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 Oldest Stone House Museum of the Lakewood Historical Society in Lakewood, OH 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 Lakewood, OH 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.
“I am surprised to read poor reviews on ABC. We were 100% satisfied with”
“Great home care experience all around! Between the nursing, therapy, and caregivers I couldn't ask”
“I switched to Always Best Care from another visiting nurse association and I’m so glad”
“The representatives are always professional! You can tell they love what they do!”
“I love working for this company . I've been working for about a year and”
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“I am very pleased to recommend Always Best Care Cleveland South. The staff of ABC”
“I retired my full time job two years ago but still wanted to work part”
“My husband passed away on 4/11/17. His life was extended greatly because of the”
“Mr. McCurdy our family thanks you for the wonderful care you provided to our parents.”
“Hello Keith, Want to thank you for sending us the help we needed. Stephanie &”
“I am surprised to read poor reviews on ABC. We were 100% satisfied with all the care our mother received from ABC after a fall and related surgery last year. We had a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist and home health aide for showering. Each staff member was exceptional. We would definitely use them again.”
“Great home care experience all around! Between the nursing, therapy, and caregivers I couldn't ask for a better company! Keep up the great work!!”
“I switched to Always Best Care from another visiting nurse association and I’m so glad I did. The staff was great and made every effort to help my mom recover from her stroke. They always gave us 1 or 2 days notice on appointments and were always on time. If we had to reschedule, they were understanding. Most importantly, they helped quite a lot! I highly recommend them over VNA. Thanks for helping our family.”
“The representatives are always professional! You can tell they love what they do!”
“I love working for this company . I've been working for about a year and a half . I highly recommend this company to caregivers as well as people in need of good quality service and standards . 5 stars is a true rating and it's an honor to be a part of the team.”
“I am very pleased to recommend Always Best Care Cleveland South. The staff of ABC are hardworking, genuine and wonderful individuals that truly have a passion for caring for others. I cannot say better things about their management as they are quick to respond, deliver excellent customer services and genuinely care about giving excellent service. They are very understanding of delicate situations and handle issues with sensitivity. I wouldn’t trust the care of my loved ones with anyone else. Excellent organization!”
“I am very pleased to recommend Always Best Care Cleveland South. The staff of ABC are hardworking, genuine and wonderful individuals that truly have a passion for caring for others. I cannot say better things about their management as they are quick to respond, deliver excellent customer services and genuinely care about giving excellent service. They are very understanding of delicate situations and handle issues with sensitivity. I wouldn’t trust the care of my loved ones with anyone else. Excellent organization!”
“I retired my full time job two years ago but still wanted to work part time only in a different field. I have always enjoyed helping people and I was lucky enough to find Always Best Care and have been working for them for two years. Keith and his entire staff are very personable, are easy to contact and/or get a return call in a timely fashion and will work with you when scheduling your work hours. I have been blessed to work with quite a few elderly people and have enjoyed every minute. They are sweet, kind, gentle and so appreciative for everything you do for them. I love everyday working to help those in need of help. Debi Mick”
“My husband passed away on 4/11/17. His life was extended greatly because of the care you supplied, Keith through the VA. The caregivers gave him exercises as well as help with showering, dressing, and the most important, good company. His alzheimer's limited his talking but they always made him laugh. God bless you all.”
“Mr. McCurdy our family thanks you for the wonderful care you provided to our parents. Your caregivers were so very good and compassionate to Kenneth and Esther. They went above and beyond our expectations and provided a level of care we cannot express enough. We will highly recommend you to anyone in need of your services. Once again thank you.”
“Hello Keith, Want to thank you for sending us the help we needed. Stephanie & Desiree were wonderful- put us at ease and were so caring. Excellent. The help you all gave comforted us and got us through the worst day of our lives. Bless you all for the work you do- and it is BEST CARE- EXCELLENT COMPANY.”
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 Lakewood Park in Lakewood, OH 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 sarita a restaurant or visit The Lakewood Historical Society Haber Family Center for History, 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 Lakewood, OH, 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 Lakewood, OH 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 Lakewood, OH 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.
LAKEWOOD, Ohio — In Lakewood, where short-term rentals have become a growing concern, the City Council is considering a six-month halt on new rentals while members work to develop regulations.Watch the full story below:“Too frequently, we're just shrugging our shoulders and saying, ‘Neighbor, you got to live with this, and we'll get around to it eventually.’ And that's not good enough,” said Tom Bullock, Lakewood City Councilman at Large.Bullock says short-term rentals have created a ...
