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.
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 Forth Worth, TX 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.
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.
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. 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 Forth Worth, TX, 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 Forth Worth, TX 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.
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 Forth Worth, TX 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.
Texas Health Resources and G.E. Foodland Inc. are doubling down on efforts to make fresh produce more affordable for area families, by expanding the number of grocery stores offering Double Up Food Bucks Texas benefits in North Texas. The two announced today that four additional Foodland Markets stores will now offer Double Up Texas benefits to shoppers eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.Double Up Texas is led statewide by ...
Texas Health Resources and G.E. Foodland Inc. are doubling down on efforts to make fresh produce more affordable for area families, by expanding the number of grocery stores offering Double Up Food Bucks Texas benefits in North Texas. The two announced today that four additional Foodland Markets stores will now offer Double Up Texas benefits to shoppers eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.
Double Up Texas is led statewide by Sustainable Food Center and carried out in North Texas by Texas Health Community Hope, Texas Health Resources’ unique approach to promoting healthier futures through a broad range of impactful initiatives, investments, and collaborations. The program allows eligible shoppers receiving SNAP benefits to double their purchasing dollars when buying fresh fruits and vegetables at participating grocers and farmers markets. Texas Health customizes the program to the needs of individual merchants, with most participating merchants offering customers 50% off fresh produce up to $10 a day. This work is supported by the Double Up Food Bucks Texas program, project award no. 2024-70415-43711, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Texas Health introduced the Double Up Texas program to North Texas in 2020 by making benefits available at Cowtown Farmers Market. G.E. Foodland was the first grocer to offer benefits in 2021 at the Foodland Markets at 1524 NW 25th St. and 1212 S. Ayers Ave. in Fort Worth. Texas Health and G.E. Foodland later introduced the benefits at the Foodland Markets at 3320 Mansfield Hwy. in Forest Hill and 8411 Lake June Road in Dallas. Locally, benefits are now available at seven farmers markets and 10 grocers, including all eight Foodland Markets stores in North Texas. The newest Foodland Markets locations are:
“G.E. Foodland has been at the forefront of our efforts to help area families put more fresh fruits and vegetables on the table,” said Matt Dufrene, a vice president for Texas Health. “Making Double Up Texas benefits available throughout all their stores is a huge step toward making fresh produce accessible to everyone in our region. It’s a real testament to G.E. Foodland’s commitment to their customers and to our community.”
Through 2024, the original four Foodland Markets accounted for $687,292 in Double Up Texas incentives for fresh fruits and vegetables, and 109,445 transactions.
“Our mission is to feed families for life, and we are passionate about supporting the health and well-being of the community we serve,” said Don Benefield, executive vice president of G.E. Foodland Inc. “Our customers who use Double Up benefits have had a very positive response, and we look forward to expanding the impact of this program throughout all of our stores.”
Double Up Texas program locations are selected based on a variety of factors including findings from the Texas Health Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA); the geographic area served by vendors willing and able to implement the Double Up Texas program; and the ability to fund new locations. Texas Health continues to look for funding partners to expand the program across its service area, with plans to add additional Double Up locations in the coming year.
A full list of Double Up Texas and other Texas Health’s healthy food access program locations can be found at this link.
About Texas Health Resources
Texas Health Resources is a faith-based, nonprofit health system that cares for more patients in North Texas than any other provider. With a service area that consists of 16 counties and more than 8 million people, the system is committed to providing quality, coordinated care through its Texas Health Physicians Group and 29 hospital locations under the banners of Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Texas Health Harris Methodist and Texas Health Huguley. Texas Health access points and services, ranging from acute-care hospitals and trauma centers to outpatient facilities and home health and preventive services, provide the full continuum of care for all stages of life. The system has more than 4,400 licensed hospital beds, 6,600 physicians with active staff privileges and almost 29,000 employees. For more information about Texas Health, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit texashealth.org.
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From left, Sy'ere Furch and his Mother, Tiffany Ross.By the time most people turn twenty, they’re barely finding their footing in the world. But Sy’ere Furch isn’t most people.From a quiet home in Haslet, Furch has built something that speaks volumes. With the help of his mother, Tiffany Ross, the young author and CEO launched Aumiax — an apparel and advocacy brand rooted in strength, self-identity, and visibility for ...
From left, Sy'ere Furch and his Mother, Tiffany Ross.
By the time most people turn twenty, they’re barely finding their footing in the world. But Sy’ere Furch isn’t most people.
