Assisted Living Services has named a West Hartford man ‘Platinum Caregiver of the Year,’ and presented him with a $5,000 award for delivering stellar senior care.

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In a time where employers often find it difficult to get employees to show up for work, Ghanian born Nana Darko Amoateng actually lives at work each day! As a live-in caregiver for Assisted Living Services, Inc., a family-owned home care agency with offices in Cheshire, Westport, and Putnam, CT, Amoateng has been named the Ultimate Platinum Caregiver of the Year for 2024 for delivering exceptional senior care to his elderly client – retired police officer 87-year-old Joseph Glowacki of West Hartford.

In an official ceremony on Feb. 25, 2025. Amoateng was presented with a $5,000 check, crystal award, and framed certificate.

“We are thrilled to recognize Nana’s outstanding senior support and unwavering dedication to his client,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA, chief operating officer of Assisted Living Services. “Nana was chosen for the annual accolade because he truly exemplifies the spirit of going beyond the call of duty in his position and becoming anextended member of his client’s family.”

In fact, Glowacki himself admits that his life has improved beyond his expectations with Amoateng in it in: “Not only does Nana anticipate my moods and needs, but he helps me engage in activities that had been lost to me. We play cards, go for walks, watch sports and make non- monetary wagers to add excitement. What’s more, Nana walks about 1 ½ miles to the grocery store because I prefer Whole Foods and neither I nor Nana, own a car. He is like another son to me and brother and uncle to our entire family. In fact, he’s included in our most recent family portrait hanging on the wall!”

D’Aquila noted that Amoateng was a recipient of the monthly Platinum Caregiver Award in July 2023 and again in September 2024. He has provided live-in care to Glowacki since August 2022. When not on assignment, Amoateng lives in Bronx, NY.

D’Aquila explained that the Platinum Caregiver Award program was created to acknowledge caregivers’ contributions in a meaningful way, while simultaneously creating positive change within the caregiving industry. Since its inception in March 2019, Assisted Living Services has awarded more than $360,000 to more than 200-plus staff members. Each month, five caregivers earn a $1,000 monetary bonus accompanied by a beautiful crystal statue and certificate of merit in response to an employee and client survey administered by Homecare Pulse, a third-party company that measures customer satisfaction. Caregivers can also be recognized by their clients through 5-Star Google reviews, glowing written letters, or rave reviews via emails and phone calls. Additionally, Assisted Living Services office staff can nominate caregivers for excellent work performance such as covering extra shifts and perfect attendance.

Joesph’s son, Douglas Glowacki added, “My father would not be alive today without Nana, who ensures that he eats well, stays healthy, is mobile and enjoys life like he never did in the past. My Dad’s life is a million times better with Nana in it!”

“We are so proud to have Nana as part of the Assisted Living Services family and look forward to many more years of service to our seniors,” concluded D’Aquila. “Caregiving is not only a profession, but also a personal commitment to lovingly care for someone as their own family would – day in and day out.”

For nearly 30 years, Assisted Living Services has led the charge to raise the standards for quality of care across the board in the highly competitive homecare industry. Incentives and genuine appreciation for staff members are just a few of the reasons that the company has a high employee retention rate with some employees still working for the agency nearly three decades later. Managers also receive incentives if quality assurance benchmarks are achieved.

Assisted Living Services employs caregivers across the state, all of whom are insured, bonded, and supervised. Newly hired employees undergo a National Criminal Background Check, eVerify, as well as receive comprehensive training.