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 John Gordon House 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 Duck River, TN 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.
“Francie, thank you so much for the brief visit. It was a pleasure to meet”
“I've been working at Always Best Care Nashville for a few months now, and I”
“I have had the pleasure of working with Always Best Care, and I can't speak”
“"Best care" was definitely our experience with Always Best Care Senior Services. After a family”
“We so appreciated the team at Always Best Care was amazing! Stacie listened to”
“Hello! I've just retired from ABC Senior Services - Philadelphia PA I was with the”
“Amazing company!!!!”
“I have found Always Best Care to provide exceptional service with caring, responsible Caregivers. ”
“Great response time! They did a great job meeting our needs.”
“I been with them for over7 years”
“I have been a caregiver for this company for 8 years plus. The office staff”
“I am extremely grateful for the home care services ABC offers. Their staff is absolutely”
“I’d like to take a moment to thank you and everyone at Always Best Care”
“We have been accessing Always Best Care’s wonderful staff in recent months to go along”
“Can't say enough nice things about the caregivers from ABC. Professional, personal, reliable, we feel”
“I was in need of someone to be with my husband for 8 hours while”
“Always Best Care goes above and beyond! They treat you and your loved ones like”
“A very kind review from a client's family member that was received today. We are”
“This is an amazing company! I work at a senior living community and we love”
“Stacey is so knowledgeable and a great resource for senior care.”
“The best company I've ever worked for, we're all a team and strive to give”
“Always Best Care exceeded my expectations! Their caring staff helped make mine and my family's”
“Always Best Care exceeded my expectations! Their caring staff helped make mine and my family's”
“Francie, thank you so much for the brief visit. It was a pleasure to meet you and have the opportunity to give you my honest assessment of your company and Lisa in particular. From the moment I met Stacy and outlined our needs until I first met Lisa I felt comfortable and felt positive about your company and the staff. You and your staff are very sincere and compassionate. Lisa is a dream come true. She is gracious and kind and extremely well-trained. You only have to request something once and she remembers. She is thoughtful and precise about her work and helps in any way she can. She is the BEST" at her job should be held as the gold standard. Thank you for the beautiful flowers. We enjoyed them very much. Sincerely, Pam W”
“I've been working at Always Best Care Nashville for a few months now, and I can confidently say it's been a fantastic experience. The supportive and collaborative environment here truly stands out. The team is made up of dedicated professionals who genuinely care about providing the best care for our clients. If you're looking for a caring and professional organization to work for or to seek care services from, I highly recommend Always Best Care Nashville. It’s been a pleasure to be part of such a committed and compassionate team!”
“I have had the pleasure of working with Always Best Care, and I can't speak highly enough about this amazing organization. The team is incredibly wonderful and compassionate, going above and beyond in every aspect of their work. From the very first interaction, it's clear that they truly care about their caregivers and the community they serve. Their dedication to providing top-notch senior services is evident in the genuine relationships they build and the thoughtful care they deliver.”
“"Best care" was definitely our experience with Always Best Care Senior Services. After a family member visiting Nashville was stranded in a hotel room following a fall, we were desperate for help. Friday evening at 7PM isn't a great time to go looking for help, but Stacey jumped in and by 9PM we had the support we needed to get us to the next morning's flight back home. Our nurse Eunice was friendly, communicative, anticipated our needs and made us immediately at ease. Ours wasn't the typical case, but I'm sure the urgency and care Stacey and Eunice showed us IS typical for them!”
“We so appreciated the team at Always Best Care was amazing! Stacie listened to what I needed and helped me find just the right fit AND has continued support as I navigate all the details!! Fantastic organization!”
“Hello! I've just retired from ABC Senior Services - Philadelphia PA I was with the company for 7 years 3 months as a caregiver. I've learned much from each and every client l've served and have found the work to be very gratifying and rewarding. During my time, I have formed lasting bonds with several of my former clients and their loved ones.”
“Amazing company!!!!”
“I have found Always Best Care to provide exceptional service with caring, responsible Caregivers. The office communicates great with the family members involved and they are all very professional I would recommend their services to anyone looking for a great support team for their loved one.”
