Today we launch a new blog series called, “Connecticut Home Care Answers” where our team of experienced pros answers your questions about Assisted Living Service, Inc. and the business of caring for Connecticut’s seniors at home. If you would like to post a question, feel free to do so in the comments section below, or on our Facebook wall or Twitter page.
Today we talk with Ron D’Aquila, Assisted Living Services, Inc.’s Co-Founder and Vice President, about why he and his wife, Sharon, started ALS and how consumers can find the best home care resources in Connecticut. Ron has 30 years of Community Health and Management experience. He is the former Director of Emergency Services at MidState Medical Center and also worked at Yale New Haven Hospital / Trauma Center. He’s the “go to” guy on questions related to funding sources, business operations, and home care trends in Connecticut.
Q: What was your main interest in starting a home care company in Connecticut?
The main reason Sharon and I got involved in homecare was because we were caring for an aging grandparent with Alzheimer’s disease. We had so many challenges, from dealing with hiring caregivers privately to using inferior agencies. We did a lot of research on trends in eldercare and decided to muster up our entrepreneuial spirit, take a variety of courses in starting a business (especially one offered by the Connecticut Small Business Development Center at UCONN), and gave the business our very best effort. That was 15 years ago!
Q: Where’s the best place to start when you’re in the market for a home care company? The phone book? Google?
To me, the best place to start is with a professional referral source. Direct feedback about a service from someone “in the field” such as, a Geriatric Case Manager, Visiting Nurse, Social Worker, Discharge Planner, or Elder Law Attorney can certainly be more telling of reputation than any advertisement. Word-of -mouth from trusted sources is very important.
Q: There are a lot of home care companies in Connecticut. How can a consumer figure out which one is right for them?
It starts with your initial telephone inquiry to the agency. There should always be someone available to answer your questions in a friendly, professional manner. They should seem genuinely concerned with your needs, and go above and beyond to get you all the information you need to make an informed decision. You need to be comfortable that the business is established, that they actually employ their own staff (not independent contractors that you pay), that they are properly insured, and follow the regulations established by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
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Look for more articles in this series in the coming days and weeks. Be sure to subscribe to our blog so you don’t miss anything. For more information on home care services in Connecticut, feel free to drop us a line at 203.634.8668 or contact us via our website.
