AA 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 Palm Beach Gardens, FL

How does In-home Senior Care in Palm Beach Gardens, 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 Palm Beach Gardens, 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 Palm Beach Gardens, 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 Palm Beach Gardens, 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

Aid and Attendance 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 Palm Beach Gardens, 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 Palm Beach Gardens,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 Palm Beach Gardens, 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

02

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 Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Fitness center proposed for Palm Beach Gardens shopping center

A large fitness center and spa may soon appear in the Palm Beach Gardens shopping center.The owners of Legacy Place want a major use permit that will allow a 30,140-square-foot Eos Fitness gym to open in the shopping center's Building 7 at 11230 Legacy Ave.Trending: Foreclosures spike in South Florida, report says. H...

A large fitness center and spa may soon appear in the Palm Beach Gardens shopping center.

The owners of Legacy Place want a major use permit that will allow a 30,140-square-foot Eos Fitness gym to open in the shopping center's Building 7 at 11230 Legacy Ave.

Trending: Foreclosures spike in South Florida, report says. Here's why.

"The proposed change aims to accommodate a potential new health club tenant within Legacy Place, filling a market void and creating a synergy that the center has desired since the departure of Publix GreenWise," stated an application from the Jupiter-based planning firm of Cotleur & Hearing, on behalf of LSREF6 Legacy LLC.

Publix GreenWise opened in Legacy Place in 2007 and closed in 2018 because it was underperforming, according to local media reports at the time. The GreenWise brand is being phased out by Publix.

Dallas-based Eos Fitness, meanwhile, recently announced its intention to operate 10 Florida fitness centers by the end of 2023. On Aug. 16, Eos opened its ninth Florida location, a 40,000-plus-square-foot facility, at the Town & Country Shopping Mall at 8400 Mills Dr. in Kendall.

Read more: George Hanbury to step down as NSU president, successor named

Eos Fitness currently has 125 locations open or on the way in Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Southern California, Texas, and Utah. Most Eos locations, including the Kendall gym, are open 24 hours, a spokeswoman said.

The shopping center's application stated that EoS Fitness' amenities, expert trainers, and state-of-the-art equipment will enhance the overall appeal of Legacy Place.

"Apart from the economic advantages, the presence of a health club user will contribute to improved health outcomes for the residents of Palm Beach Gardens," the application stated.

LSREF6 Legacy LLC, a joint venture of Dallas-based Lone Star Funds and Boca Raton-based Woolbright Development, paid $101.6 million for the 43.1-acre shopping center in October 2021. The seller, a subsidiary of German firm GLL Real Estate Partners, paid $180.17 million for the property in August 2007.

Sign up here for the Business Journal’s free morning and afternoon daily newsletters to receive the latest business news impacting South Florida. For more business intelligence, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

South Florida's Malls

Total leaseable square footage

RankPrior RankMall / Prior (*Not ranked in 2022) / URL
11Aventura Mall
22Sawgrass Mills
33Town Center at Boca Raton

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Gas prices at some stations near seven dollars per gallon in Palm Beach Gardens

2PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (CBS12) — After coming down from last summer's five dollars per gallon high, prices haven’t been great, but they’ve been manageable.Then, this weekend, CBS12 News spotted eye-popping prices at the intersection of Military Trail and Northlake Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens.CBS12's News Albert Pefley reports on eye-popping gas prices found in Palm Beach Gardens. (WPEC)If you pull into the Shell station off North Military Trail, and you use premium gas, you're going to hav...

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PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (CBS12) — After coming down from last summer's five dollars per gallon high, prices haven’t been great, but they’ve been manageable.

Then, this weekend, CBS12 News spotted eye-popping prices at the intersection of Military Trail and Northlake Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens.

CBS12's News Albert Pefley reports on eye-popping gas prices found in Palm Beach Gardens. (WPEC)

If you pull into the Shell station off North Military Trail, and you use premium gas, you're going to have to dig a little deeper in your pocket to pay for it.

"I think it's kinda ridiculous. It's expensive, but other than that, we can't really do much about it," said Ismael Cuba, a West Palm Beach resident.

See also: Elderly man in hospital after self-inflicted gunshot wound, barricading himself in home in Port St. Lucie

Cuba installs and repairs air conditioning.

He was getting gas in his pickup truck at the Shell station where the price for premium is now almost seven dollars per gallon.

"It's a bit goofy, and I think that it's, I don't know, I think it's like it's too much to be paying for, for gas," said Nygeria Mantock, a Palm Beach Gardens resident.

