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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Raleigh, NC

Home Care Raleigh, NC

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 North Carolina State Capitol 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 Raleigh, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Raleigh, NC

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Raleigh, NC?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Raleigh, NC

Types of Elderly Care in Raleigh, NC

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

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

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

Respite Care Raleigh, NC
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

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

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Pullen Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

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

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Death and Taxes or visit North Carolina Executive Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Raleigh, NC

Benefits of Home Care in Raleigh, NC

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

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

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Raleigh, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Raleigh, NC

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

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

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 Raleigh, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Raleigh, NC

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

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

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:

  • Cadence North Raleigh
  • Serenity Falls Family Care Home
  • Abbotswood at Stonehenge
  • Carillon Assisted Living
  • North Hills Senior Living
  • Brighton Gardens of Raleigh
Home Care Raleigh, NC

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Raleigh, NC

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Raleigh, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Raleigh, NC

Latest News in Raleigh, NC

A rare event near Raleigh can help you get a passport fast. Here’s where & when

If you’re in a hurry to get a passport, you’re in luck. Another special event to apply for one in person will be held in North Carolina soon.The U.S. Department of State announced that a special passport acceptance fair will be held Tuesday, Aug. 12 in Franklinton, about 26 miles outside of Raleigh.These events are designed for first-time passport holders to get...

If you’re in a hurry to get a passport, you’re in luck. Another special event to apply for one in person will be held in North Carolina soon.

The U.S. Department of State announced that a special passport acceptance fair will be held Tuesday, Aug. 12 in Franklinton, about 26 miles outside of Raleigh.

These events are designed for first-time passport holders to get a passport book and/or a passport card — which are both REAL ID compliant.

Where to get a passport

The upcoming passport fair just north of the state capital will be at Franklinton Elementary School Gymnasium (431 S. Hillsborough St.) from 12-4 p.m.

Do I need an appointment?

Appointments are required and can be made online at travel.state.gov.

The fairs are only for those who have never had a passport, according to the department’s website. Those who need to renew or replace one can do so online or by mail.

How to apply for a passport

First-time passport holders can use the same application to get a passport book and passport card, which can save you $35.

These materials are needed:

You can find the full breakdown of acceptable documents and additional materials online at travel.state.gov.

How fast can I get a passport?

Passports are not issued at the special acceptance fair. At these events, facilities offer routine and expedited service before mailing off applications to the U.S. Department of State.

According to the department’s website, the processing time routine service can take four to six weeks and between two and three for expedited service — which costs an additional $60. That does not include mailing times when sending off applications and receiving a passport.

If you need a passport sooner, you can find more information about the qualifications for urgent travel on the department’s website.

More passport events in NC

New dates for passport acceptance fairs, which are held across the country, are added each week. As of publication , the Franklinton event is the only one scheduled in North Carolina for the next two months.

Recent events were held in Stanfield (near Charlotte) in May, just ahead of the REAL ID deadline, and in Durham in February, The News & Observer previously reported.

You can find the latest list of upcoming fairs and more information about the passport application process online at travel.state.gov.

Persistent rainfall continues across central NC, drier trend on the way

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Scattered rain and possibly heavy at times will continue Thursday morning. By afternoon, scattered showers and isolated storms will be possible, although precipitation does not look to be nearly as widespread or heavy as it was yesterday.Because of Wednesday's rains, any thunderstorm could cause ponding on roadways or minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas, especially farther east towards the coast,...

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Scattered rain and possibly heavy at times will continue Thursday morning. By afternoon, scattered showers and isolated storms will be possible, although precipitation does not look to be nearly as widespread or heavy as it was yesterday.

Because of Wednesday's rains, any thunderstorm could cause ponding on roadways or minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas, especially farther east towards the coast, where showers and thunderstorms will be more widespread. Highs will be in the 70s.

We'll dry out late Thursday as high pressure over the Northeast tries to push farther south into the area. Lows will be in the 60s.

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The heavy rain on Wednesday led to flash flooding and is blamed for at least two deaths in central North Carolina.

Nash County

Two people are dead after deputies said they were swept away by floodwaters in Nash County.

During a news conference on Wednesday, the Nash County Sheriff's Office said a man and a woman were both swept away by the floodwater after their vehicle became submerged while attempting to cross the roadway.

The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Cary

Flooding also affected some areas, especially in Cary, where some parts of Prestonwood Country Club were underwater after rain soaked the area.

WATCH: Parts of Cary golf course inundated

Loni Little of Morrisville shared some video she took of the flooded golf course.

