Always Best Care Senior Services - Home Care Services in Manchester - Manchester, Connecticut

Marie C.

My family had to quickly find a home aide agency when my 93 year old Dad was being discharged from the hospital. He was recovering from an infection and needed assistance getting out of bed and walking. My Dad had a current aide, but we needed to supplement her hours since we believed he would need 24 hour care for at least the first week, and even some overlap when there would be 2 people in the home. Always Best Care was on the list provided by the Discharge Coordinator at the hospital and had many good reviews online. They were very professional and responsive to our phone inquiry and we set up an appointment to meet. My Dad, his aide, and I (his daughter) met with the intake representative in person, and she was thorough and professional. We were disappointed that ABC does not drug test its employees (the representative said that CT law only allowed testing if there is suspicion of use) and does not require the Covid shot (representative stated due to new CDC guidance). But they were able to schedule an aide to start within a couple of days so we quickly reviewed the contract, provided a credit card number for weekly billing, paid the large 2 week security deposit on the same credit card, and awaited the new aide to start.

Just prior to the aide arriving, ABC emailed us that they were not aware that my Dad already had an aide in the home (despite the fact that the sales representative had met and spoken with her in person) and it was against their policy to place one of their aides in a home with another aide. They said they would make an exception in this case, but the ABC aide would not take any direction from my Dad’s current aide (who was intimately familiar with his routines, needs, medications, etc. and we were counting on to be a valuable resource). This set things off on a bad footing. They also stated they could not allow their aide to travel to appointments with both my Dad and his other aide. They would only allow their aide to drive him to appointments, and only if we signed a waiver.
The aide that was sent to our home was elderly herself, and had difficulty going up and down stairs. She took little initiative in checking on my Dad, or completing basic household tasks like washing dishes. But the final straw was when I found the ABC aide sleeping on the job and had to awaken her. Fortunately my Dad improved much more quickly and dramatically than we had expected, so we were able to cancel with ABC after that first day. Because of their 24 hour cancellation policy we agreed to pay for the day the aide was at our home, plus the next day although we asked them not to send her back.

After cancellation, the agency charged our credit card for the two days of “services” the following Sunday, which they had told us was their weekly billing date. Okay, fine, though we thought they’d net the difference out from the security deposit. But they did not credit our credit card for the security deposit at the same time. When we questioned them about the security deposit they said it was being “worked on” and would be returned within 30 days. When I questioned further about why couldn’t they process the security deposit refund at the same time they put through the charge for services I was told that a check had been mailed that morning. So instead of simply crediting the same form of payment that was used for the security deposit, a secure method, they chose to use a very insecure method of mailing a physical check, without any tracking. Fortunately the check did arrive, after a week, but we were looking into options to put a conditional credit on my Dad’s credit card so he would not have to pay the security deposit while waiting for the refund check.

We were very disappointed in the whole experience with ABC from an administrative standpoint, from the quality of care provided and the quality of employee standpoint.

We would not recommend this agency to anyone looking for home care for a loved one.

Chris K.

I am so grateful to everyone at Always Best Care. The Care Givers treated my parents with compassion, dignity, and respect. I knew my parents were in good hands. Those in the office, whom I spoke with often, were also compassionate and very understanding. When my parents suddenly needed additional care hours, the office worked diligently to ensure those needs were met quickly. When either of my parents was in the emergency room or admitted to the hospital, the office staff and Care Givers were not only concerned for them but for me also.

As my Father has passed on and my Mother needs a higher level of care, I will always sing the praises of the staff at Always Best Care. They have been like extended family.

Deborah C.

Ever since we started with Always Best Care, we have received professional and caring staff. Currently, Audley G. is dad's caregiver, and he is kind, thorough, and a joy to work with. Thank you, ABC for sending Audley to us.

H H.

Our family has been relying on Always Best Care “ABC” for over 5 years with great success. The caregivers are professional, kind, careful and well trained. Management is attentive and communication and documentation is excellent.
Without their assistance my parents would no longer be able to live independently.
We can’t thank ABC and their caregivers enough for their support!

Ana P.

Extremely Disappointed – Lack of Accountability and Communication

Realizing that a loved one in another state needs in-home care is one of the most emotional and vulnerable moments a family can face. You’re placing your trust in professionals to care for someone you can’t be there for daily—and you hope, above all, for peace of mind.

Unfortunately, our experience with Always Best Care in Manchester, CT, brought anything but peace.

Out of three scheduled visits, two had no documented care notes provided to the family, an unacceptable lapse in accountability for any agency claiming to offer professional in-home care. On the one day when a family member was present, the care appeared attentive and thorough. However, when no one from the family was on-site, there was no evidence that any meaningful care had been provided. We found my mother in the same clothing on Saturday as she had been wearing on Monday, despite two scheduled care visits in between. Her living space had not been cleaned, laundry had not been done, and no hygiene assistance had been given. There was no documentation, no follow-up, and no communication.

We later learned from the Director of Operations that internal notes for the Tuesday visit (one of the undocumented days) indicated that my mother declined hygiene assistance due to not feeling well. This is critical information that was never communicated to the family. If our loved one was unwell enough to refuse care, we absolutely should have been notified immediately so we could check in or seek medical attention if necessary. Additionally, no notes at all were provided for the Thursday visit.

This complete lack of transparency, paired with poor communication and inconsistent documentation, makes it impossible to trust that proper care was ever delivered. When you're entrusting an agency with the wellbeing of a vulnerable loved one, basic communication and follow-through should not be optional; they are essential.

Based on this experience, I cannot recommend Always Best Care in Manchester as a trustworthy provider of in-home care. Our family deserved better, and so does yours.

Tonya M.

Where can I begin?
The short review: ABC Caregivers are FABULOUS!!
The long review: We landed in a gap of care for my mom. I called Taylor at ABC on a Thursday and early the next week we had completed the intake process, and Taylor was able to secure 3 caregivers (12 hrs a day for 7 days a week) for my mom.

The caregivers (Teresa Rose, Asha, Doreen) were great. Each had their own approach with mom, regardless, they all had empathy, compassion and kindness any time they engaged with mom.

The support from ABC give us the time to find a new community that better fit where mom was with her Alzheimer's journey.

We are so very grateful for the quick support, the follow up and the care needed in a critical time for us and for mom.

THANK YOU ALWAYS BEST CARE!!! You are amazing!!!!

Liza B.

I highly recommend Always Best Care. This company is professional and caring. Porsha, Sunny and Nicola gave my mother the best care. They cared about my mom. My mother trusted them, as did I. Their excellent care of my mom put my mind at ease. When I needed additional care, it was put in place immediately. I never had to worry about someone not showing up. I appreciate the care Always Best Care gave to my mom.

Anne H.

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!