“These guys are being doxxed. The families have been threatened. What’s wrong? You know, they got to protect themselves. I don’t have a problem with that,” Healy said.
Fonseca Tapia said the organization plans to continue demonstrating as long as ICE activity continues in the city.
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