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 Robert M. Bashford House in Madison, NC 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 Madison, NC 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.
“I have so much positivity to share for this company and for my awesome rep,”
“Thanks Karla Dixon for being such a great asset to the community and to Always”
“Karla dixon is truly a great person for the community. She is compassionate and very”
“Thankfully, Stephen Carlson's name was given to me by the SNF where my aunt was”
“It’s rare to find a company where both the caregivers and the office staff are”
“Stephen was a tremendous help in transitioning my mom from Rehab to an Assisted Living”
“Stephen Carlson was the best! He walked me thru the process of getting the best”
“If you ever get Alexis on the phone, you’re in for a great experience. She’s”
“Stephen Carlson was a tremendous help in regards to helping me find my ma placement”
“Stephen Carlson was a tremendous help in regards to helping me find my ma placement”
“This is a challenging process no matter your affluence or resources available to you… Stephen”
“We were in the midst of going through very difficult times as a family trying”
“We engaged this company to have a companion come sit with my mom (who is”
“Ms. Telli with Always Best Care Senior Services. Came to out home to Care for”
“BrightStar provided reliable and exceptional quality of care caregivers for our parents. Over the last”
“Steven and his crew are great to work with. They give quality care and Steven”
“During the selection process of a care facility for our loved one, and after numerous”
“Stephen Carlson made such a huge difference in our journey to finding the best place”
“Stephen went the extra mile to help my mother find an assisted living community that”
“Stephen was focused, responsive, and led with knowledge and experience. If he had not been”
“From the first phone call ABC has been responsive, informative and caring. Kathleen was so”
“I couldn't be happier with the help of Stephen Carlson. He helped move my mom”
“We had the pleasure of being introduced to Stephen Carlson from a referring social worker”
“I hired these folks on a recommendation from the assisted living facility where my Mom”
“Stephen Carlson with Always Best Care was a tremendous help to my sister and I”
“I have so much positivity to share for this company and for my awesome rep, Stephen Carlson. This man walked me through every nuance of the process of finding an appropriate assisted living facility for my mom. He has endless patience, and tirelessly answered all my questions, and then some. I am beyond grateful for his insight and thoughtfulness during this stressful life event. Thank you Stephen- I truly couldn’t have done it without you! Amy Hill”
“Thanks Karla Dixon for being such a great asset to the community and to Always Best Care in Greensboro, NC!”
“Karla dixon is truly a great person for the community. She is compassionate and very helpful.”
“Thankfully, Stephen Carlson's name was given to me by the SNF where my aunt was sent after her hospitalization. Her insurance company cut her SNF stay short and she needed urgent AL placement. I am her closest living relative, live in a different state, and, being a physician with a mother in memory care, I am quite familiar with the medical, social, and logistical issues related to transitioning into an AL facility. But, despite having gone through it locally with my mother, I found it much different with my aunt since I was not familiar with the area (Greensboro, NC) and the AL options. After a telephone conversation with Stephen to discuss my aunt's situation and upcoming needs, he set up AL facility tours at quality places with immediate openings and provided me with a moving company that specializes in moving seniors (usually with little forewarning and small amounts of items since you can't fit much into an AL unit). Stephen attended the tours with us and was easily accessible and responsive throughout the process. As a bonus to me and my aunt, he receives a referral fee from the AL facilities, so his services cost us nothing out of pocket. If anyone in the Greensboro, NC area needs help with AL placement, it just makes sense to give Stephen a call and get his insight and assistance.”
“It’s rare to find a company where both the caregivers and the office staff are this compassionate. From day one, the admin team made us feel comfortable and confident in our decision.”
“Stephen was a tremendous help in transitioning my mom from Rehab to an Assisted Living Facility. He went “above & beyond” the call of duty to save me a great amount of time and stress.”
“Stephen Carlson was the best! He walked me thru the process of getting the best place for my loved one. He met with me and took my texts and calls any time. Highly Highly recommend Stephen and Always Best Care.”
