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 Oldham County History Center 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 La Grange, KY 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.
“Dan and his entire team were extremely supportive during a difficult time for our family.”
“Great service and someone that you can trust when you really need it.”
“I discussed my husband's balance problem with several senior care agencies and the agency I”
“Professional, dependable...still use them...and have .for the last 18 months..”
“Always best care has been a great experience! Great caregivers and the staff has”
“Always Best takes care of my mother-in-law. They are always prompt, courteous and helpful. They”
“Always best care has been a great experience! Great caregivers and the staff has been”
“This is a wonderful company that truly cares about their clients.”
“Great service and someone that you can trust when you really need it.”
“Dan Chitwood does an amazing job for his clients! I am always happy to recommend”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is extremely professional and caring. I highly recommend using their”
“Great service. Very knowledgeable and dependable. I appreciate that Always Best Care Senior Services works”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is extremely professional and caring. I highly recommend using their”
“Thank you so much for the compassionate care and support you provided my mom. It”
“I've worked with Dan for a couple of months now, and from where I see”
“Dan helped my uncle with Louis Dodd, which is an awful disease where he could”
“I wish Always Best was in service when I needed caregivers for my aging father.”
“I have interviewed with Robin, watched her train her employees and observed her committment to”
“Owner Robin has been a longtime volunteer at the human services nonprofit where I work,”
“Dan is one of the most caring people I know! He sat down and took”
“Dan helped my uncle with Louis Dodd, which is an awful disease where he could”
“Dan sat down with my family and grandmother, he took his time in asking questions,”
“My apologies for a mis placed comment. I was directing this dissapointment at the other”
“Dan and his entire team were extremely supportive during a difficult time for our family. We are thankful for their service and highly recommend them.”
“Great service and someone that you can trust when you really need it.”
“I discussed my husband's balance problem with several senior care agencies and the agency I was most impressed with was Always Best Care. The people they have working for them are kind and considerate. They go the extra mile to help their client remain mentally alert and physically independent. They give their client just enough help so that the client feels safe and secure but not helpless. My husband had to go to Forest Spring's Health Campus because of a fall he had at home. Because of his injury, he needed 24/7 care. I called Dan Chitwood and within an hour he had his employees helping my husband. My husband has made a complete recovery from the injury but he still needs help with a balance issue. A physical therapist comes to his home and Dan's employee helps him work on the physical therapy exercises recommended for him. My husband and I have been married for 57 years and with Dan Chitwood's employees help, who knows maybe we will make it another 57 years.”
“Professional, dependable...still use them...and have .for the last 18 months..”
“Always best care has been a great experience! Great caregivers and the staff has been great to work with. I highly recommend them!”
“Always Best takes care of my mother-in-law. They are always prompt, courteous and helpful. They take her to appointments and do light housekeeping. It gives her a sense of independence.....like she's going out with a friend. We highly recommend Always Best.”
“Always best care has been a great experience! Great caregivers and the staff has been great to work with. I highly recommend them!”
“This is a wonderful company that truly cares about their clients.”
“Great service and someone that you can trust when you really need it.”
“Dan Chitwood does an amazing job for his clients! I am always happy to recommend him if I hear of someone needing his services.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is extremely professional and caring. I highly recommend using their services for your loved ones.”
“Great service. Very knowledgeable and dependable. I appreciate that Always Best Care Senior Services works to have the same care-taker come to the home for home-care. That consistency is such a relief to families. I have referred clients and employees to Dan Chitwood because I trust the services that they provide.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is extremely professional and caring. I highly recommend using their services for your loved ones.”
“Thank you so much for the compassionate care and support you provided my mom. It was fantastic that she was able to reside at home for as long as she could. It was greatly appreciated!!! Thank you Heather for all your tireless effort as well.”
“I've worked with Dan for a couple of months now, and from where I see it, he is a caring individual that cares about his business immensely. Give Always Best Care a call, great company!”
“Dan helped my uncle with Louis Dodd, which is an awful disease where he could not remember things and he tended to see things that were not there and act out according to what he saw. Dan helped my Aunt with information about the disease and gave them options of facilities that could work with memory care patients. It turned out wonderful. Dan is always available with answers to any questions my husband and I have about my mother-in-law who just recently went through heart surgery at age 86. He is always helpful.”
