It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Tryon Palace 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 New Bern, NC 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.
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 Union Point Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant or visit North Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace, 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 New Bern, NC, 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 New Bern, NC 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 New Bern, NC 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.
Fast casual concept opening in New Bern on August 27, offering free chicken salad for a year ATLANTA, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, today announced the opening of its newest restaurant in North Carolina. Located at 3549 Dr. MLK Jr. Boulevard in New Bern, the coastal community is invited to celebrate this grand opening on Wednesday, August 27, where the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year. *During the grand ope...
Fast casual concept opening in New Bern on August 27, offering free chicken salad for a year
ATLANTA, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, today announced the opening of its newest restaurant in North Carolina. Located at 3549 Dr. MLK Jr. Boulevard in New Bern, the coastal community is invited to celebrate this grand opening on Wednesday, August 27, where the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year. *
During the grand opening week, guests can expect to experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, as well as a community focused mindset with various specials and giveaways. These include:
Chicken Salad Chick of New Bern is the first opening for franchise group SENC Foods, LLC. The restaurant is owned and operated by Matt Massengill and Ian, Garrett, and Gene Wickline. Gene is the father of Ian and Garrett, who alongside their friend Matt, will be leading operations of their new Chicken Salad Chick franchise.
"We're incredibly excited to be opening our first Chicken Salad Chick and launching this business together," said Garrett Wickline. "This brand is all about warm hospitality, fresh flavors, and community, and we can't wait to share that experience with our neighbors here in New Bern."
Ian, Garrett, and Matt all join the brand with unique backgrounds in accounting, finance and restaurant management. Growing up, Matt's family owned and operated several quick service restaurants, so he knew from an early age working in the restaurant industry was something he'd want to pursue. Similarly, Ian and Garrett were inspired by their prior franchising experience to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey with Chicken Salad Chick. Together, they've partnered with their father, Gene, and longtime friend Matt, whose deep knowledge of restaurant operations rounds out the team's expertise.
Chicken Salad Chick is known for its dozen-plus variety of made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors, fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts. The New Bern restaurant offers in-restaurant dining, take-out, and third-party delivery and catering options.
"We're thrilled to welcome Ian, Garrett, Gene and Matt to the Chicken Salad Chick family as they open our first location in New Bern," said Scott Deviney, CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. "Their passion for hospitality and strong operational background make them ideal partners for the brand. New Bern is a vibrant and growing community, and it's an important part of our continued expansion across North Carolina. We're excited to bring our made-from-scratch flavors and Southern hospitality to even more guests in this market."
Giving back to the community is an important focus for the New Bern team and the Chicken Salad Chick brand, which established the CSC Foundation to support CURE Childhood Cancer and local food banks with fundraisers throughout the year. As part of pre-opening Friends & Family events in New Bern, the restaurant will be raising money for the American Cancer Society, which supports groundbreaking cancer research, patient care programs, and lifesaving advocacy efforts.
Chicken Salad Chick of New Bern will be open Monday – Saturday from 10:30am – 8pm. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and trends.
For more information on giveaways and specials, visit: www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickNewBernNC/
*Guests should arrive early to secure a place in line. The first 100 guests must remain in line and download the Chicken Salad Chick app. Wi-Fi will not be available on site. Once the restaurant opens, guests will make a purchase of "The Chick" or anything of equal/greater value and enter a code in the Chicken Salad Chick app to officially secure their spot. If you leave the line for any reason, your spot will be awarded to the next guest in line. Guests will receive their first free Large Quick Chick electronically to their app the Monday following Grand Opening Day. Your reward will be valid for redemption for 30 days upon delivery.
**Guests must be 16 years or older and must purchase the Chick Trio. Limit one reward per guest present. Not valid with any other offers.
About Chicken Salad Chick Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama, by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to operate more than 310 restaurants in 22 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2023 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the third consecutive year, Fast Casual's Top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2025, QSR's Best Franchise Deals in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024, and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises list from 2019-2024. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.
Contact:Jennifer GordilloFish [email protected]
SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities hosted its first public input session in New Bern Monday to receive community input for its next Five-Year State Plan.Public input sessions are held across the state to help the council better understand the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, said Talley Wells, executive director of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities.Wells explained that the Five-Year State Plan maps out the current priorities for people with intellectu...