“Great response time! They did a great job meeting our needs.”
“I been with them for over7 years”
“I have been a caregiver for this company for 8 years plus. The office staff are incredible and the caregivers pour their whole hearts into caring for others. We're all very passionate about what we do and take so much pride in that. Love my company and highly recommend for any of your needs rather that be needing care or wanting to become a caregiver”
“I am extremely grateful for the home care services ABC offers. Their staff is absolutely phenomenal. Very professional, dependable and caring. The support staff for scheduling and billing are very courteous and easy to do business with.”
“I’d like to take a moment to thank you and everyone at Always Best Care for the assistance and great care provided to my mother following her stroke. After a lengthy stay in a rehabilitation center, mom was very clear that she wanted to go home. The stroke had unfortunately robbed her of her independence, and to go home, we would need round-the-clock care. Always Best Care came into our family at that point and made it possible for mom to be at home for over 20 months. Maintaining continuity of care and finding the right match of caregivers is no east task. There are so many moving parts that go into making that happen day after day, and somehow your team made it look easy. Coordinating staffing around last-minute callouts, illness, incompatible personalities, holidays, family dynamics, etc. These and other challenges did arise, but the important thing is that you reliably found solutions. Through a challenging state in my mother’s life, and for our entire family, your caregiver and office staff provide the support and peace of mind we needed. We’ve been very fortunate along the way to have many wonderful caregivers, and I’ve personally enjoyed getting to know them, I want to emphasize that you have very special people on your team. Thank you for supporting our family and caring for my mother!”
“We have been accessing Always Best Care’s wonderful staff in recent months to go along with my husband to doctor’s appointments. I’ve lost track of how many times, but it’s been frequent. And every one of their caregivers have been outstanding. So wonderful to know you can rely on the people at ABC!”
“Can't say enough nice things about the caregivers from ABC. Professional, personal, reliable, we feel so fortunate to be working with them.”
“I was in need of someone to be with my husband for 8 hours while I had to be away from home. I was a little nervous since we had never used this type of service before. The two ladies who interviewed us and explained the procedure could not have been nicer and more professional. When the caregiver Rhonda arrived, she immediately put us at ease. She was very efficient in making sure she had my husband’s medicine doses correct and in asking questions pertinent to his Parkinson’s. When I returned home, they both seemed to have had a great time looking at my husband’s extensive photography collection and watching westerns on TV. We will most definitely use Always Best Care again!”
“Always Best Care goes above and beyond! They treat you and your loved ones like family. When faced with the difficult decisions that come along with caring for a senior, they showed compassion and helped guide us with confidence. My family can not recommend them enough!”
“A very kind review from a client's family member that was received today. We are grateful to have such wonderful families to work with and take care of in addition to great staff like Stacey Leverette. To Whom it May Concern, I would like to recommend Always Best Care Senior Services. My experience with them has been great! My father had advanced Parkinson's disease as well as some other physical problems. He finally got to the place he needed some assistance. I contacted Stacey and she came out and met with my dad and myself. She was very knowledgeable and thoroughly answered all the questions and concerns for us. More than anything else, she calmed all the concerns that my father had. In a very short time Stacey had someone on site. We've had days where we needed to change the day or time of service because of appointments, holidays or something else. When that occurs, I simply call Stacey and give her the information and she makes the adjustments in a seamless manner. If you work with her for a little bit, you will see quickly that she is very good at what she does. It has been a very good experience. I recommend Always Best Care. Yours Sincerely, Bill A.”
“This is an amazing company! I work at a senior living community and we love having ABC come in our community to be an extra support to our residents. Casie will take good care of you!”
“Stacey is so knowledgeable and a great resource for senior care.”
“The best company I've ever worked for, we're all a team and strive to give the best care we possibly can to our clients and families!”
“Always Best Care exceeded my expectations! Their caring staff helped make mine and my family's lives so much easier when we were in need of help! My father was well taken care of and developed a great relationship with his ABC caregiver. I highly recommend this company to anyone looking for caregiving help!”
