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 Donaldsonville Historic District 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 Donaldsonville, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am very happy and satisfied with the care and staff with Always Best Care.”
“Carol R. has been my dad’s caregiver over 6 months now and does a great”
“When my mom got sick and I was working - I didn't know where to”
“Shonda and her team at ABC have been a true lifeline for our family. They”
“I am a manager at a group home in Baton Rouge. Always Best”
“We are fairly new to Always Best Care, but couldn’t be happier with their services”
“Update on my review from a year ago: My feelings have not changed- Always Best”
“Always Best Care has provided us with a wonderful caring kind and dependable care”
“Always Best Care is a great company for caregiving in our community. Their processes are”
“Paula and her team are taking very good care of our family member.”
“Shonda Boudet and her team at Always Best Care of Baton Rouge have exceeded our”
“Shonda, I have had several people tell me how much better Aunt Susi is in”
“Always Best Care sitter Marilyn Beal is a blessing to the patients and families. She”
“Mrs. Erica Thomas and Mrs. Kelly Williams have been great caretakers. They both go above”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is providing excellent care for my mother at home and”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for. The administrative staff goes above”
“Always Best Care is a wonderful company to work for! I’ve had the opportunity to”
“Roshare Sylvester Is the best over here!! She’s been here for years,so helpful always so”
“The staff are simply amazing!! Roshare, and Jayde are one of a kind that does”
“My name is James and I'm a client of Best Care always best care. I”
“Our caregiver Chayne Waller is great with my husband. Thank you so much.”
“The team at Always Best Care provides quality care and took the time to ensure”
“HELLO…I AM NICHOLAS J TALBERT A DIS-ABLE VETERAN … THE CANCERS I HAVE BEEN GOING”
“Always Best Care has worked very hard with our family to provide what was needed”
“My attendance Ms. Karli has been a God sent to for me. I'm VERY SATISFIED”
“I am very happy and satisfied with the care and staff with Always Best Care. My caregiver Thelma Barnes is always here on time and arrives with a smile. She has become part of the family. Th office staff is great and always communicates with me well. If you ever need a caregiver please reach out to Always Best Care.”
“Carol R. has been my dad’s caregiver over 6 months now and does a great job! In addition to the assistance she provides with daily tasks Dad enjoys talking with her. Having her with him has improved his quality of life and given me peace of mind.”
“When my mom got sick and I was working - I didn't know where to turn. Always best care was the answer I was looking for. Their care givers are patient, kind, and very helpful! They call if anything is out of the ordinary. I can't recommend their services enough. Ms. Carol is currently looking after grandpa and she is an absolute angel. He has dementia and she just rolls with it. Don't know what we would do without her help. Please consider their services if you ever need it - but you can't have Carol! : )”
“Shonda and her team at ABC have been a true lifeline for our family. They have guided and supported us through the many challenges of providing care for our aging parent. From the beginning, the relief to have a trusted expert was phenomenal and a gift. Her compassionate and patient team helped us in so many crucial ways - Figuring out the right level of care, learning about the wonderful Oschner 65 program, and leading the assisted care facility evaluation process. We would’ve been completely overwhelmed without their capable and thoughtful guidance! If you are concerned and anxious about how to get the right care for your family member you should contact them.”
“I am a manager at a group home in Baton Rouge. Always Best Care has been providing additional homemaker services for one of my residents who is a veteran. Ebony has been his career giver for several months and she is fantastic! She takes such good care of my resident. We all look forward to Ebony coming to the home. Thank you Always Best Care.”
“We are fairly new to Always Best Care, but couldn’t be happier with their services and most importantly “Our Joanna”!!!! She has been a great fit with our family, is very patient and helpful, and most importantly is LOVED dearly by our Boston Terrier Lucy. We are entering new phases with the care that is needed in our family, and I feel very safe and confident with Joanna and the Always Best Care team in our journey now and for what’s to come.”
“Update on my review from a year ago: My feelings have not changed- Always Best Care has been wonderful. The journey of taking care of my dementia mother can be hard at times but our lovely caregivers Sherri and Monica are such a blessing. My advice to someone starting on this journey is to give it some time, not all caregivers are the right fit for your family member but when you find the right one(s).. they make an amazing difference. We’ve been using Always Best Care for about 5 months and all the people that have come into our home to help with my mother have had great. Our newest person, Sherry, is exceptional. My mother actually said “I had fun today.” I cannot tell you how happy those words made me. Thank you ABC!”
“Always Best Care has provided us with a wonderful caring kind and dependable care taker. Chevon has become part of the family in a short time. She jumped right in ready to help in any way she could. Thank you to Always Best Care and Chevon.”
“Always Best Care is a great company for caregiving in our community. Their processes are transparent as they provide a website so you can view your account 24/7. Jasmine D. was assigned to my father. Jasmine was a great fit for our family. She was very attentive and compassionate. She went above and beyond in the performance of her responsibilities. She helped navigate the transition to Hospice and the shift in the care plan. I enthusiastically recommend Jasmine and the staff at ABC.”
