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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 Capella, NC

Home Care Capella, NC

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Capella Church of Christ in Capella, NC 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 Capella, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

Home Care Capella, NC

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”

Kelly P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”

Ffbjj B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”

Beth G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This company is TOP-NOTCH! Incredibly helpful and super friendly. If you’re looking for a part-time in caregiving, this is it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

MJ F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”

Meredith K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”

Ginger M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”

Michael B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“These folks are so helpful! They care about their clients and it shows in the service! I highly recommend ????”

Mary E.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”

Phillip B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”

Barry C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”

Laura M.

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

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

Home Care Capella, NC

Types of Elderly Care in Capella, NC

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
Home Care Capella, NC
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
Home Care Capella, NC
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Capella Van Park in Capella, NC 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 Capella, NC
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local La Cappella Restaurante or visit Capella, 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.

Home Care Capella, NC

Benefits of Home Care in Capella, NC

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Capella, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Home Care Capella, NC

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your NC's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Home Care Capella, NC

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Capella, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Home Care Capella, NC

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Home Care Capella, NC

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Capella
  • Capella
  • Cappella of Grand Junction
  • Cappella Pueblo West
  • Cappella Living Solutions
  • CarePatrol of WinstonSalem, NC
Home Care Capella, NC

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

Home Care Capella, NC

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Capella, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Home Care Capella, NC

Latest News in Capella, NC

UNC a cappella group hits the right notes at quarterfinal competition

For UNC a cappella group The Tarpeggios, winning first place is secondary to the creative process.On Feb. 10, the mixed-voice group received the highest score at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella South Quarterfinal, held at Durham’s Carolina Theatre."I just felt so proud of what we had achieved," Kai Turik, a senior at UNC and the group's president,said. "And even if we hadn't placed, that feeling was not going to go away."The tournament is hosted by Varsity Vocals, which h...

For UNC a cappella group The Tarpeggios, winning first place is secondary to the creative process.

On Feb. 10, the mixed-voice group received the highest score at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella South Quarterfinal, held at Durham’s Carolina Theatre.

"I just felt so proud of what we had achieved," Kai Turik, a senior at UNC and the group's president,said. "And even if we hadn't placed, that feeling was not going to go away."

The tournament is hosted by Varsity Vocals, which has held more than 85 yearly competitions around the globe for 24 years. The organization bills itself as "the real-life ‘Pitch Perfect’,” which refers to a fictionalized ICCA competition depicted in the 2012 movie of the same name.

At the South Quarterfinal, ten selected regional collegiate a cappella groups, including N.C. State University’sLadies in Red and the University of South Carolina’s Cockappella, performed for a panel of five judges who evaluated their sets on a numeric scale.

The Tarpeggios, along with other UNC group and second-place finisher Tar Heel Voices, will advance to the South Semifinal, which will also be held at the Carolina Theatre on March 16.

This is the fourth time that The Tarpeggios have won the regional quarterfinals.

In addition to the top prize, two Tarpeggios, junior Elena Holder and sophomore Nikhil Sathyanathan won outstanding soloist awards.

At Wednesday’s rehearsal in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union, however, the group wasted little time on celebration, diving straight into preparing for an upcoming gig at the North Carolina Botanical Garden and polishing their ICCA set in anticipation of the semifinals.

Turiksaid the group’s next steps were to incorporate the judges’ written feedback and continue to improve upon the set as a whole.

“We just want to do even better than we did before,” they said.

Although Turik said there were parts of the set that could be fine-tuned, winning was an opportunity to appreciate how the individual members’ showmanship and dedication to theatricality contributed to its success.

Winning soloist Holdersaid that the group made an effort to convey a narrative and thematic through line with the set’s songs, arrangements and choreography.

Thefive-song set began with Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” followed by a dance-pop number by RAYE, a Michael Jackson tune and Alanis Morisette’s “Forgiven” before concluding with a gospel ballad from the band Gabriels.

“We wanted to tell a story of being broken and then leaning on to things that probably aren’t good for you, and then after that, going into fulfillment with yourself without those things,” Holder said.

