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 Agecroft Hall Gardens in Henrico, VA 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 Henrico, VA 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.
“This is years late in posting but a request on a local forum asking for”
“Outstanding professional service. Highly recommend Lynn Hancock and her team for home care or placement”
“Alden Rice was an absolutely priceless resource during a difficult time. When my sister was”
“Alden & Always Best Care are wonderful to work with. Their knowledge of the”
“Excellent choices presented tailored to our family needs and done with genuine care, sensitivity and”
“Love having a resource like Always Best Care (Alden Rice) to lead my family through”
“Lynn Hancock was awesome. She was both professional and caring. She assisted my in-laws on”
“Lynn provides a great service to families during what can be a very difficult time.”
“Words can't express the depth of my gratitude for all you have done for our”
“Words can't express the depth of my gratitude for all you have done for our”
“Thank you for all your help in the assisted living search. Your knowledge and input”
“Always Best Care has been a life-saver for me in so many different capacities for”
“Excellent staff. Attentive and compassionate. Highly recommend!”
“Lynn and her team are amazingly compassionate and professional. I would highly recommend them to”
“Working with Lynn Hancock was the best experience I ever had in my life. She”
“Compassionate, caring listeners! Very knowledgeable in their field & patient as we ask never questions.”
“Lynn and her team are amazingly compassionate and professional. I would highly recommend them to”
“Compassionate, caring listeners! Very knowledgeable in their field & patient as we ask never questions.”
“This is years late in posting but a request on a local forum asking for at home care recommendations brought this to my attention as I could relate to the poster’s position. And from hard earned experience I won’t hesitate to recommend this company. It can be confusing if you are not aware that this is a franchise and you could easily be getting valuable & FREE advice from someone like Alden and then connect with another company. I would bet that this company - just check out the owner Helen’s extensive experience with the Alzheimer’s community - is hands down the best out there. I know so much more now through years of exhaustive experience. I don’t know if I ever thanked them, but I hope my recommendation steers at least one person to this particular office and that they know how many lives they have touched. I almost never write reviews even when I feel I should, but this one is different.”
“Outstanding professional service. Highly recommend Lynn Hancock and her team for home care or placement needs.”
“Alden Rice was an absolutely priceless resource during a difficult time. When my sister was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease, I was living and working full-time in Texas. I had no idea how to find housing in Richmond that would accommodate my sister’s needs and budget. Alden educated me, identified several apartments that would be a good fit for my sister, emailed pricing for all of them and then met us to tour the apartments when I visited Richmond. With Alden’s expert guidance, we found a home for my sister that met her needs. Astonishingly, we did not pay for Alden’s help. The apartments paid the fee to Always Best Care. Alden is a treasure. I could not have done it without her.”
“Alden & Always Best Care are wonderful to work with. Their knowledge of the local senior service provides and ability to match the personal needs with financial capacity is amazing. I have referred two other friends to Alden, and both have come back with glowing reviews as well. The most amazing thing is that all of this wonderful service is free to the families that need help. If you have a loved one that has reached a stage in life that they need additional help in their own home or have to face the reality of not being able to stay at home, Alden & Always Best Care should be your first call.”
“Excellent choices presented tailored to our family needs and done with genuine care, sensitivity and expert knowledge.”
“Love having a resource like Always Best Care (Alden Rice) to lead my family through this process. Being knowledgeable and patient has been two key attributes I have valued in making this difficult decision. Alden always follows up! I highly recommend this service. I wish more people knew about this.”
“Lynn Hancock was awesome. She was both professional and caring. She assisted my in-laws on two occasions to get settled in their living situations. She also worked with a close friend to give a senior parent in home assistance, allowing the family to have peace of mind with the care of their loved one. I highly recommend Lynn and Always Best Care.”
“Lynn provides a great service to families during what can be a very difficult time. Her knowledge and compassion make her great at what she does!”
