AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Martin L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Alvaro C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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..”

Ryan P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Sherece F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Your service was timely and most satisfactory !, I'll definitely keep you in mind for future needs.”

Cody V.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Susan M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Lorrie O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Courtnie B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Ryan C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Excellent company and high levels of customer service!”

Sara M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Ildiko G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Marieke H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Cheryl K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

LindaGo
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TESTIMONIALS

“Your service was timely and most satisfactory! I’ll definitely keep you in mind for future needs.”

Jack Z.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Marion M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Linda K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We would like to express our appreciation and thanks for the in-home care that Always Best Care is providing our parents. You have guided us through this very difficult time and have helped us deal with my mother’s illness and her inability to care for my dad. Your caregivers are very capable and caring, and your staff is competent and thorough. We believe this makes your company invaluable to families with loved ones in need of assistance. We would recommend Always Best Care to anybody in search of quality care for their loved one. Thank you for all you and your staff do.”

FionaHoward
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TESTIMONIALS

“I just wanted express our thoughts about Mary, who was the caregiver for the weekend. We all thought she was wonderful!! I think her biggest strength is that she “sees the work”, needs little/to no direction, offers to take things out of our hands, and is a true-go-getter. For Billie, this type of help is great since she feels like she can take some time to rest and trust all is okay. Mary works hard and is also very patient. I really think Mary is a natural dealing with elderly. She is patient and kind! Anyway, what I wanted to ask is if Mary can be the consistent caregiver for the weekends. The other 4 caregivers that I have met are also very nice. We would like Mary as much as possible as she is punctual, and as I mentioned before, ‘sees what needs doing”. She is focused on what she can do to help. She 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”

Marieke H.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you so much for your kind, personalized service. My mother was always resistant to have someone come into her home to help care for her, but she is very, very pleased with Always Best Care. 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.”

Cheryl K.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Caring_2645646
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TESTIMONIALS

“I was so happy with the services our caregiver 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.”

Marjorie C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Excellent company and high levels of customer service!”

Ken B.
 In-Home Care Roxbury, CT

How does In-home Senior Care in Roxbury, CT work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Roxbury, CT

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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

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

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

Comfort
Comfort

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, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Roxbury, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Roxbury, CT 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Roxbury, CT

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Roxbury,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.

 Caregivers Roxbury, CT

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

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

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

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.

Latest News in Roxbury, CT

'You could see it forming' | Connecticut's first tornado of the year touches down in Litchfield County

The confirmation comes just days after a funnel cloud was caught on video making its way through farmland in Roxbury on Saturday night.ROXBURY, Conn. — The first tornado of the year in Connecticut was confirmed by the National Weather Service on Monday.The confirmation comes just days after a funnel cloud was caught on video mak...

The confirmation comes just days after a funnel cloud was caught on video making its way through farmland in Roxbury on Saturday night.

ROXBURY, Conn. — The first tornado of the year in Connecticut was confirmed by the National Weather Service on Monday.

The confirmation comes just days after a funnel cloud was caught on video making its way through farmland in Roxbury on Saturday night. Without that video, the National Weather Service (NWS) may have never investigated because the storm hit after dark and was only lit up by lightning.

Dale Barchi, who was watching the lightning from the storm passing through, said she pulled her phone out as soon as she and her fiancé spotted the funnel cloud.

“It was very, very dark … pitch black … almost like the movie ‘Twister’ in the beginning of it,” she told FOX61 News.

Barchi said she spotted the tornado more than ten times each with a flash of lightning.

“You could see the rotation,” she said. “You could see it forming and everything. We watched it come right down.”

The video Barchi captured – which she shared with FOX61 News after the storm – played the biggest role in the weather service’s decision to visit Bridgewater and Roxbury on Monday.

“It’s pretty easy to say there was a tornado when someone’s got video of it,” Stephen Dirienzo, warning coordination meteorologist with the NWS. “I can definitely say there was a tornado.”

Dirienzo said his initial assessment is that the tornado was probably an EF-Zero because there was little damage.

“The damage that did occur was just to tree limbs,” he said.

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Julie Stewart, the executive director of the Bridgewater Land Trust, which owns the land where the tornado hit, said the twister was just another challenge for the local farmers in the area.

“The farmers that farm this land, it’s been very difficult because the fields have been extraordinarily wet,” she said. “It’s been a tough summer.”

This is the second time in just a few weeks that the NWS has been in Connecticut to determine if a tornado touched down.

In late July, NWS meteorologists determined that what was initially called a tornado in eastern Connecticut was actually a funnel cloud. In that storm, the team surveyed the towns of Chaplin, Hampton, Brooklyn, Plainfield and Killingly before making the determination.

