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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 Richardson, TX

Home Care Richardson, TX

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 Morris Ice House in Richardson, TX 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 Richardson, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Richardson, TX

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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

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Marcus Gardner and working alongside him for over 15 years. Marcus is a genuinely caring person who always puts families first. His team at Always Best Care provides excellent in-home care and takes care of all the details, making a difficult time much less stressful for families. If you’re looking for a trustworthy company with compassionate leadership, I highly recommend Marcus and Always Best Care.”

Jeff K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care Senior Serivces is a great company with an excellent reputation. The owner is involved and works alongside his employees and clients and match their needs. The environment is warm and friendly as well as caring. I recommend Always Best Care Senior Services to anyone who is need of home health services as well as employment.”

Roxie W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care Senior Serivces is a great company with an excellent reputation. The owner is involved and works alongside his employees and clients and match their needs. The environment is warm and friendly as well as caring. I recommend Always Best Care Senior Services to anyone who is need of home health services as well as employment.”

Roxie P.
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“Very professional, highly recommend.”

Brooklyn C.
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“Amazing organization! If looking for care in the Dallas area please call immediately.”

Steven J.
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“It is always a pleasure to work with Always Best Care. Their staff is professional, kind and empathetic in the most difficult situations. I strongly recommend their company and services they provide.”

Audrey L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Marcus runs a professional agency that is dedicated to providing the utmost compassionate care in the area. This is a group you can trust!!!”

Carlos C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Marcus and his team brings excellence to all that they do in providing quality care. You get Outstanding customer experience with this agency!”

Shonda B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care Senior Services in Dallas, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about delivering exceptional care to our clients. What truly sets this organization apart is our people-first culture—both in how we care for our clients and how we support our employees. We take great pride in creating a positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace where caregivers and staff feel valued, heard, and empowered. From comprehensive onboarding and training programs to ongoing development opportunities, we are committed to helping our team grow professionally and personally. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is seeing the strong bonds formed between caregivers and the families we serve. Our focus on quality, compassion, and reliability is reflected not only in client satisfaction but also in the high retention rates among our team. If you're seeking a career in home care where you’ll be appreciated and supported every step of the way, Always Best Care Dallas is a place where you can truly make a difference.”

Sharon L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ABC is an expert in caregiving and taking very good care of their clients. Each caregiver has a bio on the client so they are well prepared. Each client receives a ‘Meet and Greet’ with the caregiver and office staff/managers/owner before their first shift with a new caregiver. They instill best practices and training /feedback with all their caregivers. Marcus, the owner, is hands on and is invested in each client getting what they need, and goes above and beyond.”

Marie T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Best customer service! Great home health care! Highly recommended!!”

Ortal C.
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“This company is committed and to delivering excellence.”

victoria T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We were so happy with Always Best Care. They took great car of my parents for over 2 years. Very professional care givers. The staff loves working for the company and the owner takes great care of them. If ever needed we would use their services again.”

Mary L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have been with the company like almost 3years but the staff is wonderful n caring they go out and beyond for there clients .”

Nakia B.
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“Great service”

Patrice B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Bedford TX, staff are benevolent, attentive, generous,thoughtful, and kindhearted. They work with your schedule and accommodate you the best they can. For a company that have been in business over 23 years, they still take pride in who they employee as well as the families they assist. I am very grateful to be working for a company that works from their heart.”

Veronica B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Nice vibes welcoming workers best people to work with.they work with ur schedules and set up work time that are convenient to work with.”

Mi D.
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“Nice vibes welcoming workers best people to work with.they work with ur schedules and set up work time that are convenient to work with.”

Guadalupe R.
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“Dear Mr. Gardner, I am writing to express my gratitude for the commitment and service of your employee, Shameka Kelly. Through your agency, Ms. Kelly was connected to our family to serve as a caregiver for my sister Victoria who was in the late states of ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease and required 24-hr. care at home. Shameka served as full-time caregiver under the direction of Victoria’s husband Ron, who was able to keep my sister at home until her passing this past March. This catastrophic and incurable disease rendered my sister completely paralyzed—wheelchair bound, unable to speak, bathe, eat or even lift a finger to do anything for herself. Shameka did what most caregivers would not or simply could not do because of the stamina and patience required to care for Victoria. Before Shameka, we hired a multitude of caregivers who came and went—sometimes only after one day—because of how strenuous and taxing being a caregiver to my sister was. Day after day, Shameka arrived for the job with a smile on her face and the patience and commitment to go with it. My sister Victoria grew to love Shameka, as we all have. It was a great comfort to us because we knew that if Shameka was on duty, my sister was in good hands. Shameka’s character, integrity, humor, honesty and professionalism are beyond reproach. She is an extremely caring individual who is always upbeat, optimistic, and patient. She was an answer to prayer for our family and became more than a caregiver—she became part of our family. She has my highest recommendation for any task or client that may be placed before her. And we will be forever grateful. Kindest Regards, Pamela Meek North Richland Hills, TX”

Pamela M.
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“Excellent service and friendly staff!!!”

