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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.

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Home Care In Fresno, CA

Home Care Fresno, CA

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 FAC Water Tower 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 Fresno, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Fresno, CA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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.

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Fresno, CA?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Fresno, CA

Types of Elderly Care in Fresno, CA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Fresno, CA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Fresno, CA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 Woodward Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Fresno, CA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar or visit Van Ness Arch (Fresno entrance gate), 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.

 In-Home Care Fresno, CA

Benefits of Home Care in Fresno, CA

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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 Fresno, CA, 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.

 Elderly Care Fresno, CA

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your CA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Fresno, CA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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 Fresno, CA 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Fresno, CA

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Fresno, CA

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:

  • Pacifica Senior Living Fresno
  • Westmont of Fresno
  • Vintage Gardens Assisted Living Community
  • Kingston Bay Senior Living
  • Sunrise of Fresno
  • Garden Terrace Assisted Living
Home Care Fresno, CA

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.

 In-Home Care Fresno, CA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Fresno, CA 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.

 Elderly Care Fresno, CA

Latest News in Fresno, CA

Earthquake measuring 2.7 rattles area close to Avenal, CA on Sept. 9

FRESNO COUNTY, CA - Tuesday night, a preliminary 2.7 magnitude quake was recorded near Avenal, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.A tremor shook the region at 11:14 p.m. The earthquake's epicenter was located roughly 6 miles north-northwest of Avenal and occurred at a depth of 7 miles.Did you feel it? Those who experienced the quake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.What to know about earthquakes Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earth...

FRESNO COUNTY, CA - Tuesday night, a preliminary 2.7 magnitude quake was recorded near Avenal, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A tremor shook the region at 11:14 p.m. The earthquake's epicenter was located roughly 6 miles north-northwest of Avenal and occurred at a depth of 7 miles.

Did you feel it?

Those who experienced the quake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.

What to know about earthquakes

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U. S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale. Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Earthquakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but are most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year. 100,000 of those can be felt, and 100 of them cause damage.

What to do during an earthquake

If an earthquake strikes, it's best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:

If you're in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.

If you're in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.

If you're outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don't go inside.

If you're inside: Stay and don't run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say. "Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy," officials say. "If you're using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops." Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

"There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines," officials say. "Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock."

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey

This article was generated by the CA Earthquake Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to [email protected].

Camp Fresno evacuated as Garnet Fire burns three miles away

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- With the Garnet Fire prompting new evacuations, the flames are moving closer to Camp Fresno.As of Tuesday, they are three miles from Camp Fresno."We evacuated our team, which resulted in relocating vehicles, really securing the camp from anything that could happen, disconnecting propane lines," City of Fresno Parks Director Aaron Aguirre told Action News.The evacuation came just days before explosive growth over the weekend. The Garnet fire expanded by 10,000 acres on Sunday alon...

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- With the Garnet Fire prompting new evacuations, the flames are moving closer to Camp Fresno.

As of Tuesday, they are three miles from Camp Fresno.

"We evacuated our team, which resulted in relocating vehicles, really securing the camp from anything that could happen, disconnecting propane lines," City of Fresno Parks Director Aaron Aguirre told Action News.

The evacuation came just days before explosive growth over the weekend. The Garnet fire expanded by 10,000 acres on Sunday alone.

Its smoke cloud is visible for miles.

"We took our own safeguards into place prior to the official evacuation notice that came out this Sunday, and wanted to make sure our staff was safe and out of harm's way," Aguirre said.

The camp, described as a "hidden treasure," is tucked deep in the woods, sitting on 40 acres near Dinkey Creek.

Valley children have flocked to the camp each summer for generations.

About a hundred years old, the City of Fresno has owned it since the 1920s. Officials invested millions to restore it a few years ago.

"This happened during our busiest season, which was Labor Day weekend, so we had the entire camp reserved," Aguirre said.

He confirms the camp is currently "intact." Firefighters are now working to protect it, along with the surrounding areas of Dinkey Creek and Shaver Lake.

City officials, like many in the mountain community, are on edge, as the Garnet Fire rages for the 16th day.

"At this point, it's going to be a wait-and-see," Aguirre said.

With the now-evacuated camp personnel just weeks away from closing out the season and winterizing the camp, they are hopeful they will return, along with the campers.

"We feel confident that at the end of this, once our firefighters get this under control, that we'll be able to resume activities back at Camp Fresno," Aguirre said.

Garnet Fire officials will host a virtual community meeting to provide the current fire situation and address questions.

The virtual meeting will be live-streamed on the U.S. Forest Service's Facebook page on Tuesday, September 9, at 6 p.m.

Questions for the metting can be sent to [email protected]

Fewer hummingbirds are visiting feeders in Fresno-area backyards. Here’s why

It’s hummingbird season and, for many Fresno and Clovis residents, that means setting up feeders to draw these little birds with fast wings and slender beaks and watch them elegantly flutter around backyards and porches.But this year, some longtime bird enthusiasts in the area report a significant decline in the number of hummingbirds enjoying the free sugar water.Joan Lassley, who lives in the foothills near Prather, has been a year-round hummingbird feeder for a decade. She noticed the number of her hummingbird guests h...

It’s hummingbird season and, for many Fresno and Clovis residents, that means setting up feeders to draw these little birds with fast wings and slender beaks and watch them elegantly flutter around backyards and porches.

