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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 Irmo, SC

Home Care Irmo, SC

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 Historic Leitner House 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 Irmo, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Irmo, SC

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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

“Nate and his team have helped multiple family members and the service and support was a great peace of mind. Care of those in need can be a heavy load on the family, and Always Best Care made everything run better in the household. Their care extended past those in need and helped the other family members provide better care. The experience was a breath of fresh air.”

Joseph S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I engaged Nate as a consultant to search for the right Assisted Living Facility for my mom. This service is no cost to the family. He spent quite some time getting my mom's preferences clarified and then searching for matching AL facilities. All of this was done in less than two days. He and I talked through the options and I relayed the two I felt were best to mom. Nate personally picked mom up from rehab and took her on those tours, which was a godsend because I live in another state. During both tours, he texted me "play by plays" as to how it was going. He helped me and mom choose the right place for her budget and needs - and was very patient with us as my mom took longer than expected to make the final decision. She was talking about needing a new TV and Nate provided her/us with a link to some that were on sale that met her needs. Once the decision was made, Nate accompanied the AL staff member to mom's rehab and sat through the entire long paperwork process to ensure mom understood what she was signing. Again, he kept me in the loop by texting me regularly about how things were going during the meeting. He checked in a couple of times after that and prior to mom's move asking how our prep was going and if we needed anything. On one call, I did ask for a referral to a specific service we needed. He didn't have an established one, so he researched it and got one for me promptly. During and shortly after moving day, Nate checked in again to see how mom was settling in. I've been amazed at the personalized engagement that we received from Nate. Anytime he said he would do something, he did it and he did it promptly. If anything was delayed, he updated me immediately. This is in stark contrast to Tara at Senior Care Authority that provides this service as well. She promised me things during our initial call and didn't follow through on most of them. During our text exchanges, she never answered my specific question - always danced around it. Within a handful of days, I said "nope!", researched more, and came across Nate and this service. Ahhhh, what a breath of fresh air to receive what you asked for. I have no doubt it saved me countless hours glued to my computer, trying to compare facilities. I highly recommend Nate and his consulting service - it was an excellent experience and he was a lifesaver!”

Christine C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very professional and friendly office staff. They are also easy to communicate with. I recommend Always Best Care Senior Services for any senior in need. Also, if you ever need a job, please go and apply. They are always hiring weekly and offer competitive rates.”

Latasha C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here at Always Best Care over the past six months. Melisa and Nate have been wonderful and thanks for molding me into becoming a great leader. Professionalism is the key to success ????✨⭐️ I am looking forward to many years to come.”

Sabrina C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This is a great company and I would recommended to everyone. I have been with them for 3years Their caregivers are insightful and have so much compassion especially Mariah and Sabrina they are some of there champs they both have great personality and are very Professional. The owners are great and they run a great company.thank you for all that you guys do ????”

Tony T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident Always Best Care of the Midlands Team ensured that I was well informed, and my loved one received the best care possible. The compassionate care was delivered not only by the care professionals, but by the support team. The owners even checked in with us to offer support and guidance. They exceeded our expectations!”

Maggie
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TESTIMONIALS

“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care for! Nate and Melisa offer regular training for caregivers so they they can provide the best care possible!”

Kayla P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Nice people to work with”

Denise D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best choice for your family’s needs. The Team at Always Best is thoughtful and supportive they go out of their way to make you feel heard and understood. They customize the care plan, care team and schedule. I recommend them to anyone considering aging in place.”

Melisa R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service is a savior for me personally. It relieves me from having to miss a lot of work time to travel to my mothers appt, now I can meet her at the appt. and save this time. The care and service she is getting is TOP NOTCH! From how easy it is for my mother to schedule and the follow through is right on the money. From a person getting the services: Melissa is the best, she calls me weekly to remind me of my appointments coming up. I am very pleased with the services and absolutely pleased with the services provided. I know that this alone helps ease the mind of my daughter. Thank you to the team at Always Best Care!”

Stephanie A.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs assistance daily, and I work full time. I like their team approach.”

Elizabeth &.
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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.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the job. The people they hire can improve.”

Josephine N.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job if it wasn't for them and they go grocery shopping. They can have more guidance for the client and what to do for the client.”

Kyle M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly and courteous. I like that I do not have to worry about them; they are honest.”

Mary J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a lot easier for me to find out about the caregiver coming out and having someone on backup. The agency could provide better scheduling and the caregivers would not come in on time.”

Anonymous_6190

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Irmo, SC?

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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 Irmo, SC

Types of Elderly Care in Irmo, SC

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 Irmo, SC
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 Irmo, SC
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 Irmo Town 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 Irmo, SC
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 The Bistro or visit Irmo Town Park, 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 Irmo, SC

Benefits of Home Care in Irmo, 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:

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 Irmo, 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.

