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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Old Lyme, CT

Home Care Old Lyme, CT

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Springbank (Old Lyme, Connecticut) 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 Old Lyme, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Old Lyme, CT

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Staff is great there a great place to work and call your workplace”

Babispyce S.
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“I’ve been a nurse for over 40 years, and I am currently a nursing professor. When my mom was recently in the hospital, I knew it would not be possible for her to be completely on her own right away. She loves where she resides and enjoys all of the activities that are offered. My goal was to get her back into her apartment as soon as possible with the support she needed to increase her strength and return to her prior level of wellness she had before she went into the hospital. She was used to walking a couple miles a day. When I reached out to ABC I made it clear that my mom would need somebody who would be willing to walk with her in the morning, and in the evening enabling her to get back to her baseline. I would like to complement all of the staff at ABC who provided my mom such wonderful support after two weeks she returned to her baseline and remained in her apartment. She really enjoyed all of the staff that were with her , they were professional they encouraged her to walk, drink fluids, eat and were instrumental in assisting her to reach her prior level of independence. I would strongly recommend ABC to anybody who is in need of support for their loved one.”

Robin Y.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Mom’s care needs have been progressing over the past month - increased difficulty standing. walking, decreased appetite, increased incontinence. (Part of the expected declining process per her Dr.) Tara has been wonderful in adapting to Mom’s changing needs as they develop and a very helpful partner in troubleshooting. brainstorming how to adapt to best support Mom. It’s also been helpful in my regular communication with Mom’s Dr, to let her know in detail what has come up and how we have approached. Thank you (again) for your talented staff!”

Jeremy H.
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“Outstanding personal service from this company. All of the caregivers were personable and provided outstanding care to our aunt. I would highly recommend them to anyone who has an elder family member in need. Also, the staff that helped to set up their services was outstanding as well. They made the decisions easy to understand with no hidden agenda. Thank you again to "ABC!"”

KEVIN M.
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“You can't go wrong with this crew. Extremely patient and caring.”

Daniel S.
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“Caring for family can be difficult and challenging at times. It's so nice to know that Always Best Care Senior Services is there to help!”

Cathy K.
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“Taylor, John, and Kristine and their crew are the best. They are patient, understanding, and a joy to work with.”

Daniel S.
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“Sabina always has a pleasant, caring, and respectful attitude. I feel she treats me as she would as her own mother. She treats me the way she would like to be treated. We are a good “team” together.”

Tracy H.
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“Diana has a total commitment of compassion, empathy, and respect for myself and my family. My daughters feel she is truly a tremendous caregiver. They know I am in good hands. She acknowledges with commitment of my physical, emotional, and practical needs, my quality of life has excelled due to Diana’s help. I look forward to her presence everyday her attitude is exceptional, Diana comes to work daily with a smile on her face. She enters the front door, singing softly ready to work. She has never taken a day off, I have had many caregivers, but Diana is truly the best!”

Anne H.
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“Tina has been with us since the start, caring for my mom. Tina has nothing but my mom’s best interest at heart. She continues to go above and beyond to care for my mom, and ensure anyone else who may be there also understands my mom’s needs. Tina has even gone so far to rearrange her schedule or give up her free time to stay with my mom to avoid her having someone that doesn’t know her. I can see that she genuinely cares for my mom, and treats her as if she was her own family member. That also goes both ways, my mom lights up when she sees Tina. We consider Tina part of our family.”

David L.
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“Always Best Care helped our family get through a very difficult time with my mother's care. Kristine and Taylor are a pleasure to work with. They are very knowledgable and had the answers to all our questions. They were able to help with all aspects of the care we needed. I highly recommend them.”

John S.
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“Kristine and John are extremely caring and compassionate about helping their client's and family and making sure they receive the best care available. Highly recommended!”

Greg G.
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“We needed some home care services for Dad who has dementia, and we made the right decision to trust ABC Senior Services for this support. Dad was lined up with a caregiver who was attentive and helpful, and she and Dad really hit it off. The management and administrative staff from ABC were also very effective and professional. You'll make a good decision to go with ABC Senior Services...”

Liam M.
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“I approached Kristine regarding care for my elderly father. Even though he was outside her service area, she helped to find resources for us. Her commitment to providing outstanding care is only surpassed by her desire to help others. Thank you Kristine!”

