Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“There are so many nursing homes to choose from, with their guidance I was able to find the right facility for my mother, right away. I would highly recommend them to any family or friends in need of their services.”

Candace K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Steve and Claudia at Always Best Care Senior Services were just awesome in how they provided at home care for my mother Carmen. Starting with the initial consultation by Steve to learn about mom's personal care needs to the follow-up visit of a registered nurse to the eventual placement of a compassionate caregiver; every step of their service was well thought out and they truly delivered on providing a level of care for mom that exceeded our families (and mom's) expectations. It can be very nerve racking to find and leave your loved one with a caregiver but this company gets that and they were just fantastic. Thank you Always Best Care!”

Mark B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ABC has provided the essential care and support my dad needed after hospitalization and chemo treatments. I have peace of mind knowing they are supporting him.”

Michelle B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have been utilizing Always Best Care Senior Services for 2 years to care 24/7 for my elderly parents. I am very pleased with their services. The Owners and Office Staff bend over backwards to make sure that there is always coverage, to alert my parents Caregiver Team of any requests that I make, to advise me when there is an issue with my parents or their dog. The Caregiver Team working with my parents are all compassionate and caring, knowledgeable and skilled. Sadly, my Father passed away in the fall of 2020. Each of their Caregivers, the Owners and the Office Staff expressed to me that they would like to attend his memorial service when we are able to have it. During the weeks he was slipping away, the Caregiver team not only took care of my parents, they looked after me, gently reminding me to eat, rest or take a break. They truly care not only for my parents, but for all our family. I can’t begin to express what a comfort it has been to have them caring for my parents, especially during the pandemic when visits are prohibited. They are my eyes and ears. Working intimately with my parents, the Caregivers are very tuned in to even subtle changes. If you are in the market and looking for a senior services/home health care company, I strongly urge you to reach out to Always Best Care Senior Services. You’ll be happy you did.”

Heidi R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“If you want quality care for yourself or your loved ones, Steve and his time are the best, don’t waste your time looking elsewhere. As an estate planning attorney, I have recommended clients to Steve who have been very happy with his team. Steve and his team went above and beyond for one specific client of mine that had a very complex situation, and I am eternally grateful to them. I only hope I can continue to work together with him - Steve and his team are dedicated to making sure you are comfortable, happy and safe. My favorite part about Always Best Care is that all of their staff are TRAINED EMPLOYEES WITH CONTINUING EDUCATION - NOT INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS!”

Aldo C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care is a top notch senior services company. They go above and beyond with their clients and treat them as if they are family. If you are looking for a great family oriented team to help take care of your love one look no further. Give Always best care a call you will not be disappointed!!”

Forrest H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Highly recommended! All the staff is very professional and courteous”

Ryan N.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Steve and his team were amazing. As my father’s Parkinson’s progress, we were in need of home health care desperately. Steve and his nurse came to our home, assess the situation, and set up a schedule to accommodate our needs. I would highly recommend them to any family or friends in need of their services.”

Claudine P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Steven and his team are superior in caring for aging friends and family. The most important thing is having people who you can trust with your family.”

Allison T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Steve and his team will take superior care of your loved ones.”

John D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Steve Snell and Staff of Always Best Care Senior Services have been amazingly responsive, helpful and worked diligently to make sure my clients needs were met! Can't praise them enough. The case was staffed immediately and overseen at all levels. Thank you for Always providing the Best Care!”

Karen G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have worked with, and explored working with, various agencies and registries in the Palm Beach County area. I am picky. Always Best Care is qualitatively a notch above every other organization I've encountered. Responsive. Amiable. Professional. The aide, Islande, who has worked with my mom is top-notch for our needs. And . . . I have no doubt Steve (the agency's owner) and his staff would strive to find someone else, if it hadn't been a fit. If you are looking for Nursing Care, I strongly recommend giving Always Best Care a chance. BTW: It is important to understand that working with an Nursing Agency (like Always Best Care), means the staff are employees, not independent contractors (as they are when working through a Nursing Registry). An Agency is vested in having good employees, and a good agency wants you to be happy. But even all Agencies are not created equal. I worked with one (Alternative Health Care) where aides did not always show up! That was painful and incredibly stressful, and the manager and other higher-up staff didn't give a hoot.”

