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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.

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Home Care In Modesto, CA

Home Care Modesto, CA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Modesto Arch 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 Modesto, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Modesto, CA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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.

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“Highly Experienced #Caregivers provide everything in levels one and two, plus knowledgeable assistance to help seniors who are suffering from a chronic illness, who are bed-bound, and those who are on hospice.”

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“Worrying about senior’s care and #health in Assisted Living is common. Well, you can stop fretting now. Contact Always Best Care of #Fresno and find the best Assisted Living communities near you.”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Modesto, CA?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Modesto, CA

Types of Elderly Care in Modesto, CA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Modesto, CA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Modesto, CA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 Moose Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Modesto, CA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 Dewz Restaurant or visit McHenry Mansion Visitors Center, 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.

 In-Home Care Modesto, CA

Benefits of Home Care in Modesto, CA

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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 Modesto, CA, 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.

 Elderly Care Modesto, CA

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your CA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Modesto, CA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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 Modesto, CA 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Modesto, CA

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Modesto, CA

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:

  • Orangeburg Memory Care
  • Sisters Assisted Living
  • The Gardens of Modesto
  • Dale Commons
  • El Rio Memory Care Community
  • Bethel Retirement Community
Home Care Modesto, CA

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.

 In-Home Care Modesto, CA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Modesto, CA 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.

 Elderly Care Modesto, CA

Latest News in Modesto, CA

Del Monte files for bankruptcy. Modesto fruit cannery will keep running for now

Del Monte Foods has filed for bankruptcy but plans to keep operating its Modesto fruit cannery and other plants.The announcement Tuesday, July 1, came as about 1,800 workers, two-thirds of them seasonal, prepare for peak season at the Yosemite Boulevard plant. It mainly cans peaches but also does apricots, pears and fruit cocktail.Del Monte plans to stay in production while restructuring its debts and looking for a buyer.“Clearly this is good news as the peach harvest is just getting underway,” said an email ...

Del Monte Foods has filed for bankruptcy but plans to keep operating its Modesto fruit cannery and other plants.

The announcement Tuesday, July 1, came as about 1,800 workers, two-thirds of them seasonal, prepare for peak season at the Yosemite Boulevard plant. It mainly cans peaches but also does apricots, pears and fruit cocktail.

Del Monte plans to stay in production while restructuring its debts and looking for a buyer.

“Clearly this is good news as the peach harvest is just getting underway,” said an email to board members for the California Canning Peach Association. It was shared with The Modesto Bee by Rich Hudgins, president and CEO at the Sacramento-based grower group.

Del Monte became a powerhouse in fruits and vegetables after its founding in San Francisco in 1886. It has contended in recent years with declining demand for its products, which also come in jars and plastic cups.

The company was already in the process of closing its Hanford plant for tomatoes canned under the Del Monte and Contadina labels.

It processes other fruits and vegetables in Washington state, Wisconsin and Mexico. The business also makes College Inn and Kitchen Basics broths and Joyba bubble teas.

California grows far more fresh-market peaches these days than the canning varieties, mostly between Madera and Kern counties. Canners have argued that their product is just as nutritious, and available year-round. That campaign has had limited success.

The state had dozens of peach canneries about a half-century ago. Today, the only plants are Del Monte in Modesto and Pacific Coast Producers in Lodi.

The Modesto plant’s workers belong to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Business agent Odus Hall said by phone that the restructuring allowed under federal bankruptcy law could help it survive.

“There is concern,” he said, “but at the same time, there is hopefulness that because it’s a Chapter 11, we can work with the company or with whoever buys it.”

Del Monte listed 15 job openings in Modesto as of Wednesday. It needs a labeling supervisor, an electrician, production workers and others.

The plant runs three shifts roughly from July through September, timed to harvest dates for various fruit varieties. It helps sustain local container manufacturers, truckers and other providers of goods and services.

Del Monte filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. It also announced a restructuring of some of its long-term debt and $165 million in new funding from investors.

“This is a strategic step forward for Del Monte Foods,” President and CEO Greg Longstreet said in the release. “After a thorough evaluation of all available options, we determined a court-supervised sale process is the most effective way to accelerate our turnaround and create a stronger and enduring Del Monte Foods.”

The business is headquartered in the East Bay city of Walnut Creek and also has corporate offices in Pittsburgh. The filing does not involve some of Del Monte’s fresh fruit operations around the world.

Central Valley peach growers have struggled in part because the delicate fruit still must be picked by hand. Mechanical harvests have helped almonds and walnuts move ahead in total tonnage.

Stanislaus County had 3,560 acres of peach trees as of 2023, down from 13,332 in 1980, according to its agricultural commissioner’s office.

Growers sign contracts with either Del Monte or the Lodi plant that specify per-ton prices each year. Hudgins said in his email that he expects Del Monte “to continue uninterrupted business operations in completing the 2025 pack and paying all growers for their deliveries.” The association will monitor the possible bankruptcy sale.