Matt B.
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“I have known Kristine Lajeunesse for many years now through business networking and she and her Team at Always Best Care are very caring and professional and exactly who you would want on your side if you have a loved one who needs help!”

Ann B.
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“The client care at Always Best Care Senior Service is outstanding”

Kimberly O.
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“Rosemary has many great qualities. She is a hardworker, sensitive, has a giving nature and has an immense desire to help my father. Reliability is vital trait in Rosemary. When my father was in the hospital and came home she immediately wanted to be by his side. My father has come to rely and depend on Rosemary. She is always on time whether it is giving medication or administering food and often encourages my father and helps my father maintain his dignity”

Denise D.
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“Always Best Care provides caregivers to our building on a regular basis when we are short staffed. Due to our licensing, we can only have CNAs on the floor and Always Best Care has provided excellent CNAs every time we need some extra help. All of their CNAs have been helpful, willing to go above and beyond for our residents and we always have great responses from our own CNAs and supervisory staff. I am so thankful to Michelle and Wilda who will always staff a shift that I need, even if I call 30 minutes before the shift starts. You’ve been such a huge help!”

Kaytee S.
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“I have known John and Kristine Lajeunesse for almost 20 years and when my dad needed care following a diagnosis of dementia, I knew there wouldn’t be anyone better to call than them. The caregivers that have worked with my dad have been wonderful. They are true saints to my family, allowing us the knowledge that Dad is okay to stay at home. They have navigated all of the changes in his cognitive state with grace and kept my father’s dignity in place. He was always a very active man and the caregivers have managed to keep him active, even as his health declines.”

Belinda F.
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“Always Best Care helped me to get care lined up for my uncle, after I received their information from a close friend of mine that also used their agency. My uncle was a very proud man and did not want help from anyone, including family. Taylor met with me and spent time getting to know the ins and outs of my uncle’s care as well as his personality. She asked about his background so that they could look for a caregiver with similar interests. Although he took a turn for the worse rather quickly, the short time care was provided was wonderful. Thank you for your help and compassion.”

Karel O.
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“My dad’s caregiver is great. He is a man of few words, but she is able to get him talking about all aspects and experiences of his life. They go out regularly and she encourages my dad to participate in the activities put on by the community he lives in. They run errands, go out for meals, or go for a drive just to get a change of scenery. I was nervous at first about how my dad would take having a caregiver come in to help him, but he seems so happy and has great things to talk about after his time spent with his caregiver.”

Martin F.
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“Thank you, Kristine - I am very appreciative of the professional manner with which you and your organization operates. From the initial phone and in-person conversations with Taylor, to the ongoing support of my mother's care - it's been thorough, timely and well managed. I am also struck by how the home-health employees conduct themselves. They are reliable/responsive *and* responsible, and making every effort to work through the challenges day to day with my mother. Thanks for the great job you and your organization are doing. It means a lot to me, especially during this trying time! Best Regards”

Anna T.
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“I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your staff for all of your hard work and dedication to their clients. When my parents finally realized they needed help in their home, I chose ABC as the company I felt would be the best fit. Yes, we have had some ups and down, but when you paired Leah with my parents, it was truly a blessing. My parents love her. She genuinely cares for them and they speak highly of her work ethic. As my mom says, “she is too good to be true”. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your working with me to find the right fit. Well on our end, Leah fits like a glove and I hope she feels the same. She is a special person so I wanted to acknowledge her hard work and dedication to my parents. It makes me feel more at ease knowing there is someone coming to the home to properly care for them. Again I want to thank you all and encourage you to keep up the good work.”

Craig F.
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“My family provides the care to my mother 24/7, we called Always Best Care to provide respite care to my mom while we took some time to ourselves for a weekend. Mom’s caregiver, Gloria, was great and she had the perfect disposition to work with my mom. She was attentive and kept mom well fed and engaged during the time we were away. We would definitely call Always Best Care again when we need some time away.”

Brenda
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“The caregiver that helped my husband and I were so kind to us both, especially to my husband while I spent some time in the hospital and rehab. Our caregiver brought my husband to see me every day while I was at the hospital and at rehab, I knew he was in excellent hands and I could focus on getting stronger again.”

