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 Isaac Adair House 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 Lawrenceville, GA 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.
“Always have helped me a lot i have had ”
“Always best have always provided me with some of the most caring”
“Always Best Care has been a blessing to us wonderful people great staff Mr Duke”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is an excellent service. They have an incredible staff who”
“I am a current client of this provider They have good attitudes. I like that they are”
“I am a current client of this provider If you need an additional person, they are”
“I am a current client of this provider I have good days and bad days, but”
“I am a current client of this provider They make sure he is comfortable and he's”
“I am a current client of this provider They bathe him and I get the chance”
“I am a current client of this provider There are things I cannot handle with my”
“I am a past client of this provider They did well once they were there. They”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver they send that takes care of”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency has made my life easier by”
“We can have more hours. They can have more caregivers and have replacements.”
“I am a current client of this provider It helps the clients feel safer at home. I”
“I am a current client of this provider They have helped me the most in doing”
“My parents needed care after my elderly mom was discharged from the hospital . Latasha”
“I am a past client of this provider When they did send someone most of them”
“I am a current client of this provider They have been very helpful and courteous. They always”
“I am a past client of this provider My experience was positive because the caregiver was”
“I am a current client of this provider They come 3 days a week and they”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregivers that have come have had positive”
“Always have helped me a lot i have had some wonderful nurses that' came to see about me but the person that really enjoyed was my buddy. Mr Duke he is the most wonderful caring person that there is thank you my dear friend”
“Always best have always provided me with some of the most caring care givers. They show alot of compassion and care for my father has been with them for 2 years. I would like to send a special thank you to Duke,Ericka, Debbie and Latoshia for the care that you have provided for our family.”
“Always Best Care has been a blessing to us wonderful people great staff Mr Duke is the most amazing and wonderful ???????? person ???? they have always sent good people for my husband thank you Always Best Care”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is an excellent service. They have an incredible staff who are dedicated to providing outstanding service to in need. I would highly recommend this company.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have good attitudes. I like that they are consistent with the people who come in every day.”
“I am a current client of this provider If you need an additional person, they are good to fill in when someone calls out. I like that they are straight forward with their pricing.”
“I am a current client of this provider I have good days and bad days, but the services have helped me the most with moving around better. It prevents me from falling. One of the caregivers did not want to do anything and stated that it was too much. I had to do the cleaning by myself and I did not feel good. Now I have another caregiver who provides better services.”
“I am a current client of this provider They make sure he is comfortable and he's clean. Thery are always on time and make sure he is comfortable.”
“I am a current client of this provider They bathe him and I get the chance to do other things. The caregiver provides great services.”
“I am a current client of this provider There are things I cannot handle with my husband, and before I had them I was there twenty-four hours a day to the point of a mental breakdown, it's everything to me. I like the person that I have most of the time, she's very good, very qualified. I feel very fortunate.”
“I am a past client of this provider They did well once they were there. They help prepare my meals and get things for me because I was immobile. They also helped with my bath. They could have the caregiver give me a call if they're going to be late, so I'm not wondering if they're coming or not.”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver they send that takes care of him is a good match. I would recommend them because they person they send is quite qualified and caring.”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency has made my life easier by providing excellent care. I like that the agency always has someone to cover if someone is not able to make it.”
“We can have more hours. They can have more caregivers and have replacements.”
“I am a current client of this provider It helps the clients feel safer at home. I really like the caregiver that's with the clients, she's smart.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have helped me the most in doing things around the house and doing things they are supposed to. I like that they are understandable and have good workers.”
“My parents needed care after my elderly mom was discharged from the hospital . Latasha was very responsive and caring while helping us secure the right person to help them during a difficult transition in their lives. Duke, the interim care provider was extremely well liked by my parents . They felt super comfortable and safe with him while Latasha worked to find a longer term caregiver. I really appreciate all of them ! Thank you Always Best Care”
“I am a past client of this provider When they did send someone most of them were quality caregivers. They could have done better with scheduling and making sure their clients were covered.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have been very helpful and courteous. They always ask if I need anything.”
“I am a past client of this provider My experience was positive because the caregiver was very effective and willing to take care of my needs. I would recommend them because they were available, professional and willing.”
“I am a current client of this provider They come 3 days a week and they do everything I need for me. They have bettered her quality of life. They have been responsive when I need to make changes.”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregivers that have come have had positive attitudes. I think they need more staffing and have more people available to come to other locations.”
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 Tribble Mill 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 Parkside District or visit Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 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 Lawrenceville, GA, 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 Lawrenceville, GA 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 Lawrenceville, GA 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.
