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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 Pawleys Island, SC

Home Care Pawleys Island, 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 Old Town Hall 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 Pawleys Island, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Pawleys Island, 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

“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
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Michael B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Cindy S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I don't have transportation so I rely on them to take me to my chance treatment. I like how they take control of who they have.”

Ann A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They are my mother's means with her transportation. My mother enjoys her caregiver.”

Greg M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider The help is very welcome and I have a great caregiver. I don't like that they don't have much staff, but I do like my caregiver.”

Dawn F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom and all areas and for safety reasons they help with the showering. Some things have improved because at one point they weren't communicating that someone was coming.”

Joyce S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, SC

Types of Elderly Care in Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island Nature 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 Pawleys Island, 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 Chive Blossom Cafe or visit Pawleys Island Historic District, 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 Pawleys Island, SC

Benefits of Home Care in Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, 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:

  • The Lakes at Litchfield
  • Arbor Landing at Pawleys
  • Tidelands rehabilitation center
Home Care Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, 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 Pawleys Island, SC

Latest News in Pawleys Island, SC

‘Scariest noise you can think of’: Tree crashes into Pawleys Island home during Tropical Storm Idalia

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WBTW) — Some homes in Pawleys Island faced major storm damage from Idalia.That damage was evident on True Blue Drive, where residents said it sounded like a train was coming right before a tree fell on top of their house.“You know, everything happened at one time — the tree crashed, all we heard was a loud noise and we just went to the other side of the house as quickly as possible,” Shannon Wyrick said.Tropical Storm Idalia swept through the Grand Strand area Wednesday after...

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WBTW) — Some homes in Pawleys Island faced major storm damage from Idalia.

That damage was evident on True Blue Drive, where residents said it sounded like a train was coming right before a tree fell on top of their house.

“You know, everything happened at one time — the tree crashed, all we heard was a loud noise and we just went to the other side of the house as quickly as possible,” Shannon Wyrick said.

Tropical Storm Idalia swept through the Grand Strand area Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning.

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The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for the coastline that was in effect from about noon until 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Many residents in Pawleys Island said at about 6 p.m. there was some rain and wind out, but out of nowhere the conditions picked up intensely.

“We just knew between six and all night long that the hurricane would pass through, so I thought the worst part would be later on, so we’re just sitting there after work eating some grapes,” Wyrick said.

Wyrick was in her mother’s home when she and her friend heard a train-like sound and a second later, a tree from their front yard came crashing into the room.

Both Wyrick and her mother said that in the 20 years of living in their Pawleys Island home, they’ve never experienced what felt like a tornado.

“It was just the scariest noise you can think of, just like, loud, because it was just like a tornado, tree crashing, right next to us from the window, we just instantly stood up and tried to go,” Wyrick said. “I knew the safest room in the house would be the laundry room, so we just stood up and I said, ‘let’s go to the laundry room as quick as possible,’ and then we were like, where’s the dog, where’s my mom? We just checked on them.”

Wyrick said this was the last thing she expected to happen to them, especially during a tropical storm.

“Normally, I’m very cautious, I like to evacuate,” she said. “But this one, I was like, it’s not even going to be a hurricane, it’s just a tropical storm coming through so I was like, nothing to worry about.”

Wyrick added that even though part of their house is damaged, no one got hurt.

“Thankful we were all there to all help each other get safe,” she said.

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Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work, here.

Local South Carolina coastal town to be featured in upcoming psychological thriller film

Think, “Midsommar.” Or “Shaun of the Dead.” Or, “The Wicker Man.”These are some of the movies that have inspired 21-year-old film director Mathew Epp in a latest film project that takes place in Pawleys Island.Epp, a Charlotte, North Carolina, resident, graduated from University of North Carolina at Charlotte recently and is working on a new project, “Eden Avenue.” Pawl...

Think, “Midsommar.” Or “Shaun of the Dead.” Or, “The Wicker Man.”

These are some of the movies that have inspired 21-year-old film director Mathew Epp in a latest film project that takes place in Pawleys Island.

Epp, a Charlotte, North Carolina, resident, graduated from University of North Carolina at Charlotte recently and is working on a new project, “Eden Avenue.”

Pawleys Island has the perfect small town nature to it, Epp said. He had been visiting a friend — the lead actor — for the past five or six months and decided it was a perfect setting for the film.

