AA 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.
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, sometimes they cannot live independently without someone by their side to provide care. Unfortunately, some 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 in the comforts or their home rather than in an assisted living community. Home care in Cayce, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they age. We are proud to have helped tens of thousands of seniors to maintain a higher level of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of 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.
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 care services in Cayce, SC. Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking”
Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking for care for a loved one, I highly recommend them. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. I work in the senior industry and recommend Always Best Care to my clients that need extra support in their home or while family is away. Always Best Care will respond immediately and truly show compassion to others.
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take”
The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take the time to ensure your care needs are met. Highly recommend giving them a call if you have senior care or senior living questions or concerns.
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense”
Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense of the questions we had when it came to the short and long term care of our loved one. When you have an elderly parent or a loved one with disabilities there are so many questions and so many emotions. It can be so confusing and it was hard for us to find one person or one company that has the knowledge and grasp of this industry that Nate has. We cannot thank him enough for guiding us through this process and his amazing bedside manner!
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends,
I'd like to wish you and your”
Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends,
I'd like to wish you and your families a Merry, Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year! My brother, my dad, and I really appreciate everything you did for us this year. You're amazing!
All the best for the Christmas season and 2023,
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The”
This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The owners, Nate and Melisa, genuinely care about clients AND staff. They go above and beyond to support, encourage, and help everyone they work with. Their doors are always open, they’re generous with their time, and they truly want their staff to succeed. Donna in the billing department is fabulous, always available to answer questions or help in any way; Katrina in scheduling puts in so much time and effort to accommodate everyone’s needs and it’s amazing how well she handles everything; Angel works diligently on recruiting and training, making sure there’s plenty of staff to provide quality care; and Jackie is an incredible CHAMP, making sure clients are properly reassessed and care givers have the right tools and knowledge to do their job. ABC is a fantastic, compassionate, caring team I’m proud to be a part of, and I’m proud to serve our clients, too.
“Always Best Care is like the name sounds, excellent care for your loved ones. The”
Always Best Care is like the name sounds, excellent care for your loved ones. The staff goes above and beyond to make certain the needs of your family member are met with kindness and dignity. Senior care is a difficult choice and Always Best Care of Columbia makes it easy, with compassion and are truly helpful in every way possible. The staff geniunely listens and cares about your expectations! I would highly recommend this business.
“Nate, Charlene & Simone are great people to help in a stressful situation! They have”
Nate, Charlene & Simone are great people to help in a stressful situation! They have been open and caring and have provided some wonderful caregivers for a lovely lady in my church. I was instrumental in coordinating care for the family and have nothing but good things to say about the staff at Always Best Care. Simone so kindly visited my friend in hospice when she could no longer be cared for at home. She even took her flowers and has remained in contact with the family to support them as they are going through this difficult journey. I highly recommend Always Best Care.
“Ives and Alicia definitely true 5 stars !! My name is Daniel Murray and I”
Ives and Alicia definitely true 5 stars !! My name is Daniel Murray and I have been with Always Best Care for 2 years and I am very satisfied with the care I have received from them through the years. Everyone has been very polite and professional. My son and I are very blessed to have PROFESSIONAL CARE like this!
“Always Best Care of the Midlands has a dedicated staff that is always trying to”
Always Best Care of the Midlands has a dedicated staff that is always trying to provide the best care and information to all of their clients... thanks very much!
“Congratulations to Always Best Care Midlands for qualifying for the HCSB A+ RATING. This proves”
Congratulations to Always Best Care Midlands for qualifying for the HCSB A+ RATING. This proves that your agency has been verified by a 3rd party unbiased bureau to uphold the most stringent standards in the industry!! Great JOB!
“Nate Rhodes takes the time to get to know each potential client and goes out”
Nate Rhodes takes the time to get to know each potential client and goes out of his way to make the best care plan at reasonable prices. He works hard to find the right fit for each individual.
“Nate Rhodes and his staff go out of their way to ensure that their clients”
Nate Rhodes and his staff go out of their way to ensure that their clients get the utmost best care for complete customer satisfaction.
Read full testimonial
Dusty B.
Melisa B.
pam C.
Neal L.
Gina B.
John G.
Nicole R.
Sarah S.
Palmettonana
Cristina S.
Dan M.
Josephine C.
Tanya M.
Mike D.
carla L.
Caitlyn W.
Cassy B.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking for care for a loved one, I highly recommend them. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. I work in the senior industry and recommend Always Best Care to my clients that need extra support in their home or while family is away. Always Best Care will respond immediately and truly show compassion to others.”
