Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support for our clients, their family members and our caring team of staff .”

Antoinette G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”

Mark A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”

Mark A.
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“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to Always Best Care in Boerne.”

Laurie K.
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“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared for. He and his staff actually listen to what I would like done for my parents. Very thoughtful, very professional and very caring. It’s such a relief to have help in caring for my loved ones”

Kristen B.
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“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”

Shirley S.
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“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his efforts and for going above and beyond.”

Chae S.
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“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas at Always Best Care Senior Services. Mr. Thomas provides an authentic and professional guiding hand when discussing available services for your precious senior family members. When it is time for a beloved senior to receive assistance, Mr. Thomas understands the importance of providing trustworthy and quality support.”

Melissa C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and their families. He is a local senior care expert and leader in his community. If you are need of assistance in navigating your local senior care options, then do not hesitate to give Ken a call!”

Kelly B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I can’t recommend him enough. You’re in good hands with Kenneth.”

Chae S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”

Jill &.
 In-Home Care Medina, TX

How does In-home Senior Care in Medina, TX work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Medina, TX

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, 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:

Comfort
Comfort

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, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Medina, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Medina, TX 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

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.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

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.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

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.


Respite Care Medina, TX

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

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 Medina,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.

 Caregivers Medina, TX

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 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

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An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

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Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

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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.

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.

Latest News in Medina, TX

Pick-up truck fire caused huge Medina County wildfire that's forced evacuations, sheriff's office says

Residents are anxiously waiting to return home as firefighters work to contain it near Medina Lake. It's burned more than 1,000 acres and destroyed three homes.MEDINA COUNTY, Texas — The Medina County Sheriff's Office confirmed Monday that a pick-up truck fire sparked a huge brush fire that's still burning. The fire continues to threaten homes west of San Antonio.A photo taken from the scene shows a pick-up truck on fire alongside a road near some trees, with smoke billowing above.Meanwhile, residents in the High M...

Residents are anxiously waiting to return home as firefighters work to contain it near Medina Lake. It's burned more than 1,000 acres and destroyed three homes.

MEDINA COUNTY, Texas — The Medina County Sheriff's Office confirmed Monday that a pick-up truck fire sparked a huge brush fire that's still burning. The fire continues to threaten homes west of San Antonio.

A photo taken from the scene shows a pick-up truck on fire alongside a road near some trees, with smoke billowing above.

Meanwhile, residents in the High Mountain Ranch neighborhood are anxiously waiting to return home after the wildfire forced them to evacuate over the weekend.

Credit: Regina Allen

During a press conference on Sunday, Governor Greg Abbott said 40 homes in the area have been impacted with 37 homes saved and three destroyed by the fire.

Sharon Tijerina's said her home had no damage but still had to evacuate due to the proximity of the flames inside the cul-de-sac. Tijerina quickly grabbed her things before leaving but said her cat 'Spooky' ran away during the process. He was later found Sunday evening.

"It's very scary, very scary," said Tijerina.

She is staying at her sister's home in San Antonio until the fire clears. Others turned to Loma Alta Middle School for shelter on Saturday as the county opened up an evacuation side inside the school's gym.

A district spokesperson said a total of 13 people used the evacuation site in some capacity. She said the Rodriguez family used the facility to spend the night while others used it for supplies such as food and water.

Credit: KENS 5

Rodrigo and Mary Elaine Rodriguez were grateful for the evacuation site especially because they didn't know where to go with nine dogs in tow.

"We didn't have much time so we grabbed what we thought was important at the time and tried to get out of [our house] in 15 to 20 minutes," said Mary Elaine Rodriguez.

The county closed the evacuation site in the afternoon on Sunday. The couple said they were heading to the next available site at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Helotes.

Anyone who is displaced by the Medina County fires can find shelter at this designated location.

As of Sunday night, the Texas A&M Forest Service said 1,092 acres had burned in Medina County and the fire was 50 percent contained.

Authorities search for suspects after dozens of arson cases opened in multiple local counties

Medina, Bexar, and Atascosa counties are investigating arson casesMEDINA COUNTY, Texas – Multiple law enforcement agencies are joining forces after a series of fires continue throughout Bexar and Medina counties, with arson suspects still on the run.Medina County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an arsonist after almost 20 fires in the area. The fires are believed to be set intentionally and have occurred within the last week. The location of fires spread across the county from Castroville to D&r...

Medina, Bexar, and Atascosa counties are investigating arson cases

MEDINA COUNTY, Texas – Multiple law enforcement agencies are joining forces after a series of fires continue throughout Bexar and Medina counties, with arson suspects still on the run.

Medina County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an arsonist after almost 20 fires in the area. The fires are believed to be set intentionally and have occurred within the last week. The location of fires spread across the county from Castroville to D’Hanis.

A Medina County resident who wished to remain anonymous shared his story.

“Trying to understand how someone could be motivated to destroy another’s property to this degree and to potentially even cause harm to someone’s life,” said the victim of arson in Medina County.

