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 Fort Selden Historic Site 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 Vado, NM 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.
“These folks were so helpful in answering all my questions about my dad's need for”
“We are really impressed with Josh and how efficient and helpful he is. Thank you”
“Efficient, gets work done and very pleasant”
“I hired Always Best Care when my mother needed care after she was released from”
“I hired Always Best Care when my mother needed care after she was released from”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care Home Health for anyone in need of compassionate and”
“I am a past client of this provider I highly recommend Always Best Care Home Health”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care Home Health for anyone in need of compassionate and”
“I am a past client of this provider I highly recommend Always Best Care Home Health”
“This company is effective and efficient. The staff are friendly and engaging. Would highly”
“Every time I have referred pt’s and their families members to Always Best Senior”
“This company is effective and efficient. The staff are friendly and engaging. Would highly”
“Every time I have referred pt’s and their families members to Always Best Senior”
“Not knowing when Senior care services will be needed ~ the time came when I”
“Not knowing when Senior care services will be needed ~ the time came when I”
“Not knowing when Senior care services will be needed ~ the time came when I”
“I'm so impressed with the care my Mom has received from ABC! Their staff are”
“I'm so impressed with the care my Mom has received from ABC! Their staff are”
“I'm so impressed with the care my Mom has received from ABC! Their staff are”
“Phenomenal staff. Attentive. Caring. Professional. They match caregivers perfectly based on our needs. 10/10 I”
“Great company to work with they super nice I just wish I have more hours”
“Mrs. Grace C. Is the sweetest person working at/for Always Best Care is an amazing”
“The staff at Always Best took great care of my older sister. They were kind”
“The staff at Always Best took great care of my older sister. They were kind”
“The staff at this establishment are top notch. They boast an impressive level of professionalism”
“The staff at this establishment are top notch. They boast an impressive level of professionalism”
“The staff at this establishment are top notch. They boast an impressive level of professionalism”
“Extremely recommend this family owned reputable company that offers excellent senior care services. Owners are”
“Extremely recommend this family owned reputable company that offers excellent senior care services. Owners are”
“Reliable, professional, responsible and above and beyond senior care services agency.”
“Reliable, professional, responsible and above and beyond senior care services agency.”
“I love, being part of this great Team we have!! I am a caregiver and”
“I love, being part of this great Team we have!! I am a caregiver and”
“They are honest and they do everything they can to satisfy your requests! They always”
“This agency is full of sweet people who have a real heart for helping the”
“Always Care Senior services is committed to provide the best care for our family. Awesome”
“I love working here! The boss and supervisor are constantly checking up on both caregivers”
“I really enjoy being a caregiver with Always Best Care. I'm thankful for the opportunity”
“I am very pleased that I chose Always Best Care Senior Services for our parents.”
“The staff and everyone at this agency was amazing. They were professional and yet very”
“The staff and everyone at this agency was amazing. They were professional and yet very”
“I love working here! The boss and supervisor are constantly checking up on both caregivers”
“I really enjoy being a caregiver with Always Best Care. I'm thankful for the opportunity”
“These folks were so helpful in answering all my questions about my dad's need for care. It's so hard to navigate this part of a parent's life. A few places I called sounded annoyed with all my questions, so I was hesitant to call another. I am grateful for the kindness during this process.”
“We are really impressed with Josh and how efficient and helpful he is. Thank you for Always Best Care Senior Services care to us from Josh.”
“Efficient, gets work done and very pleasant”
“I hired Always Best Care when my mother needed care after she was released from the hospital. She needed help with bathing, meals, and getting to appointments. This company doesn’t disappoint. All of my mother’s needs were met and she enjoyed her caregiver’s help and company. Whenever we needed additional days or to switch a day, Cassandra always fulfilled our needs. Liz, Suri, and Stephanie were amazing. They are the reason my mother is back on her feet. Thank you for everything!”
“I hired Always Best Care when my mother needed care after she was released from the hospital. She needed help with bathing, meals, and getting to appointments. This company doesn’t disappoint. All of my mother’s needs were met and she enjoyed her caregiver’s help and company. Whenever we needed additional days or to switch a day, Cassandra always fulfilled our needs. Liz, Suri, and Stephanie were amazing. They are the reason my mother is back on her feet. Thank you for everything!”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care Home Health for anyone in need of compassionate and reliable care for their loved ones. The quality of care they provided for my mother was exceptional. The caregivers and providers went above and beyond, offering not only professional medical assistance but also a genuine kindness and empathy that made all the difference. It was clear that they truly cared for my mother's well-being, and their support brought peace of mind to our family. If you’re looking for trustworthy and sympathetic care, Always Best Care is an outstanding choice.”