“If you ever get Alexis on the phone, you’re in for a great experience. She’s funny, lively, and full of great energy. I actually caught myself laughing during the call, which almost never happens when calling places. Just a genuinely positive person who makes the conversation easy and enjoyable. Loved the energy! -cora”
“Stephen Carlson was a tremendous help in regards to helping me find my ma placement into the care that she needed. He went above and beyond to assist when other's have left me in the dark. Not once did he make me feel I was unable to reach out with any questions I felt I needed an answer to, and even after successfully finding a place for ma he still remained accessable if I had any further questions or concerns. Overall, he was absolutely pleasant to work with in the daunting experience this all has been. Thank you, sincerely.”
“Stephen Carlson was a tremendous help in regards to helping me find my ma placement into the care that she needed. He went above and beyond to assist when other's have left me in the dark. Not once did he make me feel I was unable to reach out with any questions I felt I needed an answer to, and even after successfully finding a place for ma he still remained accessable if I had any further questions or concerns. Overall, he was absolutely pleasant to work with in the daunting experience this all has been. Thank you, sincerely.”
“This is a challenging process no matter your affluence or resources available to you… Stephen was a bright spot in an otherwise dark and complicated landscape. I will refer everyone to him”
“We were in the midst of going through very difficult times as a family trying our best to navigate care for my dad. We began with in-home care and progressed to assisted living. Throughout this 6 week process Stephen Carlson shared his expertise, encouragement, and all the while adapting to my dad's changing needs over time, ultimately ensuring he ended up in the best location for his needs. Stephen's dedication through this complex process was well beyond the level of commitment expected. He demonstrated he is a purpose and value driven individual, always seeking the best for the individual and family he is serving. That paired with his extensive knowledge of options available and questions for families to consider going through this process made him a crucial partner. Thank you ABC and especially Stephen; you made it possible for our family to serve our loved one in this great time of need!”
“We engaged this company to have a companion come sit with my mom (who is in a facility with dementia) while we were away on vacation to give her some extra attention and socialization. Brenda is so great with my mom and now she asks for her more than us! Thank you, Brenda for being such an awesome caregiver and helping my mom feel special! You bring out the best in her and have given her a much needed spark. Brenda was such a great fit with my mom that we decided to continue having her come visit with mom even when we are in town.”
“Ms. Telli with Always Best Care Senior Services. Came to out home to Care for my mother. She was very friendly and mom enjoyed meeting her. Ms. Telli assisted with taking a shower, getting dressed and doing her hair. It was a wonderful experience. Ms. Telli had not left the driveway and mom said " I really liked her, she was so helpful". Thanks !”
“BrightStar provided reliable and exceptional quality of care caregivers for our parents. Over the last 2 1/2 years they have had consistent caregivers that provided the companionship and care that allowed the entire family to feel comfortable and secure.”
“Steven and his crew are great to work with. They give quality care and Steven is thorough in helping find the best facility for your love ones”
“During the selection process of a care facility for our loved one, and after numerous referrals to contact Stephen Carlson for help, we were able to connect with him very quickly; his responses continued to be prompt throughout our journey. Very soon, we realized that Stephen Carlson was experienced, had invaluable insight & understanding, was highly professional and operated with integrity as we began the searching for the right next home for our family member. Stephen not only brought us excellent choices that were in line with our values, needs and desires for our family member, but we immediately noticed that he was received extremely well at all the care facilities we visited and was highly respected and regarded. Stephen’s expertise brought helpful & appropriate choices to us which we were not previously aware of. Throughout the process Stephen was available and always added to our understanding of the various options that were available. His careful guidance led us without any pressure to arrive at selecting a next home that we believe offered the best fit and care for our loved one. Not feeling alone in this process with someone that we trusted was invaluable to us. Stephen's experience, skills and rapport with the providers helped bring greater insight and his personal and professional willingness to go the extra mile made a significant difference in making the inevitable challenges in the process lift. We left every encounter and conversation with Stephen more informed, encouraged and better equipped to arrive at a decision that would eventually lead us to placing our loved one in a care home that we believed offered the best fit for them. Stephen was a very credible asset to our journey, and we are so thankful we were able to work together. D and S Shelton”
“Stephen Carlson made such a huge difference in our journey to finding the best place for my mother-in-law. After he found the best place, he facilitated the transfer by putting us in touch with the right people when issues arose. He responded quickly every time. We are so pleased with the choice we made with Stephen. Our journey would’ve been a fiasco without him. I highly recommend Stephen Carlson and always best care Senior services.”