A new coffee destination is poised to welcome residents and neighbors in the upcoming weeks. Mood Café, a locally owned specialty coffee shop, is set to open at The Margot, a luxury apartment complex at 2300 Margot St, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.The café is conveniently located at the apartment clubhouse and will serve as a valuable amenity for residents, while also offering a neighborhood café experience to ...
A new coffee destination is poised to welcome residents and neighbors in the upcoming weeks. Mood Café, a locally owned specialty coffee shop, is set to open at The Margot, a luxury apartment complex at 2300 Margot St, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
The café is conveniently located at the apartment clubhouse and will serve as a valuable amenity for residents, while also offering a neighborhood café experience to the public. While the exact opening date is pending, the café is expected to launch within the next few weeks.
Mood Café offers a menu that includes avocado toasts, grab-and-go salads, grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken salad croissants, and a selection of fresh pastries and muffins.
The Mood Café story is deeply intertwined with family and a collective love for coffee. Letitia Hauser, along with her sister Mary Davis and their husbands, Brandon Hauser and Johnath Davis, established the café as a transition from corporate careers to personal entrepreneurship.
Mood Café began its journey as a mobile coffee cart, starting modestly but rapidly attracting a dedicated customer base. When the chance to secure a permanent location at The Margot presented itself, the team recognized it as a logical progression to expand their business.
“Our goal was to create something we enjoy personally,” Letitia shares.
While linked to The Margot, Mood Café is crafted to cater to both residents and the nearby communities. The location boasts ample parking and convenient pull-up access to the clubhouse.
For the latest information on the official opening date, menu highlights, and upcoming pop-up events, visit moodcafega.com or follow them on Instagram: @moodcafe_ga.
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Heavy rain and gusty wind toppled trees in a Lawrenceville neighborhood on Saturday.Channel 2’s Tom Regan, who saw a huge tree that fell on a house, estimates the tree was 100 feet tall and weighed several tons.Neighbors said they were greatly relieved that no one was hurt when it crashed on a Lake Ridge Terrace home on Saturday.“It was really pouring. The wind was gusting real badly,” Cristen Safrid said.The severe weather sent a towering tree from the yard of h...
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Heavy rain and gusty wind toppled trees in a Lawrenceville neighborhood on Saturday.
Channel 2’s Tom Regan, who saw a huge tree that fell on a house, estimates the tree was 100 feet tall and weighed several tons.
Neighbors said they were greatly relieved that no one was hurt when it crashed on a Lake Ridge Terrace home on Saturday.
“It was really pouring. The wind was gusting real badly,” Cristen Safrid said.
The severe weather sent a towering tree from the yard of her rental home, crashing onto the home next door. Safrid said she was at dinner at the time.
The tree also sliced through another building on the property.
“We looked in the backyard, and sure enough, tree down on this side, and a tree on our right side went into the neighbor’s roof a little bit. It was a really big tree, and it’s not like it was a dead tree so, surprised that it was down like that,” Safrid said.
Crews using a large crane cut sections of the tree using chainsaws . They then removed the sections from the roof of the home. The process took several hours.
Safrid said her neighbor was at home when the massive tree toppled over.
The tree did more damage to the smaller structure than the home.
“Nobody got hurt, but it was a huge tree. And it really could’ve been bad if it had went in a different direction,” Safrid said.
The woman who lives at the house hit by the tree told Tom Regan that, in addition to the roof damage, there was interior damage, some of it caused by rain falling through a hole in the roof.
TRENDING STORIES:
Restaurant Brings Approximately 75 Jobs to Community, Donates $25,000 to Address Food Insecurity LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (May 12, 2025) – A new Chick-fil-A® restaurant is ready to serve Lawrenceville at its newest location opening on Thursday, May 15, 2025, creating approximately 75 jobs. Chick-fil-A, Inc. selected Matt Rhodes to be the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Braves Avenue. Located at 2465 Buford Drive, the new restaurant will serve Guests Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 ...
Restaurant Brings Approximately 75 Jobs to Community, Donates $25,000 to Address Food Insecurity
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (May 12, 2025) – A new Chick-fil-A® restaurant is ready to serve Lawrenceville at its newest location opening on Thursday, May 15, 2025, creating approximately 75 jobs. Chick-fil-A, Inc. selected Matt Rhodes to be the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Braves Avenue. Located at 2465 Buford Drive, the new restaurant will serve Guests Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the drive-thru remaining open until 10 p.m. The restaurant will offer dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out, delivery, catering and Mobile Thru. Because Chick-fil-A restaurants are designed to serve the unique needs of each community, Chick-fil-A Braves Avenue will also feature a play area to give families easy visibility and an opportunity to relax while the children play. Locally Owned and Operated “My passion for the hospitality industry started when I was a teenager, visiting local restaurants in my hometown,” said Rhodes. “As a Georgia native, becoming a local Owner-Operator has been a meaningful part of my story. I’m excited to keep creating memorable experiences for Guests, Team Members and our community back home in Georgia.”
