It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Hot Springs, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here,”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the”
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer my caregivers to and know that they will receive the service they need to assist with the care of their loved ones with dementia,”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial call inquiring about services, to meeting the owner Jim Smeaton to discuss our unique family needs, to the caring compassionate and understanding caregivers we are thoroughly impressed. Its such a relief knowing our loved ones are receiving the care they deserve.”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones that they care for.”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They are reliable, and the caregivers are sweet and attentive.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are always able to be reached and are willing to work with you.”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in knowing my husband is safe with excellent care. The office listens, really hears and is helpful to support and meet needs. Our caregiver, Chip, has become family. He was very personable, attentive to needs, brings extra in music, stories, making sure to pay attention to the patient and give accordingly. He is always kind and gracious. We are blessed to have them.”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and helpful anytime I call or come in, and my clients are wonderful! It’s more like helping a friend all day instead of working like clockwork!”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy just being in there in their organization .. my google is under Stephanie young but my last name is now Duarte . Young was my married name , I’m divorced now”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice and welcoming. I’m excited to join the team and see the great things they have in store.”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack thereof. It is regarding his cooperation regarding the service. He tends to not wake the caregiver for assistance during the night time. I would give specific names of individuals in this organization that I would request over others.”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the care of ABC Senior Services. I have had the privilege of enjoying the care of Lois C. She is the best advertisement for your agency. When I am asked, which happens frequently, about my experience with ABC, I refer to Lois as being your prime example of the type of care they can expect from you. She goes beyond just basic care and does all she can to help remedy any problem we have. I love that I can trust her and feel safe having her share my home with me. She is very professional yet very "down home", a rare combination. You should be very thankful she is on your "team"! Because of her, I have no problem recommending your company to all who ask.”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I have had a couple of very good people, one of which I have now. When I was getting going with them, I had a couple of people I would never like to have again, but that has all been ironed out.”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great. But they could be more proactive. They need to be better at communicating.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never worked for a company that was so dedicated to clients and caregivers. Everyone is always happy, clients and staff. I am blessed to work here.”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my health, so it's been a blessing to have them taking care of him for me. I appreciate that the caregivers are friendly.”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do. They've helped the most just by being here.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here, and doing what they're supposed to. They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do.”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the Always Best Care team. I have watched the staff there change lives for the better, not only for clients but each other as well. It is a pleasure to be a part of this team, nothing compares to it!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Hot Springs, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Hot Springs, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Hot Springs, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Volunteers and community members rally to aid Hot Springs, N.C. in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (Photo courtesy of Mandy Myers)HOT SPRINGS, N.C. (WLOS) — Thursday, Feb. 27 marks five months since Hurricane Helene violently struck mountain towns in Western North Carolina. This includes the town of Hot Springs, which is still working to rebuild.News 13 spoke with one couple, Daniel and Mandy Myers, who have lived in the town for the last seven years. They say they've always been involved in the community, with Daniel ...
Volunteers and community members rally to aid Hot Springs, N.C. in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (Photo courtesy of Mandy Myers)
HOT SPRINGS, N.C. (WLOS) — Thursday, Feb. 27 marks five months since Hurricane Helene violently struck mountain towns in Western North Carolina. This includes the town of Hot Springs, which is still working to rebuild.
News 13 spoke with one couple, Daniel and Mandy Myers, who have lived in the town for the last seven years. They say they've always been involved in the community, with Daniel serving as an aldermen and with the fire department. Mandy has been coordinating the town's donation center since the storm.
Daniel said that before the storm, his roles were part-time, and now it's like two full-time jobs.
MADISON COUNTY REELS FROM HELENE'S IMPACT, MAYORS VOW TO REBUILD
They’ve created their own nonprofit, Rebuild Hot Springs, and have put signs up all over the town.
“We’ve split up life now as 'BF' and 'AF': 'Before Flood' and 'After Flood,' because it’s different lifetimes. It’s completely different lifetimes,” Mandy said.
