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 Notre Dame- Mary Atop the Golden Dome in Notre Dame, IN 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 Notre Dame, IN 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.
“Very positive experience with Always Best Care. Had a great group of ladies taking care”
“Frankly, I never wanted to be in a position wherein I was asked to review”
“Our mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and immediately needed meds administered multiple times a”
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from”
“They really help people when they need it”
“Very positive experience with Always Best Care. Had a great group of ladies taking care of my Mother- in law. Always being respectful of her needs. Communication between the office and client was top notch! Special thanks to Stephanie!”
“Frankly, I never wanted to be in a position wherein I was asked to review care for my parents. That said, Always Best is aptly named. Stephanie Stevens and Kelly Robinson are kind and human and not without humor, and having endured everything that we did, I can honestly say that part of me loves them deeply. I hope I never forget the gift they gave my family.”
“Our mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and immediately needed meds administered multiple times a day. After speaking to the independent living center where she resided, our family decided to hire Always Best Care for the meds (and then later for 24-hour aids). We cannot say enough about Darlene and Candy, as well as the numerous aids. Even at the end when our mom no longer needed the meds, they would often stop by to see her anyway. We generally do not give reviews of companies, but their caring approach was exceptional and we decided it was appropriate for others who need these services to know about our experience.”
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick to help out patients in need and staff is very polite and professional.”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all you do! You all are Awesome & thank you for the honors of being part of the team also acknowledging myself for Employee of the Month of March! You all are appreciated”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love the open door policy. Michelle is my favorite schedule she does an amazing job with communication.”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere heart I love working with this agency..”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and schedulers, especially Michele, are helpful in finding compatibility for your clients, they’re also flexible in scheduling hours. Great company, great staff.”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the most I would like Stephanie Kramer for supporting me and helping me get through my work schedules and feel comfortable at my place of employment. I am sad to see that she left Scheduling , but she still tries her best to help everyone even with her new position. Her dedication means everything I would like to Tasha as well for communicating with me so much I also cannot forget Patricia and Michelle as well. You ladies help me so much with my client. I greatly appreciate you ladies. I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that you ladies have with meeting me halfway when it comes to our job it definitely makes everything much easier. Keep up the great work as well as the rest of the staff thank you ladies for everything that you do and congratulations Monique on your new position.”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in GA and MI, when I worked in healthcare; and I have to say that Always Best Care is one of the best home health care agencies that I have found since the early 90's !!! I have been a client with Always Best Care since February 2022 and I have been extremely pleased with the help I have received both from my caregivers and the office staff. All the staff work hard and the quality of care is exceptional!!! The few occasions that I didn't like a caregiver because of either poor work ethic or personality, Always Best Care always took care of finding another caregiver to better meet my needs ASAP!! When I first started with Always Best Care I did get a few caregivers that weren't a good fit. But, within a very short period of time my scheduler learned my specific needs and personality and she found caregivers for me that were a wonderful match!! As in every area of healthcare, the high turnover of employees is to be expected!!! But, Always Best Care has always made sure that I have a new caregiver that matches my needs and expectations!! I have and would, highly recommend Always Best Care for your home health daily care!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving family. Thank you for the opportunity of serving for your company thank you to Michelle, who is always looking out for me and making sure that I have the hours that I need.”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or time of need. The care and dedication to their staff is incredible and I throughly enjoy my time working along side them!”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care for their clients, but they go above and beyond for their staff as well.”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the care was excellent. I have referred Always Best Care to several people.”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2 years now and it's a great atmosphere I like coming in to work meeting new people. It's a place that's kind friendly and it makes you feel at home it makes you feel that you're working with people that understand you know you're different needs your different hours and if something come up they are there to help you with anything that you need help with it's a great company I'm so glad I signed up with the company I signed up a little bit after the pandemic and I just needed somewhere that I could really consider myself at home or I find a home and I have I'm amazed at how the people are so nice when you talk to them on the phone how nice they are friendly you can tell this saying it with a smile I enjoy working there I tell people ask me where I work at always best care they like what yeah always best care yes it's a nice company sign up with it you won't regret it I'm glad I do it I'm really glad I did”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for me to take care of my father. I most definitely recommend them!”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best company. From the office staff to the caregivers, they are doing what they love and it shows.”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from big recognition like a monthly caregiver award and random drawings, to small recognition such as any time you visit the office you are free to grab snacks, beverages, gear and more often than not there is some type of food they have ordered that is available. They really don’t hold back in this area! There has been quite a bit of changes made in office positions within the last year. Response time, outside of the scheduling department, can be improved upon.”
