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 Alexandria, LA
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 James Wade Bolton House 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 Alexandria, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
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.
“I am a current client of this provider
Always Best Care started helping me in July,”
I am a current client of this provider
Always Best Care started helping me in July, 2022. My husband needs daily care and we have been more than pleased with the caregivers that they have provided. The Staff is so professional and efficient, yet like family at the same time.
Their focus is on their patients and the families. They have made my life so much easier. Highly recommend!!
“My Grandmother is a client with Dementia and wanted to stay in her home. ”
My Grandmother is a client with Dementia and wanted to stay in her home. Always Best Care has allowed her to do so, and our family is forever grateful. Thank you Always Best Care!
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude.”
By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude. I will definitely be using her again when I’m ready to sell. I highly recommend her.
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14”
My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14 days. During that time our wonderful caregiver has agreed to be “on-call”. We are so grateful for her and there is no way we could take this trip without the peace of mind that her presence gives me! Thank you ABC for the service that your company provides and for the personal touch that you and your sister provide. Marilyn Get Outlook for iOS
“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice”
Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice and you will never find a better place to work and they are very respectful, understanding and caring bosses. They pair you up with clients that matches your personality. I really love working for this company and how they treat their employees.
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She”
Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She loves her job because she gets to find the perfect home for her clients. I highly recommend Summer to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my”
Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family
“We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care of Monroe. They've been very helpful and”
We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care of Monroe. They've been very helpful and the caregiver that we have working for us is fantastic. I would give them a very high recommendation. They started in July and have done exactly what we wanted them to do for our needs, and met those needs.
“They have been taking care of my mother for the past 8 years. Their care”
They have been taking care of my mother for the past 8 years. Their care providers have been the absolute best in the industry. Our mom has been very happy with all the care providers we have used through Always Best Care.
“They have been taking care of my mother for the past 8 years. Their care”
They have been taking care of my mother for the past 8 years. Their care providers have been the absolute best in the industry. Our mom has been very happy with all the care providers we have used through Always Best Care.
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my”
Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family Cotton Bradford
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Cynthia W.
Joseph P.
Kimberly M.
Marilyn H.
Betty W.
Tiffany S.
Corey W.
Marilyn
Patty A.
Ruben T.
Rhonda S.
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TESTIMONIALS
“I am a current client of this provider
Always Best Care started helping me in July, 2022. My husband needs daily care and we have been more than pleased with the caregivers that they have provided. The Staff is so professional and efficient, yet like family at the same time.
Their focus is on their patients and the families. They have made my life so much easier. Highly recommend!!”
Tusi
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TESTIMONIALS
“My Grandmother is a client with Dementia and wanted to stay in her home. Always Best Care has allowed her to do so, and our family is forever grateful. Thank you Always Best Care!”
Cynthia W.
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TESTIMONIALS
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude. I will definitely be using her again when I’m ready to sell. I highly recommend her.”
Joseph P.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”
Kimberly M.
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TESTIMONIALS
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14 days. During that time our wonderful caregiver has agreed to be “on-call”. We are so grateful for her and there is no way we could take this trip without the peace of mind that her presence gives me! Thank you ABC for the service that your company provides and for the personal touch that you and your sister provide. Marilyn Get Outlook for iOS”
Marilyn H.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice and you will never find a better place to work and they are very respectful, understanding and caring bosses. They pair you up with clients that matches your personality. I really love working for this company and how they treat their employees.”
Betty W.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She loves her job because she gets to find the perfect home for her clients. I highly recommend Summer to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”
Tiffany S.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family”
Corey W.
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TESTIMONIALS
“We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care of Monroe. They've been very helpful and the caregiver that we have working for us is fantastic. I would give them a very high recommendation. They started in July and have done exactly what we wanted them to do for our needs, and met those needs.”
Marilyn
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TESTIMONIALS
“They have been taking care of my mother for the past 8 years. Their care providers have been the absolute best in the industry. Our mom has been very happy with all the care providers we have used through Always Best Care.”
