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 Castle On The Hill Historical Marker 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 Oak Ridge, TN 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.
“Always Best Care provided amazing and professional care for my Mom in a very difficult”
“Always Best Care provides exceptional senior care. They provided care for my dad who”
“Thank you for providing us with compassionate and reliable sitters. They were amazing.”
“Thank you for providing us with compassionate and reliable sitters. They were amazing.”
“SO GLAD we found Always Best Care!! Lynn Pique was easy to work with &”
“Always Best Care first assisted us with my Mom while she was living in our”
“My Dad has had great care & the staff has been so great to help”
“The girls at Always Best Care are loving and caring. They do a great job”
“I would recommend Always Best Care and have. Their caregivers are very attentive and go”
“always Best Care has provided consistency and highly professional. I appreciate that my caregivers are”
“I appreciate that I can call the owner anytime and get what I need. My”
“Always Best Care has been very reliable and does what they say they will do.”
“The office staff was very nice, they called and followed up and if I had”
“Our caregiver is reliable, empathetic, always there for us and does what she needs to”
“I like that they are prompt and provide good people”
“the caregivers were very kind and considerate and very nice people. They made my dad”
“They are reliable and the person they sent us is responsible and know what he”
“Our caregiver is punctual and professional and is committed to my wife’s well-being. She is”
“The quality of Care is excellent. They are professional and the do the job well.”
“the office staff is very friendly, helpful and make sure we are cared for. I”
“they have been very accommodating with my schedule. I have gotten some very good helpers.”
“I want to thank you and Audra. If I hear of anyone looking for in-home”
“I like their management staff. They are good to work with.”
“I like their flexibility of their services.”
“They are Great”
“I don’t have to worry because my mother is being well taken Care of.”
“I was with two other agencies and then I found Always Best Care. My wife”
“One thing she does well is puts my wife as priority one. And it works”
“I could always count on them to show up and provide good care.”
“The caregivers are very proactive in anticipating the things I need help with”
“They went over and beyond”
“Always Best Care has sent good caregivers that have helped me get better”
“I appreciate that my care giver is willing to help and take care of things.”
“Them being available has been very helpful to me.”
“They were very accommodating, quick to respond and easy to work with.”
“The Caregivers are very neat, well-spoken and good people.”
“Always Best Care was compassionate, personable, caring and paid attention to detail.”
“So comforting to have the personal resource and knowledge that Always Best Care has caring”
“Your service to my deceased wife and I has been outstanding for the past few”
“Andrew, Clay, Lynn and the entire team at Always Best Care take a compassionate and”
“My children have peace of mind knowing Always Best Care is caring for me”
“We love our team of care providers. We couldn’t do it without them.”
“My children have peace of mind knowing Always Best Care is caring for me”
“Just want to express my thanks for everything Always Best Care has done to help”
“Thank you again for your help! Great employees and great company!”
“After moving from Florida to TN mom had been missing her friends, Melissa comes and”
“I love the fact that whenever I call Always Best Care will have my mother”
“We thank you for your services and the good care provided by your employee Belisa.”
“Wonderful caring staff”
“Your care providers were more than excellent. 10 plus! Compliments to Always Best Care, I”
“I am a current client of this provider My husband has been a client of this”
“Lynn was a Godsend and took great care of my mom. Deb was a huge”
“I must express my appreciation to you for your help along with all of the”
“Thank You! It was comforting and reassuring knowing mom was cared for well, and safely”
“I am a current client of this provider We are working with Always Best Care for”
“You all have been such a huge blessing to our dad and his situation. Many”
“We have completed our first week back home, and we never could have made it”
“We have completed our first week back home, and we never could have made it”
“Our services with ABC are going really great! I am so pleased, I am appreciative”
“After wonderful care of my Aunt and my Mom, I am happy to recommend ABC”
“Tracey and Lydia have been working out real well. They both go above board in”
“ABC has provided care for both my father-in-law and my sister. When my mother-in-law died”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care of Knoxville if you or an elderly loved one”
“Andrew Scruggs takes each Senior's care to heart and goes beyond the call to ensure”
“It’s the best”
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ As an employee of Always Best Care for 2+ years, I am thankful for”
“Love working with the company and I LOVE BEING A CAREGIVER! Great experience.”
