Shady Oaks Assisted Living provides strong nursing care in a cozy home. We help 42 disabled seniors: 60% use wheelchairs — 95% stay and never need nursing homes.
We are more affordable vs. 24/7 home care. We are higher care vs. other assisted living providers.
Tell us a bit about your recent accomplishments.
Our greatest accomplishment is earning appreciation from our residents, families and staff. From them, we earned a perfect 5 stars through seven years of 77 Google reviews.
We also earned appreciation from people outside our home. The Connecticut Assisted Living Association awarded us the 2021 Humanitarian Home of the Year. The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded us the 2024 Family-Owned Business of the Year.
Click here to see the rest of the 2025 Family Business Award Honorees
What are your family values, and how do they contribute to your business success?
Vernon and Kay Belanger built Shady Oaks in 1976. They worked hard through good and bad times. Their son, Tyson, bought the home in 2016. He lives next door and works every day.
Four generations of Belangers have worked at Shady Oaks. Seven family members lived there. We are a family helping families.
Next year, Shady Oaks will celebrate its 50th anniversary of senior care service. We live by the idea that disabled seniors need a better alternative to long-term Medicaid in nursing homes.
This idea drives our innovations and attracts new residents.
How do you see your business changing in the next five years?
For care, we will create an in-home hospice agency. Only two other Connecticut homes have this.
For affordability, we thank state Sen. Henri Martin. Together, we proposed increased Connecticut financial aid to help low-asset seniors afford assisted living.
Click here to see the rest of the 2025 Family Business Award Honorees