Stefan S.
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“Great company and friendly, caring staff!! Highly recommended!”

Lauren R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very terrific company and great customer service. They found a place for my parents very quickly! I highly recommend.”

Kevin M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very kind people to the elderly. Vicki is a caring person. This is a wonderful organization. Highly recommend.”

Emily C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Rarely do I give a 5-star rating to any company, but this is clearly a deserved rating. I would highly recommend Always Best Care of Ft. Worth. Their care and attention to detail is excellent. After 2 1/2 years of service to our family, they became an extension to our family. Many times they went above and beyond expectations. They communicated very well with family members.”

Brian

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Richardson, TX?

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

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

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

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

 Senior Care Richardson, TX

Types of Elderly Care in Richardson, TX

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

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

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

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Richardson, TX
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Richardson, TX
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 Cottonwood Park in Richardson, TX 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 Richardson, TX
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 Silver Fox or visit Breckinridge Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Richardson, TX

Benefits of Home Care in Richardson, TX

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 Richardson, 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.

 Elderly Care Richardson, TX

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

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 Richardson, 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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

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


Respite Care Richardson, TX

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

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

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Richardson, TX

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

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

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

  • The Monarch at Richardson
  • Twin Rivers
  • Arden Courts - ProMedica Memory Care Community (Richardson)
  • The Wellington at Arapaho
  • Appletree Court Assisted Living
  • The Plaza at Richardson
Home Care Richardson, TX

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

 In-Home Care Richardson, TX

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 Richardson, 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.

 Elderly Care Richardson, TX

Latest News in Richardson, TX

Richardson ISD rolls out classroom screen time guidelines, emphasizing hands-on learning

Richardson ISD is implementing new classroom technology guidelines this school year aimed at reducing student screen time and increasing opportunities for hands-on learning.The move follows months of feedback from parents and community members.District leaders announced the changes this summer as part of a broader initiative called "Technology with Purpose," which emphasizes using technology to enhance learning rather than replace traditional instruction and teacher-student interaction.Superintendent Tabitha Br...

Richardson ISD is implementing new classroom technology guidelines this school year aimed at reducing student screen time and increasing opportunities for hands-on learning.

The move follows months of feedback from parents and community members.

District leaders announced the changes this summer as part of a broader initiative called "Technology with Purpose," which emphasizes using technology to enhance learning rather than replace traditional instruction and teacher-student interaction.

Superintendent Tabitha Branum told NBC 5 concerns about screen time emerged repeatedly during conversations with families throughout the spring.

"As we evaluate what's happening in our classrooms, how can we best support learning, one of the areas that we continue to receive feedback, specifically from parents, were concerns around the amount of screen time," Branum said.

The district spent about six months gathering input from parents and assessing existing practices before updating its guidelines. Branum said RISD already had expectations in place for technology use but wanted to provide greater clarity for teachers, students and families ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

"We already had some guidelines in place, but we recognized we needed to be a little bit clearer with those guidelines," she said.

The latest news from around North Texas.

The new guidelines include grade-level recommendations for screen use, extended restrictions on YouTube access for secondary students, increased classroom monitoring and transparency, and the elimination of technology as a behavior incentive or indoor recess activity.

Branum said she expects many parents will support the changes, though some may want the district to go even further.

And she knows some students may have a different reaction, especially when they find YouTube is now blocked unless a teacher provides a specific approved link.

"I know I'm gonna get emails from our students saying, please unblock YouTube. But again, we know our students’ frontal lobe is still developing. And having that discipline to not go to YouTube and watch something that is off task can just be hard," she said.

For the district's youngest students, screen time limits will be especially restrictive.

"When you're talking about our pre-K fours and our kindergarten students, we know how powerful it is for them to be able to write and work with manipulatives hands-on and that they're experiencing learning," Branum said. "We wanted to make sure we had very strict guidelines for our littlest learners, where they're not looking at a screen for more than 10 to 15 minutes a day."

District leaders say the goal is not to remove technology from classrooms but to ensure students are using it in productive ways.

"We are constantly looking and researching and trying to understand what adjustments do we need to make. Because [there are] 35,000 kids that are our responsibility," Branum said.