“Paula and her team are taking very good care of our family member.”
“Shonda Boudet and her team at Always Best Care of Baton Rouge have exceeded our expectations in every way. Their approach to caregiving is both compassionate and highly professional, making them stand out as the premier provider in the area.”
“Shonda, I have had several people tell me how much better Aunt Susi is in the last few days. I came back last night and visited her today and it was like night and day compared to how she was. I am very impressed with the changes since you and your team came on board. Thank you!!!”
“Always Best Care sitter Marilyn Beal is a blessing to the patients and families. She deserves to be commended on a job well done !”
“Mrs. Erica Thomas and Mrs. Kelly Williams have been great caretakers. They both go above and beyond their duties. Ms. Jessica, Ms. Claire and Ms. Salena all have visited my home and they all were very caring, very courteous and very professional. They all wanted me to have the best services possible. Ms. Rochelle and Ms. Jayde have been awesome as well. They are very courteous when I call the office with any questions or concerns. Thanks Always Best Care for everyone's continued support in giving me a better quality of life.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is providing excellent care for my mother at home and we have been very pleased with this company's service. Kelly is one of the kindest and hard working care providers that we have ever had in our home and my mother is very pleased with her. This company trains their workers well and follows up on their performance to ensure that all of the client's needs are met. It is very obvious that this company really cares about their clients and truly providing the best care for them.”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for. The administrative staff goes above and beyond to help our clients.”
“Always Best Care is a wonderful company to work for! I’ve had the opportunity to work in office with an amazing staff and out in the field with amazing clients! I’ve been a caregiver for Always best care for two years and I love this company! Looking forward to many more years with Always Best Care!”
“Roshare Sylvester Is the best over here!! She’s been here for years,so helpful always so sweet/understanding❤️she’s very respectful.‼️‼️”
“The staff are simply amazing!! Roshare, and Jayde are one of a kind that does fantastic teamw ork. This company is very reputable, and I can't be more proud to have gotten to meet these wonderful people on a personal level. These people truly care about their clients, and employees. I can honestly say that if I ever had a company , I'd truly want people like this to be running it. They're truly amazing, kind, loving, and has lots of patience, and compassion. I'd give them 10 stars, but unfortunately, it's only a 5 star rating.”
“My name is James and I'm a client of Best Care always best care. I have been inclined for a good while and since I've been a client I have received the best of care. My caregiver is Courtney and he is a blessing and has been a blessing to me. I am very satisfied with the service that he has rendered and I wouldn't trade him for nothing. I think Best Care for the courtesy and attention they have rendered to me and I'll continue to keep them in my prayers and for them to continue to render a good service to those of us who need it. I thank God for all of you and for Courtney keep up the good work God bless you.”
“Our caregiver Chayne Waller is great with my husband. Thank you so much.”
“The team at Always Best Care provides quality care and took the time to ensure that my mother has a caregiver that best suits her needs. Ms. Linda is punctual, exhibits professionalism, and takes initiative to ensure my mother is well taken care of. She has unique and effective ideas that make Mama's life easier. I hear her and Mama laughing and talking and it makes my heart swell. Ms. Linda and Always Best Care are a blessing!”
“HELLO…I AM NICHOLAS J TALBERT A DIS-ABLE VETERAN … THE CANCERS I HAVE BEEN GOING TO WAR WITH CAME EXTREMELY MORE MANAGEABLE ONCE I RECEIVED CARE FROM MZ FLETCHER I CANT BEGIN TO TEL ANYONE HOW BEST CARES TOP CAREGIVERS REALLY CARE …. THAT STATEMENT ALONE SPPEAKS VOLUMES …. THEY ACTUALLY DO ALL ALL ALL OF THERE DUTIES … LISTEN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN THE WAYS TO LET ONE KNOW ITS NOT JUST A JOB …. SOLDIERS IF ANY OF YOU ARE READY THIS …. BIG RED ONE ..(combat proven) 3RD HEARD FT RILEY KS. …. I SPEAK TRUTH MY CAREGIVERS FROM ALWAYS BEST CARE IS TOP NOTCH …. THE IMMEDIATE AND STAFF … THEY ACTUALLY RESPOND BACK IMMEDIATELY IM SIMPLY SAYING I DID NOT GO WRONG IN ALLOWING MZ FLETCHER AT ALWAYS BEST CARE UNDER MZ PAULA TO TAKE CARE OF THIS SOLDIER!!! BIG RED ONE SCOUTS OUT FA”
“Always Best Care has worked very hard with our family to provide what was needed to keep my mom at my home. Our Case Manager Paula checks in with us routinely to make sure our needs are being met. She found a special Angel named Paula Batiste to help me on Tuesday & Thursday. My husband & I look forward to her smile when she enters the door. Mom loves her. She is hard working & patient. I am confident when I run errands that mom is well taken care of. I don’t know what we would do without her. She is a member of our family now. ❤️❤️❤️”
“My attendance Ms. Karli has been a God sent to for me. I'm VERY SATISFIED with the service I receive. Ms. Karli Is a very CONSCIENCE PERSON. If you all have more employees as her I feel everyone would get this type of review. She ???? and know what to do with me not having to tell her. She would make a great supervisor for your company. Please give her a raise. Sincerely Your, Arthur J. Ford Sr.”