“I am a past client of this provider I highly recommend Always Best Care Home Health for anyone in need of compassionate and reliable care for their loved ones. The quality of care they provided for my mother was exceptional. The caregivers and providers went above and beyond, offering not only professional medical assistance but also a genuine kindness and empathy that made all the difference. It was clear that they truly cared for my mother's well-being, and their support brought peace of mind to our family. If you’re looking for trustworthy and sympathetic care, Always Best Care is an outstanding choice.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care Home Health for anyone in need of compassionate and reliable care for their loved ones. The quality of care they provided for my mother was exceptional. The caregivers and providers went above and beyond, offering not only professional medical assistance but also a genuine kindness and empathy that made all the difference. It was clear that they truly cared for my mother's well-being, and their support brought peace of mind to our family. If you’re looking for trustworthy and sympathetic care, Always Best Care is an outstanding choice.”
“I am a past client of this provider I highly recommend Always Best Care Home Health for anyone in need of compassionate and reliable care for their loved ones. The quality of care they provided for my mother was exceptional. The caregivers and providers went above and beyond, offering not only professional medical assistance but also a genuine kindness and empathy that made all the difference. It was clear that they truly cared for my mother's well-being, and their support brought peace of mind to our family. If you’re looking for trustworthy and sympathetic care, Always Best Care is an outstanding choice.”
“This company is effective and efficient. The staff are friendly and engaging. Would highly recommend their service.”
“Every time I have referred pt’s and their families members to Always Best Senior Services- they have been very content with the services that this agency renders. From my experience this agency hires very loyal, kind, compassionate, and trained providers . This agency goes above and beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of the individuals that they serve. * Highly recommend! *”
“This company is effective and efficient. The staff are friendly and engaging. Would highly recommend their service.”
“Every time I have referred pt’s and their families members to Always Best Senior Services- they have been very content with the services that this agency renders. From my experience this agency hires very loyal, kind, compassionate, and trained providers . This agency goes above and beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of the individuals that they serve. * Highly recommend! *”
“Not knowing when Senior care services will be needed ~ the time came when I faced reality for finding care for my parents even if it was only temporary. Always Best Care was amazing. Hoping not to need anytime soon, but should the time come again I will definitely go with ABC again! Thank you”
“Not knowing when Senior care services will be needed ~ the time came when I faced reality for finding care for my parents even if it was only temporary. Always Best Care was amazing. Hoping not to need anytime soon, but should the time come again I will definitely go with ABC again! Thank you”
“Not knowing when Senior care services will be needed ~ the time came when I faced reality for finding care for my parents even if it was only temporary. Always Best Care was amazing. Hoping not to need anytime soon, but should the time come again I will definitely go with ABC again! Thank you”
“I'm so impressed with the care my Mom has received from ABC! Their staff are caring and gentle with her, very attentive to her needs and show this is more than just a job, it's a calling for them. Their behind the scenes staff are outstanding, great in communication and flexibility. We really appreciate ABC and would give them more stars if we could!”
“I'm so impressed with the care my Mom has received from ABC! Their staff are caring and gentle with her, very attentive to her needs and show this is more than just a job, it's a calling for them. Their behind the scenes staff are outstanding, great in communication and flexibility. We really appreciate ABC and would give them more stars if we could!”
“I'm so impressed with the care my Mom has received from ABC! Their staff are caring and gentle with her, very attentive to her needs and show this is more than just a job, it's a calling for them. Their behind the scenes staff are outstanding, great in communication and flexibility. We really appreciate ABC and would give them more stars if we could!”
“Phenomenal staff. Attentive. Caring. Professional. They match caregivers perfectly based on our needs. 10/10 I will talk about them to everyone I know. Las Cruces was in dire need for a Senior Care group who truly does have a passion for us.”
“Great company to work with they super nice I just wish I have more hours and they are super understandable, I don’t want to go :( I just need more hours”
“Mrs. Grace C. Is the sweetest person working at/for Always Best Care is an amazing Experience. Thank you Grace for the wonderful support u give.. She is great at communicating! Thank you for the Extra care giver TRAINING.”
