About
Always Best Care 

My name is Shonda Boudet. I started Always Best Care Senior Services after seeing my grandparents struggle with their aging journey and desire to stay at home. I grew up in Port Allen, LA and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge. I graduated from University of Louisiana Monroe with a BA in psychology, and I graduated from nursing school from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University. I opened Always Best Care of Baton Rouge in May 2010 along with my husband, Bryan who served as the company’s CFO. Together we had two sons who are now students at Catholic High School. My husband and I were married for 18 years before he passed away. My passion for helping others intensified while becoming my husband’s primary caregiver after his diagnosis with cancer. My husband lost his battle with cancer in July of 2018. Since that time, I consider it a mission to continue the company we started together by offering the support and assistance for those that need care.

My name is Shannon McClendon. I have a bachelor’s in nursing and have worked in the medical field for over 23 years. I am the Administrator for Always Best Care of Baton Rouge and I have to say this is one of the most rewarding jobs of my career. Taking care of senior needs is a passion of mine and I am glad to be a part of this service. I have 10 grandchildren who keep me on my toes, and I enjoy every single second of my time with them. When I am not with the grandchildren, my husband and I enjoy hiking and motorcycle riding.

My name is Cynthia Leonard Salazar, CDP, and I have been working for Always Best Care (ABC) since October of 2013. I am married to a wonderful guy named Jason and we have two fur babies. My husband and I love to cook, and we love going to the beach. I have a master’s degree in exercise physiology, and before my career at ABC, I was the director of two health clubs in the Baton Rouge area.  Until April 2020, I had also been a personal trainer for over 25 years.  I received my dementia practitioner certification in 2024. I am the billing coordinator/operational assistant at ABC.  I assist clients through the billing process and work directly with the Administrator in operations management.  Working closely with ABC clients since 2013, I understand families’ difficulty navigating the senior care process, specifically on the financial side of providing care.  Many families need clarity and assistance in understanding the available payment options and how to access them. Helping families through that process is a big part of my job.

My name is Paula Manzke. I have been the Senior Care Coordinator with Always Best Care since 2017 and I oversee the Client Service Department. I have been a licensed social worker since 1982, and I am a certified dementia practitioner. I graduated from the University of Mississippi and did postgraduate work at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, TN. Over the span of my career, I have worked predominantly in the field of medical social work with an emphasis on geriatric care and concerns. This included working in nursing homes, an acute care hospital as a case manager and discharge planner, a mental health center as a caseworker, and a hospice and home health as a social worker. I have one son, Andrew, who lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a twin brother who is an oncologist; he works as a professor at the University of Mississippi, where he teaches medical students about oncology. In the years I have worked with ABC, I have helped hundreds of families navigate the senior care process, develop care plans that address their needs, and assist them in finding the appropriate resources. It has been my honor to work with the elderly and their families over the past 40 years when they have needed it the most by providing direction, support, and kindness during some of their most difficult struggles.

My name is Salena Vincent Harrington Passafiume, CDP. I grew up in Abbeville, LA, where I graduated from Abbeville High School. I attended Gulf Area Technical College, becoming a Certified Nurse’s Assistant and earning certification as a Recreational Therapist in 1999. Before coming to Always Best Care (ABC), I used my knowledge and expertise to work in the environment of nursing homes and a memory care unit of an Assisted Living community.  With 25 years of experience in the medical field, primarily working with the senior population, I have a deep passion for helping others. Since joining the ABC team, I have furthered my education by completing my dementia certification. I use this knowledge to assist my clients and their families in developing effective care plans while helping them navigate the difficult journey of a dementia diagnosis.  My personal experiences, including the loss of my father to cancer and the loss of my first husband, have given me unique empathy for the families we serve, as I have walked the path of caregiving myself. In September 2016, I married my second husband, Tony in a beach ceremony in Florida. He’s originally from New York—so yes, this Cajun girl married a Northerner! We share our lives with two fur babies, Lylia and Iggy. I’m also a proud aunt to three nieces and three nephews, who are the light of my life.

My name is Deshanne Posey, I grew up in Baton Rouge, LA, where I graduated from McKinley Senior High School in 1990. I come from a large family with 13 siblings. My father was in the Air Force, so we traveled a lot while growing up. Prior work experiences before coming to Always Best Care (ABC) in January 2019 include a supervisory role as an Operational Manager at Walmart and working in the hospital field. I began my journey with ABC as a caregiver, transitioning into the role of a Client Service Assistant.  I assist our caregivers with hands-on training and mentoring to enhance care for our clients while enhancing our caregivers’ knowledge and expertise. I find joy in helping others bring out their potential. Having been a caregiver to my own mother with dementia and other family members, I have authentic empathy, knowledge, and compassion for what it takes to be a caretaker. What makes me smile the most is when others feel the joy within themselves and know they are loved and appreciated. I am married to Reginald, and together, we have three children and one grandchild. In my spare time, you will find me in the kitchen cooking for the community or attending church events. I also find purpose in volunteering at the United Methodist Church, where I assist in feeding the homeless and ministering to church members in need. I love naps, movies, and especially quality family time.

My name is Hal Holloway and I am the Training Facilitator for Always Best Care. I have been a caregiver for over thirty years and love it. I want to use my experiences to teach our already awesome caregivers how to be better. I am married and have two children and seven grandchildren and the best part I have two great grandchildren. They have been a blessing to us. Family is important to me and so is yours. It would be our pleasure to assist you and your loved ones with any of their health care needs.