“I wish Always Best was in service when I needed caregivers for my aging father. Robin, the owner, has great attention to detail and high standards of excellence for herself and those around her; in addition she is compassionate about those in needs and dedicated to service. I am most impressed as I hear her talk about the level of screening and training she requires for her direct caregivers"¦a family can have confidence that their loved ones are being well cared for during a difficult, challenging time.”
“I have interviewed with Robin, watched her train her employees and observed her committment to quality, caring service to her clients.”
“Owner Robin has been a longtime volunteer at the human services nonprofit where I work, and her commitment to quality and focus on getting every detail right have always impressed me. She is a consummate professional, but what impresses me more is her caring nature. She truly does want to help others. And the fact that she has extensive experience working in health care makes this an ideal fit for her.”
“Dan is one of the most caring people I know! He sat down and took a couple hours of his valuable time to discuss options and assisted living/memory care options for my grandmother. Dan helped us look at reviews of facilities, ratios of RN vs LPN along with complaints filed on facilities. He cared about where and how my grandmother would be cared for. He really looks at his clients as family and I would highly recommend anyone needing elder care, assisted living placement assistance or help figuring out where to start with caring for your senior loved ones to contact Dan. Be sure you contact Dan Chitwood at the RIGHT Always Best Care (ABC) so you get best! - ALWAYS!”
“Dan helped my uncle with Louis Dodd, which is an awful disease where he could not remember things and he tended to see things that were not there and act out according to what he saw. Dan helped my Aunt with information about the disease and gave them options of facilities that could work with memory care patients. It turned out wonderful. Dan is always available with answers to any questions my husband and I have about my mother-in-law who just recently went through heart surgery at age 86. He is always helpful.”
“Dan sat down with my family and grandmother, he took his time in asking questions, never rushed us in a decision and really helped us find the best care for my grandmother. Assisted living and Memory care placement can be so overwhelming. We felt better and appreciated his time and effort in assisting us! My grandmother is 100. We are so happy she is happy! Thank you!”
“My apologies for a mis placed comment. I was directing this dissapointment at the other group using the same name.”
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 Wilborn 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 One Nineteen West Main or visit LaGrange Historic African American Cemetery, 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 La Grange, KY, 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 La Grange, KY 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 La Grange, KY 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.
You don't have to always deal with the whirl of chaos. You deserve some whispers of peace, where the air is fresh and playful. You will likely find such an environment in a small, beautiful, and relaxing town. Goodbye to crazy traffic and gridlocks, to shoulder-bumping walks, to tailgating. Kentucky, known for its rolling hills and bluegrass music, is dotted with several towns with a slower pace of life, where you can enjoy a moment of sanity...
You don't have to always deal with the whirl of chaos. You deserve some whispers of peace, where the air is fresh and playful. You will likely find such an environment in a small, beautiful, and relaxing town. Goodbye to crazy traffic and gridlocks, to shoulder-bumping walks, to tailgating. Kentucky, known for its rolling hills and bluegrass music, is dotted with several towns with a slower pace of life, where you can enjoy a moment of sanity, calm, and clarity. Starting with adorable Augusta, discover 8 Kentucky towns with a slower pace of life.
Prettiest Small Towns In KentuckyEach of these gorgeous small towns promises warm welcomes as you wander through lush forests and historic landmarks, whether you are drinking bourbon in Bardstown or admiring folk arts and crafts in Berea.
Although just a few call it home (Augusta hosts just over 1,000 residents), this beautiful river town swings with a lot of character and personality. If you let its small size fool you, you will miss the chance to appreciate what the NC Travel Guides recently ranked as the seventh Most Picturesque Small Town in America. You will enjoy beautiful sunsets on the Ohio River, drink in gorgeous scenery along the spellbinding waterway, and admire old buildings with interesting sculptures. The other nice thing about August's is that it hosts one of the country's oldest and largest wine cellars, a 1790s establishment set in a lovely, quiet, historical area. Sample the tongue-tingling wine selection here, a range that swings from sweet to dry. Also, the Rosemary Clooney House is along the Ohio River and displays several interesting items related to the prominent American singer and actress. Don't forget to grab a veggie pizza at Carota’s, one of the best small-town restaurants in the area.
Maysville is a small, slow-paced town beautifully positioned on the banks of the Ohio River. The river setting gives it a restful rhythm and makes it a fantastic spot to kick off and relax. Maysville also boasts a downtown dotted with eye-catching historic architecture, meaning you will easily feel transported back in time ambling through its main drag. If you are a self-proclaimed foodie, the culinary scene here is fairly robust and features sizzling names such as Capronis, a nice place with a great view of the river. Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, along Sutton Street, houses one of the world's largest private collections of miniatures. From a Pennsylvania Dutch kitchen to the world's smallest Swiss Army Knife, most things at the KSB Miniatures Collection are set at 1/12th scale. A few steps away is the National Underground Railroad Museum, an actual house used to whisk slaves to safety during one of America’s toughest periods of history. It has been restored and preserved to give a very authentic story.