"Unfortunately, we don't really have the best drainage system over here," Little said. "That's what's also concerning is this creek is supposed to be the drain. And it goes to other drains. And as you can see, it's flooded, which is causing the course to flood. So I have no idea where this is supposed to go because the drainage system for this is flooded."

McGregor Downs Country Club in Cary also experienced flooding, with the lake spilling over into roadways.

Aviation Parkway at Davis Drive was one of many flooded roads in the area, with traffic backed up as drivers navigated the soggy roadway.

The broad trough over the region will stick around for much of this week, allowing for thunderstorm chances each day, especially in the afternoon.

This weekend in North Carolina: Waldensian Festival, Raleigh Comic Book Show

Another weekend in North Carolina also brings plenty of festivals and shows for you to enjoy. Thousands are heading to Valdese starting Friday to honor the Waldensian people who founded the town years ago.Comic book lovers will descend in Raleigh to trade collectables and meet industry writers and actors for the annual Raleigh Comic Book Show.Here's a look at events happening across the state this weekend:The Town of Valdese, North Carolina, will host its annual ...

Another weekend in North Carolina also brings plenty of festivals and shows for you to enjoy. Thousands are heading to Valdese starting Friday to honor the Waldensian people who founded the town years ago.

Comic book lovers will descend in Raleigh to trade collectables and meet industry writers and actors for the annual Raleigh Comic Book Show.

Here's a look at events happening across the state this weekend:

The Town of Valdese, North Carolina, will host its annual Waldensian Festival this weekend, Aug. 8-9.

The two-day festival celebrates the Waldensian people who founded the town in 1893. Officials say the event draws more than 15,000 people each year.

Things kick off on Friday with a classic car show, live music and more. It’s fun for the whole family!

Saturday, the festival continues with amusement rides, live music, street dances, an open art competition and over 170 food, art and craft vendors lining Main Street.

Organizers say outside coolers and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. You can, however, bring along your furry friends!

For more information about the event and its history, click here.

Are you looking for the first appearances of the Silver Surfer, Galactus, Franklin Richards or the Fantastic Four themselves?

Chances are they will be available on Sunday at the Raleigh Comic Book Show.

The show is comic book-centric with many vintage comic book dealers looking to hook you up with your grail.

The show, which features free admission, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Crabtree Valley in north Raleigh.

Maybe you've spent the week taking care of your mother, your kids or a foster dog. But there's one person you have yet to treat — yourself!

Head over to Waterline Brewing Co. at 721 Surry Street in Wilmington Saturday, Aug. 9 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. to do just that this weekend.

They're offering good eats, craft beer and live music from local musicians. There will also be face painting and fairy hair if you're into that.

Don't forget to bring cash or your Venmo so you can pick something nice up for yourself at the local business stands while you're out.

Make it one for the history books. You can support the Museum & Archives of Rockingham County and enjoy live music on its lawn on Saturday at a fundraiser concert.

Damn the Banjos, a “funked-up” Americana band, and Megan Doss, with a blend of country and rock ‘n’ roll, will perform, but the event also will feature food trucks, a beer and wine garden and a raffle.

The concert, which runs 1-6 p.m., supports the MARC and its varied programming, which includes bluegrass, natural history, civil rights, and law and order. The museum is at 1086 N.C. 65, Reidsville.

If you are in the mood for laughs this weekend, then the 17th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival at the Wortham Center for Performing Arts is where you’ll want to be.

With more than 30 up-and-coming comedians from all over the country, the event promises to be “bigger and bolder than ever before,” according to organizers. The show is hosted by the Asheville Comedy Festival, and it runs Friday and Saturday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost around $30.

If you are up for adventure this weekend, then the Balloon and Laser Glow show at the Rowan County Fairgrounds may be just what you are looking for. Cross this item off your bucket list as you take to the skies in a tethered hot air balloon.

If you prefer to stay grounded, there will also be live music, crafts, vendors, food and more. Tethered balloon rides costs $35, but only while supplies last and the weather cooperates. The crowd will also be delighted with a grand finale hot air balloon and laser light show at 9 p.m.

Attendees should bring a blanket, chair and umbrella to set up their own viewing spots. There will also be games, rides and more. The event is Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

What players say NC State fans should expect from the defense in 2025

N.C. State football likes to have a word or phrase each week as a way to encourage the team. While it might not be official, players have used the words “versatile” and “toughness” — or some form thereof — repeatedly to describe the incoming defense.The Wolfpack has new personnel, new leadership and a new scheme opposite the offense this fall. It won’t look like it has i...

N.C. State football likes to have a word or phrase each week as a way to encourage the team. While it might not be official, players have used the words “versatile” and “toughness” — or some form thereof — repeatedly to describe the incoming defense.