Liz S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I wish there were more that five stars. I can not say enough about the experience we have had in working with Always Best Care Senior Services. Not only were they extremely receptive to our needs, available immediately to every call, text or email, compassionate and kind...every single employee was better than the next. My Dad's recent death and my mothers recent surgery (with complications) requiring extra care was a traumatic time for our family. The care she received was beyond skilled and professional. We knew she was in trusting, caring hands. She was happy. I have recommended ABC to others and they have had the same experience. Do not hesitate to reach out to them if you are in need. I highly recommend them. I know I will be reaching out to Steven and Claudia the next time I am in need. My family and I are extremely grateful.”

Donna H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Fabulous experience with Always Best Care. Treated my 90 year old Father in Law with dignity and respect. We actually had fun with his aides and they were helpful and kind.”

Alicia B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am very glad to have chosen ABC Senior Services to get us through a very difficult time when my parents finally reached the end of their independent lifestyles at age 96 and 97. Scheduling was difficult and sometimes changes were made last minute, but ABC came through as well as could be expected. Despite losing his wife of 37 years, my father is currently doing very well back north in an assisted living facility. Thank you ABC for the compassion you expressed throughout the 4 months you were there for us.”

Rob C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is a great company who goes above and beyond for their clients. My mother fell at my brothers home in Connecticut and I called Steve Snell for some guidance. Even though Steve is in Florida he was able to get my family connected with a representative in Connecticut immediately. Thank you Steve!”

Mike B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ABC goes to great lengths to get to know their clients in order to provide the best possible match with ABC’s in home care providers. The aides blend into the home environment with professionalism, compassion and helpfulness. They are unobtrusive but available at all times. As a primary caregiver I wish I started with them years ago.”

cam2019
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TESTIMONIALS

“Extremely friendly and professional. I was very comfortable leaving my loved one in their care.”

happy C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Great, helpful, supportive service! I tried others, but ANC is the beat!”

tas1111
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TESTIMONIALS

“Experiencing using ABC is the best you will find anywhere. The owners and employees are there for one reason and that is to make their clients happy with their caregivers. I have never seen such compassion from an agency. I am the client, so I know what to look for and the caregivers they recommend. Would be happy to talk to anyone with questions. Thanks”

Mimi B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care's caregivers and office staff are the best I have dealt with.”

Bruce M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I can't say enough about how much ABC has helped both our parents and our family. Their name -- Always Best Care -- is clearly their guiding principle! From the highest level administration (Stephen and Beverly) to the amazing caregivers and schedulers -- the entire staff have been responsive and attentive from day one. They have been unfailingly respectful, caring, professional and competent. They were flexible and kind when my mother became terminally ill. And readily available and again responsive when we reinitiated services for my father. Their attentiveness and professionalism is reflected in the amazingly kind, competent and resourceful caregiving staff. Their exceptional caregivers have allowed us peace of mind, knowing that our Dad is getting great support from reliable providers who readily alert us of any matters that need attention. I highly recommend ABC!”

Carla R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has been wonderful in many ways. Steve Snell, Owner and Area Representative, and Beverly Casper, RN were patient, kind and respectful while my Dad came to terms with the idea that he really did need help. They were flexible and open and that made all the difference. My Dad's aide Fabienne is responsible and caring and now more of a companion than aide. Steve and his scheduling team has been proactive about any changes that needed to occur and very good about communicating with me both by phone and email. Having them on board has lessened the worry I feel on a daily basis. My mother had a prolonged illness and through the years we dealt with many health care agencies. The attention and care we have received from Always Best Care is, by far, the best we ever have experienced and we are very grateful to have found them.”

Linda S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services if you have a loved one that needs personal care.”

Melanie T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Dori, is such a wonderful person and makes such an impact on everyone she is involved with.”

Jamie W.
 In-Home Care Lake Worth, FL

How does In-home Senior Care in Lake Worth, FL work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Lake Worth, FL

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, 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:

Comfort
Comfort

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, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Lake Worth, FL, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Lake Worth, FL 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

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.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

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.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

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.


Respite Care Lake Worth, FL

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

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 Lake Worth,FL 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.

 Caregivers Lake Worth, FL

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 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

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An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

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Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

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.

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.