Tomato canning remains a major industry in the Valley, although foreign competition has strained it recently. The plants include Stanislaus Food Products in Modesto, Escalon Premier Brands just to the north, ConAgra Foods in Oakdale and two companies near Los Banos.

Highway 132 bypass soon will grow 5 miles west of Modesto. Climate groups object

A state grant has completed the funding to stretch the Highway 132 bypass five miles west of Modesto.The $67 million was approved unanimously Thursday, June 26, by the California Transportation Commission. The other $10 million will come from Stanislaus County’s half-percent sales tax.The Stanislaus Council of Governments plans to start construction next spring and finish by fall of 2028. The entire expressway will have two lanes but could reach four w...

A state grant has completed the funding to stretch the Highway 132 bypass five miles west of Modesto.

The $67 million was approved unanimously Thursday, June 26, by the California Transportation Commission. The other $10 million will come from Stanislaus County’s half-percent sales tax.

The Stanislaus Council of Governments plans to start construction next spring and finish by fall of 2028. The entire expressway will have two lanes but could reach four with future funding.

The vote came over protests that expanding highways hinders the state’s efforts against climate-changing emissions. Highway 132 was one of six projects mentioned by a coalition urging passenger rail and other alternatives. All were approved, as were several rail, bicycle and pedestrian upgrades elsewhere.

The initial 132 bypass opened in 2022 on three miles between Highway 99 and Dakota Avenue. It runs just south of Kansas Avenue, taking traffic off Maze Boulevard.

Maze has been a state highway since 1933, but it has numerous entries from homes, businesses and other users. The bypass has no cross traffic thanks to bridges at Highway 99, Carpenter Road and Rosemore Avenue.

The extension will have bridges at Dakota and Hart Road and a roundabout where Gates Road will tie back into the current 132 alignment. It feeds into Highway 33 and Interstate 5 to the west.

“This segment is very much about safety,” Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa told the commission. “It is a separated road with no access, which is really what we need for that roadway.”

Chiesa said Maze has a long history of fatal crashes, as well as air pollution from stop-and-go traffic. He noted that the project has support from the West Modesto Community Collaborative and from labor and trucking industry groups.

Chiesa also cited 132’s importance in hauling wine, nuts, poultry, tomatoes and other farm products from the county.

This was among 24 projects totaling $810 million in the latest round of the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program. It is funded by California fuel taxes and the federal infrastructure package of 2021.

The state has moved away from the emphasis since the 1950s on simply building and expanding highways. Several of the widenings funded Thursday include carpool lanes and other efforts to reduce vehicle miles.

The package also funds charging stations for trucks and other electric vehicles, reducing fossil fuel use. Other projects will improve safety and efficiency for freight rail, some of them serving ports.

One of the road-expansion critics is Jeanie Ward-Waller, a former deputy director for the California Department of Transportation. She now advocates on the topic for a Sacramento-based firm called Fearless Advocacy.

Ward-Waller told the commission that the Highway 132 extension will increase total miles driven without helping much with freight movement. She said the same about widening Highway 99 in Tulare County, also approved.

“The urgency of the climate crisis is exacerbating the extreme heat, wildfires, floods and dangerous weather we are experiencing now and demands different solutions now,” Ward-Waller said. “Please don’t delay.”

The most debate was over widening Highway 37, a shoreline route near Vallejo. The commission voted to cover some of the cost despite warnings that rising seas could put it underwater by 2050.

The coalition also objected to widening Highway 71 in Los Angeles County, Highway 60 in Riverside County and the interchange for Highway 4 and Interstate 680 in Contra Costa County.

The commission held a two-day meeting in Sacramento and online. On Friday, it approved the final funding to replace the Seventh Street Bridge in Modesto. This is another road widening, from two to four lanes. The coalition had no problem with it because the project also features a wide sidewalk and a bike path down into Tuolumne River Regional Park.

The money for the 109-year-old bridge came from the Local Partnership Program, which rewards cities and counties with their own transportation tax. Measure L in Stanislaus is a half-percent addition to the sales tax. A federal bridge program will cover the vast majority of the $134 million cost.

The 132 bypass has been discussed since the 1950s, and Caltrans acquired some of the right of way around that time. StanCOG is still assembling funding to widen it to four lanes and upgrade the interchange with 99.

Looking to rent in Modesto? Here are 10 listings for less than $1,300 a month

Looking for a place to rent in Modesto? It might cost more than you think.Modesto renters can expect to pay an average of $1,995 per month across all property types, according to the latest data from real estate website Zillow.That’s nearly $1,000 less than California’s average monthly rent of $2,800....

Looking for a place to rent in Modesto? It might cost more than you think.

Modesto renters can expect to pay an average of $1,995 per month across all property types, according to the latest data from real estate website Zillow.

That’s nearly $1,000 less than California’s average monthly rent of $2,800.

