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 Rural Heritage Museum 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 Mars Hill, 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.
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They”
“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”
“We were blown away and continue to be by the quality of service and care”
“ABC in Fletcher has an amazing team, and they made a huge difference for myself”
“After Many years of retirement from critical care nursing I have found the perfect employment enabling”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They are reliable, and the caregivers are sweet and attentive.”
“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!!”
“We were blown away and continue to be by the quality of service and care that the team of ALWAYS BEST CARE provides our family. My parents were moving from out of state and were in immediate need of in-home care. Melisa was wonderful! She was able to help us line up the intake paperwork, clinical assessment and a caregiver within 24 hours of my parents’ arrival in to their new home. Millie and Bethany are tremendous support as their clinical nurse team with a very thorough assessment of both parents. Mary is their care coordinator and was very helpful with finding the perfect caregivers and coordinate the right schedule for my parents . Melisa, Nicole, Jennifer and Janet are also a tremendous asset as they handle and place the caregivers! Jim Smeaton, their owner should be proud of his company! We highly recommend them!”
“ABC in Fletcher has an amazing team, and they made a huge difference for myself and my mother. We had them as in-home caregivers for 10 months. They are responsible, flexible and just a solid group with whom to work. I could reach them by phone immediately almost every time I needed to contact them. They handled billing and insurance claims and kept the caregiver plans absolutely up-to-date. As well as the regular RN visits. Jan, Mary and Melissa rock in addition to our caregivers. My only reason for not giving five stars has to do with the systemic challenge of finding enough caregivers. And in our case, caregivers who are proficient with Parkinson’s patients.”
“After Many years of retirement from critical care nursing I have found the perfect employment enabling me to to care for others. Working with the staff at Always Best Care has been such a blessing and I love my clients that I work with.”
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 Mars Hill Recreation 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 Star Diner or visit Vance Birthplace, 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 Mars Hill, 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 Mars Hill, 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 Mars Hill, 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.
BAKERSVILLE, North Carolina —Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Helene downed power lines and washed out roads all over North Carolina's mountains, the constant din of a gas-powered generator is getting to be too much for Bobby Renfro.It's difficult to hear the nurses, neighbors and volunteers flowing through the community resource hub he has set up in a former church for his neighbors in Tipton Hill, a crossroads in the Pisgah National Forest north of Asheville. Much worse is the cost: he spent $1,200 to buy it and thousan...
BAKERSVILLE, North Carolina —
Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Helene downed power lines and washed out roads all over North Carolina's mountains, the constant din of a gas-powered generator is getting to be too much for Bobby Renfro.
It's difficult to hear the nurses, neighbors and volunteers flowing through the community resource hub he has set up in a former church for his neighbors in Tipton Hill, a crossroads in the Pisgah National Forest north of Asheville. Much worse is the cost: he spent $1,200 to buy it and thousands more on fuel that volunteers drive in from Tennessee.
Turning off their only power source isn't an option. This generator runs a refrigerator holding insulin for neighbors with diabetes and powers the oxygen machines and nebulizers some of them need to breathe.
The retired railroad worker worries that outsiders don't understand how desperate they are, marooned without power on hilltops and down in "hollers."
"We have no resources for nothing," Renfro said. "It's going to be a long ordeal."
More than 43,000 of the 1.5 million customers who lost power in western North Carolina still lacked electricity on Friday, according to Poweroutage.us. Without it, they can't keep medicines cold or power medical equipment or pump well water. They can't recharge their phones or apply for federal disaster aid.
Crews from all over the country and even Canada are helping Duke Energy and local electric cooperatives with repairs, but it's slow going in the dense mountain forests, where some roads and bridges are completely washed away.
"The crews aren't doing what they typically do, which is a repair effort. They're rebuilding from the ground up," said Kristie Aldridge, vice president of communications at North Carolina Electric Cooperatives.
Residents who can get their hands on gas and diesel-powered generators are depending on them, but that is not easy. Fuel is expensive and can be a long drive away. Generator fumes pollute and can be deadly. Small home generators are designed to run for hours or days, not weeks and months.
Now, more help is arriving. Renfro received a new power source this week, one that will be cleaner, quieter and free to operate. Volunteers with the nonprofit Footprint Project and a local solar installation company delivered a solar generator with six 245-watt solar panels, a 24-volt battery and an AC power inverter. The panels now rest on a grassy hill outside the community building.
Renfro hopes his community can draw some comfort and security, "seeing and knowing that they have a little electricity."
The Footprint Project is scaling up its response to this disaster with sustainable mobile infrastructure. It has deployed dozens of larger solar microgrids, solar generators and machines that can pull water from the air to 33 sites so far, along with dozens of smaller portable batteries.
With donations from solar equipment and installation companies as well as equipment purchased through donated funds, the nonprofit is sourcing hundreds more small batteries and dozens of other larger systems and even industrial-scale solar generators known as "Dragon Wings."
