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 Downtown Wake Forest Historic District 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 Wake Forest, NC 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.
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with.”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed,”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Always Best Care goes above and beyond to provide great care for you or your”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by”
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team of caregivers who really care about the well fare of their clients. They go above and beyond taking care of my parents and have been very professional and dependable. I would recommend ABC to anyone who needs a reliable and competent care team. Karen Lussi”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart to see the services being rendered to clients. Extra miles taken to make sure every client is well taken care, even in unpleasant weather conditions. The CEO and administrators were out in the snow last week picking up workers who were unsure of driving . I was glad to see this commitment, making sure families could sit back and relax. With no fear, I will recommend Always best to any family who needs awesome care for their love ones.”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office staff are great people, very helpful and always treat everyone with love and respect. Definitively it is a bless to work for this agency.”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time with our father. It all began with a fall, followed by an ER visit, and soon after, my sister and I found ourselves flying to NC to care for him and plan the next steps. Kathryn from Always Best Care was an absolute lifesaver! She guided us seamlessly through the process of finding the perfect independent senior living community for our father. Her extensive industry knowledge helped us navigate the additional health services he required with ease. Kathryn went above and beyond, consistently checking in and patiently responding to countless texts and emails from us. Thanks to her support, our father is now thriving in a supportive environment and is healthier than ever. We can’t imagine how we would have managed this journey without Kathryn’s expertise and compassion. Truly an incredible experience!”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of what someone living with dementia is like. This is such a horrible disease but this helps care givers understand the disease. Thanks so much!!”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things . I didn’t know it was that bad for them and it’s very sad , I will always treat them all with care and love no matter what because there dealing with something that’s really hard to deal with .”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I now know what to do differently when working with my residents. I think A all caregivers should experience this training.”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and caring home health assistance to my mother who was recovering from an unexpected surgery. They were able to assist on incredibly short notice and made a difficult situation for our family much better. Each of their carers was exceptionally professional and attentive, especially Lori and Kylie who were incredible. I felt safe leaving my loved one in their care and appreciated that they went above and beyond to meet our needs. They provided regular updates to me and my family and made my mother feel so well attended, especially as she needed extra mobility and personal care help. I would absolutely not work with any other company, should we ever need home health assistance again. Highly recommend.”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me gain my mobility! They are all super nice and very helpful! Give them your trust, they have mine. If I ever need home help, it'll be through them!”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had to downsize due to an unexpected illness and Always Best Care (ABC) stepped in to make this possible. Kind, compassion, pleasant, friendly, joyful and talented professionals comprise those providing this service. I literally couldn’t have lived for at my assisted living since I had so many hospital visits each week. I didn’t want to go alone to these appointments and this freed my family from needless distress and worry about my wellbeing when they couldn’t be there. I highly recommend ABC since they are an essential component providing excellent and reliable support.”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in law transition into her new home after moving to Raleigh from Winston Salem. She has dialysis 3x a week and they have worked so hard to coordinate a schedule to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sherry continues to amaze me in how she is able to help figure out schedules and provide customer services in a kind and professional manner. We will continue to look to this wonderful service provider as her needs change and feel blessed to have them on site at Atri”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with. He was sincerely concerned about my mom and our family. He is an excellent listener and introduced me to Paige who is equally wonderful. Together they found a great place for my mother in a very short time. Paige was always available to speak on the phone and addressed my questions or concerns. I would recommend using this service for your loved one. Laura B of Raleigh”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed, and things changed constantly. My dad has a chance to live the rest of his life with dignity and my mom has a chance to live a fuller life because of the help we got from Kathryn and this team. They have a great network and valuable knowledge but what observed that makes them invaluable is that they care...and when you are on this situation I found that this is the quality that matters the most. Cannot thank them enough.”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Always Best Care goes above and beyond to provide great care for you or your loved ones. Always Best Care makes it possible to stay in home, and stay as independent as possible. ABC staff are there to assist in keeping you or your loved ones safe, healthy and happy. If you are looking for top quality care, you have found the right place!”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We are very satisfied with his service and professionalism. He took his time and our requirements and found the perfect place. Highly recommend him and Always Best Care!”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by far the best place I've worked our boss and staff are everything.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”
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 E. Carroll Joyner 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 The Heritage Grille & Wine Barrel or visit Wake Forest Historical Museum, 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 Wake Forest, NC, 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 Wake Forest, NC 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 Wake Forest, NC 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.