“Words can't express the depth of my gratitude for all you have done for our family, and most of all, for our mom throughout her illness. In fact, I don't know what we would have done without you! Not only was your true sense of caring and concern so obvious, but you never failed to exhaust every avenue in providing sources of care for my mom, to referring me to Eric and Simon, and generally overseeing every aspect of my mother's life during her illness. For this, I and my family will be forever grateful.”
“Words can't express the depth of my gratitude for all you have done for our family, and most of all, for our mom throughout her illness. In fact, I don't know what we would have done without you! Not only was your true sense of caring and concern so obvious, but you never failed to exhaust every avenue in providing sources of care for my mom, to referring me to Eric and Simon, and generally overseeing every aspect of my mother's life during her illness. For this, I and my family will be forever grateful.”
“Thank you for all your help in the assisted living search. Your knowledge and input were invaluable in finding Hermitage. Mom is doing really well. Hospice says she doesn't need hospice. She has started physical therapy. We feel fortunate that we had already been through their process so she could transfer there from the hospital. Thanks again!”
“Always Best Care has been a life-saver for me in so many different capacities for at least 7 years....one of their phenomenal staff literally did save my life one time and they have never been anything but compassionate and caring and cannot thank everyone at ABC so much for everything!”
“Excellent staff. Attentive and compassionate. Highly recommend!”
“Lynn and her team are amazingly compassionate and professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for someone to care for a family member or to anyone looking into retirement homes for a family member in the Richmond area. Thanks Lynn. You guys are the best!”
“Working with Lynn Hancock was the best experience I ever had in my life. She is very kind considerate. Having her as a boss was truthfully a great experience she helps her employees in times of need. She matches up the right people for each cases accordingly. I would strongly recommend working for Lynn she is the best.”
“Compassionate, caring listeners! Very knowledgeable in their field & patient as we ask never questions. Helping me & my brother tremendously by eliminating confusion & frustration. Advised and presented best options based on our family's circumstances. A huge blessing & answer to prayer that is providing much relief and assurance as we pursue tough decisions. Lynn is the best!”
“Lynn and her team are amazingly compassionate and professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for someone to care for a family member or to anyone looking into retirement homes for a family member in the Richmond area. Thanks Lynn. You guys are the best!”
“Compassionate, caring listeners! Very knowledgeable in their field & patient as we ask never questions. Helping me & my brother tremendously by eliminating confusion & frustration. Advised and presented best options based on our family's circumstances. A huge blessing & answer to prayer that is providing much relief and assurance as we pursue tough decisions. Lynn is the best!”
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 Deep Run Park Recreation Center in Henrico, VA 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 The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing or visit Maggie L Walker National Historic Site, 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 Henrico, VA, 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 Henrico, VA 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 Henrico, VA 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.
HENRICO, Va. —A public records request submitted by CBS 6 has uncovered 625 open work orders related to HVAC issues across Henrico County Public Schools' more than 74 schools and facilities.The oldest work order dates back to Sept. 11, 2023. Only about 6 of the 625 open work orders list a completion date, and 88% of them are from 2026 alone.CBS 6 has been reporting on HVAC issues inside Henrico County schools since the beginning of last school year, with complaints from families and staff skyrocketing at the start of this...
HENRICO, Va. —A public records request submitted by CBS 6 has uncovered 625 open work orders related to HVAC issues across Henrico County Public Schools' more than 74 schools and facilities.
The oldest work order dates back to Sept. 11, 2023. Only about 6 of the 625 open work orders list a completion date, and 88% of them are from 2026 alone.
CBS 6 has been reporting on HVAC issues inside Henrico County schools since the beginning of last school year, with complaints from families and staff skyrocketing at the start of this school year.
Despite the volume of unresolved issues, school leaders — from board members to the superintendent — claimed at last week's school board work session that conditions are improving.
