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.
Records show 20 of 80 emails between county liaison and school facilities director received no responseRICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request show a Henrico County employee hired to help resolve HVAC problems in Henrico County Public Schools went unanswered by the school division’s facilities director on at least 20 occasions since June.The 80 emails span communications between Eric Sears, who works with Henrico County General Services, and Susan Moore, facilities director fo...
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request show a Henrico County employee hired to help resolve HVAC problems in Henrico County Public Schools went unanswered by the school division’s facilities director on at least 20 occasions since June.
The 80 emails span communications between Eric Sears, who works with Henrico County General Services, and Susan Moore, facilities director for Henrico County Public Schools, since Sears started his role in June.
The On Your Side Investigators reviewed the records.
Henrico County created Sears’ position in General Services late last school year to serve as a liaison between the county and the school division on HVAC repairs, and to coordinate with vendors and contracted technicians.
According to the county, 70 schools in the division have experienced some type of air conditioning issue since students returned to class.
On July 1, Sears emailed Moore with the subject line “Pre school year HVAC checks,” asking, “Does Henrico maintenance staff or contractors perform any operational or performance checks to equipment prior to August?”
He received no reply.
Sears waited 28 days before sending a follow-up email on July 29.
Moore replied six hours later that day, forwarding the question to Robert Isbell, HCPS mechanical trades supervisor. Isbell responded: “Maintenance staff perform performance checks weekly. And perform quarterly filter changes and belts checks as well. Weekly checks in the summer depend on occupied status of the zones.”
Records also show it took weeks for Sears to gain full access to school buildings to inspect HVAC systems himself.
On July 20, HCPS Chief of Staff Michelle Boyd emailed Moore to help arrange badge access for Sears.
Other emails from Sears that went unanswered, this includes an Aug. 4 message to Moore and Isbell that included a photo of a boiler and maintenance questions; an Aug. 5 email asking about HVAC plans for the new Fairfield Elementary School; an Aug. 11 email to Moore and Isbell seeking help with a broken chiller at Greenwood Elementary School; an Aug. 14 email asking to schedule a review of startup issues for the week of Sept. 7; and emails sent Aug. 18, 21 and 26 regarding HVAC issues at Trevvett Elementary School and Highland Springs High School.
An Aug. 13 email chain shows the school division scrambling to secure rental air conditioning units days before students returned to class.
Tom Wilkins, assistant director of facilities for HCPS operations, contacted a representative from Spot Coolers, a division of Carrier Corporation, to ask about accessing more units.
The company replied that it is a member of several purchasing cooperatives that make it easier for school districts to purchase or rent equipment.
Wilkins forwarded that information to Kennedy Venaglia, HCPS finance division director of purchasing and delivery services, writing: “We are in desperate need of additional spot coolers. I am trying so put together an RQ this morning.”
Venaglia contacted Justin Herbaugh in Henrico County’s purchasing division about the request.
Herbaugh then escalated the matter to Henrico Purchasing Director Oscar Knott, writing: “Is this ‘spot cooler purchase’ something you were aware of coming in hot? I’m assuming it will be a significant dollar commitment and thought you would want to be brought into the loop ASAP.”
Knott replied: “1st I’m hearing of spot coolers.”
Knott then looped in Sears, writing: “The terms and conditions on the quote is a problem. Other than that, I don’t understand why they continue to need to purchase spot coolers. They should have 100s in inventory right now based on the last few years of buying these things for temporary use. By now the permanent units that they were bought to supplement should have been repaired/replaced and we shouldn’t need to continue to buy more units.”
Knott asked Sears to look into the matter, saying, “something just seems off.”
Venaglia responded that facilities staff reported roughly 280 spot coolers installed in schools awaiting various repairs, with only 15 spare units in the warehouse, and said several schools could require a significant number of additional units before Aug. 24.
Sears forwarded the email chain to Moore on Aug. 14 and did not receive a reply.