“Stephen went the extra mile to help my mother find an assisted living community that met all of her expectations. He's very familiar with senior living in the Triad area and his expertise saved us the time and expense of searching on our own. On top of that, he was so pleasant and helpful throughout the process. Highly recommend Stephan for assistance with senior care.”
“Stephen was focused, responsive, and led with knowledge and experience. If he had not been available , I would not have known about an option that has turned out to be exactly what my husband needed. I am grateful, and believe he does the same for others. Old school caring with a wealth of knowledge is brought to bear for your needs and the decisions are yours. Please know I am rarely impressed- but he earned it.”
“From the first phone call ABC has been responsive, informative and caring. Kathleen was so patient and understanding when answering my family’s questions and concerns about dad’s dementia. I appreciated her honest information delivered with compassion and respect. Leslie has been so supportive through the entire process. Don’t hesitate to call for help with your loved one”
“I couldn't be happier with the help of Stephen Carlson. He helped move my mom from a really bad situation to a really great one. Our first phone conversation he said "you are going to have to trust me." And I'm so glad I did. He told me that the place he thought best for my mom was maybe might not the most convenient but he knew how caring and loving the environment would be. I'd much rather be inconvenienced than have my mom treated poorly. So I trusted him and we are forever grateful! He gave me the 1st hand information on much closer places and still thought this farther away place would be the best scenario. He reassured me that no matter where we did move her to, we could always update him on how things were going. And he takes that information into consideration for all his clients and that's how he knows the scoop! I believe the families he works with trust him because he is honest and open. People report back to him the necessary details so he knows where and where not to suggest to his clients. My mom was in a facility we were really unhappy with. After going to the hospital and speaking with a social worker, she suggested I speak with Stephen and assured me he would help us find a better situation. My mom has Alzheimer's so she can not advocate for herself. Aside from having family to help her navigate this, we really needed someone who knew where we could trust her being taken care of properly. I feel like he made this transition from awful to wonderful so easy and removed the stress from our lives in a pretty stressful time. He was so fast and accommodating. I will absolutely pass his name on to any and everyone in the future. He continues to check in with me and my mom and I couldn't love him more. Thank you Stephen! Thank you Always Best Care Senior Services for doing what you do!”
“We had the pleasure of being introduced to Stephen Carlson from a referring social worker and from the moment we spoke we knew we were in excellent hands. Stephen is diligent, communicative, efficient, compassionate, and a true professional. He went above and beyond investigating our needs for our elderly relative and stayed in contact over the Christmas period to ensure we were happy. I would highly recommend Stephen and his team; Always Best Care is a rare godsend in times of need and uncertainty when it comes to placement for your elderly loved one. Thank you Stephen for everything. We truly appreciate you!”
“I hired these folks on a recommendation from the assisted living facility where my Mom lives, to facilitate Mom’s attendance at our family Christmas party on Christmas Day. The contracting was seamless and the aide who signed up, Serenity, was great. She was on-time, brought all the paraphernalia we requested for Mom’s safety and comfort, made the 80 mile round trip without a hitch, and provided Mom with nearly invisible, but reassuring care at our party. Thank you to all!”
“Stephen Carlson with Always Best Care was a tremendous help to my sister and I when seeking out assisted living communities for our Mother. Stephen helped ease our anxieties by setting up tours for us, answering the many questions that we had, and guiding us through the process. I give Stephen the highest recommendation if you are considering qualify senior living facilities for your loved one!”