From a quiet home in Haslet, Furch has built something that speaks volumes. With the help of his mother, Tiffany Ross, the young author and CEO launched Aumiax — an apparel and advocacy brand rooted in strength, self-identity, and visibility for individuals with autism. What started as a simple birthday gift — a custom T-shirt designed to uplift Sy’ere — soon grew into a full-fledged brand and mission. “It started out as just that — a birthday idea,” Ross says. “And it turned into a way to uplift him. Now it’s turned into something so much bigger than us.”
That momentum has translated into the real-world community. Over 300 families have reached out via social media platforms. Some share stories. Others ask where to start. “Nobody was there for me when I was going through this,” Ross says. “I’m a single mother. His dad chose to step out. So mentally, I had to always pick myself back up.” That perseverance fueled Sy’ere’s next leap: a children’s book titled “Sy’ere’s Superpower: Turning Challenges Into Dreams.”
In this uplifting, illustrated story, readers meet Sy’ere — a young boy with autism who learns that being different is a gift. More than a book, it’s an interactive experience packed with reflective journal prompts, creative activities, and empowerment check-ins that help kids celebrate who they are. It’s designed not just for children navigating their own journey with autism, but for anyone learning how to be a better, more empathetic friend.
“Even his books — it wasn’t even that long, and we had 250 people buy one,” Ross says. “They’re doing it to support him, yes, but they also connect with the message.” And the message is clear: self-love, autism awareness, and building community through understanding — one challenge at a time.
Diagnosed as severely autistic at a young age, Sy’ere didn’t speak until he was five. His mother noticed the early signs around age two. “He would crawl on his knees. He wouldn’t walk like other kids,” she opined. Grocery store trips were exhausting. Public school was often cruel. In high school, he was physically assaulted by a senior during his freshman year. “He didn’t have friends. He had to finish school online,” Ross shared. “But I made sure he knew: ‘What makes you different is your superpower.’”
Today, Sy’ere’s differences are exactly what he celebrates. Aumiax isn’t just a brand — it’s a platform for those who’ve been overlooked or misunderstood. On the company’s website, Furch writes, “It is essential to foster an environment that celebrates individuality while promoting inclusivity. Our community is rich with goals, dreams, and innovative ideas, all of which deserve recognition and respect.”
The message is catching on. Local leaders have taken note — including Fort Worth’s former mayor Betsy Price, who invited the Aumiax team to help with ribbon-cuttings and community volunteer events. “There’s not enough advocacy in schools,” Ross says. “That’s what Sy’ere stands for — giving people a voice.”
Each Aumiax item — whether it’s a journal or one of the brand’s signature puzzle-piece t-shirts — is designed to send a message. “Everything we do is about identity,” Ross continued. “It’s for the families walking this journey every day.”
Aumiax, which launched in 2024, continues to expand both its product line and its impact. The brand’s meaning — strength and identity — is stitched into every item, every social post, and every interaction with a parent who’s just starting this journey. “I talk to moms all the time who are scared to say it. Scared to face it,” Ross says. “But I tell them, you don’t have to cure it. You just love your kid and let them be who they are.”
It’s more than a message. It’s a movement.
“Because we represent real stories and real purpose, we live it every day,” she says.
For Sy’ere, the brand — and the book — have become lifelines. His confidence is rising. He’s dreaming of seeing his character on PBS Kids, a channel that’s never featured a lead with autism. “That is the goal,” Ross says. “To really get this message across and help people.”
You’re feeling under the weather at work and decide to visit your doctor.After getting the all-clear and heading back to work, your boss asks you for a doctor’s note. You mention that you were unaware of needing a doctor’s note, to which your boss says they are legally allowed to ask employees for one.Are Texas employers legally allowed to ask employees for a doctor’s note? Here’s what to know.? More trending stories from our newsroom:→...
You’re feeling under the weather at work and decide to visit your doctor.
After getting the all-clear and heading back to work, your boss asks you for a doctor’s note. You mention that you were unaware of needing a doctor’s note, to which your boss says they are legally allowed to ask employees for one.
Are Texas employers legally allowed to ask employees for a doctor’s note? Here’s what to know.
? More trending stories from our newsroom:
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→Watch out for this stinging, venomous ant species in TX
Yes, Texas employers can ask for a doctor’s note, but can’t ask for further medical information.
For example, an employer can ask for a doctor’s note or other information as it relates to sick leave, workers’ compensation, wellness programs or health insurance, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
However, an employer can not ask the health care provider for more information about a patient without their authorization.
