Assisted Living Services Presents Staff Member With A $1,000 Bonus

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

February 3, 2022

Assisted Living Services (ALS) has presented Bristol resident and staff member Charlotte Sefah with a $1,000 bonus for participating in the company's "Vaccination Hero" program.

Sefah said that when she joined the care-giving staff at Assisted Living Services in Cheshire last year, the reward of helping Connecticut's elderly age safely in the comfort of their homes was enough gratification.

Now, Sefah is even happier about her employment - having been awarded a $1,000 bonus for participating in the company's Vaccination Heroes program. Assisted Living Services offered all employees a cash incentive to get their covid-19 vaccine and recently selected five $1,000 winners from a random drawing. Sefah was among those winners.

“It takes a lot of patience and humility to work within the homecare industry,” said Sefah. “Although I do not expect thanks for performing my daily activities of dressing, feeding and bathing my clients, it is very fulfilling when I am recognized for my effort in going beyond the call of duty and doing the right thing.”

Mario D’Aquila, MBA and Chief Operating Officer of ALS said that the Vaccination Heroes program was created last summer as a way to encourage employees to remain healthy during the pandemic. Employees receiving their first and second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna covid-19 vaccinations, or the single Johnson & Johnson shot, between Aug. 18 and Oct. 12 last year were automatically entered into the "raffle."

“Our industry does not have a mandate for vaccinations, however, we strongly encourage and promote vaccinations for all of our management team and staff members,” said D’Aquila. “The core of our mission is to provide exceptional care for clients, so naturally we care for our employees the same way.”

D'Aquila did note, however, that ALS does require all aides to wear a mask when providing personal care or when they are within six feet of clients or family members.

The Vaccination Hero initiative is the second incentive initiative that ALS created as a result of the pandemic. In 2020, the company's monthly, $5,000, "Platinum Caregiver Award" was changed to the Homecare Hero Award to recognize more outstanding employees. 20 Caregivers were given a $1,000 check in 2020 along with a crystal statue and certificate of merit.

D’Aquila said that incentives and "genuine appreciation of staff members" have resulted in ALS having a high employee retention rate, with many employees still working for the agency after nearly two decades.

These bonus programs have resulted in ALS being recognized with national awards such as Home Care Pulse's "Employer of Choice" and Great Place to Work Institute, Inc.'s "Outstanding National Workplace."

D'Aquila added that ALS is currently hiring as the demand for at-home care continues to grow.

For more information, or to apply, visit assistedlivingct.com.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.