With many businesses in Hot Springs unable to reopen, there are many boarded-up walls and no visitors in sight. Daniel said that now, the town is working on the sewer issue that is preventing many businesses from reopening.
He explained how it is a weird feeling to lack the foot traffic they would normally see in their town, while also having more cars passing through than ever before.
'I CAN SEE A PATH FORWARD': HOT SPRINGS CONTINUES HELENE RECOVERY DESPITE CHALLENGES
“The other flip side of that is I-40 is still closed, so we have all of the vehicle traffic. We have all of the big semi[-truck]s coming through,” he said.
That issue will hopefully be alleviated by a portion of I-40 reopening on Saturday, March 1.
Charles Gibson, who lives across state lines in Jefferson City, Tennessee, says he typically rides his motorcycle through Hot Springs between 25 and 40 times a year. Gibson had not seen the town since Helene hit.
“It absolutely reminds me of a ghost town. Everything’s boarded up,” Gibson said.
'THIS IS HOME': HOT SPRINGS REFUSES TO LEAVE ANYONE BEHIND IN HELENE RECOVERY
He said it is devastating to see all the restaurants and shops closed, but he is confident the town will make a comeback.
Daniel said that many of their businesses should be ready to reopen in the next couple of months. The plan is to have a grand reopening for the town on May 3.
“Hey, we’re back, everybody come back to Hot Springs,” Daniel said.
They are confident that as spring blooms, their town will, too.
“We had this warm, fuzzy feeling in this town before but it’s just going to be insane afterward because all of our sweat, blood and tears are going to be put into it,” Mandy said.
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HOT SPRINGS - While Valentine's Day is always a day to celebrate love, this Valentine's Day holiday was an extra special celebration for the town of Hot Springs as the Hot Springs Resort and Spa celebrated a partial reopening Feb. 14.
When The News Record & Sentinel visited with Hot Springs Resort and Spa general manager Heather West in October, West said Tropical Storm Helene's devastation to the historical site — one of the biggest draws in Western North Carolina — afforded the opportunity for a reinvention.
"We were probably version 5.0 of this property — flood, fire, German internment," West said. "There've been all these kinds of things. So, now we stand here and say, 'We are going to build 6.0.' What a crazy world. And this property has embraced all of that."
The "6.0" version of the Hot Springs Resort and Spa reached a major milestone Feb. 14, as West and the team partially reopened for the first time since Helene.
West said the Spa had received so much love, support and encouragement from people throughout the country in the week leading up to the Feb. 14 reopening.
"Today just happens to be Valentine's Day, and in a real way for Hot Springs, love is in the air," West said. "Our community members, our volunteers, our leadership team, everyone is extremely excited."
West told the News-Record Feb. 14 that she and the team have received "floods of love" from Hot Springs Resort and Spa visitors across the globe.
"Even on the phones (Feb. 14), people aren't calling to book, they're just calling to be excited," West said. "Today feels almost normal, for the first time in 140 days where there's a normalcy."
The reopening offers hope for the long term, according to West.
"Having guests and staff on site is what I'm built to do. That feels really nice," she said. "The 139 days were hard days, discombobulating, and wasn't on my manager's handbook of how to rebuild a spa. I couldn't find that tab.
"But today feels like we're coming back, recovery's going to happen, and there's support for that. It's huge."
For the Valentine's Day partial reopening, the Hot Springs Resort and Spa opened four tubs. The team is building six new tub cabanas.
According to West, the goal for the full reopening is June.
The goal is to reopen with 12 tubs. Prior to Helene's devastation, the Hot Springs Resort and Spa operated 16 tubs on the resort side.
The campground section of the resort will require more work, as 17 sites were impacted in the Helene flooding, according to West.
"We'll finish this, and then start working much deeper on the campground," West said.
According to the general manager, the Hot Springs Resort and Spa team owes much of its speedy rebuild to The National Mental Health Alliance.