“Always Best Care exceeded my expectations! Their caring staff helped make mine and my family's lives so much easier when we were in need of help! My father was well taken care of and developed a great relationship with his ABC caregiver. I highly recommend this company to anyone looking for caregiving help!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Duck River 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 River Terrace or visit Duck River Unit Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, 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 Duck River, TN, 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 Duck River, TN 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 Duck River, TN 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.
Gov. Bill Lee has announced appointees to the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, established by Executive Order 108. The Order, signed in November 2024, furthers Tennessee’s commitment to balancing economic growth, water resource management and environmental and habitat conservation to ensure the long-term sustainability of Tennessee’s watersheds.“The Duck River is not only a scenic treasure but is also North America...
Gov. Bill Lee has announced appointees to the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, established by Executive Order 108. The Order, signed in November 2024, furthers Tennessee’s commitment to balancing economic growth, water resource management and environmental and habitat conservation to ensure the long-term sustainability of Tennessee’s watersheds.
“The Duck River is not only a scenic treasure but is also North America’s most biologically diverse freshwater river and the sole water source for thousands of Tennesseans,” Gov. Lee said. “I’m pleased to appoint these highly qualified individuals who will make strategic recommendations and oversee our work to preserve the Duck River and enhance water resource management statewide, and I thank them for their willingness to serve.”
The appointments are:
Commissioner David W. Salyers, Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation;
Deputy Commissioner Andy Holt, Tennessee Department of Agriculture;
Jimmy West, Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development;
Josh Campbell, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency;
Amanda Turk, Tennessee Valley Authority;
Valerie McCormack, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
Dan Elbert, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
Doug Murphy, Duck River Development Agency;
State Senator Joey Hensley;
State Rep. Pat Marsh;
Justin Murdock, Director, Water Research Center, Tennessee Tech;
Randall Braker, General Manager, Duck River Utility Commission;
Jonathan Hardin, President & CEO, Columbia Power & Water Systems;
Sheila Butt, Mayor, Maury County;
Chris White, Director, Planning & Zoning, Bedford County;
Mark Thurman, Director of Conservation Collaboration, The Nature Conservancy;
Grace Stranch, Executive Director, Harpeth Conservancy;
Horace Tipton, Director of Conservation Policy, TN Wildlife Federation; and
George Nolan, Director, Tennessee Office, Southern Environmental Law Center
The Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership will be responsible for developing comprehensive watershed management recommendations that balance the needs of water users and economic growth against the need to protect the environmental integrity of the Duck River. Other duties include advising and providing recommendations to the Governor, the Duck River Development Agency, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and legislative leadership on policies and actions to promote the sustainable use and conservation of water resources in the Duck River Watershed, identifying opportunities for water system regionalization, drought resilience, habitat conservation and water loss reduction, along with engaging with local communities, utilities, industries and conservation organizations to ensure broad participation in watershed planning efforts.
In an effort to continually manage and preserve other watersheds and prioritize regionalization throughout Tennessee, the Order also requires TDEC, in partnership with TWRA, to identify additional priority watersheds, continue conducting statewide water supply planning, support municipalities in optimizing their wastewater treatment operations and provide technical and financial assistance to urban stormwater communities for implementing nature-based stormwater control measures.
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Duck River, Tennessee — For as long as they've been married, Ashley and Spencer Totty of Duck River, Tennessee, have dreamed of raising more than just the cows they have on their farm.The former high school teacher and her utility lineman husband, married since October 2014, both really wanted a family."I've always wanted to be a mom," the 35-year-old Ashley told CBS News. "And we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. And we still don't know why."The couple had five miscarriages....
Duck River, Tennessee — For as long as they've been married, Ashley and Spencer Totty of Duck River, Tennessee, have dreamed of raising more than just the cows they have on their farm.
The former high school teacher and her utility lineman husband, married since October 2014, both really wanted a family.
"I've always wanted to be a mom," the 35-year-old Ashley told CBS News. "And we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. And we still don't know why."
The couple had five miscarriages. In vitro fertilization treatments didn't work, and the dream faded.
