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 Old Town Irvine in Irvine, CA 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 Irvine, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I had “Total Shoulder Replacement” just before. Thanksgiving and am so pleased and happy with”
“To let you know we are happy about Karina vega she went up”
“The caregivers they send are the best. Very professional and kind. Some walk in and”
“Phoung the administrator is easy to work and has made the process very easy for”
“Phuong the coordinator is amazing! She is so helpful, great with communication and has gone”
“We had caregivers come to our mother’s home frequently and they did an exceptional job.”
“I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer , Deb Botelho was an amazing caretaker”
“I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer , Deb Botelho was an amazing caretaker”
“I had a very good experience with Phong and her workers. Mostly all of them were”
“The team at ABC Senior services has been a godsend for me and my family.”
“We have used Phuong and her caregivers for over a year. She and her team”
“ABC came in and really helped stabilize my mom’s living situation as her dementia worsened.”
“I had a great experience with Always Best Care. My husband needed 8 hours 7”
“Thank you for being there, and working around my hectic schedule…you made my time and”
“After being in the assisted-living for nearly 3 weeks due to it, horrible accident, I”
“An amazing company doing amazing things through home care. Phuong does an awesome job managing”
“Writing a review for service received is never an easy task especially where it involves”
“I appreciated the friendly & professional care Karla provided for me after my extended hospital”
“Oh my gosh, the VA came to my rescue in providing my husband with a”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management”
“Always Best Care provided reliable quality care to my family member in my home. They”
“After months of struggling with trying to find a reliable caregiver for a disabled loved”
“The first month of assistance with Best care was a little rough for my 89”
“I had “Total Shoulder Replacement” just before. Thanksgiving and am so pleased and happy with the Excellent level of service [Always Best Care] provided even with different Caregivers being assigned to help take care of me! Stella Song”
“To let you know we are happy about Karina vega she went up and beyond helping with her duties please if we need help again please send Karina she is very caring and helpful God Bless Doris Holmes”
“The caregivers they send are the best. Very professional and kind. Some walk in and see exactly what needs to be done and others take direction well. I am recovering my strength and their kind care is immensely appreciated.”
“Phoung the administrator is easy to work and has made the process very easy for me. After several months of service team coming into our home, I realize they’re becoming an extension of our family. We catch up on how each other‘s been and most importantly, I’m able to trust them caring for my 89-year-old mother. She was resistant to having help initially and now she’s ready and waiting at the door for them. I particularly love having different staff show up, primarily, we know them all and have the same group a lot, but the variety has helped us not get into a rut that every day we do the same thing with the same caregiver at the same time. All of them bring their own special personality to the job, but most importantly they are kind and gracious, and God sent for me and my family”
“Phuong the coordinator is amazing! She is so helpful, great with communication and has gone above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable and supported as we navigated the new journey of getting a caregiver. All caregivers that have come out have been lovely and so helpful!”
“We had caregivers come to our mother’s home frequently and they did an exceptional job. There was a team of workers which was nice so our Mother did not get too attached to any one caregiver. The personnel manager was phenomenal as she answered so many questions we had and was willing to make adjustments to schedules quickly. I appreciated the daily notes but would have liked to see the notes be a bit more detailed. I would and have recommended this service to others in need of in home health care providers for memory care or just aging family members.”
“I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer , Deb Botelho was an amazing caretaker . She has taken care of me for almost a year. She has helped me shower , dress me , do light house work , helped me walk and even helped me after my surgeries and recovery . I don’t know what I would’ve done without her . She is an amazing human with the biggest heart . ❤️”
“I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer , Deb Botelho was an amazing caretaker . She has taken care of me for almost a year. She has helped me shower , dress me , do light house work , helped me walk and even helped me after my surgeries and recovery . I don’t know what I would’ve done without her . She is an amazing human with the biggest heart . ❤️”
“I had a very good experience with Phong and her workers. Mostly all of them were so great and helpful in their own way. If I requested one,,as I did many a time, she would do her best to honor my request. I highly reccommend her and Best Care.”
“The team at ABC Senior services has been a godsend for me and my family. The caretakers and this company came highly recommended from a friend and now I understand why. This business has been very accommodating and understanding and has tremendous experience. Every individual has unique needs and this company does its best to harmonize with the customers needs. We worked with Karla,Ronny,Michelle and Betsy. Dementia and Alzheimer's are very cruel ailments and ABC came through for us to help take care of my father's needs and to take pressure off of my mother by helping with daily tasks.”