Midway was initially called Middleway, which was a pointer to its position between Lexington and Frankfort. It is in horse country and provides access to some of the top Thoroughbred farms in the world, such as Cloud Nine Farm, a cherished name that treats ponies with so much tender love and care. Keep in mind that Midway is in Woodford County, known for its self-proclaimed distinction as the birthplace of bourbon. That said, you will want to start with a hearty breakfast at Midway Bakery, which serves some of the best sorghum cookies in the world. Historic Midway Gift Store, an eye-catching red-brick on Main Street, is a fantastic place to shop for gifts and local souvenirs. Also, there is a bit of heaven at Walter Bradley Park, a quiet, swoon-worthy space with a lovely creek trail to walk along.
Before the landmark Pikeville Cut-Through Project, which sliced through the area's forbidding terrain and improved the town's accessibility, Pikeville was a secluded town that was scarcely known in the vacation world. Today, the authentic Eastern Kentucky town has sprung to life, although it still retains elements of its laid-back charm and countryside allure. Start with a brick-oven pizza at Chirico’s Ristorante, a family-run establishment that has been a staple of the town since 1981. A meal here should pave the way for a bit of time at the downtown’s Creative Arts District, specifically at the aptly named Umbrella Alley, a quirky space that features beautiful overhang umbrellas and other creative art installations. This is the spot for the quintessential I-was-in-Pikeville photo-op. Still on art, the Appalachian Center for the Arts is the place to go for a big laugh and a great time with locals.
Not many towns identify themselves with a human character attribute, such as politeness, sympathy, or kindness. La Grange, the self-proclaimed “Kindness Capital of Kentucky," bucks this trend. One of its other interesting features is the trains that chug through the downtown, a phenomenon that seems to wake it up every time it takes place. If you want to grab a front-row seat at this rumbling attraction, the Train Observation Tower is the best place to be. From delicious eats to beautiful works of art, the La Grange Farmers Market is fun to explore on a Saturday afternoon. Also, while Pikeville has the Umbrella Alley, La Grange has the newly minted AlleyLoop Historic District Walk, a cheery, upbeat space full of color and character. There is the nearby Falling Rock Park Quarry, where you can float, swim, or snorkel.
Horse Cave is built atop Hidden River Cave, one of America’s most unique landmarks. The town looks and feels slow, although some of its attractions will make anyone's heart move fast and furious. From the Hidden River Cave to Sunset Dome to the world’s longest underground swinging bridge, this town’s list of offerings features subterranean wonders that you will rarely find in any other small town. Although the Hidden River Cave has many stairs, they are all doable and do not demand a lot of exertion. The inside is spectacular, and the same is true of the domes. The underground river particularly makes it unique. If you are looking for a less-crowded alternative to the more famous Mammoth Cave, you are in the right place. And the exciting part is that the cave’s entrance is directly off Main Street, a National Register of Commercial Places Historic District.
Grand Rivers is not just small and slow; it boasts one of the most relaxing strips in the South. If you are hearing this for the first time, it is because you have never been to the Grand Rivers Jetty. The stretch has benches where one can sit and watch the lake’s gentle waves. It also has picnic tables where you can enjoy a delicious snack. But it is the views here that will make you almost stop midstep. Although you can come in the morning hours and sip heart-stirring views on every side, Grand Rivers Jetty is mostly known for its magical sunsets. Of course, with Kentucky Lake on one side and the Cumberland River on the other, two spots that offer several recreational opportunities, this Kentucky gem is a water lover's paradise. The aptly named Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is a nice place to see bison, camp by the water, or hit up a scenic trail.
With its beautiful tree-lined streets, especially at strips such as Lexington Avenue, Wilmore’s ambiance is decidedly soothing, refreshing, and relaxing. The downtown green, with its benches and garden-like feel, is another restful spot with beautiful views. Wilmore boasts a rich educational heritage and is home to Asbury University, a small but beautiful Christian university founded in the 1890s. The nearby High Bridge Park, which provides a scenic overlook over the Kentucky and Dix Rivers, also highlights the area's relaxing atmosphere. It has a covered pavilion, an old caboose, and some historical interpretive signage with insightful tidbits about the area and the bridge. But the bridge is still the star attraction, especially when a train is crossing. Stay at the 1898 Red Bud Bed & Breakfast, a historic property with nice decor and comfortable rooms. It serves the best homemade breakfast for miles.