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 James Madison Park in Madison, NC 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 L'Etoile Restaurant or visit Harold C. Bradley House, 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 Madison, NC, 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 Madison, NC 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 Madison, NC 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.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — No. 19 Carolina volleyball (3-0) remains undefeated with a 3-1 win Thursday evening over JMU (2-1) in Carmichael Arena (21-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-19). This was the first of the Tar Heels' two-game series they are hosting in Chapel Hill, featuring the Dukes and Colorado State."We got tested, and we responded in a really big way," head coach Mike Schall said. "I think it was the way we responded that I loved. We didn't get on any magical scoring runs. We just kept punching back, an...
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — No. 19 Carolina volleyball (3-0) remains undefeated with a 3-1 win Thursday evening over JMU (2-1) in Carmichael Arena (21-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-19). This was the first of the Tar Heels' two-game series they are hosting in Chapel Hill, featuring the Dukes and Colorado State.
"We got tested, and we responded in a really big way," head coach Mike Schall said. "I think it was the way we responded that I loved. We didn't get on any magical scoring runs. We just kept punching back, and that's what you have to do against a team like that."
Graduate opposite hitter Chelsea Thorpe led the offensive front for UNC with 14 kills. Senior outside Safi Hampton was not far behind with 13 of her own. Bridget Malone racked up a double-double with 11 kills to go along with her 11 digs. North Carolina hit .336 on the night. The last time the Tar Heels had three players with 10+ kills was against Coastal Carolina last season.
Most of the setting responsibility was in the hands of senior setter Zoe Behrendt, who led all players with 31 assists. Behrendt kept the attacking balanced, and also dug up 11 balls in the back court. Sophomore Sienna Cozza and junior Emily Bobbitt helped with 11 and 8 assists, respectively.
The Tar Heels struggled to find their rhythm early in the match. JMU's Ayen Nhial applied lethal pressure from behind the service line for a 5-0 run, giving Carolina's back row a run for its money. Schall elected to call a timeout down 10-7, icing Nhial and giving UNC a chance to work out the early kinks.
Carolina never quite made it out of the hole they created, though. The Dukes took a six-point lead midway through the set. Then, Carolina narrowed the margin, but it wasn't enough, as JMU ended up on top of set one, 25-21. Nearly half of the Dukes' points were accumulated through a combination of attacking and service errors by North Carolina, which lost its first set of the year.
The second set saw a more established UNC presence with far fewer mishaps to begin. Safi Hampton and Bridget Malone each contributed three kills at the pin to start off the set, giving North Carolina a 9-5 advantage. However, six unanswered points by JMU changed both the game's momentum and the leading team.
Once the Dukes gained an 11-9 edge, it became a back-and-forth affair. That is, until Carolina earned the lead back at 22-21 off a kill that landed just beyond the 10-foot-line from Chelsea Thorpe. She and graduate middle blocker Lauren Schutter formed a formidable front at the tape, next garnering a pair of explosive blocks on back-to-back rallies.
"I was going in. [Schall] was like, 'Go win it,'" Thorpe said. "That was all the fuel I needed."
And that she did. On set point, as 1,500 students shouted "U. N. C.," freshman libero Carly Markham found Thorpe on the right side. The Chicago native finished the exclamation point on the "C," and North Carolina evened the match at one set a piece, winning the second set, 25-21.
Again, the Tar Heels found themselves with a sizable lead to start play. Junior middle blocker Jackie Taylor led that effort with an ace and a trio of kills assisted by Behrendt. UNC led, 13-7.
With a variety of offensive threats, North Carolina continued to steamroll over JMU. The Tar Heels took a dominant 22-13 lead — the largest point differential of the game — and kept the Dukes out of system.
And though JMU worked to crawl back — even causing a Schall timeout — Carolina completed the third set off a Dukes' missed serve. The frame culminated in a 25-18 win, giving the team in blue a 2-1 match advantage. Taylor had five of her nine total kills in the set.
After three sets of action, both squads had the chance to thoroughly assess their opponent. This fourth frame was characterized by scrappy defense and lengthy rallies, with neither team wanting to let the striped ball hit its side of the court.
The pendulum finally started to swing when UNC amassed a 12-8 edge, pulling away as the less error-prone team. But, it was still an evenly-matched duel on Thursday; the gap never extended past six points in the fourth set.