Dusty B.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take the time to ensure your care needs are met. Highly recommend giving them a call if you have senior care or senior living questions or concerns.”
Melisa B.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense of the questions we had when it came to the short and long term care of our loved one. When you have an elderly parent or a loved one with disabilities there are so many questions and so many emotions. It can be so confusing and it was hard for us to find one person or one company that has the knowledge and grasp of this industry that Nate has. We cannot thank him enough for guiding us through this process and his amazing bedside manner!”
pam C.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends,
I'd like to wish you and your families a Merry, Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year! My brother, my dad, and I really appreciate everything you did for us this year. You're amazing!
All the best for the Christmas season and 2023,”
Neal L.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The owners, Nate and Melisa, genuinely care about clients AND staff. They go above and beyond to support, encourage, and help everyone they work with. Their doors are always open, they’re generous with their time, and they truly want their staff to succeed. Donna in the billing department is fabulous, always available to answer questions or help in any way; Katrina in scheduling puts in so much time and effort to accommodate everyone’s needs and it’s amazing how well she handles everything; Angel works diligently on recruiting and training, making sure there’s plenty of staff to provide quality care; and Jackie is an incredible CHAMP, making sure clients are properly reassessed and care givers have the right tools and knowledge to do their job. ABC is a fantastic, compassionate, caring team I’m proud to be a part of, and I’m proud to serve our clients, too.”
Gina B.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“They have taken care of several of my friends and ever one of them has had an amazing experience. Very professional and friendly!”
John G.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care is like the name sounds, excellent care for your loved ones. The staff goes above and beyond to make certain the needs of your family member are met with kindness and dignity. Senior care is a difficult choice and Always Best Care of Columbia makes it easy, with compassion and are truly helpful in every way possible. The staff geniunely listens and cares about your expectations! I would highly recommend this business.”
Nicole R.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Wonderful people. They go out of their way to make sure people are taken care of.”
Sarah S.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Nate, Charlene & Simone are great people to help in a stressful situation! They have been open and caring and have provided some wonderful caregivers for a lovely lady in my church. I was instrumental in coordinating care for the family and have nothing but good things to say about the staff at Always Best Care. Simone so kindly visited my friend in hospice when she could no longer be cared for at home. She even took her flowers and has remained in contact with the family to support them as they are going through this difficult journey. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
Palmettonana
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Great service and great people. Always warm and welcoming.”
Cristina S.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Ives and Alicia definitely true 5 stars !! My name is Daniel Murray and I have been with Always Best Care for 2 years and I am very satisfied with the care I have received from them through the years. Everyone has been very polite and professional. My son and I are very blessed to have PROFESSIONAL CARE like this!”
Dan M.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care of the Midlands has a dedicated staff that is always trying to provide the best care and information to all of their clients... thanks very much!”
Josephine C.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Charlene & Nate work very hard to bring you the BEST healthcare service they can provide!!”
Tanya M.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Congratulations to Always Best Care Midlands for qualifying for the HCSB A+ RATING. This proves that your agency has been verified by a 3rd party unbiased bureau to uphold the most stringent standards in the industry!! Great JOB!”
Mike D.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Very reliable and excellent service!”
carla L.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Nate Rhodes takes the time to get to know each potential client and goes out of his way to make the best care plan at reasonable prices. He works hard to find the right fit for each individual.”
Caitlyn W.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Nate Rhodes and his staff go out of their way to ensure that their clients get the utmost best care for complete customer satisfaction.”
Cassy B.
How does In-home Senior Care in Cayce, SC 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.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
01
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 or Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Eating
Mobility Issues
Incontinence
Bathing
Dressing
Grooming
02
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
03
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 activities and hobbies while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
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 other activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress helps reduce the risks of caregiver burnout.
When it comes to non-medical home care, 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.
Advanced Healthcare Technology
Benefits of Home Care in Cayce, SC
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.
Age in Place
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.
Peace of Mind
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 senior family member is in expert hands.
Socialization
Unlike many senior care facilities 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.
Personalized Care Plan
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our care plans are 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 clients 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.
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
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 Cayce, SC, 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
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
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
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 Cayce, SC 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
Aid and Attendance 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
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
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
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.
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 Cayce,SC 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.
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
01
An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home
02
Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs
03
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.