Patty A.
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TESTIMONIALS
“They provide the best care! The Owners are nurses and have been in the business for over 25 years.”
Ruben T.
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TESTIMONIALS
“They have been taking care of my mother for the past 8 years. Their care providers have been the absolute best in the industry. Our mom has been very happy with all the care providers we have used through Always Best Care.”
Rhonda S.
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TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family Cotton Bradford”
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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Alexandria, LA?
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:
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:
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 Compton Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
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 Diamond Grill or visit Melady House Marker, 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:
Age in Place
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.
Peace of Mind
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.
Socialization
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.
Personalized Care Plan
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.
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 Alexandria, LA, 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.
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 LA'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.
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 Alexandria, LA 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.
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
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.
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
01
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
02
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
03
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 Alexandria, LA 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.
Breaking down Bolton’s proposed renovations for magnet school
Colin Vedroshttps://www.kalb.com/2023/10/05/breaking-down-boltons-proposed-renovations-magnet-school/
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - On October 3, the Rapides Parish School Board unanimously voted to begin the process of renovating Bolton High School as it converts into a magnet school starting next year. After discussion over the school’s windows and how it would affect its historical status, a motion was passed to allow the board to authorize bids for those renovations to be in the works.Alliance Design Group, based in Alexandria, came up with a plan to convert Bolton into a magnet school. Here’s what we know about the ...
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - On October 3, the Rapides Parish School Board unanimously voted to begin the process of renovating Bolton High School as it converts into a magnet school starting next year. After discussion over the school’s windows and how it would affect its historical status, a motion was passed to allow the board to authorize bids for those renovations to be in the works.
Alliance Design Group, based in Alexandria, came up with a plan to convert Bolton into a magnet school. Here’s what we know about the proposed specifics.
The plan is broken down into two phases. Phase one consists of working on the high school’s interior and exterior, the auditorium, the football field, boys’ and girls’ gyms, ROTC, the concession stand, equipment and the boys’ baseball stadium. By itself, phase one has an estimated total cost of $4.9 million. That funding comes straight from the District 62 bond.
Phase two, subject to revision based on school program changes, would entail working more on the boys’ and girls’ gym, ROTC, the auditorium and the high school interior. This phase adds the weight room and the high school conservatory, bringing phase two’s cost to $839,790.
Because the board chose option two on the windows, which means repainting, resealing and repairing the windows and adding interior storm windows, the upfront cost reduction comes out to $585,000, bringing the resulting total cost estimate for both phases to be $5.2 million. Rapides Parish School Superintendent Jeff Powell said the district is excited about starting this project as well as many others.
“It really is an exciting time,” said Powell. “We know that there are a lot of processes and procedures that we have to go through, but to know that we have some very meaningful updates and needed renovations taking place at our schools, it’s an extremely exciting time here in Rapides Parish Public Schools.”
The District 62 Bond encompasses the Alexandria area and includes the ASH, Peabody and Bolton feeder systems. Renovations for phase one are expected to begin in November, but that will only take place when the state approves what Alliance has planned for the magnet school. The proposed renovation plan as a whole would successfully bring in 6-12 graders to Bolton next school year and Pre-K-12 graders the following year.
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Friday, Jan 26, 2024Stats have been entered for the Peabody vs. Grant on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.Friday, Jan 26, 2024On Friday, Jan 26, 2024, the Peabody Varsity Boys Basketball team won their game against Grant High School by a score of ...
Friday, Jan 26, 2024
Stats have been entered for the Peabody vs. Grant on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
Friday, Jan 26, 2024
On Friday, Jan 26, 2024, the Peabody Varsity Boys Basketball team won their game against Grant High School by a score of 91-10.
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - On Monday, June 26, the City of Alexandria disconnected utility service to 83 residential Alexandria Utility Service customers. That day, temperatures with heat indexes reached 108 degrees, and the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory.KALB began investigating when the City of Alexandria is allowed to turn off utilities for customers that have not paid their bills during extreme weather, particularly extreme heat.In part of our investigation, Alexandria Utility Director Mike Marcotte to...
