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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 Brookshire, TX

Home Care Brookshire, TX

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 Kreische Brewery Monument Hill State Historic Sites in Brookshire, TX 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 Brookshire, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Brookshire, TX

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The Always Best Care Difference

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

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

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

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TESTIMONIALS

“We are so happy and grateful with the care that Rachel provides for our dad. She is attentive, kind, and provides him with all he needs during her visits. She is our angel!”

Donna R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I can't say enough about the care provided by the caregivers. My families are very pleased and the professionalism from Wynonna on how well she educates the community on provider care services are 5 star. I will definitely refer this company again.”

lashell F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“i had a family member receive services and it was top quality care!”

don’t W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you so much my friend have talked about your company and one of my friends family member was there and told me about there experience it was truly amazing stay.Will tell someone about your company and let them know if they need a place Always Best Care is the only place to be. Thank you”

Kristol W.
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“Your staff was very helpful love the way they,explain evey thing. much love.”

Mykel H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Just won’t say thank you guys for the work you do!Its never easy for thing that come along with the hours and time but thanks please if there’s anything I can do or my family do let me no I’m gone keep you guys on the front of all health care facilities thanks.”

Ledon P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider We went with Always Best Care of Greater West Houston and Fort Bend, TX, and we've been really happy with them because my mom is refusing to leave the house. We are just trying to do this at a pace that she is comfortable with. They help clean the house, and they help make her lunch. She doesn't need bathing help or getting dressed, but they would offer that. It's really just sitting there and listening to her and taking her to the grocery store or to a doctor's appointment and having coffee and just kind of keeping her company, which has been very, very helpful. They're very friendly, very caring, and very interested in making sure my mom is well taken care of. They send a bill once a week, and they just take it right out of my checking account. It's really easy. I wish their online portal would let me put in doctor's appointment information and stuff, but they don't have that option. My mom doesn't remember if she has a doctor's appointment or not, so if she does, I have to call in to the service all the time to say she has a doctor's appointment and we'll need them to take her there. Otherwise, it's a really nice service.”

Jennifer
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care went above and beyond in caring for my mother. The caregivers were not only professional but also incredibly kind—they truly felt like family. I’m so grateful and would recommend them without hesitation.”

Finnegan K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The Always Best Care team provided the highest level of care to my mother. All of the caregivers were excellent and became like family. I can not recommend this company enough”

Balu N.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The Always Best Care team provided the highest level of care to my mother. All of the caregivers were excellent and became like family. I can not recommend this company enough”

Louis B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The team of Always Best Care, provide excellent service in a time where quality care is hard to find. I would highly recommend their service if you have a loved one who needs personal assistance from full-time or just a few hours. They are a huge resource for families and provide peace of mind. They accommodate for each individuals needs.”

Russell H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Over the past few months, we have been with Always Best Care……. I wanted to take a moment to express our deep appreciation for assigning Rachel …..as my home care helper. Rachel has been nothing short of outstanding. Her skill in meeting our needs and alleviating the burden on my wife….is remarkable. Caring for someone at the end of life is truly a calling, and Rachel exemplifies this with grace and compassion.”

M.A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Excellent in-home care agency!”

Exclusive D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you for all you and the team did for our mother. The care and comfort that the team brought her was amazing and very much appreciated by our family.”

J. H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have had the pleasure of working with Guido and his care team on more occasion than one. I love knowing that my own friends or family that need care in the West Houston Area will be taken care of like family. Please give them a call for professional care solutions to help your aging loved one!”

Kelly B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Outstanding organization!! If you need care for your loved ones please call Always Best Care immediately! They are the absolute best.”

Steven J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My mother-in-law Peggy had used Always Best Care for a brief period before passing away and I just wanted to shout out this company. Everyone that works there from Wynona and Norma helping set her up with the caregivers to the caregivers themselves (Raissa, Sandra, and all of them really) have been wonderful and compassionate. I would highly recommend them for you or your loved ones.”

Sally L.
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“We love Wymona! Great company too.”

Tonya M.
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“They were so supportive and willing to help!”

houston A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They took great care of my mother. We were extremely satisfied with everything.”

Carlo G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I hired Always Best Care of Fort Bend because they're the ones close to me. They're the ones who responded to me quickly, and they have a good offer. Their work is very good, so my wife is also happy with them. The caregivers are supposed to be hands on. My wife's interactions with them are very, very good. That is what I want from the person who takes care of my wife. They do light housekeeping and companionship. They're helping her on the therapy side with a little bit of exercise. They basically assist her on normal stuff like urination, any body disposal, and showers. The billing is direct to my credit card, so there's no letter to be sent out; it's automatic.”