Rising senior Lauren Herb was diagnosed with scoliosis three years ago after her soccer coaches noticed her unusual posture.CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- In recognition of Scoliosis Awareness Month, a Wake County teenager is turning her experience with the spinal condition into a mission to educate others.17-year-old Lauren Herb was diagnosed with scoliosis three years ago after her soccer coaches noti...
Rising senior Lauren Herb was diagnosed with scoliosis three years ago after her soccer coaches noticed her unusual posture.
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- In recognition of Scoliosis Awareness Month, a Wake County teenager is turning her experience with the spinal condition into a mission to educate others.
17-year-old Lauren Herb was diagnosed with scoliosis three years ago after her soccer coaches noticed an unusual posture during practice.
Scoliosis, a spinal deformity affecting about 3% of the population, can involve side-to-side, front-to-back, and twisted curvatures. Lauren had all three.
In April 2023, she underwent spinal surgery, temporarily stepping away from competitive soccer. But just four months later, she was back on the field.
"It was tough for a few weeks," she said. "And then after that, I saw a drastic change, and I was doing amazing."
Now a rising senior at Heritage High School in Wake Forest, Lauren hopes her story inspires earlier detection and intervention. She emphasized that scoliosis screenings should begin as early as age five.
"If you do catch it early, ...you can do other things like physical therapy or a brace, which I never got to do," she said.
Her surgeon, Dr. Lloyd Hey of the Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Care, said early diagnosis can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.
"Doing surgery earlier in life is a window of opportunity where, as you saw with Lauren, it's much quicker recovery, less complications, smaller surgeries," Hey said.
Noticing the lack of local scoliosis awareness events, Lauren took action. On Sunday, she hosted the inaugural Straighten the Path 5K at WakeMed Soccer Park, attracting 170 runners and raising thousands of dollars for scoliosis awareness.
Participants included close friends, family and even strangers.
"It's honestly amazing," Lauren said, becoming emotional. "It really means a lot to me that people (came) out here for me."
Lauren aspires to play collegiate soccer after high school -- a dream made possible by early intervention.
To learn more about scoliosis, click here.
Wake Forest’s stay in the ACC Baseball Tournament was short and not so sweet.The eighth-seeded Demon Deacons were upset by 16th-seeded Cal 14-12 on Wednesday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.For the Bears, who were the final team in the 16-team tournament, they have now won two straight games. They also upset ninth-seeded Miami on Tuesday morning in a first-round game.The upstart Bears, who are playing in the team’s first ACC Tournament, will play top-seeded Georgia Tech on Thursday in the single-elimination for...
Wake Forest’s stay in the ACC Baseball Tournament was short and not so sweet.
The eighth-seeded Demon Deacons were upset by 16th-seeded Cal 14-12 on Wednesday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
For the Bears, who were the final team in the 16-team tournament, they have now won two straight games. They also upset ninth-seeded Miami on Tuesday morning in a first-round game.
The upstart Bears, who are playing in the team’s first ACC Tournament, will play top-seeded Georgia Tech on Thursday in the single-elimination format.
The Bears pounded the pitching of the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest pitchers gave up 10 walks and had three hit batters.
The Demon Deacons scored 12 runs but left 16 men on base. When Austin Hawke hit a solo home run in the eighth inning for the Demon Deacons to make the score 14-8, it was the team’s 100th homer of the season. It’s the fourth straight season that the Deacons have hit 100 or more home runs as a team.
The Bears improved to 24-30 and are 2-0 in the ACC Tournament.
The two teams combined to throw nearly 400 pitches and there were six batters hit as the game took more than four hours to play.
Coach Tom Walter went through eight pitchers with starter Logan Lunceford lasting just one inning. Lunceford allowed five earned runs in his short stint.
“I was disappointed with how we threw the ball today,” Walter said. “We’ve got to be better than that. We had the right guys on the mound in the right situations, but we just couldn’t get shutdown innings. We had Luke Schmolke out there with a chance for a shutdown inning and he walked two batters. Zach Johnston came out there with a chance to shut it down and he walked the leadoff guy, made a bad pitch on an 0-2 count, and gave up a three-run homer. We just have to do a better job on the mound.”