The man explained that the Medina County Sheriff’s Office notified him of a case of arson on his property last week. He said the blaze was put out before it damaged his home.

“That terrible possibility of losing my home, my barn and the investment that we have there and all of our property,” said the victim.

Median County area residents are becoming worrisome as there have been no arrests in the case.

“It is a great concern because I have a wife and four kids, and I’m constantly on the road. I’m not always there. This past weekend, we had rain for about half a day, but the ground is already dried again. If that wind picks up that flame, it can jump,” said Tony Pressley, a Medina County resident.

Medina County’s arsonist issue comes a few weeks after Atascosa County officials said a serial arsonist was at large.

The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office said it is still looking for the person or people responsible for the fires. The arsonist -- or arsonists -- is connected to at least 42 fires. ACSO has offered a $5,000 cash reward for information. However, no tips have been submitted.

MCSO officials said they believe the arson cases could all be connected. Although ACSO has not confirmed the connection, it said there are similarities in the fires.

The Medina County Sheriff’s Department told KSAT that it had requested the assistance of the Bexar County Fire Marshall’s Office.

The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office has not joined the multi-agency investigation, but it is in communication with Medina County authorities.

ALSO ON KSAT.COM

Newest member of SAFD arson bureau helps investigators detect ignitable liquids

‘This is unprecedented’: Arsonists responsible for 42 fires in about 3 months time, Atascosa County Sheriff says

Copyright 2022 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

Tyler bilingual therapist creates outlet for mental health assistance

Editor’s note: During Hispanic Heritage Month, the Tyler Morning Telegraph is highlighting Hispanics making a difference in our community.Nelida Medina, owner and therapist of Purple Crayon Counseling Services, is one of the two bilingual therapists in East Texas. Her services are an outlet for Hispanic families with a language barrier who want to seek mental health services for their children.Medina started her counseling career as a clinical director for adults, then eventually transitioned to treating ...

Editor’s note: During Hispanic Heritage Month, the Tyler Morning Telegraph is highlighting Hispanics making a difference in our community.

Nelida Medina, owner and therapist of Purple Crayon Counseling Services, is one of the two bilingual therapists in East Texas. Her services are an outlet for Hispanic families with a language barrier who want to seek mental health services for their children.

Medina started her counseling career as a clinical director for adults, then eventually transitioned to treating children.

Purple Crayon Counseling Services opened last year and assists low-income families. Medina said she tries to help out when it comes to private pay and that she takes Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program and private insurance.

Medina believes mental health is important, especially in Hispanic households, where she thinks it sometimes is not taken seriously.

“We always think about our physical health but we don’t realize how much our mental health relates to our physical health,” she said. “When we’re talking about our Hispanic culture, things have to change. We’re not living in those times in Mexico or wherever you’re from in Latin America.”

With September being Suicide Prevention Month, Medina said there is a high suicide rate in East Texas and Hispanics often don’t seek help. The 2020 Texas Health and Human Services report states that East Texas has one of the highest suicide rates in the state with 16.2 deaths per 100,000 people.

While Medina is concerned about the Hispanic community, she has hope that people are realizing the importance of seeking assistance before it’s too late.

“The reason our parents come to the U.S is to give us a better life as children, but over here it interwinds,” Medina said. “In our Hispanic culture, we’re opening our eyes a little bit more when it comes to mental health.”

“When it comes to suicide, we don’t like talking about it because it’s scary. We don’t want to touch that topic because what if my kid is like, ‘Yes I want to die’? I see that a lot but they are asking for help not necessarily that they actually want to do it,” she added.

Medina said suicide is not always because of depression, but other factors, such as anxiety or bullying.

“With COVID-19, we’re seeing an increase of people who have committed suicide. It’s not because of depression but it’s because we’re living with pandemic effects. It triggers anxiety,” she said.

She said COVID-19 has taken a toll on children’s mental health, including guilt and the lack of socializing.

Medina said the guilt in children is a result of fearing social places, such as schools where the mask mandates are not enforced, which leads them to be scared of getting their family sick.

She has also seen cases where the children witness parents yelling at each other or seeing a parent battling alcoholism. Medina said alcoholism is a risk in the Hispanic community because alcohol is constantly a part of social gatherings and celebrations.

Medina also stressed the importance of paying attention when a child communicates their feelings.

“As a child, they believe everything is their fault. ‘Why didn’t you do this or this,’ instead of rewarding or being thanked. As Hispanic children, we’re taught with nagging like ‘Oh you’re depressed, go sweep the floor over there or go wash the dishes,’” she said.

Medina said parents need to acknowledge the change of behaviors when it comes to their children.

“Only you know your child, you should know what’s normal or what’s not. We have all these warning signs but we wait until someone finds out to address it,” she said.

Medina recommends parents use mental health services offered on school campuses, but most importantly seek help for the child if they observe a change of behavior.

She said it’s important to not only get help for the child but continue to follow up with counseling services.

