It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Landmarks on Del Mar 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 San Clemente, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I just wanted to give Always Best Care a very well deserved 5 star review!!”
“Always Best Care provided 3 day a week help for my sister while she was”
“Above and Beyond I was driving in a panic from Washington to California because my”
“Always Best Care is always responsive and easy to work with. My husband's caregive, April,”
“We only use them occasionally on the weekends, so they're not really impacting her daily”
“My experience has been positive because the caregivers do what I ask them to do.”
“We appreciated the prompt response from Always Best Care. Sandra was so professional and was”
“This was our first time working with this company and they did not disappoint! I”
“I couldn't be more pleased about my caregiver, Zulie, during the time that she was”
“The agency has given me free time and they are very responsive. I like the”
“She did not need a lot of instruction. We had one caregiver for two days”
“The caregivers are always on time. I like that they have been very dependable.”
“I'm a grateful, former Caregiver/Home Care Aide employee with Always Best Care. As I advanced”
“The care is very good because they do everything they are supposed to do. I”
“They've been there to give me whatever I need. I've used them for a very”
“Our experience with Always Best Care was 5-star. Sandra Mendoza, care co-ordinator, was very thorough”
“They have available talent whenever we have needed it. The prior agency had limited services”
“I have been a client with Best Care for about three months and I have”
“The caregivers help with personal hygiene and laundry. The agency is flexible and conscientious.”
“I like that they seem to be very knowledgeable.”
“We are so pleased with the professionalism and care of this team. Both Jessica C.”
“Sandra has been taking really good care of my dad! Also, Jessica C. Will always”
“Always best care has been amazing for my grandma. Juan Garcia is my guy to”
“Pleasant, competent service. My caregivers, especially Amy, were terrific.”
“We've been very pleased with the services that Always Best Care has provided for my”
“They keep him safe. They're very friendly and good with my husband.”
“This group of care takers could not have been more amazing to our cousin William”
“Very competent and professional. Best in home health.”
“They could clean through the night, and we have some that come in and sleep”
“She helps with dressing and bathing him. I like having a caregiver. That's the most”
“Dulce couldn’t be any better! She’s amazing !”
“Outstanding person. Very efficient, friendly and helpful.”
“They were very helpful. They helped me get around in a wheelchair. The caregivers are”
“These caring and patient people helped us through the initial transition from hospital and rehab”
“They helped me get going again. They could have charged less.”
“Always best care in Palm desert, CA goes above and beyond to ensure us caregivers”
“Always Best Care has made my experience positive by having someone there to help take”
“Without the care she would not be able to stay in her house. They learn”
“Great place to work with the seniors and the company”
“They do everything for him since he is bedridden. I like that they listen to”
“I just wanted to give Always Best Care a very well deserved 5 star review!! As children of seniors know, it can be a hard decision to entrust others outside of the family to provide love and care for your aging parent. However, Always Best Care of Indian Wells has been incredible in so many ways in helping facilitate home care service for my 100 year old mom. Sandra, their Care Coordinator, is an excellent communicator – patient and kind, resourceful and so very competent. Yvonne, mom’s caregiver, is loving and from our first meeting, she did those “little things” without being instructed that were important and mean so much. (Like checking dates on groceries, asking about parking so as to be considerate of the neighbors, having a routine for where to put things like mom’s keys, etc., and just focusing her attention on little things that were all about mom, etc. etc.) Moses, who installed mom’s AI devices was great as well – all smiles, so friendly and sweet to mom. And Juan, who does scheduling is the best as well….always one step ahead in communicating schedules and everything else. I am very impressed with how well they all work as a team. The most important part, though, is that mom is happy! Thank you ABC!”
“Always Best Care provided 3 day a week help for my sister while she was recovering. They did a great job attending to her and making her life simpler. I know my sister enjoyed the company and help. She was sorry to see it end! I would highly recommend Always Best Care to help you over the rough spots.”