The Demon Deacons fell behind 6-0, but at one point cut their deficit to 9-7 after six innings. The Bears, however, came back in the top of the seventh to score four runs to put the game away.
The Demon Deacons did score four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but the rally fell short. Wake Forest had the winning run at the plate, but Matt Scannell grounded out to end the game.
“Offensively, we had an OK day,” Walter said. “We were a little overly aggressive, especially in the middle of the game against their low-slot lefty. If we were a little more patient with him, we probably could have had better results. Give California credit though. They battled and they played well.”
Projections are for the Demon Deacons (36-20) to be a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament when pairings are announced on Monday on ESPN2 at noon.
“We have got to play better baseball as we head into the NCAA Tournament,” Walter said.
Will Dave Doeren pick NC State up off the mat after a disappointing 2024? NC State football preview and outlook for the 2025 college football season.The NC State Wolfpack visit Winston-Salem for a Week 3 showdown with your Wake Forest Demon Deacons. After a 6-7 finish last year--one in which Wake Forest upset NC State--Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren looks to pick his team up off the mat and return to his usual successes as an 8-4 and 9-3 program. Led by true sophomores QB CJ Bailey a...
Will Dave Doeren pick NC State up off the mat after a disappointing 2024? NC State football preview and outlook for the 2025 college football season.
The NC State Wolfpack visit Winston-Salem for a Week 3 showdown with your Wake Forest Demon Deacons. After a 6-7 finish last year--one in which Wake Forest upset NC State--Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren looks to pick his team up off the mat and return to his usual successes as an 8-4 and 9-3 program. Led by true sophomores QB CJ Bailey and Daylan "Hollywood" Smothers, perhaps the 2025 season is where Doeren relocates his footing.
NC State visits Wake Forest on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be Wake's first nationally-broadcast on ESPN. Check back the week of for a full game preview, but for now, let's go over the expectations and outlook for NC State this season.
We're nearing kickoff for the 2025 college football season and that means tune in every week with Wake Forest on SI for an extensive preview on every foe the Demon Deacons will play this season.
Under Doeren, NC State has usually been competitive. A 6-7 finish to the 2024 season–which included a bowl loss to regional rival East Carolina and two wallopings at the hands of Tennessee and Clemson–seemed like a pretty significant underachievement. Part of the shortcoming can be chalked up to an unfortunate career-ending injury to Coastal Carolina transfer QB Grayson McCall early on. From there, the Wolfpack didn't quite recover.
Despite the injury to McCall, an ineffective run game, and inexperience from Bailey at QB, NC State's offense played well. Bailey showed improvement and good athleticism. He projects more highly this season, but turnovers (particularly 10 interceptions) were tough to overcome in his debut. Duke transfer Jordan Waters (470 yards) was forecast to be an all-conference back, but he was out-gained on the season by the true freshman Smothers (571 yards).
It was the defense that was truly surprising. After so many successful seasons under DC Tony Gibson (now at Marshall), the Wolfpack lost key players and plummeted. It allowed 118 combined points to Tennessee and Clemson and held no Power Conference foes under 24 points. That defense allowed inferior opponents like NIU and Louisiana Tech to hang around. It just wasn't your typical NC State stop unit.
One of NC State's best offensive pieces, WR K.C. Conception, couldn't get going last year and left in the transfer portal for Auburn. This year, some pass catcher will have to step up in a big way to help out Bailey. Noah Rogers (478 yards) appears to be the leader in the clubhouse and tight end Justin Joly (661 yards) leads returners. While three of the top four receivers return, someone needs to step into the role of go-to and threaten opposing secondaries.
The success of this offense depends on the success of the run game. Smothers has the potential to be a dynamic player if the offensive line holds together. Two starters return up front and Purdue center Jalen Grant and Utah State guard Teague Andersen make it four returning FBS starters on this Wolfpack offensive line. According to Doeren, this is the deepest OL he's ever had.
Now in his second year as a starter, it's reasonable to expect Bailey takes a step forward. While still young, freshman mistakes should be a thing of the past and he should cut down on turnovers.
Despite all of the shortcomings last year, NC State managed to field a middle-of-the-pack scoring offense. Any measurable improvement from the ground game or from Bailey should easily loft this into a top-40 unit for 2024.
