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 Bel Air Courthouse Historic District 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 Bel Air, MD 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.
“Always Best care is the best! Their caregiver is very nice with respective attitude. They”
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“I am a past client of this provider ABC Upper Chesapeake provided excellent and compassionate care”
“I met with Elaine Gill as we needed a secure place for my Dad. She”
“I cannot really find the words to say how wonderful the staff is at Always”
“I interviewed this provider I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen”
“I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen to live in”
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“I interviewed this provider Elaine is professional, knowledgeable, and has a heart for people. Her recommendations”
“I interviewed this provider When we needed help getting our Father the proper care we were”
“Always Best care is the best! Their caregiver is very nice with respective attitude. They are all expert and knows their job very well in all ages. I never regret that their service to take care of my grandmother. They are trustworthy, respectful, honest and passionate to their work. I highly recommend them on their work.”
“I am a past client of this provider My mother passed away two months ago after nearly four years of coverage from the team members of ABC Upper Chesapeake. Mom and I were both very pleased with the coverage. ABC was most congenial to do their best to provide Mom with caretakers whom we found suited to Mom's personality and temperament. In the very few cases this was not so, we asked for someone else to care for Mom and this was promptly provided. All in all the caretakers were kind, friendly, competent and helpful, providing Mom with good care and company. Elaine G was very helpful in getting us in contact with the VA so that Mom was able to obtain a monthly benefit entitled to her because of Dad's service in the military. That was a great financial help to us in our particular situation. I strongly recommend this agency for the homebound and ill. They will work with you to do all they can to grant your reasonable requests. Thank you, Elaine and caretakers!”
“I am a past client of this provider ABC Upper Chesapeake provided excellent and compassionate care for my late father during his prolonged decline at age 95. The care enabled him to live in his home with my mom during his final months of life. Elaine worked with me diligently to match my parents' difficult situation with the perfect caregiver. My father was treated with dignity and gentleness when he was no longer able to care for himself at all. It gave our family great peace of mind knowing he was so well cared for.”
“I met with Elaine Gill as we needed a secure place for my Dad. She was very knowledgeable and professional. Fortunately, the second location she showed us was a good fit (Dakota Paradise). I heartily recommend Always Best Care if you want help finding a loved one the proper care.”
“I cannot really find the words to say how wonderful the staff is at Always Best Care of Upper Chesapeake: Highly competent, Comforting, caring, extremely attentive, endlessly patient and reassuring. Elaine Gill has done an amazing job at ensuring that the staff she has are just as committed to ensuring the highest quality of life for every client, as Elaine! You are on the top of my list for any further care services that my family members may need going forward.”
“I interviewed this provider I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen to live in another state. I met with Elaine (the owner) to discuss my options and determine the best caregiver service to meet my parents needs. She was a great help; addressed all my questions and concerns and gave me peace of mind that my parents were in good hands. Their caregiver is wonderful and very competent. I don't have to worry about them or become a detective to find out what is going on with them in Maryland. Although my parents were a little skeptical at first, Elaine and her staff have put their mind at ease and made them feel very comfortable about the entire experience. They both feel much safer now and happier that they are able to stay in the home that they love. I am comforted in knowing that my parents are receiving quality care and they are in the capable hands of Elaine and her staff at Always Best Care. Words can not express my sincere gratitude for the awesome care provided to my parents.”
“I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen to live in another state. I met with Elaine (the owner) to discuss my options and determine the best caregiver service to meet my parents needs. She was a great help; addressed all my questions and concerns and gave me peace of mind that my parents were in good hands. Their caregiver is wonderful and very competent. I don't have to worry about them or become a detective to find out what is going on with them in Maryland. Although my parents were a little skeptical at first, Elaine and her staff have put their mind at ease and made them feel very comfortable about the entire experience. They both feel much safer now and happier that they are able to stay in the home that they love. I am comforted in knowing that my parents are receiving quality care and they are in the capable hands of Elaine and her staff at Always Best Care. Words can not express my sincere gratitude for the awesome care provided to my parents.”