“They really help people when they need it”
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 Governor Joseph Kernan Park in Notre Dame, IN 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 Traditions or visit The Word of Life Mural, 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 Notre Dame, IN, 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 Notre Dame, IN 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 Notre Dame, IN 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.
A record-setting audience watched BYU take down no. 2 Notre Dame in a historic top 10 showdown. On Tuesday, ESPN Public Relations announced that BYU-Notre Dame averaged 9.2 million viewers and peaked at 13.2 millions viewers. 9.2 million viewers is the largest television audience for a BYU game in the modern era, surpassing the previous record which was set in BYU's loss to Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game. That game averaged 9.0 million viewers.BYU-Notre Dame was the most viewed game of on the ESPN networks and it's very li...
A record-setting audience watched BYU take down no. 2 Notre Dame in a historic top 10 showdown. On Tuesday, ESPN Public Relations announced that BYU-Notre Dame averaged 9.2 million viewers and peaked at 13.2 millions viewers. 9.2 million viewers is the largest television audience for a BYU game in the modern era, surpassing the previous record which was set in BYU's loss to Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game. That game averaged 9.0 million viewers.
BYU-Notre Dame was the most viewed game of on the ESPN networks and it's very likely that it will be be the most viewed game of the college football weekend. This article will be updated once we learn about the other ratings across the country. Ohio State-Indiana is the only other game that could rival BYU-Notre Dame.
It is believed that BYU-Notre Dame is the second most viewed game in BYU history. According to BYU associate director of communications Duff Tittle back in 2024, BYU played Utah in 1953 in a game that was believed to be watched by more than 60 million people.
According to the release, BYU-Notre Dame was the "most-watched Big 12 controlled game since 2022 and the second best this decade." That excludes Big 12 championship games. In other words, it was the most viewed regular season game since the conference lost Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC.
Here at BYU On SI, we have tracked television ratings back to the start of the independence era. Audiences exceeding 5 million viewers were unheard of before BYU joined the Big 12. Since joining the Big 12, the Cougars have delivered some of the biggest audiences in their history, including four games exceeding 8.0 million. Here are the 10 most viewed games dating back to 2011.
Given the audience, the playoff stakes, and the outcome of BYU's win over Notre Dame, it has the chance to change the perception of the program. Over the last two years, BYU has been fighting for the attention of the College Football Playoff committee. Despite having a playoff-worthy resume last season, the Cougars were left on the outside looking in at the playoff. The Cougars earned national respect for taking down the Fighting Irish.
It wasn't only the game itself that drew a large audience. The College GameDay show from Provo averaged 3 million viewers, becoming the third most-watched episode ever and the most-viewed episode of the season.
BYU was at the center of the college football world on Saturday and delivered arguably the biggest win in program history. It was a big moment not only for BYU, but for the Big 12 at large.
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The Badgers of Wisconsin outlasted a tough Notre Dame squad on Saturday, taking two wins on home water; the women handled business 202-95, while the men picked up a hard-fought 160-140 victory.Maggie Wanezek led the Badger women, setting a pool record in the 100 back in 50.30 en route to a win, then completing the sweep of the 200 back in 1:50.94. She notched a career best in the 100 free, leading off the 400 free relay in 48.22.Wisconsin also saw multiple women deliver strong swims; one of which was...