WATCH: Henrico schools makes facilities leadership changes amid HVAC concerns
"The challenges we've faced this year are actually less than we've faced in prior years," Henrico School Board member Kristi Kinsella said.
"We've made dramatic progress compared to where we were with some of these challenges a few years ago," Henrico Superintendent Dr. Amy Cashwell said.
Three work orders from the first half of 2025 were submitted by Glen Allen Elementary, Fairfield Middle and Newbridge Elementary. Each involves classrooms with no heat or air conditioning, and none lists a resolution.
At Glen Allen Elementary, staff noted "part unavailable will research," with a status of "parts on order." At Fairfield Middle and Newbridge Elementary, staff submitted requests for equipment replacement, but those requests were not approved and the quotes expired. The current status for both is listed as "awaiting funding."
Records also show air conditioning problems at Lakeside Elementary, where last summer someone reported classroom temperatures at 85 degrees. Five work orders came in for air conditioning failures at the school between July 30, 2025, and Aug. 17 of this year, with no completion date listed for any of them.
A work order submitted by staff at Greenwood Elementary School on May 18 of this year stated that "black stuff/specs were falling out of the vents all over classrooms." The work order notes a bid job was submitted, but by Aug. 18, staff submitted a new work order stating black particles were still coming out of ducts in classrooms after cleaning. No completion date is listed.
WATCH: Henrico touts HVAC progress, but families at school say temps still unbearable
At Glen Lea Elementary, a work order submitted Aug. 17 reported that classrooms were "very humid and causing the growth of mold." No completion date is listed, no work is detailed as having been done, and the status is listed as "work in progress."
Families who spoke with CBS 6 have expressed frustration over the ongoing issues.
"A lot of families I talked to said, you know, Henrico County is a well-off county. They have plenty of money,” investigative reporter Melissa Hipolit said. "They don't understand how a county like Henrico County that has resources could allow its schools to get into this situation."
Greg Dunaway, the school system's brand new Chief of Operations, said "These are challenges and approaches that are not unique to Henrico County Public Schools. Any organization that has the number of schools and the scale and the scope deal with the same exact challenges that we have of prioritizing spending money where it makes sense, doing it wisely for the long haul to ensure sustainability."
Dunaway also provided a statement alongside the release of the work orders, saying the list is not a full and accurate accounting of the heating and cooling work taking place. In reviewing the system, he said he found long-outstanding tickets that may not accurately reflect whether issues have been addressed. Dunaway stated the work order system is an area in need of significant improvement, and he is working to create a new internal dashboard and work order monitoring system.
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Henrico County Public Schools faces $92 million in immediate deferred maintenance needs, according to a third-party mechanical facilities assessment conducted this year.There is an additional $60.5 million dollars worth of deferred maintenance at 17 schools that are slated to be renovated or replaced as part of HCPS’s long-term CIP, but according to the assessment those CIP projects are not funded at this time.While the division says spending that amount upfront is not a reality, it now has a 1...
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Henrico County Public Schools faces $92 million in immediate deferred maintenance needs, according to a third-party mechanical facilities assessment conducted this year.
There is an additional $60.5 million dollars worth of deferred maintenance at 17 schools that are slated to be renovated or replaced as part of HCPS’s long-term CIP, but according to the assessment those CIP projects are not funded at this time.
While the division says spending that amount upfront is not a reality, it now has a 10-year capital improvement plan to address the deferred maintenance and hopefully prevent future HVAC failures.
CBS 6 Investigative Reporter Melissa Hipolit had the opportunity to sit down with Greg Dunaway, the brand new Chief of Operations for Henrico County Public Schools, and brought him concerns and questions from families across the division.
Years of on-again, off-again HVAC issues at multiple Henrico County schools left families feeling they had no choice but to speak out.
A parent at Pemberton Elementary said the situation was unacceptable.
"I am pretty frustrated as a parent, as a leader in the school. It is astonishing to me that we could start a school year with five classrooms with no air,” Sarah Demmick said.