The National Mental Health Alliance team is operating a construction crew that began building bunkhouses and kitchens the week of Feb. 17, and has also been helping rebuild the tub cabanas.
"They build incredibly fast, and with a lot of energy," West said. "It's amazing. They just came in an barnstormed with energy."
The Hot Springs Resort and Spa operates as the living trust for the property's founder, Eugene Hicks.
The first hotel on the property, the Mountain Park Hotel — which included the first golf course in the state — was built in the 1860s. At the same time, the Resort and Spa's bath house was built.
Other iterations of the hotels on the property include The Patton, the Mont Aqua and the Hot Springs Inn.
Thanks to help from community members and those at The National Mental Health Alliance, the anticipation and positivity in Hot Springs and on the storied Resort and Spa property is palpable.
"Out of disaster comes the opportunity to engineer things like you want them" West said. "We're really, really excited for Hot Springs."
Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6071 or [email protected].
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HOT SPRINGS - In Hot Springs, things are starting to more closely resemble spring thru-hiking seasons of the past as the town rebuilds following Tropical Storm Helene.
In a February news release, the U.S. Forest Service announced it has reopened more trails and roads throughout areas of the Pisgah National Forest’s Appalachian Ranger District.
More than 114 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the Pisgah National forest reopened, the Forest Service announced. With the support of partners and volunteers, the Forest Service has successfully cleared 137 miles of trails in the Appalachian Ranger District since the storm struck in late September.
According to the Forest Service, these account for 42% of the district’s trails.
To date, the U.S. Forest Service has surveyed and cleared nearly 240 miles of roads across the district, accounting for nearly 76% of the district’s roads and providing improved access to the public and local residents.
According to Appalachian District Ranger Jennifer Barnhart, multiple organizations assisted with the cleanup effort, including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Carolina Mountain Club, Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club, North Carolina High Peaks and EcoForesters.
The reopening comes just in time, as Hot Springs' Appalachian Trail festival, formerly known as Appalachian Trailfest or "Trailfest" for short, will return in 2025 after being canceled in 2024.
The festival is being organized by Rebuild Hot Springs Area, a new nonprofit organization focused on assisting the residents, workers and businesses of Hot Springs following the devastation left in the wake of Helene. In December, the Rebuild team donated $115,000 to local employees who lost their jobs in Helene.
But it's not all good news for the Appalachian Trail and the U.S. Forest Service.
In mid-February, President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk announced major cuts to a number of federal organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, as part of Musk's campaign to radically cut back on federal spending.
The terminations represent about 10% percent of the U.S. Forest Service workforce and about 5% of Park Service employees and targeted employees in their one-year probationary period.
The U.S. Forest Service terminated approximately 3,400 probationary employees, including several in Western North Carolina working on Helene recovery efforts. Workers told The Citizen Times the terminations will impede local Helene recovery efforts.
On Feb. 19, Appalachian Trail Conservancy President Sandi Marra issued a statement in which she said the terminations "are threatening the very fabric of the A.T.’s cooperative management and compromising efforts to ensure a healthy, resilient and connected A.T. for millions of visitors during this hiking season and for years to come."
Marra said repairs to bridges, shelters, treadway, and natural resources — including those damaged by Helene — will also be severely impacted.
"These terminations also weaken wildfire and emergency response at a time when wildfires are growing more destructive," Marra said.
The Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, ranging from Maine to Georgia. The trail spans nearly 2,200 miles. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, the trail is managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.
There are approximately 96 miles of the AT in North Carolina.
The trail runs along the Tennessee/North Carolina border for approximately 220 additional miles, according to The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a nonprofit organization formed in 1925 that manages the day-to-day operations of the Trail.
The trail reaches its highest point at 6,643-foot at Kuwahi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina.
Roughly 159 million people use national forests annually. The U.S. Forest Service operates the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina and the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee.