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 Irmo, SC

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 SC'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 Irmo, SC

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 Irmo, 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.

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 Irmo, SC

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 Irmo, SC

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:

  • Harbison Shores
  • Generations of Irmo
  • Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
  • South Carolina Assisted Living Association
  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Kathy Benson
  • International Christian Hospice
Home Care Irmo, SC

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 Irmo, SC

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 Irmo, SC 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 Irmo, SC

Latest News in Irmo, SC

Woman thought she won $1,000 on SC lottery game, but her prize was much bigger

A Midlands woman who had her husband buy some lottery tickets initially thought she’d won $1,000 on one of the scratch-off games, according to South Carolina Education Lottery officials.Upon closer inspection, the payout was much bigger and the couple actually won a $100,000 grand prize, officials said in a news release.“I about jumped out of my skin,...

A Midlands woman who had her husband buy some lottery tickets initially thought she’d won $1,000 on one of the scratch-off games, according to South Carolina Education Lottery officials.

Upon closer inspection, the payout was much bigger and the couple actually won a $100,000 grand prize, officials said in a news release.

“I about jumped out of my skin,” she said in the release.

The couple originally hadn’t gone out to get lottery tickets, officials said. They were getting hamburgers at a Burger King in Irmo when the husband told the wife he was going to run inside the nearby Pitt Stop gas station/convenience store, according to the release.

“I asked him to get me two of the pink tickets,” the woman said. “They are my favorite.”

One of the “pink tickets,” was Lady Jumbo Bucks Crossword game that the man bought for $3 at the Broad River Road store, which is near Exit 101 on Interstate 26.

Inside their car, the woman scratched off the ticket.

“I thought I won $1,000,” she said.

On the way home, she counted the words on her ticket again and realized she had missed one and her jackpot was actually 100-times larger, officials said.

In total, she uncovered 11 words on the ticket to win the game’s top prize, according to the release.

“I was overwhelmed with joy,” she said.

The winners will be allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.

The couple told officials that they plan to spend their newfound six-figure windfall on home improvements.

The couple overcame 600,000-to-1 odds to win the Lady Jumbo Bucks Crossword game’s grand prize, according to the release.

The Pitt Stop in Irmo received a commission of $1,000 for selling the claimed ticket.

If you build it, they will shred. Irmo skate park gains national attention

Irmo’s new skate park hasn’t been open long, but it’s already getting attention.Tucked away in the Friarsgate neighborhood inside Rawls Creek Park, it hosted the Boardr series, a national, all-ages skateboarding contest, on March 28-29. The event drew hundreds to the park to watch talented skateboarders show off their skills, said Marie Ryan, a volunteer on the committee that worked to get the skate park built.“There were 71 contestants there from 20 states, from Texas to Maine,” Ryan said.T...

Irmo’s new skate park hasn’t been open long, but it’s already getting attention.

Tucked away in the Friarsgate neighborhood inside Rawls Creek Park, it hosted the Boardr series, a national, all-ages skateboarding contest, on March 28-29. The event drew hundreds to the park to watch talented skateboarders show off their skills, said Marie Ryan, a volunteer on the committee that worked to get the skate park built.

“There were 71 contestants there from 20 states, from Texas to Maine,” Ryan said.

The activity on the 8,500-square-foot skating area is vindication for Ryan and others who organized and pushed for years to get the skating amenity added to the park.

She estimates that anywhere from 50 to 100 people use the park daily, just based on how many people she sees during her frequent visits.

On a recent Friday afternoon, a half-dozen elementary school-aged skateboarding students in matching blue helmets were riding around the park’s concrete bowl learning tricks from Joshua Robinson, who teaches skateboarding for the after-school program at Universal Outreach Church.

“For summer camp, I bring them out here every morning,” Robinson said. “This will be the first summer we can skate in this park.”

Previously, Robinson’s class had to travel around to other skating venues in the area, or just learn the basics on a ramp set up in the church’s parking lot. Having the skate park here, a 10-minute walk from the church, will make the program much more convenient for the kids.

“Way before the park was open, the town wasn’t even totally sold on it,” said Alonzo Johnson, the pastor at Universal Outreach. “We started hosting on the campus here, and the community excitement drew 150 kids out there, and that demonstrated to the town that there was an interest in this sort of thing.”

“I think it’s mentally beneficial for kids because it gives them something to do, and it’s a low barrier to entry,” Robinson said. “Kids like to do it because it’s something you can do on your own terms. There’s not a lot of rules. ... I got into it because there wasn’t anyone telling me what I had to do or how to organize my time.”

Near where Robinson’s students are learning to ollie, three men from North Carolina are performing their own tricks. They previously came to Irmo for the Boardr event, but were so impressed with the park’s layout they made the trip back to skate some more.

“It’s nice that it has trees,” said Tony Gregerson. “You’d be surprised how many skate parks don’t have trees and shade. It can get brutal in the summer.”

