AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Jennie G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I feel like I'm part of the family every time I'm there! A lovely bunch of ladies! The best quality care provider in the business!”

John Z.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have had many dealing with Always Best Care during my professional healthcare career. They have always provided great care to the seniors they serve. Jim and his team are great to work with and always go above and beyond not only in serving seniors but supporting many events in the community. I would highly recommend ABC for any in home needs.”

Bob P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I like working with Always Best Care Senior Services because the office staff are so nice and understanding and I have gotten to know them on a level that I know they are here to help me, when I need help or have a questions. From day one when I have called, they have ALL been here to help guide me and they have been there every time I’ve had a questions. Working for ABC has been an honor because I really do love the company and we have some sweet clients. The ladies that work in the office are amazing and without them I do not think our company would thrive like it does. When I did an application, it was on accident and then I got a phone call asking me to come in and interview and honestly I’m so blessed. I love my job because it is my passion to help people and to do what I can to make their daily living better and easier. I honestly don’t think there is anything that needs to change about ABC. I have never worked for such an amazing company before”

Craig R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I own a financial services business and share clients with Always Best Care. Recently, one of our shared clients experienced a fall which resulted in a broken hip. One of my first calls, after EMS, was to ABC. Mary Steiner responded immediately and offered to meet the client at the ER. She was wonderful and so very professional in the manner in which she handled the entire harrowing experience. She arranged for overnight care since the family had to arrive from out of town. I am so grateful for her genuine care for our client and stepping in during an emergency to help us handle the situation. I would recommend ABC for services because they absolutely go above and beyond with such a special touch. Robbie Chenault, Elevated Living Services”

Elevated L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I love working here! Jim truly cares about his clients and employees. The staff goes to great lengths to make sure that the clients are cared for. I am proud to represent Always Best Care.”

Sandra D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My husband was placed with always best care after leaving the hospital. he has received outstanding care from this company, The caretaker taking care of my husband did an outstanding job working with him , helping with daily care , cleaning, and his physical therapy, would recommend her and this company to anyone looking for home Assistant to take care of a loved one! Thank you always best care for being there for us and my family .”

Diane M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is one the best company’s to work for. Treats everyone like Family”

Danielle O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care is very professional and they love the clients and their patients”

Javell F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“From the first day that I started it was an experience to learn your ways but with all the staff people that I became aware of oh my gosh it was wonderful. I have been very pleased with Mary, Melissa, and Danielle of letting me decide if my clients are a perfect match for me and them. I am pleased that I chose this company. Jim is doing a very good job of hiring a amazing staff in the office to work with. Thanks to all!”

Vicki B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Absolutely the best staff. They come to the house for 4 hours to take care of my dad and are so friendly. My dad loves the attention. Thanks so much for seeing to the needs of dad.”

Tom J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My mom and her husband are 80 and 92 years old. They’ve both had Covid, pneumonia, and heart issues among many other things. Always Best Care sent out a caregiver named Pat. Pat is incredible! She cooks homemade meals for them, grocery shops for them, goes to the post office, bank, and anywhere else they need, helps with showers, takes them to church, and visits them when they have to go to the hospital or nursing home. Pat truly cares about them! It’s such a blessing to have a caregiver who really cares! They love her and she loves them! Pat is truly amazing and we are so grateful that Always Best Home Care sent her to our family!”

Lu A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“It is a privilege to serve this company's clients and staff. I am impressed every day by the lengths that all will go to to make sure people's needs are met.”

Mary S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ABC Asheville was always prompt and responsive to our family needs. Mary was thoughtful and efficient in all communications.”

Joel A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has helped me grow so much as a person and it is truly the best company I have ever worked for.”

Melisa L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Great home care agency who really cares about their clients. Highly recommended.”

Nate R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I wanted to say thank you to all the ladies that helped look after Mom. I'm so appreciative. And thank you for all the times you helped me over the phone. I surely am thankful for your services!”

Becky C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I've been a business peer of Jim Smeaton's at Always Best Care Senior Serivces for several years. Jim is one of my favorite leaders in the local buiness community. This is because of his ethical and service-oriented mindset. I have seen first hand that Always Best Care, who specialize in providing personalized, in-home care for seniors, is the best way to keep your loved ones independent and safe in the comfort of their own home in order to maximize their quality of life. Thank you Jim & team for all you do for our community!”