“We have used Phuong and her caregivers for over a year. She and her team are the best. Phuong knew what my mother needed even before we did, as she knows the business front and back. She also has a compassionate heart. The only reason we stopped was because my mother could never return home and needed to be placed in a home. My mother loved her home and was grateful she could live there with the help of Always Best Care Senior Services.”
“ABC came in and really helped stabilize my mom’s living situation as her dementia worsened. Phuong was adaptable and worked with us regarding scheduling, doctor appointments and any other needs we had with our in-home care. I would definitely recommend Phuong and her team with any home healthcare needs.”
“I had a great experience with Always Best Care. My husband needed 8 hours 7 days a week care so the caregivers became part of our family! Not every caregiver was a good fit but Phoung was flexible and worked to insure our days went as smoothly as possible. I have recommended Always Best Care to friends and they have been thrilled with the care the are receiving.”
“Thank you for being there, and working around my hectic schedule…you made my time and my husbands time positive.”
“After being in the assisted-living for nearly 3 weeks due to it, horrible accident, I arrived home, not being able to do much. I was completely frustrated, then, Always Best Care of came to my rescue! The ladies that came out were extremely helpful, kind, considerate, and understanding. Each week, they would jump in and do things that were absolutely impossible for me to do. I’m very independent, but they helpe me to relax, take it easy and let them handle anything I needed. I am so very grateful for this wonderful service.”
“An amazing company doing amazing things through home care. Phuong does an awesome job managing the staff and clients to assure the experience on both ends exceeds their expectations. It's a great place to work and give back to your community.”
“Writing a review for service received is never an easy task especially where it involves service provided to a loved one. But where service received becomes an overwhelmingly pleasant experience, the task becomes an easier one. Such is the feeling I have as I look back at the almost three years of care my late husband received from the caregivers provided by the Veterans Administration through the Always Best Care Agency. Of special mention was a very nice lady by the name of Claudette LaCaille, a pre-school teacher by profession who was one of the caregivers that unselfishly cared for him. Not only did she patiently attend to his needs---she provided a genuine companionship to him and great comfort and understanding to me. It made this painful period of my life bearable and easier to accept and cope with. I am also very grateful to the agency’s owner, Nguyen Phuong, for granting my request to send caregivers who could come consistently on a regular schedule. It made him feel like familiar friends were visiting him on a regular basis. I highly recommend the Always Best Care Senior Services and wish their caregiving heroes and heroines the best of health and good fortune now and always.”
“I appreciated the friendly & professional care Karla provided for me after my extended hospital & rehab stay. Thank you for sending Karla for my care.”
“Oh my gosh, the VA came to my rescue in providing my husband with a caregiving service after 3 years of doing it myself. Alway Best Care of Fountain Valley is the company that was designated to us. Phuong does a spectacular job in finding the best people possible to fit into a caregiving roll. What impressed me most is the fact that when a caregiver cannot make the scheduled appointment, Phuong does not allow us to be without caregiving service, if she cannot find a replacement she steps up and performs the duties herself. She is most helpful in assisting with regular caregiving service and does not feel it below her to chip in with light housekeeping chores. BRAVO Ms Phuong, your company’s service is the best.”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management "flexibility in schedule" helped us all in our household and gave us more relief in taking our short breaks and not to worry about our fiend's care, safety and his assistance at home. Consistency of caregivers assigned made it easier for my friend’s personality and to myself to handle his care. Caregivers provided the standard of professionalism, punctuality and respect in all aspects of care to my friend and to all household members as well. Always Best Care patiently worked and delivered my request for my friend's care in matching his personality with caregivers. I was not also easy to deal with being the person in charge to my friend. Thank you Always Best Care with gratitude. Penny Byram Westminster”
“Caregivers went beyond our expectations of what they can do to help us. The management "flexibility in schedule" helped us all in our household and gave us more relief in taking our short breaks and not to worry about our fiend's care, safety and his assistance at home. Consistency of caregivers assigned made it easier for my friend's personality as well as to myself. Caregivers provided the standard of professionalism, punctuality and respect in all aspects of care to my friend and to all household members as well. Always Best Care patiently worked and delivered my request for my friend's care in matching his personality with caregivers. Thank you Always Best Care with gratitude.”
“Always Best Care provided reliable quality care to my family member in my home. They were professional, courteous and kind in their provision of personal care. Many thanks to their staff.”