“I just realized like the more and more I go down there, you know, it’s a small town,” Epp said. “It’s a local community. And it’s beautiful.”

“Eden Avenue” follows a group of recent college graduates — Michael, Allie, Nick and Brandon, as they decide to take one last vacation together.

The beach town they end up at is inviting at first, Epp said. The town name “Eden Avenue” is supposed to give the area a motherly, inviting feeling.

But there’s a darker side.

The people of Eden Avenue are infected by the algae in the waters. It turns them into a cult-like group of people bent on infecting the protagonists, Epp explained.

It takes on a theme of “group of kids versus everyone else,” he said.

All of this occurs as the protagonists face internal struggles about change. The movie is character driven, and is much more about personal conflicts, such as accepting change than the cult, he said.

With about 20 working on the project, including a crew of 10 and around five to 10 actors, it’s still a while before local residents can see Pawleys Island on the screen.

Epp said that “Eden Avenue” was still in a pre-production stage, but filming is set to begin this month and will take a few days. The crew is still working on getting permits to film in specific areas.

Local viewers can expect to see a recognizable area in Pawleys Island, including the Pawleys Inlet toward the south end of the beach. Epp said he was working with Clam Bake Cove or Oakley as possible settings as well.

He anticipates a spring 2024 release, with “Eden Avenue” distributed on public platforms and then premiering locally in theaters.

The project members are asking for donations to help with production.

And “Eden Avenue” still has some spots left for extras in some scenes, he said.

Those interested can email Fortis Fortuna Films, the production company, at [email protected].

This story was originally published August 11, 2023, 5:00 AM.

Between Ian and Idalia, resilience plans take shape

Georgetown County delayed replacing three walkways at Litchfield Beach destroyed by Hurricane Ian 10 months ago because there was no place for the contractor to stage equipment during the summer tourist season. So those walkways weren’t at risk from the storm surge expected to coincide with king tides as the remnants of Hurricane Idalia swept over South Carolina this week.Other places were keeping a watch on the storm track, the tide chart and the rain gauge.The town of Pawleys Island just replanted sand dunes and replace...

Georgetown County delayed replacing three walkways at Litchfield Beach destroyed by Hurricane Ian 10 months ago because there was no place for the contractor to stage equipment during the summer tourist season. So those walkways weren’t at risk from the storm surge expected to coincide with king tides as the remnants of Hurricane Idalia swept over South Carolina this week.

Other places were keeping a watch on the storm track, the tide chart and the rain gauge.

The town of Pawleys Island just replanted sand dunes and replaced sand fence. It also completed repairs to a stairway in Town Hall that flooded last fall.

The Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire District just reopened its station at Garden City that was flooded by Ian.

Between Ian and Idalia, both Georgetown County and the town of Pawleys Island have completed resiliency plans required by state law to be part of their comprehensive plans. Both are awaiting final approval. Each takes its cue from the state Office of Resilience, which is defined as “the ability of communities, economies and ecosystems to anticipate, absorb, recover and thrive when presented with environmental change and natural hazards.”

For Pawleys Island, the top goal is to prepare for storm events and flooding. It completed a sea level adaptation plan last year and received $250,000 in the state budget this year to help address flooding.

The town is trying to decide whether to use the funds to complete actual projects, such as installing backflow preventers in pipes that drain stormwater into Pawleys Creek, or to develop designs for larger projects that can help leverage funds for “shovel ready” projects.

“There’s a lot of opportunity,” Mayor Brian Henry said at a recent Town Council meeting.

He favors some combination of the two approaches.

“So many communities have capital improvement plans that end up doing nothing,” Council Member Rocky Holliday said. “I think we have to be cautious.”

Even as Idalia developed in the Gulf of Mexico, the town was warning property owners to prepare for this week’s king tides. To mitigate the impact of “nuisance flooding” caused by rising seas, the town has discussed raising the level of the roads and creating “living shorelines.”

The town’s resilience plan calls for ordinances to encourage “green infrastructure” and regulate the use of hard structures such as bulkheads.

Georgetown County’s plan recommends hiring a resilience coordinator to work with state and federal agencies as well as the municipalities. The coordinator would also lead a working group to help set goals and assess progress.

The plan also recommends the county improve protections for wetlands and trees as ways to reduce flooding and find ways to “guide growth away from high-risk locations.”