At this Shell gas station the price for premium is $6.49 per gallon if you pay with cash and $6.59 per gallon if you pay with a credit card.

"It is really expensive, so it kinda sucks. But you know it's convenient for me. So that's why I stopped here," said Melissa Griffin, a Palm Beach Gardens resident.

"I don't know how people can afford that. I don't get how a person is supposed to be able to pay for that," said Jenna Mantovani, another Shell customer from West Palm Beach.

Even regular unleaded is $4.99 per gallon at the Shell station if you use a credit card, and it's the same price across the street at a Chevron station.

CBS12 News asked AAA what they think is going on.

"That's a little steep. The average price right now for premium gasoline in West Palm is $4.69. So a gas station that's charging much more than that is probably not gonna be attracting a lot of business," said Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman.

A Mobil and a BP gas station -- both on Northlake Boulevard west of Interstate 95 -- have lower prices.

AAA says there's good news because the summer road trip season over. They expect gas prices in Florida to go down by about 20 cents per gallon in the next month or two.

The big question mark right now is hurricane season.

As CBS12 Chief Meteorologist Vytas Reid has been saying, there are a lot of storms out there right now.

READ THE COMMENTS (2)

If a hurricane hits refineries in Louisiana, Texas or Mississippi, that could mean higher gas prices because those are the refineries that supply gas to the Sunshine State.

Palm Beach Gardens tornado victims still can't get into their homes, unsure of the future

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. —Families in the Sanctuary Cove community of Palm Beach Gardens are still waiting to return home after being evacuated after the tornado Saturday night.They’re living without access to their belongings and with a sense of uncertainty about where they will live.The tornado left behind a trail of destruction, hitting wind speeds as high as 135 mph.Lindsey Johnson and her 7-year-old daughter, Soleil, were right in the middle of it.“Our place is the se...

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. —

Families in the Sanctuary Cove community of Palm Beach Gardens are still waiting to return home after being evacuated after the tornado Saturday night.

They’re living without access to their belongings and with a sense of uncertainty about where they will live.

The tornado left behind a trail of destruction, hitting wind speeds as high as 135 mph.

Lindsey Johnson and her 7-year-old daughter, Soleil, were right in the middle of it.

“Our place is the second-story window that’s boarded up,” Johnson said.

Cleanup begins in northern Palm Beach County following EF2 tornado

Johnson lives with her husband, Martin, and their daughter.

When the alarm went off on Johnson’s phone Saturday night, she immediately grabbed Soleil and ran to the laundry room.

“I had to pull the door closed because it was just rattling. The cement building was rattling. It was horrifying,” Johnson said. “I was just praying to God, ‘Please, please, please take care of us.’ And then it was over.”

When she came out, Johnson found the windows in the house had shattered.

Outside, the community was a mess.

Everything was everywhere.

“The cars were all sideways. Everything is broken. The cars were destroyed,” Johnson said.

Video from above the buildings showed the roof of Johnson’s building had been ripped off.

Police evacuated everyone living there.

Johnson only packed for two nights, thinking they’d be able to return.

Clean up continues in Palm Beach Gardens after EF2 tornado tore through with 130 mph winds

“Closed the door behind us and had no idea that we were not going to be able to. We have not been back since we closed the door,” she said.

The next morning, the building was condemned.

Nobody has been allowed in since.

Johnson and her family have been living in a hotel for the last few days, unable to get to their belongings.

They’re looking for help from anyone as they search for an answer to what comes next.

“It just feels really hopeless right now,” Johnson said. “It’s something we did not account for. Nobody expects to be uprooted out of their home one Saturday evening.”

Johnson has set up a GoFundMe account to help her family get back on their feet.

Canadian wildfire smoke reaches Florida creating an 'unhealthy' air quality

Wildfire smoke from the far northwestern reaches of Canada created hazy conditions throughout Palm Beach County Tuesday, reducing visibility and triggering an air quality alert from health officials.The smoke, which is traveling o...

Wildfire smoke from the far northwestern reaches of Canada created hazy conditions throughout Palm Beach County Tuesday, reducing visibility and triggering an air quality alert from health officials.

The smoke, which is traveling on the clockwise swirl of winds from an area of high pressure over the Mid-Atlantic region, could remain through early Wednesday before pushing into the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida experienced some of the heaviest concentrations of smoke Tuesday — and a spike in unhealthy air quality that ranked the worst in the country — because it was getting a direct firehose of north and northeasterly winds from the high pressure. Areas of the country closer to the center of the high didn't get as much smoke.

Brett Anderson, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, said it was a surprise that the smoke made it all the way to Florida from fires burning in British Columbia and Alberta.

