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 Casa Grande Ruins National Monument 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 San Tan Valley, AZ 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.
“Getting to know Becky and staff I have learned to trust their deep concern for”
“Everyone at Always Best Care are so friendly and helpful. We can tell that”
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“Great staff”
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“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care of Mesa is very easy”
“They were great . They truly care about their clients”
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“I'm a caregiver for Always Best Care. It is the best company to work for.”
“My mother’s caregiver is patient when explaining computer issues, tv issues and other technical problems”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care has been fantastic! Always going”
“This is Kathy, Marcy did an assessment on my brother on January 14th who is”
“Caring, concerned, kind and always on time. Everyone was stellar and helped me care for”
“I am a past client of this provider Caring, concerned, patient, kind, and always on time.”
“John and his team will give you the best care and best options. They are”
“Always Best Care is an amazing company to work for. John and the team really”
“Other I use this agency to help me with my 87 year old Mother. Everytime I”
“Working for ABC Mesa puy my heart in a happy place. I felt I was”
“Great family business that cares about your loved ones and has your best interest in”
“I am a current client of this provider We're currently using Always Best Care of Mesa.”
“Excellent caring staff who pay attention to the details. They are particularly kind. ”
“Excellent caring staff who pay attention to the details. They are particularly kind. Excellent service.”
“Other Excellent agency with wonderful caregivers. I recommend ABC”
“Other I was visiting my sister-in-law while one of your caregivers was providing services. She was”
“Getting to know Becky and staff I have learned to trust their deep concern for the people they care for, as well as the depth of knowledge that Always Best brings with them. Their thoroughness is their hallmark!”
“Everyone at Always Best Care are so friendly and helpful. We can tell that they genuinely care about us and our needs.”
“I cannot say enough positive things about this company. Becky and John have been incredibly helpful in helping me and my family understand the struggles and challenges of my elderly relative. With their guidance we have been able to speak with our beloved aunt and help her understand all of her choices and chose what is best for her. It's so important to have people who really understand the ins and outs of aging in place versus aging in a community. I highly recommend calling Always Best Care Senior Services if you really want to help the elderly loved ones in your life.”
“Great staff”
“I had a wonderful experience with this company providing home aids during a post-op recovery period of six weeks. I can't say enough about how professional, knowledgeable, friendly, courteous, punctual, responsive, skilled, discreet, and just great to have around a few hours per week during my home stay. Everything I needed done was done without question or complaining or unnecessary comments. And, with a great attitude! They were truly there to help and it was very comfortable having the aids in my home. They did so much to help my recovery go smoothly. I highly recommend Always Best Care and wouldn't hesitate to use their services again should the need arise.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care of Mesa is very easy to work with. The owner, John, made us feel very good. The caregivers themselves are extremely good, and we're very happy with them. They are very receptive and always asking what they can do to help out. They are always willing to do anything that we've asked them to do, and they're very personable when talking to my dad when he needs someone to talk to. They provide basic assistance like preparing meals, cleaning around the house, helping with my dad's hygiene, and other non-medical assistance. The agency is extremely flexible in changing schedules when needed, and very responsive whenever I have questions. They are a very good agency and I highly recommend them. Definitely consider them when looking for home care. Their rates are extremely competitive, if not the best, and their people are very professional and caring.”
“They were great . They truly care about their clients”
“Great people to work with. I can truly recommend them.”
“I'm a caregiver for Always Best Care. It is the best company to work for. The management team are super helpful. They greatly care for their caregivers, and clients”
“My mother’s caregiver is patient when explaining computer issues, tv issues and other technical problems that are becoming increasingly frustrating. These things are so important to Mom when she feels forgetful and disconnected from family. I am glad we found Always Best Care. They really care for their clients.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care has been fantastic! Always going out of their way to meet my needs. I am in a wheelchair and tasks are hard for me. One of my caregivers even put together a nightstand for me from IKEA so that I had a place to set important items I need at night. She was great! I would recommend Always Best Care Senior Services Mesa to anyone.”