The Wolfpack has new personnel, new leadership and a new scheme opposite the offense this fall. It won’t look like it has in years past, with Tony Gibson’s signature 3-3-5 formation and familiar faces in their longtime positions.

Instead, the new group thinks it has the opportunity to do more and elevate the standard thanks to depth and players with diverse skills.

“This defense, I think, is way more versatile,” cornerback Devon Marshall said. “We’re showing different looks, and we’re going to be able to do a lot of different things under Coach (DJ) Eliot … We’ve been getting to it. We’ve been moving fast. I like the whole defensive line and the linebackers that we brought in there. They’re fast, they’re physical.”

Northwestern transfer linebacker Kenny Soares described the defense as “hard knock, physical and gonna run through your face every single play” while also saying he wants to be a “headhunter” who hits someone on every play. He’s taken reps at the inside and outside linebacker position.

Former Wyoming Cowboy Sabastian Harsh, meanwhile, said he’s practiced at different spots in various formations on the defensive line.

“If Coach tells me to get in there and take on a double team, I’m gonna get in there and take on a double team,” Harsh said. “If he tells me to go cover someone on the perimeter, I’m gonna go do that, too. Being able to have a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things, I think, is really good for the team.”

Caden Fordham and Sean Brown combined for 144 tackles, four sacks and three pass deflections last season despite Fordham missing the second half of the season. In the case either player sustains an injury or needs an in-game break, Soares said the linebacker room has enough players to handle their absences effectively. So does the secondary, which is rebuilding after multiple departures, Marshall and Jackson Vick added.

“I feel like we’re all ball hawks. We all can get the ball,” Marshall said. “We’re just ball hungry. We all got a chip on our shoulder, and we got a whole lot to prove. People are doubting us and they shouldn’t. We’re gonna show that.”

How is the NC State defense different in 2025?

Most of the defense will be different this season after it returns just 11 letter winners, including three starters.

It lost 13 total letter winners, with six coming in the secondary. Four entered the portal — including Brandon Cisse, who transferred to Clemson — and two exhausted their eligibility.

Brown returns as the team’s leading tackler from last season (96), but only two of the next nine-best stoppers — Fordham and Travali Price — are back for another season.

Ten of the returning players combined for 318 tackles, according to the NCAA website, or roughly 38% of the team’s total production.

Marshall was 1 of 5 players last year to record an interception and 1 of 7 to have at least three pass deflections. He will be the only player from those respective groups back on the grass at Carter-Finley Stadium this season. The senior contributed seven pass breakups, the second most in 2024, and a pair of interceptions.

Its incoming class, however, is expected to bolster production.

Six of N.C. State’s incoming defensive players combined for 257 tackles, four sacks, 19 pass breakups, seven interceptions and two forced fumbles at their respective schools.

Cornerback Brian Nelson played all 12 games for North Texas last year. He swatted three passes and picked off four.

Safety Jamel Johnson and cornerback JJ Johnson both bring to Raleigh more than 100 career tackles each, while Harsh finished with 97 in three years in the Mountain West.

One of N.C. State’s biggest losses came at defensive end with Davin Vann’s graduation. He led the team last season with 6.5 sacks and topped the country with six forced fumbles. Price, Harsh, Tra Thomas and Isaiah Shirley are all contenders to replace his efforts, but N.C. State will need increased play everywhere.

Goals and expectations for Wolfpack defenders

Some of N.C. State’s most famous alumni come from the offensive side of the ball, but its defensive history is just as rich. Mario Williams, Bradley Chubb, Vaughan Johnson and Adrian Wilson combined for 15 Pro Bowl selections and 10 All-Pro selections. Twelve defensive players have been NFL draft picks in the last decade.

During that same span, N.C. State has finished in the national top 25 for scoring defense or total defense in half of the seasons played. It has finished in the national top 25 for both statistics in 2016, 2021 and 2022. It has finished within the top 75 of each category in eight seasons. Last year was the worst finish for both numbers since 2015. The team ended at No. 99 in scoring defense and No. 88 in total defense.

N.C. State has a chance to course correct this time around. It wants to finish with a positive turnover margin, which it didn’t do last year. The team is emphasizing better quarterback pressure, so it can have more than 23 sacks. Additionally, it needs better coverage to limit explosive plays.

The list is long, but the Pack is determined.

“Any time we go out on the field as an N.C. State defense, we expect to dominate,” Fordham said at ACC Kickoff. “We expect to play physical and tough, and I believe this offseason was big for us. Getting a lot of the new guys in here, showing them the ways of how we do things here is huge for us. Last year, it wasn’t up to the standard. But this year is a new year, and we’re going to come out and prove that we’re back. We’re going to uphold that standard and play ball on defense.”