LAKEWOOD, Ohio — In Lakewood, where short-term rentals have become a growing concern, the City Council is considering a six-month halt on new rentals while members work to develop regulations.
Watch the full story below:
“Too frequently, we're just shrugging our shoulders and saying, ‘Neighbor, you got to live with this, and we'll get around to it eventually.’ And that's not good enough,” said Tom Bullock, Lakewood City Councilman at Large.
Bullock says short-term rentals have created a range of concerns for neighbors.
“Parking, noise, a rotating cast of characters, a changed sense of their neighborhood character. Sometimes safety concerns,” said Bullock.
That's why Lakewood City Council is considering the six-month pause, giving members time to develop and agree on regulations.
“Those are typically pauses on a market for allowing time to get a more detailed regulation or policy, so the city can decide. ‘Okay, here's the real solution or approach we want to take in the future’,” said Bullock.
Ralph Piunno has lived in Lakewood's Birdtown neighborhood for years, with several Airbnbs nearby.
“I've had generally very good experiences. No problems. We haven't had any of the party houses. I've heard of some in the city,” said Piunno.
Piunno says he'd like to see stronger safeguards and supports a pause on new rentals while the city works out the details.
“I don't think we have instituted if something goes wrong in like some of the party houses, they don't have the contacts and the people in place to be able to get a hold of somebody quick to resolve issues,” said Piunno.
He also worries that an increase in short-term rentals could further limit the city's housing supply.
“I do am concerned if they grow a lot. You're taking away housing that could be available for long-term residents because there's always a shortage of housing in Lakewood,” said Piunno.
But Conor O'Malley, who owns an Airbnb in Lakewood, says short-term rentals provide an important option for visitors.
“We don't have any hotels in Lakewood and being a densely populated community with a lot of families, families that have visitors. I think Airbnbs in general have been an asset,” said O'Malley.
He acknowledges that some rentals have caused problems but says regulations shouldn't go too far.
“The things that I don't think should be added with this craziness with rules and number of feet from a school or time limits on how people, you know, those things just they just don't make sense,” said O'Malley.
Instead, O'Malley says the city should focus on addressing the behaviors that generate complaints, like parties and noise.
“The issues that people think about when they think about nuisance Airbnb is parties, noise. You know stuff like that, and probably you like a three-strike program,” said O'Malley.
Both Piunno and O'Malley support a pause on new rentals while the city works through its options.
Council could vote on the proposed moratorium at its next meeting. But the timeline for finalizing new regulations and what those rules will look like remains unclear.
Nadeen Abusada is a Cuyahoga County and immigration reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow her on Instagram or email her at .
LAKEWOOD, Ohio — At a special board of education meeting Tuesday, Lakewood City Schools voted to move ahead with its plan to repurpose one of its elementary schools.Ahead of the meeting at the Taft Center for Innovation, parents like Rebecca Van Ost protested the board of education’s plan.“There have been numerous opportunities for engagement,” Van Ost said. “The problem is that that engagement isn’t translating into impacts on making the decision better, and impacts on the solution that we&r...
LAKEWOOD, Ohio — At a special board of education meeting Tuesday, Lakewood City Schools voted to move ahead with its plan to repurpose one of its elementary schools.
Ahead of the meeting at the Taft Center for Innovation, parents like Rebecca Van Ost protested the board of education’s plan.
“There have been numerous opportunities for engagement,” Van Ost said. “The problem is that that engagement isn’t translating into impacts on making the decision better, and impacts on the solution that we’re seeing.”
Lakewood City Schools Board of Education first approved its plan to consolidate its elementary buildings last fall. But this summer, the board agreed to reconsider its plans after settling a lawsuit which alleged the district violated Ohio’s open meeting laws.
“The larger concern here is how government responds, how elected officials respond to the community coming together and offering the contribution of looking and scrutinizing a recommendation,” Van Ost said.
Nearly a year after that deciding vote, the plan is once again moving forward, unchanged. It’s a decision that Lakewood City Schools’ Board of Education President Betsy Shaughnessy said was inevitable.
“If I had a choice personally of do, I keep a school open that we don’t have the enrollment for and spending $1 million a year on that, that we need for programming for all our students in all our schools, I would take the using our tax money to maintain program and the educational experience,” Shaughnessy said.