“Always Best Care has been my lifeline from the past few years. My mother moved”
“Andrew's company is a breath of fresh air when looking for accountable senior in-home care”
“Always Best Care has been my lifeline from the past few years. My mother moved”
“I am a past client of this provider Personalized service and care. In-home care was excellent;”
“I am a past client of this provider We have been very pleased with the assistance”
“We have been very pleased with the assistance from all of you, during some very”
“I am so grateful for the excellent care provided to my dad by three different”
“I am a current client of this provider I am so grateful for the excellent care”
“I have worked with ABC for 5+ years and love this company. I also have”
“Personalized service and care. In-home care was excellent; professional and personal. Assisted living placement was”
“Care with dignity and compassion. Able to staff within hours. Knowledgeable and CNA trained.”
“Care with dignity and compassion. Able to staff within hours. Knowledgeable and CNA trained.”
“Always Best Care provided amazing and professional care for my Mom in a very difficult time for our family. They arranged care around the clock with very little notice. Every care taker that sat with my Mom was kind, respectful and went over the top to make sure she was safe and comfortable. I would highly recommend their services for any level of care.”
“Always Best Care provides exceptional senior care. They provided care for my dad who was in hospice. The individuals that provide the care are very caring and strive to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. I was extremely pleased. In my case we needed 24 hour care, but they provide both care during the day or evening and can help with some chores around the house which was very helpful. Also, I was pleased with those who took care of my dad. The care givers are all extremely kind and empathetic not just for the needs of the patient, but to the family. I would give them an A+ - I am quite guarded about endorsements, but for how they supported our situation for our family, I felt it was important to share my experience with those that need this support.”
“Thank you for providing us with compassionate and reliable sitters. They were amazing.”
“Thank you for providing us with compassionate and reliable sitters. They were amazing.”
“SO GLAD we found Always Best Care!! Lynn Pique was easy to work with & ready with great referrals for things she doesn't cover. We got a call that my mom's assisted living facility was shutting down & I found myself with only a WEEK to find her a new place AND get her moved in! Some said it couldn't be done -- and if I hadn't had Lynn and the movers she referred me to, I probably wouldn't have made my deadline. I had done a great deal of exploration before I tracked down Lynn. I was VERY RELUCTANT to use a "service" to find another assisted living facility for my mom, as we'd had a HORRIBLE experience the last time with "A Place for Mom" -- they were SO BAD -- However, a friend recommended Lynn, so I called her. She, too, had had a bad experience with that Place, so she understood my hesitation. She gave me a few places and I called. I felt like she definitely knew the properties better than I did AND she NEVER pressured me about anything. She was useful, kind and patient through the entire maddening process -- SO MANY things to consider! This is not an easy business to be in & there is a LOT of competition for few rooms available -- especially when a whole facility is shutting down & everyone is looking for new apartments.”
“Always Best Care first assisted us with my Mom while she was living in our home and they provided wonderfully caring adults who sat with my Mom when I was at work or out-of-town. Then, when she needed more consistent care, Andrew and his team helped me in the selection of Raintree Terrace which was a wonderful and successful nine years for my Mom. I recently found her diary after she passed away and she even noted about visits from Andrew, and how wonderful her friends and caregivers were and how much she loved her "home". After she needed even more help we moved her to a Nursing Facility and I hired Andrew's Team to sit with her as companions. Throughout my Mom's later years, Always Best Care has been prompt to provided wonderful caregivers and they have listened well to my needs for the care of my Mom. I can't say enought of how much that lifted so many worries and concerns from our family. Thank you Always Best Care!!!!!!!”
“My Dad has had great care & the staff has been so great to help me with his home care needs! I highly recommend this company! They really work hard to meet expectations for the needs & safety of your parent in their home!”
“The girls at Always Best Care are loving and caring. They do a great job with my mom.”
“I would recommend Always Best Care and have. Their caregivers are very attentive and go above and beyond what is asked.”
“always Best Care has provided consistency and highly professional. I appreciate that my caregivers are timely.”
“I appreciate that I can call the owner anytime and get what I need. My caregivers are very helpful, sweet and decent.”
“Always Best Care has been very reliable and does what they say they will do.”
