Connecticut Homecare Agency Wins Accolades at Annual Healthcare Warrior Awards

Cheshire, Connecticut—Two senior caregivers employed at Assisted Living Home Care Services in Cheshire, Westport and Woodstock, Connecticut, earned the Healthcare Warrior Award presented by the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Shannon Prentiss and Susan Bone, both of Dayville, Conn., were among 12 honorees from the health care and homecare fields, which included doctors, nurses, homecare assistants, educators and support staff from various area health agencies, non-medical homecare agencies, as well as fire and police departments. The 6th Annual Awards ceremony was held on April 9, 2026, at the Vue Banquet Hall in Hamden with host Kathryn Hauser of WTNH-NewsChannel, 8 and more than 100 attendees.

“We are thrilled that these two exceptional caregivers who service many of our senior clients were recognized for their compassionate commitment to their careers,” said Mario D’Aquila, chief operating officer at Assisted Living Home Care Services. “Shannon and Susan’s unwavering dedication to the eldercare industry have not only elevated them to star status within our company, but the larger Connecticut community as well.”

The Hamden mayor and fire and police chiefs were among the more than 100 people who attended the breakfast. The honorees were nominated by their peers, and their stories were read to the audience. Each Healthcare Warrior received a framed certificate and a heart-shaped award.

D’Aquila shared a summary of Prentiss’ nomination: 

Shannon joined Assisted Living Home Care Services in May 2025 and was shortly after recognized with a Platinum Caregiver Award for the extraordinary care she was providing. She works with an elderly woman who was initially resistant to services, but due to Shannon’s kind demeanor and professionalism, the client has not only accepted the help she needs but looks forward to Shannon’s visits. The client’s family has recognized how their loved one’s quality of life has improved dramatically since starting services. D’Aquila notes that Susan Bone was also publicly recognized by the company within one month of employment for going above and beyond the call of duty when caring for her senior clients. Susan’s dedicated actions have included: searching for and finding a much-needed footstool on Facebook Marketplace for a client with severely swollen feet, locating two new kitten companions when an elderly client’s original cats died, taking a client’s dog into her own home when he was admitted to the hospital, and sourcing and purchasing a golf cart battery for a client who enjoys getting around on his own.

The Hamden Chamber of Commerce created the Healthcare Warrior award in 2020 during the pandemic to “celebrate and shine a light on our local healthcare and essential workers in our community.”

“We are beaming with both pride and gratitude that our two valued employees were officially recognized with this high-profile award,” said D’Aquila. “Every day, homecare professionals- both on the front line and behind the scenes – make the decision to show up and care for seniors who often don’t have anyone else and dramatically improve their quality of life as a result.”