It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Heritage Avon Lake 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 Avon Lake, OH 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.
“It is never easy when a loved one is hurting. The staff here cares and”
“Great people.”
“WOW! This agency went above and beyond for my family. The care and staff personalities”
“Took great care of my uncle. Very compassionate and caring. The nurses and the office”
“Always Best Care has provided excellent nursing care and therapy to both my mom and”
“We have used always best care twice now for a bit of respite care and”
“I am a past client of this provider This was our first outreach for support -”
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“This company is amazing. The staff are excellent and they do everything they can to”
“This was the first time we had tried in home care for my mom. They”
“My dad was a patient of ABC of Grafton after triple bypass surgery. The nurses”
“Staff is very friendly and always take great care of mom, really took the pressure”
“The entire staff is fantastic to work with! They are professional and knowledgeable, and go”
“Staff is excellent to work with and communication is quick and responsive. I am able”
“Undoubtedly would recommend to any individual in need of their scope of services. Exceptional customer”
“Absolutely AMAZING staff to work with! They care for their patients like it's their own”
“Nice service, staff helpful. Glad they were recommended”
“I would recommend them to everyone that I know. I have been with them since November”
“My nurse Jamie is amazing and very caring , the off was always very helpful”
“I have been in there care since November of 2019. Jamie my nurse is amazing”
“My nurse Jamie was awesome, and support staff always helpful”
“They took care of my father-in-law AND my mother-in-law and they couldn't have been better.”
“The entire staff helped tremendously with my father's care. Jim is certified in Alzheimer's and”
“The entire staff helped tremendously with my father's care. Jim is certified in Alzheimer's and”
“The staff there are very knowledgeable and kind”
“care taken in matching aides to clients”
“Great place and good people”
“I am a current client of this provider Good service that seems to care about the”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. The caregiver”
“I am a past client of this provider I used Always Best Care Senior Services. There”
“I am a past client of this provider Couldn't be more pleased with the service and”
“It is never easy when a loved one is hurting. The staff here cares and will do everything within their power to help”
“Great people.”
“WOW! This agency went above and beyond for my family. The care and staff personalities made this a great experience. I will absolutely choose them again in the future.”
“Took great care of my uncle. Very compassionate and caring. The nurses and the office staff were amazing.”
“Always Best Care has provided excellent nursing care and therapy to both my mom and mother in law.”
“We have used always best care twice now for a bit of respite care and they are awesome !!! The nurses are wonderful with my mom who is 90 and has dementia So caring and loving with her from scheduling to care It was the best experience .”
“I am a past client of this provider This was our first outreach for support - the first time Dad expressed an interest in support while I was out of town. I wasn't sure we could find anyone who would be able to provide care quickly enough, especially through a large organization like the VA (and) I was really nervous about the type of person who would be showing up at our house. Fortunately, the VA connected me to Rebecca at Always Best Care in Grafton who helped to push through the request with our VA connection (who was also awesome) and took the time to learn a LOT about what Dad's needs would be. She chose the perfect caregiver/aide for his Respite Care, and Jada was able to start the day I left on my trip. I can't say enough wonderful things about Jada. She took the time to read my notes on her first day... about Dad's situation, our home, the cats, and my suggestions about starting and finishing her 4 hours, etc. and she followed both the letter and the spirit of my/our request for assistance. She was on time, she communicated any urgent information with me (Dad had a minor fall before she arrived one day), she respected his wishes, his way of doing things, and held the line about medicine, hydration, meals, and other essential things. She gave Dad the confidence that she would be there everyday to help him and support him. We will be back the next time I travel, we will request Jada, and I cannot recommend ABC Grafton more highly. We were so unsure about what we were asking and now know where we can turn for the assistance we need. Thank you!!”
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“This company is amazing. The staff are excellent and they do everything they can to make life easier for their clients and family. Even on short notice they provided great service on a Sunday.”
“This was the first time we had tried in home care for my mom. They made an experience I was nervous about, a huge relief for my family. Setting up the care was easy and I knew from their knowledge that my mom was in good hands. We received amazing care from the nurses, communication was easy so we knew what was going on at all times and everyone was so friendly. I will use them anytime the need arises for vacations or just a caregiver break.”
“My dad was a patient of ABC of Grafton after triple bypass surgery. The nurses and office staff was great to work with about his care. Jaime the nurse had so much compassion, she even called him periodically during the dad to remind him to do his deep breathing exercises. Our dad and family is so happy with all the services.”
“Staff is very friendly and always take great care of mom, really took the pressure off. Its a win all the way around! Perfectly splendid!”
“The entire staff is fantastic to work with! They are professional and knowledgeable, and go above and beyond for their patients! Highly recommend!”