But this year, some longtime bird enthusiasts in the area report a significant decline in the number of hummingbirds enjoying the free sugar water.

Joan Lassley, who lives in the foothills near Prather, has been a year-round hummingbird feeder for a decade. She noticed the number of her hummingbird guests has decreased by half this summer.

“I have three feeders here at my house and three at my mom’s house next door. I still change them often. But instead of 10 or 12, I have six or seven typically. Like, I’m looking out the window right now, and there’s only five out there,” Lassley told The Bee.

Last year, about 20 hummingbirds stopped by her feeder outside the nook of her kitchen during peak hours, Lassley said.

Other bird feeder users in the Fresno area say they’ve seen even sharper drops.

“We have had 17 visit my feeders, but this year it is two,” Mary Ann Ramirez posted on a Facebook group of Clovis residents.

”Started noticing it last year. I’ve always had two feeders out with as many as 15 birds, down to only three hummers now,” said Kelli Rogers, commenting on Ramirez’s post.

Data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology shows that, from 2012 to 2022, the population of Anna’s Hummingbird, the most common hummingbird species in Fresno, has declined slightly by 5-10% in urban and eastern foothill areas, while it increased significantly by 40-50% in the sprawling agricultural land between Highway 99 and Highway 5.

Another less common species in the Fresno area, the black-chinned hummingbird, reportedly decreased by 29% in Clovis. Its numbers dropped by 21% across the state.

Although there’s a lack of sufficient statistical data, experts say that birdwatchers’ observations are plausible.

“We probably need a few more years to get the statistical values to say if there is an overall decrease, but overall, they are not doing as well in California as they used to, so I believe it,” said Joel Slade, an assistant professor of biology at Fresno State.

The statewide decline in hummingbirds is primarily due to climate change, Slade said. Over the past decade, intense heat waves have caused many migratory birds to flee to cooler northern regions. Hummingbirds are experiencing a major decrease down into Los Angeles, Nevada, or across the mountains into Arizona, but the Fresno region is in between, he said.

The data map from 2012 to 2022 shows that hummingbirds have maintained their numbers in Fresno, but Clovis has seen a slight drop, Slade said.

He said the reduction in food and habitat is a significant factor behind the reported decline.

Hummingbirds must eat every 10 to 15 minutes to support their fast wings, small bodies, and long distances to travel, according to the National Audubon Society. In a natural environment, hummingbirds visit 1,000 to 2,000 flowers per day.

Therefore, male birds are very protective of their feeding sites. Slade said he has seen one male bird jump from one feeder to another feeder to chase another bird away, even when the bird is fine feeding off one feeder. The nature of hummingbirds means that unless bird enthusiasts have a large land with lots of shrubs to block hummingbirds’ lines of sight, the feeders would end up serving one or two birds.

Besides the free sugar water from the feeders, hummingbirds also value nectar-producing plants such as sages.

“I notice that a lot of people don’t cater to the native plants, they cater to the highly ornamental. They look pretty to us, but it might not be beneficial to the birds, and they might not be getting nectar from them and might not be producing a lot of offspring,” Slade said.

Ideal plants are those that flower a lot in February and March, when hummingbirds start to build their nest and require a huge supply of food. Hummingbirds cannot survive solely off sugar, though that is where most of their energy comes from, Slade said. But birds cannot grow without protein, and plants attract small insects.

“One other factor is pesticide usage,” Slade said. “Pesticides are going to kill the insects that they need for protein, especially during nesting. So if there’s a high pesticide usage around the areas these people are putting their feeders up, it might impact the insects that birds need to feed their nestlings, and they’re going to have a lower survival rate.”

Unlike some other birds, hummingbird doesn’t have the ability to produce large brood sizes. They only lay two eggs, Slade said. There’s no way for them to make up for any of the other ones that are lost.

To lure more hummingbirds to the region, Slade suggests putting lots of native shrubs and trees to provide cover for the nesting habitat and provide sources of water so birds can stay hydrated.

But, more importantly, hummingbird enthusiasts should clean feeders regularly and replace the sugar water to prevent fungi and bacteria from harming the health of hummingbirds.

Slade suggests replacing sugar water every four days during cool seasons and every one to two days during summer.

“They could tell if the bacteria or fungi growth is high enough, but if they’re hungry, they’re going to try, especially if they’ve been eating from that location for a while, they’re habituated to it,” Slade said. “So it’s dangerous to do that without cleaning on a regular basis.”

Slade said he doesn’t use feeders. Rather, he uses plants because plants are always repopulating their nectar, and plants have their own way of preventing fungal and bacterial growth in their own nectar.

Lassley, the longtime hummingbird enthusiast, said she used to keep a hummingbird bush, which she replaced with salvia and other plants that hummingbirds might like, though she noticed that they seem to like the free sugar the best.

Lassley said her mother-in-law used to really enjoy watching hummingbirds and spread the joy of the hobby to her. Now, it has become Lassley and her mom’s favorite part of their morning routines.

“Just sit and have coffee and watch the birds, I can do it for hours. That’s just always a fun thing that we do,” she said. “I think they’re an incredible animal, just like the bees are, and I think it’s important that we can feed them if they need it.”

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