And it was by six points exactly that the Tar Heels won the fourth and final frame. Helping with that final set was junior right side attacker Laynie Smith, who knocked down six of her nine kills in the frame.
Despite dropping the opening set, UNC found its way back, winning three straight sets and its third contest of the season, 3-1.
"I think this is the first time we've really felt pushed back," Taylor said, "and we really learned how to punch back in those moments."
The victory signifies a seventh straight Carolina win over JMU, and a third consecutive season with a 3-0 start.
UNC will be back in Carmichael on Friday at 6 p.m. to take on Colorado State before hitting the road for Lexington to battle No. 3 Kentucky — the reigning national runner-up — on Wednesday evening. JMU and Colorado State will continue the Chapel Hill series at noon on Saturday.
MADISON, N.C. (WGHP) — Rockingham County neighbors are concerned about the impacts of a proposed housing development.The Rockingham County Planning Board will consider rezoning just over 504 acres of land along Ellisboro Road on Monday.Dalton Investment Group LLC wants to rezone the land from residential agriculture to a residential mixed-conditional district.Ray Convington is a partner for the company. Covington told FOX8 that the plan is to build up to 1,100 single family homes on the land. Ideas include adding t...
MADISON, N.C. (WGHP) — Rockingham County neighbors are concerned about the impacts of a proposed housing development.
The Rockingham County Planning Board will consider rezoning just over 504 acres of land along Ellisboro Road on Monday.
Dalton Investment Group LLC wants to rezone the land from residential agriculture to a residential mixed-conditional district.
Ray Convington is a partner for the company. Covington told FOX8 that the plan is to build up to 1,100 single family homes on the land. Ideas include adding two homes per acre. He said the homes will fall under multiple price points including attainable and market priced housing.
The land would have 35% to 45% of open space that includes trails.
Bobby Baker farms soybeans and wheat on his farmland across the street from the proposed development. Baker’s land has been in his family for more than 100 years. He said the development raises safety concerns.
“There are still a few farmers around, and we’re always on this road on tractors, so it’s very unsafe and going to get much worse,” Baker said.
Travis Heffinger has lived on his property adjacent to the proposed development since he was a teen. He said the number of people who could move in to the more than a 1,000 homes is concerning.
“The town of Madison is two miles this way,” Heffinger said. “The Town of Madison only has 2,200 residents. The town of Mayodan only has 2,000 residents, so if you think about that, there could potentially be 3,000 residents here, which is more than Madison and Mayodan combined.”
Heffinger and Baker said that they are not against development. They only want projects that come in to consider the already established community.
“The EMS, fire and safety,” Heffinger said. “Again, the traffic, the involvement in the traffic and just the impact that it would put on a small community like that. There’s no water here. There’s no sewer here, so that’s something that’s going to have to be looked at as well.”
The county planning board will consider the rezoning request on Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Council Commissioners Chambers.
There will be a public hearing.
The request will move to the county board of commissioners if approved. There will be another opportunity for public comment at the board of commissioners meeting.
MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — On Friday, July 31, the Madison County government acknowledged the confirmed tornado that hit on Tuesday, July 28, noting the county’s precautions and response efforts.On Thursday, July 30, the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg confirmed a tornado hit the Allegheny area from 5:51 p.m. to 5:53 p.m. on Tuesday.The NWS said it was an EF0 tornado that reached peak winds of 80 mph with a path length of 1.1 miles and a width of 75 yards.TORNADO HIT WESTERN NC DURI...
MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — On Friday, July 31, the Madison County government acknowledged the confirmed tornado that hit on Tuesday, July 28, noting the county’s precautions and response efforts.
On Thursday, July 30, the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg confirmed a tornado hit the Allegheny area from 5:51 p.m. to 5:53 p.m. on Tuesday.
The NWS said it was an EF0 tornado that reached peak winds of 80 mph with a path length of 1.1 miles and a width of 75 yards.
TORNADO HIT WESTERN NC DURING SEVERE STORMS, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONFIRMS
According to the Enhanced Fujita Scale, or EF Scale, EF0 is the lowest category. The EF Scale is used to assign a rating for a tornado based on estimated wind speeds and related damage, per the NWS.
