As the State of Connecticut continues to respond to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates to the residents of Connecticut as of 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2020: More
Boys & Girls Village’s board of directors has elected Kimberly Shaunesey, Ph.D., the organization’s president, to the position of chief executive officer and president, effective January 1, 2020. More Jan 2, 2020 - 8:37:16 AM
Boys & Girls Village (BGV) proudly announced today the appointment of Dr. Ellen Russell Beatty to its Board of Directors. This addition brings the total number of BGV Board members to thirteen. More Dec 19, 2019 - 1:10:00 AM
The internationally-acclaimed hit theater show The Simon & Garfunkel Story will stop at Waterbury’s Palace Theater on January 25 as part of a fifty-state coast to coast tour. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased at the Palace Theater’s Box Office, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury, on-line at palacetheaterct.org or by calling 203.346.2000. More Dec 12, 2019 - 12:10:55 AM
A crowd of nearly 300 students, family members, guardians and supporters gathered together yesterday in the gymnasium and cafeteria at Charles F. Hayden School in Milford, CT for the annual schoolwide Thanksgiving lunch. More Nov 28, 2019 - 10:36:55 AM
Boys & Girls Village (BGV) recently received $31,000 from the Werth Family Foundation to support the purchase of equipment for the organization’s upcoming Life Skills and Vocational Training Center, which will provide programs to help at-risk youth develop the life, financial and job skills they need to become economically self-sufficient as they become adults. More Nov 11, 2019 - 10:14:58 AM
Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut will illuminate the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven – informally known by residents as the Q Bridge – in red, white, and blue lights on the evenings of Sunday, November 10 and Monday, November 11 in observation of Veterans Day. More Nov 9, 2019 - 9:57:58 PM
Personal caregivers for the elderly or people with special needs provide an invaluable service. Many times, family members take on this critical role at the expense of their own financial and physical wellbeing. During National Family Caregivers Month in November, Assisted Living Services, Inc. is paying tribute to all caregivers by offering them resources that ensure they remain empowered, energized and enthusiastic. More Nov 1, 2019 - 6:02:14 PM
Murphy Highlights New Haven Innovator Bioxcel Therapeutics As “Murphy’s Innovator Of The Month” U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced on Friday that BioXcel Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has been named “Innovator of the Month.” The company employs 25 people at their headquarters in New Haven and utilizes a unique artificial intelligence (AI) that draws from machine learning and big data analytics along with expertise and intuition of human experience in drug development. More Sep 30, 2019 - 5:58:03 AM
Waterbury's Palace Theater history class - registration now open for fall class Join Palace Theater historian Louis Belloisy for a fascinating five-week class September 3 – October 1 10:15 – 11:45 am, exploring the theater’s beginnings and learn about its history, architecture, lore and roster of entertainers that have graced its stage that reads like a “Who’s Who” from the world of entertainment. The class includes a detailed tour of the theater including backstage, dressing rooms, and the flyway over the stage. More Jul 19, 2019 - 5:42:58 AM
After receiving rave reviews for her outstanding work and reliability, Linda Papaspliliotopulus of Meriden was presented with the Assisted Living Services, Inc. Platinum Caregiver Award for April. The homecare agency surprised the hourly homemaker with the prestigious honor at the home of client Christine Karash and her husband Neil Karash on May 24, 2019. In addition to a check for $5,000, the monthly award includes a beautiful crystal statue and a certificate of merit. More Jun 4, 2019 - 5:12:16 AM
Boys & Girls Village (BGV) hosted their annual foster and adoptive parent appreciation dinner on Friday, May 10th at Racebrook Country Club in Orange, CT to honor the dedication and commitment made by the 88 families in attendance. More May 20, 2019 - 3:29:56 AM
The trailblazing tech center created by Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. of Meriden and area partners was honored with the 6th Special Achievement in Innovation Award by the Midstate Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented to the collaboration of MidState ARC, Assisted Living Technologies (ALT) and NESIT Makerspace for the Technology Training Center of CT at the Chamber’s123rd Annual Meeting on April 11, 2019 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. More May 14, 2019 - 5:26:21 AM
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Assisted Living Services, Inc. in Cheshire recognizes the outstanding efforts of employee caregivers each month with a $5,000 Platinum Caregiver Award. From left: Lynne Schmidt, Director of Marketing and Hourly Services, honoree Linda Papaspliliotopulus of Meriden and Mario D’Aquila, MBA and Chief Operating Officer. Linda used her windfall for a family reunion in Italy. Photo Credit: Assisted Living Services (contributed photo)
CHESHIRE, CT - Personal caregivers for the elderly or people with special needs provide an invaluable service. Many times, family members take on this critical role at the expense of their own financial and physical wellbeing. During National Family Caregivers Month in November, Assisted Living Services, Inc. is paying tribute to all caregivers by offering them resources that ensure they remain empowered, energized and enthusiastic.
