Sunday, February 9, 2014 The Hour of Norwalk Reports on Next Health

Next Health moves facility to Norwalk

By CHRIS BOSAK
Hour Staff Writer | Posted: Sunday, February 9, 2014 12:01 pm

NORWALK -- John W. Madigan III saw a need for them, so he started a business to make them.

Next Health, which makes the Zero-Lift Patient Transfers System, recently moved from Stamford to 300 Wilson Ave. in South Norwalk. The company held an Open House this week to introduce the company to the community. Located on the opposite side of the same building that houses SoNo Ice House, Next Health leased 4,500-square-feet of office space on the second floor and 12,000 square-feet on the ground floor for purposes such as distribution and assembly.

Next Health manufacturers and marketers the AgileLife Patient Transfer System, which allows the transfer of immobile individuals to and from bed and wheelchair without lifting. The system offers more comfort for the patient and reduces the stress and potential for injury of their caretakers, Madigan said.

"Transfer of a bedridden patient takes so much and is very labor intensive and not comfortable," Madigan said. "This allows the patient to stay in their home longer. You push a button; there's no lifting, no strain. It helps patients, families, nurses."

Next Health moved to Norwalk to facilitate the company's need for growth. It currently has nine full-time employees and four part-time workers. Madigan hopes to hire additional staff.

Madigan founded the company in 2009. His mother had cared for his step father and Madigan noted the physical and mental toll it took on her. He noted that many disabled people to not want to move into a nursing home or have nurses coming in and out of their home.

To the end, Next Health is working with Connecticut on the "Money Follows the Person" initiative, a federal project that seeks to provide state residents with access to quality, long-term care options that maximize autonomy, choice and dignity. It intends to keep 5,200 residents out of nursing homes.

According to the company, there are 1.65 million chronically disabled people in the U.S. who are unable to independently transfer from a bed to a chair or a toilet.

"The market is saying more people want to be at home," Ray Curatolo, president of Next Health, said. "Next Health can prolong people's stay at home."

Next Health's market, Curatolo said, is not only residents, but also hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

"The move to Norwalk came at the right time in that we are preparing for a special launch," Curatolo said.

Prospective clients may visit the offices or call (203) 939-1153 for an appointment.

On the Web:

www.nexthealthinc.com