A parent at Short Pump Elementary echoed that frustration.
"Henrico County does and can afford to fix this. It should be able to,” Emily Walker said.
"People are feeling extreme frustration. They’re just wondering what is going on here. Why wasn't this fixed before? Why is it happening again?” Hipolit said to Dunaway.
"The perception is that the system keeps going out at the school, but the reality and what we are seeing are different components within a complex system going out over a period of time that may make it appear that the entire system repeatedly goes out," Dunaway replied.
When pressed on why families should accept that explanation, Dunaway pointed to work done over the summer.
"I know another thing from my observation is our in-house team has been working very hard all summer to put in the work to ensure reliability of our systems," Dunaway said.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Short Pump Elementary mom frustrated by more than a year of AC problems
To bolster preventative maintenance across the division, Henrico County Public Schools entered into a new joint contract with county government partners on Sept. 1 to assist with preventative maintenance on a quarterly basis.
"The eight contractors that we have on contract now, will be coming in each of the schools four times a year to conduct preventative maintenance and inspections of the equipment to ensure reliability. And so our team has been doing that over time, but it's a large scale and scope, and we need to provide reinforcements," Dunaway said.
When asked whether he was satisfied with the level of preventative maintenance in place before this contract, Dunaway was direct.
"No, my assessment I think probably aligns with the organization's assessment that we needed to apply more resources," Dunaway said.
While the school division says approximately 18 schools are currently experiencing problems with air conditioning, a public records request submitted by CBS 6 uncovered an email sent by Henrico Deputy County Manager Brandon Hinton on Aug. 26 to various members of HCPS.
In the email, Hinton said the county had a count of more than 40 schools that were of concern as heat increased — including his own child's school, which he claimed did not have air conditioning in his son’s classroom. Hinton said he was hoping for an update and noted that he had called the school division's Head of Facilities, Susan Moore, about the issues, but that she "didn't seem to have significant concerns."
Hipolit asked Dunaway whether that response was appropriate.
"This time of year, HVAC is one of our top priorities. So any type of input we receive about an HVAC issue at a school, our team is deployed to go assess and resolve if they can and apply temporary measures. That's been my observation with the facility's operation as a whole," Dunaway said.
When asked directly whether he had confidence in Moore's leadership, Dunaway repeatedly redirected his answer.
"I have confidence that we have an operation, and we are deploying systems and protocols that can ensure that we are resolving HVAC issues or providing temporary measures wherever they may arise in our school system," Dunaway said.
Pressed further on whether that confidence extended to the Director of Facilities specifically, Dunaway said:
"I have confidence in our facilities operation as a whole, to include the team members that work there and their dedication towards making sure that we're creating safe spaces for our students," Dunaway said.
After our interview, Dunaway told the School Board he is realigning the facilities team and Susan Moore will no longer be the Director of Facilities, and instead will move to a newly created position, Director of Capital Outlay and Planning.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 18 Henrico schools have AC problems. Parents want answers.
A second email uncovered through the public records request, sent Aug. 27 by the Coordinator of Assessment and Remediation at Douglas Wilder Middle School to Moore and others, alleged the air conditioning in the building had been consistently broken for years. The coordinator also alleged the county was breaking the law by not meeting the requirements of some students' special education plans that require a comfortable environment.
When asked whether Henrico County had broken the law with regard to those 504 plans and conditions inside schools related to air conditioning, Dunaway said the division takes those situations seriously.
"We're constantly engaged as a team on any items like that, and so that will go through school leadership and the proper channels, and we will huddle as a team to discuss it and make sure that again we're applying — if it is a situation tied to HVAC issues — that we're applying temporary measures, and/or relocating individuals, or if need be, if it's a larger issue that can't be resolved immediately, that we would make a call to dismiss or close the school," Dunaway said.