Breathe slowly and easily, and let the breeze part your hair. In a world that is addicted to hurry and idolizes being busy, a slower pace can sound counter-cultural and even rebellious. But it is rebellious in a therapeutic way. No noise. No smog. No stress. The trick is to replace screen time with a riverfront sunset, and after-work gridlocks with an evening stroll. Fortunately, several Kentucky towns offer just such a kind of life. These include La Grange, the Kindness Capital of Kentucky.
LA GRANGE — Mirroring the actions of the Oldham County Fiscal Court, the La Grange City Council held a special meeting where they began the process of enacting a moratorium that would put a pause on new data center development within city limits and scheduled another special meeting in attempt to expedite the process.The decision to send the moratorium to the Planning Commission for further review came after discussion including Planning and Development Director Ryan Fischer and members of the public.Councilor Jason Taylo...
LA GRANGE — Mirroring the actions of the Oldham County Fiscal Court, the La Grange City Council held a special meeting where they began the process of enacting a moratorium that would put a pause on new data center development within city limits and scheduled another special meeting in attempt to expedite the process.
The decision to send the moratorium to the Planning Commission for further review came after discussion including Planning and Development Director Ryan Fischer and members of the public.
Councilor Jason Taylor, who was credited with drafting the moratorium, said that he received a copy of the Fiscal Court’s submitted moratorium and made minor edits to ensure the language applied to the city rather than the unincorporated county jurisdiction.
There was some confusion regarding if the April 30 special meeting would act as a first reading, following the normal city ordinance-enacting process of having two readings — the latter with a public hearing. Concerns then arose as to the process being too slow.
Taylor said that when he provided City Attorney Beach Craigmyle with the ordinance, he had titled it “Ordinance 3-2025” with the intention of having a special reading, but “Mr. Craigmyle changed it to ‘proposed ordinance.’ ”
“The procedure says to do it … [by] sending it to the Planning Commission, getting them to rule on it and then we can pass an ordinance with an intelligent, factual-based decision on data centers,” Craigmyle responded. “What would you do if the Planning Commission comes back and says, ‘We think your moratorium is overreaching’ … It’s the cart before the horse …
“If you’re in a hurry to get this moratorium passed, we can call a special meeting a day before we have the second reading.”
The council soon after unanimously approved a motion to schedule a special meeting for 6 p.m. on May 29, two days after the May 27 Planning Commission meeting where both the council and the court’s requests for moratoriums will be heard. The council could, then, have a second reading on June 2 during their regularly-scheduled meeting and vote to enact the moratorium.
Sarah Little, one of the three citizens who spoke during public comment, voiced concerns about the lack of a definition of data centers, saying, “any moratorium that is put forward, without a definition [in place], opens itself up to being pushed right back.”
“There’s not going to be a definition by this body tonight on a data center,” said Mayor John Black. “We don’t know enough about what a data center is to create a definition … so that’s the reason the Study Review Committee has gone to work with six Planning Commission members to begin discussing, through research and due diligence, what in the world a data center is …”
After public comment, the council unanimously approved a motion to send the 150-day moratorium on the “acceptance, processing and approval of applications for the development or expansion of data centers of any size, all private utilities, all private utility buildings and all data storage facilities within the jurisdiction of the City of La Grange” forward to the Planning Commission for review.
Oldham County native John Wells has an impressive resume on IMdB with 60 acting credits, plus 26 projects in pre-production. He says he’s lucky to be able to do what he loves and get paid for it — Wells has starred in several historical period and fantasy movies, shorts and television series and has leading roles in a lot of action movies, many now playing on Paramount.
But a recent starring role in the independent movie “Learning You,” to be released later this year, hits home for him more than anything he’s ever done. And Wells hopes the movie hits audiences with its “very human story written into a beautiful script” about the condition of autism, and the journey of families impacted by it, which includes Well’s own family in real-life.
“I’ve been a working actor for about 20 years — been a director, part of the crew …” Wells says, and produced and written. He’s never really given it a thought to move out to the coast because movies are made all over now.