Heather R.
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“i really like my caregiver, Victor very much. Victor is a very patient and observant aide who knows when I need his help. I knew from the first day meeting him that we would get along very well.”

Johnson L.
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““I want to give a huge thank you for the care that Always Best Care provided over the last year and a half. They started out assisting just my dad since he was wheelchair bound and then began providing care to my mom as well who had advanced dementia. The two ladies that helped them both did an amazing job and gave me the confidence that they were being well cared for since I live on the other side of the country. Up to my dad’s passing, his caregivers were there for him to provide comfort and companionship while managing my mom’s emotions as well during the difficult time my dad had. Being a nurse myself and in the healthcare field for a while, I had high expectations which were exceeded by the caregivers and office staff of Always Best Care.”

harry B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Both of Mom’s caregivers are exceptional. They are always professional, calm and extremely patient with my mom. They know how to keep her calm and to manage her anxiety. My whole family is very grateful, knowing that Mom is getting really competent care, great meals and friendly companionship. Thank you.”

Kathleen F.
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“My husband had care from Always Best Care until he passed away. Thankfully he is on his "next journey" and finally pain free, while he was here with us, his caregiver, Craig, did an amazing job caring for him and was here to help us from our first day of services. Craig always managed to get my husband to share stories from his time in the war that even I had not heard before. It was a great way to get to know more of my husband so his memory can continue with others around him.”

Beth F.
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“I am very pleased with the care that Craig gave to my husband. My husband enjoyed having another man to talk to instead of conversation only between him and I. Craig managed to keep him occupied and safe so that I could go and get some time to myself, allowing me peace of mind that my husband was in great hands”

Sonia T.
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“I hired Always Best Care to help my mom who was living with me at home. She was diagnosed with dementia and within 3 months she could hardly do much for herself anymore. I was able to continue working full time while my mom received care from Always Best Care. We had the same caregiver from day 1 and she was absolutely amazing. She kept everyone in the loop with any changes my mom experienced and the regular in person and phone check ins were a great added support to myself and my family. Thank you ABC for all the help and compassion that you showed my mom until her passing.”

Laura
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“They are very caring and easy to deal with. They work with the family and the patient to see that the patient has what is needed for their care. In all we had a good experience with Best Care.”

Elaine G.
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“Our caregiver is the absolute best, you all got lucky finding her.”

Bob G.
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“Anything from Always Best Care is good to have. The care from them has given me my life back. I wasn’t expecting a perfect match on the first caregiver, but Always Best Care did a very good job.”

Claudia B.
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“We have been using the services of ABC for almost three years, and I have worked personally with John, Kristine, Taylor, Michelle and Wilda, as well as the many wonderful caregivers who have attended to my mother’s needs with great care and attention. Throughout this time, my mother’s care needs have changed many times, and they have always been very responsive to any requests, including the directives of the hospice nurses that work in concert with all of them. Taylor and Michelle are incredibly diligent about keeping on top of issues that arise day-to-day, and running their questions and concerns by me. I remain a loyal customer to ABC because I feel that my mother is getting really great care, and will continue to see the warm, friendly faces she has come to know and trust today and every day. At 94 yrs old, my mother is quite dependent on the care providers for almost all her needs, and they always show up and make her feel safe and secure.”

Rachel C.
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“It has been a true pleasure working with you and your organization. You all demonstrate empathy and compassion in caring for frail elderly family members and insure distant families are comforted knowing you are there.”

Steve S.
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“Mom’s caregiver is a part of the family, we absolutely love her!”

Joe L.
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“Always Best Care has done a fantastic job in providing us with at-home care for my step-mother while we prepared for her transition to move permanently to a skilled nursing facility. With their help, she was able to spend a full six months at home before moving. We would not have been able to do it without them. All the caregivers we have met and used have been kind and attentive, frequently going the extra mile, whatever that may be on any given day. The office staff is friendly, empathetic and very diligent in keeping all parties informed of all aspects of day-to-day care. They are knowledgeable, respectful and efficient. I would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone who is looking for help in keeping their loved one at home for as long as possible.”

Sarah C.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Old Lyme, CT?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Old Lyme, CT

Types of Elderly Care in Old Lyme, CT

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Old Lyme, CT
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Old Lyme, CT
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 Ferry Landing State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Old Lyme, CT
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 The Hangry Goose or visit Boxwood Manor, 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.