His friends Nathan Lemker and Brian Stephenson agreed Irmo’s was one of the top skate parks they have seen in their years riding.

“I would say it’s in the top three or four,” said Stephenson, who estimates he’s skated at a baker’s dozen of parks across the Carolinas. Because of its more even-sided obstacles, Irmo’s course is “more open to both regular and goofy (i.e., right-footed or left-footed) skating,” the North Carolinian said.

Irmo Mayor Bill Danielson said Boardr is planned to be an annual event in Irmo, with the skating competition slated to return to Rawls Creek next March. The mayor said it was one of the most successful initial events the town has done.

“The guy who runs all of it said we probably have one of the top five in the country because of the way it’s designed and how many competitors can use it,” Danielson said. “There were people there from 5 to 60 in age. Everybody came in that weekend, stayed in our hotels and ate at our restaurants. It’s an excellent facility.”

He credited Ryan with leading the push for the park. David Toole, owner of Bluetile Skateboards in Five Points, said he’d wanted a good skate park to open for years when Ryan and others spoke to him about the efforts in Irmo.

“They had a timeline of six months, and I thought, ‘y’all are crazy,’” he said. “It’ll be five to 10 years.”

But in just a couple years, Irmo was able to get the park completed by dedicated skate park designers 5th Pocket for a cost of $380,000. It had a soft open last fall, but the Boardr event was considered the park’s grand opening.

“She’s the GOAT of the whole thing,” Toole said, using the initials for “Greatest of All Time.” “She has a knack for staying on the ball.”

The Southern California-born Ryan has six children between the ages of 11 and 26 who are avid skateboarders. Thanks to them, she was part of a community push to add a skate park to the town.

“I’m a stay-at-home mom, so I was able to just kind of stay with this project,” she said. “There was a small committee involved in it since the beginning, then we really started having discussions with local business owners, and really just got everybody to be behind.”

That effort eventually won over the support of Irmo’s top decision-makers.

“Mayor Danielson really helped, [Town Administrator] Courtney Dennis, everybody came together with hospitality tax dollars,” Ryan said. “We raised the money for the design, donated skateboards. The community just saw the need for it.”

Toole donated a hundred skateboards from Bluetile to participants at the Boardr event, Danielson said, “so it was a huge event from that standpoint.”

“The people who are able to advocate for these parks tend to be older, more affluent skateboarders, and they don’t want what the kids want,” Toole said. “Irmo is very entry level. Pretty much anyone can go and have fun. Someone who is very skilled might get bored, but you can skate in it and find joy.”

”I live right next to [Owens Field Skate Park], and I’ll drive to Irmo five times over to skate there,” Toole said.

Even when the Irmo Skate Park isn’t hosting huge events, the community still gets a lot of use out of the facility.

”I never drive by there when there isn’t somebody up there riding,” the mayor said. “It’s always in use.”

“It’s a skate park everybody can use,” Ryan said. “It goes from beginner to advanced.”

Trip to SC Food Lion includes buying Powerball ticket. Now more shopping likely

During a recent shopping trip to a Columbia-area Food Lion a Midlands man bought a Powerball ticket before leaving the grocery store, according to South Carolina Education Lottery officials.Although his ticket was one number away from winning the game’s $154 grand prize in February, the man’s decision to get a Powerball ticket paid off with a $100,000 jackpot...

During a recent shopping trip to a Columbia-area Food Lion a Midlands man bought a Powerball ticket before leaving the grocery store, according to South Carolina Education Lottery officials.

Although his ticket was one number away from winning the game’s $154 grand prize in February, the man’s decision to get a Powerball ticket paid off with a $100,000 jackpot, officials said in a news release.

He purchased the six-figure winning Powerball game at the Food Lion supermarket at 1339 Dutch Fork Road in Irmo, according to the release. That’s near Lake Murray.

The winning numbers in the Feb. 12 drawing were 21, 32, 36, 45, 49 and Powerball: 18.

Because he purchased the Power Play option for an additional dollar, his initial $50,000 prize was doubled when the Power Play number was revealed to be 2, officials said.

The odds of matching four white ball numbers and the red Powerball number were 1-in-913,129, according to the release.

“It was a welcome surprise,” the man said in the release.

While several more shopping trips could be in his future, the winner said he’s still making plans for spending his newfound windfall, according to the release. But he’s already given some to charity, officials said.

The winner is allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.

For selling the claimed ticket, the Food Lion in Irmo received a commission of $1,000, according to the release.

The jackpot for Monday’s Powerball drawing is $139 million, according to the game’s website.

Anyone looking to buy a ticket must make a purchase by 9:59 p.m. Monday for the 10:59 p.m. drawing. Tickets are $2, and could cost more with additional options.

The odds of winning Powerball’s grand prize are 1-in-293 million.

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