“The staff at Always Best took great care of my older sister. They were kind and compassionate. They went out of their several times to take care of her, and they were very respectful and responsive to our concerns. I would highly recommend using them.”
“The staff at Always Best took great care of my older sister. They were kind and compassionate. They went out of their several times to take care of her, and they were very respectful and responsive to our concerns. I would highly recommend using them.”
“The staff at this establishment are top notch. They boast an impressive level of professionalism and competence that make them a pleasure to interact with. Highly recommended!”
“The staff at this establishment are top notch. They boast an impressive level of professionalism and competence that make them a pleasure to interact with. Highly recommended!”
“The staff at this establishment are top notch. They boast an impressive level of professionalism and competence that make them a pleasure to interact with. Highly recommended!”
“Extremely recommend this family owned reputable company that offers excellent senior care services. Owners are A1, providers are exceptional and staff is extremely knowledgeable. I can’t say enough but positive feedback. Will really recommend this company for all your senior needs and services.”
“Extremely recommend this family owned reputable company that offers excellent senior care services. Owners are A1, providers are exceptional and staff is extremely knowledgeable. I can’t say enough but positive feedback. Will really recommend this company for all your senior needs and services.”
“Reliable, professional, responsible and above and beyond senior care services agency.”
“Reliable, professional, responsible and above and beyond senior care services agency.”
“I love, being part of this great Team we have!! I am a caregiver and love spending time with the elderly and there families!!”
“I love, being part of this great Team we have!! I am a caregiver and love spending time with the elderly and there families!!”
“They are honest and they do everything they can to satisfy your requests! They always come through with providing the best quality home care for your loved one! I highly recommend them for senior care services! They truly deserve the name of, “Always Best Care Senior Services of El Paso.””
“This agency is full of sweet people who have a real heart for helping the elderly. They are so helpful. There is no one else that I would rather work with.”
“Always Care Senior services is committed to provide the best care for our family. Awesome and friendly staff. Highly recommend!”
“I love working here! The boss and supervisor are constantly checking up on both caregivers and family to make sure we have the equipment and support we need. They truly stand by their name. If your looking for a care agency for your loved ones. Look no further because I truly enjoy working for them and I know they hire caregivers who love their job. Patients are our number one concern and the care we provide should be the best. I have learned so much working for ABC Senior Services and I’m grateful for their support.”
“I really enjoy being a caregiver with Always Best Care. I'm thankful for the opportunity to help seniors in making their lives a little easier!”
“I am very pleased that I chose Always Best Care Senior Services for our parents. Their commitment to client care and integrity of their staff make families of loved ones feel completely at ease. Thank you!”
“The staff and everyone at this agency was amazing. They were professional and yet very personable. My father-in-law just turned 100 and my mother-in-law is 96, and together they can be a handful. I would highly recommend Always Best Care, without any hesitation.”
“The staff and everyone at this agency was amazing. They were professional and yet very personable. My father-in-law just turned 100 and my mother-in-law is 96, and together they can be a handful. I would highly recommend Always Best Care, without any hesitation.”
“I love working here! The boss and supervisor are constantly checking up on both caregivers and family to make sure we have the equipment and support we need. They truly stand by their name. If your looking for a care agency for your loved ones. Look no further because I truly enjoy working for them and I know they hire caregivers who love their job. Patients are our number one concern and the care we provide should be the best. I have learned so much working for ABC Senior Services and I’m grateful for their support.”
“I really enjoy being a caregiver with Always Best Care. I'm thankful for the opportunity to help seniors in making their lives a little easier!”
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 El Vado Lake State 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 Angelitos cafe or visit Magoffin Home State Historic Site, 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 Vado, NM, 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 Vado, NM 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 Vado, NM 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.
VADO, N.M. - When Ruben Lugo sees children skateboarding, bicycling and playing on Vado’s dusty, unpaved streets, he says a lightning bolt of sadness strikes his gut.Many residents of the rural southern Don?a Ana County community, like Lugo, have said they have to get their cars repaired every few months because of the damage inflicted by the uneven roads.As Vado residents know, the colonia’s roads are not merely an inconvenience and financial nuisance.“Last December, (a woman’s) husband had a hea...
VADO, N.M. - When Ruben Lugo sees children skateboarding, bicycling and playing on Vado’s dusty, unpaved streets, he says a lightning bolt of sadness strikes his gut.