“When the parent doesn’t follow up, it just makes that child think ‘nobody cares about me. They said they were going to get me help but nobody really didn’t. They don’t care about me because if they did then they would’ve continued the care they wanted for me,’” she said. “If you feel like something isn’t right with your child, follow your gut instinct. Seek help, because there’s help.”

Purple Crayon Counseling Services offers help to children of ages 4 to 18 and is located at 401 E. Front St. Building No. 1, Suite 227 in Tyler.

'We're running out of room' | Small school district west of SA growing faster than most in Texas

SAN ANTONIO — A school district just west of San Antonio is growing quicker than nearly every other district in the state.Rising enrollment in Medina Valley ISD isn't slowing down.KENS 5 learned more about plans for the future, starting with Bond 2023."The reason behind all this is our student population," said ...

SAN ANTONIO — A school district just west of San Antonio is growing quicker than nearly every other district in the state.

Rising enrollment in Medina Valley ISD isn't slowing down.

KENS 5 learned more about plans for the future, starting with Bond 2023.

"The reason behind all this is our student population," said Dr. Scott Caloss, Superintendent of Medina Valley ISD.

Caloss says within the last year, 1,000 more students enrolled in the district.

"We're running out of room for as far as where we can put those kids," he told us.

Next fall, Medina Valley ISD's Silo Elementary School will open.

The critical need now, Caloss said, is a new high school.

"Our high school is right at capacity, student capacity," he said. "So that is our biggest need."

Medina Valley ISD covers roughly 300 square miles. The neighborhoods that are growing the quickest within the district are located west of 1604 on both sides of Hwy 90.

"They're literally adding around 1,500 to 1,800 single family homes per year," said Bob Templeton, the Vice President of School District Segment for Zonda Education.

Zonda is the nation's leading research provider for new home construction. They track 90% of single family construction across the United States. Right now, there are 56 active subdivisions within Medina Valley ISD.

"The San Antonio region, when we look at the regions of Texas, it's very attractive because of its job growth, the affordability, it's pretty," said Templeton. "As the access improves with improved roadways, then we just see that growth continuing to move to places like Castroville and Medina Valley."

After Templeton's research, he projects the district's rapid growth will continue for the next 25 years.

If these projections hold true, to keep up with skyrocketing enrollment, Medina Valley ISD will need to build a new elementary campus every two to three years, a new middle school every six years and a new high school every ten years.

The district has five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school as of the 2022-2023 school year.

Currently, Templeton says only about 15% of the district's land is built out.

"They can build houses a lot faster than school districts can build schools," he explained. "That's a little bit of a challenge because the growth tends to just be a wave that can feel a little overwhelming."

If approved, the $376 million in Bond 2023 will pay for:

With Bond 2023, taxpayers can expect a rate increase of 2.8 cents.

Election Day is May 6. Early voting begins Monday, April 24. Medina Valley ISD community members can browse voting locations in Medina County and Bexar County here.

To view the first virtual presentation on Bond 2023, click here. Watch the second virtual presentation here.

Medina County couple finds an underground cavern on their property

You never know what could be just underneath your feet in your own backyard. A couple in Medina County recently found a massive marvel on their property.With support from Jeff Davis Law FirmDon and Debbie Davis, who own a ranch in northwestern Medina ...

You never know what could be just underneath your feet in your own backyard. A couple in Medina County recently found a massive marvel on their property.

With support from Jeff Davis Law Firm

Don and Debbie Davis, who own a ranch in northwestern Medina County, discovered an "enormous cavern" on their property, according to a Texas Public Radio report. The couple was working on placing the ranch in a conservation easement for the preservation of the water supply for Bexar County. That's when the Edwards Aquifer Authority found the cavern.

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"In their mapping process, they found this little depression that no one had ever seen before," Debbie Davis said in the report. "It was back in a thick clump of brush and we'd never gone there. And sure enough, when we went to check it out, there was a sinkhole with a tiny opening that we had no idea it opened up to this enormous cavern."

Bexar Grotto, a group of cavers that have been exploring, educating, and conserving caves since 1983, have been to the property before, but the sinkhole didn't show any sign of being anything major. The group is a local chapter of the National Speleological Society. The group widened the hole with the help of Don Davis, who said it took some effort to get the team into the cavern.

Bennett Lee, who was the first person to see the cavern, said that when the team used a flashlight to see in the sinkhole it was just a "black void." The team knew they were onto something.

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"Rare that you open up into a huge room, that's a 70 foot drop," Lee said in the report. "So, yeah, it was really amazing to be the first one in there and just see this huge room."

The large rooms ceiling was about 120 feet high and almost 60 feet wide.

It's not a rare as you think to find a large cave in this area. Dr. George Veni, Executive Director of National Cave and Karst Institute told Texas Public Radio that there could be more discoveries and this cave on the Davis' ranch could be bigger than what Bexar Grotto saw. The family said in the report that they don't plan to open the cavern to the public, but will make sure it is preserved.

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