The Board of Education said other solutions like redistricting would only be short-term, saying declining birth rates make consolidation necessary.
According to DataOhio, births have dropped in Cuyahoga County by nearly 16% between 2010 and 2023. At the national level, birth rates are also down. The National Institutes of Health reported a 10% drop in births during that same period.
Prior to voting, the Board of Education recognized the differing opinions on the restructuring plan within the community. However, board members said they must prioritize a “macro” perspective that ensures the long-term future of the district.
Posted and last updated LAKEWOOD, Ohio — After years of repeat power outages, Lakewood residents and business owners are now beginning to get a clearer picture of what it could take to finally fix the problem.Lakewood City Councilman Tom Bullock says FirstEnergy CEO Brian Tierney told him during a recent event that the city’s aging electric distribution grid ultimately needs to be replaced altogether.In a Facebook post, Bullock revealed that he questioned Tierney during a Crain’s Cleveland Busin...
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and last updated
LAKEWOOD, Ohio — After years of repeat power outages, Lakewood residents and business owners are now beginning to get a clearer picture of what it could take to finally fix the problem.
Lakewood City Councilman Tom Bullock says FirstEnergy CEO Brian Tierney told him during a recent event that the city’s aging electric distribution grid ultimately needs to be replaced altogether.
In a Facebook post, Bullock revealed that he questioned Tierney during a Crain’s Cleveland Business breakfast forum.
He pressed the CEO about the repeated outages that have impacted Lakewood during periods of summer heat.
Bullock said he told Tierney that Lakewood has experienced outages during heat waves — not necessarily storms — as demand for electricity rises and residents rely on air conditioning.
The issue has become a major back and forth issue between Lakewood and FirstEnergy.
In July, the city said FirstEnergy’s aging equipment and infrastructure were responsible for prolonged outages.
Bullock said the CEO's assessment was "blunt".
He was told the Lakewood grid is "very old" and needs significant replacement.
According to Bullock, the CEO indicated that a complete overhaul could cost hundreds of millions of dollars and take seven to nine years for the largest projects.
Bullock said while this news was a bit shocking, he was encouraged that FirstEnergy’s top executive directly addressed the condition of the system.
“Things don’t work as well as they used to and they have been being patched for way too long,” Bullock said. “The frustration is that we have already paid for the grid updates that we don’t have.”
Lakewood has been pushing for stronger action from FirstEnergy and state regulators following repeated outages.
In August, PUCO proposed more than $3 million in penalties and other corrective actions against FirstEnergy after finding probable noncompliance related to the company’s service in Lakewood. FirstEnergy's deadline to respond is Friday.
The city has also encouraged residents to document outages and file complaints with PUCO.
FirstEnergy has already made some infrastructure investments in the area.
Bullock said the conversation with FirstEnergy’s CEO does not mean the problem is solved, but he says he believes it shows that the company’s top leadership is now focused on Lakewood’s reliability problems.
He said the city will continue pressing FirstEnergy and state regulators for immediate improvements while also pushing for the larger infrastructure replacement work.
FirstEnergy released the follow statement:
"We recognize our customers' frustration and understand the significant impact that frequent and prolonged outages have had on families, businesses and the community.
As we have previously shared, portions of the electric system serving Lakewood and parts of Cleveland's west side are among the oldest in our service territory and require significant modernization to improve long-term reliability. Our priority is to rebuild and strengthen that infrastructure and have already begun making investments to address these challenges.
While severe weather continues to place increasing demands on the electric grid, our focus continues to be on delivering the system improvements needed to better serve customers and communities in the years ahead. We remain committed to working through the regulatory process and advancing this important work as safely and efficiently as possible."
Posted and last updated LAKEWOOD, Ohio — After settling a lawsuit, Lakewood City Schools will now revisit its vote to repurpose Lincoln Elementary into an early learning center.The community group Friends of Lakewood filed the lawsuit over the board's alleged violations of Ohio's Open Meetings Act."We filed essentially because of the governance issues. The school board had made this decision behind closed doors and decided to move forward with that, despite a lot of legitimate public questions," s...
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and last updated
LAKEWOOD, Ohio — After settling a lawsuit, Lakewood City Schools will now revisit its vote to repurpose Lincoln Elementary into an early learning center.
The community group Friends of Lakewood filed the lawsuit over the board's alleged violations of Ohio's Open Meetings Act.