Will Heegaard and Jamie Swezey are the husband-and-wife team behind Project Footprint. Heegaard founded it in 2018 in New Orleans with a mission of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of emergency responses. Helene's destruction is so catastrophic, however, that Swezey said this work is more about supplementing generators than replacing them.
"I've never seen anything like this," Swezey said as she stared at a whiteboard with scribbled lists of requests, volunteers and equipment. "It's all hands on deck with whatever you can use to power whatever you need to power."
Down near the interstate in Mars Hill, a warehouse owner let Swezey and Heegaard set up operations and sleep inside. They rise each morning triaging emails and texts from all over the region. Requests for equipment range from individuals needing to power a home oxygen machine to makeshift clinics and community hubs distributing supplies.
Local volunteers help. Hayden Wilson and Henry Kovacs, glassblowers from Asheville, arrived in a pickup truck and trailer to make deliveries this week. Two installers from the Asheville-based solar company Sundance Power Systems followed in a van.
It took them more than an hour on winding roads to reach Bakersville, where the community hub Julie Wiggins runs in her driveway supports about 30 nearby families. It took many of her neighbors days to reach her, cutting their way out through fallen trees. Some were so desperate they stuck their insulin in the creek to keep it cold.
Panels and a battery from Footprint Project now power her small fridge, a water pump and a Starlink communications system she set up. "This is a game changer," Wiggins said.
The volunteers then drove to Renfro's hub in Tipton Hill before their last stop at a Bakersville church that has been running two generators. Other places are much harder to reach. Heegaard and Swezey even tried to figure out how many portable batteries a mule could carry up a mountain and have arranged for some to be lowered by helicopters.
They know the stakes are high after Heegaard volunteered in Puerto Rico, where Hurricane Maria's death toll rose to 3,000 as some mountain communities went without power for 11 months. Duke Energy crews also restored infrastructure in Puerto Rico and are using tactics learned there, like using helicopters to drop in new electric poles, utility spokesman Bill Norton said.
The hardest customers to help could be people whose homes and businesses are too damaged to connect, and they are why the Footprint Project will stay in the area for as long as they are needed, Swezey said.
"We know there are people who will need help long after the power comes back," she said.
READ MOREHurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. The News & Observer and the Charlotte Observer have a collection of stories about Hurricane Helene and the damage it left, particularly in Western North Carolina.Expand AllWhat is a resort town without a resort?What is a stop on the Appalachian Trail without anywhere to stay?These questions face the residents of Hot Springs, North Carolina, in the months ahead. Significant sections...
Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. The News & Observer and the Charlotte Observer have a collection of stories about Hurricane Helene and the damage it left, particularly in Western North Carolina.
What is a resort town without a resort?
What is a stop on the Appalachian Trail without anywhere to stay?
These questions face the residents of Hot Springs, North Carolina, in the months ahead. Significant sections of the spa that gives the community its name were carried into the French Broad River last Friday during Tropical Storm Helene. A row of outdoor hot tubs, No. 1 to No. 8, are gone. Severed pipes and several roofs stick into the sandy grounds.
Along with Marshall and Mars Hill, Hot Springs is one of three towns in Madison County, a remote area of tree-covered mountains and slaloming roads directly north of Asheville and less than 5 miles from Tennessee. Where Marshall is the county seat and Mars Hill a college town, Hot Springs revolves around tourism.
With the French Broad running north, the greater community of around 1,100 residents is a popular spot for white water rafting. It also boasts the only downtown in the state that the Appalachian Trail cuts directly through. And like much of Western North Carolina, the local leaves turn majestic colors in the autumn.
“We call these people leaf lookers,” said Karen McCall, who runs a Hot Springs rafting and tubing company with her husband. “All this town is is tourism. There’s nothing else here.”
As in other areas devastated by Helene, Hot Springs experienced not one local waterway flooding but two. In addition to the French Broad, an overwhelmed Spring Creek swept through the town center and its small concentration of shops, breweries and restaurants along Bridge Street. Keith Calloway watched from his second-floor apartment as the waterline consumed his specialty grocery store below. The creek receded Friday evening but his store was a soaking jumble. To get inside, he and a group tore down the entire front.
“The first two days we were cut off,” Calloway said. “But then (the North Carolina Department of Transportation) got this road put back together.”
A few doors down Friday morning, Rochelle Moon and two other women were shoveling mud out of the darkened local library. The shelves were bare, with a stack of salvaged books on a center table. Moon, a member of the nonprofit Friends of Libraries, said she hasn’t spoken to county officials about the library’s future. She simply arrived to Hot Springs on Wednesday, found the building in disarray, and began the process of clearing.
Volunteerism was evident throughout the community, as residents took on new responsibilities.