“After months of struggling with trying to find a reliable caregiver for a disabled loved one, I reached out to Always Best Care. From our first phone conversation, Phuong was incredibly helpful, highly professional, informative, and kind. She assisted us with getting care for my family member at home and recently helped us with transitioning her into a senior board and care facility. Phuong understood our needs and made the process super smooth and stress free. She always responds to emails and phone calls promptly and is a true gem. I highly recommend Always Best Care and could not be more pleased with the outstanding level of service Phuong provided.”
“The first month of assistance with Best care was a little rough for my 89 y.o.father, with a different care giver each visit. However as time progressed, the caregivers became more regular and his very favorite became Lauren! He is loving his in-home-care with the kindness and concern each of the caregivers show him.”
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 Great Park in Irvine, CA 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 Bistango in Irvine or visit Irvine Ranch Historic Park, 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 Irvine, 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.
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 Irvine, 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.
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 Irvine, 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.
Computer chip and software developer Broadcom purchased the Irvine office compound it rented in the latest example of a well-funded company taking advantage of depressed real estate prices to switch from renter to owner.Broadcom paid its former landlord, PRP Real Assets, $325 million for the 660,000-square-foot research campus near the junction of the 5 and 405 freeways in one of the largest office sales in Southern California in recent years.The unusual deal was a reacquisition for Broadcom, which developed the property as an ...
Computer chip and software developer Broadcom purchased the Irvine office compound it rented in the latest example of a well-funded company taking advantage of depressed real estate prices to switch from renter to owner.
Broadcom paid its former landlord, PRP Real Assets, $325 million for the 660,000-square-foot research campus near the junction of the 5 and 405 freeways in one of the largest office sales in Southern California in recent years.
The unusual deal was a reacquisition for Broadcom, which developed the property as an office and research-and-development complex before selling the campus for roughly $443 million in 2017.
At that time, it agreed to lease it for 20 years, real estate data provider CoStar said. PRP acquired the campus for $355 million in 2020.
The campus consists of two five-story office buildings at 15101 and 15191 Alton Parkway.
Completed in 2017 and 2018, the campus was designed to be Broadcom’s corporate headquarters with significant research-and-development capabilities.
Broadcom, now based in Palo Alto, is one of the world’s largest semiconductor and infrastructure software companies. It makes components for iPhones, optical networking and other products.
Through acquisitions of other tech firms, the company has assembled a portfolio of 17 owned properties totaling more than 2.2 million square feet, according to CoStar data.
“You rarely see an Orange County office deal of this size, and almost never from an occupier rather than an investor,” said Jesse Gundersheim, a senior director of market analytics for CoStar. “Broadcom is taking control of a campus that is already critical to its business.”
Companies occupying their own buildings accounted for 34% of Orange County office sales volume over the past year, compared with a five-year average of 24%, CoStar said.
In Los Angeles, fund manager Capital Group earlier this year agreed to pay about $210 million for the 55-story Bank of America Plaza atop Bunker Hill, where it has offices.
Others choosing to buy over rent include Riot Games and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
“We knew the best landlord we could possibly have would be ourselves,” Capital Group Chief Executive Mike Gitlin said in April.
For the last two weeks, a little bird with big feet has turned a 320-acre marsh in Irvine into one of the hottest birding destinations in Southern California.Hundreds of birdwatchers have flocked to the hoping to catch a glimpse of a juvenile purple gallinule. It’s the first documented sighting of the rare bird in Orange County and the eighth in California since 1961.The sighting still needs to be accepted by the, which reviews and confirms rare bird sightings.The swamp hen, known by its scientific name, Porphyr...
For the last two weeks, a little bird with big feet has turned a 320-acre marsh in Irvine into one of the hottest birding destinations in Southern California.
Hundreds of birdwatchers have flocked to the hoping to catch a glimpse of a juvenile purple gallinule. It’s the first documented sighting of the rare bird in Orange County and the eighth in California since 1961.
The sighting still needs to be accepted by the, which reviews and confirms rare bird sightings.
The swamp hen, known by its scientific name, Porphyrio martinica, mostly is found along the Gulf of Mexico and in the Caribbean as well as parts of South America. However, it’s known to wander farther abroad and has been spotted as far away as Iceland, according to the , a research and conservation institute.