That is when Ashley received a message described by Spencer as "completely out of the blue." Now, she believes it was sent by God. But at the time it came in the form of a note through Facebook Messenger, sent by a former student from long ago who had heard what the couple was going through.
"It's weighed heavy on my heart for several years now," the note from 27-year-old Hannah Dearman read. "Idk (I don't know) where you are with your journey to motherhood, or what your circumstances are. However, If you ever need a surrogate, I'd love to help you become a mom. I hope this isn't weird, but I love you and feel like you're a wonderful person and would be the best mom. I have prayed for you often."
How did Ashley respond?
"I was like, you know what, at this point, nothing is crazy to me," Ashley said.
Dearman, a mother of three, remembers her old teacher vividly.
"She was just so loving and kind," Dearman told CBS News. "And she's caring. She has a great personality."
So even though she had hardly seen Ashley since graduation, Dearman offered to carry her baby for free.
"I needed to fulfill this," Dearman said.
Dearman gave birth to Sophie Leigh Totty on July 29, 2024. Sophie is now about 7 months old and as happy as they come. She is a bubbly bundle of proof that good begets good, and often, miracles come to those who deserve them most.
"It reassures me that there's a tremendous amount of positivity in the world," Spencer said.
"She is so selfless," Ashley said of Dearman. "She's an angel on earth."
Steve Hartman is a CBS News correspondent. He brings viewers moving stories from the unique people he meets in his weekly award-winning feature segment "On the Road."
Tennessee regulators will strengthen permit requirements for utilities that withdraw water from the Duck River, according to settlement agreements announced Tuesday.Conservation groups have been pushing for protections for the river — which hosts the ...
Tennessee regulators will strengthen permit requirements for utilities that withdraw water from the Duck River, according to settlement agreements announced Tuesday.
Conservation groups have been pushing for protections for the river — which hosts the largest variety of living organisms of any freshwater river in North America — for years.
The Duck River provides water to an estimated 250,000 Tennesseans. Eight utilities sought to increase their daily water withdrawal from the river to a combined 73 million gallons per day as the Middle Tennessee region grows. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and other conservation groups warned this withdrawal increase and extreme drought conditions put the health of the river and its inhabitants at risk.
The Tennessee Wildlife Federation, represented by SELC, appealed three permits issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). New settlements with the department and each of the utilities set goals limiting the amount of water allowed to leak from utility systems and require the utilities to follow an updated drought management plan approved by the department.
The state will also work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to research the river’s flow using the Corps’ analysis software. Data collected from this research will inform updates to the Duck River Regional Drought Management Plan, according to the settlements.
The settlements apply to permits granted to the Bedford County Utility District, the Duck River Utility Commission and Columbia Power and Water Systems.
“Throughout this process, we’ve heard from farmers, anglers, and local business owners who cherish the Duck River and recognize that the river deserves our stewardship and protection,” said George Nolan, the SELC Tennessee office director, in a news release. “This settlement gets us closer to ensuring that this one-of-a-kind natural treasure can be used and enjoyed for generations to come, and we will continue to work with stakeholders and state leaders to protect this iconic river.”
TDEC will update the drought plan alongside the Duck River Development Agency, which is responsible for drought management on the river. Their work will include evaluating flow levels to trigger voluntary and mandatory conservation measures, enforcement, and aquatic life protection, among other things.
TDEC also agreed to publish daily withdrawal data from each utility every month.
Each utility will also develop a plan to promote water conservation.
Utility permit changes are still subject to public notice and comment procedures before implementation.
The settlements follow Gov. Bill Lee’s November executive order protecting the Duck River. The order created a 19-member Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership to identify ways to manage drought, reduce water loss, preserve habitats, and engage with the communities and industries that use the river.
Officials expect the Lee administration to bring budget requests to the Tennessee General Assembly this session to fund the creation of a statewide water conservation plan.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture also awarded $20 million to the Duck River Watershed Society in October to support stream restoration in the Duck River.
“Over the coming years, we have a critical opportunity to implement planning and protections that will secure the Duck’s health and future,”said Mike Butler, CEO of Tennessee Wildlife Federation, in the news release. “We must act now to avoid a larger crisis when these permits are up for renewal. Collaboration among all stakeholders is key to conserving this national treasure.”