We followed up with HCPS’s Chief of Communications Eileen Cox who sent us the following statement:
Henrico County Public Schools prioritizes safety of students and staff along with continuity of learning for all. The school division does not knowingly break the law.For student privacy reasons, I am not able to speak specifically about an individual student’s learning plan or any personal information. Instead, I can share in general terms, steps that are taken during a heating or cooling issue to address individual student needs such as situation you described.When a school experiences an air conditioning problem, technicians are dispatched to assess the issue and make repairs or order necessary parts to resolve the issue. To support students and staff in affected areas, classes may be relocated to a cooler location within the building, and portable fans and air conditioning units (also known as spot coolers) may be used while system repairs are made. If a student within an affected class is medically fragile or has learning plan that includes accommodations related to the classroom environment, those are evaluated and appropriate action is taken to mitigate impacts to the student and their learning.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Multiple Henrico schools have broken HVAC units
The third-party mechanical facilities assessment found the division only replaces some equipment upon failure, which results in many systems operating beyond their useful life.
When asked whether that is a sound maintenance model to run equipment to failure, Dunaway pointed to the division's long-term plan.
"I think it speaks to the additional resources we're applying for the long term. You can see with the 10-year capital improvement plan a heavy investment in addressing these aging systems and pieces of equipment over a long period of time," Dunaway said.
Asked whether he understood why running equipment to failure had become the model in the past, along with not having a robust preventative maintenance contract with outside contractors, Dunaway said he could only speak to what he has observed since joining the division.
"I can speak to my experience since I've been here in the past month, and I see an organization that has been applying all of the available resources they have to try to match the scale and the scope, and this added investment in resources here is going to help us progress and ensure more reliability," Dunaway said.
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Records obtained by 12 On Your Side show repair requests at more than 60 schools since August 24thHENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - 624. That’s the number of open HVAC and facility work orders across the divisions.12 On Your Side obtained that information through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.Over half of the work orders remain unresolved and have been on the books for more than 30 days.Another 41 work orders have been open for more than a year.At Deep Run High School, three active repair tickets ...
HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - 624. That’s the number of open HVAC and facility work orders across the divisions.
12 On Your Side obtained that information through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Over half of the work orders remain unresolved and have been on the books for more than 30 days.
Another 41 work orders have been open for more than a year.
At Deep Run High School, three active repair tickets date back to September 2023, three years ago.
School officials said 18 schools were experiencing multiple rooms or entire wings without working HVAC systems this school year.
However, records obtained by 12 On Your Side show work orders submitted this school year at more than 60 schools across the division.
Two days before the On Your Side Investigators received the records, I was able to sit down with the new Chief of Operations for Henrico County Public Schools, Greg Dunaway.
“As far as those outages, we don’t have that because again, it’s that 18 number is changing on a daily basis,” Dunaway said when asked about a list of work order requests.
“It’s individual work orders, so it’s not like there’s a list we’re checking off. It’s individual work orders being submitted to a system. It’s not one comprehensive list,” Eileen Cox, Henrico Schools spokesperson, said.
Records show 512 HVAC work orders were submitted between July 1 and September 1, 2026. During that period, crews closed 175. Nearly a quarter of open tickets are currently marked “deferred.”
Emergency work orders for broken air conditioning were logged in special-needs classrooms at Hermitage High School, Ashe Elementary, and Rivers Edge Elementary, according to records.
Staff at Ward Elementary and Glen Lea Elementary reported excess humidity causing mold growth. Fair Oaks Elementary also reported mold.
Dunaway issued a statement addressing the district’s work order tracking system.
“In full transparency, I must acknowledge that it is not a full and accurate accounting of the heating and cooling work taking place in our schools,” Dunaway said. “Since joining the Henrico Schools team last month, I have identified the work order system as an area in need of significant improvement. In reviewing the system, we found long-outstanding tickets that may not accurately reflect whether issues have been addressed or if a work order should have been closed.”