“Above and Beyond I was driving in a panic from Washington to California because my mother was in crisis, she has dementia and her partner/care giver was taken to the hospital and not expected to recover. From the moment of contact while driving through mountains with terrible cell service Sandra and Moses took the situation in hand and offered solutions and managed to obtain a nurse for that very night with such short notice of only 3 hours and we needed care for 12 hour shifts. They were so compassionate and supportive and made us feel safe. Mom is 88 years old and can be quite difficult in the best of times, she really liked the nurses and wanted them to come back. Anyone needing Nursing services should call Always Best Care they are top notch. Thank you again for the amazing service!”
“Always Best Care is always responsive and easy to work with. My husband's caregive, April, is fantastic. Very smart and he listens to April!”
“We only use them occasionally on the weekends, so they're not really impacting her daily life. They seem really easy to communicate with, and they're open and eager to meet the needs that we have.”
“My experience has been positive because the caregivers do what I ask them to do. I like Always Best Care because they are very efficient.”
“We appreciated the prompt response from Always Best Care. Sandra was so professional and was able to explain and answer all of our questions. The care that our Mom received from Jestina was exactly what we wanted and needed. Jestina was so sweet and kind to Mom and Mom just loved her. Thank you so much for helping our family and especially our Mom.”
“This was our first time working with this company and they did not disappoint! I needed to hire a night nurse for my Mother who just got out of the hospital and I was so nervous about it but after meeting with Sandra, she put our minds at ease! She was so professional, kind and understanding! She paired us with Nancy who ended up being such an angel. My Mom was comfortable and happy every night she was there! They had a great time together! Each morning Nancy made sure to provide me with updates which was so appreciated. I cannot express how amazing this experience was. Book them for all your needs! Thank you again!”
“I couldn't be more pleased about my caregiver, Zulie, during the time that she was with me. She was always willing to help and make sure everything was easier for me. I always hoped that the others would be a clone of her. ABC always responded quickly to my requests and everyone I talked to was very helpful. Thank you to all who assisted me while I was with ABC.”
“The agency has given me free time and they are very responsive. I like the agency because the caregivers have all been good.”
“She did not need a lot of instruction. We had one caregiver for two days who was excellent.”
“The caregivers are always on time. I like that they have been very dependable.”
“I'm a grateful, former Caregiver/Home Care Aide employee with Always Best Care. As I advanced my career in Healthcare, I will forever look back and smile for my experience working with Always Best Care Seniors. I appreciated the opportunity to meet great families, providing the best in home care services, helping seniors with light home duties, while working flexible case assignments. Juan was the staffer at the time and was always attentive in providing prompt information for available open positions. Valentine was the Case Mgr and Bonnie was the Director. I will always be grateful to them as well for the great support. If you're looking for Home Care Services for your loved one, I highly recommend ABC Seniors. I will never forget this great company. Thank you for the great experience.”
“The care is very good because they do everything they are supposed to do. I like Sandra, and she is great to work with.”
“They've been there to give me whatever I need. I've used them for a very long time and they've always been accommodating with me.”
“Our experience with Always Best Care was 5-star. Sandra Mendoza, care co-ordinator, was very thorough in her evaluation of my husband’s needs. She immediately provided the most wonderful caregiver, Ana Magdaleno, who quickly bonded with my very reluctant husband and was easily able to give him the care he needed with no loss of dignity on his part. I cannot recommend this senior services group highly enough. They provided needed support with care and grace. Wende Walter”
“They have available talent whenever we have needed it. The prior agency had limited services in our agency. The majority of their staff are Hispanic, and a lot of them don't even know what a dishwasher is.”
“I have been a client with Best Care for about three months and I have been extremely happy with them. They are always there for me. Even if I call at the last minute which I don’t like to do they are immediately there for me and the girls are wonderful and I have to say Elsie has been absolutely a big number 10 for me. She fits with me like a glove and again like I said Best Care is the company to go with.”