“The office staff was very nice, they called and followed up and if I had a question I got in touch with them immediately. They exceeded my expectations.”
“Our caregiver is reliable, empathetic, always there for us and does what she needs to do.”
“I like that they are prompt and provide good people”
“the caregivers were very kind and considerate and very nice people. They made my dad feel comfortable.”
“They are reliable and the person they sent us is responsible and know what he is doing. He’s always on time.”
“Our caregiver is punctual and professional and is committed to my wife’s well-being. She is a phenomenal person.”
“The quality of Care is excellent. They are professional and the do the job well.”
“the office staff is very friendly, helpful and make sure we are cared for. I appreciate their attentiveness to my husband.”
“they have been very accommodating with my schedule. I have gotten some very good helpers.”
“I want to thank you and Audra. If I hear of anyone looking for in-home care and assisted living referral service, I will not hesitate to recommend Always Best Care.”
“I like their management staff. They are good to work with.”
“I like their flexibility of their services.”
“They are Great”
“I don’t have to worry because my mother is being well taken Care of.”
“I was with two other agencies and then I found Always Best Care. My wife has been able to bond with her care provider and I can still work. I’m totally comfortable leaving the house with her.”
“One thing she does well is puts my wife as priority one. And it works out well.”
“I could always count on them to show up and provide good care.”
“The caregivers are very proactive in anticipating the things I need help with”
“They went over and beyond”
“Always Best Care has sent good caregivers that have helped me get better”
“I appreciate that my care giver is willing to help and take care of things.”
“Them being available has been very helpful to me.”
“They were very accommodating, quick to respond and easy to work with.”
“The Caregivers are very neat, well-spoken and good people.”
“Always Best Care was compassionate, personable, caring and paid attention to detail.”
“So comforting to have the personal resource and knowledge that Always Best Care has caring people.”
“Your service to my deceased wife and I has been outstanding for the past few years and I have nothing but praise for their work. I’m particularly want to draw attention Ms. Erin who served our needs the longest period since August of 2019. Nothing but praise for her performance.”
“Andrew, Clay, Lynn and the entire team at Always Best Care take a compassionate and personal approach to caring for their clients. They are invested in the success of Knoxville’s senior health industry and consistently support area programs and businesses who serve our golden generation. I am grateful for everything they do.”
“My children have peace of mind knowing Always Best Care is caring for me”
“We love our team of care providers. We couldn’t do it without them.”
“My children have peace of mind knowing Always Best Care is caring for me”
“Just want to express my thanks for everything Always Best Care has done to help with my handicapped son, Grant. Clay and the team at Always Best have been nothing but phenomenal since day one.”
“Thank you again for your help! Great employees and great company!”
“After moving from Florida to TN mom had been missing her friends, Melissa comes and makes a difference in her day. She truly feels a connection with her care provider. Thank you so much!”
“I love the fact that whenever I call Always Best Care will have my mother in law on the schedule the next day. We have a unique case and they are very accommodating.”
“We thank you for your services and the good care provided by your employee Belisa. We enjoyed getting to know her and having her in our home. We wish she and Always Best Care the very best for 2020.”
“Wonderful caring staff”
“Your care providers were more than excellent. 10 plus! Compliments to Always Best Care, I loved each and every person I met, I will use you again. Thank you for everything!”
“I am a current client of this provider My husband has been a client of this agency for almost 4 years. He suffers from dementia and other health problems. We received in home care for him for about 40-36 hours per week. We had one exceptional caregiver for most of that time. She was a most kind and helpful woman who provided companionship,cleaning and cooking. When we at times needed a substitute,they were generally also kind and helpful. If we had one who was not a good match, we reported that to the agency,and never saw that caregiver again. We continue to use this agency even though my husband is in memory care assisted living in a residence. They are able to provide good caregivers,most of them CNA's, on short notice when he requires hospitalization,so that I do not need to stay in the room with him 24/7.”
“Lynn was a Godsend and took great care of my mom. Deb was a huge blessing too. Your assistance has been overwhelmingly appreciated. I would recommend this company to anyone needing care.”
“I must express my appreciation to you for your help along with all of the office staff and our caregivers! We are so very appreciative for the care and concern shown to my dad and his wife. Sandra has been so patient and kind with the numerous texts I have sent her in recent days. You folks have been a blessing to our family!”