The damage NWS noted was numerous snapped and uprooted trees and broken limbs, with Madison County adding that there was minimal structural damage. The county acknowledged NWS’s determination that the damage overall was relatively minor.
SEVERE STORMS LEAVE SINKHOLE, DOWNED TREES AND SOME FLOODING IN MARSHALL
According to a county press release, before the tornado, Madison County Emergency Management Coordinator Patrick Ward posted weather updates online, contacted public safety agencies and started positioning “assets” out of precaution.
Ward said emergency crews, utility workers and volunteers responded to downed trees, blocked roads, power outages and other storm hazards while working to restore services and keep residents safe. The county also thanked all the agencies involved for their response efforts.
SEVERE STORMS LEAVE WIDESPREAD DAMAGE ACROSS MADISON COUNTY; CLEANUP BEGINS
“Throughout the event, lessons learned and best practices from Hurricane Helene guided the County’s whole of local government response. We continue to update our playbooks and refine procedures to provide safe and immediate emergency response measures,” Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt said in the press release.
Within 24 hours of the severe weather, primary and secondary roads and most utilities were restored, Honeycutt said. He added that the county will continue to coordinate with local, state and federal partners as damage assessments are finalized.
The NWS noted that its statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review.
MADISON, N.C. (WGHP) — A private cemetery in the town of Madison is raising concerns among people who have loved ones and friends buried there.Some people say trash and vandalism are ongoing issues at Collins Cemetery, which is located off Highway 704. They want the cemetery to be better maintained and protected.For people with loved ones buried at Collins Cemetery, they say seeing trash dumped outside the resting place feels painful and disrespectful. The property owner said he is now working to address those concerns an...
MADISON, N.C. (WGHP) — A private cemetery in the town of Madison is raising concerns among people who have loved ones and friends buried there.
Some people say trash and vandalism are ongoing issues at Collins Cemetery, which is located off Highway 704. They want the cemetery to be better maintained and protected.
For people with loved ones buried at Collins Cemetery, they say seeing trash dumped outside the resting place feels painful and disrespectful. The property owner said he is now working to address those concerns and plans to involve law enforcement.
“We called him Pete. He is one of my best friends ever. We were friends for probably little over 20 years,” said Amanda Harrison, a Madison resident.
For more than a decade, Collins Cemetery has been a place Harrison comes to remember her friend.
“This is the second time here since I come back. … Before that, I would try to come up at least once a month,” Harrison said.
But she said those visits have become harder to make because of the trash in the area.
“Other people coming down here that shouldn’t be on the property and dumping. … It’s not right. It’s very disrespectful,” Harrison said.
Harrison said she wants to see something change.
“These are families’ loved ones, … people’s ancestors they have never even met, and they deserve to have a beautiful, well-kept, taken care of and respected final resting place, and their families deserve that to be able to come when they visit,” Harrison said.
Tammy Tatum has several family members buried at Collins Cemetery and said she feels Harrison’s pain.
“It’s a lot of family members here that are very concerned. … I’ve seen the trash over by the trashcans … and some trash back there in those woods,” Tatum said.
There are also concerns about vandalism, including damage to a gravestone. Community members worry about what could happen next.
FOX8 brought those concerns to the property owner, John Collins. Collins said the damaged gravestone is being worked on, but he was unaware of the trash problem nearby.
“You made me aware a few seconds ago when we were up in the cemetery that there is some trash being dumped on the outside. I had not seen this,” Collins said.
Now that he knows, Collins said he plans to take action.
“It’s a major concern because I did not know this. We will call the sheriff today on that and let them know that there is dumping going on at the end of the road,” Collins said.
Community members say the maintenance and protection should not fall on just the property owner. They hope to see the community come together to help clean up and prevent trash dumping, so Collins Cemetery can remain a place for families to come and remember their loved ones with dignity.
“I’m sure if concerns come up, there is a workable solution to everything,” Collins said.
Collins said the cemetery has been in his family for more than a century, and it also means a lot to him.
He said he is open to community feedback and ideas that can help protect and maintain the property.
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