Joel
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I hired Always Best Care of Fort Bend because they're the ones close to me. They're the ones who responded to me quickly, and they have a good offer. Their work is very good, so my wife is also happy with them. The caregivers are supposed to be hands on. My wife's interactions with them are very, very good. That is what I want from the person who takes care of my wife. They do light housekeeping and companionship. They're helping her on the therapy side with a little bit of exercise. They basically assist her on normal stuff like urination, any body disposal, and showers. The billing is direct to my credit card, so there's no letter to be sent out; it's automatic.”

Joel
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TESTIMONIALS

“Everyone there is dedicated!!”

G J.
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“The caregivers are all very caring towards us.”

Kathy B.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Brookshire, TX?

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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 Brookshire, TX

Types of Elderly Care in Brookshire, TX

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 Brookshire, TX
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 Brookshire, TX
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 Brookshire City Park in Brookshire, TX 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 Brookshire, TX
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 Chopan Ranch Restaurant Ballroom or visit Donigan House, 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 Brookshire, TX

Benefits of Home Care in Brookshire, TX

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 Brookshire, TX, 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 Brookshire, TX

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 TX'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 Brookshire, TX

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 Brookshire, TX 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 Brookshire, TX

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 Brookshire, TX

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:

  • Willow River Farms
  • MsG's Personal Touch living
  • Empress Gold Care
  • Aspen Cove Assisted Living
  • The Boaz House
  • Brookshire Residence and Rehabilitation Center
Home Care Brookshire, TX

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 Brookshire, TX

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 Brookshire, TX 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 Brookshire, TX

Latest News in Brookshire, TX

Two Pumpkin Farms and the State Fair of Texas: Three E. coli Investigations Tied to Animal Attractions in Five Days, in Three States. Here We Go Again.

On Tuesday afternoon, October 27, the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Public Health announcedfive confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and an investigation into a possible link to Brookshire Farms, the pumpkin patch, corn maze and Christmas tree farm on Los Osos Valley Road. The farm has closed voluntarily. Tuesday night, FOX 4 in Dallas reported that Dallas County Health and Human Services is lab-testing a cluster of STEC infections in children and investigating whether they came from the petting zoo at t...

On Tuesday afternoon, October 27, the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Public Health announcedfive confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and an investigation into a possible link to Brookshire Farms, the pumpkin patch, corn maze and Christmas tree farm on Los Osos Valley Road. The farm has closed voluntarily. Tuesday night, FOX 4 in Dallas reported that Dallas County Health and Human Services is lab-testing a cluster of STEC infections in children and investigating whether they came from the petting zoo at the State Fair of Texas. Add the five confirmed cases at Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen, Illinois, four of them hospitalized, and that is three investigations, in three states, tied to animal attractions at fall events – all made public in the five days since October 23. Every October I write some version of this post. This year I am writing it three times over.

What San Luis Obispo County has said.

Five confirmed STEC infections. A suspected exposure period at Brookshire Farms that was first announced as October 16 through 18 and then, in a 4:00 p.m. update, widened to October 16 through 26 – the entire last ten days the farm was open. The source of the infections is under investigation. The county is telling anyone who visited during that window and develops cramping and bloody diarrhea, typically three to ten days after the visit, to call their doctor, and it notes that children under 10 face the greatest risk of complications. County Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin urged anyone exposed and symptomatic to seek medical attention immediately. The farm is cooperating, and, according to KSBY, its owner has said a direct link to the farm has not been confirmed.

One housekeeping note for the county: the updated release widens the window to October 26, but the subheadline and the Spanish-language version still say October 16 through 18. A family that reads the Spanish release, visited on October 22 and has a child with bloody diarrhea today may conclude they are outside the window. Fix it.

What the county has not said.

Ages. Hospitalizations. Whether anyone has hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The serotype – O157 or a non-O157 STEC. Whether the five isolates have been sequenced and match. Most importantly, what at the farm is suspected. A pumpkin patch is not a single exposure. According to the farm’s promotional listings, Brookshire offers hayrides, grain-cart rides, pedal carts, a jumping pillow, duck races, a playground, a hay climb, a hay maze and a corn maze, and a U-pick directory lists farm animals, school tours, birthday parties, fresh eggs and a picnic area where families can eat their own food. Was there animal contact? Where were the handwashing stations relative to the animals and the kettle corn? Were school groups on the property between October 16 and 26? Those answers tell parents and physicians where to look, and they cost the county nothing to release.

The State Fair of Texas: a “cluster,” children in the hospital, and a fair that says it has not been notified.

