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.
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 Lebanon, 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.
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. 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 Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, 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.
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 Lebanon, 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.
Here are the most recent food safety violations in Lebanon County, as documented by Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture.Inspections are taken as a “snapshot” of the day and time, and should not necessarily be taken as overall indicators of an establishment’s cleanliness. Violations are often corrected prior to the inspector leaving the site. Restaurants were found to be in compliance unless otherwise noted.Jonestown / Hershey NE KOA6 – 201.11 Floors, Walls, and Ceilings-Cleana...
Here are the most recent food safety violations in Lebanon County, as documented by Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture.
Inspections are taken as a “snapshot” of the day and time, and should not necessarily be taken as overall indicators of an establishment’s cleanliness. Violations are often corrected prior to the inspector leaving the site. Restaurants were found to be in compliance unless otherwise noted.
6 – 201.11 Floors, Walls, and Ceilings-CleanabilityA large amount of floor tile was missing in the kitchen exposing the wood underneath in front of the three-bay sink.
4 – 602.13 Non-Food Contact SurfacesHood filters were not cleaned at a frequency to preclude the accumulation of grease, dust, and debris. The wall behind the grill area was not cleaned at a frequency to preclude the accumulation of dirt and soil. These were second repeat violations from Sept. 17, 2025.
October 28, 2026 | 498 E. Lincoln Ave., Myerstown, PA 17067
4 – 101.11 Characteristics-Materials for Construction and RepairPlastic lids were cracked, split, and not easily cleaned. Removed from service.
3 – 305.14 Food PreparationExposed food preparation was observed in the prep area under dirty ventilation ducts and subject to potential contamination.
5 – 205.11 Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and MaintenanceThe handwashing sink in the bakery was not cleaned routinely throughout the day.
4 – 601.11(A) Equipment, Food Contact Surfaces, Non-Food Contact Surfaces, and UtensilsAssorted containers and spatulas were observed to have food residue and were not clean to the sight and touch. Removed for cleaning.
No violations found.
3 – 305.11 Food Storage, Preventing Contamination from the PremisesEggs were stored on the top shelf above other food items. This was corrected on site by moving them to a bottom shelf.
October 27, 2026 | 100 Evergreen Dr., Myerstown, PA 17067
No violations found.
October 27, 2026 | 60 Evergreen Dr., Myerstown, PA 17067
4 – 101.11 Characteristics-Materials for Construction and RepairThe food contact surface of cutting boards was not smooth, easily cleanable, and/or resistant to pitting, cracking, or scratching.
No violations found.
4 – 101.19 Materials for Surfaces That are Non-Food Contact SurfacesObserved unsealed wood on the back door and along the edge of the serving counter shelf.
3 – 304.12 In-Use Utensils, Between-Use StorageObserved dispensing utensils in both potato chips and bulk flour without handles.
2 – 401.11 Eating, Drinking, or Using TobaccoAn employee’s beverage container was observed on the same shelf as the mixer, a food preparation area. Corrected.
2 – 402.11 Effectiveness-Hair RestraintsFood employees were observed in the production area not wearing proper beard covers.
3 – 307.11 Miscellaneous Sources of ContaminationObserved a sheet pan of fish on the bottom shelf of the walk-in cooler uncovered and subject to contamination.
6 – 301.14 Handwashing SignageNo sign or poster posted at the handwashing sink in either women’s or men’s restroom to remind food employees to wash their hands.
5 – 501.17 Toilet Room Receptacle, CoveredThe toilet room was not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.
5 – 501.17 Toilet Room Receptacle, CoveredThe toilet room was not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.
3 – 501.18 Ready-to-Eat, Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, DispositionCut tomatoes, a refrigerated, ready-to-eat time temperature control for safety food in the walk-in cooler area, was date-marked by the facility but was beyond the seven-day use or sell-by date and required discarding. Corrected.
5 – 501.17 Toilet Room Receptacle, CoveredThe women’s toilet room was not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.
2 – 402.11 Effectiveness-Hair RestraintsFood employees were observed in the production area and coffee processing area not wearing proper hair restraints.
2 – 301.14 When to WashA food employee was observed donning single-use gloves without a prior hand wash. Corrected.
5 – 501.17 Toilet Room Receptacle, CoveredThe women’s toilet room was not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.
4 – 302.14 Sanitizing Solutions, Testing DevicesThe food facility did not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine the appropriate sanitizer concentration.
3 – 402.12 Records, Creation and RetentionThe Person in Charge was not able to produce records showing that raw or partially cooked ready-to-eat fish had been frozen by the facility or approved supplier as required before use or sale.