“Regardless if you are a caregiver for a family member or it is your profession, it can be overwhelming if you have additional worries about your own finances and personal responsibilities,” said Ron D’Aquila, RN, Co-Founder and CEO of Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) in Cheshire. “We understand the demands of caregiving and have spearheaded multiple initiatives to elevate pay and recognition within the industry.”
D’Aquila highlights a state program that can alleviate the financial burden of family caregivers who often have to cut back on working hours, take a leave of absence, or quit their job entirely. The CT Department of Social Services added The Adult Family Living/Foster Care Program in 2013 under the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) and the Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Waiver Program. Assisted Living Services, Inc. is a credentialed provider for this program, which means the company provides the oversight that helps caregivers succeed including on-going support by a Registered Nurse with the “tools” needed to be comfortable with caregiving, along with the financial compensation that they deserve.
To be eligible for the CHCPE, applicants must meet certain criteria, such as being a Connecticut resident, be at risk of nursing home placement, as well as meet certain financial criteria. Adult Family Living / Foster Care is defined as personal care and support services that are provided to participants who reside in a private home by a principle caregiver that lives in the home. The direct provider may be a relative of the participant as long as they are not a legally liable relative (such as a spouse).
There are four different levels of care that depend on the complexity of care needed. When a referral is made to DSS, a representative visits the home for an assessment and to determine eligibility and level.
Under the program, the caregiver can receive a tax-free stipend of over $500 per week. Direct foster caregivers can care for up to three individuals in a household.
In addition, ALS is a champion for their employed staff as well, by offering competitive wages, specialized training, and a unique and generous monthly award program. The company’s Platinum Caregiver Award recognizes caregivers who exhibit exemplary care and stellar service by presenting them with a beautiful crystal statue, a certificate of merit and $5,000 every month. Employee Linda Papaspliliotopulus was the award honoree in April and used her winnings for a dream trip to Italy for a family reunion.
“Linda was born in Italy and she told me that this was a big reunion with family from all over, many of whom had not gotten together for years,” said D’Aquila. “We are thrilled that our monthly award can enhance the lives of our valued team members and proud that there is truly nothing like it in the entire country!”
D’Aquila stresses the importance of taking time away as just one thing caregivers need to do in order to practice good self-care. He shares some other strategies:
Engage in regular activities as a reminder that you are more than just a caregiver.
Give yourself permission to take short breaks. Get out of the house throughout the day, even for 10 minutes. Visit with friends.
Take care of yourself. Don’t skip your own doctor’s appointments because you’re too busy. Exercise, eat well and don’t sacrifice sleep.
Get up 15 minutes earlier and use the time just for you. Journal about your struggles and feelings, meditate or stretch.
Watch out for signs of depression and don’t delay getting professional help.
Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs!
Technology can also help a senior maintain independence while providing peace of mind. Through the ALS sister company, Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. there are automated medication dispensers to improve compliance, home safety devices that shut off a stove that is inadvertently left on, fall avoidance technologies, and Personal Emergency Response Systems that can help augment or supplement care.
For nearly 25 years, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. in Cheshire with branch locations in Clinton and Fairfield has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Their award-winning CarePlus program blends personal care with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203.634.8668.