Last year, an adult purple gallinule was spotted some 600 miles north at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Humboldt County, making it the northernmost sighting to date, according to state records.
This is not the first bird sighting to spark a frenzy in Southern California. More than three years ago, an Arctic owl captivated residents in Cypress for a month after arriving around Christmas.
An adult purple gallinule has a bright purple and green body with a pale blue marking that resembles a shield above its red and yellow bill. Juveniles are pale brown with tints of bronze and green on the wings and back.
The bird, which feeds on vegetation and insects, has long, bright yellow legs and toes that it uses to gracefully make its way through the wetland.
Ian Swift, natural resources manager at the Irvine Ranch Water District, said the bird was spotted about two weeks ago by a birder who then posted it on a public forum for birdwatchers.
“So from there, like many things on social media, it spread like wildfire,” Swift said, chuckling.
He said people posted updates and photos about the bird on the forum, which drove more people to visit the marsh.
“The San Joaquin Marsh here is, you know, for the most part pretty quiet during the week,” Swift said. “And now, there’s literally hundreds of people here since the bird was sighted.”
The bird’s unexpected visit has drawn so many curious birdwatchers that the overflow parking lot has filled up at times, he said.
Joel Weintraub, 84, said credit for the discovery of the bird goes to marsh visitor Charles Baker, who spotted it Aug. 13 and posted a photo on EBird, a free online database. He said a user by the name “Sharilyn” then identified the bird as a purple gallinule.
Soon after, word spread among bird enthusiasts and out came the “birdarazzi.”
“The first couple of days, over a hundred or so showed up,” Weintraub said.
He waited until Aug. 16 to visit the marsh and look for the bird. He took photos and made a video of his visit on Weintraub was happy to see a diverse group of birders at the marsh.
“I looked around and saw some old-timers,” he said. “But there were a lot of young people in their 20s and 30s, a new generation of birders.”
Among them is Basil Liu, 25, who got into birding three years ago.
Liu, who grew up reading National Geographic and watching Animal Planet, got into bird-watching after downloading Merlin Bird ID, a birding app.
“It lets you track the birds you see and scientists use the data,” he said. “So it was super cool because you could go out birding, keep a list of everything you saw and it would tell you if something was uncommon.”
Liu signed up to a mailing list that alerts subscribers about rare bird sightings in Southern California. He was home with his roommates when he saw the email notification come through Aug. 13.
“I used to live with my parents in Lake Forest, so San Joaquin Marsh was not far at all, but I recently moved to the San Fernando Valley,” Liu said. “So I got that email and was like: ‘No, I used to be so close, but now I’m so far.”
Last week he visited his parents and went to the marsh to look for the bird.
“I was very hopeful because it had been consistently seen for over a week, so I got up early in the morning, went over and I was very lucky that it was just hanging out,” Liu said. “So I ended up sitting there for like two hours just taking pictures.”
What brought the young purple gallinule to the state is up for debate, but it was no surprise it chose one of the largest coastal wetlands in Southern California.
The marsh was built in the 1990s to naturally clean dry-weather urban runoff from San Diego Creek and address the algae blooms that once existed in Upper Newport Bay, according to the water district’s website.
“The secondary benefit of having this beautiful marsh is this fantastic wildlife,” Swift said. “There’s over 300 species of birds that have been seen in the marsh over the years.”
He said the marsh also serves as a green space for the public that includes about 12 miles of walking trails.
“You see all kinds of nature, you know, not just birds, but plants and other wildlife. Even though we’re tucked in the middle of urbanization and by an airport, you can’t hear the planes when you’re down in the trails, you can’t hear the cars driving by.”
“One out of one purple gallinule loves this place,” he added, chuckling.
Water district officials said the swamp hen still was at the marsh as of Wednesday night. The San Joaquin Marsh is open from dawn to sunset. No dogs are allowed. For updates, visit the Orange County Birding forum.
Bank Was Subject of Multiple State and Federal Enforcement OrdersWhat You Need to Know: California closed Nano Banc given its deteriorating financial condition. This follows years of executive mismanagement and failure to comply with California’s orders.SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) today seized Irvine-based Nano Banc and appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a receiver. The action comes after Nano Banc’s...
What You Need to Know: California closed Nano Banc given its deteriorating financial condition. This follows years of executive mismanagement and failure to comply with California’s orders.