“This is Kathy, Marcy did an assessment on my brother on January 14th who is in congestive heart failure . We were concerned with what kind of living situation would be best for him She suggested a senior living center as he would benefit from having help around during his set backs. Since I live 2000 miles away I really appreciated her help. We got him placed and her records helped his new home getting him situated. Thank you Kathy”
“Caring, concerned, kind and always on time. Everyone was stellar and helped me care for my loved one. Top notch!”
“I am a past client of this provider Caring, concerned, patient, kind, and always on time. What more can a loved one want for their loved one!”
“John and his team will give you the best care and best options. They are experts and will focus on your personal needs. If you need help and care for your loved one Always Best Care truly is the best care available. Your loved one matters and John will not let you down. Their commitment and care will put your mind at ease and provide care and support for you or your family member. This is a place you can trust to give their best. Thank you for all you do.”
“Always Best Care is an amazing company to work for. John and the team really care about their employees and also clients.”
“Other I use this agency to help me with my 87 year old Mother. Everytime I call, email or text them they get back with me right away. They always take good care of my Mom and show deep concern and care for my Mom. Right now I am only using them for transportation purposes but feel very safe when they come and pick up my Mom and take her to all her Doctor appointments or even when she needs to give blood they go inside with her and help her sign in. I highly recommend this agency.”
“Working for ABC Mesa puy my heart in a happy place. I felt I was appropriately paired with clients I wouldnt just get along with, but with my skills as well. I never had a client i was reluctant to go back to and I believe Trevor and John played a significant role in this.”
“Great family business that cares about your loved ones and has your best interest in mind. I highly recommend Always Best Care - Mesa”
“I am a current client of this provider We're currently using Always Best Care of Mesa. Their caregivers are very good. They help my mom with socialization, shopping, and light housework. Their scheduling is great, we've had no problems with it, and their billing is excellent.”
“Excellent caring staff who pay attention to the details. They are particularly kind. Excellent service.”
“Excellent caring staff who pay attention to the details. They are particularly kind. Excellent service.”
“Other Excellent agency with wonderful caregivers. I recommend ABC”
“Other I was visiting my sister-in-law while one of your caregivers was providing services. She was so polite, friendly and conscientious! She communicated clearly about everything she did (areas she cleaned, cat fed) and asked several times if there was anything else my sister-in-law needed before she left. I could tell she really cared and she encouraged her to call whenever she needed anything. I felt that my sister-in-law was in good hands! Thank you for providing such high quality care. ????”
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 San Tan Mountain Regional 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 Flemings Prime Steakhouse Wine Bar or visit Governor Hunt Tomb, 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 San Tan Valley, AZ, 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 San Tan Valley, AZ 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 San Tan Valley, AZ 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.
Arizona could soon have another city. Residents of San Tan Valley in Pinal County have collected enough signatures to put the question of whether or not the community should incorporate on the ballot. The county recorder’s office has verified those signatures, and now there’s a window for potential challenges to them. Assuming the effort survives any challenges, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors will call for an election in early August.This is not the first effort for San Tan Valley incorporation, but it is the first ...
Arizona could soon have another city. Residents of San Tan Valley in Pinal County have collected enough signatures to put the question of whether or not the community should incorporate on the ballot. The county recorder’s office has verified those signatures, and now there’s a window for potential challenges to them. Assuming the effort survives any challenges, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors will call for an election in early August.
This is not the first effort for San Tan Valley incorporation, but it is the first time it’ll make it as far as the ballot.
Tyler Hudgins, chairman of the San Tan Valley Incorporation effort, joined The Show to discuss why San Tan Valley should become its own city.
TYLER HUDGINS: Yeah. San Tan Valley has been overlooked for a number of years, and incorporation is an important path forward for us. We’re tired of being a bunch of zip codes, being a bunch of homes. But we want to be a community, want to be a place where we can gather together.
So many people don’t know each other just because of the nature of the way the community is set up. And we believe that incorporation is the way to move that forward. We want to be able to have proper representation. So as the old saying goes, no taxation without representation.
And so we have one supervisor who represents us at the county level. Instead of that, we want to have seven representatives who live in our neighborhood, who know our community.
The county is the size of Connecticut. That’s a massive area. And you have elected officials who we have no accountability to them. We can’t vote to change their leadership in our community because they don’t live here, and they’re not our representatives. And so want people who are in our community.