No violations found.
No violations found.
Found to be out of compliance.
2 – 102.11(A-C1)(C4-16) Person in Charge, DemonstrationThe Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of the PA Food Code as evidenced by incorrect responses to food safety questions.
The Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility, as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection.
3 – 501.17 Ready-to-Eat, Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date MarkingRefrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the refrigeration units in the kitchen area, was not being date marked.
2 – 401.11 Eating, Drinking, or Using TobaccoObserved a pack of cigarettes and a cigarette butt in the outside kitchen area.
3 – 501.16(A2)(B) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold HoldingShrimp, par-cooked wings, cheese, and schnitzel were held at 47-55°F in the two-door reach-in cooler in the kitchen area, rather than 41°F or below as required.
3 – 302.11 Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and SegregationRaw burgers were stored above ready-to-eat lunchmeat in the reach-in cooler on the cook-line. Corrected. This was a prior violation on June 13, 2025.
3 – 101.11 Safe, Unadulterated, and Honestly PresentedObserved an extra-dry vermouth bottle in the outside bar area with small flies floating in the bottle. Discarded.
4 – 602.13 Non-Food Contact SurfacesNon-food contact surfaces (the interior bottom of fryers, the table top under the grill area, the Ansul system pipes, the stainless steel wall, the flooring outside the kitchen, and the flooring in the walk-in coolers) were not cleaned at a frequency to preclude the accumulation of dirt and soil.
3 – 501.12 Slacking Time/Temperature Control for Safety FoodTuna and salmon were not removed from ROP packaging prior to thawing per manufacturer instructions.
6 – 201.11 Floors, Walls, and Ceilings-CleanabilityDamaged, broken tiles in the outside kitchen area needed to be replaced.
4 – 204.112 Design and Functionality of Temperature Measuring DevicesThe temperature measuring device for ensuring the proper temperature of equipment was not available or readily accessible in the two-door reach-in equipment.
4 – 501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-EquipmentObserved the upright reach-in freezer in the outside kitchen area with exposed insulation and damaged gaskets.
4 – 601.11(A) Equipment, Food Contact Surfaces, Non-Food Contact Surfaces, and UtensilsThe interior of the ice machine in the basement area, five knives, and the interior top of the microwaves in the kitchen area, food contact surfaces, were observed to have food residue and were not clean to the sight and touch. This was a prior violation on June 13, 2025.
6 – 501.111 Controlling PestsSmall flies were observed in the outside bar around taps and all throughout the bar.
4 – 601.11(B-C) Equipment, Food Contact Surfaces, Non-Food Contact Surfaces, and UtensilsThe floor mixer guard was observed with white dried-on food residue and was not clean to the sight and touch.
No violations found.
6 – 501.14 Cleaning Ventilation Systems, Nuisance and Discharge ProhibitionObserved the ventilation above the three-compartment sink with an accumulation of dust.
4 – 601.11(A) Equipment, Food Contact Surfaces, Non-Food Contact Surfaces, and UtensilsThe soda fountain nozzles in the drive and dining area, food contact surfaces, were observed to have food residue and were not clean to the sight and touch. Corrected. The interior top of the microwave was observed with dried-on food debris. Corrected.
6 – 501.14 Cleaning Ventilation Systems, Nuisance and Discharge ProhibitionObserved the fan guards in the walk-in cooler with an accumulation of dust.
MT. LEBANON, Pa. — The Mount Lebanon community, still reeling from the deaths of two young children, came together Wednesday evening for a prayer service honoring the family and supporting those affected by the tragedy.The service was held at St. Bernard’s Church, where the family worshipped. The priest said the community planned to pray for the family members, the children’s classmates and first responders.The deaths of 8-year-old James Lynch, 6-year-old Caroline Lynch and their father, Patrick Lynch, have le...
MT. LEBANON, Pa. — The Mount Lebanon community, still reeling from the deaths of two young children, came together Wednesday evening for a prayer service honoring the family and supporting those affected by the tragedy.
The service was held at St. Bernard’s Church, where the family worshipped. The priest said the community planned to pray for the family members, the children’s classmates and first responders.
The deaths of 8-year-old James Lynch, 6-year-old Caroline Lynch and their father, Patrick Lynch, have left the tight-knit community searching for ways to cope.
In a Facebook post honoring her children, their mother, Anna Lynch, called James and Caroline “best friends” and shared a picture of the two playing side by side.