More than 3 million people visit the Appalachian Trail each year, and more than 3,000 attempt to hike the entire trail. About 25% of those who attempt a thru-hike are successful, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
The number of northbound thru-hikers has been increasing by about 10% each year since 2010, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Helene resource page, there are still three sections of the trail that are closed, all in Tennessee.
The closures include the 344.6-mile marker at Chestoa Bridge over the Nolichucky River.
The trail is also closed for a more than 20-mile stretch near Unicoi, Tennessee, from Indian Grave Gap to Hughes Gap, including the Cherry Gap Shelter, which was destroyed in Helene's devastation.
The AT is also closed at the Moreland Gap Shelter in Hampton, Tennessee, as the shelter was damaged in Helene.
Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or [email protected].
8 cabanas are being rebuild on higher ground at Hot Springs Resort and Spa. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)HOT SPRINGS, N.C. (WLOS) — The Hot Springs Resort officially reopened after the French Broad River flooded its property during Helene.Heather Hicks, Hot Springs Resort General Manager, said they were able to reach the milestone thanks to a volunteer group that has been there since the week after the storm.The volunteers, who are this week's WNC Heroes, said they now view Hot Springs as a home away from home....
8 cabanas are being rebuild on higher ground at Hot Springs Resort and Spa. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
HOT SPRINGS, N.C. (WLOS) — The Hot Springs Resort officially reopened after the French Broad River flooded its property during Helene.
Heather Hicks, Hot Springs Resort General Manager, said they were able to reach the milestone thanks to a volunteer group that has been there since the week after the storm.
The volunteers, who are this week's WNC Heroes, said they now view Hot Springs as a home away from home.
Many around Western North Carolina know Hot Springs Resort for harnessing the natural beauty of Appalachia.
First and foremost our job here is stewardship of this land and this water," Hicks said. "Everyone here takes that incredibly seriously."
But on Sep. 27, when Helene hit the area, most of the cabanas on the property were swept away by Spring Creek.
"The French Broad River claimed her territory, that's what we see now in this sanded area," Hicks said, showing where the 12 cabanas used to sit. "We will not rebuild there — she needs that space, she's afforded that space," she said.
But when the path to rebuild seemed insurmountable, volunteers from The Fellowship of Northern Traditions stepped in.
We had no idea how we were going to put it back together," Hicks said. "Where the money was going to come from, to put it back together — volunteers showed up by our side, patted us on the back and said, 'We're not leaving until this is done.'"
Kyle Kirk, Fellowship of Northern Traditions Chief of Operations, said the group is a religious nonprofit that practices Norse pagan spirituality.
"It's a huge thing in our faith to protect the people and when you see an injustice, you take that as yours," Kirk said. "And you give your enemies no peace and our enemy this time was Hurricane Helene," he said.
The group has members worldwide.
Mackenzie Purdue, Fellowship of Northern Traditions Chief Advisor, lives in Unicoi County and said for him the devastation hit close to home.
So what happened is terrible, but it's been so amazing to see these communities come together," Purdue said. "Getting to see people from church come together, getting to see the people I care about do good for the world."
They are doing the tedious and often muddy work to rebuild eight cabanas, and helping Heather and the rest of the staff re-envision the property, with the hopes of fully reopening in May.
"Everyone was a little nervous and kept asking us when we were leaving because they had volunteer groups come in and then they had them all go," Kirk said. "We keep telling them we'll leave when it's done or until you guys kick us out."
For more information about Hot Springs Resort visit their website.
For more information about volunteering with The Fellowship of Northern Traditions, visit their website.
Some recovery work in the North Carolina mountains since Hurricane Helene has happened off the beaten path as volunteers and government crews repair damage on the Appalachian Trail and Mountains-to-Sea Trail.Both popular trails still have some closures, but as the weather warms and the outdoors beckon, trail managers say it’s safe for hikers to venture back into the woods. The key is to check the most up-to-date information on which trail sections are opened or closed and what condition they’re in.Here’s what ...
