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 President James Buchanan's Wheatland in Lancaster, PA 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 Lancaster, PA 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.
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 Lancaster County Central Park in Lancaster, PA 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 The Belvedere Inn or visit Historic Rock Ford, 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 Lancaster, PA, 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 Lancaster, PA 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 Lancaster, PA 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.
As Joni Soost sits in her elegant East Hempfield townhome surrounded by three cuddly cavalier King Charles spaniels on a warm September morning, there is no way to tell that as a child Soost was once so ill that hospital workers sent her parents away and told them not to return.But that is what happened to Soost, a spry 87-year-old, who wanted to share her experience as a cautionary tale of how a contagious, preventable disease can affect a child.Her concern comes as Pennsylvania grapples with the largest measles outbreak in 20...
As Joni Soost sits in her elegant East Hempfield townhome surrounded by three cuddly cavalier King Charles spaniels on a warm September morning, there is no way to tell that as a child Soost was once so ill that hospital workers sent her parents away and told them not to return.
But that is what happened to Soost, a spry 87-year-old, who wanted to share her experience as a cautionary tale of how a contagious, preventable disease can affect a child.
Her concern comes as Pennsylvania grapples with the largest measles outbreak in 20 years. In Lancaster County, the epicenter of the outbreak, 415 people have been infected with measles this year. Statewide, there have been five measles-associated deaths acknowledged by the state Department of Health as of Tuesday morning. Monday morning, the Franklin County coroner posted there was another measles-associated death in that county.
For Soost, the disease she contracted at age 8 was German measles, also known as rubella, and the year was 1948, before the development of the rubella vaccine, which is now widely available and 97% effective.
Before the rubella vaccine became available in 1969, rubella was endemic, meaning constantly present, in the United States. However, today there are fewer than 10 people each year who contract rubella in the U.S., according to information on the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. It is eliminated in the U.S., but not in other countries, so it can be brought in.
At the time of Soost’s illness, her family lived in New Philadelphia, Ohio, a 30-minute drive from the nearest hospital.
“I got up one morning … and I did not feel well,” Soost said. “Turns out I had German measles, and I was taken to a hospital in Canton, Ohio … with a fever of 108. And they packed me in ice and put me in a drug-induced coma. They told my parents to go home and not come back until they were called because if I lived, I would … have to be institutionalized for life.”
Soost developed encephalitis, a complication of rubella that can be life-threatening. “It’s rare (encephalitis from rubella), so it’s one in 5,000 to around one in 6,000,” said Dr. John Goldman, infectious disease specialist at UPMC Harrisburg. “It (encephalitis) occurs less frequently (in rubella) than in measles.”
Typically, encephalitis causes flu-like symptoms. Other symptoms may include confusion, personality changes, seizures or difficulty moving, according to information on the Mayo Clinic website. A person with rubella encephalitis may also have long-term neurological damage, Goldman said.
While Soost doesn’t remember anything from the time she was in the hospital, her mother told her she experienced personality changes.
“One of the nurses was going to quit because she thought she was making me mean,” she said. “(My) mother said I was so mean I bit and I spit, and I was just unmanageable.”
The New Philadelphia newspaper ran an article asking the community to pray for her.
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Soost can’t remember how long her hospital stay was, but she remembers she could only attend school for half days for about six weeks once she was released.
Soost eventually recovered, but she experienced lifelong cognitive effects of the illness.
“I cannot do anything that is abstract,” she said. Throughout her high school and college education, teachers disparaged her as she struggled to understand complex problems.
In high school, a math teacher said to her, “You’re so damn dumb. I hope I don’t have you another year,” Soost recalled.
Soost went to Penn State and majored in elementary education. In a college course, she remembers taking an IQ test when students were learning to administer the tests.
“The professor said to the class – ‘there’s somebody in this class whose IQ is so low, I don’t know how she got into college,’” Soost said. “I knew right away who it was. I knew her pretty well. So it’s the little things that when people say these things to me, then I wish I was as smart as my friends.”
Despite her illness and its aftereffects, Soost has lived a long robust life. She and her husband Jack Soost married in 1962. Soost, who has spent most of her adult life as a homemaker, also occasionally worked as a teacher’s aide in a special education classroom. She and her husband have three adult sons, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. When it was time for her boys to receive the MMR vaccine, she didn't think twice about it.
“I just thought it was a normal part of your life routine,” she said.
As she hears about Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak and measles-associated deaths, it brings back memories.
“I wouldn’t want any parent to experience what my parents experienced,” she said.
Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center’s financial status improved considerably from 2024 to 2025, during which time it shaved off almost $40 million of its operating deficit, according to an independent report from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council.This was just one piece of information gleaned in the annual financial analysis that provides data on the fiscal health of Pennsylvania’s hospitals. Here’s more on how Lancaster Medical Center – the county’s newest hospital -- and Lanca...
Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center’s financial status improved considerably from 2024 to 2025, during which time it shaved off almost $40 million of its operating deficit, according to an independent report from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council.
This was just one piece of information gleaned in the annual financial analysis that provides data on the fiscal health of Pennsylvania’s hospitals. Here’s more on how Lancaster Medical Center – the county’s newest hospital -- and Lancaster County’s other hospitals, fared in this year’s report.
Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center
The 142-bed hospital in East Hempfield Township, which cost $325 million to build, opened in 2022. It still showed an operating deficit in 2025, but it improved from $42 million in 2024 to $3.05 million in 2025. Its operating margin, which compares operating income to operating revenue, also improved from -25.71% to -1.39%. These improvements show the facility is meeting the community’s needs, Scott Gilbert, hospital spokesperson, said.
“We attribute the improving financial performance of Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center to growing demand for the hospital's services and stronger-than-anticipated patient volume,” Gilbert said. “For example, from 2024 to 2025, inpatient admissions increased 11%, while surgical procedures increased 20%.
“As with any new hospital, Lancaster Medical Center incurred significant startup and continuing fixed costs as it established operations and expanded services. We have always viewed the hospital as a long-term investment in the health and well-being of the Lancaster County community.”
Total net patient revenue for 2025 was $214 million, compared to $161 million in 2024.
Lancaster Medical Center’s rate of uncompensated care was up from 2024 – from 0.93% to 1.83%, as was the share of Medicare that was part of net patient revenue, which went from 32.13% to 34.9%. Both were comparable to state averages – at 1.67% and 36.37% respectively.
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital’s net revenue for 2025 once again ranked 11th in the state for net patient revenue with $1.561 billion, which was more than five times the net revenue of its runner-up in Lancaster County. This can be attributed to the scope of services provided and the volume of patients who utilize those services, spokesperson Marcie Brody said.
“LGH’s revenue numbers directly reflect the volume and intensity of care we deliver,” Brody said. “We operate one of the busiest emergency departments in Pennsylvania — with nearly 100 bays treating over 100,000 patients annually — and offer specialized oncology and cardiology services that smaller community hospitals are not structured to provide. High patient volume paired with high-acuity care naturally drives higher net revenue.”
For 2024, the hospital’s net patient revenue was $1.421 billion.
The 525-bed Lancaster city hospital saw its operating income decrease from $77.1 million in 2024 to $25.9 million in 2025. This reflects, “significant, industry-wide pressures affecting health systems across Pennsylvania,” Brody said. “Operational costs – including rising expenses to recruit and retain talented staff, and increased supply costs for items ranging from medication to surgical devices – continue to outpace reimbursement growth, particularly from government payors like Medicare and Medicaid that reimburse below the actual cost of care.”
The hospital’s operating margin for 2025 was 1.42%, down from 4.75% last year. This is in comparison to the state average of 7.15%. There are differences between LGH and hospitals that are included in the state average, Brody said.
“Statewide operating margin averages include many specialized or non-trauma community facilities that operate with significantly lower overhead,” Brody said.
The hospital’s change in operating expenses from fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2025 was 13.35%, compared to the statewide average of 8.22%.
There was not a significant change in uncompensated care, which increased from 1.16% in 2024 to 1.57% in 2025. LGH’s Medicare share of net patient revenue was 35.69% in 2025, compared to 35.34% the prior year.
However, officials expect uncompensated care to increase in the future, given the end of enhanced federal subsidies this year.
As federal ACA (Affordable Care Act) tax credits expire and new enrollment rules take effect, more Pennsylvanians risk losing health coverage or facing higher out-of-pocket costs,” Brody said. “Shifted affordability will inevitably increase uncompensated care pressures across the state's health systems. To mitigate this impact, LGH maintains robust financial-assistance and patient-navigation programs to help eligible patients identify and secure coverage options early.”
UPMC Lititz
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The 148-bed Warwick Township hospital listed one of the highest operating margins in the state at 30.97%, but a UPMC spokesperson said it’s hard to draw conclusions from the data because the hospital is part of a larger health system.
“It is essential to know that UPMC operates as a system and each UPMC hospital operates as part of that system, supported by the strengths, resources and flexibility of UPMC,” said spokesperson Zach Sweger. “UPMC does not file separate financial statements for each of its hospitals. UPMC has always reported its financial results as a system. For attempted reports like this, there is a big difference between a stand-alone hospital and one that is operated as part of a large integrated system.”