According to FOX 4, Dallas County Health and Human Services confirmed it is lab-testing a cluster of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli cases affecting children of a range of ages, is still interviewing families, and is investigating whether the State Fair petting zoo is the source. The county is not yet calling it an outbreak. At least two families told the station their children are hospitalized in Dallas, and Children’s Medical Center Dallas says it has seen an uptick in cases. The county has not released a case count, ages, hospitalizations, whether any child has HUS, or the serotype.

The fair’s own website describes the petting zoo in Little Lone Stars Land as a place to get close to emus, zebras, pigs and goats, with a nursery of sows, ewes, nanny goats and their young – and it advertises that fairgoers can feed the animals. The fair’s statement to FOX 4 says it has not received official notification, that it follows CDC-recommended precautions at its animal exhibits, and that no precaution can eliminate every risk. That last line is true. It is also why the precautions have to be the right ones – soap and running water at the exit, no food or bottles in the pen, someone watching the children – and why the fair should be asked now, in writing, what exactly was in place.

This is not the State Fair of Texas’s first brush with this. In the mid-2000s, after a run of petting zoo outbreaks around the country, the fair scrapped its Children’s Barnyard petting zoo when insurers raised rates; at the time, that petting zoo relied on hand-sanitizing gel and signs. Two decades later, the Arizona State Fair’s petting zoo outbreak taught the same lesson about sanitizer, and the Arizona State Fair has dropped direct animal contact for 2026. The State Fair of Texas did not.

Dallas County should do what I am asking of San Luis Obispo and Will counties: publish a case count, ages, hospitalizations and any HUS; issue a health alert to North Texas pediatricians and emergency departments; open a survey for fairgoers; sample the animals and the environment before the animals are gone; and sequence everything. The fair runs for weeks and draws enormous crowds, and once it closes the petting zoo and livestock animals scatter to their home farms. Every day of delay is a day of lost samples.

Brookshire closed the whole farm. Bengtson’s closed only the petting zoo. The State Fair has closed nothing.

The responses are worth comparing. In Illinois, Bengtson’s closed its petting zoo on October 23 and kept the rides, food stands and corn maze open with the health department’s blessing. Animal and environmental samples were taken on October 26, results are expected around November 5, and, as I wrote this morning, more than 200 visitors have filled out the county’s symptom survey. In California, Brookshire shut down entirely, in the last week of pumpkin season, while the county figures out what happened. That is a costly decision for a family farm, and it is the right one. It does not tell us whether the source is an animal, the environment or something sold on site. It does mean no one else is being exposed while the county finds out. In Texas, nothing has closed, and the fair says it has not even been officially notified.

Sources: SLO County Public Health release (October 27, 2026, as updated 4:00 p.m.); KSBY (October 27); FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth (October 27); Will County Health Department statements as reported by The Herald-News (October 26). Read October 27.

These are not food outbreaks, and food inspections will not solve them.

When STEC follows a farm visit, the vehicle is rarely a menu item. It is manure – on a goat’s coat, a pen rail, a hay bale, a stroller wheel, a shoe, the hand that then holds a cup of cider. Ruminants carry these bacteria without looking sick and shed them intermittently, which is why the Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings warns that a negative animal sample taken days after the fact does not clear the pen. The record goes back decades: the 2004 North Carolina State Fair, a Tennessee farming camp in 2022, the Willow Grove pumpkin patch in Longview, Washington, and last fall’s Arizona State Fair petting zoo outbreak, which sickened 18 people, hospitalized 11 and left six with HUS. The fixes have not changed either: soap and running water, not hand sanitizer, at every exit from an animal area; animal areas kept away from where people eat; no food, bottles or pacifiers near the animals; and someone watching to make sure small children actually wash.

Are the three connected?

Nothing released so far suggests they are. Three venues in California, Illinois and Texas, in the same few weeks of the busiest season of the year, is what the calendar looks like when hundreds of thousands of families with young children get close to livestock in October. Whole genome sequencing will answer the question, and all three counties should say whether their isolates have been uploaded to PulseNet.

What the counties should do now.

San Luis Obispo specifically: correct the exposure dates in every version of the release. Publish ages, hospitalizations and any HUS, and update them on a set schedule. Say whether the farm had animal contact and whether animals and surfaces have been sampled. Open a visitor survey the way Will County did, and push it to the schools that brought classes between October 16 and 26. Alert local pediatricians and emergency departments that bloody diarrhea in a child who visited the farm is STEC until proven otherwise – and that antibiotics and anti-diarrheals are a bad idea in that child. Sequence the isolates and publish the results, whatever they show.