You can read the full statement below:
A new maintenance contract began Sept. 1. It added staff and resources.
The district is also commissioning a third-party study of the Facilities Department’s organizational structure and systems, along with a new internal dashboard and work order monitoring system presented to the School Board on September 10.
Right now, neither the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) nor the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) program mandates a specific legal maximum indoor temperature.
Virginia is developing a formal VOSH Heat Illness Prevention Standard for indoor and outdoor workplaces, slated for adoption by May 1, 2028.
Rob Rowley, chief of emergency management for Henrico County, said the county uses federal guidance in managing its own buildings.
“That guidance document lets us know that we should be concerned anytime we are asking employees to operate in an indoor space that is at or in excess of 84 degrees Fahrenheit,” Rowley said.
The main cause for concern? Prolonged exposure to the heat.
“Prolonged heat exposure to those temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses, and we know that that risk is even greater if you are someone who has a pre-existing medical condition,” Rowley said.
The county closed off portions of libraries and, in some cases, closed a library early when temperatures could not be kept below 84 degrees during periods of extreme heat this summer.
Cox said the district’s mechanical systems are set to 74 degrees, with the understanding that occupied classrooms may be warmer.
Cox cited American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers recommendations of 73 to 79 degrees for summer months.
Still, with hundreds of spot coolers placed in dozens of schools across the division, teachers are reporting classroom temperatures in the 80s and 90s.
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Emails exclusively obtained by CBS 6 through a public records request reveal widespread concerns about air conditioning and high temperatures inside Henrico County Public Schools right before students returned to class and during the first weeks of the school year.The records show HVAC problems were reported at more than 30 schools.At Godwin High School, the principal described the HVAC situation as a “mess” and later wrote that she was “at a loss” after dealing with persisten...
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Emails exclusively obtained by CBS 6 through a public records request reveal widespread concerns about air conditioning and high temperatures inside Henrico County Public Schools right before students returned to class and during the first weeks of the school year.
The records show HVAC problems were reported at more than 30 schools.
At Godwin High School, the principal described the HVAC situation as a “mess” and later wrote that she was “at a loss” after dealing with persistent problems “for many years.”
At Mehfoud Elementary School, the principal described temperatures during the school’s open house as “extremely concerning and dangerous,” with some classrooms reaching 88 degrees.
The emails provide an inside look at what principals, teachers and parents were reporting as temperatures in some Henrico classrooms climbed into the 80s and, in at least one case, above 90 degrees.
“It is astonishing to me that we could start a school year with five classrooms with no air,” Pemberton Elementary parent Sarah Demmick told CBS 6.
Short Pump Elementary parent Emily Walker described conditions as “very stuffy and sweaty, like a sauna.”
Before classes began, the principal at Short Pump Middle School emailed the Henrico Schools director of middle school education to report that all upstairs classrooms and common spaces were above 80 degrees, according to records obtained by CBS 6.
The principal reported that four condenser fan motors were down and said her team had been instructed not to replace them, despite the parts being on site.
Henrico Schools spokeswoman Eileen Cox told CBS 6 the parts arrived while technicians were still evaluating whether a larger repair was needed. She also said a school’s maintenance supervisor should not be responsible for installing that type of equipment.
Short Pump Middle ultimately closed Sept. 3 because of cooling issues.
One student told CBS 6 it felt like it was 92 degrees inside.
“It was really hot,” the student said.
Harvie Elementary School also had to close due to cooling issues in early September.
WATCH: Former Henrico teacher calls HVAC crisis 'unconscionable negligence' despite superintendent apology
The records show similar warnings at Johnson Elementary School.
On Aug. 19, a teacher wrote the school board about temperatures inside the building, saying conditions were not ideal for the beginning of the school year and that items were falling off classroom walls because of the heat.
The following day, another Johnson teacher reported that her classroom was already 88 degrees at 9 a.m. without students inside.