“Thank You! It was comforting and reassuring knowing mom was cared for well, and safely while I was out of the country. I will be using ABC on a permanent basis.”
“I am a current client of this provider We are working with Always Best Care for my mother. So far it has been really good. I'm pleased with it. They mostly do domestic things. They help around the house. I would recommend them. We only have to deal with one person and she has been really good.”
“You all have been such a huge blessing to our dad and his situation. Many gave up, but you didn’t. He had the BEST quality care, we were praying for. The office staff were ALWAYS available and Hailey was a God send to our daddy”
“We have completed our first week back home, and we never could have made it without you!! The ladies you sent to care for us are wonderful—excellent in their positions, considerate, and a delight to have in our home. They know how to cook too! We, all of us, are so grateful and cannot thank you enough.”
“We have completed our first week back home, and we never could have made it without you!! The ladies you sent to care for us are wonderful—excellent in their positions, considerate, and a delight to have in our home. They know how to cook too! We, all of us, are so grateful and cannot thank you enough.”
“Our services with ABC are going really great! I am so pleased, I am appreciative of you the ABC team! I have peace of mind knowing ABC is engaging my with mom”
“After wonderful care of my Aunt and my Mom, I am happy to recommend ABC care to anyone!”
“Tracey and Lydia have been working out real well. They both go above board in cleaning and taking care of dad. He likes their company. Deanna is his favorite and I believe most of his healing is due to her encouragement.”
“ABC has provided care for both my father-in-law and my sister. When my mother-in-law died we needed someone to stay with my father-in-law during the day and help him get to meals and provide companionship. ABC was always very accommodating to his schedule. Since the care we needed for him was for three months, they were able to schedule consistent caregivers who became familiar with him and his schedule. I highly recommend ABC”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care of Knoxville if you or an elderly loved one is in need of professional in-home care. The office staff and especially the caregivers go beyond what is expected of them and provide peace of mind knowing that your loved one is in the best hands when it comes to being cared for.”
“Andrew Scruggs takes each Senior's care to heart and goes beyond the call to ensure quality and compassionate care is provided.”
“It’s the best”
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ As an employee of Always Best Care for 2+ years, I am thankful for the care that they do not forget to show to me - as well as creating a team centered workplace! The difference we make in our clients' lives is clearly evident and I am proud to be part of a company that truly gives our BEST CARE- ALWAYS!”
“Love working with the company and I LOVE BEING A CAREGIVER! Great experience.”
“Always Best Care has been my lifeline from the past few years. My mother moved with us after we lost my father around four years ago in a car accident. But as my husband and I both work, we weren’t able to manage my mom’s declining health. This is when we decided to hire Always Best Care. Their caregivers are knowledgeable, honest, compassionate, and always ready to go the extra mile to meet your needs. They have been a great help to us in all these years. I would highly recommend them.”
“Andrew's company is a breath of fresh air when looking for accountable senior in-home care options. No contractors here. Only supervised employees which bring a great peace of mind. Highly recommended.”
“Always Best Care has been my lifeline from the past few years. My mother moved with us after we lost my father around four years ago in a car accident. But as my husband and I both work, we weren’t able to manage my mom’s declining health. This is when we decided to hire Always Best Care. Their caregivers are knowledgeable, honest, compassionate, and always ready to go the extra mile to meet your needs. They have been a great help to us in all these years. I would highly recommend them.”
“I am a past client of this provider Personalized service and care. In-home care was excellent; professional and personal. Assisted living placement was also excellent. The owner, Andrew, had compassion while coaching us and giving us confidence in the difficult process of moving our mother out of her home and into an assisted living. We could not be more pleased with their services. - Marshall L Wilkins”
“I am a past client of this provider We have been very pleased with the assistance from all of you, during some very difficult times. Thanks to all of you! - Lester & Anne S.”
“We have been very pleased with the assistance from all of you, during some very difficult times. Thanks to all of you! - Lester & Anne S.”