She called them her “angels” and wrote that her husband made the irreversible decision to take the lives of their two children and himself.
Anna Lynch said her husband had been laid off in August and had become depressed. She also said he had a therapy appointment scheduled for Wednesday, one day after the deaths.
Police said Patrick, James and Caroline fell five stories from a municipal parking garage Tuesday night. Investigators said the incident was not an accident.
The Mount Lebanon School District closed Markham and Washington elementary schools Wednesday as students, families and staff processed the loss of two young classmates.
Some parents spent the day with their children, trying to help them understand what happened.
“We are all reeling quite a bit and trying to figure out how to talk to our kids about it,” Mount Lebanon resident Janelle Christensen said.
Christensen said families gathered to give children a way to process their feelings and do something positive for the community.
Several children met at a park near the Lynch family’s home, where they raked leaves and spent time together while remembering James and Caroline.
Steve Jerhan, a Mount Lebanon resident, said the children openly shared their emotions as they gathered.
“This morning when the kids got together, the first thing was like, ‘I cried last night,’” Jerhan said. “They all take it in different ways.”
The group chose the park as a place to honor the children because it was a place the community enjoyed throughout the year.
The prayer service was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Bernard’s Church.
Cardyn Rhoads, Grey Roman, and Nadelyz Rohena Franceshini are contributing to democracy as current and past members of the Lebanon County Student Poll Worker program, all having worked in Tuesday’s midterm election.Rhoads of Palmyra Area High School and Roman of Lebanon High School are seniors this year and first-time poll workers, while Rohena Franceshini has continued to be involved in elections five years after her participation in the program in 2021.Lebanon teacher Terri Johnston launched the program, and it has grow...
Cardyn Rhoads, Grey Roman, and Nadelyz Rohena Franceshini are contributing to democracy as current and past members of the Lebanon County Student Poll Worker program, all having worked in Tuesday’s midterm election.
Rhoads of Palmyra Area High School and Roman of Lebanon High School are seniors this year and first-time poll workers, while Rohena Franceshini has continued to be involved in elections five years after her participation in the program in 2021.
Lebanon teacher Terri Johnston launched the program, and it has grown to include Cornwall-Lebanon, Northern Lebanon, and Palmyra Area school districts and parochial schools New Covenant Christian and Our Lady of the Cross, according to Jamie Shoemaker, administrative assistant for the Lebanon County Voter Registration/Elections office.
She said 37 of the county’s 60 precincts were covered for the midterm election with 53 students helping to staff the polls. Lebanon School District had 20 students working, while Palmyra had 17, a new high for them.
“That’s something I personally have always cared about, so immediately I was intrigued because I’m gonna be able to vote next year and I want to dip my toes into that a little bit,” said Rhoads, while taking a break from manning one of the e-poll books at the Palmyra West precinct.
Both Rhoads and Roman are 17 years old and looking forward to being able to cast their first ballots in 2027.
“I’ve always told my parents and my siblings how important it is to vote because every vote counts,” said Roman, an election worker at Lebanon-2nd Ward East. “I signed up for this to see the experience myself and to ask questions. I sat with her (Rohena Franceshini) and talked to her about some poll questions I had.”
Rohena Franceshini is the veteran of the three poll workers, having worked the 9th Ward precinct in 2021. She became a judge of elections there in 2022 and eventually became the judge of elections at her home ward, Lebanon-2nd Ward East.
She was driven to be involved in elections as she explored studying law after graduation.
“I also thought that meeting many different people would also give me a different perspective about people, and I wanted to be a little more outgoing as well,” Rohena Franceshini said.
Her deeper involvement in elections was a baptism by fire of sorts, she said, as she went from a student poll worker to a judge of elections within two years.
“It was very quick. Thankfully, everybody in the municipal building was very helpful. All of the people at the 9th Ward were very helpful as well. My first year as a judge, if there was anything I didn’t know, I just gave them a call and they were able to answer me,” she said. “The responsibility was different, but I think it was a great choice to do it because it actually helped me in school with organizing everything better, making sure my paperwork was just how I had to be, and it also helped me with my schoolwork. It made me more detail-oriented.”
At Palmyra West, Rhoads relished the role as she worked to sign people in to vote. She chatted with voters and, in some cases, entire families, as some parents had young children in tow as they came to vote around 5 p.m.
“This was something to get into, to be involved in, and I love being involved,” Rhoads said. “Not only do they get paid but they also just get to be involved in something that can directly affect them. The reason we have midterms is because the people that represent us, that represent Pennsylvania, will do things that can directly affect our lives. So it’s good to kind of realize that and get involved in helping.”