“I am a past client of this provider I cannot really find the words to say how wonderful the staff is at Always Best Care of Upper Chesapeake: Highly competent, Comforting, caring, extremely attentive, endlessly patient and reassuring. Elaine Gill has done an amazing job at ensuring that the staff she has are just as committed to ensuring the highest quality of life for every client, as Elaine! You are on the top of my list for any further care services that my family members may need going forward.”
“I interviewed this provider Elaine is professional, knowledgeable, and has a heart for people. Her recommendations have been invaluable. We are thankful for Always Best! It is a 5 Star Company!!”
“I interviewed this provider When we needed help getting our Father the proper care we were recommended to Elaine and ABC. It was the right move. Fortunately for us the second location she showed us was the right fit. It's been a difficult time and having their expertise eased our concerns.”
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 Bynum Run 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 Pairings Bistro or visit Hays House Museum, 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 Bel Air, MD, 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 Bel Air, MD 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 Bel Air, MD 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.
MARYLAND — It's been more than a year since most of Maryland has had to shovel snow, but the Baltimore-DC region is likely to see up to 4 inches of snow starting Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service says.And, there's another chance for snow later in the week, Thursday into Friday.A winter weather advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. Tuesday, the NWS said, with 2 to 4 inches of snow expected in much of north central, northeast and northern Maryland."Plan on slippery road conditi...
MARYLAND — It's been more than a year since most of Maryland has had to shovel snow, but the Baltimore-DC region is likely to see up to 4 inches of snow starting Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service says.
And, there's another chance for snow later in the week, Thursday into Friday.
A winter weather advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. Tuesday, the NWS said, with 2 to 4 inches of snow expected in much of north central, northeast and northern Maryland.
"Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the afternoon and evening commute," the NWS advisory said.
Snowfall will pick up in intensity Monday afternoon. The snow is expected to continue through the night, before winding down before daybreak Tuesday, the agency said.
Areas included in the weather advisory are: District of Columbia, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, Calvert, Montgomery, Howard, Carroll, Cecil, Baltimore and Harford counties.
"Dangerously cold wind chills are possible late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, especially near and north of Highway 50," the National Weather Service warned.
A hazardous weather outlook is in place for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia.
A winter storm warning has been issued for Garrett County in western Maryland, where additional snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected.
Monday: Snow likely, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 31. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Monday Night: Snow. Low around 28. East wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Tuesday: Snow likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Northeast wind 5 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 32. West wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.
Thursday Night: A chance of snow after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. Blustery.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. Blustery.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 36. Breezy.
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BEL AIR, Md. — Bel Air's Double T Diner is set to close soon, after more than 20 years off of Route 24 - but the owners could reopen a similar diner elsewhere in the area.
The diner, along with two other adjacent properties, is being bought out by the State of Maryland for a new District Court building.
The Mary E.W. Risteau District Court and Multi-Service Center has been on Bond Street in downtown Bel Air since 1983.
The state "determined that it is more cost effective to construct a new, modern and efficient facility" than to build on the current downtown site.
To that end, the state is buying out Double T Diner, Harford Bank and the former La-Z-Boy site. The state's Board of Public Works approved the purchases on Oct. 25
John Korologos, one of the owners of all the Double T Diner locations, said he's not sure yet exactly when the diner will close; a decision will be made this week.
The state officially bought the property last week, but is offering the diner a six-month lease so it can stay open through May 31. Korologos said he's not sure yet if they can do that, noting the owners are getting older.
He did say, however, that he'd like to open a smaller diner somewhere else in Bel Air.
"Bel Air's been good to me," he said.
Double T has six other locations; the oldest is in Catonsville, which has been there since 1959.
The statesaid earlier that the current courthouse isn't big enough to conduct court business (it has four courtrooms) and continues to have problems like insufficient security, inadequate roofing, and a failing climate-control system. It has "regularly leaked for most of its time in service and is contaminated with mold."
A rare event that hasn't happened since 1803 will unfold in MD and elsewhere - two broods of cicadas will descend creating quite the noise.Kristin Danley-Greiner, Patch StaffMARYLAND — Billions of periodical cicadas from two broods, including a 13-year brood in Maryland, will emerge this spring in a rare, synchronized event that hasn’t happened since 1803.It will be an especially noisy spring in Ill...
