It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Lexington County Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Lexington, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Very professional and friendly office staff. They are also easy to communicate with. I recommend”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here at Always Best Care over”
“This is a great company and I would recommended to everyone. I have been with”
“I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident Always Best Care of the Midlands”
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver has changed a lot for me”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with his personal care and the”
“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.”
“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.”
“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 ????”
“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!”
“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!”
“Nice people to work with”
“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.”
“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!”
“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 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 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 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,”
“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.”
“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.”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the job. The people they hire can improve.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver has changed a lot for me and has done errands for me. I would tell a friend that Donna is great.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with his personal care and the cooking. They're very accommodating and the communication is very good.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Gibson Pond Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Private Property or visit Laurance Corley House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Lexington, 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.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Lexington, 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.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Lexington, 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.
Final scores from high school football action around Columbia and South Carolina. It’s the last week of the regular season for public schools, and the first week of the playoffs for private schools.ThursdaySouth Aiken 40, Airport 27Gilbert 52, Aiken 7FridayRegular SeasonBatesburg-Leesville 8, Strom Thurmond 7Chapin 35, White Knoll 34Dutch Fork 24, Irmo 14Fairfield Central 45, Mid-Carolina 13Newberry 33, Silver Bluff 21North Augusta 20, Gra...
Final scores from high school football action around Columbia and South Carolina. It’s the last week of the regular season for public schools, and the first week of the playoffs for private schools.
Thursday
South Aiken 40, Airport 27
Gilbert 52, Aiken 7
Friday
Regular Season
Batesburg-Leesville 8, Strom Thurmond 7
Chapin 35, White Knoll 34
Dutch Fork 24, Irmo 14
Fairfield Central 45, Mid-Carolina 13
Newberry 33, Silver Bluff 21
North Augusta 20, Gray Collegiate 17
River Bluff 24, Lexington 10
Saluda 57, American Leadership 0
Sumter 49, Ridge View 6
West Florence 53, Spring Valley 12
SCISA Playoffs
Augusta Christian 17, Ben Lippen 7
Hammond 35, Cardinal Newman 6
Porter-Gaud 44, Heathwood Hall 13
Northside Christian 53, First Baptist 28
Richard Winn 51, Newberry Academy 16
Jefferson Davis 46, W.W. King 22
Regular Season
Abbeville 48, McCormick 6
Blackville-Hilda 35, Ridge Spring-Monetta 12
Boiling Springs 41, Eastside 0
Cane Bay 28, Berkeley 23
Carolina Forest 49, North Myrtle Beach 24
Chesnee 47, Blacksburg 13
Christ Church 34, St. Joseph’s 14
Clinton 42, Liberty 22
Conway 49, St James 35
Daniel 42, Seneca 21
Fountain Inn 35, Laurens 14
Gaffney 27, Spartanburg 24
Greenville 49, Easley 21
Greenwood 35, Mauldin 13
Greer 51, Travelers Rest 0
Hilton Head Island 42, Bluffton 7
JL Mann 35, Woodmont 6
Mountain View Prep 48, Union County 7
Myrtle Beach 35, Socastee 23
Palmetto 57, Carolina High and Academy 6
Pendleton 26, Blue Ridge 0
Pickens 52, Berea 0
Powdersville 44, Southside Christian 0
Riverside 44, Wade Hampton 20
Stratford 21, Goose Creek 14
TL Hanna 43, Hillcrest 21
Ware Shoals 36, Whitmire 34
West Florence 53, Spring Valley 12
Westside 61, Southside 0
Woodruff 35, Broome 14
Wren 42, Emerald 25
Class 4A
Hammond 35, Cardinal Newman 6
Augusta Christian 17, Ben Lippen 7
Porter-Gaud 44, Heathwood Hall 13
Northwood 49, Laurence Manning 20
Class 3A
Wilson Hall 25, John Paul II 14
Hilton Head Christian 42, Florence Christian 7
Pinewood Prep 49, Trinity Collegiate 13
Northside Christian 53, First Baptist 28
Class 2A
Pee Dee Academy 56, Spartanburg Christian 19
Greenwood Christian 28, St. John’s Christian 14
Hilton Head Prep at Calhoun Academy
Bethesda 36, Orangeburg Prep 0
Class A
Thomas Heyward 55, Lee Academy 12
Dorchester 45, Colleton Prep 7
Williamsburg Academy 55, Patrick Henry 6
Beaufort Academy 23, Carolina Academy 21
8-Man
Richard Winn 51, Newberry Academy 16
Wardlaw 46, Holly Hill 44
Jefferson Davis 46, WW King 22
Laurens Academy 56, Cross Schools 22
This story was originally published November 8, 2024, 7:00 PM.