The NWS said meteorologists had cited the “presence of what is known as a tornado debris signature” on the radar. However, upon further review, determined that the disturbance was actually a funnel cloud that came “dangerously close to touching down by never did so.”

One of the differences between a tornado and a funnel cloud is whether it touches down.

Related Articles

Ryan Breton is a meteorologist at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram

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Summer Hockey Rock in Roxbury, CT

(Photo: The Zamboni’s Rock Band perform in Roxbury, CT)(Article content and photos provided by MN native Ron Faanes, founding member of the Old Crabs Hockey Club in Danbury, CT)Earlier this summer, the Minor Memorial Library in Roxbury, CT sponsored a Summer Concert Series featuring the famous hockey band, The Zamboni’s.Few rock bands have appealed to fans young and old, but the quirky 100% hockey-rock Zambonis have somehow prevailed as the most popular sports-ro...

(Photo: The Zamboni’s Rock Band perform in Roxbury, CT)

(Article content and photos provided by MN native Ron Faanes, founding member of the Old Crabs Hockey Club in Danbury, CT)

Earlier this summer, the Minor Memorial Library in Roxbury, CT sponsored a Summer Concert Series featuring the famous hockey band, The Zamboni’s.

Few rock bands have appealed to fans young and old, but the quirky 100% hockey-rock Zambonis have somehow prevailed as the most popular sports-rock band in North America. The Zambonis formed in Bridgeport, CT, in 1991 when singer/guitarist Dave Schneider envisioned a group that played nothing but songs about hockey. Songs like Breakaway, Referees Daughter. Grezsky Twist, Penalty Box and many others entertained the crowd.

The band has been featured in Billboard Magazine and on ESPN and performed in stadiums around the world including Madison Square Garden.

In 2002, The Zambonis made their most memorable appearance to date: an on-ice performance during the 2002 NHL All-Star Game at the Staples Center in L.A., where they performed alongside such notable mainstream acts as Jewel, Five for Fighting and Unwritten Law.

Some of their other hits are: “Hockey Monkey”, “Boom Boom Boom”, and “I Wanna Drive The Zamboni” which was featured on the soundtrack of “Blades Of Glory”, a film starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite).

The Zambonis feature: Dave Schneider, Jon Aley, Shawn Fogel, Mat Orefice, Tom Andrukevich, Cary Pollick, Tarquin Katis, Peter Katis, and Matt Gonzales.

Guitarist and Zambonis’ producer, Peter Katis, has made quite a name for himself off the ice. In addition to releasing his band The Philistines jr album in 2010, Peter has gained acclaim for his recent recording/production work with Interpol, The National, Jonnsi (Sigur Ros), Swell Season, Mates Of State, Frightened Rabbit, Guster, Get Up Kids, Von Bondies, Spoon, and much much more. Each act faced off with Peter at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the home recording facility of The Zambonis.

The New Yorker writes: “The Zambonis may sound like a simple novelty act, but it scores repeatedly with a bunch of snappy little power-pop songs. Even if you wouldn’t know what a slapshot was if it hit you in the face, you’ll cheer.”

Time Out New York: “They’re actually funny and actually rock!”

Question is: When are they coming to Minnesota?

A Mysterious Woodland Trail In Connecticut Will Take You To The Ruins Of An Abandoned Mine

We all have someone special in our lives who is absolutely smitten with the magic of travel. From outdoor enthusiasts and budget travelers to road trippers, frequent flyers, and luxury travelers, finding memorable gifts for travelers can be both exciting and challenging.Curated by our team of local travel experts with help from our readers, OnlyInYourState is excited to present our 2023 holiday gift guide for travelers. Featuring both budget selections and splurges, we hope to make your holiday gift-giving a breeze this year, bringing...

We all have someone special in our lives who is absolutely smitten with the magic of travel. From outdoor enthusiasts and budget travelers to road trippers, frequent flyers, and luxury travelers, finding memorable gifts for travelers can be both exciting and challenging.

Curated by our team of local travel experts with help from our readers, OnlyInYourState is excited to present our 2023 holiday gift guide for travelers. Featuring both budget selections and splurges, we hope to make your holiday gift-giving a breeze this year, bringing wanderlust to your loved ones with more than 75 unique gifts for travelers – many of which are easily considered the best gifts for frequent travelers under $50. Check out our favorite travel gifts for your Christmas and holiday gift-giving this year.

Table of Contents

Gift Ideas For The Family Traveler

Traveling with a family can often feel like anything *but* a vacation. Luckily, with a little planning and some key must-haves hand-picked by OnlyInYourState family traveling pros, you can not only arrive at your destination sans headache, but even enjoy the journey with these travel necessities and gifts for families.