Kristin Danley-Greiner, Patch Staff
MARYLAND — Billions of periodical cicadas from two broods, including a 13-year brood in Maryland, will emerge this spring in a rare, synchronized event that hasn’t happened since 1803.
It will be an especially noisy spring in Illinois, with emergences of both the 17-year cicadas in Brood XIII, known as the Northern Illinois Brood, and the 13-year cicadas in Brood XIX, the Great Southern Brood. A tiny bit of southeast Iowa will also see both broods.
Brood XIII cicadas also appear in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and a bit of Michigan.
Brood XIX cicadas will be found in a much larger area that touches 15 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Cicadas spend most of their lives underground as immature nymphs, who surface en masse every 13 or 17 years.
“It’s like a graduating class that has a reunion every 17 or 13 years,” Gene Kritsky, professor emeritus of biology at Mount St. Joseph University and author of “A Tale of Two Broods: The 2024 Emergence of Periodical Cicada Broods VIII and XIX,” a book about this year’s dual emergence that was published earlier this month, told NBC News
For insect geeks, 2024 will come close to nirvana. Jonathan Larson, an extension entomologist at the University of Kentucky, described it to NPR as the insect world’s “spectacular, macabre Mardi Gras” celebration that will occur from late April through June.
It’s spectacular not just because two broods are emerging in the same year, but because cicadas are true marvels of nature. An extraordinarily long life cycle, the longest of any insect on the planet, is part of an evolutionary strategy that has allowed the species to survive for 1.8 million years, or from the Pleistocene Epoch.
It’s macabre because cicadas have an almost singular purpose after their noisy emergence — to go forth and multiply to ensure the species continues — and then they die in four to six weeks. By July 1, they should be gone entirely.
Cicadas should start tunneling toward the surface when soil temperatures reach about 64 degrees. In Maryland, that should be sometime in late April through mid-May.
The last periodical cicada emergence in 2021 was a pop culture phenomenon, with a cookbook’s worth of cicada recipes and advice from veterinarians on what dog owners should do if their pup eats and hacks up a cicada. Cicadas are a fast-food buffet for copperheads, too.
And who can forget those cicadas who got tangled up by the same psilocybin fungus found in “magic” mushrooms and had frenzied sex until their genitals fell off? They were so messed up they didn’t even know it and continued to try to copulate after the important parts had fallen off, according to researchers at the University of West Virginia.
Mike Raup, aka "The Bug Guy," is a professor emeritus at the University of Maryland. He told WTOP that decibel levels are expected to reach 100, possibly higher, which Raupp compared to noise levels generated by motorcycles or chain saws.
“The big boy band is really going to be rocking the treetops probably around the second and third weeks of May,” Raupp said. “If people are saying, ‘Hey, didn’t we just have these guys a few years ago, back in 2021? I thought it was 17 years?’ No. Almost every year in some parts of the country, there are going to be periodical cicadas emerging. There are many, many different broods and they emerge at different points in time in different parts of the country.”
Here are seven things to know about cicada emergences in 2024:
What Are Periodical Cicadas?
Periodical cicadas are considered “true bugs,” unlike most of the insects that are referred to as bugs, according to the National Wildlife Federation. They are about an inch long and have a three-inch wingspan.
They are known for their extraordinarily synchronized lifespan, emerging every 13 or 17 years, depending on their species. They spend all but a few weeks of their long lives burrowed beneath the soil and feeding on fluids from plant roots. When spring temperatures arrive, they emerge from the soil and complete their final molt into adulthood. Each individual member of a given brood emerges within weeks of each other.
There are annual cicadas, too. They live about two to eight years, but their life cycles are not synchronized. They’re called annual cicadas because some emerge from the ground every year.
What Is A Brood?
Groups of cicadas that emerge the same year are called broods, made up of multiple species of cicadas that merge on the same cycle. The Northern Illinois Brood has three species of cicadas, while the Great Southern Brood has four.
Broods are assigned Roman numerals in a tradition established by Agriculture Department entomologist Charles Marlatt in 1893. The 17-year cicadas that emerged that year were known as Brood I, those that came out in 1894 were called Brood II and so on, according to Kritsky.
The 13-year cicadas that made their appearance in 1894 were called Brood XVIII and so on. The cicadas that emerged in 2021 were part of Brood X.
