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.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Historic Flat Rock Inc gets harder without someone by their side. 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 East Flat Rock, 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. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting East Flat Rock Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
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. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Season's At Highland Lake or visit Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, don't feel bad. 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 East Flat Rock, 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 East Flat Rock, 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.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
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 East Flat Rock, 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.
EAST FLAT ROCK - Upward Road has become a haven for construction workers in the past few months, and that means a big boost for the local economy, according to Henderson County Business and Community Development Director Chris Todd.Currently, there are three construction projects going on, with the latest being something Western North Carolina customers have yet to see: A QuikTrip. This will be the first location in the western part of the state for QuikTrip, which is a chain of convenience stores based in Tulsa, Oklahoma."...
EAST FLAT ROCK - Upward Road has become a haven for construction workers in the past few months, and that means a big boost for the local economy, according to Henderson County Business and Community Development Director Chris Todd.
Currently, there are three construction projects going on, with the latest being something Western North Carolina customers have yet to see: A QuikTrip. This will be the first location in the western part of the state for QuikTrip, which is a chain of convenience stores based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
"Henderson County is always happy to see private investment in our county. The Upward Road corridor is ideally situated between downtown Hendersonville and Interstate 26. The addition of a new Quick Trip gas station right off the interstate will increase the chances of travelers getting off the road and exploring our beautiful county for all that it has to offer, most of which they may miss driving down the artery that feeds through the middle of our county," Todd told the Times-News on March 31.
There are 37 QuikTrip locations in North Carolina, with the closest ones in Charlotte (18 stores) and Gastonia (three stores), according to QuikTrip.com. As QuikTrip's commercials say, the store is more than just a gas station and a convenience store, offering plenty of food options, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts.
The construction plans have been approved, but the county is currently waiting on a general contractor to be selected for the project.
Just a short drive down Upward Road is another construction project: A Starbucks Shell, which is being built at 41 Upward Crossing Drive, just across the street from Bojangles. The permit for this project was issued on Jan. 18. Adam Updike, who is the Mid-Atlantic Starbucks Store Development Manager, said in an email to the Times-News that workers are hoping to have the store completed by the fall of 2023.
"The store will be approximately 1,000 square feet and will operate as a drive-thru only. The store will also have a walk-up window for mobile order pick up or placing an order traditionally," he said.
The new Dairi-O is also being built across from East Henderson High School and is expected to be completed sometime in the summer, according to past Times-News reporting. The restaurant chain began in 1947 in King as a take-out burger joint, selling hot dogs and hamburgers. Since then, it has added more to its menu, with healthier options like specialty salads, grilled chicken wraps and even veggie burgers, according to its website (https://dairio.com/).
A building permit for this project was issued last week on March 24.
Todd said these new businesses will bring in more money to the local economy and also provide more jobs for local residents.
"The addition of Dairi-O site and Starbucks add options for our local citizens to shop, and they will create a multitude of jobs in our community. We always say that Henderson County is open for business, and we are thrilled to see anyone who wants to continue to create jobs and invest in our county," he said.
Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at [email protected]. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.
The Current, powered by GE plant in East Flat Rock was sold last week to a private equity firm, though little impact is expected locally from new ownership.On April 1, GE completed the sale of its Current, powered by GE business unit to American Industrial Partners, a New York-based private equity firm focused on buying, improving and growing industrial businesses, according to a news release announcing the sale. Financial details were not disclosed.The sale included the East Flat Rock facility on Spartanburg Highway, which emp...
The Current, powered by GE plant in East Flat Rock was sold last week to a private equity firm, though little impact is expected locally from new ownership.
On April 1, GE completed the sale of its Current, powered by GE business unit to American Industrial Partners, a New York-based private equity firm focused on buying, improving and growing industrial businesses, according to a news release announcing the sale. Financial details were not disclosed.
The sale included the East Flat Rock facility on Spartanburg Highway, which employs 430 employees on a $25 million payroll. GE announced its intent to sell its lighting division in 2017, refocusing on aviation, power and health care.
Established in 1955, the East Flat Rock plant has deep roots in Henderson County. The facility makes outdoor lighting applications for government and commercial customers.
Terry Collins, the plant’s human resource manager, talked about the sale to the Vision Henderson County class of 2019 during its scheduled tour of the facility Thursday.
All signs point to operations remaining steady, including the name, which is expected to adjust from “Current, powered by GE” to “Current by GE.”
Under a long-term licensing agreement, Current will continue using the GE brand on its products and services moving forward.
“Our goal here really hasn’t changed,” Collins said. “Our goal is to continue manufacturing a high-quality product ... at a good price, and provide our customers with what they need. That’s not going to change.”
Collins said the immediate impact of the sale has been almost nothing aside from switching systems for employee payroll and benefits. Other than eight or nine paychecks not being accurate, everything went smoothly.
“So far it’s been great,” Collins said. “Everybody is pretty excited about it. We look forward to the next 63 years.”
AIP is in the business of investing in industrial businesses serving domestic and global markets. Since 1989, the equity firm has completed more than 90 transactions and currently $4.2 billion of assets under management.
“Three and a half years ago, we formed Current as a new kind of startup within the walls of GE, and today we are thrilled to celebrate the successful conclusion of that journey as we prepare to embrace our next,” Maryrose Sylvester, president and CEO of Current, said in a press release.