Latest News in Lake Worth, FL

180 plan to paddle from Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — One hundred and eighty paddle boarders will soon make a journey from Bimini, Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach next Sunday.The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis is a fundraiser that was started 10 years ago by Travis Suit for his daughter who has the disease. So far, Piper's Angels has raised about $2.75 million for cystic fibrosis families."Right after Piper's diagnosis when she was 4 years old, we learned about the connection and the benefits of the salt water as a therapy for people with cystic fibro...

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — One hundred and eighty paddle boarders will soon make a journey from Bimini, Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach next Sunday.

The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis is a fundraiser that was started 10 years ago by Travis Suit for his daughter who has the disease. So far, Piper's Angels has raised about $2.75 million for cystic fibrosis families.

"Right after Piper's diagnosis when she was 4 years old, we learned about the connection and the benefits of the salt water as a therapy for people with cystic fibrosis to keep their lungs healthy, and to take them out in a positive environment where they can really enjoy the outdoors," said Suit.

So the annual crossing event got started and this year its namesake, Piper, is participating for the first time.

"Definitely a proud dad moment for sure. She's 15 years old and she's on a team of all ladies, the Tsunami Sisters and she's really excited," Suit said.

The journey is just over 80 miles from Bimini, Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach.

Piper's Angles will paddle from Bimini, Bahamas, and travel over 80 miles to@LakeWorthBchPBC. pic.twitter.com/s0GiGm7U7D

— T.A. Walker (@timallanwalker) June 15, 2023

"We take a six-month process of really training off and on the water, getting our bodies physically ready, and it's definitely a mental aspect too," said Ryan Burgess, who helps train some of the participants.

The participants look forward to some help from Mother Nature.

"It's really awesome that we're able to utilize the Gulf Stream on the way back and it can go anywhere from three to six miles an hour giving us that extra assistance and some say it feels like the trip is more like 60 miles than 80," said paddler Casey McCullough.

Tyler Engle has cystic fibrosis and he is making his first trip with Piper's Angels and is glad he found a like-minded community.

"I was on the beach here last year I saw everyone come back [from the Bahamas] [to here in Lake Worth], the big finish line at the beach. And I decided that I want to do this so I got a board, train on it, and now we're 10 days out. Extremely a little nervous but I've been training for about 10 months so I'm pretty confident," said Engle.

Burgess said while it's a physical game there is a mental challenge as well.

"It is very lonely out in the middle of the Gulf Stream when you're all by yourself, especially in the middle of the night," Burgess said.

While it may feel lonely at times, each team is accompanied by a safety boat in which volunteers ensure that the paddlers have supplies and are kept safe during The Crossing.

The group said the challenge is worth it to keep their mission fueled.

"We are a foundation of cystic fibrosis families fighting for cystic fibrosis families, and we're trying to help the holistic person not just put band-aids on problems but actually figure out what's really going on this cystic fibrosis community and grow with them and try to evolve with them," said Tatiana Tims of Piper's Angels.

Participants in Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis depart for Bimini on June 21. At 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, June 25, they depart Bimini on Stand Up Paddle Boards, kayaks, and canoes, paddling all night in the dark, and arriving at Lake Worth Beach, Florida some 12 to 16 hours later.

The paddlers are greeted by friends and family members in a beachside celebration just south of Benny's on the Beach

"A team of safety personnel will accompany the boats and paddlers and the Coast Guard is notified of the float plan," a press release stated.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

10 Fun Things to Do with Kids Near Lake Worth Beach

Any time of year, The Palm Beaches make a fabulous destination for families looking for that perfect mix of outdoor activities, beautiful beaches, and kid-friendly attractions.Sandwiched between West Palm Beach to the north and Boynton Beach to the south, Lake Worth Beach has much to offer children (and their parents too!). Here are 10 fun things to do with kids in and around Lake Worth Beach.A trip to this guarded white-sand beach is a must for families. Between ocean swims, little ones can use the colorful playground or walk ...

Any time of year, The Palm Beaches make a fabulous destination for families looking for that perfect mix of outdoor activities, beautiful beaches, and kid-friendly attractions.

Sandwiched between West Palm Beach to the north and Boynton Beach to the south, Lake Worth Beach has much to offer children (and their parents too!). Here are 10 fun things to do with kids in and around Lake Worth Beach.