The Badgers of Wisconsin outlasted a tough Notre Dame squad on Saturday, taking two wins on home water; the women handled business 202-95, while the men picked up a hard-fought 160-140 victory.
Maggie Wanezek led the Badger women, setting a pool record in the 100 back in 50.30 en route to a win, then completing the sweep of the 200 back in 1:50.94. She notched a career best in the 100 free, leading off the 400 free relay in 48.22.
Wisconsin also saw multiple women deliver strong swims; one of which was Maddie Waggoner, who was unstoppable in the distance events, sweeping both the 500 free and 1000 free races in 4:45.85 and 9:43.80. Stella Chapman was a top three finisher in all three of her individual races; touching 1st in the 200 IM (1:57.62), runner-up in the 200 fly (1:57.32), and notched a career best in the 200 back to finish 3rd (1:54.99).
Hailey Tierney topped the women’s 50 free with 22.47, then notched a 2nd-place finish in the 100 free in 49.08. Izzy Enz, Andrea Dworak and Maeva Soldermann led a 1-2-3 finish for Wisconisn in the 200 free; Enz popped a 1:46.81, more than a second ahead of Dworak in 1:48.30, Solderman outpaced Notre Dame’s Jaylee Hager for the 3rd place finish in 1:48.80. Vivian Kinnard also delve red some strong points as the winner of the 1-meter event with a score of 287.40.
Wisconsin’s men also delivered big time, pulling out a tight win over the Fighting Irish; Yoav Romano notched a 1000 free lifetime best, winning in 8:54.78. He also won the 500 free, clocking 4:16.67. Luukas Vainio also took two wins, taking the 100 free and 200 free in 43.89 and 1:34.66.
The list of men’s victors went well beyond Romano and Vainio: Enzo Solitario won the 200 fly in 1:43.39, Brayden Henkel took the 100 breast (53.19), Adam Graham won the 200 back in 1:43.97, and Landon Kyser clocked the fastest 200 IM time in 1:47.05.
Despite the loss, Notre Dame posted several strong performances: Hollie Widdows swam a lifetime best in the 100 fly in 52.88 to take the win, and she also took the 100 free in 48.55. Carli Cronk won the 200 fly in 1:57.27. Her teammate Averie Hager finished just behind Widdows in 53.40.
On the men’s side, the Irish men finished 1-2 in the 50 free as Shane Eckler earned his first of two wins of the day, touching in 19.62; Finn Martin followed in 2nd in 20.27. Eckler also won the 100 fly later in the meet in 45.99, a career-best time.
Marcus Reyes-Gentry also won for Notre Dame, taking the 100 back in 46.22. Daniel Knapp won both the 1-meter (380.40) and 3-meter (350.33) diving events for the Irish men. Jack Armour also got his hands on the wall first for Notre Dame, picking up the 200 breast in 1:57.28.
During the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the University of Notre Dame continued its trajectory of research growth, submitting the most proposals and receiving the highest value of external research awards in the institution’s history.“I want to congratulate our amazing faculty, staff, and students for their incredible success in pursuing new opportunities that address significant technological and societal challenges, while also training the next generation of ethically grounded leaders,” said Jeffrey F. Rhoads, the John an...
During the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the University of Notre Dame continued its trajectory of research growth, submitting the most proposals and receiving the highest value of external research awards in the institution’s history.
“I want to congratulate our amazing faculty, staff, and students for their incredible success in pursuing new opportunities that address significant technological and societal challenges, while also training the next generation of ethically grounded leaders,” said Jeffrey F. Rhoads, the John and Catherine Martin Family Vice President for Research and professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.
“While the macroeconomic picture is remarkable in this ‘change of era’, the long-term impact our researchers will have is far more important. By advancing discovery and fostering innovation, our dedicated scholars carry on the mission of the University to be a ‘powerful means for doing good’, both in this country and across the globe,” Rhoads added.