 In-Home Care Old Lyme, CT

Benefits of Home Care in Old Lyme, CT

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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

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

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

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Old Lyme, 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.

 Elderly Care Old Lyme, CT

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your CT's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Old Lyme, CT

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 Old Lyme, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Old Lyme, CT

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Old Lyme, CT

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:

  • Ct Assisted Living Associates
  • Old Lyme Town Social Services
  • Browns Lane Group Home
Home Care Old Lyme, CT

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.

 In-Home Care Old Lyme, 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 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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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.

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Latest News in Old Lyme, CT

Lyme-Old Lyme Board of Ed Walks Back Vote on Bleachers, Seeks Cost Savings

LYME/OLD LYME — The Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously voted to walk back an Oct. 4 decision accepting a $427,000 bid for turf field and middle school soccer field bleachers. The bid was significantly in excess of the $140,000 originally budgeted for the project.At the early October meeting, board members expressed shock at the higher price, but voted 5 to 3 with one abstention to accept the bid.Board members Steve Wilson, Mary Powell-St. Louis and Chris Staab voted against the original appropriation. Laura Dean-...

LYME/OLD LYME — The Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously voted to walk back an Oct. 4 decision accepting a $427,000 bid for turf field and middle school soccer field bleachers. The bid was significantly in excess of the $140,000 originally budgeted for the project.

At the early October meeting, board members expressed shock at the higher price, but voted 5 to 3 with one abstention to accept the bid.

Board members Steve Wilson, Mary Powell-St. Louis and Chris Staab voted against the original appropriation. Laura Dean-Frazier abstained. Members Suzanne Thompson, Martha Shoemaker, Jason Kemp, Anna James and Jenn Miller voted in favor.

The board also voted unanimously to move $717,000 into the district’s undesignated fund to pay for installing the bleachers, as well as other projects.

Superintendent Ian Neviaser said Wednesday that after fielding concerns from the board on Oct. 4, the district returned to the engineering firm to argue the price. Neviaser said the district had decided to modify the plan for the construction, and rather than building the bleachers into the hillside, a retaining wall would allow the flat surface to be extended, and pre-manufactured bleachers to be installed on top.

“I personally think that’s a better idea just for watching the game too, because you’re at a higher vantage point. You’re not necessarily sitting even with the fence, trying to look through the fence,” he said.

Neviaser estimated that the change would save the district between $100,000 and $150,000, but emphasized those savings were a rough estimate.

On Wednesday, Jenn Miller told CT Examiner that she initially voted to go forward with the bleachers in October because that was what she thought was needed at the time.

“I don’t want people sitting on the fence or the grass,” she said. “I think an adequate sports facility needs to have seating for parents and bystanders.”

Miller said she thought the newly redesigned plan was better.

Martha Shoemaker told CT Examiner that she, like Miller, viewed the new plan as a better one that “could possibly produce savings.”

She said the bleachers were also important for safety, given that they “provide a degree of separation between the players and the spectators.”

Jason Kemp told CT Examiner that the bleachers had been a topic of discussion for the facilities committee for some time. He explained to CT Examiner that at the time of the initial vote he believed the price to be the lowest and best option.

Suzanne Thompson told CT Examiner that in retrospect she wished the board had tabled the issue in October rather than voted that night. But she said she thought the bleachers were necessary for the turf field — the district had invested in the field, she said, and it should be used to its full potential.

“I know a number of people thought, well, this was only going to be a practice field. Well, honestly, it’s going to be used [for] both school activities and after school activities. It’s not only a practice field, so it is a facility where you do need seats,” she said.

Thompson said she was glad the board had found a solution to move forward with the project at a lower cost.

“The whole point is, I think we need to have some form of bleachers. I was sorry to see how much they were going to cost in the earlier bid. So to be able to come back and go, wait, there’s a better solution — I want to hear it,” said Thompson.

In addition to changing the basic engineering of the bleachers, the new plan also reduces the number of seats from 200 to between 125 and 150, but Nevaiser said he didn’t anticipate a problem, given that current bleachers sat about 80 people and were rarely filled.

“Very few times have I seen those bleachers so packed that no one has room to sit,” said Neviaser.