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 Crescent 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 Grapevine Cafe' & Gallery or visit Fort Butler Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Donaldsonville, LA, 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 Donaldsonville, LA 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 Donaldsonville, LA 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.
Three Donaldsonville residents are suing the city, alleging a fire department service fee violates state law.The fee is roughly $7 per month for each household to help cover fire department expenses, and it's a significant source of revenue for the city. The five-member city council unanimously passed an ordinance approving it in June 2021.Fire Protection District 2 covers the entire west bank of Ascension Parish, though the ordinance applies only to the Donaldsonville city limits.The lawsuit alleges the ordinance violat...
Three Donaldsonville residents are suing the city, alleging a fire department service fee violates state law.
The fee is roughly $7 per month for each household to help cover fire department expenses, and it's a significant source of revenue for the city. The five-member city council unanimously passed an ordinance approving it in June 2021.
Fire Protection District 2 covers the entire west bank of Ascension Parish, though the ordinance applies only to the Donaldsonville city limits.
The lawsuit alleges the ordinance violates a state law that lists which specific fire protection districts can establish service charges. That law doesn’t specify that any fire protection districts in Ascension Parish can establish such fees.
Mayor Leroy Sullivan, City Council Chair Charles Brown and Acting Fire Chief Travis Cedatol did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
Lawsuit seeks return of all funds
Residents Daphanie LeBlanc, Rose Price and Iris Butler, represented by attorney Patrick Pendley, filed the lawsuit on May 16 in the 23rd Judicial District Court.
In their complaint, they write that the fee violates another provision of Louisiana law that requires fire district governing bodies to hold an election on charging fees before it can be implemented. Pendley wrote that the city did not hold an election before passing the ordinance.
The group is filing the complaint as a class-action lawsuit on behalf of all those charged a fee, which the document estimates is slightly less than 3,000 people.
The complaint seeks to end the service charge and have the city return all the funds. Based on the numbers estimated in the complaint, that could total hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The city faces difficult economic conditions
As a city, Donaldsonville has tight financial constraints. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city had a poverty rate of just under 43% in 2023, more than double the statewide rate.
In the same estimates, the bureau said the median income in the city is a little more than $24,000.
The economic conditions make it more difficult for many residents to pay city fees and constrain funding for services.
The city’s 2025 audit shows a revenue of around $7.5 million in 2024, and auditors wrote that the fire fee was a major source of revenue for the general fund. In 2024, the city collected $231,173 from the fee.
© 2025 The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.. Visit www.theadvocate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Once a haven for Black artists and families, Louisiana’s oldest benevolent hall is getting new lifeDONALDSONVILLE, La. (WVUE) - As the nation celebrated Juneteenth, community leaders in Ascension Parish continued their work to preserve a landmark rich in African American history and culture.Near the corner of Railroad Avenue and Charles Street in Donaldsonville stands the River Road African American Museum, an institution dedicated to showcasing...
DONALDSONVILLE, La. (WVUE) - As the nation celebrated Juneteenth, community leaders in Ascension Parish continued their work to preserve a landmark rich in African American history and culture.
Near the corner of Railroad Avenue and Charles Street in Donaldsonville stands the River Road African American Museum, an institution dedicated to showcasing the stories and contributions of Black residents in Louisiana’s River Parishes. But just around the corner, another site is stirring with renewed hope.
True Friends Hall, a once-vibrant hub built in the late 1800s, is now being restored by museum co-founder Darryl Hambrick and his team.
“This was the pulse of the community. You could come here and get help. You could also come here and have a great time,” Hambrick said.
During segregation, the hall was a vital resource for the local Black community. It served as a place for celebrations, religious gatherings, debutante balls and mutual aid.
“Remember, this was a time black folks couldn’t get things like insurance. These organizations supported families. If you had a baby or your house burned down, they would come to the aid,” Hambrick said.
True Friends Hall also welcomed legendary musicians, including Fats Domino, Irma Thomas and James Brown. It was part of the “chitlins circuit,” a network of venues where Black performers found food, lodging, and an audience in the segregated South.
“Donaldsonville was a major stop between Baton Rouge and New Orleans for those black artists who were making their way into New Orleans; you couldn’t stay in hotels, restaurants. Here at True Friends, you got a meal, you got a place to stay and had a great time,” Hambrick said.
The hall closed in the 1980s and has since fallen into disrepair. But with a $1.3 million grant from the state of Louisiana, restoration is underway. Plans include building a new performance stage, office space, and a music academy.
Hambrick, who spent 26 years helping move and restore the Rosenwald School, now part of the museum grounds, hopes this project will move faster.
“I hope it doesn’t take 26 years to do this building because I don’t have 26 years,” he said with a laugh.
True Friends Hall is believed to be the oldest and largest benevolent society hall still standing in the state. With help from its true friends from around the corner, its future may be as vibrant as its past.
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