“I am so grateful for the excellent care provided to my dad by three different caregivers! They each stepped into a different challenging and fluid situation and they each beautifully managed things with grace and skill. I always knew my dad was in good hands and that he would get everything he needed.. Furthermore, I appreciated the gracious flexibility and understanding I experienced when coordinating times, days and duties over the phone with the administrative staff. Each time I got off the phone, I felt like ABC had completely taken the stressful load off my shoulders and that my dad was going to be cared for in a loving,, competent fashion. ABC deserves the highest ranking and review I can give. Thanks for being there for me and my dad!!”
“I am a current client of this provider I am so grateful for the excellent care provided by three different caregivers! They each stepped into a different challenging and fluid situation and they each beautifully managed things with grace and skill. I always knew my dad was in good hands and that he would get everything he needed.. Furthermore, I appreciated the gracious flexibility and understanding I experienced when coordinating times, days and duties over the phone with the administrative staff. Each time I got off the phone, I felt like ABC had completely taken the stressful load off my shoulders and that my dad was going to be cared for in a loving,, competent fashion. ABC deserves the highest ranking and review I can give. Thanks for being there for me and my dad!!”
“I have worked with ABC for 5+ years and love this company. I also have had the privilege of my family providing work for others through this company. The owners and staff are great to be around and I wouldn't trade them for the world.”
“Personalized service and care. In-home care was excellent; professional and personal. Assisted living placement was also excellent. The owner, Andrew, had compassion while coaching us and giving us confidence in the difficult process of moving our mother out of her home and into an assisted living. We could not be more pleased with their services.”
“Care with dignity and compassion. Able to staff within hours. Knowledgeable and CNA trained.”
“Care with dignity and compassion. Able to staff within hours. Knowledgeable and CNA trained.”
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 A K Bissell 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 Fire & Salt or visit Secret City Commemorative Walk, 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 Oak Ridge, TN, 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 Oak Ridge, TN 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 Oak Ridge, TN 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.
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) and its contractors are advancing the momentum achieved during a successful 2024.This year, Oak Ridge projects on the docket will tear down high-risk structures, remove inventories o...
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) and its contractors are advancing the momentum achieved during a successful 2024.
This year, Oak Ridge projects on the docket will tear down high-risk structures, remove inventories of nuclear waste, prepare numerous buildings for demolition and open a new center to share the site’s history. Watch a video previewing OREM's year ahead here.
The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management and contractor UCOR will continue demolition on the massive three-story 325,000-sqaure-foot Alpha-2 building at the Y-12 National Security Complex in 2025. This is the largest demolition project to date at Y-12.
OREM will continue its focus on taking down excess contaminated facilities across the Oak Ridge Reservation, which eliminates risks and opens land for reuse to support research and national security missions.
In 2025, contractor UCOR will continue demolition on the massive three-story 325,000-sqaure-foot Alpha-2 building at the Y-12 National Security Complex. That project, which marks the first removal of a former enrichment building and the largest demolition to date at Y-12, clears away a high-risk excess contaminated structure.
Oak Ridge crews lift and remove heavy shielded plugs from the roof of a hot cell structure at the former Radioisotope Development Laboratory to conduct demolition preparation activities inside. The final hot cell, located under a six-story protective cover, is scheduled for demolition this year.
Teams will also demolish the final hot cell at the former Radioisotope Development Laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) this year.
The contaminated cell, located in the heart of ORNL’s central campus, is a highly shielded concrete room that provided researchers protection from radioactive material as they conducted research. The laboratory was built in 1945 to support isotope separation and packaging, and was later used to examine irradiated reactor fuel experiments and components.
Workers will also advance efforts that are preparing more than a dozen facilities for future demolition. That list includes the Oak Ridge Research Reactor, Graphite Reactor support facilities, Isotope Row facilities at ORNL, and the massive Beta-1 former uranium enrichment building at Y-12.
Work is also moving forward on OREM’s highest priority at ORNL — eliminating the remaining inventory of uranium-233 stored onsite. Contractor Isotek processed more than 90 canisters of high-dose material last year and will continue pushing that effort forward as employees work to process and dispose of all that material.
The project will also continue providing medical isotopes to support next-generation cancer treatment research. A company receiving the isotopes is now producing at a commercial scale to supply clinical trials across the globe.