Described below are several federal awards given to researchers across the University’s Colleges and Schools this past year:
Predicting the impact of building materials
Researchers in the School of Architecture received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a low-cost, easy-to-use method and tool for estimating the lifetime environmental impact of building materials, from production and construction to use and retirement. The artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tool, designed in conjunction with scholars in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, will enable the evaluation and improvement of small- to medium-sized manufacturing practices to meet sustainability requirements, while also contributing to workforce development by offering instructional materials and research opportunities.
Exploring unique facets of the human experience, both new and old
Three researchers in the College of Arts & Letters were awarded fellowships from the National Endowment of Humanities, spanning second-century Roman architecture, resistance movements in 20th-century central and eastern Europe, and human flourishing in the age of AI. Learn more about these projects here.
Leading innovation in advanced welding technology
Researchers in the College of Engineering, in collaboration with South Bend-based company Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI), will develop new rail-joining technology with funding from the Federal Railroad Administration in the US Department of Transportation. The local partnership will bring together MTI’s world leadership in friction welding and Notre Dame’s expertise in materials engineering to bring a new and better rail joining process to the railway industry while providing opportunities for student training in the process. Learn more about this collaboration here.
Dismantling the defenses of bacterial pathogens
Researchers in the College of Science received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a new class of molecules capable of mitigating antibiotic resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is responsible for hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations in the United States each year.
Pioneering new pathways for time-dependent data analysis
With support from the Department of the Army, researchers in the Mendoza College of Business will pursue a new, AI-driven method to streamline data analysis for the study of human behavior over time, a crucial capability for monitoring the performance of military personnel under dynamic conditions.
The University also received a number of awards from foundations and industry partners. Key highlights include:
Developing a faith-based approach to AI ethics
The Institute for Ethics and the Common Good was awarded a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the formation of DELTA, a faith-based approach to AI ethics providing practical resources for scholars, faith leaders, tech leaders, teachers, journalists, young people, and the broader public to help navigate the challenges posed by rapidly developing AI. Learn more about the grant here.
Combating poverty through support and mentorship for entrepreneurs
Faculty members in the Keough School of Global Affairs received support from The Coca-Cola Company in North America to expand the reach of the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI), which helps underrepresented populations create and grow independent businesses. The funding enabled UPBI to expand into 13 additional cities, where it aims to support at least 50 disadvantaged business owners annually in each partner location, in addition to training and equipping another 2,400 entrepreneurs over the next three years. Learn more about Coca-Cola’s support and its impacts here.
Supporting the formation of future Catholic leaders
Theologians in the College of Arts & Letters received a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support a new program designed to bolster the talent pipeline for theological leadership within the Catholic Church. The initiative will support students in the Department of Theology’s Master of Arts and Master of Divinity programs by providing clearer pathways for study, and alleviating financial barriers. Learn more about the award and the effort it supports here.
Strengthening postpartum care for Indiana mothers
With support from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, practitioners at the Eck Institute for Global Health partnered with Beacon Health System to pilot a new, first-of-its-kind postpartum care model in the South Bend-Elkhart community. The model provides new mothers with up to a year of clinical assessments, standardized education, and peer support in group sessions to improve physical and mental health outcomes. Learn more about this project here.
Enhancing city services with predictive modeling
Researchers at the Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society are partnering with the City of South Bend to improve the city’s 311 Call Center with support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge. The partnership will leverage AI to identify and deliver needed services to city residents. Learn more about this partnership here.
Accelerating national innovation in advanced propulsion systems
Researchers at Notre Dame Power & Propulsion are partnering with North Wind, an independent national security firm with a focus on advancing hypersonic technologies and capabilities through cutting-edge research and system development. North Wind works across the industry to expand the nation’s hypersonic test infrastructure and is developing a mobile testing capability that interfaces with the Notre Dame Ignition Park Test facility, one of few facilities in the country capable of supplying clean, continuously flowing air at conditions representative of Mach 4 flight. The combined capabilities will be demonstrated in an inaugural test campaign designed to accelerate the design-build-test cycle for advanced propulsion systems—a critical objective of the national security strategy.