November 7, 2024 - USL Super League (USLSL)Lexington SC forward Madi Parsons (center)(Lexington Sporting Club, Credit: Tommy Quarles)LEXINGTON, Ky. - Lexington Sporting Club is set to return home after a lengthy four-match road trip that saw it earn its first two wins in club history. Now home, the Greens return to Lexington SC Stadium for a revenge match against Dallas Trinity FC. Kickoff against the Trinity is schedule...
November 7, 2024 - USL Super League (USLSL)
Lexington SC forward Madi Parsons (center)(Lexington Sporting Club, Credit: Tommy Quarles)
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Lexington Sporting Club is set to return home after a lengthy four-match road trip that saw it earn its first two wins in club history. Now home, the Greens return to Lexington SC Stadium for a revenge match against Dallas Trinity FC. Kickoff against the Trinity is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET from Lexington, Kentucky.
Lexington SC (2-6-2, 8 points) is coming off an unfortunate loss on the road against Tampa Bay Sun FC inside Riverfront Stadium in Tampa. The loss concluded the Greens' four match road stint which saw them earn an average of 1.5 points per match. Now finishing the Fall schedule at home, LSC will look to finish strong in its last four games before winter.
Dallas Trinity FC (3-1-4, 13 points) is coming off a 1-0 win over Fort Lauderdale United that it earned inside the Cotton Bowl. The win marked the fourth consecutive point-bearing result for the Trinity (WDDW) and propelled the Lone Star outfit into third in the USL Super League table.
TUNE IN:
The match will be streaming live on Peacock.
For in-game content, follow Lexington SC on Twitter and Instagram.
For in-game stats, head to the Match Center.
GAME NOTES
Lexington SC is facing off with Dallas Trinity for the second time this season. The first time the pair met was in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas in LSC's third match of the season. That match saw the season debut of goalkeeper Sarah Cox.
LSC is led in its inaugural season by head coach Michael Dickey. Dickey is the club's first women's professional coach, with Michelle Rayner serving as women's sporting director and Ben Willis and Maren McCrary being Dickey's assistants.
Kailey Utley and Madi Parsons both found the net the first time LSC faced off against Dallas, with Utley's goal coming in the seventh minute. The goal in Dallas is currently Utley's only of the season.
Madi Parsons was named USL Super League Player of the Month for the month of October, becoming the first Green to ever earn the honor in the USL Super League. Parsons logged an assist in the club's loss to Tampa, bringing her total up to four goals and four assists for eight goal contributions on the year. Parsons is co-leading scorer of the squad alongside Sydney Shepherd, who she assisted in the Tampa match.
Madison White is the woman to watch for Dallas Trinity FC. The USL Super League October Goalkeeper of the Month, White has done well to ensure that the Trinity remain in the bottom half of the league in goals allowed. Looking at Trinity's recent form, White has secured two shutouts in the club's last three games and has played a key role in its ongoing four-match point-bearing streak. While LSC has displayed a proficient attack so far this season, leading the league in goals scored, White will do her best to keep the Greens off the board and getting past her is the only way to secure a key three points.
| Lexington SC forward Madi Parsons (center)(Tommy Quarles) |
• Discuss this story on the USL Super League message board...
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Customers of a Midlands health care system could be at risk of losing their in-network coverage, depending on the outcome of ongoing negotiations with one of the nation’s largest insurance companies.Lexington Medical Center this week sent out a notification to all of its patients who have Aetna insurance that the West Columbia-based health care provider could be dropped as an in-network option for the insurance giant.“Lexington Medical Center is c...
Customers of a Midlands health care system could be at risk of losing their in-network coverage, depending on the outcome of ongoing negotiations with one of the nation’s largest insurance companies.
Lexington Medical Center this week sent out a notification to all of its patients who have Aetna insurance that the West Columbia-based health care provider could be dropped as an in-network option for the insurance giant.
“Lexington Medical Center is currently in negotiations with Aetna Healthcare on its commercial contract set to terminate on February 1, 2025,” the medical center said in a message sent to patients. “We are diligently working in good faith to remain an in-network provider with Aetna Healthcare, but our status is doubtful.”