CAYCE — Dominion Energy could sell its 100-acre Cayce campus, built before the Virginia-based utility took over South Carolina’s largest investor-owned utility, to a Columbia real estate developer.The company did not disclose any particulars of the agreement for a potential sale it signed with Bill Stern, owner of Stern & Stern Properties Inc.Stern confirmed he has the property under contract and is conducting due diligence before closing on the deal. He expects to finalize the purchase later this year....
CAYCE — Dominion Energy could sell its 100-acre Cayce campus, built before the Virginia-based utility took over South Carolina’s largest investor-owned utility, to a Columbia real estate developer.
The company did not disclose any particulars of the agreement for a potential sale it signed with Bill Stern, owner of Stern & Stern Properties Inc.
Stern confirmed he has the property under contract and is conducting due diligence before closing on the deal. He expects to finalize the purchase later this year.
“I think it’s a great property; it’s a beautiful facility,” Stern said. “I’d put it up against office buildings in any other state.”
Stern said his company is actively marketing the campus to corporate clients across the nine states where Stern & Stern Properties operates. He said it could be leased out to multiple tenants.
Before a failed nuclear plant project in Fairfield County sent South Carolina’s only Fortune 500 company spiraling into financial ruin, SCANA Corp.’s then-chief executive Bill Timmerman moved the utility’s more than 900 corporate employees from its Main Street, Columbia, office tower to the sprawling campus on the south side of Cayce, along Interstate 77.
The 25-year lease the company held on the downtown building was ending, and rather than signing a new deal and trying to upgrade the aging space, Timmerman opted to build a new $140 million facility on land the utility had owned for 25 years.
A year and a half after breaking ground, the company made the shift to the sparkling 540,000-square-foot headquarters with five interconnected buildings and room for 1,300 employees.
But when Dominion took over SCANA and South Carolina Electric & Gas in early 2019, its Columbia workforce was greatly reduced. Dominion did not say how many employees currently work in the building, but for more than a year the Richmond-based utility has been trying unsuccessfully to lease out some 100,000 square feet of space on the campus.
The company also did not say whether or where it would relocate if the sale goes through, only offering a statement.
“Dominion Energy is committed to maintaining a strong company presence in Cayce,” the statement read. “We continue to assess ways to operate even more efficiently, and this includes the potential for consolidating occupancy of our facilities on the 12th Street corridor if it is in the best interest of our customers and employees.”
Stern said he has not yet spoken to the utility about leasing back a portion of the space if his firm ultimately buys the property.
Stern could not recall who approached him and told him there might be an opportunity to buy the campus, but he said he has always been impressed with the property, with its numerous walking paths and water features.
“It’s too beautiful a facility not to be utilized,” said Cayce City Councilman Phil Carter, whose district includes the property. “I’d certainly welcome any new tenants.”
Carter said 12th Street is a “high-profile corridor” for the city and council has sought to encourage development of the area around the headquarters.
In 2020, Atlanta-based real estate investment company The Simpson Organization Inc. purchased 36 acres of land across from the Dominion campus with plans for a $65 million development to include apartments, restaurants, retail, a hotel, office space and an entertainment area, the company said in a statement.
“We envision this mixed-use village as a true live, work and play destination offering entertainment, shopping and a place to call home,” Boyd Simpson, owner of The Simpson Organization, said in a statement.
But the developer has yet to take any action at the site.
When it comes to the Dominion campus, Stern acknowledged that the office market has been in a slump, with many companies choosing to downsize their real estate needs since the COVID-19 pandemic. He said his company is always hunting for opportunity, and the opportunity to strike a good deal often comes during a downturn.
Add to that, the campus boasts easy access to interstates 77 and 26.
“It’s a great facility in a great location,” said Stern, who also is chairman of the State Ports Authority board. “I just don’t think these opportunities come around that often.”
Cayce house vacant for years has been deemed unlivable. Why won’t the city tear it down?
Morgan Hugheshttps://www.thestate.com/news/local/article278375934.html
The 1950s red brick house on the corner of Prentiss and Orchard streets in Cayce has been empty for half a decade.The windows are boarded, the door is sealed tight. A bright yellow placard declares ...
The 1950s red brick house on the corner of Prentiss and Orchard streets in Cayce has been empty for half a decade.
The windows are boarded, the door is sealed tight. A bright yellow placard declares “CONDEMNED. DANGER,” to passersby.
Cayce officials deemed the home unlivable in 2018, but the city has no plans to demolish the structure. Despite complaints from at least one neighbor who says the house is creating pest problems, officials say there’s little they can do.