The Board plans to consider new bids for the bleachers at its December meeting.

This story has been edited to include comments by Jason Kemp and to clarify the voting on the bleacher proposal which included separate votes to accept the bid and approve the funding

Emilia Otte covers health and education for the Connecticut Examiner. In 2022 Otte was awarded "Rookie of the Year," by the New England Newspaper & Press Association.

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Wait to Sign Sewer Contracts After Old Lyme Election, Clarify Costs First

To the Editor:My husband loves to fish. That’s why we own property here in Old Lyme. One day he came home and said to me, “Great news, Mary, I was able to buy a fishing Ski-Doo, at a 25% discount!” He was very excited. “Well”, I said, “what is the total cost of the Ski-Doo?” “I’m not sure, but it’s 25% off!” “Well, what’s included?”, I asked. “Is the trailer included? The maintenance and storage? Any fishing or navigation apparatus?” &ldquo...

To the Editor:

My husband loves to fish. That’s why we own property here in Old Lyme. One day he came home and said to me, “Great news, Mary, I was able to buy a fishing Ski-Doo, at a 25% discount!” He was very excited. “Well”, I said, “what is the total cost of the Ski-Doo?” “I’m not sure, but it’s 25% off!” “Well, what’s included?”, I asked. “Is the trailer included? The maintenance and storage? Any fishing or navigation apparatus?” “I don’t know,” he said. “Stop asking so many questions— this is a great deal!” “How about bait?”, I asked. “No”, he said. “Oh, yes, I said – the bait is included! You took the bait—hook, line and sinker!”

Great news from the WPCA! DEEP has agreed to provide 25% or up to $15 million in a “forgivable” loan, toward the cost of sewering a small area in Old Lyme that is 80% vacant 8 months out of the year. So exciting right? Oh wait! 25%, or $15 million—that implies that the estimated cost for sewering this small community is now $60 million. What does that estimate include? We are not sure. Perhaps the force main, pump house and return? Maybe the bioxide station? Maybe the operating and maintenance fees, but we don’t really know what that will be, so maybe, maybe, maybe.

Well, then, may we ask what is NOT included in the $60 million estimate? We are not sure but there might be additional maintenance and operational expenses, legal fees, management fees, home owner hookup fees, paving, well closures, Connecticut Water fees, and well, we are not sure what else. We do know for sure there will be additional fees to use New London’s facilities, but we don’t know exactly what those fees will be in dollars. We are only volunteers, doing the best we can, says WPCA Chair Prendergast.

Ok, well, thank you for your service. But can you tell us, what will the homeowners who are served by this project end up paying out of pocket? For the installation? For the connection fees? For the maintenance and usage? And what will the rest of the town residents pay? What’s the bottom line. Well, we are not sure. We are doing the best we can. We are volunteers, says WPCA Chair Prendergast.

Stop! Before the Selectmen and Board of Finance approve any additional contracts regarding sewers— Stop! There is no penalty in waiting. Let’s allow our new boards that will be elected in less than 27 days make these important decisions. Give the new board members time to review these contracts that will impact Old Lyme for decades to come. Let’s be sure. Cross every T, identify what every property owner will be asked to pay, and what the town will pay, forever, what the limitations will be, forever, once these contracts are signed. Let’s be sure this is best for Old Lyme.

If you’d like to hear the latest WPCA discussion regarding the uncertainty of the pending DEEP “forgivable loan”, listen to the WPCA meeting recording from September 2023, starting at the 39:40-minute mark. For information regarding the uncertainty of details proposed in the revised New London IMA agreement,listen to that same WPCA recording, starting at the 54:30-minute mark. If you still have questions, well, you still have questions. Like the rest of us. WPCA Meeting September 12, 2023 – YouTube

By the way DEEP does accept individual green alternative solutions. The cost for state of the art – alternative engineered systems – about $30- $35K per lot which is much cheaper than installing a sewersystem, even with a “forgiveable” loan. There is a better way.