Some recovery work in the North Carolina mountains since Hurricane Helene has happened off the beaten path as volunteers and government crews repair damage on the Appalachian Trail and Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
Both popular trails still have some closures, but as the weather warms and the outdoors beckon, trail managers say it’s safe for hikers to venture back into the woods. The key is to check the most up-to-date information on which trail sections are opened or closed and what condition they’re in.
Here’s what to know.
Damage on the AT in North Carolina and Tennessee was extensive from Helene’s landslides and washouts, along with high winds that dropped trees across the path. This time of year, the 3,000 or so people who thru-hike the AT from Georgia to Maine are finalizing their plans, but some 3 million people use the trail each year for much shorter jaunts.
Franklin Tate, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s associate regional director in the South, said Friday, Feb. 2, that volunteers from hiking clubs have performed nearly 10,000 hours of work on the AT since Helene hit on Sept. 27. Most of the work so far has been by volunteers from two clubs, he said: the Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club and the Carolina Mountain Club.
When they first started, he said, “You would walk a mile or two and everything would be great. Then you’d round a corner and there would be a hundred trees across the trail.”
In some places, the storm turned the forest into what Tate called “jackstraw timber, piled as high as your head.” Where volunteers can work with chainsaws, he said, they are clearing a swath several feet wide along the AT’s treadway, giving hikers some breathing room.
In designated wilderness areas, where chainsaws are not allowed, the work has to be done with crosscut saws.
A crosscut saw is no joke. Picture an old cartoon saw with one blade and two lumberjacks, one on each end ripping it back and forth. It’s a slower, more laborious process.
Those who make a living off mountain tourism are happy to see the trail being rebuilt, Tate said.
In Asheville, Hot Springs and other towns that cater to hikers, many restaurants, hotels and Airbnb’s have reopened. Road repair work in the mountains is still underway, the N.C. Department of Transportation has established detours where necessary.
The Hot Springs Resort & Spa has announced it will reopen to guests on Friday, Feb. 14 and is accepting reservations.
Tate said crews should be able to restore most of the Appalachian Trail to its pre-Helene route, though some temporary detours may be required.
One of those would be getting the trail across the Nolichucky River outside Erwin, Tenn.
Before Helene, the trail crossed the river using the Chestoa Bridge, but that was wiped out by flooding on the Nolichucky. Planners have blazed a 3.5-mile detour, but Tate said the Conservancy has raised money though its Resiliency Fund it might be able to use to engage a ferry operator to take hikers across the river.
If it works out, he said, the ferry could be in place in the spring.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy regularly updates its interactive map showing the status of the trail. The U.S. Forest Service also updates trail information through the web page for the Appalachian Ranger District, which includes the areas hardest hit by Helene.
The Forest Service announced in early February it had opened a total of 114 miles of the Appalachian Trail within Pisgah National Forest, from I-40 to Indian Grave Gap (milepost 241.3 to 351.8), which traverses Haywood, Madison and Yancey counties, as well as from Hughes Gap to Carvers Gap to Doll Flats (milepost 373.1 to 390.9) in Mitchell and Avery counties.
The Forest Service also has opened other trails that were damaged by the storm.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy said that just because a section is open and reported as passable does not mean it is safe and returned to pre-Helene condition.
Storm-damaged areas are dynamic: trees will continue to fall, and ground will continue to move. For information about what you may encounter and how to stay safe, visit the Conservancy’s blog post about hiking the AT in 2025 and its Hurricane Helene’s resource page.
Work continues on the section of the MST that were damaged by Helene as well. The Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail said this week that while volunteers have not yet been allowed in to survey and repair the trail on some affected lands, other sections have been cleared and reopened to hikers.
Green areas on this regularly updated map show sections of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail that are open in western North Carolina.
January 29, 2025 4:13 PM
January 24, 2025 5:00 AM
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 4:31 PM.
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