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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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 Matthews, NC

Home Care Matthews, NC

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 Matthews Heritage Museum 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 Matthews, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Matthews, NC

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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 Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”

Karen C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”

Gayle S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”

Richard H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”

Said Y.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”

Lacey J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”

Seema T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”

Chris B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”

Sarah H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I love working for this company.”

Stephanie U.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”

Kim P.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Matthews, NC?

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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 Matthews, NC

Types of Elderly Care in Matthews, NC

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 Matthews, NC
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 Matthews, NC
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 Stumptown 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 Matthews, NC
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 Santé or visit Carl J McEwen Historic Village, 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 Matthews, NC

Benefits of Home Care in Matthews, NC

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 Matthews, NC, 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 Matthews, NC

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 NC'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 Matthews, NC

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 Matthews, NC 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 Matthews, NC

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 Matthews, NC

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:

  • Brookdale Weddington Park
  • Holiday Willow Grove
  • Windsor Run Senior Living Community
  • Matthews Glen
  • Meadows & Ohly LLC
  • Royal Park of Matthews Rehabilitation & Health Center
Home Care Matthews, NC

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 Matthews, NC

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 Matthews, NC 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 Matthews, NC

Latest News in Matthews, NC

Matthews YMCA program offers strength, community for Parkinson's patients

A Matthews resident has found strength, balance, and a sense of community through a specialized exercise program at the Brace Family YMCA.MATTHEWS, N.C. — April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month. Nearly one million Americans are living with Parkinson's disease, a progressive movement disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells.Inside the ...

A Matthews resident has found strength, balance, and a sense of community through a specialized exercise program at the Brace Family YMCA.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month. Nearly one million Americans are living with Parkinson's disease, a progressive movement disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells.

Inside the Brace Family YMCA in Matthews, punching bags serve a unique purpose for Ron Salimao—they're tools in his fight against Parkinson's disease. Diagnosed three years ago, Salimao faces challenges with balance and mobility.

Twice a week, he and his wife participate in Dianne Baist's class, titled "Exercise for Neuromuscular Disorders."

"It's boxing -- it gets you up, moving," Salimao said as he shared his favorite part of class. "From a standpoint of balance, it's my big challenge. I constantly have to keep my muscles active."

WATCH the full interview as it aired on Live Impact News on WCNC+

He admitted that every day is a different challenge as he faces the disease.

"Some days are good, some hours are good," Salimao said. "We got a class of people with diverse ideas and people and all trying to get better together."

Baist, the instructor, said the class is open to anyone who believes they need it.

"We have people with Parkinson's. We have people that are recovering from strokes, MS. You name it, this is a class that's open to all."

Baist emphasized the importance of movement for people facing Parkinson's.

"I think it's important for people with neuromuscular diseases to, first of all, hold on to the strength that they have, to not lose anything. Our bodies are just meant to move, so the benefits of physical fitness are the same for this class versus anybody," she said.

The program also provides emotional support and connection for participants.

Baist also highlighted how the program addresses feelings of isolation often experienced after a Parkinson's diagnosis.

"It's wonderful to be with other people who have been on that journey," she said.

For Salimao, this journey has included difficult moments, including a recent fall that prompted him and his wife to make the decision to move closer to family in New Jersey.

Expressing gratitude for his wife's unwavering support, Salimao said tearfully, "She's been a good caregiver."

Salimao said the Brace Family YMCA program has become an essential part of his support system, with Baist also playing an important role in his progress.

"Dianne tries to get each one individually to find out what you need," he shared.

Baist offered a message of encouragement to those battling neuromuscular disorders.

"Keep moving your body, keep doing what you can possibly do. All are welcome in this class," she said.

According to Novant Health, men over 60 are most likely to develop Parkinson's disease, though early-onset cases can occur at any age. While there is still no cure for Parkinson's, advanced treatments can significantly improve the quality of life for those living with the condition.

Contact Jane Monreal at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Download WCNC+ on your on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV, and stream the news that impacts you for free.

New Chinese restaurant in Matthews puts the art of noodle-making on display

A new spot for slurpable noodles is now welcoming customers in Matthews — and you can watch them being made, too.Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles recently opened after taking over Sizzle’s location and briefly operating as Taipei 101, serving its namesake Northwestern Chinese specialty and other hard-to-find items such a...

A new spot for slurpable noodles is now welcoming customers in Matthews — and you can watch them being made, too.

Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles recently opened after taking over Sizzle’s location and briefly operating as Taipei 101, serving its namesake Northwestern Chinese specialty and other hard-to-find items such as Chinese hamburger.

“Enjoy the art of authentic Chinese cuisine at our restaurant, where every bowl is a piece of culinary craftsmanship,” one of its Instagram posts promises.

The restaurant offers an immersive dining experience, as an open kitchen layout allows you to catch the all the action when the chef crafts a fresh batch of noodles stretching several feet wide.

Other items on the menu include ShaanXi Chili Oil Noodles, which you can get with thin, wide or thick noodles, or rice noodles. Eight varieties of ramen are also on the menu, with choices including vegetarian LaMian, tomato egg noodle soup and pickled cabbage beef noodle soup.

[EAT UP: 10 foodie spots to visit for a delicious day in the Matthews area.]

There are also traditional Chinese appetizer staples such as dumplings and sweet sesame balls to hit the spot when that craving strikes, plus steamed buns, eggrolls and spring rolls.

The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, offering ample opportunity for those seeking new flavors to stop in and dine or put in a takeout order.

Tonya Russ Price contributed.

Location: 929 Park Center Dr #101, Matthews, NC 28105

Menu

Cuisine: Chinese

Instagram: @lanzhouhandpullednoodles

Matthews leaders change tune on Mecklenburg County transit plan. Were they misled?