Five starters return on this defense, headlined by leading tackler Sean Brown (96 tackles). Although three more starters transfer in, there's reason for pessimism as those transfers hail from Utah State and Temple. Watch for senior Cian Slone can contribute early on in the linebacking corps as the focus primarily lies on Brown. Corner Jamel Johnson was one of Temple's highest-graded players, but PFF lined Johnson liable for five receiving touchdowns while in coverage in 2024.
Gibson departed for the head coaching job at Marshall, so Doeren hired on D.J. Eliot. Eliot spent the 2023 season as the Eagles linebacker coach and previously coordinated defenses at Temple, Kansas, and Colorado. However, the downward trend of Eliot is concerning – instead of steadily climbing the coordinating ladder, he seems to be descending it, starting at Kentucky before heading to Colorado, Kansas, then Temple.
NC State will keep its 3-3-5 system in place, installed by Gibson. It's a system that worked for them in the past, but also requires the right personnel. Mid-year, teams began to realize that NC State didn't have the personnel and began to run the ball with serious success (Stanford rushed for 225 yards).
Despite losing an excellent coordinator, NC State's defense should improve. Perhaps only marginally, but don't expect a 94th overall finish for this unit in 2025.
Oct 5, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren during the first half of the game against Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images / Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
You'll almost never look at the two deep for NC State and come away impressed. The time we did (last year), NC State floundered. Doeren is a coach that consistently gets the most out of his players and the sum is always better than the parts in Raleigh. Given its track record, there's no reason not to assume the same in 2025.
Bailey and Smothers make up a dynamic backfield duo capable of moving the football behind what should be a decent offensive line. And if Rogers or another pass catcher jumps up as a truly go-to option, the Wolfpack offense will hum – likely as a top-40 unit.
The start of NC State's schedule is extremely favorable, with just two top-50 preseason teams (Duke, Virginia Tech) in the first six games (none in the top 40). A 5-1 record heading into the Notre Dame game (Week 7) could be enough to garner some AP Poll attention. The schedule is also seriously backloaded. NC State has won the last four against rival North Carolina and that game is played in Raleigh, but a run of Notre Dame-Pitt-Georgia Tech-Miami-Florida State makes for tough sledding.
At best, NC State is knocking on the eight-win door. More likely, this is a 7-5 team capable of springing an upset on one of the ACC's top contenders late in the year.
Oct 5, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (16) holds the ball during the first half of the game against Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images / Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
That backloaded schedule is serious reason for concern. While 5-1 is more than achievable, there's also a possibility that a 5-1 Wolfpack is fighting for bowl eligibility come the North Carolina game in Week 14. Miss that 5-1 mark and NC State might not go bowling.
This is Doeren's 13th season with NC State. He's just one sub-.500 season removed from a four-year run averaging 8.5 wins (and two nine-win seasons before that). In 2019, the Wolfpack fell to 4-8, but Doeren picked them right back up for 8-4 the next year. Really, there's no reason we can't expect the same in 2025... right?
The other side of the argument is that, in Year 13, the well can run dry. Without Gibson or the defensive personnel to squeak out a couple 21-20 wins, 8-4 turns into 6-6. Should the defense not mesh in the back eight, there could be problems against high-octane offenses in Pitt, Georgia Tech, and Miami; should the defense repeat last year's performance, a team like Virginia or North Carolina can take advantage and spring the upset.
There's a real path to 5-7 and bowl in-eligibility. The floor likely isn't much lower than that.
Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
Aug. 28 (THU) | East Carolina |
Sept. 6 | Virginia |
Sept. 11 (THU) | at Wake Forest |
Sept. 20 | at Duke |
Sept. 27 | Virginia Tech |
Oct. 4 | Campbell (FCS) |
Oct. 11 | at Notre Dame |
Oct. 18 | BYE |
Oct. 25 | at Pitt |
Nov. 1 | Georgia Tech |
Nov. 8 | BYE |
Nov. 15 | at Miami (FL) |
Nov. 21 (FRI) | Florida State |
Nov. 29 | North Carolina |
A handful of towns in the Triangle are kicking off Fourth of July festivities a day early, attributing vendor availability, financial reasons and proximity to larger festivities to making early celebrations a tradition for their communities.A handful of towns in the Triangle are kicking off Fourth of July festivities a day early, attributing vendor availability, financial reasons and proximity to larger festivities to making early celebrations a...