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) today seized Irvine-based Nano Banc and appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a receiver. The action comes after Nano Banc’s failure to comply with DFPI’s latest enforcement order related to its deteriorating financial condition, as well as a multi-year pattern of executive mismanagement and regulatory violations. In seizing the bank, California is taking action to protect consumers and preserve confidence in the banking system.
Nano Banc, a state-chartered bank, commenced operations in 2018, when Nano Financial Holdings, Inc. completed the acquisition of Commerce Bank of Temecula Valley. Starting in 2020, DFPI discovered significant risk management weaknesses and violations of law, including repeated unauthorized changes to the board and C-suite and executive self-dealing resulting in financial deterioration.
DFPI has taken numerous enforcement actions relating to Nano Banc to protect Californians. DFPI took action against two former executives and prohibited their future involvement with the Bank. DPFI issued an order requiring Nano Banc to give advance notice before appointing, electing, or adding any new individuals to the Board and executive management. Shortly thereafter, DFPI issued a cease-and-desist order after Nano Banc violated DFPI’s initial order by putting executives on administrative leave, naming a new CEO and chairman, and replacing directors without the legally-required notice — moves that DFPI warned may “weaken the condition of the bank.”
In March 2026, after Nano Banc reported a net loss of roughly $75.3 million, DFPI issued an order requiring the bank to significantly increase and maintain its available capital, including maintaining at least 9.5 percent tangible shareholders’ equity. Alternatively, the bank could have voluntarily liquidated or sold to or merged with another institution — but Nano Banc failed to successfully take any of the available actions. Furthermore, its shareholders’ equity fell below a statutory minimum of 3 percent, meaning Nano Banc was operating with inadequate capital and in an unsafe and unsound manner, leading DFPI to seize the bank and place it into receivership.
Nano Banc holds total assets of roughly $690 million. The FDIC has accepted a bid from Sunwest Bank (Sandy, Utah) to assume all deposits, including all uninsured deposits, and a substantial portion of its assets.
In 2022, the Federal Reserve (Fed) took enforcement action related to concerns over governance, compliance, and insider trading risks at Nano Banc. In April 2025, the Fed terminated its enforcement action.
Today’s seizure underscores California’s commitment to ensuring gross mismanagement does not harm Californians and the state’s economy. Last month, DFPI made a formal submission opposing a federal proposal to weaken oversight over bank management.
DFPI’s top priority is to ensure that depositors and borrowers are protected. DFPI is also considering additional steps to address risks associated with uninsured deposits and to hold accountable executives that grossly mismanage state-chartered banks.
Californians can learn more about FDIC insurance at dfpi.ca.gov/why-deposit-insurance-matters. For information about FDIC coverage limits and requirements, visit fdic.gov or call 1877-ASK-FDIC.
The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation protects consumers, regulates financial services, and fosters responsible innovation. DFPI protects consumers by establishing and enforcing financial regulations that promote transparency and accountability. We empower all Californians to access a fair and equitable financial marketplace through education and by helping to prevent potential risks, fraud, and abuse. Learn more at dfpi.ca.gov.
On Friday, September 25, 2026, Nano Banc was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. No advance notice is given to the public when a financial institution is closed. Sunwest Bank, Sandy, UT assumed substantially all deposit accounts and acquired certain assets of Nano Banc. All shares of stock were owned by the holding company, which was not involved in this transaction.Frequently Asked QuestionsSeptember 25, 2026 Official P...
On Friday, September 25, 2026, Nano Banc was closed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. No advance notice is given to the public when a financial institution is closed. Sunwest Bank, Sandy, UT assumed substantially all deposit accounts and acquired certain assets of Nano Banc. All shares of stock were owned by the holding company, which was not involved in this transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
September 25, 2026 Official Press Release
The full balance of substantially all deposit accounts has been transferred to Sunwest Bank.
You may continue to use your checks and ATM/Debit card. Direct deposits like paychecks and social security benefits will continue as usual. Please refer to the Banking Services section below for more details.
EDIE — Electronic Deposit Insurance EstimatorCalculate insurance coverage of deposit accounts
Facts for DepositorsGeneral information explaining the role of FDIC
You should continue to make payments, including escrow payments, as usual; the terms of your loan will not change.
If your loan is currently in process or you had a line of credit, contact your loan officer.
If you are making escrow payments and receive notification that any portion of your taxes or insurance was not paid, contact your loan officer.
If you received notice that the FDIC retained your loan, and you have questions, please visit the FDIC Information and Support Center.