“Staff is excellent to work with and communication is quick and responsive. I am able to easily work with everyone within the company for any issues that have come up.”
“Undoubtedly would recommend to any individual in need of their scope of services. Exceptional customer service in all aspects. The best company to use by far in Northern Ohio and top notch quality in any category you can think of! The staff are superb and efficient and have been helpful beyond measure with my Aunt Betty Lou and Uncle Jim! The best!”
“Absolutely AMAZING staff to work with! They care for their patients like it's their own grandma, grandpa, mother, father, aunt, uncle etc. They respond to all requests expeditiously and not only instill but expect these same expectations in all their staff. Highly recommend ABC whether for medical or non-medical needs!”
“Nice service, staff helpful. Glad they were recommended”
“I would recommend them to everyone that I know. I have been with them since November of 2019. My nurse Jamie is amazing. I also love the everyone at the office they are very helpful, courteous and friendly people.”
“My nurse Jamie is amazing and very caring , the off was always very helpful”
“I have been in there care since November of 2019. Jamie my nurse is amazing and will always go above and beyond for me. The office staff is very helpful, courteous and amazing to work with. I always recommend them. Thanks again for all you guys do. Stay safe.”
“My nurse Jamie was awesome, and support staff always helpful”
“They took care of my father-in-law AND my mother-in-law and they couldn't have been better. Very attentive to their needs, called before coming out. The nurses are wound certified and provide excellent care. I highly recommend them and would use them again anytime the need arises.”
“The entire staff helped tremendously with my father's care. Jim is certified in Alzheimer's and dementia care and took the time to sit with our entire family a provided a great deal of information, knowledge and tips on care as this is so overwhelming. Helped get us connected with the VA, as dad was a vet and also provided other community resources to lend assistance. Aides who care for dad are truly a blessing and mom is much less stressed. Highly recommend-they're GREAT!”
“The entire staff helped tremendously with my father's care. Jim is certified in Alzheimer's and dementia care and took the time to sit with our entire family a provided a great deal of information, knowledge and tips on care as this is so overwhelming. Helped get us connected with the VA, as dad was a vet and also provided other community resources to lend assistance. Aides who care for dad are truly a blessing and mom is much less stressed. Highly recommend-they're GREAT!”
“The staff there are very knowledgeable and kind”
“care taken in matching aides to clients”
“Great place and good people”
“I am a current client of this provider Good service that seems to care about the clients.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. The caregiver comes in. She washes the floor, she cleans the bathroom, she vacuums, she changes the beds, and she does the laundry. She also talks to me. It is good. The management is very cooperative with us. There have been no problems. The pricing is reasonable.”
“I am a past client of this provider I used Always Best Care Senior Services. There were problems, but not very many. There was a few people I didn't care for and neither did the management over there. They would come over every day, and they did a pretty good job. There were times when they were short on people, and the younger people took a while to immediately give people what they needed. There were a couple of times when they were supposed to come in, but the caregiver was too young and she didn't show up on a Saturday night. As far as everything else they seemed to be alright.”
“I am a past client of this provider Couldn't be more pleased with the service and how nice the people are. - Michael D.”
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 Bleser Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Fratello's Italian Restaurant or visit Peter Miller House Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Avon Lake, OH, 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 Avon Lake, OH 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 Avon Lake, OH 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.
ByAvon Lake, OhioNearly 30 years to the day of its original opening, the DiscoveryWorks (DW) space at the Avon Lake Public Library (ALPL), 32649 Electric Blvd., celebrated its grand reopening Feb. 1 showcasing renovations to the newly reimagined space.As a large group of visitors waited outside DW, the morning kicked off with a celebratory ribbon cutting with William R...
By
Avon Lake, Ohio
Nearly 30 years to the day of its original opening, the DiscoveryWorks (DW) space at the Avon Lake Public Library (ALPL), 32649 Electric Blvd., celebrated its grand reopening Feb. 1 showcasing renovations to the newly reimagined space.
As a large group of visitors waited outside DW, the morning kicked off with a celebratory ribbon cutting with William Rutger, ALPL director; Mark Spaetzel, Avon Lake mayor; Linda Janesz, DW manager; and Rocky the turtle handled by DW staff member Chloe Bowling.
“We are delighted to offer a space designed to spark curiosity in our community—a place where visitors of all ages can dive into the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a dynamic and engaging environment,” said Shea Alltmont, ALPL communications manager, in a press release. “Every visit is a reminder that discovery and connection are all around us, waiting to be explored. Public libraries are gateways to knowledge and inspiration, and at Avon Lake Public Library, DiscoveryWorks stands as a shining example of our commitment to fostering innovation, igniting the imagination, and nurturing a lifelong love of learning.”