A handful of towns in the Triangle are kicking off Fourth of July festivities a day early, attributing vendor availability, financial reasons and proximity to larger festivities to making early celebrations a tradition for their communities.
A handful of towns in the Triangle are kicking off Fourth of July festivities a day early, attributing vendor availability, financial reasons and proximity to larger festivities to making early celebrations a tradition for their communities.
Wake Forest
The festivities kicked off at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage High School.
Bill Crabtree, director of communications for the town, said, in the 1970s, a committee made up of volunteers decided to put on the fireworks display the day before the holiday so it would not conflict with larger shows and events in the Triangle on the Fourth of July.
Wake Forest has been launching its Independence Day celebrations with a “Fireworks Spectacular” on July 3 for more than 40 years.
“For over 50 years, the event scheduling has served our community quite well,” Crabtree said. “Besides giving area residents the opportunity to enjoy fireworks in Wake Forest on July 3 and again somewhere else the following day, the July 4 Children’s Parade and Art in the Park paved the way for Wake Forest to emerge as one of only a handful of communities to offer a two-day Independence Day Celebration.”
Wake Forest residents, like Monisha Majors, said they prefer the fireworks show on July 3, adding that it gives them more options for Independence Day.
"If we wanted to travel as a family, we could for the holiday," Majors said. "We do the kids parade thing, so we enjoy the entire lineup for not just the fourth, but also the third."
Apex
Apex kicked off its July 4 Fireworks Frenzy Thursday evening at Hunter Street. It’s the first year that their fireworks show will be preceded by a sensory-friendly drone show. WRAL News went in-depth with the town, discussing its decision to add a light show.
The town told WRAL News that it has been putting on its firework show festivities a day before Independence Day because of vendor availability for the fireworks display. It is also less expensive a day before the holiday.
Garner
The Garner Independence Day Celebration on the eve of July 4 has become a tradition for residents, according to the town. It’s been on July 3 for more than three decades.
The town told WRAL News that its centerpiece is the North Carolina Symphony’s performance, which Garner is able to book on the day before the holiday.
“Our July 3rd Independence Day Celebration has become so well-known and such a well-branded event that we can’t foresee breaking from the tradition of having it on that day,” Rick Mercier, Garner’s communications director, said in a statement to WRAL News.
The celebration started at 5 p.m. at Lake Benson Park.
Morrisville
“No need to wait until July 4 to celebrate…” Morrisville Red, White & BOOM! has been a long-standing tradition held on July 3. The town spokesperson, Rox Cruz, said, by celebrating a day early, it allows staff to enjoy the day off as they choose.
Cruz also said it is one of several smaller communities that celebrate early because the larger cities, Cary and Raleigh, hold their festivities on July 4.
Red, White & BOOM! started up at 5 p.m. at Cedar Fork District Park.
Smithfield
Smithfield is welcoming people to “celebrate America’s birthday the small-town way” Thursday evening. Smithfield has held its July Fourth events a few days or the day before the holiday over the past few years.
The event started at 5 p.m. at the Hastings House.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest African American holiday.On June 19, 1865, federal soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to free all enslaved people in the state, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.Here are several ...
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest African American holiday.
On June 19, 1865, federal soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to free all enslaved people in the state, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Here are several Juneteenth events happening around the Triangle in June:
Juneteenth CelebrationWHEN: Saturday, June 21 from 3 to 9 p.m.WHERE: Downtown Cary Park (327 South Academy Street)
Head over to the park for a Juneteenth celebration with Historian Darrell Stover. For more information, click here.
3rd Annual Juneteenth CelebrationWHEN: Thursday, June 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.WHERE: Willow Oak Room (116 Douglas Drive)
This free, family-friendly event will have food, music, art and performances that celebrate freedom and culture. For more information, click here.
Emancipation Tours at Stagville WHEN: Thursday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.WHERE: Stagville State Historic Site (5828 Old Oxford Road)
Take a special guided 90-minute tour exploring the history of emancipation and the first year of freedom at Stagville. Tours are at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, click here.
Party in the Park: Juneteenth EditionWHEN: Thursday, June 19 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.WHERE: Research Triangle Foundation of NC (3150 Elion Dr)
Join Hub RTP for a vibrant Juneteenth celebration filled with music, activity, and community. For more information, click here.