“And this is where my children are …” he says about living in Louisville with kids Tristan, 9 and Scarlett, 15. Although divorced, he and his ex-wife work well co-parenting, along with “tremendous help from my mom — she’s been a God-send.”
A lot of what’s behind success in the industry could be described as luck, Wells says. When he was young, growing up in Kentucky did make it all feel very unattainable — to work in the movie biz. He didn’t act while a student at South Oldham High School, but describes himself back then as “a big film geek, movie nerd. I love escapism, but I was very much an introvert …”
So that world — movies and comic books — really appealed to him. “But thinking I’d go somewhere with acting, back then, was kind of like wanting to be an astronaut …”
He was lucky to “fall in with some really great independent film people, early on …” one of them being Tyler Sanson — who, along with Steve Degrasse, directed “Learning You.”
“So, we were already well-acquainted, friends — and he knows my son is on the spectrum.”
Wells says “Learning You” is a road-trip movie, about a father with a teenaged son who has severe autism. “The son, Elijah, played by Caleb Milby is in an institution — they had a hard time dealing with him — and it’s something the father really wrestled with doing…”
He plays the father, “Ty Smith,” who takes his son out of the care facility to go on a road trip to Myrtle Beach. Wells says it’s really all about a dad trying to connect with his son, “and figuring out how to create that bond.”
It’s an intense movie made by a group of very dedicated people, he says, who were all on the same page about making sure the story was told authentically and that the condition of severe autism was “treated with dignity and respect. I feel like we accomplished that.”
There’s already some buzz about the movie with trailers being released, and Wells’ ”Learning You” work being described as his most moving role yet in a recent cover-story by Elle Magazine. The article calls Wells an “Indie powerhouse,” and a driving force in the independent cinema scene.
It also describes his dedication to advocacy work, both on and off the screen.
“Well, it’s a personal thing to me …” Wells says about his work for autism awareness. As son Tristan was growing up, they had a feeling he was going to be nonverbal. “He had communication barriers with talking, so we knew very early on there was something different about his play. There was lack of eye-contact, focus …”
Tristan was diagnosed at age 2, and the older he got the more obvious his condition became. Wells says he looks like a normal kid, but you can tell by some of the stimming — which are self-stimulatory behaviors like repetitive movements, used by those with autism to regulate their emotions when they become over-stimulated.
“There’s the hand-flapping, the humming …” but the severity level of the condition affects the severity of the behavior, he points out. Wells began pouring himself into everything he could find on the Autism spectrum disorder, researching how best to manage behavioral issues like meltdowns.
“Those are difficult to handle, especially for people who don’t deal with it well …” He says many families with autistic children also must deal with the stigma of judgement. “Onlookers can think it’s just misbehavior, misconduct. But you have to have a grasp at what’s really going on — this is on a neurological level, it’s something they can’t control. It’s an overwhelming sensory input for them. If you get really down to it, how it feels to them — it’s scary.”
Autism can cause a problem with the brain processing sensory information — light, sound, touch, taste and smell can all be overwhelming, even painful for people affected. It can cause them to be over- or under-sensitive, with a constant need for sensory stimulation.
When autism meltdowns occur, Wells says “others just see a kid having a tantrum, but what’s going on is it can actually be physically painful for them. Some adults have described it to me as feeling like the entire world is ending around them, some say they blackout during it. It’s a neurological overload.”
And the world is programmed to serve a certain type of person, he says. “But these kids, and adults — they’re wired completely differently. I don’t think people stop to think about what that means …” When and if those meltdown episodes occur, “it can be pretty nightmarish to see people judge him, or think we spoil him.”
But Wells says neither he nor the rest of his family would ever want to change Tristan. “He’s a wonderful little boy. He’s so kind and so loving.” And the life lessons he’s learned as Tristan’s father are priceless to him.
“You learn very quickly that everyone has something going on. Not to judge, and see people with more patience, empathy and understanding. The world needs more of that level of humanity — understanding, patience and acceptance.”
So, taking the role in “Learning You” was very important to him. He says the working relationships all became family-like on the sets, with everyone focused on the goal of making a genuine movie about autism.
And although he says there are huge differences between him as a real-life dad and the character he plays, it was still very personal because some of the storyline and what “Ty” went through parallels Well’s own life.
“So sure, there were some emotionally heavy days on set. We gave it our all. But ultimately, it’s a very heartwarming story and people will walk away feeling joy.”
To find more out about “Learning You,” written by Sanson, J. Wayne Davidson and Justen Overlander, visit the movie’s Facebook page.
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