DW was closed for nearly nine months while the renovations took place. The transformation included a new DW entrance, new and refreshed exhibits, updated classroom labs, reimagined experiences and more learning opportunities.
Another change for the updated space is that it does not have age-divided areas, so no wristbands will be required. There are a variety of exhibits and activities for all ages and learning levels.
“Many past visitors to DiscoveryWorks have expressed their excitement about having such a remarkable resource in our community—freely accessible to all,” said Alltmont. “For those who grew up visiting or sharing the experience with others, it’s especially meaningful to see cherished elements of the past thoughtfully integrated into the reimagined design, from favorite exhibits to familiar features. Equally exciting is the debut of new exhibit concepts, promising an extraordinary experience that will engage and inspire visitors of all ages.”
One of those past visitors who came to the grand reopening Feb. 1 was Carly Mathewson Greer. She grew up in Avon Lake (Avon Lake High School Class of 2013) and moved to Pennsylvania a few years ago. She recently moved back to Avon Lake with her husband and toddler son. The couple is also expecting a baby soon.
“I practically grew up in this library,” said Greer. “When we came back to Avon Lake, the library was looking a little dated. It looked exactly the same. At first I was like ‘oh nostalgia,’ but this (renovations) really surpassed my expectations. It’s so cool how things have changed. Now I’ve noticed a lot of places (libraries) are now making sure kids can hear things and feel things, and have lots of activities. It’s so important. I am also in the science field, so of course I love this. It’s a step up from when I grew up here.”
Other parents, grandparents and children were also excited as they explored the new exhibits.
“We come to the library all the time,” said Victoria Dahl, a Bay Village resident who homeschools her two children. “The library is a safe place to play and hangout and take in all the activities. This new space is more open and colorful.”
Dahl’s daughter, Maggie, 7, enjoyed trying out the new bubble booth.
Another popular exhibit was the Lake Erie Aquarium where guests can decorate a fish, scan it and watch their fish appear swimming on a big screen aquarium. DW staff members saw a version of the aquarium while attending a convention in St. Louis and they knew they had to bring it back to Avon Lake.
While the space already seems full of new exhibits, more are on the way including a kaleidoscope, space weight, and musical rainbow.
The $1.5 million renovation of the 3,500-square-foot area included creative, skilled, and experienced teams from local design agency, RGI Creative (North Ridgeville); architectural services provided by GPD Group (Akron and Cleveland) and general contracting company, Infinity Construction (Warrensville Heights).
Funding for the renovations came largely from the library’s Building and Endowment funds, along with support from the Friends of the Library and additional donors.
Some of the additional changes that came with reopening of DW are the addition of new and expanded hours. DW will now be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday - Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday (Sept. – May).
For more information, go to alpl.org/discovery.
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Ohio only requires a half-day kindergarten. Avon Lake City Schools says the increased tuition for its all-day offering is a direct result of a bond and levy failing in the November 2024 election.Posted and last updated AVON LAKE, Ohio — As the fight for school funding continues across Ohio, several local districts are making tough decisions after voters rejected ballot issues that would have helped cover operating expenses, as well as new construction and renovation costs.That’s the case for Avon Lake...
Ohio only requires a half-day kindergarten. Avon Lake City Schools says the increased tuition for its all-day offering is a direct result of a bond and levy failing in the November 2024 election.
Posted
and last updated
AVON LAKE, Ohio — As the fight for school funding continues across Ohio, several local districts are making tough decisions after voters rejected ballot issues that would have helped cover operating expenses, as well as new construction and renovation costs.
That’s the case for Avon Lake City Schools, where leaders have already decided to raise pay-to-participate fees for all athletics next school year.
Erieview Elementary, which has the district’s lowest enrollment, is slated to close at the end of this school year.
The district has also increased the tuition for its all-day kindergarten offering from $2,400 this school year to $6,280 for the next school year.
Avon Lake Parents React
Parents wanting the all-day option must pay a $600 down payment, followed by ten monthly payments of $568. A discount is offered to students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
“When you learned about the increase, was it surprising that it raised that much?” I asked Katie Nally, a mother of four whose youngest child, Sophia, starts kindergarten next school year.
“Well, yeah—we’ve been paying $2,400 to send our kids to kindergarten. All three of my older kids have done this, and so $6,000 was just kind of steep,” Nally said.
Like her three older siblings, Nally had planned for Sophia to attend all-day kindergarten, but she said those plans could change.
“You're willing to pay what you need to pay,” Nally said. “But I'm a stay-at-home mom. So, I was thinking, is that really even worth it to us?"