A trip to this guarded white-sand beach is a must for families. Between ocean swims, little ones can use the colorful playground or walk the William O. Lockhart Municipal Pier for a birds-eye view over the waves. Restrooms are readily available, and lunch couldn’t be easier: Several restaurants line the coast here, including Benny’s on the Beach, which has something for everyone (including a kids menu and incredible water views), and Mamma Mia’s, great for pizza lovers. Phipps Ocean Park, just to the north of Lake Worth Beach Park, is another lovely beach-day option around here that’s a bit quieter.

Kayaking around the beautiful, mangrove-lined Snook Islands in Lake Worth Lagoon is an ideal way for families to intimately experience the natural beauty of The Palm Beaches. Get up close and personal to the wading birds, crabs, oyster reefs, and various fish species of the lagoon while perched on a comfortable single or double kayak. Or, if your kids are small, you can rent a family kayak, which fits two adults and two small children. At Kayak Lake Worth rentals are available for two hours or a half-day. To delve deeper into the saltwater estuary’s rich ecology, consider booking a guided tour—the monthly full moon tours are especially popular.

This large, grassy park in the middle of Lake Worth Beach has a ton to offer families. The lakefront playground area has play structures for kids age 2 to 12 (including a Boundless playground), with a good amount of shade as well as a splash pad for cooling off. There’s also an exercise course that older kids like, and over by the campground there’s the Custard Apple network of short, interconnected nature trails to explore. And there are plenty of designated picnic areas, including some with grills.

Choose from an 18- or 36-hole mini golf course at this well-maintained family-run spot, which keeps things interesting for all ages with some challenging holes and lots of attractive water features (don’t worry, the golf balls float). Most important for those sunny days, there’s plenty of shade, as well as a great snack bar with ice cream, chips, and beverages for kids and adults alike. The little ones always get a treat at the end! It’s a perfect afternoon activity for families.

A popular spot in Lake Worth Beach for birthday parties, this arcade is exactly what’s needed for a few hours of indoor fun on those super hot or rainy days. Older kids love the laser tag facility and go-kart course, while younger kids can try their hand at skee-ball or any of the arcade video games. The on-site café conveniently offers pizza, hot dogs, and ice cream, or you can head to nearby El Rinconcito Colombiano 3 for kid-friendly arepas, empanadas, and Colombian-style hamburgers.

In nearby Boynton Beach, families love the sweet Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, which provides kids with an interactive, hands-on glimpse of life for early Florida settlers. In the absence of electronics or fancy tech, a sensory learning experience awaits here, as children are invited to explore replicas of early train depots, general stores, farms, and more. They can even milk and feed a life-size cow replica, and play with an oversize, interactive Operation Challenge in the “doctor’s office.”

About 10 minutes north of Lake Worth Beach in West Palm Beach, this science museum is beloved for its 100-plus educational exhibits, full-dome planetarium, 10,000-gallon aquarium, and quarter-mile-long outdoor science trail, which boasts 15 more exhibits. There’s even mini-golf! Families can easily enjoy a full day here. Kids under 6 love the water table, outdoor play area, and wall-size Lite Brite of the Discovery Center and Early Childhood Playground. Older kids shouldn’t miss visiting the Observatory on select Friday evenings to view the sky during Nights at the Museum.

Just south of Lake Worth Beach in Delray Beach, Wakodahatchee Wetlands is a favorite spot among nature lovers in the know. Created in 1996 on 50 acres of previous wastewater utility land, the peaceful wetlands feature a pretty three-quarter-mile boardwalk that winds above the ponds and shrubby islands of the preserve, providing up-close viewing of countless bird species, turtles, alligators, fish, frogs, and even rabbits and raccoons. It’s thrilling for kids to spot so much wildlife in a natural habitat, and it’s also a great lesson in smart public land use: Each day, two million gallons of treated wastewater gets pumped into the wetlands, which act as a percolation pond and return billions of gallons of fresh water back into the water table.

A short half-hour drive west of Lake Worth Beach in Loxahatchee, Lion Country Safari is a must for animal-loving kids. After driving the four-mile safari past zebras, rhinos, impala, ostriches, lions, and more, the wonderful walk-through park awaits, complete with a petting zoo, a water park (bring the bathing suits!), amusement rides, and more wildlife exhibits. The highlight is the giraffe encounter, where families can stand on a platform eye-to-eye with these magnificent animals and feed them romaine lettuce. Don’t miss it!