Caring for the Lawrenceville Community: Rhodes is committed to giving back to the Lawrenceville community by:
To learn more about careers at Chick-fil-A Braves Avenue, click here. For the latest news and updates on Chick-fil-A Braves Avenue, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page and follow along on Instagram. Delicious Food; Outstanding Customer Service Chick-fil-A is known for creating a remarkable restaurant experience, starting with friendly service, a warm welcome and quality food, including the original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich. Restaurants strive to provide a great-tasting meal made with real, whole chicken breast and fresh produce, all grown and sourced with care and prepared throughout the day. For more on Chick-fil-A's high-quality menu options, click here. For more information about the Brand’s food, people and customers across the country, visit chick-fil-a.com. About Chick-fil-A, Inc. Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States, known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. More than 200,000 Team Members are employed by local Owner-Operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Chick-fil-A opened its first restaurant in the UK in early 2025 with the goal of launching five locations across the UK within the next two years. The first Singapore restaurant is set to open in late 2025, marking the brand's entry into Asia. Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators live and work in the communities their restaurants serve, each supporting local efforts to address hunger, education, and making a positive impact. The family-owned and privately held company was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com and @ChickfilANews.
###Contact: Media Hotline: (800) 404-7196 Email: [email protected]
Four days after a GA house fire, one of the children graduated from high school, but the devastation left the family unable to celebrate.Amanda Lumpkin, Patch Staff|Updated Wed, May 28, 2025 at 6:16 pm ETLAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A photo of Michael Jackson given to him by his mother was the only item Douglas Worjloh was able to retrieve from his fire-ravaged Lawrenceville home.It was 2 a.m. on May 21. The NBA pl...
Amanda Lumpkin, Patch Staff
|Updated Wed, May 28, 2025 at 6:16 pm ET
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A photo of Michael Jackson given to him by his mother was the only item Douglas Worjloh was able to retrieve from his fire-ravaged Lawrenceville home.
It was 2 a.m. on May 21. The NBA playoffs had just ended on TV, and Worjloh decided to turn on a movie before falling asleep at his Grouse Court Northwest home — a place where he and his family lived for 15 years.
At the time, the National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning in northern Gwinnett County, fire officials previously said. A storm was traveling across the area at 50 mph.
Moments after dozing off to sleep, Worjloh's 15-year-old son awakened him with one word: Fire.
"He didn't say nothing else," Worjloh told Patch on Wednesday. "When he said, 'fire,' I jumped up."
Worjloh's first instinct was to check the kitchen, but he saw nothing. Then, he ran outside his front door, turned his head to the left and saw a bright light.
After slipping on boots and a raincoat, as the downpour continued, he went toward the light. That is when he saw it, a fire above his attic and kitchen. Lightning had struck his home, leading to a massive blaze.
Worjloh was able to alert everyone, who were all asleep, and the family escaped. Their home was destroyed.
He said though 12 people lived in the house, ranging in age from 15 to 78, only eight of them were home at the time of the fire. None of the residents were injured, Worjloh said.
However, the roof collapsed on a firefighter who entered the house while responding to the fire, injuring him, fire officials previously said.
The firefighter was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, fire officials said. The responder has since been released from the hospital.
A week later, the Gwinnett County family is left to wonder what is next for them. They are staying at a hotel, for now, and are waiting on assistance from insurance.
"It was kind of a shock to me," Worjloh, the owner of a food transportation business, told Patch. "A lot of stuff going through my mind."
RELATED: Lightning Strikes Gwinnett Home, Displacing 12
With lots of trees surrounding the house, he said he wonders why the lightning avoided hitting a tree and went straight for his home.
"We lost everything in the fire," Worjloh said, noting family photos were destroyed in the blaze. "We’re just going day by day. We’re still trying to process what happened to us. Right now, (we're) in some kind of mindset that we just keep our heads high and see what comes out of this, what would be the best way to go about this. We’re at a loss, right now. We don't know what to do."
Four days after the destructive blaze, Worjloh's son graduated from high school, but he said the family has not been able to celebrate due to the devastation.
A GoFundMe has been established to assist the family with housing, clothing, food and a new beginning, according to organizers. As of Wednesday afternoon, the online fundraiser collected more than $3,000 of its $10,000 goal.
"I don't have no words to explain," Worjloh said of the community support he and his family has received. "My family and I are grateful for everybody trying their possible best to help us get back on our feet."
Though Worjloh did not expect lightning to hit his home, he said it could happen to anyone.
He does not know what lies ahead for his family, but for now, he has chosen to remain optimistic.
"I’m just hoping that God will continue to guide us and keep our heads high, and whatever He got for us, we’ll take it," Worjloh said.
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