“It’s much more robust than what we had originally gotten,” said Pam Martin, a professor at Coastal Carolina University and executive director of the Georgetown RISE sustainable development program. In addition to working on the county plan, she was a member of the advisory council for the resilience plan that the state completed this year.

What the plans need is a common set of benchmarks for measuring progress, Martin said.

“It’s good to have recommendations, but being able to identify indicators by which we can measure our progress and have good conversations around data would make things very clear to the public,” she said. “It would be great if the counties and the state could work together and we all measure the same things.”

And those things don’t have to be complex. They could be as simple as beach walkways.

“That’s a fantastic indicator,” Martin said. They have to be replaced after every major storm. “How much are we spending?”

That’s an area where Pawleys Island can measure progress. After the First Street beach access was destroyed by Hurricane Ian, the town decided to replace it with a $5,500 plastic Mobi-mat rather than a $30,000 wooden walkway.

The mat can be rolled up and moved before a storm. The town hasn’t had to do that, because it only just received a state permit to install the mat. It’s stored under Town Hall.

Another measure would be a stormwater plan like the one Georgetown County adopted last year for the Waccamaw Neck. “How much are we spending? Where are we having flooding?” Martin said.

The county has a $2.9 million federal grant to fund drainage improvements along Highway 17 in Litchfield. County Council awarded an $877,000 contract last week for Woolpert Inc. to engineer and manage the project. It must be completed by December 2025.

Storms like Idalia help focus attention on resiliency.

“We do need events like this,” Martin said. “It reminds us of what people call climate change, an existential threat. It’s a threat now.”

Georgetown County Board of Education: First and third Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Beck Education Center. For details, go to gcsd.k12.sc.us. Georgetown County Council: Second and fourth Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 129 Screven St., Georgetown. For details, go to georgetowncountysc.org. Pawleys Island Town Council: Second Mondays, 5 p.m. Town Hall, 323 Myrtle Ave. For details, go to townofpawleysisland.com. , .

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Pawleys Island residents upset after Heather Drive becomes 'private' road

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WPDE) — Some residents are upset after a street in a Pawleys Island neighborhood was turned into a private road.Many said they were never informed of the change on about a 75-yard section of Heather Drive in the Hagley Estates.A petition to make Heather Drive private was filed in court back in May and recently approved by a master in equity judge.According to one nearby resident, her cul-de-sac has been cut off from Heather Drive. Many neighbors -- including the property owners association pre...

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WPDE) — Some residents are upset after a street in a Pawleys Island neighborhood was turned into a private road.

Many said they were never informed of the change on about a 75-yard section of Heather Drive in the Hagley Estates.

A petition to make Heather Drive private was filed in court back in May and recently approved by a master in equity judge.

According to one nearby resident, her cul-de-sac has been cut off from Heather Drive. Many neighbors -- including the property owners association president – said no one was ever notified.

“It’s frustrating that we didn’t know. It’s very frustrating because that’s the route I take in and out of my house every day. If I went the other way around. It would add 6 minutes to my day every day,” said Nicole Stevenson, who lives on the cul-de-sac next to the private road.

Even the post office wasn't notified initially, which meant some residents were temporarily cut off from getting their mail.

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“My sister who is a senior and our handicapped nephew, who is mentally challenged, they have to have frequent medication deliveries and so waiting on those things was kind of frustrating,” said Susan Jeffers, who also lives on the cul-de-sac next to the private road," said Susan Jeffers.

SC code 57-9-10 requires anyone who files a petition for a road closure to post their intentions on the street and publish it in a newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks.

The South Carolina Press Association tracks such legal notices -- and their database shows no publications were made in papers of record relating to Heather Drive.

Residents said they've informed the county council that no signs were ever posted and they've started an online petition to turn Heather Drive public again, and it's gained about 300 signatures.

“I contacted county council. I know neighbors have gone to meetings. I’ll be at the next council meeting. I’ve contacted everyone I can,” said Stevenson.

ABC15 reached out to the three parties who filed the petition to find out why they turned the road private.

Two declined to comment and one did not respond in time for this publication.

We also reached out to the Georgetown County Attorney and they responded with the following:

"Heather Drive was not closed by any action or process of Georgetown County's Administration or public services department. as a result, the county is unable to reverse this action."

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