Leaders of a southeast Mecklenburg town once united against a plan to overhaul the region’s transportation system are now at odds over their position and what caused the split.The Matthews Board of Commissioners unanimously voted in August against draft legislation put together by other local governments to put a sales tax increase on the ballot to pay for transit. The town’s mayor issued a stateme...

Leaders of a southeast Mecklenburg town once united against a plan to overhaul the region’s transportation system are now at odds over their position and what caused the split.

The Matthews Board of Commissioners unanimously voted in August against draft legislation put together by other local governments to put a sales tax increase on the ballot to pay for transit. The town’s mayor issued a statement after the bill was formally filed in the North Carolina Senate last week reiterating Matthews’ “strong stand against the transit proposal.”

But some on the board now say they’ve learned more about what’s in the bill and are reversing their votes on the August resolution. The pair still don’t endorse the legislation but, they say, it should be up to the voters to make an informed decision through a referendum. Their shifts were first reported by WSOC and The Charlotte Ledger.

“I’m not pushing it to go through. I’m not trying to stop it,” Mayor Pro Tem Gina Hoover told The Charlotte Observer. “It’s just something I feel that the voters should choose.”

Other town leaders say they’ve had all the facts from the beginning, and they’re a bad break for Matthews.

“It’s not an equitable deal,” Mayor John Higdon said.

Matthews’ initially spurned the draft legislation to raise the county sales tax by a penny over concerns about about how it would spend money. It capped spending on rail projects at 40% of revenue, which would cut Matthews out of light rail plans.

The town was long slated to be part of the Silver Line from Belmont to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport then eastward to Matthews. But the spending cap makes that unaffordable, meaning some or all of the line must be scrapped or converted to another form of transit.

The Charlotte Area Transit System laid out four scenarios in January for what could be affordable under the funding breakdown in the bill.

The first option calls for the Silver Line to be built as light rail from the airport to Bojangles Coliseum in east Charlotte, with the option to extend it in both directions in the future. The other options convert all or some of the Silver Line to bus rapid transit — with buses in dedicated lanes that have traffic signal priority, elevated platforms and enhanced stations.

Higdon repeatedly slammed the idea of bus rapid transit, saying it wouldn’t generate the same economic benefits as light rail and that he doesn’t have faith in CATS’ ability to put together a high-performing system.

Matthews’ August referendum called for either a bigger sales tax increase — 1.4 cents — to help pay for the full Silver Line as light rail or for all rail projects to be converted to bus rapid transit. The vote was unanimous.

Now, Hoover and Commissioner Mark Tofano confirmed to the Observer they’ve changed their votes. Commissioner Leon Threatt has done the same, they say. But Threatt declined an interview request from the Observer.

Both Hoover and Tofano emphasized they still don’t support the bill now in the state Senate, but they do oppose the town’s resolution and are neutral on a referendum getting on the ballot. They say learning more about the bill, including how much money the town would get for roads projects and what other transit options could be available, changed their stances.

“In biblical terms, the scales dropped from my eyes,” Tofano said.

He’s still skeptical about tax increase, but is open to the idea of bus rapid transit because he currently uses CATS’ express bus to commute to uptown Charlotte for work.

And, he’s now aware the town would receive an estimated $4-6 million for road projects annually under the spending plan in the bill, which “would do tremendous benefit to our town and all other smaller towns.”

Other towns’ leadership, including Pineville and Mint Hill, touted the potential influx of roads money when voting to back the draft legislation. Commissioner Ken McCool said the board received an email in May from the town manager explaining “we would get some sort of money.”

Tofano told the Observer he may have missed an email with that information and “takes full responsibility” for being unaware. He said the wording of the resolution led him to believe some communities in Mecklenburg would get no new funding from the sales tax increase.

“This common theme about getting nothing was prevalent all throughout the conversations prior to the resolution being presented,” he said. “That actually colored my decision.”

Hearing more specific numbers about roads funding and an estimate that 30% of the new sales tax would be paid by tourists persuaded Hoover to reconsider her position. The money could help alleviate traffic issues and with infrastructure projects to keep pace with growth, she said.

Higdon, McCool and Commissioner Renee Garner, who still support the resolution and oppose the transit bill, pushed back on the notion town staff didn’t make the board aware of the road money estimates before the resolution vote.

“It’s simply untrue,” McCool said.

They questioned how far the roads money would actually go amid rising project costs.

“I’m still working towards negotiating a better deal on behalf of Matthews,” McCool said.

Despite the new divide on the board, Higdon is optimistic the town can still lobby legislators to change the bill in time to potentially save the Silver Line as originally planned.

“What I’m hearing is, you know, nothing is set in stone,” he said.

Garner said she left recent conversations with legislators feeling “pretty good” about potential movement, but she doesn’t have “any good idea” how her colleagues’ shifts could impact things moving forward.

Developer Ned Curran, an advocate for the legislation, told reporters after it was introduced in the legislature “Matthews is treated just like every other town.”

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger told reporters at a Charlotte event last week he didn’t recall having any conversations with Matthews leaders about their concerns.

“We understand that there have been a lot of compromises in bringing this together, and my understanding is that there are still conversations ongoing,” he said.

State House Speaker Destin Hall noted at the same press conference state Rep. Tricia Cotham, whose district includes parts of Matthews, is expected to play a pivotal role in driving the legislation in the House.

“Tricia has a voice that carries great weight in our caucus, and I imagine that her opinion on this bill is going to carry a lot of weight with members of our caucus,” he said.

This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

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The Charlotte Observer

Mary Ramsey is the local government accountability reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she studied journalism at the University of South Carolina and has also worked in Phoenix, Arizona and Louisville, Kentucky. Support my work with a digital subscription

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