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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

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Home Care In Danielsville, PA

Home Care Danielsville, PA

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 Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site 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 Danielsville, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Danielsville, PA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when I would call about different circumstances.”

David G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best personal care facility fit for my mother. They have a passion for helping seniors and prioritize the health and well-being of their clients over everything else. I would highly recommend them when you are in a position of finding senior care services for your loved ones.”

Mary M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”

Carrie W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They have been amazing. My mother really likes her caregiver.”

jill F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He actually came to the rehab center to meet us where my father was getting physical therapy after a fall. This way he was able to accurately access how much care my father would need and which caregivers would be the right fit. We were afraid we'd have to move him to a nursing home but fortunately we were able to set up in-home care. It's been four months now and we have been very happy with the caregivers who have been assigned to my father. Always Best Care is very responsive and flexible in adjusting hours as needed, somehow managing to keep the caregivers my parents have bonded with even though the hours have been reduced. We are happy our parents are able to age in place with care as they need it.”

Barbara T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for my in-laws. They have been sensitive to our needs, diligent in their efforts to provide the best possible care, and consistent in their follow-up to see if things are satisfactory. We have been executing this process from out-of-state and the process has been very smooth. Through phone calls and face-to-face meetings when possible, both Ken and Rebecca have been professional, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services.”

Jane T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”

Matthew R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father was given a year to live. Instead of immediately looking at me like a business opportunity, he treated me like a close friend. He listened and treated me with complete kindness.. I have gotten to know Ken and his wife Rebecca and I can easily say that they are two of the most wonderful people I have ever met. There is nothing in this world I wouldn't trust them with. Especially the care of a loved one.”

Sheri C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Excellent in every respect.”

Andre C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been invaluable as the family navigates through dealing with the impact of our sister's illness to all of us. The structure with using ABC's online portal to evidence our sister's care is extremely beneficial in ensuring strong and coordinated communication. It is truly appreciative this technology is available and utilized by ABC. For those dealing with identifying care for a loved one, you would be smart to contact Always Best Care of Upper Buxmont.”

Denise O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good heart. Always Best Care does. The client always comes first as does their health and well-being, and the family seeking the best for their loved ones. Thank you Ken for all you did for my parents!”

Mary C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond for their clients, as do their staff. They handled emergent situations for my grandmother when we were on vacation - staying with her the entire time at the hospital. Ken also did significant research for our decision to put her in an assisted living community. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”

Jill K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father. Both Ken and Rebecca were incredibly compassionate, empathetic and caring. In addition, they were knowledgeable and had a wonderful process for determining the needs of the family, the needs of the specific individual and finding an appropriate match for a caregiver to meet those needs. I can't say enough about the services provided by Always Best Care. Ken always went above and beyond, he knew the questions to ask, and how to navigate all the red tape of various organizations (Veterans Administration, etc.) AND he diligently does site visits to the facilities he references so he is able to speak from experience about the quality of care at the facilities under consideration. If you are in need of advice and assistance in caring for a family member I recommend Ken and Rebecca and Always Best Care with no reservations.”

Lisa E.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law. Ken is very well versed in available providers and other services needed at this time.The day care providers dealt well with her memory problems.”

Earl P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for my Mom during an extremely difficult time. It was great finding two people who cared & listened to my situation. I never felt alone in my difficult decision making process.”

Howard S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in getting to know my father. They went out of their way to help us as our plans changed from in home care to personal care. They explained the process and were with us every step of the way to answer questions and provide support. I would use them again in a minute.”

Gretchen L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help for my mom, I live out of town, and can't be there myself very often. But this business goes all-out to take care of my mom. I don't know what we would do without them.”

KJack
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TESTIMONIALS

“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”

Bobbi D.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Danielsville, PA?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Danielsville, PA

Types of Elderly Care in Danielsville, PA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Danielsville, PA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Danielsville, PA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 Danielsville Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Danielsville, PA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 Aromi or visit Grey Towers National 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.

 In-Home Care Danielsville, PA

Benefits of Home Care in Danielsville, PA

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:

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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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 - 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.

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

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 Danielsville, PA, 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.

 Elderly Care Danielsville, PA

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your PA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
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.
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.
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.
 Senior Care Danielsville, PA

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 Danielsville, PA 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Danielsville, PA

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Danielsville, PA

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:

  • Liza's House Assisted Living
  • William's Manor
  • Renee's Personal Care Home
  • Riverstone Manor
  • The Palmerton
  • Pond View Manor
Home Care Danielsville, PA

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.

 In-Home Care Danielsville, PA

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 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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Danielsville, PA 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.