According to RISD, technology should support activities such as creating, collaborating, problem-solving and critical thinking rather than passive content consumption.

"We know technology is a tool of the future and we know that it's incumbent upon us to give our students the skills to know how to use technology, to be creative, to be efficient, to demonstrate outcomes," Branum said. "But when it's used passively, just for entertainment, that is not always a productive use, and that can be detrimental."

The district's approach echoes a growing national conversation about youth screen use and its impact on child development.

Dr. Stevie Puckett-Perez, a pediatric psychologist at Children's Health, said screens became essential during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing children to access education and remain connected to others. But she said many families have struggled to scale back screen use in the years since.

"For a lot of families, they've had a really hard time shifting gears to putting those screens in the back seat again," Puckett-Perez said. "And we know more from research now, having looked at some COVID times and the increased use of screen time."

She pointed to research that has found links between increased screen use and a variety of emotional, behavioral and health concerns among children.

"In fact, last year, there was a large meta-analysis of almost 300,000 kids across multiple countries, primarily in the U.S., not looking specifically at COVID times, but just screen use in general. And it validated kind of what we all expect and what we know about screens just from observing kids. Is that greater screen use really is linked to more problems," she said.

According to Puckett-Perez, studies have associated heavy screen use with higher rates of anxiety, depression, attention problems, hyperactivity, behavioral issues, sleep disruption and obesity. Elementary-aged children are among the groups most vulnerable to the negative effects, she said.

"I think for younger kids, when we think about very young kids, more than half of toddlers and babies touch a screen every day. And it is incredibly common," Puckett-Perez said. "And what we know in those early years, those very early years, is they really don't need it at all. Even if it is educational and valuable and doing those kinds of thoughtful educational things, it does not replace conversation with an adult.

At the same time, Puckett-Perez emphasized that technology itself is not the problem.

"Balance is everything. We are not trying to encourage families to avoid screens entirely," she said. "It's not just all screens are bad all of the time. Any amount of screen time is going to create issues. Essentially, what kids are accessing matters. How much matters and how matters."

Instead, she encourages families and educators to be intentional about how students use devices and to ensure screen time is not replacing sleep, physical activity, face-to-face social interactions or other important developmental experiences.

"Making sure it's not displacing anything of value, meaning it should not be happening when we should be sleeping, it should not be happening when we're eating, it shouldn't be happening in place of interacting or playing outside with other kids, in place of sports or extracurricular activities," said Puckett-Perez. "Just like we think about it's important to nourish our bodies with food. Sure, we can have treats and other things that we enjoy, but it's also we have to balance that out with things that help us grow and nourish us. Same thing with sleep and Same thing with other activities."

RISD officials say the district's new guidelines are rooted in that same philosophy.

"The challenge is finding that balance. I'm a mom -- I have three older kids who, technology looked very different for them. And then I have a 12-year-old in which the moms in our neighborhood are having discussions who will be the first one to give them a cell phone because and trying to delay that as long as possible," Branum said.

The district's new guidelines state that students should learn with technology, not from technology. Leaders also stressed that exceptional teaching and meaningful relationships remain the foundation of classroom learning.

"We still want teachers to be their creative self. We just wanna make sure we're doing it in a way that it's healthy and in best practice for our kids," Branum said.

She said the district continues to view technology literacy as an essential skill as students prepare for an increasingly digital world shaped by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

"We hear from our industry partners how important it is that our students have the skills that they need to be successful," Branum said. "Yes, we have to prepare them for their future, but we have to do it in a way that meets where they are right now," Branum said.

RISD has previously taken steps to limit technology-related distractions. The district was among the first in Texas to remove cellphones from secondary classrooms by requiring students to place devices in locked pouches during the school day.

Branum described the new screen time guidelines as the next step in the district's ongoing effort to reset instructional expectations and strengthen partnerships with parents following the pandemic.

"It's very much a return to big books and students reading lots of tangible, hands-on books. And I have so many teachers that they're thrilled to see those being delivered to their classrooms," Branum said. "And then I have a lot of teachers who are like, exemplars for how to use technology in the classroom. And I've just reassured them that if they are using technology in that productive way, in a way that really is ensuring our kids are leaving better at the end of the day than when they walked in, that they can continue to do those learning experiences and to communicate and partner with their parents."

RISD plans to continue gathering feedback throughout the school year and adjust as needed.

"I would just want all of our parents to know that we love their kids and that we are going to continue to work and become the best district," Branum said. "We know that our parents trust us with their most important treasure, and we don't take that lightly."

District officials said additional details about implementation will be shared with families as part of back-to-school communications. Click here to learn more.

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