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CONTRIBUTORSWe have taken for granted that the Duck River will always be there. That there would always be plenty of water in this riverbed. But the water in the Duck is not an infinite resource.The day I started my trip down the Duck River, Sept 30, I felt a little trepidation but mostly I was invigorated by the opportunity to spend a month in nature.It took me about an hour to reach the point where I wasn’t having to drag my boat most of the time, where the narrow valley of steep rock formations opened up into ...
CONTRIBUTORS
The day I started my trip down the Duck River, Sept 30, I felt a little trepidation but mostly I was invigorated by the opportunity to spend a month in nature.
It took me about an hour to reach the point where I wasn’t having to drag my boat most of the time, where the narrow valley of steep rock formations opened up into a sunny meadow, the river became wide and even deep in spots, and I was launched.
Once you commit to spending a month on a river, you realize you’re not going anywhere fast. You settle into a rhythm. The rhythm I want is 2 m.p.h. Five hours a day equal 10 miles. It’s 265 miles from Powers Bridge, where I put in, to the Tennessee River, where I’ll take out. So roughly 26 days (it actually took 28) on the Duck.
I’ve traveled about 14,000 miles down America’s rivers over the last 21 years, paddling a canoe or sailing a one-man sailboat, sleeping on gravel bars, going to bed at nightfall, waking up with the sun and getting into a rhythm with the river.
Once you find that rhythm, you relax and start really paying attention to the beauty around you. Nature at its best, which is saying something. You get an opportunity to enter into what is for me a spiritual zone - one-on-one with God’s creation.
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People ask me why I do this? Why do I take these journeys?
That’s why.
But why the Duck?
Of all the waterways I’ve traveled down, the Duck is the most personal. Memories of the times I took my son Matt, when he was still in grade school, down to spend some time on the river continue to resonate with me. I loved being back on the Duck.
It is special, one of the three most biodiverse rivers in the world, host to the largest variety of living organisms of any freshwater river in North America − so an incredible natural sanctuary. At the same time, it has been declared one of the most endangered rivers in the country.
The Duck is in trouble.
For many years, people have used the Duck for drinking water, for bathing and cooking and watering our lawns and cooling our factories and the list goes on. We have taken for granted that the Duck will always be there. That there would always be plenty of water in this riverbed. But the water in the Duck is not an infinite resource.
Opinion:Time for TVA, state regulators to step up
We are currently removing 59 million gallons of water a day out of the river, to support about 250,000 people who live on farms and in fast-growing towns like Columbia, Shelbyville, Centerville, Spring Hill and others. Some of the utility companies that serve these towns have permit requests before the state to take an additional 19 million gallons/day out of the river. That would mean that those utilities would be authorized to remove close to 80 million gallons of water a day out of the river.
The best news the Duck River has received in a very long time occurred on Nov. 20 when Gov. Bill Lee issued Executive Order 108, directing the state Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to establish a planning partnership with interested stakeholders, including environmental groups, to develop policies that will ensure the Duck can survive.
As always, the devil will be in the details. For example, a big part of protecting the Duck River watershed is protecting its wetlands, which recharge the flow of the river and remove pollutants, and those wetlands are facing their own threats.
But all things considered, I believe the Governor’s order is a huge step in the right direction. He not only is directing action to improve conditions within the Duck River Watershed, but he also wants to apply this approach to every watershed in the state. For the actions you are taking to protect the Duck River and our other waterways, we thank you Gov. Lee!
In the meantime, for anyone interested in learning what they can do to help the Duck River, contact one of these organizations. And go spend some time on the river. Enjoy what God created.
John Guider is an award-winning photographer who began his journeys down the waterways of America in 2003. He has canoed or sailed in a one-man sailboat, down the Mississippi, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Great Lakes, the Puget Sound and many more. He has recently completed a month-long journey down the Duck River, and a film documentary of the trip is currently being developed by PBS Nashville, Channel 8, in partnership with Harpeth Conservancy.
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