Juneteenth and the Hari Jones Memorial Lecture SeriesWHEN: Monday, June 16 at 7 p.m.WHERE: Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church (1217 Murchison Road)
Khadija McNair, a public historian and a speaker with the N.C. African American Heritage Commission, will give the annual Hari Jones Memorial Lecture, which commemorates Juneteenth. For more information, click here.
K-5th Adventures: Sewing for Freedom!WHEN: Thursday, June 12 from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.WHERE: Southeast Regional Library, 908 7th Avenue
Learn how to sew and make your own embroidered art to celebrate Juneteenth. This is a free library program for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade and their families. For more information, click here.
Juneteenth CelebrationWHEN: Saturday, June 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.WHERE: Garner Performing Arts Center (742 West Garner Road)
It's a documentary-style film brought to life with live music, dance, and captivating performances. For more information, click here.
Songs of the Freedom Bound: A Juneteenth Celebration and Poetry ReadingWHEN: Wednesday, June 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.WHERE: Burwell School Historic Site (319 N Churton St)
The event will feature scholars Crystal Simone Smith and Dr. Sheila Smith McKoy. For more information, click here.
Juneteenth Jubilee!WHEN: Thursday, June 19 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.WHERE: Mebane Public Library (101 S. First Street)
This program will feature a variety of educational and family-friendly crafts and activities. For more information, click here.
Echoes of Emancipation: Juneteenth and North CarolinaWHEN: Wednesday, June 18 from 4 to 6 p.m.WHERE: Chatham Community Library (197 NC Hwy 87 N.)
Chatham Community Library will host "Echoes of Emancipation: Juneteenth and North Carolina" with Khadija McNair of the NC African American Heritage Commission. For more information, click here.
After Emancipation: North Carolina Education, Past, Present, and FutureWHEN: Friday, June 13 at 7 p.m.WHERE: City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street
Explore the history of North Carolina's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with a presentation by Dr. Lesa Redmond and Representative Nasif Majeed. For more information, click here.
Voices of Freedom Walking Tour WHEN: Saturday, June 14. Tours will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.WHERE: Starts at NC State Capitol (1 E Edenton Street) and ends at NC Freedom Park (218 N Wilmington Street)
The guided walking tour will connect the history of the Capitol to people highlighted in Freedom Park. For more information, click here.
JCMP CommUNITY StoriesWHEN: Monday, June 16 from 6 to 9 p.m.WHERE: John Chavis Memorial Park, 505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Hear from pillars of the community about the importance of belonging, witness pop-up exhibits that display Chavis artifacts over the decades and participate in a walking tour of the park. For more information, click here.
SEE ALSO | Raleigh commemorates Emancipation Day with educational events at Pope House Museum
NC Emancipation Stories WHEN: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.WHERE: Virtual
Discover North Carolina's rich African American heritage in this virtual library program highlighting cultural sites across NC. This event is hosted by Wake County Public Libraries. For more information, click here.
Juneteenth at Marbles & Moore SquareWHEN: Thursday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.WHERE: Moore Square and Marbles Playway (201 S. Blount Street)
Enjoy free family-friendly activities with performers, artists and storytimes! There will be Black-owned food trucks and vendors. Please note -- museum admission must be purchased separately. For more information, click here.
Juneteenth Day PartyWHEN: Thursday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.WHERE: John Chavis Memorial Park (505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd)
Celebrate freedom, community, and summer fun at this family-friendly packed with activities for all ages. For more information, click here.
Open Stu: Proofs of Black Life WHEN: Friday, June 20 from 6 to 11 p.m.WHERE: North Carolina Museum of Art (2110 Blue Ridge Road)
Join artists Derrick Beasley and Marcella Zigbuo Camara for Proofs of Black Life, a special edition of their ongoing community series. For more information, click here.
2025 Juneteenth CelebrationWHEN: Friday, June 20 to Saturday, June 21
Wake Forest is holding a two-day celebration with family-friendly fun. For more information, click here.
Celebrating History by Celebrating HistoryWHEN: Thursday, June 19 (7 to 9 p.m) and Saturday, June 21 (4 to 7:30 p.m.)WHERE: Zebulon Community Center and Zebulon Community Park
This two-day event features musical acts and performances, arts, crafts and activities, local vendors, and more. For more information, click here.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story may be updated with new events.
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