As of Sept. 1, Henrico County Public Schools spokesperson Eileen Cox said the division has, “rented approximately 130 portable air conditioning units for temporary use as mechanical needs are being addressed.”
Rental fees have topped $165,000 and are continuing to climb, according to a county source.
The 12 On Your Side Investigators have several additional FOIA requests pending with Henrico County Public Schools.
The division has requested thousands of dollars to fulfill the requests.
HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - HVAC issues and hot temperatures continue to impact Henrico County Public Schools.A day after Harvie Elementary School dismissed students early, school officials closed Short Pump Middle School for the day.Parents learned shortly before 7 a.m. that the school would be closed. Classrooms were too hot, and air conditioning units could not keep up with triple-digit heat.Henrico County Public Schools said a team of contracted technicians worked through the night to repair the air conditioning issues and...
HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - HVAC issues and hot temperatures continue to impact Henrico County Public Schools.
A day after Harvie Elementary School dismissed students early, school officials closed Short Pump Middle School for the day.
Parents learned shortly before 7 a.m. that the school would be closed. Classrooms were too hot, and air conditioning units could not keep up with triple-digit heat.
Henrico County Public Schools said a team of contracted technicians worked through the night to repair the air conditioning issues and installed portable units in some parts of the building.
“However, despite the ongoing work, morning readings remained high,” school officials said.
Thursday was not a remote learning day for Short Pump Middle School students. Teachers and staff used the time for collaborative planning.
Meantime, Harvie Elementary School returned to classes as normal on Thursday “with temporary cooling measures in place.”
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Henrico County Public Schools has been dealing with broken air conditioners and extreme heat in some classrooms since the school year began.
Henrico County has allocated $20 million this year for HVAC, plumbing and electrical work, according to Three Chopt District Supervisor Misty Roundtree.
She said Henrico County Public Schools largely controls its own operations.
The county estimates 70 schools have experienced some type of air conditioning-related issue since students returned for the 2026-2027 school year.
Ann and Austin Turek have two daughters in Henrico County Public Schools, one at Ward Elementary and one at Mehfoud Elementary. They said they are concerned for their children and for teachers dealing with the heat.
“She sweats profusely. She came home today with a headache. I asked her what happened and she said was just too hot mommy,” Ann Turek said.
Austin Turek said staff members with health issues have been told to use FMLA leave if they cannot handle the heat.
“The teachers with health issues and the staff with health issues, they’re telling them that, well, if you can’t handle it, use FMLA. What do you mean?,” he asked rhetorically. “Or you could fix the problem. We found out earlier that there’s mold in some of the spot coolers,” Austin Turek said.
“So, moldy air is constantly being blown in their faces,” Ann Turek added.
Ann Turek said Mehfoud Elementary has had ongoing HVAC issues for years and that portable spot coolers were introduced in 2024 as a temporary fix. She said the machines are loud and blow air in one direction instead of circulating cooled air throughout a room like a standard HVAC system.
“It’s loud and I have a headache,” her 6-year-old said. “And it’s also hot.”
She said a staff member told her mold has built up inside some spot coolers because they cannot be taken apart and properly cleaned. She said custodial staff have been draining the units but were never given instructions for maintaining them.
Ann Turek said she has called the district’s director of facilities multiple times since school started and received differing explanations about what part needed to be replaced. She said a fix was installed last week, but the HVAC system began blowing hot air afterward, and additional repairs were needed.
“School is supposed to be a safe place for them and it’s not a safe environment,” Ann Turek said.
In an email to 12 On Your Side, Eileen Cox, spokesperson for Henrico County Public Schools said, “The safety and well-being of students and staff remain the division’s highest priorities, and administrators are committed to providing the most comfortable and conducive learning environments possible at every school across Henrico County.”
Students are off school on Friday and Monday for the long Labor Day holiday weekend and Cox said contracted technicians and Henrico County Public Schools facilities staff will continue working during that time to address mechanical issues.
HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - An elementary school in Henrico had to dismiss students early on Wednesday due to high temperatures in several classrooms.According to Henrico County Public Schools, a part of the air conditioning system at Harvie Elementary School failed, creating hot conditions in classrooms.In a statement, HCPS Spokesperson Eileen Cox said “although this is not a school-wide problem, today’s temperatures are straining the school’s overall mechanical system.”12 On Your Side’s First Al...
HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - An elementary school in Henrico had to dismiss students early on Wednesday due to high temperatures in several classrooms.
According to Henrico County Public Schools, a part of the air conditioning system at Harvie Elementary School failed, creating hot conditions in classrooms.
In a statement, HCPS Spokesperson Eileen Cox said “although this is not a school-wide problem, today’s temperatures are straining the school’s overall mechanical system.”
12 On Your Side’s First Alert Weather Team says highs are in the upper 90s but the humidity could make it feel like 109 degrees.
As a result, Harvie Elementary School students were dismissed roughly two hours earlier than normal on Wednesday, starting at 12:45 p.m.
“The school division will work with a contracted vendor to resolve the issue as quickly as possible so students can return to school tomorrow. We will also install portable air conditioning units in the affected classroom as a backup,” Cox said.
According to Cox, nearly two dozen classrooms were affected.
“As soon as the matter was reported, technicians were immediately dispatched and are actively working to resolve the issue. A contributing factor in the decision to dismiss students early is the fact portable AC units could not be deployed before the end of the school day while outdoor temperatures are expected to climb to near-record highs,” Cox said.
She said the rented portable air conditioners will be installed as soon as they arrive on site from the vendor; they will not be moved from other school locations.
Harvie Elementary opened its doors on Sep. 2, 2008 - 18 years to the date of the latest HVAC failure.
It joins a long, and growing, list of Henrico County Public Schools dealing with broken air conditioners and extreme heat in some classrooms.
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Short Pump Middle School closed Thursday after ongoing problems with the building's cooling system made classrooms too hot for students.It's the latest in a series of HVAC failures across Henrico County Public Schools.Parents received a notification at 8:26 a.m. Thursday saying that despite ongoing work, temperature readings remained high and a decision was made to close the school due to current classroom temperatures and record high heat.The closure came after weeks of escalating problems....
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Short Pump Middle School closed Thursday after ongoing problems with the building's cooling system made classrooms too hot for students.
It's the latest in a series of HVAC failures across Henrico County Public Schools.
Parents received a notification at 8:26 a.m. Thursday saying that despite ongoing work, temperature readings remained high and a decision was made to close the school due to current classroom temperatures and record high heat.
The closure came after weeks of escalating problems.
On Aug. 23, parents were told technicians were working over the weekend to bring a faulty component back online to ensure the building was cool on the first day of school.
By Wednesday, Sept. 2, the school's leadership said its maintenance team, central HVAC technicians and HCPS vendors had gotten the building's chiller operating at 50% and installed coolers in exterior-facing upstairs classrooms Tuesday night.
A commercial-sized chiller was also ordered to provide constant cooling throughout the building.
But by Wednesday, parents were told the venting strategy used for the cooler installation was not as effective as initially hoped, and vendor teams were brought in overnight to get the AC units to vent air through the outer windows.
By Thursday morning, it was not enough.
Heba Abbassey, the mother of a 6th grade student at Short Pump Middle, said she received a call about the closure at 6:30 Thursday morning.
She said her daughter had already been feeling the effects of the heat.
"My daughter came home covered in sweat yesterday and I was like why were you running? And she said, 'I wasn't running, it was hot today,'" Abbassey said.
Her daughter described conditions inside the school before the closure.
"Yeah, it was like 92 degrees and like the temperature was so hot my teacher was like we were going to go to the library because it's much cooler there," she said.
The Short Pump Middle closure is the latest in a series of system-wide HVAC issues across HCPS.