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - On Monday, June 26, the City of Alexandria disconnected utility service to 83 residential Alexandria Utility Service customers. That day, temperatures with heat indexes reached 108 degrees, and the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory.
KALB began investigating when the City of Alexandria is allowed to turn off utilities for customers that have not paid their bills during extreme weather, particularly extreme heat.
In part of our investigation, Alexandria Utility Director Mike Marcotte told News Channel 5 that there are no rules or regulations in the City of Alexandria’s code of ordinances that the utility departments must abide by regarding utility disconnections during extreme weather. This is unlike private utility companies like Cleco, which are regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, which has strict rules for when utility services cannot be disconnected.
In light of KALB’s stories, members of the Alexandria City Council spoke out about taking action to try and protect their constituents from being left in the dark as it relates to when their power can and cannot be turned off. District 3 City Councilwoman Cynthia Perry is one council member considering changes to the City’s code of ordinances.
“I don’t believe any council member would want to see a customer or citizen without utilities,” said Perry.
Marcotte shared that although there are no written rules and regulations in place for disconnections in extreme heat, the utility department has been instructed by Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy to follow the Louisiana Public Service Commission guidelines.
Those guidelines ban LPSC-regulated companies from disconnecting utilities to customers on days when a heat advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service. On June 25, the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the following day, June 26, the same day the City of Alexandria cut utilities to 83 customers.
To prevent customers from utility disconnections during extreme weather in the future, Perry believes a written rule to protect those customers should be added to the city code.
“It’s in black and white, it’s self-explanatory, and I can’t see no reason why we can’t maybe put that into an ordinance or put it into a plan or something,” said Perry.
KALB reached out to each member of the city council for comment on if each member feels they should move forward with an ordinance to set guidelines from the utility department.
Her thoughts were echoed by District 1 Councilman Reddex Washington, who said he would propose an ordinance that mirrors the LPSC’s for utility disconnections in extreme heat.
Councilmembers Lizzie Felter and Chuck Fowler also gave statements saying they would review the City’s current rules and regulations for utility disconnections in extreme weather and would be open to adjusting those rules if necessary.
City Council President Lee Rubin provided the following statement but did not mention exploring any potential changes to the City’s code of ordinances.
Councilman At-Large Jim Villard and Councilman Gary Johnson of District 2 did not provide comments.
The City Council agenda for the July 25 meeting is set to be released on Tuesday, July 18. KALB was informed that the council is actively working to have a proposed ordinance in place to require the utility department to follow stricter guidelines to be put on the next council agenda.
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Copyright 2023 KALB. All rights reserved.
Alexandria City Council cancels meeting seeking to replace 2 GAEDA commissioners
Bennett Roland Jr.https://www.kalb.com/2024/02/19/alexandria-city-council-cancels-meeting-seeking-replace-2-gaeda-commissioners/
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - The Alexandria City Council has announced that the special city council meeting that was scheduled for Monday, Feb. 19 has been canceled. A release announcing the cancellation was sent out half an hour before it was originally supposed to start. During this meeting, the council said it was going to be voting to remove Tracye Snow and Candice Cheney from the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority board, also known as GAEDA.Original Story:The City of Alexandria has called an emergency ...
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - The Alexandria City Council has announced that the special city council meeting that was scheduled for Monday, Feb. 19 has been canceled. A release announcing the cancellation was sent out half an hour before it was originally supposed to start. During this meeting, the council said it was going to be voting to remove Tracye Snow and Candice Cheney from the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority board, also known as GAEDA.
Original Story:
The City of Alexandria has called an emergency council meeting slated for Monday, Feb. 19, despite it being a holiday.
According to an email from the city clerk and council, during this special meeting, they will be voting to remove Tracye Snow and Candice Cheney from the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority board, also known as GAEDA.