Sathyanathan, the other top-scoring soloist, said that while he did not know he was going to win first place for his part in the Gabriels song, he felt that he displayed all of his emotions onstage.

“I could be myself on that stage because as much as I was nervous, I was also super excited,” he said.

Sathyanathan said that his favorite part of his involvement with the Tarpeggios for the past two years was the supportive community and learning environment the members have cultivated.

Before coming to UNC, he had never been in an a cappella group, but he said his prior training with Indian classical music has given him a distinct musical perspective that he enjoys bringing to the table.

“I’m able to surround myself with fantastic musicians every day and learn from them,” he said.

Tickets for the 2024 ICCA South Semifinals are on sale now at on Varsity Vocals’ website. Standard admission is $35, but there is a $5 discount for children under 10 as well as students.

@phoebemartel1

State Issues: North Carolina

A Paper On AnalysisIf you are seeking help in this area, please let one of our therapists know. Theravive has thousands of licensed counselors available to help you right away.The following article may have multiple collaborators and thus, parts of it may not represent the official positions of Theravive.Capella UniversityAbstract North Carolina has many issues to overcome in the area of mental health. While things are beginning to change with the new CAHBA regulations, the sequence of services ...

A Paper On Analysis

If you are seeking help in this area, please let one of our therapists know. Theravive has thousands of licensed counselors available to help you right away.

The following article may have multiple collaborators and thus, parts of it may not represent the official positions of Theravive.

Capella University

Abstract North Carolina has many issues to overcome in the area of mental health. While things are beginning to change with the new CAHBA regulations, the sequence of services is halting at every turn as local and state agencies try to figure out where to put mental health clients. Here the reader will get a glimpse of the state of mental health in North Carolina and a glimmer of hope for the future of the services and the clients that they are intended to save.

State Issues: North Carolina Mental Health issues are forever changing and these changes vary from state to state. This paper will cover mental health topics in the state of North Carolina and include information on recent developments of mental health issues within this state as well as licensure requirements, funding sources, and the sequence of services from local to state level.

Hot Topics in North Carolina The major hot topic dealing with mental health in the state of North Carolina deals with the availability of services for clients who are in dire need of them. Many mental health institutions have been closed to do cuts in funding and this has left many people in the cold without any place to turn for help. One of the latest articles in on the website for North Carolinas National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) states that in Wake County (where the capital of North Carolina is found) people with mental health issues would be helped and that would happen in the near future. “The Wake County Board of Commissioners is partnering with UNC’s health care system and the state health and human services department to replace Wake’s local mental health agency, which monitors and provides some care to eligible people with behavioral health problems.” (Goldsmith, 2011).

Treatments will be based upon payment per person from Medicaid as well as other agencies that help fund treatment for low income clients. With changes coming in the federal health care level, half a million people in the state of North Carolina could be getting Medicaid services and this has caused officials to move much more quickly to get plans and places in order for mental health clients. This type of managed care will help to ensure the best possible treatment for mental health clients. “The changes, including the ability to dismiss providers who don't get results, are all part of pressure from the state and from the federal government to get a handle on costs in Medicaid, one of the most expensive entitlement programs.” (Goldsmith, 2011). So, while the government is in essence, doing much of this to help itself, the clients will also fall under the umbrella of betterment.

Another hot topic in North Carolina is using unlicensed mental health workers to provide client care such as paraprofessionals and associate professionals. The services provided by these types of worker typically fall into the areas of day programs and in home intensive services. This hot topic is led to a huge change in North Carolina mental health.

Recent Changes One of the biggest changes the face of mental health has seen in the state of North Carolina is CABHA. DSS “has approved a definition and description of a new category of provider agency, a Critical Access Behavioral Health Agency (CABHA). The CABHA represents a new category of provider agency for the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services.”(Critical Access Behavioral Health Agency, 2009).This new program was put in place for places that employ unlicensed mental health workers. Its main goal is to ensure quality of care provided by the unlicensed workers to the clients and that each worker is under the direct supervision of a clinical licensed professional. Under CABHA, unlicensed workers can now do intensive in home care, day treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation, and substance abuse treatment just to name a few. Beginning in 2010, any individual or company seeking to open a treatment center or group home (all levels) are required to meet CAHBA criteria.