On Wednesday, Harvie Elementary dismissed early due to extremely warm temperatures.
Parents were told those issues were resolved Thursday morning. Abbassey said she fears several schools are in similar positions.
"You've got it from Gayton Elementary, to Short Pump Elementary," Abbassey said.
"The funding is there, why are we not acting on it?" she said.
A father of a Short Pump Middle student, who chose to remain anonymous, said he has been watching the situation closely.
"What has been going on between the school board and the county leadership with regard to the seeming inability of the school leadership to do maintenance on the school buildings," he said.
Abbassey said she wants to see increased communication from the school coupled with tangible, long-lasting results.
"I'm not condemning them, but I wish they would really notify us sooner," Abbassey said. "There're a lot of children who need to be in a safe environment when they are at school learning and now is the time to really take that deeper dive. Actions speak louder than words and so really put those actions into place."
A Henrico County spokesperson said facilities staff and contracted technicians will continue to work extended hours throughout the holiday weekend to address and repair school HVAC issues as quickly as possible.
This is a developing story, so check back with WTVR.com for updates.
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. —Emily Walker wanted her son to have the same experience she did growing up in Henrico County Public Schools."We've always been pleased with it, always happy with it," Walker said.But persistent temperature issues at Short Pump Elementary School have left her frustrated.Days before the start of the school year Walker said she attended an open house at the school and found classrooms hot and muggy."It was very stuffy and sweaty, like a sauna," Walker said.WATC...
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. —Emily Walker wanted her son to have the same experience she did growing up in Henrico County Public Schools.
"We've always been pleased with it, always happy with it," Walker said.
But persistent temperature issues at Short Pump Elementary School have left her frustrated.
Days before the start of the school year Walker said she attended an open house at the school and found classrooms hot and muggy.
"It was very stuffy and sweaty, like a sauna," Walker said.
WATCH: Mom frustrated by AC woes says Short Pump Elementary was 'like a sauna'
Short Pump Elementary is one of approximately 18 schools in the district experiencing air conditioning issues, according to Henrico County Public Schools Communications Director Eileen Cox.
Student at Short Pump Middle School were not able to attend school on Thursday due to AC issues at that school, and on Wednesday, students at Harvie Elementary School were dismissed early due to an issue with the AC system.
Problems at Short Pump Elementary began in August of last year, when school communications show it experienced an issue with the chiller. In September 2025, the school reported significant chiller problems that required a new compressor, with an estimated arrival time of 8 to 10 weeks.
"I thought they were going to fix the whole thing," Walker said.
By April of this year, Walker received another message from the school saying repairs had been made to a temporary chiller and staff were working to maintain classroom spot chillers.
"So now here's notification that there's a temporary chiller, and repairs needed to be made to it,” CBS 6’s Melissa Hipolit said. "Right. It's just confusing,” Walker replied.
Cox said that after the compressor arrived, the school's main chiller failed in November. HCPS then rented a commercial-sized temporary chiller for the building. Cox said that temporary chiller was not what caused the temperature issues at Short Pump Elementary at the start of the school year — instead, she said a control board issue was to blame.
The school board approved a contract for a new permanent chiller on Aug. 27, Cox said, and it is expected to be installed by next summer.
CBS 6 asked why the contract was not awarded sooner, given the chiller failed in November 2025. Cox said the procurement process for a capital project includes design, solicitations, bid reviews, and contract approvals. Bids for the project were received on Aug. 4.
Walker said the timeline raises concerns.
"Why didn't — it wasn't fixed over the summer or during a break? Why, why last minute and why all at once these schools are experiencing it all at once?" Walker said.
Even with a new chiller on the way, Walker says she still has questions about how HCPS is managing HVAC problems across the district.
"All the money and paying taxes. We should be able to send our kids off to a cool place to learn," Walker said. "I want to know why. Why this is happening in Henrico?
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