It depends on the employer.
The Texas Employer Guidebook (created by the Texas Workforce Commission) recommends employer’s “try to achieve a sensible balance.”
“Most companies do not require an actual doctor’s note for simple one- or two-day absences for things like 24-hour “bugs,” but do require them if the employee claims to have seen a doctor,” the guidebook states.
Furthermore, the guidebook says employers have the right to ask an employee to explain the reason for an absence.
If the reason is something that is normally documentable, like a doctor’s visit, the employer has the right to require employee documentation. However, that’s as much as they’re allowed to ask.
“There is no need to get specific, though, about confidential or private matters, so do not insist on specific medical information or similar things,” the guidebook states.
This story was originally published June 16, 2025 at 12:28 PM.
We asked our WFAA meteorologists to guess how many triple-digit temperature days North Texans would have to deal with this summer. Here's what they told us.Credit: WFAADALLAS — If you've been watching our WFAA weather team's forecasts lately, then you know that the summertime heat has finally arrived in Dallas-Fort Worth.No, we haven't yet faced any 100-degree days here so far this summer, and ...
We asked our WFAA meteorologists to guess how many triple-digit temperature days North Texans would have to deal with this summer. Here's what they told us.
Credit: WFAA
DALLAS — If you've been watching our WFAA weather team's forecasts lately, then you know that the summertime heat has finally arrived in Dallas-Fort Worth.
No, we haven't yet faced any 100-degree days here so far this summer, and our meteorologists' current 14-day forecast doesn't have any triple-digit temperatures in it yet -- but things do get pretty close.
All of which is to say: Brace yourselves, folks! After a brief flirtation with uncharacteristic triple-digit temperatures back in May, the "gates of hell" -- as WFAA Chief Meteorologist Pete Delkus likes to call our brutal summers around here -- are set to open any day now.
The real question is this: How bad will it be? How many 100-degree days will North Texans be forced to deal with this summer?
Are we in store for a summer like 1980, when we suffered a record-setting 42 consecutive days of 100-degree temperatures, including every day of July? Or how about that summer in 2011, when we set a record for most 100-degree days total in a year at 71? Or, just maybe, could this summer be a relatively mild one for North Texas?
To find out, we decided -- for the fourth year running -- to reach out to our in-house experts and to ask them directly: How many 100-degree days do you predict we'll see this year?
Before we get into their guesses, here's a little backstory on how our meteorologists do at this annual contest.
In 2022 and 2023, Greg Fields took the cake and came the closest with his guesses out of all of our meteorologists. He guessed 35 days in 2023, when we dealt with 55 of them. And, in 2022, he guessed 40 days when the National Weather Service reported 47.
Last year, it was Delkus who earned the crown, guessing that we'd see 22 triple-digit days in 2024 when, in fact, we endured 23 of them. Not only did he earn a win with that prediction, but he also offered up the closest guess we've seen in the history of this little challenge.
So: Will our award-winning chief -- currently celebrating his 20th year of forecasting the weather for WFAA viewers -- once again come out on top?
It'll be months before we know for sure. At this point, we can only speculate. So, without further ado, check out our meteorologists' best guesses on the matter -- presented below, in alphabetical order.
All data points to a hotter than normal and drier-than-normal summer. Given that we average 20 100-degree days per year, my forecast is we’ll experience 30 triple-digit days this summer.
Based on where we are now and the seasonal outlook through August, I'd say we're headed for a long, hot summer. By the time it's all said and done, we're looking at about 39 triple-digit days this summer.
I'm going bold! I think we will have 35 triple-digit days this year. This is above the normal of 20. With the heat already showing an impressive display early this year with record highs in the middle of May, I'm going to lock in with an above-normal number. Also, ENSO neutral conditions are expected through the summer months this year. Historically, these have meant hot summers -- including 1980 and 2011, which were either neutral or very close to it. Does this mean I think the summer will be as hot as those years? No. Those are benchmark summers for North Texas, and I don't see us having one of those. But I do suspect it will be hotter than normal -- yet again.
I'm going to go with 24. I think we will at least see the average amount of 100-degree days, which is 20. I'm adding four more because it looks to be a hotter-than-normal summer. And my lucky number is four.
I’m going with 22 triple-digit days — or just above the normal of 20 for DFW. This spring was wet, which usually helps limit early-season heat thanks to higher soil moisture. ENSO neutral conditions are expected through the early fall. This likely means we will settle into a drier pattern for the second half of summer, which is normal. That middle-ground pattern opens the door for average to slightly above-average temps. A typical Texas summer? I’ll take it.