Last week, Sonya Phillips was a bar manager at a brewery off Bridge Street. On Friday, she was leading a massive recovery effort out of the Hot Springs public schools campus. Mounds of donated food, diapers, water, gallon buckets, trash bags and wipes filled the gymnasium throughout the day. Outside, someone asked Phillips about the logistics of a helicopter landing to drop off more supplies.
“There’s a whole airspace thing,” she advised before referring the person to an aviation contact she knew.
“Right now, it’s about trying to coordinate outreach with other communities, like Marshall, Barnardsville and Burnsville,” she said.
As volunteers kickstarted Hot Springs’ long recovery, law enforcement continued to search for Helene victims. Behind the Hot Springs spa, where Spring Creek meets the French Broad, agents for the North Carolina Bureau of Investigations removed a mass of tangled tree trunks. Additional personnel from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives were parked on the resort’s front lawn.
There have been four confirmed deaths in Madison County attributed to Helene. As of Friday morning, around 13% of the county’s 16,000 homes and businesses remained without power as authorities continue to look for those still missing.
This story was originally published October 4, 2024, 5:19 PM.
October 09, 2024 9:50 AM
MARSHALL - Here's how to get food and emergency supply resources in Madison County in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.Food and water supplies are being routed to area volunteer fire departments to move them closer to each community, according to Madison County Commissioner Matt Wechtel.All residents can pick up supplies at the following locations.More:...
MARSHALL - Here's how to get food and emergency supply resources in Madison County in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.
Food and water supplies are being routed to area volunteer fire departments to move them closer to each community, according to Madison County Commissioner Matt Wechtel.
All residents can pick up supplies at the following locations.
More:North Carolina live updates: Search for missing continues as deaths rise
Donations can be taken to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, located at 258 Carolina Lane. This will be a limited distribution at this site.
Resources are also available at Beacon Hope, which has waived its income requirement. Beacon of Hope is located at 5111 U.S. 25-70 and is open noon-4 p.m.
Madison High School's cafeteria is accepting clothing and household items.
Residents who have been displaced or have lost their household goods are welcome to select what they need from the Madison High School cafeteria, which opens at 8 a.m.
More:How to help: Learn about ways to support Hurricane Helene victims, how to donate
Bottled water and bulk water - available by bringing a food container - is available at the Mars Hill Fire Department on Main Street. Water is available at all volunteer fire departments at the N.C. Cooperative Extension.
The central shelter site in the county is Madison Early College High School, located at 5734 U.S. 25-70 in Marshall.
The Mashburn office of the Hot Springs Health Program will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You do not need to be a patient to be seen by them. If you are out of important daily medication, please bring your empty container with dosage information, if possible, to Mashburn and they will work to help with refills.
The Hot Springs branch of the Hot Springs Health Program is open 9 am. to 4 p.m.
Resident welfare checks, contact Madison County Emergency Operations Center at 828-649-1955 or email [email protected].
Residents trying to connect with family members may call "NC 211" or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out of state to reporting missing loved ones.
North Carolina has officially received a Major Disaster Declaration, making individuals in Madison County eligible for Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA.
Individual assistance provides financial aid and services to eligible individuals and households that have been affected by a disaster to assist with the recovery process. Individuals can officially begin applying for individual assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
MARSHALL - Residents from throughout Western North Carolina and elsewhere are showing out in full force to provide help...
MARSHALL - Residents from throughout Western North Carolina and elsewhere are showing out in full force to provide helping hands however they can in downtown Marshall, where businesses and residences were devastated by Tropical Storm Helene.
The News-Record & Sentinel was in downtown Marshall Oct. 2, where a number of local residents had set up shop providing emergency assistance, food and water.
Tricia Haler and Morgan Yeakley set up shop outside right outside of the Madison County Courthouse in the days following the destruction.
"This is all personal effort and local business effort. This is the only coverage we have. We're doing first aid, water, food, snacks, PPE, some coffee, and we've got some emergency medical equipment," Yeakley said.
More:How to find help: Madison County emergency resource guide in the wake of Helene flooding
"It came together organically. Tricia and I on Sept. 30 started asking around about how to get involved."
Yeakley's husband owns Red Shed Woodworks, which was on hand assisting with the cleanup.
"(Haler) and I walked up like 8 miles on Monday, up and down dragging stuff up through mud up to our knees," Yeakley said.
Then, Amos with Nanostead, a small-scale sustainable design and building contractor located at 806 Walnut Creek Road, got involved with the efforts as well.
More:Even after neighbor's death, Marshall's Rollins community still inspired by support
Nanostead, next to Community Housing Coalition, is coordinating shuttles to downtown, and other efforts.
Yeakley said she has been very encouraged by the community's rallying around their neighbors in need.
"I've lived in this town for 22 years, and seeing people and we've all come together, and we all care, and we're all just giving each other's showers and food and laundry services," Yeakley said. "It's amazing. It's just such an awesome community."
