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 Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, 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.
4.1 magnitude recorded in eastern TennesseeImageBodyJust before 9 a.m. Saturday, a 4.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded just south of Greenback, Tenn. at a depth of 15.5 miles, according to the United States Geological Survey.The earthquake was felt across eastern Tennessee, North Carolina and north Georgia.According to the USGS, the epicenter for Saturday’s earthquake was just off of US-129 in Tallassee, Tenn.According to community responses on the USGS website, the earthquake was felt as far...
4.1 magnitude recorded in eastern Tennessee
Image
Body
Just before 9 a.m. Saturday, a 4.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded just south of Greenback, Tenn. at a depth of 15.5 miles, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The earthquake was felt across eastern Tennessee, North Carolina and north Georgia.
According to the USGS, the epicenter for Saturday’s earthquake was just off of US-129 in Tallassee, Tenn.
According to community responses on the USGS website, the earthquake was felt as far south as just north of Atlanta and as far north as Knoxville.
Aftershocks are unlikely, but there is a 24% chance of a 3 magnitude aftershock in the next week in the immediate area, according to the USGS.
This was the fourth reported earthquake in eastern Tennessee in the last two weeks ranging from a 1.6 magnitude in Madisonville, Tenn. on April 29 to Saturday’s 4.1.
The USGS website says that the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone is one of the most active in the southeast, but is not known to have large earthquakes. The largest in the area was a 4.6 magnitude earthquake on April 29, 2003 near Fort Payne, Ala.
They added that earthquakes too small to be felt in the seismic zone are frequent, with hundreds recorded in the past decades.
The USGS also said that earthquakes east of the Rocky Mountains can be felt over a larger area compared to those on the west coast for a similar magnitude earthquake.
Bedrock of eastern Tennessee originated when the Appalachian Mountains were formed over a hundred million years ago, which does not link the area to a well-studied fault system like the San Andreas fault system in California. This leads scientists to not be able to name the specific fault that causes the earthquakes in the region, as well as earthquakes east of the Rocky Mountains.
Residents of Cherokee County immediately took to social media reporting that they felt the earthquake across the county.
For more information, visit earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60605931/executive.
It's been a year since the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opened a cannabis dispensary on tribal land.With April 20 rolling in again, here's what to know about the 420 "holiday" ce...
It's been a year since the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opened a cannabis dispensary on tribal land.
With April 20 rolling in again, here's what to know about the 420 "holiday" celebrating marijuana, the Great Smoky Cannabis Co., marijuana's legal status in North Carolina and more.
Marijuana is not legal in N.C. It is decriminalized, however, meaning possession of small amounts intended for personal use rather than illegal sales will generally mean punishments of civil or local infractions rather than state crimes.
Industrial hemp – marijuana with no THC – is legal in NC. Additionally, a popular loophole in hemp legislation has made it possible to get legally stoned. It is illegal to grow cannabis plants with more than a 0.3% concentration of delta-9 THC. Delta-8 THC, however, is not mentioned in the legislation.
Delta-8 is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced by cannabis plants, and while it is usually not found in high amounts, many N.C. hemp businesses have begun extracting the compound from plants or converting other compounds like CBD into delta-8. If you've seen weed sold at gas stations, tobacco stores or anywhere else, it's likely psychoactive "delta-8" or a similar compound.
It's worth mentioning that, while delta-8 causes a "high," the FDA has not evaluated or approved it as safe for consumption, meaning that delta-8 products are not regulated by the FDA and could therefore be harmful to your health.
The EBCI voted in 2021 to legalize the sale of medical marijuana within its tribal territory known as the Qualla Boundary. Cherokee is a sovereign nation that has its own elections, laws, government and institutions that are self-governed and autonomous. That's why it can make legal the sale of marijuana despite being within North Carolina.
The Great Smoky Cannabis Co. opened on April 20, 2014 and was the EBCI's first dispensary. At first, it sold cannabis products to people with a medical marijuana card. It later branched out to recreation marijuana, and now visitors 21 and older can shop there.
Note that it remains illegal to take marijuana off the Qualla Boundary.
There are plenty of stories out there about exactly why the number 420 (and date April 20) are associated with marijuana. While there's no definitive answer to its original significance, one of the most popular theories ties the number and date to a group of Californian teenagers.
According to the lore, a group of high schoolers attending Northern California's San Rafael High School in the early 1970s would regularly gather at 4:20 p.m. to smoke pot.
April 20 is regarded by many cannabis enthusiasts as not only a day to appreciate the plant, but a rallying date for the nationwide legalization of marijuana.
Here's a list of states that have legalized recreational cannabis, plus the years that they each made it legal.
Additionally, the following states have legalized medical marijuana:
Contributing: Orlando Mayorquin and Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
By Taylor SiskDaily YonderAn interest in different cultures led Matthew Mahar to pursue an anthropology minor in college and to subsequently travel extensively. More recently, it’s led him to a hospital in the mountains of Western North Carolina.Cherokee Indian Hospital sits on the Qualla B...
An interest in different cultures led Matthew Mahar to pursue an anthropology minor in college and to subsequently travel extensively. More recently, it’s led him to a hospital in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Cherokee Indian Hospital sits on the Qualla Boundary, home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a 57,000-acre land trust owned by the tribe. The hospital is designed to echo Cherokee history and culture. This is immediately apparent as you enter its main concourse: Imbued with natural light, it depicts a river walk, lined with scenes of Cherokee legend intended to convey a cultural continuum, a source of strength.