 Elderly Care Danielsville, PA

Latest News in Danielsville, PA

Potato Growers Gather to Learn of Pennsylvania Trials

DANIELSVILLE, Pa. — More than 20 growers attended Tuesday’s twilight potato field meeting at Country View Farm in Danielsville.The meeting, organized by Pennsylvania Co-Operative Potato Growers Inc. and the Lehigh Valley Potato Growers Association in cooperation with Penn State Extension, showcased 18 varieties of potatoes.Sherwood Geiger, who has been farming on this property since 1967, and his son Joel grow 28 acres of Norwis potatoes and have an egg and potato route for restaurants four days a week.For th...

DANIELSVILLE, Pa. — More than 20 growers attended Tuesday’s twilight potato field meeting at Country View Farm in Danielsville.

The meeting, organized by Pennsylvania Co-Operative Potato Growers Inc. and the Lehigh Valley Potato Growers Association in cooperation with Penn State Extension, showcased 18 varieties of potatoes.

Sherwood Geiger, who has been farming on this property since 1967, and his son Joel grow 28 acres of Norwis potatoes and have an egg and potato route for restaurants four days a week.

For these trials, four hills were set up for each of 32 trial varieties. The presenters displayed 18 of these varieties and discussed color, gravities and size uniformity.

The 1,100 pounds of trial potatoes were planted May 20 at 10-inch spacing. The potato crop had been preceded with oats underseeded with clover and orchardgrass.

Penn State currently has more than 200 potato varieties in trials — 140 white varieties, 39 red and purple, 38 russets and long whites, and a few others.

The trial stock came from Idaho, Colorado State University, the University of Maine, and other institutions and private companies.

Mike Peck from Penn State’s Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology Department said a number of regional trials, including tests for yields, genetic work, late blight and the par-fry trials, are still to come.

Peck also said the USDA has approved Simplot Innate potatoes, which are late blight resistant, genetically engineered potatoes.

Unlike Roundup Ready corn, which had an outside gene added to the corn’s DNA, the traits in Simplot potatoes are developed from genes that are already in the potatoes themselves.

“I don’t know how the market will respond,” Peck said.

Simplot also has scab- and early blight-resistant potatoes in the pipeline, and two years of data on potatoes that will produce 30 percent more potatoes with 15 percent less water.

There are thousands of potato varieties to choose from, Peck said, but Extension narrows down the trial choices to try to find out what will grow best in Pennsylvania.

Robert Leiby, a crop consultant at Pennsylvania Co-Operative Potato Growers, discussed pests and weather management. Summer temperatures continue to increase, and this year was a particularly hot and dry summer.

“I think we need to think about this and how we grow potatoes,” Leiby said.

Ideally, potato pulp temperatures should be under 66 degrees when the tubers are pulled from the field. This year, Leiby and his team were measuring pulp up to 85 degrees at harvest.

The summer heat was also blamed for double sets of tubers, one large, deep set and a shallow, smaller second set.

“Potatoes don’t particularly care for the heat we’re seeing,” Leiby said.

Historically, Pennsylvania potato growers have not used refrigerated storage, but harvesting the potatoes in this heat is tricky.

North Carolina, Maryland and other Southern states have small windows to harvest potatoes for lasting storage and have learned to adjust to those windows.

Although planting later is one option, Leiby said late-grown potatoes are more prone to extensive Colorado potato beetle damage and blight.

Leiby said he wants to see more formed beds so potatoes won’t sit in standing water. The beds would also allow more heating and cooling options for the potatoes.

He also discussed the Snack Food Association trials on a farm in Chambersburg. The harvest was rained out this week, so they’ll be harvesting these chip varieties next week for review.

“We’d like to have an out-of-field chipper better than Atlantic, and we’d like to have a chip in storage better than Snowden,” he said.

As far as pests, Leiby said that he has seen thrips in potato fields over the last three years, and that it’s time to do a controlled spray when female Colorado potato beetles are laying eggs.

There’s an interval of five days to two weeks after those sightings before the beetles hatch. Once they are bigger than the initial hatched stage, it’s almost too late for an effective control.

As of the meeting, Leiby had not seen any late blight on commercial potatoes in Pennsylvania. This may be due to the hot weather, which slows down blight.

Leiby discussed two potato diseases, blackleg and dickeya. Blackleg rots a potato plant from the seed piece up, and causes stunting, wilting, chlorosis of leaves, necrosis of tissue, a decline in yield and the eventual death of the plant.

Dickeya, a pathogen related to the blackleg bacteria, is expected to cause growers problems in the future.

This bacterium was found in Long Island, New Jersey, southeastern Pennsylvania and points south during this growing season.

The first symptoms include poor emergence and wilt. The plants rot from the inside out, causing collapse and bacterial soft rot in some or all of the underground tubers.

Some tubers have latent infections that are not noticeable at harvest but develop symptoms later.

Leiby says it is fairly certain the bacteria can move from plant to plant in the soil. Tests last year on 23 samples that showed dickeya symptoms came up with 20 that were positive.