This picturesque manmade 80-acre tropical island park on the Intracoastal Waterway is a terrific place to introduce little ones to snorkeling, as the turquoise water is shallow, clear, and warm. Rock breakwaters on the eastern side protect swimmers from currents and act as an artificial reef, attracting plenty of interesting undersea life. Sometimes manatees are even spotted around here! You’ll want to bring along a picnic lunch—there are no restaurants on the island—and definitely plan to stay a while. As a bonus, the kids get to take a shuttle boat to get there. Hop on one from nearby Sailfish Marina or Riviera Beach Marina to reach the island.

Header image courtesy of the Cox Science Center and Aquarium

Finnish heritage lives on in Lake Worth Beach. Give credit to 'Sisu'

On the last day of the Finnish heritage festival at Bryant Park near the Lake Worth Beach lagoon, men are hoisting their female partners over their shoulders for a traditional wife-carrying contest, sprinting through an obstacle course on their way toward the “FINNISH” line.For three days, hundreds of people of Finnish descent from across Florida and several other states flock here to celebrate their native tongue and culture at the Midnight Sun Festival.The city has one of the world's largest Finnish populations ou...

On the last day of the Finnish heritage festival at Bryant Park near the Lake Worth Beach lagoon, men are hoisting their female partners over their shoulders for a traditional wife-carrying contest, sprinting through an obstacle course on their way toward the “FINNISH” line.

For three days, hundreds of people of Finnish descent from across Florida and several other states flock here to celebrate their native tongue and culture at the Midnight Sun Festival.

The city has one of the world's largest Finnish populations outside of Finland. You could always spot the country's blue cross flag on homes and businesses but there’s been a steep population decline in recent years.

“This is kind of easy peasy,” said Jan “Mika” Pennanen, a local realtor who emcees the annual event. “We're a big group of people putting this show together. This keeps the flock still flying.”

Pennanen landed U.S. residency through the federal government's green card lottery and moved to Lake in the early 1990s. He takes honor in entertaining seasonal snowbirds and Finnish retirees from Lake Worth Beach, Lantana, and Hypoluxo.

“Festival like this kind of keeps us, you know, not forgetting where we come from and who we are and what we are,” Mika said.

Members in the Finnish community say the festival attract people to their culture, which helps preserve its past. It's their home away from home.

The festival's name, the “Midnight Sun” — which used to be called Finlandia Days — pays tribute to a phenomenon in the northernmost region of the European nation, where daylight lingers all day and night for months during the summer.

The two Finnish stone monuments at Bryant Park are a reminder of Finnish contributions to the city. One honors World War II veterans; the other is a pair of geese, migrating birds commemorating the influx of immigrants from Finland.

The $50,000 bronze and granite sculpture was donated to the city in the mid 1980s by the late Thor Soderholm, a long-time resident. It’s a replica of the one in his hometown in Hanko, Finland. People at the festival took photos in front of it because it honors the many immigrants who left the subzero weather in the arctic north and came to Florida's year-round warmth.

The festival was founded by former Lake Worth mayor David Hinsa, a Finnish-American.

Tiina Rogers, President of the Midnight Sun Festival, says the annual cultural and live music event began 40 years ago and serves as a meeting place for the once thriving Finnish community.

“Back in the old days [early 1900's] when the wealthy people from up north came to build their buildings up and down Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, Finnish carpenters and house wives and cooks, they came down with them,” Rogers said. “And they couldn't afford to live in Palm Beach, so they started to build in Lake Worth.”

Rogers arrived 30 years ago and married into an American family. She said the Finnish immigrants built their businesses in the area as a form of necessity.

“And most of them didn't speak too good English, so then they built their own community so they can have all the services in Finnish,” said Rogers, who noted that newly created churches, clubs, hair salons and bakeries catered to the immigrant group.

Finnish families, many of whom had dual passports, eventually assimilated — married into American society or moved back to Finland or grew older as their birth rates fell, according to documents from the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.

The Honorary Consulate of Finland Peter Makila told WLRN he estimates the concentration of Finns in Lake Worth and surrounding areas to be between 5,000 to 7,000 permanent residents, down from around 12,000 from more than 30 years ago. And during the tourist season, it often rose to 30,000.