MARK BRODIE: I want to ask you about the gathering and sort of knowing your neighbors aspect of it. What would incorporation do that you kind of can’t do now? Because it seems like that’s something that would be able to happen even if you’re unincorporated.
HUDGINS: Yeah, we’re a patchwork of homes. And so to be able to have economic development to start to develop, commercial centers that can draw people together and create a sense of community, having community sponsored events to bring everyone together — those sort of things that we can do through having a municipal government that can localize our community.
BRODIE: What have you heard from folks as you were out collecting signatures and talking to people about this? What is sort of the conversation about this?
HUDGINS: Yeah, that’s actually been the most encouraging part of all this, getting out and talking to people in our community. People are excited for this. They want this. And the reason for that is people innately feel the complex issues that are facing San Tan Valley.
They know what it’s like to drive on these roads, having only a couple arteries in and out of San Tan Valley, trying to go to work. Most people are commuting outside of Santiam Valley to work all at the same time. So there’s stress and anger on the roadways. There’s car accidents. There’s all kinds of things like that.
Public safety. Because of our roadways, fire department can’t get to where they’re going. They have to go a longer route. They know what it’s like to not have restaurants to be able to go and dine with their family. They know it’s like not to have parks and those kinds of things.
And then just the lack of cohesion in our community. And so we don’t have an overarching master plan or something that’s pushing things forward. And so things are disjointed. We have 20 car washes on every corner and dental offices and storage units.
People are tired of those things. They want to attract other things to make this more of a community.
BRODIE: So do you think, then, that incorporation would lead to those other amenities, things like restaurants and shops that you want and parks and libraries and things?
HUDGINS: Absolutely. It’s as simple as looking at all the communities around us and looking at what they’ve been able to do because they have a local government that can attract those sort of things and develop those sort of amenities. And so we believe that this would be the pathway forward to provide those things for our community.
BRODIE: I want to ask you about any concerns you might have about adding another layer of government and potentially another layer of taxes to pay for some of those amenities. Is that something that you worry about or something that any of your neighbors are worried about?
HUDGINS: Yeah. I’m a very conservative guy, and I understand that on the federal level, we’re being worried about more government, those sort of things. But we’re talking about the lowest level of government, closest to the people. We’re talking about people who handle our trash, who handle our roads, who handle our public safety — things that are extremely important for our everyday impact of our lives.
And so I think government closest to the people works the best and the most efficiently. And so I think having that is, in my view, not a concern. And then also taxes, I think unincorporated is the most inefficient and wasteful use of taxpayer money.
We every year, estimate that goes in the Arizona State shared revenue fund, $51.3 million to probably about $70 million — somewhere in there — that’s going to fund other cities and the county, and it’s not necessarily coming back to San Tan Valley.
So that’s tens of millions of dollars every single year that are going elsewhere. And so we want those dollars to stay in San Tan Valley to fund our roads, to fund our neighborhoods, to fund the things that San Tan Valley residents want instead of paying for everyone else to be able to enjoy that.
BRODIE: So this is an effort that has been going on for at least a couple of decades now, to incorporate San Tan Valley. Why are you optimistic that this one will succeed where all of the others have not?
HUDGINS: Yeah, this has been going on for a long time. And I think what’s different about this is the roads have been cleared — if I could say that. There were some laws in place that prevented San Tan Valley from being able to move forward. For instance, communities within six miles of an incorporating community all had the power to veto that.
And that’s happened. And that’s happened based on what we just talked about, the tax issue. Because the cities know that they will lose tax money, that is San Tan Valley residents’ money if we incorporate. And so in the past, we got a veto for that. And there was a bunch of things.
And I think what’s also been great about this effort is the team that we’ve assembled. We’re not in this for ourselves. We need to be in this for the community. It’s the right thing to do. And I think that’s the conviction that I feel more than anything. This is the right thing to do. Our community deserves this.
I’m just excited for San Tan Valley to have a better future, to be able to really take ownership of this community for ourselves.
Pinal County, it was never set up to manage a city of over 100,000 people. And if incorporation fails, the complex issues that we face will continue to get worse. And I don’t think incorporation — like, if we if we don’t incorporate, I think Pinal County, they’re going to have to raise costs. They’re going to have to raise taxes to be able to pay and be able to sustain this community.