There are vacant properties across the small town of Cayce in similar states. Why are they still standing?
The house on the corner has been a topic of conversation for at least as long as Anna Percival has lived in the neighborhood, since 2017.
She expected something to happen to the house when the city became involved in 2018, but in her view, very little has been done to maintain the property. She’s had to deal with rat problems, and she watches feral cats laze on the home’s roof and porch. Percival said she’s spent roughly $7,000 on repairs to her own home caused by the pest problems she believes stem from the empty house.
“Every time I have a rat issue or any big bug problem, all the pest control companies, especially the one that I trust, tells me as long as that house is next door breeding rats and feral cats and mosquitoes and things of that nature, (I’m) going to continue to have issues,” Percival said.
She’d like to see the house demolished or repaired.
But Cayce officials say the house is already in compliance with city code and there’s nothing more they can do about it.
The Prentiss Street house could use a coat of paint. There’s some debris on the porch, and at least one window appears broken. But the structure is stable, explained Cayce building official Stuart Jones.
When code enforcement initially learned of the Prentiss Street house in 2018, they kicked off the same process used anytime a vacant home is discovered out of code in the city.
The property owner, in this case Ronald Capps, according to property records, was notified and given 60 days to bring the home back into compliance. In Cayce, there are three ways to do that: 1. Repair the house. 2. Secure the house. 3. Demolish the house.
Capps chose option two, according to Cayce officials. In addition to securing the property by boarding the doors and windows, the property owner maintains the yard to keep that in compliance as well.
“They can keep it that way in perpetuity, really,” Jones said, as long as it stays structurally sound.
Capps did not respond to a request for comment from The State.
Now that the home has been secured and doesn’t violate city code, the matter is out of the city’s hands, said Cayce city manager Tracy Hegler.
As for the pests, officials said the problem is one of jurisdiction.
“We live in a state that has very strong property rights,” said assistant city manager Michael Conley. “I can go to this guy and go, ‘Hey, you have a pest problem.’ He’s going to go, ‘So, it’s not your problem,’ and it’s not. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
The city can act on a pest problem when the house is occupied because there are clauses in state law that require certain health and safety standards for human habitation. But because the home is vacant and has already been deemed unlivable, the city doesn’t have the jurisdiction to investigate, officials agreed, adding that concerned neighbors should contact the homeowner directly.
Hegler added that there isn’t clear evidence that the vacant home is the source of the pests.
Percival has gotten this response as well, but she says she doesn’t know the homeowner and has never seen him.
“I feel like that’s something that the city should be taking care of. I don’t think I should even have to touch that issue,” Percival said.
The Prentiss Street house is not unique. It’s typical that when a vacant Cayce property falls out of code, property owners usually opt to secure the home, rather than repair or demolish it.
Officials couldn’t provide exact numbers Friday but said they typically only demolish one house a year, if that. Most of the time, the homeowner addresses the problem. The city did not readily have a list of those vacant homes Friday, but officials said they do keep track of them.
Jones, the building official, said he doesn’t believe vacant houses are a widespread problem in Cayce and doesn’t believe there are particularly blighted areas.
Houses that are left vacant are also still monitored by the city, and the homeowner will get notified if the property does fall out of code, Jones said.
There’s also a reason that demolition of vacant homes is so uncommon.
It will take a minimum of four months to get to the point where a problem property can be razed, Jones said, but often it takes much longer. The process can be slowed by homeowner appeals and ownership changes, among other red tape.
Sometimes the property owner will demolish the house themselves. If the city has to do it, it will issue a lien against the property, but there’s no guarantee the city will get that money back, Hegler said.
Hegler added there may be things the city can do to make the process more easily understood by residents. For example, the language on the sign affixed to the Prentiss Street property uses the word “condemned,” but the house isn’t actually condemned. By the city’s view, it’s vacant but in compliance, and it hasn’t been abandoned.
Jones added that if residents see a home in their neighborhood they believe is not in line with city code, they should contact Cayce code enforcement at 803-739-5361.
This story was originally published August 19, 2023, 5:30 AM.
92-acre Dominion Energy property in Cayce in 'agreement' for potential sale
The 92-acre building serves as a main campus for Dominion, now the company is looking to possibly move employees to another space.CAYCE, S.C. — The potential sale of Dominion Energy's main campus could mean big change for the Cayce community.Stavros Seremetis has owned Tony's since 2010 and says his business is always impacted by changes that happen in the community."If we lose 10 customers from there, we're going to get 15 from...