UPMC Lititz’s 2024 operating margin was 25.02%.
The hospital’s net patient revenue was $136 million, up from $120 million the previous year. The Medicare share of its net patient revenue was 33.89%.
Total operating income was $45.6 million, which climbed from $32.9 million in 2024. Its operating expenses were $102 million, with a three-year change in operating expenses at 3.34%.
Notably, UPMC Lititz had the highest rate of uncompensated care among Lancaster County hospitals, which aligns with the health system’s mission, Sweger said.
“UPMC contributes more community benefits and charity care than any other health system in Pennsylvania. That includes $746 million in charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid costs (i.e., free care),” Sweger said. “UPMC hospitals care for 18% of all Pennsylvania inpatients, but provide more than 25% of all charity care.”
Sweger also cautioned that the report does not contain the most recent data for the hospital.
“The data they (the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council) attempt to present are at least 6 months old (at the time of publication). As you know, a lot can change in 6 months in the evolving world of health care, even if the data were comparing apples to apples. Some could question the usefulness of this report to the general public today.”
WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital
The 141-bed hospital in Ephrata Borough posted the second highest net patient revenue in the county at $299 million, down from $305 million in 2024. A spokesperson for the health system said there are likely multiple reasons for the drop.
“Patient revenue declined primarily due to higher deductions from factors such as standard reimbursement and billing-related adjustments, increasing industry expenses, as well as a modest increase in charity care,” said Ryan Coyle, WellSpan Ephrata spokesperson. “This FY25 data likely underrepresents the strain many hospitals in Pennsylvania are experiencing today due to the reimbursement changes and health care coverage losses.”
The hospital’s operating income increased from $18 million in 2024 to $20.7 million in 2025. Its operating margin increased from 5.88% to 6.88%. Its change in operating expenses from 2022 to 2025 was minimal – at 1.4%.
The Medicare share of WellSpan Ephrata’s net patient revenue was 27.01%. The hospital’s percent of uncompensated care was 1.74% – the lowest of all county hospitals. But that will likely increase in the future, Coyle said.
“We do expect an increase in FY26, which could result in more patients who can’t afford payment,” Coyle said. “We're already seeing some early indicators of this trend, including increased charity care activity.
The Human Rights Defense Center has filed a lawsuit against Lancaster County Prison, alleging its mail policy violates constitutional rights and prevents inmates from receiving mailed materials.LANCASTER, Pa. —The Human Rights Defense Center, a Florida-based nonprofit, has filed a lawsuit against Lancaster County Prison, alleging its mail policy has blocked inmates from receiving books, magazines, and other materials.The lawsuit, filed on October 8th, claims the nonprofit has had 125 piece...
The Human Rights Defense Center has filed a lawsuit against Lancaster County Prison, alleging its mail policy violates constitutional rights and prevents inmates from receiving mailed materials.
LANCASTER, Pa. —
The Human Rights Defense Center, a Florida-based nonprofit, has filed a lawsuit against Lancaster County Prison, alleging its mail policy has blocked inmates from receiving books, magazines, and other materials.
The lawsuit, filed on October 8th, claims the nonprofit has had 125 pieces of mail returned by the prison since June 2024. The organization, which has sent materials to more than 3,000 correctional facilities since 1990, according to the complaint, says the prison's inmate mail policy is preventing its mail from reaching prisoners.
The prison's website states that personal mail has not been accepted by the county jail since June 2024. Instead, senders are directed to address mail to a digital mail processing center operated by Securus Technologies. Legal mail is an exception due to a need for confidentiality, according to the website.
According to the lawsuit, 17 of the returned items were sent back by Securus Technologies, while the remaining 108 were returned by the prison. The nonprofit says these items were addressed to inmates still in custody and were marked as "Return to Sender, Not Legal Mail" or "Return to Sender" with instructions to use the new mailing address for Securus Technologies.
The lawsuit alleges the prison violated two constitutional rights. It states, "Although the prison's mail policies do not expressly address the mailing of books and publications to prisoners, the Prison's mail policies and practices have resulted in a complete ban on books and magazines mailed by HRDC in violation of HRDC's rights as a publisher under the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment."
It also claims, "Defendants failed to provide HRDC with any notice of these censorship decisions or any opportunity to appeal these censorship decisions. Therefore, Defendants' policies and practices also violate HRDC's Fourteenth Amendment rights to due process."
The Human Rights Defense Center is asking the court to require Lancaster County Prison to change its inmate mail policy and is seeking compensation for damages.
News 8 reached out to the prison for comment but has not yet received a response.