“American Industrial Partner is an excellent fit for our people and technology. Current has an important role to play in this emerging industry, and we look forward to working with our customers to continue building the future of digital lightning innovation,” she added.
EAST FLAT ROCK — A daycare in East Flat Rock is being forced to leave the church where it has operated for 25 years, leaving dozens of families scrambling to find childcare. The imminent closing underscores the scarcity of childcare in Henderson County.Tomorrow’s Hope Child Development Center, a nonprofit, has been located in a building at Hope United Methodist Church for decades. The childcare operation's director, Terry Maybin, told the Hendersonville Times-News Nov. 12 that it has always paid its rent to the church, and...
EAST FLAT ROCK — A daycare in East Flat Rock is being forced to leave the church where it has operated for 25 years, leaving dozens of families scrambling to find childcare. The imminent closing underscores the scarcity of childcare in Henderson County.
Tomorrow’s Hope Child Development Center, a nonprofit, has been located in a building at Hope United Methodist Church for decades. The childcare operation's director, Terry Maybin, told the Hendersonville Times-News Nov. 12 that it has always paid its rent to the church, and that for many years, the relationship was harmonious, with church members ministering to children.
In April 2023, believing that the church was shifting its priorities to help the homeless and poor — partly because homeless people were sometimes hanging around or sleeping near the premises — the daycare's leaders decided to cease its operations by August 2025. It stopped enrolling new children but still serves 38 of them, down from 86 at its peak.
The church doubled the rent last year, Maybin said. Still, a letter from the church dated Oct. 29 came as a surprise.
“The Board voted unanimously to end this monthly rental with Tomorrow’s Hope,” the letter read. “Kindly consider this letter as notice to vacate by Dec. 31, 2024, at 5 p.m. At that time, the locks will be changed. We will be showing the space to additional renters, effective immediately.”
The letter listed seven people and "2 unnamed members" as signatories.
"It was just a coincidence that we were having a daycare board meeting with all my board members when the certified letter was delivered, and we were all just — I mean, this is nothing that we would ever expect, especially from a church," Maybin said.
"To do this at Christmas, after a hurricane, has just blown us away," she said. Church leaders have not given her, nor the affected families, an explanation for their decision, despite requests, she said.
Emily Fleming, a physical therapist, sends her sons, ages 4 and 1, to Tomorrow’s Hope. She said, in an email that she sent to church leaders and shared with the Hendersonville Times-News, that it is one of only two 5-star rated daycare centers in Henderson County that accept infants and are open for full day care.
Fleming said multiple facilities had advised that it would be 15 to 18 months to accommodate her children. Neither she nor her husband are in a position to quit their jobs, and her fellow parents from Tomorrow's Hope are educators, healthcare professionals, and other essential workers, she wrote.
“When we toured a daycare in town in April 2023 we were told we were already number SEVEN on the waitlist for a spot for the 2025-2026 school year,” Fleming wrote. “Please understand the dire situation that is daycare availability in Henderson and surrounding countries.”
Maybin said parents typically need to have their child's name on a waitlist for a year to secure a spot for an infant. For older children, the wait is about six to nine months.
According to a report released this year by the U.S. Chamber Foundation, employee turnover and absenteeism due to childcare issues costs North Carolina employers an estimated $4.29 billion per year.
The North Carolina Early Education Coalition has described the state as a "childcare desert," with an average of more than five families competing for every open slot in a licensed childcare facility. Families spend on average $633 per month for care. Tomorrow's Hope charges $190 per week for infants and $175 per week for older children.
This summer, the state government authorized $68 million for grants to help childcare providers because pandemic-era grants from the federal government are ending. NC Child has warned that without additional investments in child care, up to 30% of child care centers in North Carolina could close their doors.
Damage from Hurricane Helene caused 55 childcare centers in Western North Carolina to close, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
Families have been asking the church to allow Tomorrow’s Hope to remain open until August 2025.
"Unfortunately, this is simply a matter of the church needing to make a very difficult decision," church pastor Danielle Hammett told the Times-News Nov. 12 via email.
"To clarify, we are not evicting the preschool from the property, as there are no legal proceedings related to this decision," Hammett added. "This is simply a non-renewal of their month-to-month rental agreement with the church." She said they had given the daycare 60 days' notice to vacate—more than the standard 30 days.
Hammett shared a statement from the church, which said that its Community Board had voted unanimously to end the agreement with the daycare, and had the support of the congregation.
"The church can no longer fully support the daycare center's utilization of its facilities and has reached a regrettable impasse," the statement said. "The leadership of Hope UMC does not take this matter lightly, as we recognize how important childcare is to families."
The statement expressed sadness and a commitment to keep ministering to the East Flat Rock community.
Kenneth H. Carter, Jr., resident bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, did not respond to a request for comment Nov. 12.
Maybin said she has been calling other childcare facilities, trying to help families find alternate arrangements. She was hopeful that a new daycare opening in Hendersonville, Kid City USA, might be able to accommodate them. She was also trying to help her childcare staff — all of whom have worked at the center for 12 to 25 years — find new jobs.
Deirdra Funcheon covers Henderson, Polk and Transylvania Counties for the Hendersonville Times-News. Got a tip? Email her at [email protected].
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