In this spirit, a holistic continuum of care is practiced here.
In addition to primary care, pediatrics, and a specialty clinic, the hospital offers dental care, physical and occupational therapy, behavioral health services, nutritionists, and a pharmacy, all within these walls. Each patient’s care is overseen by a case manager.
Cherokee Hospital operates under three guiding principles. “U wa shv u da nv te lv” translates to “The one who helps you from the heart.” “To-hi” is “A state of peace and balance.” And “Ni hi tsa tse li” means “It belongs to you.”
The focus is on community health, toward assuring “the prosperity of the next seven generations of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.”
Mahar was drawn to his current position on the Qualla Boundary by both its culture and this approach to health care. He’s a primary care physician and a faculty member in an internal medicine rural and tribal residency track co-administered by the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority and the Mountain Area Heath Education Center (MAHEC).
Much of rural America is confronted with a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, such as in rural Western North Carolina. The rural and tribal residency track was launched to address that shortage. It offers comprehensive training and the opportunity to experience what it’s like to practice in rural and historically marginalized communities, and in a model outside the Western tradition.
Mahar certainly knows rural – he was raised in a Nebraska town of 1,000 residents – and the challenges and rewards of practicing medicine there. His experience at Cherokee Hospital has been fascinating. “It keeps me growing and learning,” he said.
He’s now helping impart the virtues of that experience to a new generation of health care professionals.
Residents in the rural and tribal residency track are mentored to gain “an enhanced recognition of the importance of cultural humility and awareness,” said Stephanie Call, director of MAHEC’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, through which the rural and tribal track is offered.
Cherokee Hospital’s values and vision align nicely with MAHEC’s, Call said: an interdisciplinary, comprehensive approach to sustainable quality health care in the region. This partnership, she said, was a natural fit.
“I’m so proud of it,” Call said. “I’ve learned so much.”
The Qualla Boundary is a unique pocket of rural America. Adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s an outdoorsperson’s paradise. It’s also home to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort: 150,000 square feet of gambling action and a 21-story hotel. The casino’s opening in 1997 was transformative for the tribe’s economy.
But the Qualla Boundary faces many of the same challenges as the majority of rural America in attracting health care providers: its remoteness, limited housing options, few big-city amenities. A primary objective of the rural and tribal track, Call said, is “to retain at least 50% of our graduates to stay here and work to improve the health of Western North Carolina.”
Sarah Bogan is a resident in the program. She grew up in the small town of Sanford, in North Carolina’s Piedmont region, and has always intended to practice in a like environment. “I enjoy the smaller towns,” she said. “I like the smaller-area vibes, getting to know everybody.”
The rural and tribal track offered a unique experience.
“I think residents having the opportunity to work in a rural area and learn the culture of [the Cherokee people] is so valuable,” said Amy Parker, the track’s site administrator. “They become absorbed in a community unfamiliar to anything most of them have known. Once they get over not having a Trader Joe’s within 60 miles, they find things to love here – hiking, fishing, biking, and maybe even a little gambling.”
But, Parker added, “Getting to know the people is the best bonus.”
Residents are urged to gain insight into what’s important to their indigenous patients. “That can be ceremonies,” Mahar said, “it can be herbal medicines.” They’re urged to encourage their patients “to talk a little bit about their family history and how they were raised.” Such an understanding fosters more comprehensive care.
Bogan’s patients sometimes share their home-remedies, “and it’ll be things that I haven’t heard of before.” She tells them, “‘I should actually do my own research and try out some of this stuff myself.’”
Sarah Taws, another rural and tribal track resident, appreciated the Right Way training she received, in which residents learn of the tribe’s past traumas – most notably, forced removal from their ancestral lands.
Program residents are also trained at the 800-bed Mission Hospital in Asheville, allowing for a rounded workplace experience.
A second important objective of the rural and tribal track is to instill in its residents the conviction that “selfcare is not selfish,” Call said. “That it is part of our responsibility for making sure that we’re taking care of our strengths, talents, and skills so we can contribute to our communities in a sustainable manner.”
“Our goal is to keep people in this profession by putting a strong emphasis on structures, systems, and training around well-being,” she said.
That emphasis was a major selling point for Taws. “MAHEC advertised a program of wellness,” she said. Its residency programs report a burnout rate 40% below the national average. “That was attractive,” she said.
Practicing in a rural environment, Call said, is a very different experience. “There are different barriers, there are different structures that need to be set up, there are different skill sets for a rural-based internist.” It’s not for everyone.
Taws is from Florida. She initially had some trepidation about Cherokee Hospital’s remoteness. But there was, too, plenty of allure. The mountains beckoned. She and her husband want a small farm; they’re off to a great start: 17 chickens, two ducks, and some bunnies. The idea of staying on post-residency to practice on the Qualla Boundary is enticing, but she acknowledges that a particular specialty, or a fellowship, could take her family elsewhere.
“Time will tell,” Taws said. Regardless, “I hope to work in a rural place.”
Mahar trusts that after having spent a chunk of time on the Qualla Boundary – the residency is a three-year program – many will “fall in love with it and see that there’s a small-town charm and a vision of community that’s a little bit different.”
“The Cherokee people have learned to trust these residents, and welcome them,” Parker said, “and they are rewarded with great care from young doctors truly invested in the community.”
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