How Rare Is Rare?
Thomas Jefferson was president the last time two broods of cicadas emerged the same year. 1803 was also the year of the Louisiana Purchase from the French. And this pairing of Brood XIII and Brood XIX cicadas won’t happen again until 2245.
“So is it rare? Yes,” Kritsky told NBC.
They Can Be A Nuisance
Cicadas’ mating calls can be deafening. They herald their arrival above ground with a high-pitched cacophony of buzzing that can reach decibels of 100 or greater — about the same as a subway train, forklift or motorcycle.
Their carcasses also litter the ground. The last time the Northern Illinois Brood emerged, in 2007, “they were out in such abundant numbers that Chicagoans were having to remove them with shovels, to clear sidewalks and roads,” Floyd Shockley, an entomologist and the collections manager for the Department of Entomology at the National Museum of Natural History, told NPR.
It’s An All-Male Choir
The mating song of the cicadas is performed by an all-male choir. Only males have sound-producing tymbal organs, sometimes called drummers, on either side of their abdomens just beneath their wings.
It’s easy to pick out the males — if you’re not too squeamish to pick them up and examine them.
A female has an oval-shaped reproductive structure with a hallow-point needle-like structure at the end called an ovipositor that she uses to cut a slit into a tree or shrub to deposit her eggs.
Cicadas Are Harmless
Cicadas don’t bite humans, and they don’t spread disease. They can harm young trees when the females lay their eggs in new tree growth, according to Cicada Safari, a portal created by Kritsky.
The best defense is to loosely wrap the branches of a young tree in cheesecloth to keep female cicadas from using the branches as a depository for the eggs. In more mature trees, egg-laying is a natural pruning that makes the trees more productive in flowers and fruit the following years.
Pesticides won’t kill cicadas and are not recommended. There are good reasons to allow them to live. For one thing, the underground tunnels created periodical cicadas naturally aerate the soil. They are also a food bonanza to all sorts of predators, and their decaying bodies contribute a massive amount of nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil.
Cicada Tourism Is Big
Kritsky released an app in 2019 called Cicada Safari that allows citizen scientists to report cicada sightings where they live. He told NBC he already has heard from a handful of people who want to plan their vacations around the cicada emergence.
“In the past, I’ve also had people plan vacations to leave while the cicadas are here,” he told the network.
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Jason and Katie Davis have opened The Lean Kitchen Company in Bel Air, offering healthy, fresh and conveniently prepared meals.Kristin Danley-Greiner, Patch Staff|Updated Tue, Oct 24, 2023 at 11:20 am ETBEL AIR, MD — With a goal of helping Harford County residents gain easy access to healthy and convenient meals, Katie and Jason Davis decided to open The Lean Kitchen Company in Bel Air.They officia...
Kristin Danley-Greiner, Patch Staff
|Updated Tue, Oct 24, 2023 at 11:20 am ET
BEL AIR, MD — With a goal of helping Harford County residents gain easy access to healthy and convenient meals, Katie and Jason Davis decided to open The Lean Kitchen Company in Bel Air.
They officially opened their business Oct. 14 at 536 Baltimore Pike with the options of in-store pickup or delivery. There are 40 stores located across the U.S. with the Bel Air store being the first on the East Coast. The closest one happens to be eight hours away, Katie Davis said.
"We were looking to start a new business and this concept was appealing because nutrition and fitness are very important to us. We feel that meal prep is something more people would be interested in if there was an element of convenience. Additionally, there is not a similar concept in this area, so we feel that people will be excited to try it out," she said.
After the height of the pandemic, Davis and her husband realized they needed to focus more on developing healthier habits.
"And that starts with nutrition," she said. "This is nutrition made easy. Each meal features balanced macros with the nutrition facts right on the label. Ordering from Lean Kitchen takes the guesswork out of eating healthy and the online ordering and delivery option is the ultimate convenience. Our goal is to prove nutritious can be delicious."
Currently, Jason Davis owns Route 24 Ale House in Bel Air and Katie works as a project manager for a corporate education company.
"We both intend to stay at our jobs while also working at Lean Kitchen with the help of our amazing staff," Katie Davis said.
