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 Ingram, Tx (Great Western Cattle Trail) 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 Ingram, TX 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.
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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.
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 Ingram City 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 The Fancy Finch Tea Cottage or visit Stonehenge II at the Hill Country Arts Foundation, 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 Ingram, TX, 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 Ingram, TX 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 Ingram, TX 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.
AJ Nelson is a former first responder with the Ingram Volunteer Fire Department who lost everything in her hair salon.INGRAM, Texas — Just two weeks after celebrating a grand re-opening, Vintage Hair Co. in Kerr County was completely destroyed by historic flooding on July 4.AJ Nelson says it's hard to ask for help. She's a former first responder with the Ingram Volunteer Fire Department who lost everything in her hair salon.“I had more fish in my salon than I had possessions,” Nelson said. “Initia...
AJ Nelson is a former first responder with the Ingram Volunteer Fire Department who lost everything in her hair salon.
INGRAM, Texas — Just two weeks after celebrating a grand re-opening, Vintage Hair Co. in Kerr County was completely destroyed by historic flooding on July 4.
AJ Nelson says it's hard to ask for help. She's a former first responder with the Ingram Volunteer Fire Department who lost everything in her hair salon.
“I had more fish in my salon than I had possessions,” Nelson said. “Initially I couldn’t get to my business and to keep that calm that I needed to get through, I went and did the next best thing I knew to do which was help at the fire department.”
Nelson lost $35,000 worth of equipment, supplies and furniture at the salon but still served her community while not being able to see the state of her primary source of income.
“I called the chief and said, ‘What do you need?’ she said ‘I need you in here and take over,’” Nelson said. “Put out snacks, fill waters, whatever they needed. I was there.”
The mother of three teaching her kids the act of servitude.
“Hopefully they carry it with them for their lives," she said.
Despite the devastation, Nelson says she is committed to staying in the community and reopening her doors again. A GoFundMe was created to help.
“I’m gonna be honest, I don’t remember that first 24 hours very much,” she said. “It’s kind of a blur. I do know I Facetimed my mom and her and my dad came up and I know we started pulling out stuff to see if anything could be salvaged.”
What the floodwaters didn’t sweep away, was her determination to rebuild.
“We’re going to come back, we’ll be stronger than we were before,” Nelson said.
A small church in Ingram, Texas, became the heart of emergency response efforts on July 4, when catastrophic flooding devastated Kerr County.What they're saying:"We’ve never experienced anything of this magnitude," said Eric Wilfong, an administrator at Citywest Church.Nestled on 15 acres near the Guadalupe River, Citywest Church—normally a quiet Christian congregation—was transformed into a critical operations hub. In the days following the disaster, the church opened its doors and its ground...
A small church in Ingram, Texas, became the heart of emergency response efforts on July 4, when catastrophic flooding devastated Kerr County.
What they're saying:
"We’ve never experienced anything of this magnitude," said Eric Wilfong, an administrator at Citywest Church.
Nestled on 15 acres near the Guadalupe River, Citywest Church—normally a quiet Christian congregation—was transformed into a critical operations hub. In the days following the disaster, the church opened its doors and its grounds to first responders, volunteers, and support organizations. It became a staging area for rescue teams, a kitchen for hot meals, and a center for distributing thousands of donations to flood victims.
At one point, it was the last property not submerged on the road leading to Camp Mystic, a nearby all-girls Christian camp where several lives were lost.
"We are a church—a fairly small church with a partially unfinished building," Wilfong said. "But we had the space. So we opened our doors and were absolutely bombarded with people from all kinds of agencies. Our parking lot filled with rescue vehicles, construction equipment, and helicopters. Our land—usually just for worship—became a base for search operations."
While Citywest Church played a vital role during the crisis, the toll has been heavy. Damage to the property, utilities, and grounds has left the church facing significant financial strain.
"From utilities being pushed to the limit, to the grounds being torn up, and our parking lot essentially destroyed—it’s a lot for us to bear," Wilfong added. "We’ve handled tough moments before, but this one is especially hard."