The message was sent, Lexington Medical Center said, so that patients can consider making different selections for the health care coverage for the coming year.
“We know many of you are going through open enrollment with your employer and want to make the most informed decision when selecting health care coverage, which is why we are letting you know now,” the message said.
Besides its West Columbia hospital near Interstate 26, Lexington Medical Center operates 44 separate practices and specialists throughout the Midlands, from oncologists to podiatrists to urgent cares. All of them would be affected if negotiations between the health provider and the insurer don’t come to some kind of resolution.
While Lexington Medical Center said it would continue to serve Aetna customers, “you may be subject to the out-of-network terms of your health plan, which generally results in higher out-of-pocket costs to you,” it said.
The center offers financial assistance programs for patients, and ongoing treatments may be eligible for continuity of care during a transitional period while customers find another provider. Emergency services will also continue to be treated as in-network, the medical center said.
Asked for comment by The State, a Lexington Medical Center spokesperson said in a statement, “We are working to remain an in-network provider with Aetna Healthcare, and we hope to reach a mutually beneficial agreement to care for the patients we serve.”
In a statement sent via email, a spokesperson for Aetna’s parent company CVS Health said the company was likewise working to renew its contract with Lexington Medical.
”We are hopeful that we will reach an agreement that keeps them in our networks while keeping health care services affordable for our members and health plan sponsors,” the company said.
The State
Bristow Marchant covers local government, schools and community in Lexington County for The State. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2007. He has almost 20 years of experience covering South Carolina at the Clinton Chronicle, Sumter Item and Rock Hill Herald. He joined The State in 2016. Bristow has won numerous awards, most recently the S.C. Press Association’s 2023 faith reporting award for his coverage of the breakup of the United Methodist Church.
In our Reality Check stories, The State journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? Email [email protected] is one of the fastest growing counties in South Carolina. Or is it?As the area west of the Congaree River and Columbia and Richland County continues to ...
In our Reality Check stories, The State journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? Email [email protected].
Lexington is one of the fastest growing counties in South Carolina. Or is it?
As the area west of the Congaree River and Columbia and Richland County continues to deal with a variety of new developments and corresponding issues such as maintaining local roads, the quickness of the county’s population growth is both frequently cited and frequently questioned by local leaders and residents arguing passionately about how they want the place they call home to look heading into the future.
So, just how fast is Lexington County growing? How does it compare with other counties in South Carolina? And what indicators should we look to when making those determinations?
It’s first important to consider that Lexington County sits in a state and region where the population is growing quickly, said Jerry Mitchell, chair of the geography department at the University of South Carolina. In 2023, the state was the nation’s fastest growing, seeing an uptick of 1.7%.
“The Western and Southwestern and Southeastern parts of the United States are growing faster,” Mitchell said, but he noted that this doesn’t mean all states in these regions are gaining population.
“Mississippi and Louisiana have lost population. It’s not just California, New York,” he added. “But South Carolina, depending what time frame you look at, we’ve been No. 1.”
So when Lexington County charts anywhere near the top of the heap for growth in S.C. counties, that means it’s growing quickly compared to many other parts of the country.
Mitchell said the most accurate measure of growth is the official U.S. census, done every 10 years. During the most recent frame counted, 2010 to 2020, Lexington’s growth rate of 12.04% ranked No. 11 among South Carolina’s 46 counties. The county added nearly 32,000 people during that time to claim a 2020 population of nearly 294,000.
During that same period, coastal Horry County, home of Myrtle Beach, topped the list with a growth rate of 30.35%, adding nearly 82,000 people to claim a 2020 population exceeding 351,000.
A better understanding of trends and short-term growth can be found in the annual estimates the U.S. Census Bureau provides in between its full once-a-decade counts, Mitchell said.
“The census also does something called an American Community Survey, where they survey [more than 3.5 million] households across the country each year, and they make sure they get representation in each state,” he said.
The numbers culled from this process say much the same about Lexington County’s population increase from 2010 to 2020, as its growth rate of 7.02% between 2010 and 2015 ranked No. 10 in the state and its mark of 7.84% between 2015 and 2020 also ranked No. 10.
U.S. census numbers in more recent years show that Lexington’s growth ranking hasn’t really changed much.