At the outdoor festival, people mingled around and sipped on the national Long Drink — a gin mixed with flavored soda. And listened to Finnish tango singer Arja Koriseva.

In the middle of the open-dance floor, hips swayed to the sound of Finnish tango, where the stereotypically quiet Finns danced close and intimate, pacing to the rhythm of an accordion instead of the Argentine bandoneon. FINtango is a distinct, ballroom style variation of Argentine tango, made popular in wartime Finland in the early 1900s.

Hundreds of thousands of Finns, at the time, migrated to America, seeking economic prosperity in the midwest, north and the south.

At the family-owned Palm Beach Bakery and Cafe in Lantana, you hear Finnish and English spoken daily. It's a place wrapped in nostalgia and has been the Nordic meeting spot for more than 25 years, with its Finnish-language newspapers comforting Finland-born U.S.-naturalized citizens. The cafe is a 10-minute drive from Bryant park. The owner, Mike Vaskivuo, said regulars here eat Finnish meat pies—- the Lihapiirakka look like baked empanadas. Or customers would munch on an open-faced smoked salmon sandwich on dark sourdough rye bread.

But coffee and a variety of pastries are the taste of choice for Finns, including the sweet Pulla, a braided cardamom-spiced bread with crunchy almonds on top.

“It’s Pullapitko. Long sweet bread. So a lot of people actually think it's challah bread but it’s actually sweet bread,” Vaskivuo said. “Pulla and coffee. I don’t know if you know the stat but we consume the most coffee per capita in the whole world. Hot and black.”

Vaskivuo is a former professional hockey player who played for teams in Finland and the U.S. Born in Finland, he was raised in Lake Worth. His father, Jouko Vaskivuo, passed down his baking business — and his Finnish culture.

“I try to represent Finland as much as I can. I would say here, the younger community here, they’re very Americanized. They don’t speak Finnish,” Mike Vaskivuo said. “I almost have more in common with their older parents. We all have the ‘Sisu’. We always carry that with us in our hearts.”

Sisu is a Finnish philosophical concept meaning determination or resilience. Vaskivuo believes Sisu keeps his business and culture going.

“Sisu is about never giving up and always fighting no matter how difficult the times or the obstacle ahead,” says Vaskivuo, just before handling a wave of Finns and non-Finns streaming into the small shop. “We’re a small nation and we’re already the underdog, so you gotta believe in something. You can’t be a pushover.”

I can feel the Sisu in the air at the Midnight Sun Festival, from the Finnish community club members, small businesses, St. Andrew's Lutheran Church members and the Finnish-American Village, a rest for Finns.

Kaija Kalervo, 75, is the former president of the American Finnish Club. She said during the heyday, Lake Worth felt “homey.”

“Everyone knew each other and all that,” Kalervo said. “We are honest, hard workers. I always said the good God had given me your hands seven days a week, 24 hours a day. I can use it. I can use that and preserve my heritage and really be good for the community.”

Pepe Tiilikka, 33, agrees. Part of the festival staff, he moved from Finland when he was 6 years old and said this is his way of “trying to keep the culture alive” by making the festival feel like a “a quick trip to Finland.”

Pop-rock singer Hanna Pakarinen serenaded the Finns before she headed back to Helsinki, Finland. Her hometown, Lappeenranta, is the sister city of Lake Worth Beach.

“I think it’s a great way to introduce Finnish culture to American people,” Pakarinen said.

But Tinna Rogers said the community still needs a little more “sisu” to keep the ethnic Finnish heritage going in Lake Worth Beach.

The sunny festival, with its Fintango dancing and quirky wife-carrying contest, serves as a reminder of that determination.

“It's the Finnish heritage. Our food is different. We are stubborn, different kind of people, “ Rogers said. “So we want to keep that alive.”

Paddleboarder who encountered hammerhead shark en route to Lake Worth Beach speaks out

LAKE WORTH, Fla. (WSVN) — A South Florida woman was stalked at sea, as she came dangerously close to a hammerhead shark. Now, she’s talking about the close encounter.Malea Tribble said she was halfway through an 80-mile trip from the Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach on Sunday when she came too close for comfort to the marine predator.“It definitely kind of gives you a little bit of like, ‘Oh, my gosh. I can’t believe that happened.'” she said.“I was just kind of doing my thing, and I ...