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities hosted its first public input session in New Bern Monday to receive community input for its next Five-Year State Plan.
Public input sessions are held across the state to help the council better understand the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, said Talley Wells, executive director of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Wells explained that the Five-Year State Plan maps out the current priorities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and includes initiatives to address those priorities.
The council uses input from the public input session to identify clear goals, steps to reach those goals and actions to create systems change.
The council’s next Five-Year State Plan will be in effect from 2027 to 2031.
The current five-year plan includes initiatives that help give law enforcement the best tools to interact with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and improvements for workforce development.
“Public input sessions are essential because this is where people who are living day to day, as a person with an intellectual disability say, down syndrome or autism, can share with us their priorities,” Wells said.
Family members, friends and caregivers of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities also provide valuable insight at public input sessions.
The council’s New Bern public input session occured Monday at Craven Community College, at 800 College Way. A few attendees traveled from Onslow and Pamlico counties to voice their concerns and struggles as well.
Myron Gavin, N.C. Council on Developmental Disabilities member representing Craven County, is an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She’s been on the council since 2016 to help create and enforce changes that can make communities across the state accessible for everyone.
When she joined the council in 2016, she was the only member from Craven County and one of the few members from eastern North Carolina.
“I’m just so thankful that the council was able to work it out so they could be here,” Gavin said.
“I think it is extremely important that they hear somebody’s voice other than mine echoing what I see as a need or what needs to take place here in Craven County and surrounding areas in order to support the intellectual and developmental disability population.”
Gavin said the public input sessions are also important because it shows the intellectual and developmental disability population, as well as caregivers, that they aren’t alone in their advocacy journey.
Brendon Hildreth is a self-advocate on the council, who led an initiative to switch the traditional handicap icon to a new accessible icon logo across North Carolina.
Brendon Hildreth, who also serves on the council representing Craven County, is the director of the accessible icon project in North Carolina and a peer disability consultant for the North Carolina Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities.
Hildreth said New Bern was the first city to officially adopt the use of the new accessible icon logo. He said Mayor Jeffrey Odham was instrumental in changing the current handicap signs in New Bern to the more current accessible logo.
“(Odham) is an advocate and always supports disability awareness,” Brendon Hildreth said.
“He has continued to show interest in moving forward with disability rights.”
Odham joined the public input session to hear more about the council and some priorities of the intellectual and developmental disability community.
He also mentioned the city’s recent elevator project at city hall, which Brendon’s mother, Darcy Hildreth, was a big proponent of.
“It took a long time to do that and it was a significant investment the city made in that,” Odham said. “But if we would have done it years ago, when it should have been done, it wouldn’t have cost as much as it did.”
Odham said the city hall elevator project and updated accessible icons are a couple of good things the city has done.
“Obviously, we want to do more,” he said.
Brendon Hildreth said people with disabilities want to work, go to school, attend college and contribute to society.
“People with disabilities need to get out in the community, have their needs met and heard and get information,” Brendon Hildreth said. “But people need support.”
Darcy Hildreth said there is a nationwide lack of support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
During the day, Darcy Hildreth is her son’s direct service provider and helps him with personal care and work needs.
“But wouldn’t it be nice, as a 35-year-old man, if you didn’t have to have Darcy during the day and mom at night, if he could be out in the world?” Darcy Hildreth said.
She said a lack of awareness and lack of livable wages for professional direct service providers has led to a gap in support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Other residents of New Bern and the surrounding area echoed the same sentiments during the public input session.
Area residents in attendance said other needs for the disabled community include specialized intellectual and developmental disability schools, advanced technology, accessibility to resources, more day school and trade school programs and awareness.
In addition to hosting public input sessions across North Carolina, the council also uses an extensive survey to identify the priorities and needs of the intellectual and developmental disability community, Wells said.
The survey is open to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, caregivers, professionals and other members of the community.
The deadline to submit the survey is Sept. 30.
Information about the survey, upcoming public input sessions and the Council’s Five-Year State Plan is available at https://tinyurl.com/4zs3rnxz.
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