Old Lyme

P.S. For Sale – one luxury fishing Ski-Doo. 50% off. Contact Mary Daley

I-95 Exits 71 and 72 Southbound Will Be Combined in 2028 Plan

OLD LYME — In a $29 million project slated for 2028, the historically dangerous southbound stretch of I-95 between exits 71 and 72 will be combined to include a frontage road and stoplight, creating safer driving conditions according to state officials.“This area of I-95 includes a short weaving section between the Exit 72 on-ramp and Exit 71 off-ramp, which results in frequent crashes and traffic congestion,” Kafi Rouse, director of communications for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, wrote in an email t...

OLD LYME — In a $29 million project slated for 2028, the historically dangerous southbound stretch of I-95 between exits 71 and 72 will be combined to include a frontage road and stoplight, creating safer driving conditions according to state officials.

“This area of I-95 includes a short weaving section between the Exit 72 on-ramp and Exit 71 off-ramp, which results in frequent crashes and traffic congestion,” Kafi Rouse, director of communications for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, wrote in an email to CT Examiner on Wednesday.

“Safety and operational improvements can be achieved by reconfiguring this interchange by combining and relocating Exits 71 and 72 southbound and extending the on-ramps to provide vehicles additional time to accelerate and merge onto the interstate,” Rouse said.

The project is in its conceptual stages and is estimated at $29 million, said Josh Morgan, spokesman for the state department of transportation.

Exit 72 provides access to the Rocky Neck Connector in East Lyme. Exit 71 connects to Four Mile River Road in Old Lyme.

Sam Gold, executive director of RiverCOG, which includes Old Lyme, said the project “will reduce the friction and the hazards in between the exits of 71 and 72, and will reduce accidents.”

Gold said project funding was approved as an amendment to the FY 21-24 Transportation Improvement Program at Wednesday morning’s meeting of RiverCOG and Lower Connecticut River Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP, is an ongoing list of projects scheduled to receive federal funding within a four-year period.

Amanda Kennedy, executive director of the Southeastern Connecticut Council, which includes East Lyme, told CT Examiner that her staff has reviewed the project information with the Department of Transportation staff.

“Our executive committee has voted to recommend approval of the TIP amendment at our December 20 meeting,” she said.

Planning and engineering of the project are expected to begin in 2024 and completed in 2027.

“This proposed project is currently in early design, and we continue discussing the project with our local community partners. As the project moves forward, a public information meeting will be held, with construction anticipated to begin in 2028,” said Rouse.

Cate Hewitt is a reporter and Deputy Editor for CT Examiner. Hewitt covers planning and zoning issues.

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East Lyme Needs Professional Government Management

To the Editor:Town government in East Lyme has decided to not follow the example of the town of Clinton, which in 2019 changed its charter from a first selectman/board type government to a town manager and town council system. Clinton has two-thirds the population of East Lyme and its budget is about three-quarters the size of East Lyme’s. Per a CT Examiner article from July 20...

To the Editor:

Town government in East Lyme has decided to not follow the example of the town of Clinton, which in 2019 changed its charter from a first selectman/board type government to a town manager and town council system. Clinton has two-thirds the population of East Lyme and its budget is about three-quarters the size of East Lyme’s. Per a CT Examiner article from July 2019, “people wanted professional management.” The first selectman system was popular in the nineteenth century and is ideally suited to rural towns with small populations and budgets. East Lyme has ceased being that type of town since the 1960s even though we like to delude ourselves that we are still one. We neglect to note the difference between a small town social frame of mind and the realities of our situation.

The day-to-day management of a town with roughly 20,000 inhabitants (which swells to 30,000 in the summer) and total budgets north of $80 million is exceedingly complex and requires specific skills in public administration, management and budgeting. The East Lyme Charter Commission, in its infinite wisdom, recognized that the current positions of Town Clerk and Tax Collector also require specific skill sets and experience to perform their jobs well and recommends that those positions be shifted from elected to appointed. Yet the Commission feels that the complex needs of our town can be best met by an elected official without any experience or skill in managing all of the town employees and operations.

The Examiner also quoted a then-selectman from Clinton who said that “[people] are tired of the petty, partisan politics.” With East Lyme’s current first selectman system, the first selectman — an elected official – does the hiring as well as performs job reviews without any specific training. Hiring and personnel management can lead to a fairly partisan group of town employees, especially in the case of East Lyme, where the selectman has been almost exclusively from one political party for the past twenty years.