What you can do:
The church plans to seek state and federal disaster relief funds, but for now, they’re relying on faith—and community support. Donations can be made through their website: https://citywest.org/
The Source: FOX 26 Anchor Caroline Collins spoke with Eric Wilfong, an administrator at Citywest Church.
Casita Blu and Paws on the River were nearly destroyed in the flood. Now, the owner is rebuilding smarter—designing for safety in Texas' flood-prone Hill Country.INGRAM, Texas — After deadly floodwaters tore through the Texas Hill Country on July 4, one Ingram man is rebuilding what he nearly lost—his businesses, his home and his life. Brian Olsen, owner of Casita Blu and Paws on the River, is reimagining his riverside retreat with one goal in mind: survival during the next storm.Olsen’s property along t...
Casita Blu and Paws on the River were nearly destroyed in the flood. Now, the owner is rebuilding smarter—designing for safety in Texas' flood-prone Hill Country.
INGRAM, Texas — After deadly floodwaters tore through the Texas Hill Country on July 4, one Ingram man is rebuilding what he nearly lost—his businesses, his home and his life. Brian Olsen, owner of Casita Blu and Paws on the River, is reimagining his riverside retreat with one goal in mind: survival during the next storm.
Olsen’s property along the Guadalupe River has served as both a vacation escape and a place of refuge for locals in need. Casita Blu, a series of rental cabins dating back to 2014, and Paws on the River, a dog resort opened in 2022, were designed with peace and care.
On the morning of the flood, Olsen was sheltering seven dogs and five guests.
“The lady inside cabin five called me and she was just in hysterics and said, ‘Brian! There’s water in my cabin!’” Olsen said. “I shined my flashlight across the river and I could see all that water. I knew right then that hundreds of people were losing their lives.”
As the river surged, Olsen lifted dogs onto countertops and bar stools—doing all he could to keep them safe. One of them, Casper, is blind and deaf.
“I had him on a bar stool,” Olsen said. “It was all I could do.”
When the water finally receded, he emerged to a property torn apart. Floating appliances, waterlines above windows, fences shredded and tools he planned to salvage were later stolen.
“I lost two incomes within 45 minutes,” he said. “I’m self-employed. What’s it going to take for me to get this back again?”
Despite the devastation, Olsen isn’t giving up. Cleanup began immediately, thanks to overwhelming community support and volunteers—including vet techs and construction workers.
A GoFundMe campaign helped restore some of his financial footing.
“Within 24 hours, I had about a week’s operating capital,” he said. “Then the next 24, I had another week or so.”
In the aftermath, a wave of volunteers with diverse skills descended upon Ingram to aid in recovery efforts. Among them was a veterinary technician who assisted in reuniting displaced pets with their owners.
“All these dogs have ended up at the fire departments and shelters missing their owners, or they're deceased and they're trying to figure out who they belong to,” Olsen noted.
The Minnesota native plans to tear down and rebuild parts of his cabin using more limestone, concrete and elevated designs—structural choices to better withstand future floods.
“There are lessons learned from this,” Olsen said.
Olsen also sought assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) but found the process challenging.
“We all contacted FEMA and it just doesn't go anywhere,” he said. “It's so difficult and tedious, we just had to give up on that and stick with the local non-profits.”
Casita Blu was one of the area’s first Airbnb properties. Now, as guests make plans to come back, he says this comeback is just beginning.
“I think we’ll be amazed at how quickly it’ll come back,” Olsen said. “Just like when Yellowstone started on fire—within ten years, it was a brand new park again. I think this will happen here.”
Dewayne Ingram can officially say he has a Power 4 offer on the table after Illinois offered the junior from Texas on Thursday. A class of 2027 linebacker from Lakeview Centennial in Garland, Texas, Ingram also has offers from Colorado State, UNLV and Sacramento State.The versatile Ingram is projected as an inside linebacker at the college level, but as a sophomore last year the 6-foot-1, 210-pound rising junior lined up all over the place, including inside linebacker, outside linebacker and safety. He also played on offense, getting ...