LAKE WORTH, Fla. (WSVN) — A South Florida woman was stalked at sea, as she came dangerously close to a hammerhead shark. Now, she’s talking about the close encounter.

Malea Tribble said she was halfway through an 80-mile trip from the Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach on Sunday when she came too close for comfort to the marine predator.

“It definitely kind of gives you a little bit of like, ‘Oh, my gosh. I can’t believe that happened.'” she said.

“I was just kind of doing my thing, and I felt a little bit of a tap on my board, but I thought I was picking up seaweed,” Tribble said. “That happens. You can drag seaweed on your fin.”

The encounter, which happened as she was taking part of an event that raises money for cystic fibrosis research, was captured on video.

Tribble said she suddenly noticed her paddleboard was not the only fin in the water. The other fin belonged to the hammerhead shark that was following her.

“I saw my husband’s face drop, and I saw him tell the captain to shut off the engine and then guided me to the boat, and so as soon as he did that, I knew it was a shark,” she said. “It’s one of those things that you have to trust the people you’re around, and I just knew to listen. My husband jokes that it was the first time that I’ve ever listened to him in my life.”

Tribble said she stayed calm the whole time and just focused on maintaining her balance, getting back to the boat and away from the shark.

“His head was underneath her board,” her husband was captured saying in the video. “I saw it once I sat down because it did go back underneath the board. Oddly enough, it actually looked at me. I swear I saw his eye, stare right at me.”

After a 10-minute break, Tribble got right back on her board and finished the trip.

“Just like falling in. You fall in, you get back up,” she said. “You don’t sit there and sulk about falling in. You have to just keep moving. It’s the best way to kind of move forward.”

Tribble isn’t letting the shark scare her or slow her down. She said she absolutely intends to do the event again next year.

Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

180 paddleboard from Bimini to Lake Worth, raising cystic fibrosis awareness

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — Well over 100 paddleboarders made the 80-mile journey from the Bahamas to South Florida, as they raised funds for people fighting a grueling genetic disorder.Dozens of people took to the water on Sunday to make the 80-mile trek, using only a paddleboard, all in the name of spreading awareness for cystic fibrosis.“It was phenomenal, had a great team, great outcome,” said one of the paddleboarders. “We beat our goal; everything was fantastic.”For some paddleboar...

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — Well over 100 paddleboarders made the 80-mile journey from the Bahamas to South Florida, as they raised funds for people fighting a grueling genetic disorder.

Dozens of people took to the water on Sunday to make the 80-mile trek, using only a paddleboard, all in the name of spreading awareness for cystic fibrosis.

“It was phenomenal, had a great team, great outcome,” said one of the paddleboarders. “We beat our goal; everything was fantastic.”

For some paddleboarders, this was a challenge near and dear to their hearts.

“My daughter has cystic fibrosis, and when we got her diagnosis, I jumped into social media to see what it looked like,” said Ashley, “and I found Claire Wineland, and through that I found Claire’s Place Foundation and fell in love with them.”

Paddleboarder said this ocean journey was no picnic.

“It was tough, but it got beautiful in the middle of the day, and we were looking forward to the finish,” said Casey.

“It was awesome to be out there together, like, it was – I couldn’t have asked for a better crew, a better teammate, partner, paddle,” said Lindsey.

Travis Suit launched the Piper’s Angels Foundation after his daughter Piper was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects the lungs.

Suit, the foundation’s executive director, said he heard of the benefits the ocean could give to people with the disease, such as the saltwater and salty air.

Suit became a dad on a mission to help those like his daughter, and on Sunday, they celebrated the 10th Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis.

“Filled with so much gratitude, you know, from the time we got to Bimini, every event and experience there, to see what all these paddlers showed up to do, the captains and crew, huge community,” he said.

As for Piper, she accomplished her first crossing with this year’s event.

“It’s a really proud dad moment, for sure,” said Suit. “I was just asking Piper what she thought, how many miles she did in the ocean and, you know, now she’s probably done more miles in the ocean than most people, right?”

A total of 180 paddleboarders finished their journey on Sunday.

If you’d like to donate to the cause, click here.

Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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