In the past it was fairly easy to open up companies like this but with the CAHBA regulations it has been quite an undertaking. One very specific requirement that is taking some time to complete deals with person centered thinking training. “Effective immediately, Critical Access Behavioral Health Agencies (CABHAs) have the following options to meet the 12 Hour Person Centered Thinking training requirements set forth in Intensive In-Home, Community Support Team, Day Treatment and Mental Health/Substance Abuse Targeted Case Management service definitions.”(Purdue, 2011). This is a good thing however, as the programs that existed before these regulations came about were very loosely monitored and many times, more harm than good was done to the client.

Licensure Requirements North Carolina has a strict set of requirements to become a licensed mental health professional. (Hence the great need for unlicensed workers.) The NC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors require that in order to become a LPC the applicant must have 2,000 hours of direct counseling hours (internship and practicum do not count)and 100 hours of clinical supervision. “Hours of supervised professional practice accrued with a qualified clinical supervisor who was Board approved for the applicant prior to October 1, 2009” (NCBLP, 2011).Also, all educational requirements must be met and the examination passed. It is also required that once licensed, the counselor put in 45 hours of continuing education each year. This can be traditional classroom work or work under another professional who can teachthe topic required. Many of the requirements of continuing education revolve around diversity and multicultural training.

Funding Sources Most of the funding in North Carolina comes from state run agencies such as DSS and provided by Medicaid. There are also several non-profit organizations and private hospitals that invest time and money into getting North Carolina’s mental health services up and running again. For example, much private and state funding went into providing extensive services at the state mental health hospital in Butner, North Carolina.

Sequence of Services As with all medical things, there is a sequence of services in mental health as well. This has fallen under harsh criticism in North Carolina over the past 4 years as funding was cut and the sequence seemed to break down at the very beginning. It is the responsibility of the local agencies to provide care for people with mental health issues. An assessment is done and it is dependent upon the results of what will happen next. Outpatient local service may be deemed the best course of action. If there is no improvement within this boundary then the state issues an assessment. If inpatient services are found to be needed then the placement process begins. This is still a difficult process for North Carolina as they are still getting a grip on the mental health help deficient that the state has been experiencing. Placement is typically found within a state run facility.

World View of the Mental Health Professional This writer spoke with Shannon Marr about this topic. While she stated that she could not effectively speak for all the counselors of North Carolina, she did feel confident that they all share a common world view. Mrs. Marr stated that “As for the world view of North Carolina counselors, I would have to say that it is that everyone deserves top quality treatment without having to fight for them.” (S. Marr, personal communication, August 20th, 2011). Mrs. Marr further stated that the world views of each person differ depending upon their own beliefs and values but the main goal at the heart of a counselor with pure intent is that all people get the help they need to be mentally healthy and that peace fall upon all who so desperately need it.

Conclusion

North Carolina has a long way to go in revamping its mental health policies. Using unlicensed worker who are required to work under the CAHBA regulations is a step in the right direction. There is an apparent lack of people becoming licensed though the requirements are not any more stringent as requirements found in other states. The lack of professionals may have to do with the fact that there is so much trouble in getting client services, more people are choosing not to go into this currently shaky field. However, even with this lack of licensed professionals to care for clients, things are starting to look up for North Carolina as more people are being treated under Medicaid and other nonprofit organizations. There is still much work to be done but at least there are people advocating for change to appear.

References Goldsmith, T. (2011, August 16). Wake will revamp mental health care. News& Observer,

NCBLP, (2011). Licensed professional counselor. Retrieved from http://www.ncblpc.org/application-info/lpc

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health. (2009). Critical access behavioral health agency

Purdue, B. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Mental Health. (2001). Implementation update #86

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