Jared B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I’ve known Jim Smeaton and his company for several years. His energetic and genuinely caring spirit inspires Always Best Care which has an excellent reputation for always providing the best home care for it's clients. If your loved one needs support in living independently at home, you can't go wrong with Always Best Care.”

Mark W.
 In-Home Care Swannanoa, NC

How does In-home Senior Care in Swannanoa, NC work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Swannanoa, NC

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

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, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Swannanoa, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Swannanoa, NC 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Swannanoa, NC

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

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 Swannanoa,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.

 Caregivers Swannanoa, NC

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

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.

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.

Latest News in Swannanoa, NC

70 senior apartments, all at 60% AMI or lower, slated near Swannanoa River Road's Aldi

An Ohio-based nonprofit is looking to build 70 affordable senior living apartments near Swannanoa River Road, all set for renters making 60% or lower of the area median income.The project would serve people either 55 and older, or 62 and older, and won't be an assisted living facility that has on-site support services, according to a report from a neighborhood meeting.Plans on file with the city...

An Ohio-based nonprofit is looking to build 70 affordable senior living apartments near Swannanoa River Road, all set for renters making 60% or lower of the area median income.

The project would serve people either 55 and older, or 62 and older, and won't be an assisted living facility that has on-site support services, according to a report from a neighborhood meeting.

Plans on file with the city for a needed conditional zoning show a single, four-story building on 2.73 acres between Governors View Road and Swannanoa River Road, between Aldi and Four Star Car Wash.

Steve Sceranka, director of real estate development southeast for Buckeye Community Hope Foundation’s Housing Division, said the group doesn't do any market-rate housing.

It owns or manages more than 4,000 units in 11 states, he said.

According to the US Census Bureau, 18.1% of Asheville's estimated 2020 population of 94,589, or roughly 17,120 people, are 65 and older.

Report: Asheville area rents up 25% over the past year, most expensive in NC

No one making more than 60% of the AMI would be able to rent an apartment at Redwood Commons, he said. The exact mix of rates and rents will come with a market study set to be completed in March.

"It's not market-rate where we put in a high level of amenities and charge $1,200 for a one-bedroom," Sceranka said. "Rent levels (will be) set at a maximum based on area median income, and then you have to have so many units targeted for 60%."

According to Asheville's matrix for affordable housing rates based on data from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, 60% AMI for a single-person household is $31,575, and $36,075 for a two-person household.

Rents tied to that rate, with utilities included, are $846 for a one-bedroom and $1,014 for a two-bedroom.

For this project, developers are seeking federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to help fund the project, Sceranka said, as well as a Community Development Block Grant to help offset the cost of purchasing the property.

Buncombe GIS records list two parcels, each reappraised in 2021, at a combined value of just under $530,000: one 0.91-acre parcel at $176,600 and a 1.82-acre parcel at $353,200.

'Dead in its tracks': Asheville Downtown Commission unimpressed by Broadway hotel proposal

Sceranka said Buckeye Hope had planned to submit the project last year but ran out of time. The city, he said, asked developers to go above the 49-unit mark that triggers the needed conditional zoning.

The current River zoning district allows up to 49 units in residential developments, leading developers to seek a conditional zoning to the Residential Expansion district.

The next step for Redwood Commons is an Asheville Technical Review Committee meeting March 7. The project will also go before the city's Planning and Zoning Commission and ultimately be approved or denied by City Council.

Related reporting: Affordable Haywood Street apartments set for big COVID-19 fund boost from Buncombe Commission

Neighbor concerns to be addressed

A project narrative included with the application says the site had formerly been used for a number of light industrial purposes but is formerly vacant, bordering single-family homes to the north, an Aldi grocery store to the east and a car wash to the west.

"The site is proposed to be rezoned for multi-family affordable housing due to its proximity to multiple services, including a grocery store and public transportation," it says.

The site is about half a mile from the intersection of Swannanoa River Road and South Tunnel Road near Asheville Mall.

Plans on file for the first-floor layout show a mix of two- and one-bedroom apartments with a multi-purpose room, tenant storage and laundry areas.

The L-shaped building and associated parking will sit to the north side of the property to avoid a floodway, the narrative says, along Governors View Road, providing room for a buffer of greenspace along Swannanoa River Road.