For families: if your child visited Brookshire Farms between October 16 and 26, Bengtson’s on or after September 29, or the State Fair of Texas this fall, and develops bloody diarrhea, severe cramps, decreased urination, unusual paleness or lethargy, see a doctor and tell them about the farm visit. HUS can develop a week or more after the diarrhea starts. Background on E. coli, HUS and staying safe around farm animals is available.

Frequently asked questions

How many people are sick in the Brookshire Farms E. coli outbreak? Five confirmed STEC cases as of October 27, 2026. The county has not released ages, hospitalizations or HUS cases.

What is the exposure period? October 16 through 26, 2026, according to the county’s 4:00 p.m. update. Some versions of the release still show October 16 through 18.

Is Brookshire Farms open? No. The farm closed voluntarily while San Luis Obispo County Public Health investigates.

Has the source been found? No. The county says the source is under investigation and has not said what at the farm is suspected.

Is the State Fair of Texas petting zoo linked to E. coli? Dallas County Health and Human Services is investigating whether a cluster of STEC cases in children came from the petting zoo. No case count or confirmation of a source has been released, and the county is not yet calling it an outbreak.

Are the Brookshire, Bengtson’s and State Fair of Texas cases connected? There is no indication they are. Whole genome sequencing will show whether any of the isolates match.

Columbia Varsity Football @ Royal

Sign inColumbiaRoughnecks0-8Friday, Nov 6, 2026RoyalFalcons3-4Columbia Varsity Football @ RoyalStreaming & TicketingPurchase TicketsGame InfoThe Columbia varsity football team has an away conference game @ Royal (Brookshire, TX) on Friday, November 6 @ 7p.ScorekeeperMatchupRosterGame DetailsTeam ComparisonColumbia (West Columbia)200.7Rushing Yards/GRoyal (Brookshire)132.0Columbia (West Columbia)90.3Pas...

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ColumbiaRoughnecks0-8

Friday, Nov 6, 2026

RoyalFalcons3-4

Columbia Varsity Football @ Royal

Streaming & Ticketing

Purchase Tickets

Game Info

The Columbia varsity football team has an away conference game @ Royal (Brookshire, TX) on Friday, November 6 @ 7p.

MatchupRoster

Game Details

Team Comparison

Columbia (West Columbia)200.7

Rushing Yards/G

Royal (Brookshire)132.0

Columbia (West Columbia)90.3

Passing Yards/G

Royal (Brookshire)195.0

Columbia (West Columbia)90.3

Receiving Yards/G

Royal (Brookshire)199.0

Columbia (West Columbia)291.0

Total Yards/G

Royal (Brookshire)327.0

Columbia (West Columbia)63.9

Tackles/G

Royal (Brookshire)13.5

Columbia (West Columbia)1.1

Sacks/G

Royal (Brookshire)1.0

Columbia (West Columbia)14

Pancake Blocks

Royal (Brookshire)-

Key Players

Avg. Per Game

Anthony Brown

#26

Rushing Yards

72.065.5

Peyton Edwards

#7WR/RB

Greyson Nugent

#12QB

Passing Yards

89.0195.0

Emory Oliver

#1QB

Xavier Boozy

#11WR/FS

Receiving Yards

42.566.5

Amarion Kirby-lane

#2WR

Greyson Nugent

#12QB

Total Yards

99.3241.5

Emory Oliver

#1QB

Charles Shelton

#29

Tackles

9.44.5

Julius Gilmore

#11DE/TE

Charles Shelton

#29

Sacks

0.31.0

Julius Gilmore

#11DE/TE

Micah Conley

#55T/G

Pancake Blocks

6--

Not Enough Data

Scoring Averages

FinalQ1Q2Q3Q4
Columbia13.82.05.93.02.9
Royal20.64.29.83.81.2

Rankings

Texas

#820

#652

Texas Division 4A-1

#80

#56

Region III

#200

#157

Houston

#146

#111

Region: THSCA

#710

#559

Season Recap

Overall Record

0-8

3-4

District

0-4

0-3

Non-District

0-4

3-1

Head to Head

0-0

0-0

Home

0-4

2-1

Away

0-4

1-3

Neutral

0-0

0-0

Common Opponent

0-4

0-3

Playoff

0-0

0-0

In-State

0-8

3-4

Out-of-State

0-0

0-0

Win %

.000

.429

District %

.000

.000

PF

110

144

PA

336

164

Common Opponents

Navasota

0-1

0-1

Sealy

0-1

0-1

El Campo

0-1

0-0

Needville

0-1

0-0

Bay City

0-0

0-1

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