“The caregivers help with personal hygiene and laundry. The agency is flexible and conscientious.”
“I like that they seem to be very knowledgeable.”
“We are so pleased with the professionalism and care of this team. Both Jessica C. the customer service coordinator and Natalia my mom’s caregiver have been fabulous. We have found a great and responsive service to assist mom as she recovers from medical challenges. ????”
“Sandra has been taking really good care of my dad! Also, Jessica C. Will always call me and let me know of any changes. I love the way they keep me informed I live over an hour away and I feel good knowing my Dad is in good care. Thank you so much for that!”
“Always best care has been amazing for my grandma. Juan Garcia is my guy to help with the schedule which I always change . He is always understanding and helping me In details . Jessica conteno she really steps it up to make sure everything is being done to the best with possible care . With a great and caring attitude and understanding with the Difficulties of this stage in my grandmas life . Galilea Soto has been a amazing caregiver. With her hard work and dedication to the best the care for grandma with a smile !!! Alexia Thao has also helped with details for my grandma to give all the caregivers to be on the page on the level of care she needs . Which has helped me so much . Isis Arello is my overnight girl . She always is in good spirits and makes sure I know exactly how my grandma is doing . The trust I put in theses ladies is super important to health and well being of my grandma. Thx so much for your hard work Always best care I couldn’t do it without you !!! Sincerely granddaughter”
“Pleasant, competent service. My caregivers, especially Amy, were terrific.”
“We've been very pleased with the services that Always Best Care has provided for my parents. Our caregiver, Lily, is always present to assist my father with his mobility issues. She is a great help to my mother in assisting in meal preparation/clean up and picking up around the house. My mother says that she knows what to do and doesn't have to be instructed or asked. This has been a huge relief to my family. ABC has also been very flexible in accomodating a changing schedule as my father's health has changed. We are definitely happy with our decision to go with ABC.”
“They keep him safe. They're very friendly and good with my husband.”
“This group of care takers could not have been more amazing to our cousin William Malley. They all went above and beyond the call of duty. I will surely recommend the company and the care givers. Thank you all”
“Very competent and professional. Best in home health.”
“They could clean through the night, and we have some that come in and sleep through the night. I like the caregivers who work at night to clean up without my mother being awake.”
“She helps with dressing and bathing him. I like having a caregiver. That's the most important part for me.”
“Dulce couldn’t be any better! She’s amazing !”
“Outstanding person. Very efficient, friendly and helpful.”
“They were very helpful. They helped me get around in a wheelchair. The caregivers are very nice.”
“These caring and patient people helped us through the initial transition from hospital and rehab to coming home after my husband suffered a brain bleed/stroke. Uncomplaining, helpful, kind and considerate in their ministering to us both.”
“They helped me get going again. They could have charged less.”
“Always best care in Palm desert, CA goes above and beyond to ensure us caregivers are being educated and rewarded for excellence in our field. The one on one time and availability has been of tremendous help to me. I’m grateful to be a part of a dedicated team that aims to deliver excellence in both client homes and with each individual caregiver.”
“Always Best Care has made my experience positive by having someone there to help take care of the client. I would Always recommend Best Care more if they sent the same caregiver consistently.”
“Without the care she would not be able to stay in her house. They learn daily requirements and provide them.”
“Great place to work with the seniors and the company”
“They do everything for him since he is bedridden. I like that they listen to the client.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Linda Lane Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Nick's San Clemente or visit San Clemente Rock Monument, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in San Clemente, 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.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in San Clemente, 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.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in San Clemente, 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.
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A herd of 20 miniature goats, two babydoll mini sheep and a Sicilian donkey named Steve will arrive as among the newest residents of San Clemente in the next few weeks, taking up their posts in open space and canyons surrounding the Vista Hermosa Sports Park.The herd, owned by resident Mike Kay, who moved to San Clemente after losing his own home in Sonoma to the destructive Tubbs fire, will be used to munch vegetation and non-native plants as the beach town looks to ...