By the time Avy Taylor arrived at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, the world was already beginning to close. It was March 2020, and she was one of the last Americans trying to get out before Peru sealed its borders. Masked federal officers checked her documents. An impromptu news interview ensued on her way out. The air was thick with panic.For Taylor, now Miss Fort Worth 2025 and a current candidate for Miss Texas, the panic wasn’t new. What was new was the clarity. She had spent the past few months in Picapie...
By the time Avy Taylor arrived at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, the world was already beginning to close. It was March 2020, and she was one of the last Americans trying to get out before Peru sealed its borders. Masked federal officers checked her documents. An impromptu news interview ensued on her way out. The air was thick with panic.
For Taylor, now Miss Fort Worth 2025 and a current candidate for Miss Texas, the panic wasn’t new. What was new was the clarity. She had spent the past few months in Picapiedra, a remote village of fewer than 100 people, living and working at a children’s shelter called Fundación Santa Martha. Her days were long and repetitive — hand-washing clothes, tutoring lessons, cooking meals over a fire — but they gave her a sense of purpose she hadn’t felt in years.
“I remember being on the roof of the Santa Martha shelter with a young girl named Milagros,” she told me. “We were hanging clothes, and I asked her what she was looking forward to that weekend. She was so quiet — she barely spoke. But she looked at me and said she hoped I’d stay there forever.”
Taylor chokes up remembering it. That sentence — “I hope you stay forever” — cracked something wide open in her. “These were children who had experienced real human suffering,” she said. “And yet they trusted me. That was everything. That’s when I realized my purpose was bigger than myself.”
She hadn’t gone to Peru on assignment. There was no mission trip, no university-sanctioned program. Just a backpack and a need to get as far away from Texas as possible. A few months earlier, she’d left UT Austin in the midst of a mental health crisis.
Stephen Montoya
“I was dealing with severe clinical depression and suicidal thoughts,” she said. “I had a breakdown. I didn’t know what I was doing or who I was, so I went backpacking in South America to figure it out.”
She hitchhiked. She lived in shelters. She showed up where she was needed. Slowly, she found a version of herself that felt whole again.
When she returned to Texas, she began building something new — something she now calls Hope’s Toolbox. It’s a suicide prevention initiative based on the same practices that helped her through her lowest points: cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, , and crisis planning. Since then, she’s spoken at local schools, worked with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention , and logged more than 300 volunteer hours. She even lobbied at the state Capitol for increased funding for 988 and education loan repayment for mental health professionals
Somewhere along the way, she entered a local pageant. Not for the crown, but for the microphone.
“I’ve always been serious about my professional development,” she said. “And Miss America is a great platform for public speaking, for networking, for getting your message in front of people who can actually help you make a difference.”
Stephen Montoya
Turns out she was pretty good at it. In August 2024, she was crowned Miss Fort Worth. Now, as she runs for Miss Texas, she’s bringing more than talent and polish to the stage. She’s bringing lived experience. The Miss Texas and Miss Texas’ Teen competitions will be held from June 21 – 28 , 2025, at the Eisemann Center. The Miss Texas preliminary show is set for Tuesday-Thursday, June 24-26, with the final show on Saturday, June 28. Taylor will take the stage alongside contestants from across the state, carrying with her not just a crown, but a purpose.
Beyond her collection of sequined gowns, Taylor expresses herself through a few surprising talents — playing the violin and sharp stand-up comedy. She’s a regular at Dallas Comedy Club, juggling improv and jokes in between pageant rehearsals. It might seem like an unlikely combination, but for Taylor, comedy has been nothing short of survival.
“I’m the only [pageant contestant] I know of who does standup,” she said. “But honestly, it makes sense. I grew up with a rare form of stuttering called speech blocking. I couldn’t even say my own name without struggling. But I figured out that if I could make people laugh, they’d want to be around me.”
Now, she’s hoping to make a different kind of connection — one that reaches people who feel isolated in their pain. Especially young people.
“I want to be the first Miss Texas with lived experience of depression and suicidal thoughts,” she said. “It’s so important to have a role model who’s honest. I want to show people that it’s possible to go through hardships and still be successful. Still have people believe in you and still represent a state.”
Website: hopes-toolbox.com
Social Media: @missfortworthtx
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, CALL or TEXT 988, or CHAT988lifeline.org to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
817-615-9634