Dewayne Ingram can officially say he has a Power 4 offer on the table after Illinois offered the junior from Texas on Thursday. A class of 2027 linebacker from Lakeview Centennial in Garland, Texas, Ingram also has offers from Colorado State, UNLV and Sacramento State.
The versatile Ingram is projected as an inside linebacker at the college level, but as a sophomore last year the 6-foot-1, 210-pound rising junior lined up all over the place, including inside linebacker, outside linebacker and safety. He also played on offense, getting snaps at wide receiver.
Ingram still has plenty of time before he needs to make a decision, but it'll be interesting to see how he approaches the recruiting process moving forward. The next step for Illini coach Bret Bielema and his staff will be to get Ingram on campus to make their pitch. Considering Illinois is (for now) Ingram's only Power 4 offer, you have to think the Illini have the early advantage.
Even though 2027 seems far off, the Illini already have one 2027 commit in quarterback Kamden Lopati. And Illinois is in the mix for plenty of top recruits, including four-star prospects Quentin Burrell, Tavares Harrington and Roman Igwebuike (all from Chicago powerhouse Mount Carmel) and Brock Williams (Libertyville).
If they can put together another 10-win season and win another bowl game in 2025, the Illini could have a stacked 2027 recruiting class on their hands. Bielema's 2026 recruiting class is ranked in the top 25 nationally, and has a little bit of everything – including four-star wide receiver Nasir Rankin (Chicago's Morgan Park).
Illinois really wasn't drawing many four-stars until Bielema came to Champaign, and if the Illini are going to consistently be in the mix for four- and five-star recruits, they're going to need to win roughly 10 games year in and year out, routinely grab berths to major bowl games and become a top-25 fixture.
Obviously NIL money matters, but recruits also want to go to a school that consistently wins on Saturdays and offers a good education. Illinois is slowly but surely starting to check off all those boxes. But sustaining success will be the key to getting recruits moving forward.
Residents have reported seeing continuous bubbles, cars, debris and trash inside the body of waterINGRAM, Texas – The deadly July 4 flooding that claimed more than 100 lives in the Kerr County area has left the Ingram community damaged and discouraged, but residents continue to rebuild.However, some residents expressed concerns about their future due to the large bodies of water that run along their community.“We started seeing the lake rise. And, as we did, we saw all kinds of things float...
INGRAM, Texas – The deadly July 4 flooding that claimed more than 100 lives in the Kerr County area has left the Ingram community damaged and discouraged, but residents continue to rebuild.
However, some residents expressed concerns about their future due to the large bodies of water that run along their community.
“We started seeing the lake rise. And, as we did, we saw all kinds of things float by us,” neighbor Ann Carr during a Kerr County Commissioners Court meeting. “Propane tanks, kitchen appliances, you name it. And that concern led us to start visiting with people up the road.
Residents like Carr said they have reported seeing foul-smelling bubbles of oil and other pollutants rise through the lake.
Another neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous after receiving pushback in his community, has said he’s worried there’s more than just trash.
"There’s stuff buried in all the silt that’s in there," the resident said. “Divers that were out there yesterday that had located and then went down and looked at the stuff right now out in front of our place. You know, they said there (are) at least three cars and some kind of RV camper out there. And they’re halfway buried in silt.”
A group of residents and local business owners are asking their local governments about the possibility of draining Lake Ingram to return the lake to normal.
During a Kerr County commissioners meeting, county judge Rob Kelly and other commissioners spoke about being in favor of a plan to drain the lakes but did mention the large cost it would entail.
There are also concerns, according to the commissioners, about the coordination between multiple regulatory agencies and a population of endangered mussels that reside along the Guadalupe River.
KSAT has reached out to city officials about the future of these plans and will update this story as it develops.
More related coverage of this story on KSAT:
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