OREM is also steadily eliminating Oak Ridge’s inventory of transuranic waste stored onsite. To date, 94% of the site’s contact-handled debris waste and 78% of its remote-handled debris waste has been processed and shipped offsite for permanent disposal. Those shipments will continue to the DOE Office of Environmental Management’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant over the next year.
Crews will continue advancing construction of the Mercury Treatment Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex. Tasks involve installing structural steel at the facility’s treatment plant, pictured here.
In 2025, OREM will advance two critical infrastructure projects essential for future cleanup projects.
Progress will continue on the construction of the Mercury Treatment Facility at Y-12. Tasks involve pouring concrete at the headworks facility and installing structural steel at the treatment plant. When operational, this plant allows OREM to begin addressing Y-12’s large, mercury-contaminated facilities and sources of mercury in the soil, thereby protecting against releases into a nearby creek.
With field work completed on the second phase of the Environmental Management Disposal Facility (EMDF) late last year, OREM is now gathering data for its groundwater field demonstration study for the facility.
The study involves monitoring groundwater elevations over the course of the next two wet seasons through 2026. That data will inform the final design and enable the final phase of the project, which includes EMDF’s construction.
The K-25 Interpretive Center, located at the East Tennessee Technology Park, will open to the public this year. It will provide visitors of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park a sweeping, elevated, panoramic view of the K-25 building’s 44-acre footprint through 10-foot-tall wraparound glass windows.
OREM is also set to complete and open the new K-25 Interpretive Center this year. The facility will provide visitors of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park a sweeping, elevated, panoramic view of the K-25 Building’s 44-acre footprint through 10-foot-tall wraparound glass windows.
The public will be able to learn more about the former uranium enrichment facility that helped end World War II while viewing the area from a new perspective.
-Contributor: Ben Williams
BWX Technologies has signed an agreement and committed $525 million to purchase Kinectrics, a nuclear services company building a first-of-its-kind test facility in Oak Ridge. Both companies operate sites in East Tennessee.Once the acquisition closes later this year, Kinectrics will operate under the same brand and management team as a subsidiary, BWXT said in its Jan. 7 announcement. BWXT, a major nuclear services company based in Lynchburg, Virginia, owns ...
BWX Technologies has signed an agreement and committed $525 million to purchase Kinectrics, a nuclear services company building a first-of-its-kind test facility in Oak Ridge. Both companies operate sites in East Tennessee.
Once the acquisition closes later this year, Kinectrics will operate under the same brand and management team as a subsidiary, BWXT said in its Jan. 7 announcement. BWXT, a major nuclear services company based in Lynchburg, Virginia, owns Nuclear Fuel Services in Erwin, Tennessee.
The high-security Erwin facility manufactures uranium fuel for all U.S. Navy nuclear reactors and converts bomb-grade uranium from the Cold War into fuel for nuclear energy plants. It is the largest employer in Unicoi County, with more than 1,200 employees.
Kinectrics, based in Toronto, provides testing and engineering services to electrical companies around the world. The company purchased 15 acres at the Horizon Center Industrial Park in Oak Ridge in 2023 to build a Helium Test Facility in partnership with advanced nuclear reactor developer X-energy and the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Oak Ridge campus will be a first-of-its-kind testing center for components of the Xe-100, X-energy's high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor. Though X-energy is headquartered in Maryland, Oak Ridge will be home to its testing facility and its fuel production facility through subsidiary TRISO-X.
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BWXT wanted to purchase Kinectrics because of the Canadian company's unique ability to help nuclear companies like X-energy test and analyze special materials, said John MacQuarrie, president of BWXT Commercial Operations.
BWXT, which operated for years as part of the Babcock and Wilcox Company before it spun off in 2015, expects the Kinectrics campus in Oak Ridge to continue development after the acquisition.
"We're very hopeful that that will carry on," MacQuarrie told Knox News in an interview. "Together, we may be able to provide even better support to X-energy."
The acquisition of Kinectrics means BWXT now has a "comprehensive portfolio of end-to-end lifecycle services" for both advanced and traditional nuclear companies, the company said.
Kinectrics, spun off from Ontario Power Technologies in 2000, employs 1,300 engineers and technicians at 20 sites worldwide and generated $300 million in revenue in 2024. Once the sale closes, the workforce of BWXT's commercial unit will nearly double.