Later that afternoon, she recorded a temperature as high as 91 degrees, according to her email.
At Johnson, the principal also reported there had been no air conditioning in the gym since 2023 and no AC in the building for the past year, according to the records.
Teachers raised concerns about the use of window units, describing them as loud and unreliable. Records also reference video provided to school leaders documenting noise from spot coolers.
You can listen to that audio in our story.
One week into the school year, the principal said she still had not received an update from facilities about next steps.
“Is it fair to make your staff work in hot conditions?” CBS 6 asked Highland Springs High School teacher Patrick Miller.
“No, it is not,” Miller responded.
At Mehfoud Elementary, the principal sent Henrico’s head of facilities an email after the school's open house.
She described temperatures inside the building as “extremely concerning and dangerous,” with some classrooms reaching 88 degrees.
The principal wrote that she observed chiller filters packed with dust and said she had been asking for help since the beginning of the summer.
Later, she again pleaded for assistance with what she described as an extremely uncomfortable learning environment and reported mold on a teacher’s chiller.
WATCH: Henrico schools superintendent apologizes for HVAC failures, outlines fix
Records from Godwin High School show another principal raising concerns about persistent HVAC problems.
Beginning Aug. 26, the principal sent emails about the issues, at one point saying she was “at a loss” and had been dealing with the problems “for many years.”
She also reported not hearing back from facilities and said work orders had been closed as completed when, according to her email, the work had not actually been completed.
The records reveal problems at several other schools.
At Skipwith Elementary, the principal reported on the first day of school that classrooms had to be relocated because of high temperatures. Makeshift classrooms were established in the gym, while spot coolers were not large enough to cool some areas and the library air conditioning needed repairs.
On Aug. 27, a parent wrote Superintendent Amy Cashwell alleging teachers were being told not to communicate classroom conditions to parents and called that alleged instruction “unethical.”
The following day, the Skipwith principal thanked staff for installing a spot cooler in the cafeteria. But according to the records, water soon began pouring from the unit because of a cracked tube, rendering it unusable.
Elsewhere, a parent at Deep Run High School reported an ongoing mold problem in the auditorium. Facilities staff confirmed the issue and said the area had been cleaned twice, according to the records.
At Varina High School, a teacher reported ongoing mold concerns and eventually contacted human resources after the issue remained unresolved.
CBS 6 has reported on HVAC concerns in Henrico schools for the past year.
Before the start of the new school year, CBS 6 reporter A.J. Nwoko asked Superintendent Amy Cashwell about the condition of the school division's HVAC systems.
“We are always making sure we're doing preventative maintenance and keeping those systems up to par,” Cashwell said.
She said that when HVAC problems occur, the school system works quickly to assess them and put temporary mitigation measures in place, including spot coolers and fans, to keep learning environments safe and conducive to learning.
When Nwoko pressed Cashwell on whether families could expect temperature problems during the new school year, HCPS spokeswoman Eileen Cox interrupted the question.
“That's not fair,” Cox said, later adding, “She's already said that schools are ready to open. Let's talk about standard start. We're done with HVAC.”
Once school began, however, records show cooling concerns continued to be reported across the district.
By early September, Henrico Schools’ brand new Chief of Operations, Greg Dunaway, told CBS 6 he believed the division needed to devote additional resources to preventive maintenance.
The school system entered a new preventive maintenance contract Sept. 1.
When asked whether he was satisfied with the amount of preventive maintenance being performed before the new contract, Dunaway said “my assessment, I think, probably aligns with the organization's assessment that we needed to apply more resources."
CBS 6 investigative reporter Melissa Hipolit requested interviews with Cashwell and School Board Chair Madison Irving about the HVAC problems. Both “respectfully declined" the interview requests.
That same day, Cashwell released a video apologizing for the HVAC issues.
“Please know that I am sorry and that fixing these problems remain a priority,” Cashwell said.
“I share your urgency to make things right,” she added.