The 92-acre building serves as a main campus for Dominion, now the company is looking to possibly move employees to another space.
CAYCE, S.C. — The potential sale of Dominion Energy's main campus could mean big change for the Cayce community.
Stavros Seremetis has owned Tony's since 2010 and says his business is always impacted by changes that happen in the community.
"If we lose 10 customers from there, we're going to get 15 from there," Seremetis said.
A big unknown in the Cayce community at the moment, is the potential sale of a Dominion Energy building on Otarre Parkway.
"My regulars from Dominion, I see them at least once a week, but I know if they move they won't be able to come by as much, maybe once a month, but either way it will affect us," Seremetis explained.
The Dominion building was built on Otarre Parkway in 2009 and sits on 92 acres of land.
WLTX reached out to Dominion Energy on Monday to confirm the sale of this particular building and received this statement in reply:
"Dominion Energy is committed to maintaining a strong company presence in Cayce. We continue to assess ways to operate even more efficiently, and this includes the potential for consolidating occupancy of our facilities on the 12th Street corridor if it is in the best interest of our customers and employees. In doing so, Dominion Energy has entered an agreement with Stern & Stern Properties Inc. for the potential sale of our main campus on 12th street."
Phil Baughman who often rides his bike near this particular Dominion Energy building, along a portion of the Cayce Riverwalk, says he hopes the sale of the building will be a good thing.
"You've still got to pay your electric bill no matter what, no matter who it's from," Baughman said. "People will have jobs, I mean there are jobs around now, people begging for work, for workers, so I think we'll be okay either way."
Cayce Mayor, Elise Partin, also hopes the sale of the building will be positive. She sent WLTX this statement:
"While there are still many unknowns for us… we hope that Dominion will stay in the area even if they don't own the building. We look forward to welcoming new businesses and corporate partners in that space as well. Cayce has a great quality of life and we are thrilled about the possibility of more employees getting to enjoy our restaurants, local coffee shops, and businesses."
From what we know the sale is not a done deal as of yet, and there are still discussions to be had.
We reached out to Stern & Stern Properties about the sale of this particular building to get more details about what it will be used for, but we have not heard back just yet.
Cayce redistricting delay highlights nebulous legal standard for process
Jordan Lawrencehttps://www.lexingtonchronicle.com/stories/cayce-redistricting-delay-highlights-nebulous-legal-standard-for-process,62365
[email protected] new delay in Cayce’s redistricting process will push the municipality’s updates to its City Council map until after the coming November election, highlighting a lack of specificity in election law.Council was set to pass final and second reading of redrawn council districts at its regular July 11 meeting, fulfilling its municipal requirement to update its district map to make sure that eve...
A new delay in Cayce’s redistricting process will push the municipality’s updates to its City Council map until after the coming November election, highlighting a lack of specificity in election law.
Council was set to pass final and second reading of redrawn council districts at its regular July 11 meeting, fulfilling its municipal requirement to update its district map to make sure that every person in the city has as equal representation as possible on council after receiving population data from the 2020 U.S. Census.
But Council Member Phil Carter had asked about a residential section along Dogwood Street between Cypress Street and Haynes Lane at the previous meeting, seeking to figure out why that section was being sent from District 4, which Carter represents, to District 3, represented by Hunter Sox, when the move breaks up what is a contained neighborhood in that area.
City Manager Tracy Hegler advised Council that they could redraw the new map to send that section back to District 4 and still be within the acceptable 5% population deviation between the city’s districts.
Council decided to take advantage of that opportunity, but also decided it would need to inform residents of the change before implementing it, holding another public hearing and sending out letters detailing the new map. With filing set to open next month, the members decided they didn’t have enough time to accomplish all that beforehand, asking Hegler if they could punt the decision to after the coming Nov. 7 election.
“There’s no statute that you have to do it in a certain time,” Hegler said.
Asked by Sox if, theoretically, they could never redistrict, she replied, “You’re supposed to do it as soon as you can, that’s reasonably possible.”
Council then held a unanimous vote to postpone the second and final reading on redistricting until the first meeting after the November election.
These developments might come as a surprise to those who followed redistricting talks in neighboring municipality West Columbia last year. Last August, the City Council there had some tense arguments amid concerns about the quickness with which it was moving through the process.