Obtaining a Lien ReleaseProcess on getting a release of lien
Borrower’s Guide to an FDIC Insured Bank FailureOverview of how FDIC processes loans
Facts for BorrowersGeneral information explaining the role of FDIC
You may be eligible to file a claim against Nano Banc.
If you have not been paid for services rendered on or before September 25, 2026, please refer to the Filing Claims section below.
Facts for CreditorsGeneral information explaining the role of FDIC
If you are concerned about becoming a victim of fraud, be advised that you will not receive any communication from the FDIC requesting any private information. Be watchful for and resistant to any scams to obtain information from you by individuals or entities stating they are acting on behalf of Nano Banc, Sunwest Bank, or the FDIC. The FDIC, however, will encourage you to correspond with us via the Failed Bank Customer Service Center (FBCSC), a secure web portal.
Substantially all deposit accounts have been transferred to Sunwest Bank, Sandy, UT ("assuming institution") and will be available immediately. The former Nano Banc locations will reopen as branches of Sunwest Bank during regular business hours.
All transferred deposits will be separately insured from any accounts you may already have at Sunwest Bank for at least six months after the failure of Nano Banc. Checks that were drawn on Nano Banc that did not clear before the institution closed will be honored as long as there are sufficient funds in the account.
Sunwest Bank will review deposit rates. You will be notified of any changes. You may withdraw your funds from any transferred account without an early withdrawal penalty until you enter into a new deposit agreement with Sunwest Bank as long as the deposits are not pledged as collateral for loans.
Sunwest Bank10011 S Centennial PkwySandy, UT 84070
Sunwest Bank (www.sunwestbank.com)
Substantially all deposit accounts have been transferred to Sunwest Bank. If you are a customer who has a Nano Banc deposit through a broker, you must contact your broker with any questions.
Deposit Broker's Processing Guide
These services will continue as usual. Your routing number and account number will remain the same until you are notified in writing by Sunwest Bank.
Your ATM/Debit card will continue to work as usual.
Your checks will be processed as usual. All outstanding checks will be paid against your available balance(s). Sunwest Bank will contact you soon regarding any changes in the terms of your account. If you have a problem with a merchant refusing to accept your check, please contact your branch office.
All direct deposits, for example, social security, payroll, veterans' benefits, disability, unemployment or any payment you receive electronically will continue as usual.
These lines have been transferred to Sunwest Bank. Please contact Sunwest Bank if you have additional questions regarding your accounts.
You will have access to your safe deposit boxes during normal business hours. Any changes will be communicated by Sunwest Bank.
Sunwest Bank will be responsible for mailing your 1099 tax information. Your 1098 reporting will be done by the FDIC or the servicer of your loan. You will be notified of any changes in ownership or servicing of your loan.
If you or your company provided a service or product, leased space, furniture, or equipment to Nano Banc on or before September 25, 2026, and have not been paid, you may have a claim against Nano Banc.
All creditors having claims against Nano Banc must submit their Proof of Claim form, along with the supporting documentation, to the Receiver through one of the following methods: online, by email, or by mail. You can complete the Proof of Claim form and provide supporting documentation electronically through the Failed Bank Customer Service Center (FBCSC). To file a claim via email or mail, please go to Deposit Claims & Asset Sales to obtain a Proof of Claim form. Please complete the Proof of Claim form along with supporting documentation and submit via email, or by mail.
Failed Bank Customer Service Center (FBCSC)
FDIC as Receiver for Nano BancAttention: Non-Deposit Claims600 North Pearl StreetSuite 700Dallas, TX 75201
NOTE TO CLASS CLAIMANTS: By law, the Receiver will not accept a claim filed on behalf of a proposed class of individuals or entities or a class of individuals or entities certified by a court. EACH individual or entity must file a separate claim with the Receiver.
In accordance with Federal law, allowed claims will be paid, after administrative expenses, in the following order of priority:
All shares of Nano Banc are owned by its holding company, Nano Financial Holdings, Inc., Irvine, CA. The holding company was not included in the closing of the bank or resulting receivership.
If you are a shareholder, please do not contact or file a claim with the Receiver. You must contact the holding company directly:
Nano Financial Holdings, Inc.7755 Irvine Center Drive, 3rd FloorIrvine, CA 92618
Contact the FDIC Call Center at 1-866-314-1744.