"It's very unusual," Anderson said. "I started seeing it going south and I didn't think it would get to Florida, but it maintained itself."

AirNow Interactive Map

An overnight inversion ? where the ground cools faster than the air above it ? exacerbated the early Tuesday haze, said National Weather Service meteorologist Robert Garcia.

An inversion, which is also a cause of fog, usually happens on clear nights when the land becomes cooler than the air a few thousand feet up. Air typically cools with height, so when the air high up is warmer, it acts like a lid to trap moisture, and smoke, near the ground.

"That smoke just got transported in the upper atmosphere down here, and it's one of those mornings where people are going to experience patches of lower visibility," Garcia said early Tuesday. "We've been keeping an eye on it through the overnight hours, and it's something folks should watch for."

Canada struggled with wildfires throughout the summer, and scores still burn out of control, including in the Northwest Territories and the Northeast provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

In mid-September, CTV News reported that some wildfires may burn until regular snowfall returns.

Not your traditional winter:El Niño in Florida can mean rainy, cool dry season, but climate change may blunt the chill

"We will need to adapt to living with fire," CTV quoted Shane Thompson, minister of environment and climate change for the Northwest Territories of the country as saying. "It's very likely these fires will need to be managed till snowfall."

At Palm Beach International Airport early Tuesday, sustained winds were blowing east-northeast at 17 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Garcia said that should have helped clear the skies closer to the coast.

Still, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, the air quality near downtown West Palm Beach was in the "unhealthy" range according to AirNow.gov. That's the fourth level of concern on a six-level scale and means that some people may experience detrimental health effects from the smoke.

By 1:30 p.m., the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County issued a reminder that the air quality was in a range that was "unhealthy to sensitive groups."

Jose De Olazabal, a pulmonologist on staff at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, said some of his patients with respiratory problems called his office with concerns about the smoke.

"They could see it with the naked eye, it was pretty impressive," De Olazabal said. "A couple of patients noticed it (Monday). They had already felt symptoms of coughing and congestion."

De Olazabal said for people with no health problems, an "unhealthy" rating on the air quality index will cause few problems. But people with asthma or COPD should avoid going outside. The smoke, which can carry particulate matter and add sulfur dioxide to the air, is also a concern for those with heart problems.

"People with cardiovascular disease tend to experience worsening events like heart failure and arrhythmia," he said. "If something is stressing your lungs, it can potentially stress your heart or even your kidneys."

Areas more inland where the wind was blowing at just 7 mph were hazier. Clewiston had visibility of just 3 miles early Tuesday, Garcia said.

"It's one of those things where if you aren't expecting it, it can certainly give you a bit of a surprise," he said. "Folks should take precautions. Use your low beans and give yourself extra time to reach your destination."

Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to [email protected]. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.

Man describes witnessing car flip during tornado in Palm Beach Gardens

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. —Two cars were tossed and flipped in the air on U.S.-1 during Saturday evening’s EF-2 tornado in Palm Beach Gardens.“Just saw him go flipping across in front of us, you know, the rear end of my car was starting to lift off the ground,” Jeffery O’Neill said.Related: Palm Beach Gardens tornado ranked EF...

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. —

Two cars were tossed and flipped in the air on U.S.-1 during Saturday evening’s EF-2 tornado in Palm Beach Gardens.

“Just saw him go flipping across in front of us, you know, the rear end of my car was starting to lift off the ground,” Jeffery O’Neill said.

Related: Palm Beach Gardens tornado ranked EF2, winds of 130 mph

Jeffery O’Neill said his best friend, Zack Means, was driving one of those cars.

O’Neill and his girlfriend were in their own car on U.S.-1 and on their way to dinner when the storm hit.

“I heard it come on the radio. And you know, they said tornado warning in Palm Beach Gardens. So, I looked up and I said we should go home and seek shelter, so we did a U turn and turned around but as soon as we did a U turn and turned around, I mean within 10 seconds this thing was just on us. I mean it just happened so fast,” O’Neill said.

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O’Neill said it sounded like a train and believes the placement of the truck sitting next to him on the road saved him and his girlfriend from also being tossed as the winds picked up.

“Praise God, that truck that was beside me, I think kind of preventing us as the wind had shifted at the last minute that prevented us from, I think, from flipping over,” O’Neill said.

“The tornado came, you know, 10 feet in front of us and crossed like right in front of us. You know, and obviously flipped those guys and right in front of us. So super fortunate, you know, super grateful to God and it could have been a lot worse and I'm grateful that they're there okay, too,” O’Neill said.

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