NC judge approves NCAA’s dismissal request in ‘Cardiac Pack’ NIL lawsuit

Members of the 1983 N.C. State national championship men’s basketball team will not receive any lost NIL earnings after a North Carolina judge dismissed the “Cardiac Pack” lawsuit against the NCAA.Judge Mark A. Davis granted the motion to dismiss on Wednesday in North Carolina Business Court. A ...

Members of the 1983 N.C. State national championship men’s basketball team will not receive any lost NIL earnings after a North Carolina judge dismissed the “Cardiac Pack” lawsuit against the NCAA.

Judge Mark A. Davis granted the motion to dismiss on Wednesday in North Carolina Business Court. A 44-page order was released on Thursday.

The NCAA, the sole defendant, filed the motion to dismiss on Oct. 18, 2024, citing a four-year statute of limitations on antitrust claims. It also cited a three-year statute of limitations on the plaintiffs’ claims of invasion of privacy and unjust enrichment. The motion stated the plaintiffs have failed to prove claims of antitrust and infringement of legally enforceable rights.

The plaintiffs claimed the NCAA used their name, image and likeness without their consent in the marketing of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The lawsuit also claimed the NCAA made money off advertisements that were shown before watching highlights of the championshihp game on the institution’s website.

In Davis’ brief, he states the plaintiffs’ claims are untimely, they have not shown a violation of any “legally enforceable right,” and the Copyright Act holds higher legal authority than the cases used in their arguments.

Plaintiffs listed in the case, according to the most recent documents, are former Wolfpack players Thurl Bailey, Alvin Battle, Walt Densmore, Tommy DiNardo, Terry Gannon, George McClain, Cozell McQueen, Ernie Myers, Walter Proctor, Harold Thompson and Mike Warren. Martha Mobley is a plaintiff on behalf of Quinton Leonard’s estate. Myers, however, previously told the News & Observer he is not a plaintiff. He works with N.C. State radio broadcasting.

“The NCAA is pleased with the court’s dismissal of the entirety of the Bailey case,” the organization said in a statement. “The court definitively examined and dismissed the claims, not only as untimely, but also finding that there is no enforceable right of publicity in game broadcasts and that federal copyright law would preempt any such right if there were one. We are hopeful that several of the copycat cases will be similarly treated by other courts.”

Elliot Abrams, one of the group’s attorneys, said he and his co-counsel are proud to represent the group and fought against a system that they believe exploits young and often vulnerable student-athletes.

“This case has always been about standing up for young athletes and shining a spotlight on the NCAA’s abusive practices and continued profiteering off of its historical wrongs,” Abrams said in an email to the News & Observer. “The court has ruled that legal technicalities prevent the NCAA from being held to account in court. Despite the fact that the NCAA stole these players’ rights when they were kids and continues to profit off those stolen rights today, the victims have no justice and no remedy.”

Even if the ruling withstands appeal, Abrams said the case is important and shows the NCAA it will be challenged, both publicly and legally, when laws are broken.

This decision comes after Davis denied the motion to dismiss after a May hearing, which heard arguments from both sides, opting for more time.

“Thank you all for the good arguments today. You’ve given me a lot to think about,” Davis said at the hearing in May. “I’ll get something out as soon as possible. This is an important case, and I’m not going to rush through it.”

Davis’ decision acknowledges the plaintiffs were student-athletes at N.C. State in the 1980s, whose activities were governed by the NCAA. Prior to joining the men’s basketball program, the NCAA required the plaintiffs to sign a “student-athlete statement,” which reportedly verifies an individual’s eligibility to participate in activities.

Though the statement has changed in recent years, the document signed by the plaintiffs included a specific clause authorizing the activities against which they are now arguing.

“You authorize the NCAA [or a third party acting on behalf of the NCAA] to use your name or picture to generally promote NCAA championships or other NCAA events, activities or programs,” the statement said.

Previously, New York judge Paul A. Engelmayer dismissed the Chalmers v. NCAA case brought by former Kansas men’s basketball star Mario Chalmers and 15 other plaintiffs, citing a four-year statute of limitations. The lawsuit also argued the law continues to be broken by the NCAA’s continued use of the players’ NIL through its March Madness promotions.

In a court filing, the NCAA’s representatives argued Judge Engelmayer’s decision should impact the “Cardiac Pack” case.

The plaintiffs sought damages from 2021, when NIL was officially legalized, to the present. They did not seek damages for the full 40-year span.

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