Pacific Time
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Friday, September 25, 2026 | Until 8:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Monday, September 28, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thereafter, weekdays | 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Irvine, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 — For the 12th year running, the University of California, Irvine has landed among the top 10 public universities in the country, placing eighth in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 list of “Best Colleges” – its highest public-university ranking in over a decade.Released today as part of U.S. News’ annual evaluation of more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universiti...
Irvine, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 — For the 12th year running, the University of California, Irvine has landed among the top 10 public universities in the country, placing eighth in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 list of “Best Colleges” – its highest public-university ranking in over a decade.
Released today as part of U.S. News’ annual evaluation of more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, the findings cement UC Irvine’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier public research institutions. The campus also placed 34th among all U.S. universities – public and private combined – and earned recognition across more than a dozen additional categories, from upward social mobility to individual academic programs.
For UC Irvine, the achievement is more than a number. It reflects a campuswide commitment to a proposition that can sound almost radical in American higher education: that world-class academics don’t have to be at odds with genuine affordability.
“We are all very pleased that U.S. News & World Report has once again recognized the distinguished excellence of our teaching, research and public service,” said UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman. “Being in the top 10 for the 12th consecutive year is especially gratifying in light of our commitment to inclusive excellence and educating our state’s best and most talented students regardless of their financial circumstances.”
UC Irvine’s rise to No. 8 among publics builds on more than a decade of steady momentum. The campus was also named eighth in Best Value Schools for In-State Students and 11th in Top Performers on Social Mobility, a category that recognizes universities that enroll and graduate large numbers of students who receive federal Pell Grants – need-based aid for undergraduates facing significant financial hardship. UC Irvine has long been counted among the best in the country at graduating its Pell recipients, proof that access and excellence can move forward together.
In addition, the campus placed 16th in Best Colleges for Veterans and 50th among Most Innovative Schools, underscoring a breadth of strength that extends well beyond a single headline ranking.
U.S. News also evaluated a wide range of individual undergraduate and programs this year. UC Irvine disciplines ranked among the nation’s best include:
Perhaps no myth is more persistent in higher education than the idea that a top-tier degree comes with a price tag out of reach for most families. UC Irvine has spent years working to dismantle that perception through some of the most robust financial aid programs in the UC system.
Through the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, tuition and fees are fully covered for qualifying sons and daughters of California-resident families earning less than $100,000 a year. The Middle Class Scholarship extends support to families earning up to $234,000 annually, recognizing that the financial strain of college reaches well beyond the lowest-income households. Layered on top of those flagship programs are federal Pell Grants, institutional scholarships, hundreds of private awards administered through the campus’s financial aid office, and work-study opportunities that let students earn while they learn.
The result, university officials said, is that many UC Irvine graduates cross the commencement stage with far less debt than peers at private institutions – and, in a meaningful number of cases, none at all.
The return on that investment shows up in graduates’ careers. Studies consistently find that college alumni earn up to $1 million more over their careers than peers whose education ended with a high school diploma, and UC Irvine’s strength in high-demand fields – engineering, computer science, business, health sciences, and the biological and physical sciences – puts graduates in front of employers across Orange County and the broader Southern California economic corridor.
Many UC Irvine alumni are the first in their families to complete a four-year college education – a milestone that reshapes not just their own futures but the opportunities available to the generations that follow. It’s a return this year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings make official but one UC Irvine students and graduates have been living for years.
U.S. News also assessed the most innovative universities, and UC Irvine is in the top 50. Its strength in innovation is evident not only in groundbreaking discoveries but also in how it innovates teaching, research, technology and entrepreneurship.
Recent examples demonstrate innovation taking shape across the campus. For instance, the newly established Department of Systems Biology integrates mathematical modeling, genomics and experimental biology to tackle increasingly complex scientific questions. Additionally, UC Irvine is advancing the use of artificial intelligence through ZotGPT, a secure campus AI ecosystem that supports students, faculty and staff.
This culture of creativity extends beyond the classroom. Beall Applied Innovation assists faculty in transforming breakthroughs into patents, startups and commercial applications while connecting researchers with entrepreneurs, investors and industry partners. Students have similar opportunities through programs like the Stella Zhang New Venture Competition and the ANTrepreneur Center, where they can develop, test and launch new ideas. These efforts collectively facilitate the transition from discovery to practical application; strengthen Orange County’s entrepreneurial ecosystem; and amplify UC Irvine’s impact through innovative technologies, companies and partnerships.
About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.
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