We’re at 100,000 people. We’re going to grow to 200,000-300,000. These issues are going to get worse unless they get addressed. And the county is just not set up to do that. And we believe a municipal government is the best way to do it.
BRODIE: Just to be clear, though. Is it safe to say that you don’t see incorporation and setting up a city government as sort of a panacea for everything? Because you don’t have to look too far to see city governments that don’t function maybe as well as they could.
HUDGINS: Yeah, no, there’s definitely that case. But I think, when we look at a lot of the municipalities around us, there’s a good culture, a good example of how these communities have been able to develop the community and the cohesion they have between each other.
And so, I have faith in the voters to be able to hold their representatives accountable, to be able to advocate for their needs. I think that’s harder when you have to go all the way to Florence to be able to do that and you only have one representative who represents you, and you can’t hold the other four representatives accountable.
I would much rather see that we have direct access to seven people who live in our community and know our community.
TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — Drownings are a serious problem in the Valley, especially now as the weather warms up; however, it’s a year-round concern in Arizona.So far this year, we’ve seen seven drowning deaths in Maricopa and Pinal counties. Just last year, 24 Valley kids drowned, which is up from 12 the year before. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 through 4....
TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — Drownings are a serious problem in the Valley, especially now as the weather warms up; however, it’s a year-round concern in Arizona.
So far this year, we’ve seen seven drowning deaths in Maricopa and Pinal counties. Just last year, 24 Valley kids drowned, which is up from 12 the year before. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 through 4.
“Everything was 100 miles an hour. I was in the pool. My husband was on the deck pulling both of us out. We both did CPR until Pinal County showed up and then they snatched him and ran,” said Ashley Ackerman. She lost her 4-year-old son in a drowning accident in 2022.
Ackerman said she wishes she knew then what she knows now about water safety.
“The impact that he had at 4 was just huge,” she said. “It doesn’t get easier because it’s still a hole. It’s a piece that’s missing in everything that we do.”
Just a few days after Braxton celebrated his birthday in March 2022, he drowned in the family’s backyard pool in San Tan Valley.
“Latching backyard doors, we have cameras, we had door chimes. We have all these things and for some reason every single piece failed,” said Ackerman.
She said he snuck away from both parents and five siblings that day and made his way beyond the fence and into the water. It all happened so fast.
“The hardest part for me is we were all home. There’s no blame. There’s no one to blame. We were all there. He’s a very active, very hyper, very adventurous 4 -year-old boy,” she said through tears.
The grieving mom channels her pain into the nonprofit she created in her son’s memory. Swim 4 Braxton’s mission is drowning prevention, and it offers specialized self-rescue swim lesson scholarships to kids in the Valley.
“For me I wanted to stand on a mountain and scream about all the things I learned after so that other people could hear it before it ever got to that point,” said Ackerman.
After Braxton’s death, Ackerman welcomed a new baby, and now she’s teaching her youngest son how to save himself.
“The swim lessons we did with Braxton the summer prior were good, but it didn’t teach him how to save his life. It taught him how to have fun in the water and it’s one of my biggest regrets. If we would have found something that first focused on find air maybe my son would still be here,” said Ackerman.
It’s healing for her to promote water safety to other families so they don’t face the same suffering. “I can’t change Braxton’s story, but I need his legacy to be this happened so other people can be safe,” she said.
Swim 4 Braxton is holding its third annual 10k/5k memorial walk on Sunday. It starts at 6:30 a.m. in Tempe, and all of the funds raised will go toward swim lessons and pool fence installation. You can sign up the morning of and donate anytime.
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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A San Tan Valley P.E. teacher and coach is being recognized for her 25 years of teaching students about the importance of health and physical fitness.Loreen Zapata teaches four classes of physical education and one class of weights and coaches three sports at Combs High School. Her dedication and commitment to every student really stands out!“She is amazing at being able to be what each child needs her to be for them, whether it’s a child that has special needs and they need special...
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A San Tan Valley P.E. teacher and coach is being recognized for her 25 years of teaching students about the importance of health and physical fitness.
Loreen Zapata teaches four classes of physical education and one class of weights and coaches three sports at Combs High School. Her dedication and commitment to every student really stands out!