Estimates show that Lexington grew by 5.3% between 2020 and 2023, gaining more than 15,500 people to claim a population of nearly 310,000 and ranking No. 11 in the state in terms of percentage growth during that stretch. Lexington’s rank slips to No. 15 when you look at the numbers from between 2022 and 2023, when the county grew by about 1.4% as it added more than 4,400 people. It remains the state’s sixth most populous county.
But Lexington is outpacing its more populated neighbor, Richland County.
Richland’s estimated population as of 2023 is more than 425,000, but its growth ranked No. 21 at 2.2% between 2020 and 2023 (adding nearly 9,000 people) and No. 23 at 0.9% between 2022 and 2023 (adding more than 3,600 people).
Mitchell cautioned that judging growth by percentages doesn’t always paint an accurate picture. He pointed to Jasper County, which sat at No. 1 in terms of percentage growth in the state between 2022 and 2023, having grown by 4.9%. But in terms of raw population, it gained fewer than 1,600 people.
“That’s like a hiccup,” Mitchell said.
When it comes to the sheer number of people added, Jasper ranked No. 16 between 2022 and 2023, while Lexington ranked No. 6 and Richland ranked No. 9. Horry County led the way, ranking No 1 with its addition of more than 14,300 people. (Horry’s percentage growth of 3.7% ranked No. 3.)
Looking at the official U.S. census numbers, Lexington’s addition of nearly 31,600 between 2010 and 2020 ranked No. 9 in the state, just below Richland’s 31,649. Horry topped the list with its nearly 82,000.
Gregory Sprouse, director of research, planning and development for the Central Midlands Council of Governments, said there’s another metric to look at as far as how much a county might grow moving forward.
“We’ve always felt like residential building permit activity is a pretty good indicator of growth,” he said, noting that the Building Industry Association of Central SC maintains a database of these numbers for counties in the Midlands.
According to the association’s numbers, compared to its neighbors in Richland and Kershaw County (where the 2023 population was estimated to be nearly 70,000), a lot of building permits are being issued in Lexington County. Every year since 2013, more permits have been issued in Lexington than in Richland:
But it’s unclear exactly when and how building permit activity will translate into real growth.
“If you’re seeing permits issued now, it doesn’t necessarily mean that those same units are going to have certificates of occupancy over the next year,” Sprouse said. “Sometimes it can take a lot longer for things to fully build out.”
This story was originally published November 7, 2024, 5:00 AM.
A man who’s a teacher at a Columbia-area school was arrested for assaulting two students this year, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.Jermaine Cornelius Singletary, 51, was charged with two counts of third-degree assault & battery, the sheriff’s department said Wednesday i...
A man who’s a teacher at a Columbia-area school was arrested for assaulting two students this year, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.
Jermaine Cornelius Singletary, 51, was charged with two counts of third-degree assault & battery, the sheriff’s department said Wednesday in a news release.
The sheriff’s department said Singletary teaches at Irmo Middle School. The Lexington-Richland 5 school is on Wesctott Road near the intersection with St. Andrews Road, in the area of Columbia between Harbison Boulevard and Lake Murray Boulevard.
While Singletary is listed on the roster of teachers on the school’s website, a link to his bio leads to an error page.
“School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties received notification that a district employee has been arrested,” L-R 5 officials told The State when asked about Singletary. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement in their investigation, and the employee is on administrative leave.”
The assaults involved two students in incidents that were separated by several months this year, according to the sheriff’s department release.
Singletary struck a student in March after he thought the student touched his head, the sheriff’s department said. The teacher hit another student in October after the student retrieved a portion of an assignment Singletary threw in a trash can, according to the release.
Information on the students’ conditions, and if they needed any medical treatment, was not available.
Singletary did not report either incident to school administrators, the sheriff’s department said.
“When we became aware of these two incidents, we opened our investigation and determined Singletary allegedly assaulted two students on two separate occasions,” Sheriff Jay Koon said in the release.
Singletary turned himself in Wednesday morning and was booked into the Lexington County Detention Center, the sheriff’s department said. No bond has been set and Singletary remains locked up, jail records show.
Following a bond hearing, the Columbia resident is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 19, Lexington County judicial records show.
If convicted on the misdemeanor assault and battery charges, Singletary faces a maximum punishment of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine for each count, according to South Carolina law.
There was no word what a conviction would mean to Singletary’s status with L-R 5, and if he would lose his teaching certification.
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
The State
Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription
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