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Gift Ideas For The Budget Traveler

The benefits of travel are well-known, but wanderlust can be quite pricey! Fortunately, some of the best travel products we’ve found are also the most budget-friendly — these are the kind of high-quality “musts” every traveler needs in their carry-on suitcase or minivan console!

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Gift Ideas For The Road Trip Enthusiast

From unique gifts for solo travelers to gifts for retirees who travel full-time, the road trip enthusiast in your life is sure to love these one-of-a-kind gifts for road trip lovers.

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Gift Ideas For The Beach Lover

Gift Ideas For The Outdoor Adventurer

Here at OnlyInYourState, we love little more than exploring the great outdoors. Whether your close friend is planning a bucket-list camping trip to a national park or you have a family member who enjoys weekly hiking excursions close to home, your favorite Outdoor Adventurer is sure to love these unique gifts for outdoor lovers.

Gift Ideas For The Frequent Flyer

Whether you have a jet-setting friend or are searching for the best gifts for business travelers, frequent flyers require the right gear, organization, and comfort during those long hours in the air.

Gift Ideas For The Luxury Traveler

If you’re the type whose wanderlust leads to the world’s most exotic locales, who likes to travel in style, and who appreciates high-thread-count sheets and bespoke concierge services, the following luxury travel gifts for her and luxury travel gifts for him are sure to please – and just might inspire you to book your next trip!

Honorable Mentions

Don’t see a gift suitable for the travel enthusiast in your life above? What about the weekend warrior? What about the best gifts for travel photographers, digital nomads, or solo travelers in your life? Read on for our gift selections for all of these travelers and more.

So, tell us, who are you most excited to shop for this year? Do you need even more help finding the best travel gifts for everyone on your list, or do you have a few travel essentials you think everyone should own? Whether it’s for a quick trip to New York or an adventure in Europe, share your recommendations in the comments, and we might add your gift idea to our next gift guide!

Weak tornado in Roxbury fields causes little damage, weather service says

ROXBURY — A weak tornado touched down in the fields along Minor Bridge Road on Saturday, causing damage to two trees but no injuries or other property damage, weather officials confirmed.In a tweet, the National Weather Service's office in Albany, N.Y., said the results of a storm survey near Roxbury "revealed a short-duration EF-0 tornado" that occurred Saturday night. Results of the storm su...

ROXBURY — A weak tornado touched down in the fields along Minor Bridge Road on Saturday, causing damage to two trees but no injuries or other property damage, weather officials confirmed.

In a tweet, the National Weather Service's office in Albany, N.Y., said the results of a storm survey near Roxbury "revealed a short-duration EF-0 tornado" that occurred Saturday night.

Results of the storm survey near Roxbury, CT in Litchfield Co. revealed a short-duration EF-0 tornado that occurred in the evening of Sat, Aug 12. We will have more detailed info available tomorrow morning & will send out a Public Information Statement & Local Storm Report. #ctwx

— NWS Albany (@NWSAlbany) August 14, 2023

The EF or Enhanced Fujita Scale is used to categorize tornadoes based on estimated wind speeds. For an EF-0 tornado, winds are predicted to have hit 3-second gusts between 65 and 85 mph.

NOVEMBER SALE: Get 6 Months of Access for 99¢!

The tornado touched down along Minor Bridge Road in Roxbury around 9 p.m., producing estimated peak winds of 80 mph, the weather service said. For five minutes, it traveled uphill to the northwest, covering a distance of a little more than three-quarters of a mile, and with a path width of 30 yards. It ended near Town Line Road in Roxbury.

A video of the tornado was recorded on Town Line Road between Bridgewater and Roxbury, said Patrick Roy, Roxbury's first selectman.

“The only way we knew it was a tornado was from the video provided,” Roy said. “We didn’t find out about it until after the fact. I was down the road, and the winds picked up and the rains were torrential. You could tell a storm was coming.”

No injuries were reported, the weather service said.

The twister broke limbs off two trees, but that appeared to be the extent of the damage — "as most of the path was over open fields," the weather service wrote in its report Tuesday.

The National Weather Service said its staff met with witnesses, who included "a farm manager and a drone pilot who overflew the area."

"Eyewitnesses provided video and photographs of the tornado as well as geographic locations and movement," the report stated. "The drone pilot confirmed that little damage occurred along the path or to nearby areas."

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Last month, the National Weather Service said a suspected tornado in northeastern Connecticut turned out to be a funnel cloud, which did not reach the ground.

New Yorkers have been flocking to the small towns of Washington and Roxbury during the pandemic. Here’s why.