Inspired by its Catholic mission and founder Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C.’s vision for the University to be “one of the most powerful means for doing good” in the world, Notre Dame’s world-class faculty and students are pursuing globally significant, solutions-oriented projects to drive insights, innovation, and impact. Notre Dame Research advances this mission by growing, strengthening, promoting, translating, and safeguarding research, scholarship, and creative endeavor at the University of Notre Dame.
Rhoads concluded, “We are grateful to all of the agencies, foundations, private individuals, and industry partners who have supported research at the University. Together, we are not only advancing human knowledge, but delivering real-world solutions that make our global community safer, healthier, and more resilient.”
To explore the University’s research funding and awards further, including historical trends and current activity, please visit NDR Facts & Figures.
Contact
Erin Fennessy Lawlor / Writing Program Manager
Notre Dame Research / University of Notre Dame
[email protected] / +1 574-631-8183
research.nd.edu / linkedin.com/company/undresearch
About Notre Dame Research
The University of Notre Dame is a leading global Catholic research university located in South Bend, Indiana (USA). Inspired by its Catholic mission and founder Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C.’s vision for the University to be “one of the most powerful means for doing good” in the world, Notre Dame’s faculty and students pursue globally significant research, scholarship, and creative endeavor that advances discovery, fosters innovation, and drives lasting positive impact. For more information, please visit NDR's website or NDR's LinkedIn.
Originally published by Erin Fennessy Lawlor at research.nd.edu on October 20, 2026.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - It’s bye week in South Bend, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.Notre Dame suffered its first loss of the season Saturday night in Provo, falling 28-24 to BYU.The Irish rallied from 11 down in the second half to make it a one-score game, but the ending is sparking national debate after officials did not stop the clock on the final play. The Big 12 has since admitted Notre Dame should have had one final snap.Now at 6-1 heading into the bye week, quarterback CJ Carr says the fo...
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - It’s bye week in South Bend, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Notre Dame suffered its first loss of the season Saturday night in Provo, falling 28-24 to BYU.
The Irish rallied from 11 down in the second half to make it a one-score game, but the ending is sparking national debate after officials did not stop the clock on the final play. The Big 12 has since admitted Notre Dame should have had one final snap.
Now at 6-1 heading into the bye week, quarterback CJ Carr says the focus is getting back to work.
“Just got to go back to work, put the work in, do what we do,” Carr said. “I think we, you know, practice well all week and got to continue to string those together through the bye week and then into whoever we got next.”
Coming off its first loss, Notre Dame heads into the bye week looking inward. Captain linebacker Drayk Bowen says it’s about accountability and getting better.
“Yeah, for us, it’s making sure that we look at ourselves. What do we have to get better at?” Bowen said. “When you win, it’s team win, but when you lose, there’s things that you can get better at as a player that will ultimately give you that win. And so, throughout this bye week, tomorrow, it’s going to be going back, looking, what could I have done better? And so everybody’s got to hold themselves accountable during this process, and we’ll be ready.”
Notre Dame takes the field again on Halloween when it travels to Foxborough, Mass., to face rival Navy in a neutral site game at Gillette Stadium, home of the NFL’s New England Patriots.
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Notre Dame football enters its bye week with five games left and a College Football Playoff berth at stake. Which young players deserve bigger roles?Notre Dame football is trying to move past last week’s 28-24 loss to the BYU Cougars. The bye week arrives at the perfect time for head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish to take a step back and get ready for a critical final five games of the 2026 college football season.That stretch includes a battle with the Navy Midshipmen. Everyone will be talking about the Nov....