"We filed essentially because of the governance issues. The school board had made this decision behind closed doors and decided to move forward with that, despite a lot of legitimate public questions," said Friends of Lakewood board member Jeff McCourt.
Following the settlement, the board released a statement in early August saying it did not settle because of any wrongdoing.
"While the Board is unable at this juncture to comment in a more robust manner on the terms of the settlement, it is important to the Board that the community knows that the Board did not resolve the litigation because it felt it did anything wrong in the events that led to the Board's approval of the superintendent's recommendation to repurpose Lincoln Elementary School. Rather, the Board approved the settlement because it is mindful of its obligations to be a careful steward of the taxpayer money that largely funds the District and its educational programming, and resolving the case now avoids the significant time and expense that comes along with protracted litigation," the statement read.
As part of the settlement, the board must hold at least two public meetings about the school's repurposing, complete Open Meetings Act training and hold a new vote, which cannot take place before Sept. 4.
McCourt feels the Lakewood City Schools district still isn't being transparent in its decision-making process on repurposing Lincoln Elementary, even after the group settled its lawsuit against the board.
"It appears so. We'll see what happens on September 8, and you know what the school board does. But the presentations that we saw over the prior two meetings were essentially repackaged data from the same October presentation, and really no new analysis," McCourt said.
McCourt said Sept. 4 is only a minimum threshold and that a vote on Sept. 8 is still happening too quickly.
"The best thing that the school board can do on September 8th at the next meeting is to take a deep breath and realize whatever happened before is in the past, and what needs to happen next is proper planning, transparent governance, good faith dialogue with the community to get to the right answers," McCourt said.
Mayor Meghan George also weighed in, writing a letter to the board asking them to reconsider repurposing Lincoln Elementary into a centralized preschool site, citing traffic and transportation concerns.
"I am asking that we pause the vote so we can work together to develop a solution that addresses these issues and aligns with Lakewood's long-term goals around walkability, neighborhood schools, family retention, and traffic management," George said.
Friends of Lakewood agrees.
"Pause this process. Go back to the drawing board. Show your homework to the community. That's all we're asking for," McCourt said.
The district declined to comment on the upcoming vote.
You can read the mayor's full letter below:
Good afternoon, Superintendent Niedzwiecki and School Board Members,I am reaching out to request a meeting to discuss the proposed plan to close Lincoln Elementary School and convert it into a centralized preschool.A centralized preschool model runs counter to the goals outlined in Lakewood’s Active Transportation Plan—a plan the school district played a role in developing. The plan emphasizes neighborhood-based schools and walkable access for families. Today, the vast majority of Lakewood elementary students live within a 10-minute walk of their school, and Lincoln is one of the strongest walk-served campuses in the city. Consolidating preschool into a single site would significantly reduce walkable access for families with young children, who are the most sensitive to transportation barriers.Research consistently shows that young families prioritize proximity to neighborhood schools when deciding where to live. National data shows that households with children under age 5 are 40% more likely to choose communities where schools are accessible by foot, and the National League of Cities notes that relocations from urban communities often spike when neighborhood school access is disrupted. Several residents have already expressed to me that this proposal is causing them to question their long-term plans to remain in Lakewood.Traffic concerns are also substantial. Moving preschool enrollment to a single location will increase peak-hour vehicle trips across the community. This directly contradicts the Active Transportation Plan, which prioritizes reducing vehicle dependency and improving safe routes for families.Additionally, this plan will create undue pressure on the City of Lakewood to fill the gaps created by removing a neighborhood-based elementary school. As families lose walkable access to preschool, the city will face increased demands for:• Increased requests for crossing-guard deployment and Safe Routes to School infrastructure to support families who can no longer walk to a nearby preschool.• Greater pressure on city social-service programs as families with limited transportation resources struggle to access early childhood education.• Additional coordination and staffing demands between city departments and the school district to address new transportation patterns and congestion points created by consolidation.• Increased strain on sustainability and emissions-reduction goals due to higher daily vehicle trips—directly countering our adopted community climate objectives.• Potential need for expanded childcare support from the city, including partnerships or subsidies, if centralized preschool access proves challenging for families without reliable transportation.Given the community implications, I am asking that we pause the vote so we can work together to develop a solution that addresses these issues and aligns with Lakewood’s long-term goals around walkability, neighborhood schools, family retention, and traffic management.
Nadeen Abusada is a Cuyahoga County and immigration reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow her on Instagram or email her at .
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