Many residents of the rural southern Don?a Ana County community, like Lugo, have said they have to get their cars repaired every few months because of the damage inflicted by the uneven roads.
As Vado residents know, the colonia’s roads are not merely an inconvenience and financial nuisance.
“Last December, (a woman’s) husband had a heart attack, and the ambulance and emergency services weren’t able to get to the house on time (because the roads were unpassable), and the husband passed away and left behind three children,” said Johana Bencomo, who works as a community organizer for New Mexico Comunidades en Accio?n y de Fe (CAFe?).
CAFe? is a Las Cruces-based nonprofit community organizing group that seeks to effect systemic change, Bencomo said.
Through hundreds of conversations with Vado residents, Bencomo said, CAFe? learned the condition of Vado’s roads was as big an issue to its residents as immigration and poverty.
Vado’s roads are particularly hazardous when it’s raining, Bencomo said – not only because they are unpaved and not level, but also because of the community’s location within the Organ Mountains' floodplain, which makes rainstorms such as the recent downpour on May 18 all the worse.
“You can’t even tell where the road is sometimes (because of flooding) and a lot of these neighborhoods only have one way in and out,” Bencomo said. “So community members are stuck — literally stuck — in these neighborhoods and on these roads that aren’t safe.”
Efforts to get county and state governments to help haven’t brought the road improvements many residents say they need. Legal issues and scarce money are among the roadblocks. But Vado residents are finding some help.
In January, Don?a Ana County Commissioners Billy Garrett and Wayne Hancock held a community meeting to discuss the conditions of Vado's roads. More than 160 of the community's 3,000 people, attended, Bencomo said.
“We were able to gain some media attention, and the regional coordinator of the (Environmental Protection Agency) was there – and she reached out to (CAFe?) after the meeting,” Bencomo said.
Debra Tellez, Region 6 coordinator for the EPA, put CAFe? in contact with a Texas-based recycling company that had a surplus of asphalt shingles, which are typically used as roofing material. Usually sent to landfills, the EPA has a demonstration project to see if shingles can be reused in asphalt roads, Tellez said.
The recycling company is donating the paving materials, but Vado residents still have to pay for machinery, labor and delivery.
To help raise the funds, CAFe? members and Vado residents, including Lugo, sold burritos and bottled water at the rally for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders held in their community May 21.
PHOTOS: Bernie Sanders in Vado, N.M.
The effort raised more than $900, which community leaders estimate is enough to start road improvements, beginning with the paving of Cebolla Road in a couple of weeks, Bencomo said.
In the past, Vado residents have successfully pushed for services including gas, sewer and water, Bencomo said, but “roads have really been a huge barrier.”
Bencomo, who started working for CAFe? a year ago, learned about the condition of Vado’s roads by talking to residents.
Once CAFe? better understood the situation, the organization began working to help find a solution. CAFe? and Vado residents hit a wall with county government, which said many roads could not be fixed with public funds because they are privately owned – often by a patchwork of multiple landowners.
“County maintenance of a private road is illegal,” Commissioner Garrett wrote in an email to NMPolitics.net. He cited the anti-donation clause in New Mexico’s Constitution, which doesn’t allow spending public funds for private benefit.
The county has grappled with the issue of roads in colonias before. More than 10 years ago, after people in many unincorporated communities complained, the Don?a Ana County Commission passed Resolution 05-22 that allowed residents to deed a portion of their property to the county so it could legally maintain and even upgrade a road.
This was a lengthy and sometimes complicated process that required the agreement of all people who owned parts of a road. The county paved several roads using this process, Bencomo said, but in 2013 the county commission suspended the ordinance that made it possible.
“The reason they gave was it’s too time consuming and it takes too much money,” Bencomo said.
Garrett elaborated, saying the process was more expensive and cumbersome than expected.
“Title searches and surveying for a single road could cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said. “Just one property owner could hold up the potential transfer of a road used by dozens of families by refusing to participate.”
Garrett also said turning a potentially endless number of private roads into county roads could deplete the county Roads Department’s operating funds and conditions would decline on existing county roads.
Garrett said Don?a Ana County is responsible for more than 1,300 miles of road, about 550 of which are paved. “Every year the county accepts a few more miles of road to the system it maintains,” he said.