A herd of 20 miniature goats, two babydoll mini sheep and a Sicilian donkey named Steve will arrive as among the newest residents of San Clemente in the next few weeks, taking up their posts in open space and canyons surrounding the Vista Hermosa Sports Park.
The herd, owned by resident Mike Kay, who moved to San Clemente after losing his own home in Sonoma to the destructive Tubbs fire, will be used to munch vegetation and non-native plants as the beach town looks to reduce wildfire risks.
Menacing dry brush surrounds the hills around homes and businesses in San Clemente on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Resident Mike Kay introduced a fire-prevention pilot program that will use his goats to graze the fire-vunerable landscape around Vista Hermosa Sports Park.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kay, a former volunteer firefighter, will provide the herd gratis to the city and is already busy building a 100-by-150-foot gated enclosure to safeguard the flock and keep them eating only what they should be. The last temporary grazing permits were issued this week, and city officials also checked in with Laguna Beach, which has had an active and successful goat program since 1992.
San Clemente will try the goats for three months, after which city officials will decide whether to expand the pilot program. Independent of the city, two local homeowners associations also this week requested that Kay bring his herd to graze in their privately owned canyons.
Other Southern California cities, including Oceanside, Carlsbad, Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Palos Verdes and Glendale, have employed goats to voraciously munch away brush.
“Having the goats around here will be a good thing,” said San Clemente Mayor Steve Knoblock, whom Kay approached with the idea months ago. “It’s a good idea; we’re lucky to have a citizen volunteer this.”
In all, the herd Kay is trucking down from the northern part of the state will graze on an acre or two at a time across a total of 10 acres near the sports park. They will be scooted along before the plants are eaten down to the nubs. Kay also plans to identify endangered species before setting the animals loose to munch.
“It’s a non-descript hillside, but the kind that burns,” Kay said of the area they will begin in. “It’s full of invasive thistle, which is choking out everything else. People are worried about fire and invasive species, but no one wants chemicals sprayed, and hand-crews are expensive.”
“I’m a one-man band,” he added. “All of a sudden, this is a hot topic.”
When flames torched Kay’s 26-acre vineyard estate in Sonoma and destroyed two large homes, he moved to San Clemente into a house he’d bought in 2004.
But his experience with the Tubb’s fire, which in October 2017 raged through Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties, was always at the forefront of his mind, he said.
It became his mission to teach other communities about what could happen and what to do to help harden their towns against the threat of wildfires. Kay said he started talking with survivors of the Paradise fire a year after his own fire.
He helped them with clean-up, insurance timelines, rebuilding issues and how to handle legal matters. Kay shared similar information over the weekend with people who have lost their homes in the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires.
While reaching out is “somewhat cathartic,” he said, it’s also a way for him to give back.
“Many people helped me and my family after the Tubbs Fire,” he said. “Only fire survivors can really reach other fire survivors with the practical information and insight fire survivors desperately need in the weeks and months after the fire.”
In addition to the herd’s arrival, the San Clemente City Council addressed the mayor’s emergency request on Tuesday to form a citizens’ brigade to help clear brush in some of the city’s more remote canyon areas starting this weekend.
Knoblock came up with the idea, and this week he received help from local businesses that donated chainsaws and other equipment, including Denault’s Ace Hardware, Lowe’s and Rod’s Tree Service in San Clemente and Ganahl Lumber in San Juan Capistrano.
Knoblock said Wednesday about 30 people had already signed up as volunteers. The goal, he said, is to get at least 100 on board. The clearing will be done near Camp Pendleton, the back area behind Talega and other interior canyons.
“After the L.A. fires started, I realized San Clemente is vulnerable in at least 80% of the city,” Knoblock said. “I thought we need to be proactive to reduce the risk of fire.”
Sign up to volunteer at san-clemente.org.
Originally Published: January 16, 2025 at 12:35 PM PST
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