My name is Jill Edmonson. I am the HR Director for Always Best Care. I graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication with a minor in public speaking. I have worked in the field of Human Resources for over 25 years, mainly in the healthcare care industry. I have two wonderful amazing teenage daughters, Krislyn and Makayla, who keep me busy and are the joy of my life. I absolutely love animals and in my spare time I train Australian Shepherds to become service animals.

My name is Tayshara Harvey. I have been with Always Best Care of Baton Rouge since May of 2020. I started with the company as a caregiver and successively worked my way up to an on-call staffing coordinator as well as a strategic recruiting specialist. I am engaged and have 3 amazing children, two girls and a boy, and love to spend my free time doing whatever makes them happy. I also have five younger sisters and one brother that I must be a role model for. I am a very family-oriented person and love to travel when able. My passion has always been to provide care for those in need and ABC has given me the opportunity to showcase my skills, while being able to grow within the company.

My name is Roshare Sylvester, M.A., CDP, and I have been working for Always Best Care Senior Services of Baton Rouge since 2016. I was first employed as a caregiver with ABC, then promoted to a role in the staffing department. I now hold the position of Senior Staffing Coordinator/Supervisor for the department. I ensure each client is staffed with a caregiver who will provide the individual care that meets their needs. I have been in the healthcare field for over 13 years with nursing and medical assistant certifications. Additionally, I have my certification as a dementia practitioner. I have a handsome son; he’s my heart.  Being the oldest of 5 siblings, I am very family-oriented and love family gatherings and vacations. I also enjoy going to football and basketball games. I enjoy being a caregiver and the Senior Staffing Coordinator in this field.

My name is Nikeysha Christmas, and I have been working for Always Best Care since 2017. I am from Maringouin, LA, but have lived in Baton Rouge for the last 15 years. My passion has always been providing care for those in need. I enjoy making others smile. I love to cook, listen to music, and be around my family. My children are the shining stars of my life, and I love doing activities with them.

Coming Soon!

My name is Pilar and I am the receptionist for Always Best Care. I have greatly enjoyed working with others in many capacities; I have had experience working as a publicist, client services representative, sales agent, and more. I really like interacting with people, so I really enjoy my job helping and learning every day.  Three words that define me are resilience, passion, and empathy. My love language is acts of service. The best role of my life is being a mother. I have three exceptional daughters, and they are the most beautiful blessing in my life. I enjoy spending time with the people I love, traveling, and writing.

My name is Laney Sala.  I am the community liaison for Always Best Care Senior Services.  I graduated from LSU with a Kinesiology degree. I was also a student-athlete, serving as an LSU Cheerleader. I grew up in Biloxi, MS, and I am the oldest of two siblings. I formerly worked as the Marketing Coordinator at Neighborhood Health Primary Care Walk-in Clinic. As the community liaison, I focus on increasing brand awareness and educating the community about our organization’s high-quality home care services.  My goal is to help ensure that every client and their family make the best and most comfortable decisions for their unique needs.

My name is Lucinda Wells, but most people call me Cindy. I am a staffing coordinator with the agency, and although fairly new to ABC, I come with 8 years of experience in the health care field.  I’m so excited to be part of a company that cares about compassion and growth, both for our clients and caregivers. Helping to bring comfort and companionship to seniors has always been close to my heart, so supporting that mission behind the scenes is a whole new adventure I’m thrilled to be on! A little about me: I have a sweet pup named Benji who’s basically my best friend. When I’m not working, I spend time with friends and family. I love cooking, especially when I get to share it with others. I look forward to seeing how I can grow here and help others do the same!

My name is Nancy Mumphrey, and I am a new Virtual Recruiter with Always Best Care. I have over 18 years of experience working in the healthcare and staffing industries. I am excited to join the ABC team!

I am originally from Connecticut and moved to Louisiana in 2001. Having lived here for half of my life, I am a Southerner. I have lost all of my “northernisms”, except for the way I pronounce words like fog, hog, and log. I am married, have 3 children, and one fur baby (she really should count as two). I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and enjoy working in a role where I can make a positive impact in the world. My motto is “Be the change you want to see in the world” by Gandhi. My free time is spent mainly with my family, and I also enjoy reading or getting lost on YouTube.

My name is Mary Grace Heying. I am a staffing coordinator for Always Best Care Senior Services. I graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. I formerly worked in the social services field as a case manager for children with behavioral concerns. My goal is to use my interdisciplinary management skills to match our caregivers to our diverse client base according to their individual needs and concerns. My first-hand experience helping family members transition to memory care facilities has given me a great appreciation for the services that our team provides. Outside of work, you can find me cooking, crafting, or hiking. I also enjoy spending time with friends or at home with my partner and our cats. I’m excited about the opportunity for personal growth and to contribute to the continued success of our team here at Always Best Care Senior Services.

My name is Trudy Haygood. I am a part-time Community Liaison at Always Best Care Senior Services, where I bring compassion, experience, and a deep understanding of healthcare to my role. I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist with over thirty years of healthcare experience, I hold an active license, although I no longer practice respiratory therapy in the clinical setting. In 2007, I transitioned into liaison and marketing roles within the healthcare industry, combining my clinical knowledge with a passion for connecting people to the resources they need. At Always Best Care Senior Services, I find fulfillment in working with a team that values quality care and the well-being of every senior they serve.