That haste was spurred by the resignation earlier that month of a council member moving out of the city. At the time, West Columbia City Administrator Brian Carter said the city had to take into account the updated Census information it received in late 2021 before holding a special election to secure a replacement.
According to the Municipal Association of South Carolina, however, this may not have been necessary, and Cayce could be fine pushing its redistricting to after this year’s election.
“The courts have allowed for ‘reasonable’ periods of time to elapse between Cenuses and redistricting so long as local governments are working toward a plan,” Scot Slatton, director of advocacy and communications for the association, told the Chronicle when we reached out about Cayce’s redistricting plans. “We can’t say how a court would view the situation in Cayce you outline.”
He shared a 2021 article from the association pondering the question “Delay Municipal Elections, or Not?” when the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it would release 2020 info in September 2021, much later than usual.
“Federal courts have repeatedly held that the release of official census data does not require the immediate abandonment of the existing ward map,” the article explains. “Rather, the rule is that state and local governments must follow a reasonable plan and process to adopt an updated ward map that incorporates the new census data.”
Cayce is moving forward with its delayed redistricting process with Hegler, the city manager, relaying much the same understanding of the law to council.
The city with nearly 14,000 residents will hold its Nov. 7 election with its current district lines still in place.
The mayor’s seat as well as Mayor Pro Tem James "Skip" Jenkins' District 2 seat and Carter's District 4 seat will be on the ballot.
In the meantime, the council members said they will look to make sure people are as informed as possible about what the final map is set to look like.
“We could do that, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it because we haven't told those people,” Mayor Elise Partin said when Council discussed the possibility of going ahead and approving the readjusted map without reaching out to inform the public first. “We’re very thorough about everything this body has done. We send letters. We educate. We communicate. We give people the opportunity, in this case ... for a public hearing.”
The small change to Districts 3 and 4 won’t alter the new map that much.
The most significant shifts between current district lines and what Council will look to approve in November see District 4 ceding two large swaths of territory along the Congaree River to District 2. One runs along New State Road and includes the Martin Marietta Cayce Quarry and the neighborhood backing up to Kelley Jones Park and the Cayce Riverwalk, while the other is bordered by the 12th Street Extension, Taylor Road and Old State Road and includes Dominion Energy’s Cayce headquarters.
The other changes see a few scattered blocks along the boundaries between districts swapping their affiliations, with District 3 ceding territory to District 2 and receiving territory from District 4. District 1 (represented by Tim James) will send three blocks sandwiched between Oakland Avenue and Poplar Street to District 2.
Keywords
cayce city council, 2022 election, redistricting sc, mayor elise partin, council member phil carter, hunter sox, municipal association of south carolina
SC school board member will challenge Cayce mayor in November election
With filing about to open this month for November’s election, voters in Cayce already know they’re going to have a choice to make for the city’s next mayor.Elise Partin, who has be...
With filing about to open this month for November’s election, voters in Cayce already know they’re going to have a choice to make for the city’s next mayor.
Elise Partin, who has been Cayce’s mayor since 2008, is running for another term in the city’s top office on Nov. 7. Also running for the mayor’s office is Lexington 2 school board member and lifelong Cayce resident Abbott “Tre” Bray.
In a statement announcing her candidacy, Partin touts a record of keeping taxes down and quality of life high, with an emphasis on government responsiveness and customer service. The city recently won a $10 million state grant for stormwater improvement, and Partin was named public servant of the year in 2019 by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
“Under Partin’s steady leadership, City services have continued to be modernized and are more cost effective,” the media release from the Partin campaign says. “By reversing the City’s credit to an excellent rating (it was poor before her tenure), Partin and City staff were able to get a low-interest loan via the State of S.C. to replace and upgrade 75% of the city’s water lines in 2017 — a massive public works project.”
She will face Bray, a graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School who deployed to Iraq with the S.C. National Guard. He now manages a contract for the Department of Defense providing risk reduction services and prevention training to the Army and Air National Guard. He has served on the Lexington 2 school board since 2020.
“I know first-hand what it’s like to grow up in the Cayce community, one with charm and character like no other,” Bray said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “With the right leadership, we can ensure that Cayce grows responsibly and sustainably. I want Cayce to remain an incredible place to live, work, and raise a family for generations to come.”
Races for public office in Cayce are nonpartisan.
Cayce voters will not only chose a mayor for a new four-year term in November but also two of four city council members. Many other municipalities will also hold local elections this fall.
Filing for local offices in Lexington County opens Aug. 16 and closes Aug. 30.
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