Now this special meeting, given its short notice and timing, has left many in the city feeling blindsided and questioning the fairness of the process. Adding fuel to the fire, concerns arose as the two members facing removal allegedly have not committed any actions warranting such drastic measures.
“Well, the reason this meeting is raising concerns is because on the agenda, there are two resolutions that are removing two females from the GAEDA board,” said Celeta McCall, a concerned citizen. “I know for sure they are replacing one an African American female with a white male, that’s one thing that is concerning. The idea that these commissioner positions that the GAEDA board has are very important to the community.”
This is a public meeting held Monday, Feb.19, at Alexandria City Hall at 4 p.m., in council chambers. Those who plan to attend are asked to show up a bit early because you will have to sign a sign-in sheet to ask questions.
We did reach out to Councilwoman Lizzie Felter for her comments on this matter as Tracye Snow is her GAEDA appointee, but have not heard back from Mrs. Felter.
It is also important to note that immediately following the council meeting GAEDA is convening at the Hotel Bentley for a committee meeting which will include public comments. Their public announcement can be seen below.
This meeting is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m. We will continue to follow this developing story and bring you the latest updates as they unfold.
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Alexandria utility customers wanting more clarity from City regarding recent high bills
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - For 45 minutes during Tuesday’s Alexandria City Council meeting, utility customers spoke out claiming that recent high utility bill costs have put them in a tough, financial bind.“A changing policy needs to be clearly communicated,” said one resident. “The people of our city simply do not understand what’s going on their bill, because the city has not made an effort to clearly communicate what’s on their bills.”Earlier this month, a survey went out to uti...
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - For 45 minutes during Tuesday’s Alexandria City Council meeting, utility customers spoke out claiming that recent high utility bill costs have put them in a tough, financial bind.
“A changing policy needs to be clearly communicated,” said one resident. “The people of our city simply do not understand what’s going on their bill, because the city has not made an effort to clearly communicate what’s on their bills.”
Earlier this month, a survey went out to utility customers in Alexandria asking them about the impacts that the high bills have had on their wallets. The survey was sent out on October 9 by Central Louisiana Interfaith and within a few days, the survey had received over 1,000 responses. In the findings, 70 percent of utility customers reported struggling to meet basic needs due to high utility bills.
86 percent of those who responded to the survey said their monthly bills are at least $250, while close to six percent shared that their average bill is over $1,000. Many Alexandria utility customers who responded also stated that they are falling behind on their bills with 67 percent saying they have an overdue balance greater than $100. The survey broke down the stats even further to show that 15 percent of respondents have a standing balance of over $1,000.
One-third of the respondents also shared that their power had been cut off at some point over the last three months.
At the beginning of this year, the City of Alexandria unveiled Project RESTOR, a multi-million dollar grant relief fund aimed at helping relieve customers from those hard-to-pay bills. Hundreds of applicants received financial assistance as part of the program, but some customers still had a remaining balance in their account depending on how much they were awarded.
According to information provided by Utility Director Mike Marcotte back in April, the remaining RESTOR balance would be converted to an installment payment plan not to exceed 12 months. This also applied to customers’ accounts who still had a balance but either did not qualify or applied for a RESTOR grant. In that release sent to KALB, Marcotte said each customer’s payment plan information would appear at the end of their monthly utility bill under the heading Project RESTOR.
However, some residents claimed during Tuesday’s council meeting that the information was not properly communicated to them and that the extra costs due to the payment plan have made their monthly bills unpayable.
“We feel like this Project RESTOR was supposed to help the citizens,” said another utility customer. “In reality, it tremendously hurt us.”
Utility customers called for more transparency from the City of Alexandria and Utility Director Mike Marcotte. Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy and Marcotte were not present at the council meeting.
District 2 Councilman Gary Johnson called for the public hearing on Tuesday, October 31. Following the meeting, he said it won’t be the last meeting that customers will have the chance to express their concerns with their utility bills.
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