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateWASHINGTON - It’s not uncommon these days to pull up to a stop sign in Washington Depot and have two or even three cars ahead of you.Neighboring Roxbury has seen similar and undeniable signs that the New Yorkers have indeed arrived to sample this quiet country life in the wooded hills of Litchfield County.“Absolutely,” says Barbara Henry, Roxbury’s top-elected leader for the last 24 years. “I think we are going to see even more of ...

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WASHINGTON - It’s not uncommon these days to pull up to a stop sign in Washington Depot and have two or even three cars ahead of you.

Neighboring Roxbury has seen similar and undeniable signs that the New Yorkers have indeed arrived to sample this quiet country life in the wooded hills of Litchfield County.

“Absolutely,” says Barbara Henry, Roxbury’s top-elected leader for the last 24 years. “I think we are going to see even more of this in the next year.”

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While the future is no easier to forecast than a year ago, statistics from 2020 crunched by a national real estate research firm back up Henry’s prediction - namely that Roxbury and three Washington communities rank in Connecticut’s 10 hottest ZIP codes for newcomer growth, when figures are adjusted for population.

The latest analysis of U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data by the Dallas-based commercial real estate firm CBRE shows that Roxbury and the Washington communities of New Preston, Marble Dale and Washington Depot had net migration rates between 56 and 60 percent - compared to the vast majority of Connecticut ZIP codes that showed a much lower rate of growth in newcomers, and in many cases a net loss.

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The reason will not surprise those who’ve followed the headlines about the wave of New Yorkers fleeing the pandemic-related pressures of urban density for a new home in Connecticut.

For some Manhattanites and other urban dwellers, the coronavirus crisis has transformed cities into what one CBRE economist calls a “poisonous cocktail” of high density and high cost.

Real estate agents and other observers in a position to know the minds of Washington and Roxbury’s newest residents say newcomers are buying homes here more than elsewhere in Connecticut because it’s quiet, rural and private.

The exception to this explanation is downtown Stamford, where the ZIP code 06901 was a top hot spot last year for net newcomer growth, with a net migration rate of 65.

“People are choosing this rural area specifically because it is not a suburb like Westchester County (N.Y.) or Greenwich,” said Jeff Phillips, a real estate agent with Madonna & Phillips Real Estate Group at William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, who has an office in Washington. “They appreciate the charm of a tiny little grocery store and a farmer’s market and our one state trooper.”

Roxbury’s First Selectman Henry agrees.

“This is a bucolic atmosphere where there is room in between homes, and there is a lot of respect for people’s privacy,” she said of the town’s resident artists. “People who are famous and have a lot of notoriety know they can walk the roads and people won’t come up to them and ask for their autograph.”

The impact New Yorkers are having on these two small New England towns is most profound at Region 12 Schools - a district comprised of Bridgewater, Roxbury and Washington, which saw enrollment jump by 105 students in August. The entire district typically has fewer than 700 students at the start of the school year.

Absorbing New Yorkers

“We were a bit nervous about what class size would be because of the pandemic, but the New Yorkers came in and we were able to absorb them,” said schools Superintendent Megan Bennett during an interview this week. “They brought in a new and wonderful energy to our schools.”

It remains to be seen how many New Yorkers choose to keep living in Litchfield as vaccinations increase, infection rates wane, and companies call employees back to the office. The same question is being asked across Connecticut, where 30,000 households from the Big Apple relocated in 2020.

CBRE data showed that Roxbury, a town of 2,180, had 91 more households move into town in 2020 than households that moved out, compared to a net loss of 31 households in 2019.

In Washington Depot, New Preston and Marble Dale, with a combined population of 1,900, 57 more households moved into those communities than households that moved out in 2020, compared to a net loss in those same communities of 58 households in 2019.

The result is a housing shortage that Phillips calls “very frustrating for buyers and discouraging for us as realtors.”

“The good news is this is a good place to live where people don’t want to put their houses on the market - even if I say, ‘I have a buyer for you at this price,’” Phillips said. “There is absolutely is a shortage of homes, because there is not a lot of land, and (new home) contractors are two years out.”

Homes are going from $750,000 to $6 million on Lake Waramaug.

Meanwhile leaders are wondering how long it will last.

“We are planning for next year with some degree of uncertainty by not knowing,” Region 12’s Bennett said. “Our hope is that they stay.”

Region 12 has already been at work to assure new families that they are welcome. School board members reached out to newcomers last fall to answer questions and offer help making families feel at home.

“This is a place where people look out for one another and make connections early on, and we are seeing that,” Bennett said. “We watch parents waiting for their kids to cross the street to school, and then the parents go off in a group to form new connections. If they feel connected, they won’t want to leave.”

Henry agrees.

“A small town is like a big family - it really is,” Henry said. “As long as there is not an election going on, we all get along, because it really is a special place.”

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