There’s also the issue that sound administration, especially governmental administration, is founded in separating those who make the policy from those who administer the policy. However, in a first selectman system there is no separation. The first selectman is both chief policymaker as well as chief administrator. This is nowhere near optimal management, or transparent and effective governing.

The East Lyme Charter Commission, also in its infinite wisdom, recommends extending the term of the first selectman from two to four years, citing the expense and effort of campaigning every two years. One might note that our state constitution does not give East Lyme voters the ability to recall and replace its first selectman should the first selectman be incompetent at running a very complex organization. If voters make a bad decision, they are stuck for twice the time. Our current system does not have much in terms of checks and balances should a first selectman turn out to be a very bad choice. At least, an election every two years gives voters more power and makes the first selectman justify their management to voters. It’s called accountability, a hallmark of governmental transparency and a responsive government.

In addition, the Charter Commission, and by extension the Board of Selectmen, also endorse the lengthening of the terms of all the members of the selectboard from two to four years and stagger the election of members so only half are elected at any time, much like how the federal Senate is elected. Such a system isolates the selectboard from the majority rule of voters since only a portion of the board is voted at any time. This move makes the board even more unresponsive to the needs and wishes of the majority of voters.

In all, the recommendations of the Charter Commission do not strike me as consistent or as truly trying to make government more responsive and transparent to voters. Their recommendations do strike me, however, as more jury-rigged efforts to patch together an antiquated, nineteenth-century form of government on a town that badly needs professional, transparent and effective government. Last I knew the date was 2023, not 1893. Many of the problems that East Lyme faces can be attributed to our refusal to grow up and accept facts that we are no longer a small rural town. These problems can only be aggravated by the demands of the twenty-first century. Things are not getting simpler; they are growing more complex. And the town of East Lyme deserves the professional governmental management of a town council/town manager system of government.

Niantic

Facing Complaints, Shore Road Owner Applies for 8-30g Protections

OLD LYME — The owner of a Shore Road property is applying under the state’s 8-30g affordable housing statute to permit multiple existing apartments on the parcel where currently only one is allowed by town zoning regulations. The application will be heard on Monday’s Zoning Commission agenda.There are currently four apartments distributed among three buildings on the 0.61-acre property at 258-260 Shore Road, at the corner of Cross Lane. The proposed change would deed-restrict two of the four units as affordable, resu...

OLD LYME — The owner of a Shore Road property is applying under the state’s 8-30g affordable housing statute to permit multiple existing apartments on the parcel where currently only one is allowed by town zoning regulations. The application will be heard on Monday’s Zoning Commission agenda.

There are currently four apartments distributed among three buildings on the 0.61-acre property at 258-260 Shore Road, at the corner of Cross Lane. The proposed change would deed-restrict two of the four units as affordable, resulting in the addition of two units to the town’s affordable housing total without building any new structures.

“The goal is to allow what’s there now to continue,” Eric Knapp, land use coordinator and zoning enforcement officer, told CT Examiner on Thursday.

Towns with less than 10 percent state-designated affordable housing are subject to the 8-30g statute. Old Lyme has 83 affordable units, which makes up just 1.7 percent of the town’s total housing, according to its May 2022 Affordable Housing Plan.

Regarding the property on Shore Road, Knapp said neighbors’ complaints triggered his issuing of a cease and desist order to the owners in April.

“Neighbors were complaining not so much that the families living there, but the conditions that they were staying in were not great,” he said.

In June, the property owner, 258-260 Shore Rd LLC, registered to Ashlynn and Thomas Larson of Old Lyme, appealed Knapp’s cease and desist order to the Zoning Board of Appeals and asked for several continuances of the public hearing.

Later, at the Zoning Board’s Sept. 21 meeting, the owners’ attorney requested enough time to file an affordable housing application to be reviewed by the Zoning Commission, coming up on Nov. 13.

As a condition of approval, Knapp said he will ask building officials to inspect the apartments on the property.

According to the proposal’s affordability plan, at least 30 percent — or two of the four units — will be deed-restricted for 40 years. One unit will be designated for a household that earns 60 percent or less of the area median income and the other for a household that earns 80 percent or less.

Knapp said the affordable units could be any two of the four apartments and that the designated units could be reassigned each year.

Cate Hewitt is a reporter and Deputy Editor for CT Examiner. Hewitt covers planning and zoning issues.

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