The acquisition is part of BWXT's broader expansion in the Canadian nuclear industry, where it invested $60 million at its Ontario facility last year.
The acquisition provides a snapshot of a complex web of nuclear companies that weaves through East Tennessee and Oak Ridge, in particular.
Nearby where Kinectrics is developing its testing campus with X-energy at the Horizon Center, X-energy began construction on a $300 million fuel fabrication facility through its subsidiary TRISO-X in 2024.
The TRISO pebble fuel set to begin production in Oak Ridge in 2027 could one day power the Xe-100 small modular reactor, which received a major investment from Amazon last year. X-energy and Amazon are partnering with a goal to bring 5,000 megawatts of new electricity online by 2039.
Beyond X-energy, Kinectrics has several key clients in the Knoxville area, including the Department of Energy, the Electrical Research Power Institute and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
TVA is also a key client of Nuclear Fuel Services, the Erwin-based BWXT subsidiary. TVA and the National Nuclear Security Administration awarded Nuclear Fuel Services a $505 million contract in 2018 to process more than 20 tons of bomb-grade uranium into low enriched uranium for nuclear power plants and military programs. TVA extended the contract by three years and $122 million in 2024.
The Nuclear Fuel Services facility in Erwin only experienced minor damage caused by the flooding of the nearby Nolichucky River during Hurricane Helene in September, the company said.
BWXT works with companies like TerraPower and GE Hitachi on small modular reactor designs, and it manages multiple Department of Energy and NASA sites through joint ventures.
The company once had plans to build its mPower small modular nuclear reactors at TVA's Clinch River Site in Oak Ridge, but the project was terminated in 2017 after BWXT and Bechtel failed to attract investors. TVA now plans to build small modular reactors at the site using a GE Hitachi design supported by BWXT.
Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. Email [email protected].
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center has performed its first combined liver transplant and Whipple procedure, an unusual combination procedure that rendered an East Tennessee man cancer-free.Reginald Porter of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, received the procedure in September after being diagnosed at an area hospital in February with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer that develops in the bile ducts.“They let me know it was aggressive,” he said. “It’s bad.”Porter came to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Cente...
Vanderbilt University Medical Center has performed its first combined liver transplant and Whipple procedure, an unusual combination procedure that rendered an East Tennessee man cancer-free.
Reginald Porter of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, received the procedure in September after being diagnosed at an area hospital in February with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer that develops in the bile ducts.
“They let me know it was aggressive,” he said. “It’s bad.”
Porter came to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, where after being evaluated by a multidisciplinary team, he was deemed an appropriate candidate for liver transplantation to cure his cancer and was started on an aggressive regimen of radiation and chemotherapy. After successfully completing appropriate treatment, he was placed on the liver transplant waiting list under very close monitoring. At the time of the liver transplant, an intraoperative biopsy revealed that to fully remove the cancer, Porter needed a Whipple operation, a major abdominal procedure that removes part of the pancreas, duodenum, gallbladder and bile duct.
Martin Montenovo, MD, MMHC, associate professor of Surgery and chief of the Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, performed the liver transplant and Sekhar Padmanabhan, MD, assistant professor of Surgery, performed the Whipple procedure.
“After liver transplant, the Whipple procedure is the biggest abdominal surgery that you can do on a patient,” Montenovo said. “He had basically two of the biggest abdominal surgeries that a human being can have.”
Montenovo noted that there are few centers in the country capable of performing a combined liver transplant and Whipple procedure. The procedure involves multiple specialties, including transplant teams and surgical oncology teams.
“This is a patient who went through medical oncology, radiation oncology, hepatology, transplant surgery, surgical oncology, GI endoscopy and interventional radiology,” Montenovo said. “There are so many people that they were involved in the care of Mr. Porter, and he did remarkably well.”
Porter will continue to be seen by Vanderbilt for medical oncology and hepatology. He gives the credit to God and to his Vanderbilt care team.
“It was wonderful,” he said. “I’ve never been treated so good in my life. And they let it be known that they were there to help me.”
Padmanabhan said, “Mr. Porter’s case is a testament to the interdisciplinary collaboration that happens all the time at a place like VUMC. We are so pleased he did so well.”
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