Sidewalks are planned throughout the site to allow residents access to Governors View Road and a bus stop on Swannanoa River Road.

At a Jan. 27 neighborhood meeting at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen on Bleachery Boulevard, neighbors express disappointment in the building height and shared concerns about lighting and building size.

According to that report, the existing landowner shared a prior engagement with a commercial developer hoping to build a strip mall with a Dollar Tree as the anchor, and previous inquiries for the property to be subdivided into 1-acre parcels for individual development.

The landowner expressed the desire to select BCHF, since the group wishes to purchase the entire property, according to the neighborhood meeting report.

Neighbors shared other concerns about the car wash operations, relocation of an existing stream, lighting in the parking lot, and disappointment in not being able to provide input on the design, feeling it's a done deal, though developers said they'd incorporate those concerns into the development and noted future opportunities for public input.

They're also waiting on market research to determine how many units can be approved based on a funding application to state and federal governments, it says, adding that if market research doesn't support the full 70 units, the plan will be revised based on market research, set to be released in March.

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Due to extensive grading, plans say no trees can be preserved, with plans to meet the city's Tree Canopy Preservation Ordinance by planting 63 new trees for a total new canopy of 32,585 square feet.

Deemed a Class B, or urban site under the ordinance, plans say 17,838 square feet, or 15% of the site, is required to be tree canopy since no existing trees can be preserved.

For concerns on lighting, Sceranka said lights will be designed to shine downward so neighbors looking out their windows won't be looking at bright lights like streetlights that are designed to shine outward.

He said the height of the building, at 60 feet according to plans, is within what's allowed by right in the zoning district, and while neighbors will be looking at the building, their current view is of the Aldi parking lot and the Walmart across the river.

Buckeye Hope will be a partner in the project, and will likely manage Redwood Commons as well, Sceranka said, while it's still to-be-determined whether or not the group will wait until it gets a few more projects built before that makes sense,

Once the complex is leased out, he said the foundation will begin working with its social services staff to plan programs at the site, a staff of around 40 employees who rotate through the company's buildings teaching educational programs on everything from reconciling checkbooks to health and wellness seminars.

The first-floor community room will house social services that could potentially be open to the public, and a small library with computers for residents.

Last year, the organization was awarded a very similar project in Kernersville, he said, and according to its website operates in Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, Illinois and Pennsylvania.

Derek Lacey covers environment, growth and development for the Asheville Citizen Times. Reach him at [email protected] or 828-417-4842 and find him on Twitter @DerekAVL.

Ex-Tiger Woods golf course, Cliffs luxury housing site in Swannanoa sold for $15.3M

SWANNANOA — A nearly 800-acre Swannanoa property that once was the intended site of a luxury housing community and a Tiger Woods-designed golf course has changed hands, but future development plans there remain unclear.The property, located about 17 miles east of Asheville, was slated to be part of The Cliffs at High Carolina, a neighborhood project featuring about 1,000 luxury homes and what would have been the first U.S. golf course designed by Woods straddling parts of the Fairview and Swannanoa communities. It...

SWANNANOA — A nearly 800-acre Swannanoa property that once was the intended site of a luxury housing community and a Tiger Woods-designed golf course has changed hands, but future development plans there remain unclear.

The property, located about 17 miles east of Asheville, was slated to be part of The Cliffs at High Carolina, a neighborhood project featuring about 1,000 luxury homes and what would have been the first U.S. golf course designed by Woods straddling parts of the Fairview and Swannanoa communities. It was sold in April by David Straus of Straus Family LLC for about $15.3 million.

Straus said a South Carolina-based group under the name New Fort LLC approached him to purchase the property a year ago. It had been on the market at least the past three years, listed for sale at $24 million in 2016.

"We didn't really want the property anymore and there were a lot of expenses involved in it," Straus told the Citizen Times on July 9. "At that point, the house we had on it we would use to vacation on it had been torn down to make way for the golf course. It really didn't have the kind of value to us anymore that we wanted, so we had been trying to sell it for a number of years."

MORE:

? What's the latest on the former Tiger Woods golf course project in Fairview?