Blake Barker works at Buchi, a drink manufacturer along Derringer Drive in Marshall. Barker, who has worked at the business for seven years, said it was important for him to help out.
"I wanted to be down here with the people I love and help out," Barker said.
Renee Panter, a Mars Hill resident, started showing up to downtown Marshall Oct. 1.
"This is my community," Panter said. "My friend Lisa's cooking up some burgers and hot dogs, so I'm bringing her some propane. I figured I would come and do what I can."
Amid the devastation, some residents were doing their best to encourage volunteers to remember the effects of exposure to toxic chemicals.
Marshall resident Rachel Bennett is working with Nanostead to issue PPE and other protective gear, including boots and masks, to assist volunteers in their cleanup efforts.
"This is a really groundroots organization that we started Oct. 1, just a couple of neighbors of mine. We put it out there and just started organizing," Bennett said.
"We were supposed to get a big shipment of gloves, coveralls, masks, respirators, but we aren't. So, we're hoping to get more. Those are the big things because we're in cleanup right now. We need thick things."
According to Bennett, one of Nanostead's main efforts right now is to centralize and streamline volunteer efforts and distribution.
"Community Housing Coalition has been our hub, and then Beacon of Hope has been the hub for Hot Springs, and we've been communicating between the two," Bennett said.
"The huge thing is talking with the people and them communicating their needs so we can fund it, because we want to make sure we're buying the right things. Right now, it's boots, and it's hard to get people to put on gloves, because when you're in this, you're like, 'I'm already exposed.'"
Bennett said the volunteers need "full coverage," including gloves, respirators and boots.
Additionally, Bennett said a local resident performed a soil test Oct. 1 and is still awaiting the results.
While there may not be boots, masks and gloves for everyone, the town of Marshall continues to see residents show out and offer their help.
Magon Hof, a Marshall resident who grew up near the downtown area, was assisting Oct. 2 with the cleanup of Marshall Town Hall, which was destroyed in the flooding.
"I grew up here. I used to walk these streets as a kid with my Granny, and we'd go to Bowman's, which is now destroyed," Hof said. "For me, it's just, you know, you grew up here. So you want to do what you can to help."
America has some of the top ski resorts in the world. Maine alone has top-rated resorts according to the reviews. It seems like Mars Hill in North Carolina is set to rival the other locations with a major return looming near. Hatley Pointe is set to reopen in November, but as evidenced by Ti...
America has some of the top ski resorts in the world. Maine alone has top-rated resorts according to the reviews. It seems like Mars Hill in North Carolina is set to rival the other locations with a major return looming near. Hatley Pointe is set to reopen in November, but as evidenced by TikTok, the renovations weren't exactly simple.
Deb and Dave Hatley detailed what went on behind the scenes. Millions were spent, but it would appear as though the resort is worth the wait.
Let's take a closer look at what visitors can expect from the resort, and some of its top features.
These are the cities that receive the least sun, of all the places on the planet.
Hatley Pointe Moutain Resort has become a sensation on TikTok. Deb and David Hartley are sharing their story about how they purchased a defunct ski resort out in Mars Hill, North Carolina. After many struggles, the couple are finally bringing back the 1970s resort, with its opening set for November.
According to Forbes, the couple purchased the resort from its longtime owner, Orville English, for $8.4 million. The resort is conveniently located between Asheville, North Carolina and Northeast Tennessee. At least an additional $12 million was spent on upgrades and improvements. Adjusting the resort was a long-haul type of project for the couple and everyone involved.
Deb Hatley admits she learned several lessons along the way, but credits building an in-house team as the most pivotal move.
"Weather’s been tough—we’ve worked in everything from ankle-deep rain in the spring to waist-deep snow in winter. We’ve literally weathered every storm together, and it’s been a team effort the whole way."
Asheville, North Carolina, is one of the most popular cities in America in the fall. It's stunning, but there are some good reasons to skip it.
The courageous couple was unable to open its doors last season. However, if the weather permits, the opening day is currently set for November 28, 2024. Without a doubt, it'll be a proud day for the Hatley family and everyone else involved.
The story is a great one, but Hatley Pointe promises to deliver. Among its biggest selling points is the top tier hospitality for its guests.
Deb Hartley explained with Forbes , "From the moment you arrive, we’ve got private guest transportation dropping you off right at the front of the lodge. There’s a welcome desk to answer all your questions, a full-service restaurant and bar, and a specialized lounge with showers, private changing rooms, and weekend locker spaces. Every step of the experience will be packed with attention to detail and real care for our guests."
The goal for Hatley Pointe will be to make the resort a four-season destination for visitors. Summer activities include mountain ziplines, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The bike park's phase one will be completed by the fall of 2025. Summer and fall festivals are also scheduled to take place at the resort in the future.
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