Small Business Spotlight: CT Health Advocate LLC
Published on July 23, 2026 | 4 min read | Webster Bank
CT Health Advocate LLC of Glastonbury, Conn., was the first-place winner of Webster Bank’s first national Small Business Week contest, which attracted an impressive number of applicants from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island that are strengthening the local economy and positively impacting lives. The contest winners were announced during Small Business Week this May and later recognized at a special awards ceremony.
CT Health Advocate, an independent elder care advocacy and healthcare navigation service that supports older adults and their caregivers, earned the top prize and a $10,000 grant from Webster Bank. Webster Bank convened the winners to honor and celebrate their hard work and success. Attendees also had an opportunity to learn about each of the top small businesses who enthusiastically shared their vision, dedication, and future plans. Below is a conversation with Ria Irons, Owner and Managing Member of CT Health Advocate, who shared more about her plans and how the grant from Webster Bank will assist.
“This funding will allow us to grow beyond a one-person model and expand access to high-quality care advocacy ultimately reaching more families while maintaining the level of support they depend on.” – Ria Irons, Owner, CT Health Advocate
What are the main challenges to your business currently?
A: As a self-funded, solo-run elder care advisory business we pride ourselves on offering support, guidance, and resources that give people peace of mind. Demand for both private pay care providers and insurance-covered advocacy support has increased significantly in Connecticut and the surrounding region. While I’m involved in every client relationship, which is part of what makes our service so strong, it also limits how many families we can support. After over five years of serving as a sole owner and running two service models, the biggest challenge for CT Health Advocate right now is managing rapid growth while staying true to our commitment to high-quality, personalized care. We are also challenged by the lack of trust some individuals have in healthcare professionals. We want them to know that, with the right support system, the healthcare system is not as intimidating as it may seem.
Q: How will you use this grant to grow your business?
A: We’re working to grow in a way that maintains quality while building a stronger, more scalable structure. This grant from Webster Bank will play an important role in helping us expand our insurance-covered advocacy services and caregiver training.
A portion of the funding will support the launch of structured workshops and training for family caregivers and professionals. We consistently hear from families who need guidance and information, especially outside of traditional business hours.
We will invest in a full website redesign and rebrand to create a centralized online Caregiver Resource Hub. The new hub will offer clear, reliable information and practical next steps for families navigating complex care situations. It will also help us meet their needs in a more flexible way.
Finally, a portion will go to a healthcare attorney to review and strengthen our contracts to ensure we have a solid legal foundation to support sustainable growth.
Q: How does your business create economic vitality in your community?
A: We contribute to economic vitality by helping families protect their financial resources, remain employed and access local care services. For example, we recently helped a family coordinate in-home care services and attend medical appointments on behalf of an older adult. This reduced the amount of time a family caregiver needed to take away from work to manage a loved one’s care, helping the family maintain income and financial stability while supporting local home care agencies and healthcare providers within Connecticut’s economy.
Q: In what ways does CT Health Advocate give back to the community?
A: Beyond our economic impact, we’re deeply committed to supporting the well-being of our community members. A prime example of this is the work we do with the East Hampton Senior Center. We connected a veteran household with grant funding for critical home repairs and are continuing to coordinate with the town and a local contractor to move the project forward. This allows the family to remain safe in their home and is an example of how we advocate for and support the well-being of our valued community members.
CT Health Advocate LLC is a thriving small business that truly provides its community with needed services and support. Webster Bank is honored to recognize and support their growth.