“She is amazing at being able to be what each child needs her to be for them, whether it’s a child that has special needs and they need special love and care and attention in a certain way, or whether it’s one of her kids, like my daughter, or my son, that is on track and field,” Lisa Horne, mom of 5 and J.O. Combs Board member, said.
Horne nominated Ms. Zapata for the Silver Apple Award. Arizona’s Family and our sponsor, Desert Financial Credit Union, surprised Ms. Zapata with the award while she was on the field teaching a P.E. class.
“She’s exemplary and I wouldn’t choose anybody else to be with my children in those moments than her,” Horne said.
Zapata teaches teens at Combs High School about the value of being active and creating lifelong healthy habits.
“I change lives everyday. These kids hopefully want to continue playing tag, playing football, pickleball, walking, all of those fitness aspects, they can take with them,” Zapata said.
Zapata says even after 25 years of teaching, she is still excited to get out of bed each morning and come to work!
“I love what I do I always have. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be teaching,” Zapata added.
A huge congrats to Coach Zapata on the big honor!
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PHOENIX — A San Tan Valley woman has agreed to pay nearly $55 million in restitution after she was accused of defrauding Arizona's Medicaid system.Rita Anagho pleaded guilty this week in federal court to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, records show.Starting in 2022, the defendant opera...
PHOENIX — A San Tan Valley woman has agreed to pay nearly $55 million in restitution after she was accused of defrauding Arizona's Medicaid system.
Rita Anagho pleaded guilty this week in federal court to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, records show.
Starting in 2022, the defendant operated Tusa Intergrated Clinic, which purportedly provided treatment services for alcohol and drug addiction.
The defendant admitted to partaking in a scheme targeting Native American residents enrolled in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System by paying "illegal kickbacks" to owners of sober living facilities, the signed plea agreement states.
Anagho would then submit fraudulent claims to AHCCCS, sometimes claiming a patient was receiving 14 hours of treatment per day. The defendant was additionally accused of conspiring to alter or falsify therapy notes to create the appearance patients were receiving care at times when they weren't, records show.
AHCCCS paid out nearly $55 million to the Tusa clinic and the defendant used these funds on real estate, vehicles, gambling and paying kickbacks, according to the plea document.
AHCCCS suspended Anagho in March 2023 as several other providers were being suspended by state officials. The Arizona Board of Nursing revoked Anagho's certification last year.
As part of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to forfeit assets including a property in San Tan Valley and a hospital in Florence.
Anagho is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 11.
RELATED: Hospital fraud: Arizona woman sentenced for getting care under stolen identity
RELATED: Indictment charges 20 people in AHCCCS fraud case
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ADOT is beginning a Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Segment 1, which runs from US 60 to Arizona Farms Road. This phase will look at why the project is needed, suggest possible freeway paths within the area chosen during an earlier study, and review where interchanges might go.To gather feedback, ADOT is holding public meetings in May. These meetings will explain the study and give people a chance to share their thoughts about the proposed routes and the project's goals. The public comment period is open through June 10...
ADOT is beginning a Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Segment 1, which runs from US 60 to Arizona Farms Road. This phase will look at why the project is needed, suggest possible freeway paths within the area chosen during an earlier study, and review where interchanges might go.
To gather feedback, ADOT is holding public meetings in May. These meetings will explain the study and give people a chance to share their thoughts about the proposed routes and the project's goals. The public comment period is open through June 10.
The North-South Corridor, also known as State Route 505, is being studied to help improve travel in the area. The goals include:
Public meeting is scheduled:
Tuesday, May 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Poston Butte High School32375 N. Gantzel Road, San Tan Valley
A virtual meeting will also be held:Thursday, May 22, from 6 to 7 p.m.Online: https://bit.ly/NSSegment1Phone: 408-638-0968Meeting number: 971 5032 1962Webinar password: ADOTNSS1
For Spanish speakers:Phone: 669-444-9171Meeting number: 970 2160 6058Call-in password: 66865130
The same information will be shared at each meeting. If you cannot attend, meeting materials will be posted at northsouth-segment1.com.
A separate study will be done later for Segment 2, which will cover the area between Florence and Interstate 10 in Eloy.
When finished, the study will:
How to Submit Comments:
480-984-8000