With 05-22’s suspension, Vado residents are left to deal with roads that are still privately owned, Bencomo said, “which of course is very expensive for families.”
Lugo said Vado residents attempted to fix the roads on their own, which settled the issue for a time. Then, about a year ago, the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority came into the area to install new water lines along Cebolla Road.
“They left (the roads) in bad condition,” Lugo said..
NMPolitics.net contacted Karen Nichols, projects manager for the water authority. “I would disagree with (Lugo’s) assessment,” she said.
Nichols said the water authority, which owns and operates the water pipes beneath Vado’s roads, was not aware that any improvements to Vado’s roads had been made, nor did Vado residents produce proof of improvements at a meeting between CAFe? representatives, Vado residents, water authority representatives and Garrett and Hancock several weeks ago.
In a memo from Vencor Engineering, which oversaw work for the water authority, Hector Vasquez said installation of the new water lines left Vado’s roads in “similar or better conditions” – as the contractor was mandated to do.
Nichols said, from what she has seen, Cebolla Road looks fine.
But Vado residents disagree and so, once again, they attempted to talk with commissioners about fixing their roads. That didn’t lead to a solution. The donated shingles are, at this point, the community’s best bet for improvements to private roads.
Beyond the roads, Lugo said, the real problem is that Vado residents do not feel part of their own county.
“In Vado, you can live well and happy, but the problem is that they (elected officials) have forgotten us,” said Lugo. “We feel (cast) to the side because we are walking on dirt roads.”
Bencomo said Vado’s federal designation as a colonia — defined as a community near the U.S.-Mexico border that lacks sufficient housing and infrastructure such as roads, sewer, water and gas hook-ups — gives county and state officials the idea that “we don’t have to place as much priority on it.” Because the communities also have a lot of undocumented migrants, it makes it easier for elected officials to ignore the needs of these communities, she said.
The issue of county-private roads in colonias “is among the most difficult of the challenges we face because of the potential financial impact on the county as well as the anti-donation prohibition,” Garrett said.
Garrett acknowledged people in colonias often do not have the financial means to fix their roads.
“At the same time, governmental agencies in New Mexico cannot work on private roads,” he said. “I’ve never heard of an (non-governmental organization) interested in taking on this issue.”
Garrett made no mention of reinstating the resolution that let the county take ownership of private roads.
“When it comes to roads in colonias, we have a serious disconnect between legal authorities, financial capacity and standards of living,” he said. “The ‘system’ just doesn’t work. I don’t know what the answer is yet, but I can’t see anything substantial being done unless the public sector has an expanded role in the effort.”
Billy Huntsman is a freelance writer for NMPolitics.net.
The Vado Speedway Park in Vado, New Mexico, will play host to its first-ever professional boxing card on Saturday and Sunday which will is being billed as the "First Annual Johnny Tapia Boxing Invitational."Who is promoting the fight and who is Johnny Tapia? Teresa Tapia, the wife of the late Johnny Tapia is promoting the event, which also includes amateur boxing on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6.Johnny Tapia was from Albuquerque. N.M., and was a popular fighter particularly in the Southwest, who finished w...
The Vado Speedway Park in Vado, New Mexico, will play host to its first-ever professional boxing card on Saturday and Sunday which will is being billed as the "First Annual Johnny Tapia Boxing Invitational."
Teresa Tapia, the wife of the late Johnny Tapia is promoting the event, which also includes amateur boxing on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6.
Johnny Tapia was from Albuquerque. N.M., and was a popular fighter particularly in the Southwest, who finished with a record of 59-5-2 and beat the likes of Danny Romero Jr., Hugo Soto, Manuel Medina and Jorge Eliecer Julio.
Johnny once defended his bantamweight title at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces in May of 2000.
El Paso super featherweight Abel Mendoza will be on the card against Mexico's Gustavo Molina in a six-round main event.
Unbeaten El Paso middleweight Zach Prieto will put his 8-0 record on the line against 11-13 Ernesto Berrospe from Mexico.
Las Cruces welterweight prospect Savion Kent and San Antonio unbeaten featherweight Henry Arredondo are also set to fight.
There are a total of six professional fights scheduled and the card is subject to change.
Tickets range from $15-50 for the pro card. The Vado Speedway is located between El Paso and Las Cruces. The contact number is 575-524-7913 and the address is 15900 Stern Dr, Vado, N.M.
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Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 546-6167; [email protected]; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
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