Kindergarten Requirements in Ohio
In Ohio, only half-day kindergarten is required. Parents can choose an all-day option if available, but public school districts can charge tuition.
Large urban districts like the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Akron Public Schools offer free all-day kindergarten and receive more funding from the state.
Some districts that charge tuition for all-day kindergarten include Westlake City Schools, which is keeping its rate at $2,500 for next school year.
In Avon Local Schools, the tuition for all-day kindergarten will remain at $2,300 for the next school year.
Similarly, the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District will keep its all-day kindergarten tuition at $2,900 for the upcoming school year.
In Rocky River City Schools, tuition for all-day kindergarten is going up by $150 next school year to $3,650.
Avon Lake City Schools Superintendent Weighs In
Joelle Magyar, superintendent of Avon Lake City Schools, said the district is continuing to examine the budget in the wake of voters turning down the bond and levy that appeared on the November 2024 ballot, and she was upfront about what could happen in that scenario.
“There isn't probably an area of our organization that has been untouched by looking at reductions and changing the way we do business so that we make sure that we stay fiscally responsible to our community,” Magyar said. “No one likes to be in a situation where we have to cut any type of programming or increase costs to families at all."
“Have you taken any concerned calls or inquiries about full-day kindergarten since the information has come out?” I asked her.
“Absolutely. And we understand, we empathize, and we sympathize with those parents," Magyar said.
Initially, Magyar stated that all-day kindergarten would be eliminated because, as the district notes, tuition only covers about 40% of costs. But Magyar said parents expressed their concerns.
“We had some parents who came back to us and said, ‘Please offer a full-day option. We want our kids to stay in Avon Lake,’” Magyar said. “And we said the only way that we could actually have a full-day option available is if it was fully funded by the parents. The parents came to us and said, ‘We don’t care, please have a full-day option for our kids.’”
A Lottery May Occur
Magyar said this year, there are 189 kids enrolled in all-day kindergarten.
The number will be capped at 120 next school year, and if there are more applicants than spots, a lottery will be held in mid-March.
Some Parents Working on Backup Plans
Jordana Revella's daughter, Fiona, is gearing up for kindergarten next school year.
“The school district in Avon Lake has always been very good, very well-regarded (and) gets good scores,” Revella said. “You kind of plan ahead, thinking, okay, when I'm done with the daycare, here are the things that I can do now.”
However, she said the higher tuition will likely cause her family to postpone big purchases, and she’s heard from other parents who are worried about the financial implications.
On top of that, Revella mentioned that she and other parents, especially those who work full-time, are banking on their kids getting a seat in the all-day kindergarten program; otherwise, they face potentially more expensive options, like private school or a combination of half-day kindergarten and some form of childcare.
Optimism About the Future
Revella and Nally remain optimistic about taxpayers and the district being able to come to a financial common ground to address needs and wants.
“You feel for both sides. At least I do. I understand there's a lot of people who live in this community who don't have kids in school, but there's also a really important part that the schools play,” Revella said. “I can't imagine something that's more important to property values and more important to incentivizing people to move to a city than the school district.”
She added, "You start to hear these stories when my kid’s at school saying that there's no heat in the gym right now, there's water leaking in their classroom, and the radiator heat gets so hot that even though it's the middle of winter, they have to take off their sweatshirts because it's so warm. So, you start to think, you know, can't we do a little bit better for our kids here?”
Nally said, “There's a big correlation between the value of your school and what you're able to put into your city. We want a good school system. We've got children to send through it. People have been fortunate to send their children through it. With these changes that are happening, I don't want to put it on the kids.”
May Ballot Issues
The Avon Lake City School District Board of Education voted in late January to put an $88 million bond issue and a $3 million operating levy on the May 6, 2025, ballot.
The district stated that if passed, the bond would allow for constructing a new facility for grades 5 through 8 and repairing existing elementary buildings. This would cost taxpayers approximately $96 per year for each $100,000 of county auditor appraised home value.
The district also noted that the operating levy would generate $3 million annually for 10 years, costing taxpayers approximately $69 per year for each $100,000 of county auditor appraised home value.
Combined, if passed, the two issues would cost Avon Lake taxpayers approximately $165 per year for each $100,000 of county auditor appraised home value.
The first option would include an $88 million bond issue and a $3 million operating levy to build a new grade 5-8 middle school while repairing existing K-4 elementary schools. This would cost property owners an estimated $165 per $100,000 of appraised home value.
The latest proposals are scaled-down and less costly than those that appeared on the November 2024 ballot. Last year’s requests, had they passed, would have cost taxpayers approximately $414 per year for each $100,000 of county auditor appraised home value.
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