? Former Tiger Woods golf course site at Cliffs for sale for $24M

? New Pisgah View State Park nearly a done deal with unanimous NC House vote

Straus had financed a 2007 deal to develop the property under The Cliffs banner through a deed of trust. The Cliffs is a series of seven private luxury communities owned by Charlotte and Charleston, South Carolina-based development company South Street Partners, which acquired them in March.

He later took back the deed after the project was hit hard by the collapse of the real estate market in the late 2000s, leading to sagging sales of the high-dollar homesites starting in price at $500,000.

A representative from The Cliffs said the company still owns some 1,900 acres adjacent to the former Straus site. David Sawyer, formerly The Cliffs Clubs managing partner, told the Citizen Times last year the company does not have any plans to commit additional funding to the High Carolina project, instead directing its attention to its Walnut Cove property in Arden and two others in South Carolina.

Not much has been publicly shared about the buyer, New Fort, a limited liability company whose registered agent is listed as Greenwood, South Carolina, attorney Douglas L. Bell. Reached by email this week, Bell said he had reached out to his client for comment.

Straus added a New Fort representative said, "in essence, he had no comment at this time." He noted he signed a nondisclosure agreement with New Fort while in the negotiation process for the land.

It is also unclear what, if any, involvement the 15-time major winner Woods might have in future iterations of the property. The distinction of the first U.S.-based Woods-designed course now belongs to Bluejack National, a private course located within a housing community in Montgomery, Texas. It opened in April 2016.

But Woods' likeness was prominently featured in a past advertising campaign for High Carolina, similar to other Cliffs properties which have golf courses designed by prominent figures such as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

Representatives for Woods and his golf course design company, TGR Design, did not respond to requests for comment.

In 2007, Woods said he would be in Fairview "as much as much as I can" to see the golf course through to its completion. In the following years as the project took a downward turn, Woods' career also took a hit as he battled injuries and a high-profile infidelity scandal.

He returned to form this year in winning the 83rd Masters Tournament in April before being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom three weeks later, just the fourth such golfer to receive the honor.

Swannanoa chief hopes high school fire academy will boost dwindling number of firefighters

SWANNANOA , N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina is in critical need of volunteer firefighters, according to the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs (NCAFC).Swannanoa chief hopes high school fire academy will boost dwindling number of firefightersThe NCAFC launched a two-year campaign in an effort to boost the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.A public service announcement stated in part, “Being part of the volunteer fire service is making Carolina stronger in every sense of the word. It&rsquo...

SWANNANOA , N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina is in critical need of volunteer firefighters, according to the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs (NCAFC).

Swannanoa chief hopes high school fire academy will boost dwindling number of firefighters

The NCAFC launched a two-year campaign in an effort to boost the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

A public service announcement stated in part, “Being part of the volunteer fire service is making Carolina stronger in every sense of the word. It’s about time you found your inner hero.”

Swannanoa Fire Chief Anthony Penland started his career as a volunteer firefighter.

“Right now, we respond to about 135-140 [calls] on average a month. When I first joined in 1990, we were going to 40," Penland said.

DANGEROUS SHORTAGE: NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS IN NORTH CAROLINA DWINDLES

Calls for service are on the rise, Penland said, but staff is diminishing. According to Penland, years ago, the Swannanoa Fire Department had 35 volunteer firefighters in addition to its paid full-time staff. Today, the department has just one volunteer firefighter. To bridge the personnel gaps, Penland said surrounding fire departments help each other out.

“When we have a structure fire, we’ll have seven people from Swannanoa that maybe respond, some of our off-duty folks will be there,” Penland said. “But then we’ll have departments from Black Mountain, Riceville and Reynolds personnel, as well.”

FACING A SHORTAGE, PSA AIMS TO RECRUIT VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS IN NORTH CAROLINA

Penland, a 30-year veteran, hopes to inspire a new generation. Penland recently launched Buncombe County’s first fire academy for students. Penland teaches firefighting certification courses to students at Owen High School.

“Upon graduation, they’ll have three classes that they need to finish. They’ll need to finish fire control/rescue, hazmat and they have to take a traffic incident management class,” Penland said. “Once they finish those classes, they are certified firefighters in the state of North Carolina and can walk into any volunteer fire station and put in an application and start volunteering.”

Penland hopes the program serves as a pipeline to fill vacancies. He hopes to expand the program next year.

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