A national potato growers organization formed a committee in 2015 to track dickeya, and a doctoral candidate in plant pathology will be researching and collecting samples to catalog species of dickeya found in potatoes to confirm that it is the same pathogen in all cases. This research will take a couple years.

“It’s really being viewed as a national problem,” Leiby said.

He emphasized the need for clean seed potatoes. Growers should ask for the North American certified potato seed health certificate, which has the lot numbers and seed history for the previous five years, Leiby said.

A wilting Pennsylvania Dutch tradition: ham and dandelion dinners

It’s a spring cleaning ritual — but for your body.“It’s really what they call a spring tonic,” says Reno Gogel of Salem United Methodist Church in Danielsville. “It cleans your blood and you get a lot of good vitamins from it.”Dandelion greens (yes, the leaves on those yellow-flower topped weeds that plague your lawn) are central to a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch meal served around Easter time. At one time, churches all over the Valley held dandelion dinners as a rite of spring. But l...

It’s a spring cleaning ritual — but for your body.

“It’s really what they call a spring tonic,” says Reno Gogel of Salem United Methodist Church in Danielsville. “It cleans your blood and you get a lot of good vitamins from it.”

Dandelion greens (yes, the leaves on those yellow-flower topped weeds that plague your lawn) are central to a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch meal served around Easter time. At one time, churches all over the Valley held dandelion dinners as a rite of spring. But like many such traditions, the passage of time has taken its toll and fewer churches offer ham and dandelion dinners.

The eating of the dandelion greens is symbolic, says Patrick Donmoyer, an expert on Pennsylvania Dutch folklore and a researcher at the Pennsylvania German Heritage Center in Kutztown.

“Traditionally, the first day of gathering dandelions is Maundy Thursday, or in this area ‘Green Thursday,'” Dunmoyer says. “This day is called ‘Green’ because of the gathering of greens. Some people believed that the greens gathered on this day were special, holy even. This idea of Holy Week leading up to Easter had many overlapping traditions during the week, and the greens in particular were used in dinners that day and through the Easter season.”

The dandelion greens are thought to be nutritious and high in iron and vitamins.

The slightly bitter dandelion greens are usually served raw with a warm bacon dressing (a little salty, a little sweet), and paired with ham and boiled potatoes. Sometimes the greens also are topped with sliced hard-boiled egg. Greens can go on top of your potatoes or can be kept separate.

The dandelion’s yellow flower is not part of the meal. (Some people used the flowers to make wine.) In fact, you want to pick your dandelions before they flower because they will be at their best flavor and least bitter.

In years gone by, you’d get your dandelion greens by heading out to the fields and picking it yourself. Betty Lou Hartman of Emmaus picked dandelions as a child, as did her mother and grandmother. They picked the first greens of the season, before lettuce or any other leafy greens sprouted.

The dandelions would be laid onto a table, and the women cleaned the greens. “It takes time to clean them,” Hartman says.

While the number of churches holding ham and dandelion dinners is dwindling, there are a hardy few in the area that are holding fast to the Dutch tradition.

Hartman’s church, Old Zionsville United Church of Christ, has its dinner planned for 4-7 p.m. April 11. “It helps to bring new members into the church,” Hartman says. “It’s the fellowship, and the old-timers really come out for it. They enjoy it.”

Most churches now buy their dandelion greens from wholesalers.

If the spring is unusually cold, even the wholesalers may have trouble getting it. Old Zionsville has a back-up plan: adding endive to the dish. Hartman says endive is a good stand-in.

Salem United Methodist Church in Danielsville will hold its annual ham and dandelion starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28.

The church started the ham and dandelion event about 15 years ago, Gogel says. The dinner is popular with parishioners and has been an important fundraiser for the church. “It’s the arrival of spring,” says Gogel of the annual dinner.

Marianne Kline of Myerstown, Lebanon County, says her church, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Robesonia, Berks County, has been running a ham and dandelion dinner for the past 10 years.

They wait to schedule the dinner till they know when the dandelions will be ready. “You have to be careful,” Kline says. “There’s a narrow window.”

Her church gets about a hundred people to their dinner, which this year will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18. Kline says this is the latest her church has held the dinner, probably because of a delay in the growing season because of the winter.

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HAM AND DANDELION DINNERS

*Ham & Dandelion Dinner, 4-7 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at Salem United Methodist Church, 1067 Blue Mountain Drive, Danielsville. Takeout available. $10; $5, ages 6-12; free, under age 6. Info: 610-767-8003.

*Ham & Dandelion/Endive Dinner, 4-7 p.m. April 11 at Old Zionsville UCC, 5981 Fountain Road, Old Zionsville. All you can eat; $10; $5, children 6 to 12; free, under age 6. Info: 610-966-5115.

*Ham & Dandelion Dinner, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 at St. Paul’s UCC, 301 W. Penn Ave., Robesonia, Berks County. $10; $4, children 6 to 12 years old; free, under age 6. Info: 717-866-3443.

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