WarwickWarriors12-35:00pm EDTLancaster CatholicCrusaders15-0-1Warwick Girls Varsity Soccer @ Lancaster CatholicGame InfoThe Warwick varsity soccer team has an away non-conference match @ Lancaster Catholic (Lancaster, PA) on Thursday, October 15 @ 5p.MatchupRosterGame DetailsTeam ComparisonWarwick (Lititz)-GoalsLancaster Catholic (Lancaster)57Warwick (Lititz)-AssistsLancaster Catholic (Lancaster)36Key PlayersAvg. Per GameN...
WarwickWarriors12-3
5:00pm EDT
Lancaster CatholicCrusaders15-0-1
Game Info
The Warwick varsity soccer team has an away non-conference match @ Lancaster Catholic (Lancaster, PA) on Thursday, October 15 @ 5p.
MatchupRoster
Game Details
Team Comparison
Warwick (Lititz)-
Goals
Lancaster Catholic (Lancaster)57
Warwick (Lititz)-
Assists
Lancaster Catholic (Lancaster)36
Key Players
Avg. Per Game
Not Enough Data
Goals
--23
Harper Bolesky
#22MF
Not Enough Data
Assists
--11
Harper Bolesky
#22MF
Scoring Averages
| Final | 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Lancaster Catholic | 3.8 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
Rankings
Pennsylvania
#67
#15
Pennsylvania Division AA
--
#3
Pennsylvania Division AAA
#15
--
Harrisburg
#9
#3
Season Recap
Overall Record
12-3
15-0-1
Conference
0-0
0-0
Non-Conference
12-3
15-0-1
Head to Head
0-0
0-0
Home
6-2
9-0
Away
6-1
6-0-1
Neutral
0-0
0-0
Common Opponent
0-0
2-0
Playoff
0-0
0-0
In-State
12-3
15-0-1
Out-of-State
0-0
0-0
Win %
.800
.969
Conference %
.000
.000
GF
32
61
GA
11
13
Common Opponents
Ephrata
0-0
1-0
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BAINBRIDGE, Pa. —A Lancaster County student has tested positive for measles.The student attends Bainbridge Elementary School, according to the Elizabethtown Area School District."The District had planned to share this information with Bainbridge families later today. As a courtesy, the information was shared internally with District employees as an early preview of the communication planned for families and was not intended for external distribution prior to the family notification," a le...
BAINBRIDGE, Pa. —
A Lancaster County student has tested positive for measles.
The student attends Bainbridge Elementary School, according to the Elizabethtown Area School District.
"The District had planned to share this information with Bainbridge families later today. As a courtesy, the information was shared internally with District employees as an early preview of the communication planned for families and was not intended for external distribution prior to the family notification," a letter to families said. "Unfortunately, the information was shared outside the District, resulting in media coverage before we had the opportunity to communicate directly with families. We regret that some families may have learned of the situation through media reports first. As a result, we are sending this communication earlier than originally planned."
Here is the full letter:
Dear Bainbridge Elementary School Families,
The Elizabethtown Area School District was informed that one Bainbridge Elementary School student has tested positive for measles. We are sharing this information so families are aware of the confirmed case and can monitor for symptoms.
The District had planned to share this information with Bainbridge families later today. As a courtesy, the information was shared internally with District employees as an early preview of the communication planned for families and was not intended for external distribution prior to the family notification. Unfortunately, the information was shared outside the District, resulting in media coverage before we had the opportunity to communicate directly with families. We regret that some families may have learned of the situation through media reports first. As a result, we are sending this communication earlier than originally planned.
Because measles can spread through the air and is highly contagious, we encourage Bainbridge families to be aware of the symptoms, both for their children and other members of their household.
About Measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Symptoms generally begin with:
Symptoms can develop up to 21 days following exposure. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine provides protection against measles. Bainbridge Elementary School has a high rate of vaccination against measles among its student population.
What Families Should Know
We encourage families to be aware of the symptoms of measles and monitor their children for symptoms during the coming weeks. Given how easily measles can spread, families should also remain aware of these symptoms among other members of their household.
If your child develops symptoms consistent with measles, please keep your child home and contact your healthcare provider. If another member of your household develops symptoms and there is concern about measles, please contact their healthcare provider. Because measles is highly contagious, families should call the healthcare provider or medical facility before arriving and let them know about the potential measles exposure so appropriate precautions can be taken.
The health and well-being of our students, staff and families remains a priority. If you have questions about this notice, please contact the Bainbridge Elementary School nurse.
Sincerely,
Elizabethtown Area School District
(717) 924-2252