While the most expensive places to rent in California are generally found in coastal metropolitan areas, including San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles, Modesto’s average is only about 5% lower than the national average of $2,100.

The Modesto Bee looked through available listings in Modesto to find rental prices below the city’s average rate of $1,995 per month.

Here’s where you can find the most affordable rentals in Modesto:

As of Friday, June 27, Zillow listed about 250 rental properties available in Modesto.

Some of the lowest rental prices were found in the Bystrom and Parklawn neighborhoods, as well as in downtown and central Modesto.

As of Friday, June 27, these were 10 apartments and homes available to rent for less than $1,300 a month, according to Zillow:

What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email [email protected].

New 7th Street Bridge in Modesto gets final funding. The schedule, some history

All of the money is finally in hand to replace the Seventh Street Bridge in Modesto, a once-grand structure that is barely drivable today.The California Transportation Commission voted unanimously Friday, June 27, to accept a $15 million grant. Federal and local sources bring the total to $134 million for this new crossing of the Tuolumne River.It is expected to be ready in early 2028, said an email from David Leamon, director of Stanislaus County Public Works. The old bridge will remain open during early construction phases, t...

All of the money is finally in hand to replace the Seventh Street Bridge in Modesto, a once-grand structure that is barely drivable today.

The California Transportation Commission voted unanimously Friday, June 27, to accept a $15 million grant. Federal and local sources bring the total to $134 million for this new crossing of the Tuolumne River.

It is expected to be ready in early 2028, said an email from David Leamon, director of Stanislaus County Public Works. The old bridge will remain open during early construction phases, then close for good in the spring.

The replacement will have two vehicle lanes each way, vs. one now. The west side will feature a bicycle path down into Tuolumne River Regional Park. The east side will have a sidewalk wide enough for wheelchairs, which is lacking now.

The current bridge was completed in 1916 in the Beaux Arts style of architecture. It was an early example of the “cantilevered concrete” technique, with steel trusses covered in concrete, according to the project website.

This surface began crumbling early, prompting the first speed and weight limits in the 1930s. They were tightened in the 1960s and again in the 1970s. Today, semi-trucks and other vehicles over 4,000 pounds are off-limits. The top speed for everyone else is 25 mph to avoid vibrations that could do further damage.

It just might be the worst bridge in the state, said Jose Luis Caceres, director of programming and program delivery at the Stanislaus Council of Governments. He was speaking to the state commission, which met in Sacramento and over Zoom.

“You can’t drive an ambulance over this bridge,” Caceres said. “If someone needs help over there, you have to take the long way around to help them, and then the long way back to take them to the hospital.”

The project will ease Seventh Street’s link to Crows Landing Road, now an awkward Y-shaped junction. The latter route serves south Modesto neighborhoods as well as local and long-haul truckers.

The bridge’s north end will connect with an improved intersection at B Street and Tuolumne Boulevard, including the freight railroad crossing. It is just inside the city of Modesto, a partner on the project with StanCOG and the county.

A federal bridge program is paying about $92 million of the cost. The $15 million from the state will go toward the intersection upgrades at each end. It is from the Local Partnership Program, which rewards cities and counties with their own transportation taxes. Measure L, passed by Stanislaus voters in 2016, covers most of the remaining costs.

The bridge will stretch 1,238 feet across the main Tuolumne channel and its floodplain. It will have concrete box girders atop seven footings, meaning less fishery disturbance than the current bridge’s 14 footings.

That part of the river park is little-used, but the new bridge will come with a pedestrian plaza on the north end. This is the Gateway portion of the seven-mile park and someday could draw many pedestrians and bicyclists from downtown.

Two lion statues have stood at each end of the bridge since the beginning. They, too, have suffered from concrete sloughing, but they will be preserved at the urging of local fans. Two will remain at the pedestrian plaza. The others will go to the new county courthouse at Ninth and G streets, opening in autumn.

The bridge project will begin by fall with relocation of utility lines that cross the river. The main construction contract will be awarded by next spring by the county Board of Supervisors. Crews can work in the channel only in summer, when salmon are not present.

The tight quarters mean the new bridge must be built in the old one’s footprint. The closure next spring will mean detours mainly to the Highway 99 and Ninth Street bridges. Both of these routes have truck traffic that will be eased once Seventh Street can bear heavy loads, too.

The project website notes that the Yokuts people were the first riverside residents. They were forced out by European settlers and also suffered from disease.

Modesto was established in 1870 and relied for several years on a ferry to get across the Tuolumne. The first bridge on Seventh Street was built in 1884 and replaced just three years later. The site also had a trestle for the railroad, a popular form of travel.

Modesto had about 4,000 residents when the current bridge was built for about $110,000. It served from 1917 to 1933 as the original Highway 99, which then shifted to the old Ninth Street Bridge. The mid-1960s brought the current 99 alignment between Fifth and Sixth streets. The bridge on Ninth was replaced in 2004, widened to four lanes.

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