Although students in Palmyra have been involved in past elections, the district really “stepped up their game” this election cycle, according to Shoemaker, who administers the student program with the county’s six public school districts and parochial schools.
“We’ve had a couple kids from Palmyra before, but this is the first time that they’ve really been involved to this degree,” she said. “It’s amazing, and it’s pretty awesome to have every precinct in their district with at least one student poll worker. I love seeing it.”
Shoemaker said the program has the full support of county officials, and she encourages students who are at least 16 years old and who are home-schooled or attend cyber schools to become involved in 2027.
“The commissioners and Sean (Drasher, elections director) have supported this from the start,” Shoemaker said. “I love it because all the data and statistics show that when young adults learn about voting from a young age that they continue it into adulthood and it becomes a habit that they stick with well into adulthood.”
Shoemaker said she’s experienced this firsthand with her own family.
“My daughter worked at my polling place when she was 17. She helped out when I was a poll worker and she’s now almost 25 and she has continued voting as well at every election. So I mean, I’ve seen it work in her life and I would like to see that for other kids,” she said.
As the poll workers become older, Shoemaker is also grateful for the youth movement and their interest in helping with elections.
“We are lucky in Lebanon County to have a waiting list for help at the polls. But a lot of our poll workers are older, and we lose some almost every election,” she said. “So we need to be able to replenish our poll workers and it’s good to be able to have students that are at the polls, who are learning about the process, and can help us.”
That’s true even for those who are not old enough to vote – yet. Both Roman and Rhoads said they will definitely vote when they turn 18.
County officials like Shoemaker are glad for the support on Election Day.
“These are kids that, I guess you could say, don’t even really have a dog in the fight,” Shoemaker said. “But they just want to see the process work. Some of them want to learn about it, and they want to see what happens behind the scenes. And that’s a great thing.”
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Detours planned for later next week on westbound and eastbound Route 322Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that nighttime detours in place this week are scheduled to continue next week at a resurfacing project on Route 72 (Quentin Road) and Route 322 in North Cornwall and West Cornwall townships, and Cornwall Borough, Lebanon County. The detours will be in place for drainage work on southbound Route 72.Weather permitting, southbound Route 72 will be close...
Detours planned for later next week on westbound and eastbound Route 322
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that nighttime detours in place this week are scheduled to continue next week at a resurfacing project on Route 72 (Quentin Road) and Route 322 in North Cornwall and West Cornwall townships, and Cornwall Borough, Lebanon County. The detours will be in place for drainage work on southbound Route 72.
Weather permitting, southbound Route 72 will be closed the night of Sunday, August 23, through Tuesday night, August 25, from the Route 322 East split to Spring Hill Lane which is the entrance to the Spring Hill Acres development. Closures will be in place nightly from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. No detours will be in place Friday and Saturday nights.
A detour will be in place for southbound Route 72 using Route 117, Pinch Road and Cider Press Road. Westbound Route 322 traffic to southbound Route 72 should continue west to Route 117, then use the southbound Route 72 detour.
Starting on Wednesday night (Aug. 26) the contractor will close the westbound Route 322 ramp for milling and paving. A detour will be in place using Route 501 and Route 419.
On Thursday night (Aug. 27) they will close the eastbound Route 322 ramp from the Route 72 split to the ramp from northbound Route 72 to eastbound Route 322. A detour will be in place using Route 419 and Route 501.
Alternating closures on westbound and eastbound Route 322 will continue the following Sunday and Monday nights (Aug. 30-31).
All closures will be in place between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
The work is weather permitting and may be rescheduled due to inclement weather.
This project consists of base replacement, milling, guiderail updates, drainage replacements, sign and overhead signing replacement, pavement marking updates, and other miscellaneous construction on Route 72 from the Lancaster County line in West Earl Township, to Rocherty Road in North Cornwall Township, Lebanon County, and also on Route 322 from just north and south of the section of Route 322 that runs concurrently with Route 72 as a four-lane divided highway.
Most of the work will be at night, but some day work may be during the day. There will be single lane restrictions, as well as overnight detours for ramps and roadway sections within the project limits. Updated press releases will be issued prior to the implementation of any detours.
Pennsy Supply Company, Inc., of Harrisburg is the contractor on the $7,009,000 project. All work is expected to be completed by December 3, 2026.
Travelers can check conditions on major roads by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict8.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Dave Thompson, [email protected] or 717-418-5018
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Please refer to the project location and detour maps below:
(717) 924-2252