Notre Dame football enters its bye week with five games left and a College Football Playoff berth at stake. Which young players deserve bigger roles?
Notre Dame football is trying to move past last week’s 28-24 loss to the BYU Cougars. The bye week arrives at the perfect time for head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish to take a step back and get ready for a critical final five games of the 2026 college football season.
That stretch includes a battle with the Navy Midshipmen. Everyone will be talking about the Nov. 7 home game against the Miami Hurricanes, though, and that contest could decide whether Notre Dame makes the 2026 College Football Playoff.
Bye weeks are essential for resting, getting healthy, and regrouping mentally.
I also believe this is a great opportunity for Freeman, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, and defensive coordinator Chris Ash to adjust their approaches and maximize the talent on this roster down the stretch. I’ve already gone in depth on the schematic changes I would like to see. On top of that, it’s time to take the shackles off several youngsters.
After seven games, three different freshmen stand out as players Notre Dame should be maximizing. Here are those players and why there’s no excuse not to use them right now.
Walton is the easiest call of the group. Through seven games, he has rushed 57 times for 426 yards and three touchdowns, an average of 7.5 yards per carry.
After a breakout performance against Stanford, when he ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries, it seemed like Walton was gearing up to be a big contributor against BYU. Instead, he played just 10 snaps and got five carries, although he did find the end zone.
Walton is the most physically gifted running back on this roster. Add in his four catches for 56 yards, and you get a clear picture of how explosive he truly is. At 5-9, 214 pounds, he brings impressive burst and long speed.
This isn’t a push for Walton to be the starter. Nolan James Jr. has proven he deserves a high volume of carries and touches. But those two are the best running backs on the team, and Walton should be treated that way. James and Walton need to be the top two snap getters in the backfield.
It’s also worth noting how productive this ground game has been overall. Notre Dame is rushing for 183.4 yards per game with 17 rushing touchdowns and 5.7 yards per carry as a team. Getting Walton more involved only adds to that.
Premer, a 6-6, 245-pound pass catcher, was considered a five-star player in the Irish’s 2026 recruiting class. Despite underwhelming production from the tight end room, he has seen only small chances, mostly in garbage time.
As a unit, Notre Dame tight ends have hauled in just 20 receptions for 140 yards and three touchdowns. Premer has managed one catch for 14 yards in very limited opportunities.
Cooper Flanagan missed the BYU game with an injury, and it felt like a good time to get Premer on the field. He played five snaps but was not a focus of the offense at all.
The tight end room is averaging 20 yards per game and 7 yards per reception. With a five-star talent sitting in that room, it’s time to start incrementally giving Premer opportunities.
Cooper Flanagan is a strong blocker and should be a heavy part of the rotation. James Flanigan is also talented and needs to play. In terms of volume passing and pushing the ball down the field, however, not using Premer leaves talent on the table.
Dunham has totaled nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery through seven games. The flashes in very limited time have been tremendous.
Notre Dame’s pass rush has been good at times and not so great at others. The Irish have 15 total sacks, and 9.5 of them have come from the defensive end position. When Boubacar Traore was ejected for targeting against BYU, the pass rush simply wasn’t good enough, especially in the biggest moments.
Dunham doesn’t need to start or even play a high volume of snaps. Still, failing to feature his pass-rushing ability in obvious passing situations feels like a lack of creativity. It’s understandable why he hasn’t had a huge role in such a deep and talented room.
In the biggest games, including against Miami, SMU, and hopefully a playoff run, Notre Dame will need to get after the quarterback. Dunham is one of the more physically gifted rushers on this team, and getting him comfortable in this defense would be huge.
We will see if Notre Dame makes these changes on both sides of the football. Joey O’Brien has played a decent amount at safety because of injuries at the position, and he has done a really good job.
So far, though, the 2026 recruiting class hasn’t been maximized enough. With the regular season more than halfway done, it’s time to get these players comfortable and let their roles grow down the stretch.
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