Fitness happens to be important to the couple, who enjoys participating in local races and belong to a CrossFit gym in Abingdon.
"Jason has done several long-distance runs, including a few marathons and two 50Ks. Most recently, we participated in the Baltimore 10-miler in June. We love hiking with our dogs, Mack and Macy, and enjoy taking them to the Ma & Pa Trail, Gunpowder and other local spots. We even ran a 5K with our dogs in 2020," Katie Davis said.
The Lean Kitchen Company uses an offsite commissary kitchen in Aberdeen where employees cook all of their meals fresh and then take them to the storefront in Bel Air on Saturday mornings where customers can purchase them fresh out of the refrigerators. Customers can order the meals online by Thursday evening for the following week. Meals can be picked up the store or delivered to their home.
"Our meals are made locally and never frozen," she said. "Another option is for individuals to stop by the store and pick out meals from the refrigerators. We also sell supplements at the storefront, such as protein powders, multi-vitamins, and pre-workout, as well as energy drinks, packaged snacks, apparel and more."
Some of the more popular menu options include a chicken bacon ranch wrap, bang bang shrimp tacos, meatball mac and cheese, and honey garlic chicken and asparagus. We also have breakfast and dessert items, including overnight oats and Reeses protein donuts, and snacks, like our muscle bites that are so delicious, you would never guess they are actually good for you," Davis Katie said.
To view menu items, additional products and order online, visit https://leankitchenbelairmd.bottle.com.
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BEL AIR, MD — Four candidates are running for three seats on Bel Air's Board of Commissioners. Residents will choose those officials Nov. 7, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.The Board of Town Commissioners consists of five members who are elected to four-year terms. At the second meeting in November of each year, the commissioners elect a member to serve as chair and vice chair of the Board of Town Commissioners. The chair has the honorary title of "mayor."Residents can vote Nov. 7 at Bel Air Town Hall, 39 N...
BEL AIR, MD — Four candidates are running for three seats on Bel Air's Board of Commissioners. Residents will choose those officials Nov. 7, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Board of Town Commissioners consists of five members who are elected to four-year terms. At the second meeting in November of each year, the commissioners elect a member to serve as chair and vice chair of the Board of Town Commissioners. The chair has the honorary title of "mayor."
Residents can vote Nov. 7 at Bel Air Town Hall, 39 N. Hickory Ave., in Bel Air. Absentee ballots must be postmarked or received at Bel Air Town Hall on or before the close of the polls at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Residents can drop off a voted ballot instead of mailing it by dropping off a ballot at Bel Air Town Hall. There will be a drop box positioned outside Town Hall from Oct. 10 through the close of polls on Election Day. Or ballots can be taken to the Department of Administration office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Be sure an oath is signed or the ballot will not count.
Four of the Bel Air candidates shared information with Patch about their vision and goals if elected, as well as their educational background and professional experience. (Find a link to their responses at the bottom of this story.)
Candidate Jake Taylor has lived in Harford County all his life. He currently is an Honors College student at Loyola University Maryland and works in the Maryland Senate as a legislative aide. He decided to run for office because "It's time for Bel Air to move forward collaboratively, with a focus on the needs and desires of the people who live here."
Candidate Steve Chizmar is a retired electrical engineer with the Department of the Army. He has served on two Bel Air committees in the past and said he is running for office because "current commissioners have not listened to their constituents on several major issues confronting the town." He also wants to keep Bel Air’s small-town charm.
Candidate Jim Rutledge works as an attorney with the firm Jim Rutledge Esq LLC and previously served on the judicial nominating commission for Harford County District and Circuit Court, appointed by then-Gov. Larry Hogan. He said he decided to run for office because "the Board of Commissioners are taking our town in the wrong direction by setting policies that encourage high density residential development that will change the small town character of Bel Air."
Incumbent Erin Hughes, who has served as a commissioner for the past four years, works as a clinical research nurse with the pediatric allergy team at Johns Hopkins. Hughes said Bel Air is at an important crossroads and "I believe it's crucial to choose a path that leads to a vibrant, economically healthy and age-diverse community."
The candidate interviews with Patch can be found by clicking on the links below:
410-877-3787