Irving said he previously spoke with CBS 6 reporter Joi Fultz after a school board meeting about the problems.
“We will do whatever it takes to make sure that Henrico is a shining example in the state when it comes to working and learning conditions,” Irving said in that interview. “It’s about being proactive, not focusing on the past, but how do we move forward as a division to create the best environment for our students.”
Irving said the problems developed over a long period of time and would not be fixed overnight. He expressed confidence in the division's new chief of operations and his 10-year plan.
CBS 6 is committed to sharing community voices on this important topic. .
Watch Melissa Hipolit's reporting on CBS 6 and WTVR.com. Have something for Melissa to investigate?
RICHMOND, Va. — A robotic arm is printing concrete walls in 45 minutes — and Virginia Housing officials say the technology could be a key part of addressing the state's housing affordability crisis.At a Richmond warehouse, human hands mix the ingredients, but it is a robotic arm equipped with a specialized nozzle that constructs the walls with the precision of a 3D printer.A process that would normally take several hours on a job site was reduced to just 45 minutes before a crowd gathered to address housing affordab...
RICHMOND, Va. — A robotic arm is printing concrete walls in 45 minutes — and Virginia Housing officials say the technology could be a key part of addressing the state's housing affordability crisis.
At a Richmond warehouse, human hands mix the ingredients, but it is a robotic arm equipped with a specialized nozzle that constructs the walls with the precision of a 3D printer.
A process that would normally take several hours on a job site was reduced to just 45 minutes before a crowd gathered to address housing affordability.
Virginia Housing Director of Strategic Housing Chris Thompson said the solution to present and future housing demand may lie in the technology.
"We need more housing to be built to meet present demand and to keep up with future," Thompson said. "The technology is here; we can do this and now this is our first example of building this at scale and that's where we really need to be."
Using a $1.1 million grant from Virginia Housing, Virginia Tech University purchased the mobile concrete printer, which was designed by India-based company TVASTA, a firm that specializes in 3D concrete printing.
TVASTA Chief Technical Officer Kalyan Vaidyanadhan said speed is central to the technology's value.
"We want to be able to do this faster than conventional construction because only then can we make this meaningful," Vaidyanadhan said.
Vaidyanadhan said the machine's mobility means the 2.5-ton walls can be constructed in a warehouse or directly on a job site.
"Less labor, better performance and hopefully cheaper too as we scale up," Vaidyanadhan said.
Virginia Tech Associate Professor Alexander Brand said the university is currently researching the best materials to make 3D-printed homes feasible.
"Changing the ratios, changing how we're making the materials and then actually testing the strength, its durability, how does it hold up to different environmental conditions," Brand said. "That's why we're all doing at Tech so that we can have confidence when the house is built that it does exactly what it's designed to do."
Houston-based construction company HiveASMBLD provided technical expertise during the build. Construction Director Wafaey Swelim said the technology is not a complete fix, but a meaningful step forward.
"It's not the silver bullet that's going to make construction overnight affordable, It won't solve every single issue, but it will help us get closer," Swelim said.
Virginia Habitat for Humanity Vice President of Construction and Real Estate Ryan Pacyna said labor remains the critical bottleneck.
"The pinch point is really that of labor and its so that of being able to deliver homes that affordable, but not cheap," Pacyna said.
Virginia Habitat for Humanity stands to benefit directly from the demonstration. In a few weeks, the printed walls will be transported to an off-site subdivision on Henrico's East End, where the nonprofit plans to build 5 additional 3D-printed homes.
"You're looking at being able to deliver a home that is disaster resilient and energy efficient. That's really where affordability lies," Pacyna said.
At the Carter Place 1 construction site in Eastern Henrico, Virginia Housing said nonprofits and contractors will study how the 3D-printed homes are assembled to determine how the technology can be improved, where costs can be saved, and how it can be scaled to reduce housing costs statewide.
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