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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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 Ocoee, FL

Home Care Ocoee, FL

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 WithersMaguire House in Ocoee, FL 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 Ocoee, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Ocoee, FL

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Ocoee, FL?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Ocoee, FL

Types of Elderly Care in Ocoee, FL

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

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

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

Respite Care Ocoee, FL
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

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

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Bill Breeze Park in Ocoee, FL with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

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

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local RusTeak Ocoee or visit Bill Breeze 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.

 In-Home Care Ocoee, FL

Benefits of Home Care in Ocoee, FL

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

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

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Ocoee, FL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Ocoee, FL

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

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 Ocoee, FL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Ocoee, FL

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

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

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:

  • Madison at Ocoee
  • Inspired Living at Ocoee
  • Eden Manor
  • COUNTRY COMFORT CARE II, Inc
  • Advocate Assisted Living
  • The Summit of Winter Garden
Home Care Ocoee, FL

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Ocoee, FL

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Ocoee, FL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Ocoee, FL

Latest News in Ocoee, FL

Local artists to take the stage at Ocoee Music Fest

Apopka’s Dallas Tyler always has had an affinity for music and went on to create a band and open for John Anderson, Chayce Beckham, War Hippies and Twitty and Lynn.He has loved his music journey so far and has crossed many places off his performance list, including the House of Blues and Apopka Amphitheater.For some time now, Ocoee Music Festival has been on his wish list, and finally, his time has come to take the stage Saturday, Nov. 15.Tyler is one of three Orange County artists taking the stage at the free, two...

Apopka’s Dallas Tyler always has had an affinity for music and went on to create a band and open for John Anderson, Chayce Beckham, War Hippies and Twitty and Lynn.

He has loved his music journey so far and has crossed many places off his performance list, including the House of Blues and Apopka Amphitheater.

For some time now, Ocoee Music Festival has been on his wish list, and finally, his time has come to take the stage Saturday, Nov. 15.

Tyler is one of three Orange County artists taking the stage at the free, two-day music festival Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15, at Bill Breeze Park.

Bre Hopkins

Bre Hopkins will be the opening act Friday, Nov. 14, for classic rock night.

She was born in Rhode Island and moved to Lake Nona 15 years ago, still calling it her home today.

Although she’s a singer now, she wasn’t always interested in music.

“My parents tried to make me (sing as a child), but it never went very well,” she said. “They’d have me sing in the choir. They’d pull out solos for me, and I was the last person that wanted them. I would choke, and it was scary. I had such debilitating stage fright; it was ridiculous.”

She went to college for recording arts and thought she wanted to work in the studio, but life had other plans.

Hopkins played softball in college and ended up tearing her shoulder, which ultimately led her to her singing career.

Her friends were karaoke jockeys, and she started hanging out with them — although she’d still never sing.

One day, while hanging out at a karaoke bar, her friend convinced her to sing. No one was at the bar, so she took the mic.

“I went, and I sang a song and people came back in and they were like, ‘Why’d you put the radio on?’ And I was just dumbfounded,” Hopkins said. “It just went uphill from there, and karaoke became my jam. Everybody’s super nice to (one another), very supportive. Everybody was like, ‘You need to try for ‘The Voice,’’ but they would say that to everybody, so I still didn’t think I could sing.”

It wasn’t until she posted a singing video on Facebook about 10 years ago that she started believing in herself and her ability to sing.

Duggystone Radio, a U.K. radio station, found her video and played it on the radio.

“He said, ‘It’s a cell phone recording. Could you imagine if this girl recorded a song?’” she said. “And that right there was enough for me. I was like, ‘That’s insane.’”

Now, she has an 11-song album and is performing all over the state, with her upcoming performance at Ocoee Music Festival being her biggest one yet.

“This is the most excited I’ve been for a show ever,” Hopkins said. “This is such a big opportunity for us. … I’m kind of lost for words for how big of an opportunity this is. This is definitely going to be our biggest show to this day.”

She’ll be performing her debut album, which includes a little bit of rock and a little bit of country.

“We also have a couple of pretty awesome rock covers that they’re not going to be expecting us to do,” she said.

Making this performance all the more special is the fact she will be performing right before John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. Coincidentally, her father’s band opened for them 50 years ago in Rhode Island.

“Now, 50 years later in Florida, I’m opening for them instead of my dad,” she said with pride. “It’s such a small world, I couldn’t believe that was even happening. … The universe is speaking, telling me I’m on the right path.”

Dallas Tyler

Like Hopkins, Dallas Tyler also did a lot of karaoke and from then on decided to pursue a career in country music, starting a band and booking venues.

He will be performing at Ocoee Music Fest Saturday, Nov. 15, and as an Apopka native, that brings him tremendous joy.

Tyler grew up in the music industry as his grandfather ran the Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival.

“I’m here to inspire people that country music is still here, and it ain’t going nowhere,” he said.

Performing at Ocoee Music Festival means the world to him.

“This has been on my to-do bucket list and finally the opportunity came about,” Tyler said. “I always thank the man upstairs, if it weren’t for him, a lot of things wouldn’t happen.”

He will be playing various songs from artists including Clint Black, Hank Williams Jr., George Strait and David Allen Coe.

Tyler will perform “Faded Ole Picture,” his original ballad song, first played at the House of Blues in September.

“If you listen to it and the words, it’d put a lot of tears in your eyes,” he said.

The song talks about his grandparents’ love story and how there’s a picture on a shelf depicting their love for one another — a reminder of love, good memories and family.

He can’t wait to meet attendees at the event and rock his heart out.

“When we hit the big stage, they’re going to say, ‘Where has this band been the whole time?, Why haven’t we had them on stage before?’” he said. “I put a lot of work and effort into my music, and I push hard every day as much as I can.”

John Ashley

John Ashley is an Orlando singer who grew up with a love for music and even played with the band Paramore years ago.

He started his music career playing rock music but switched to country music, a genre he’s loved since his childhood.

“My dad listened to country music, and I grew up on it,” he said. “I’ve always been passionate about it. My first concert I ever went and saw was Randy Travis.”

That passion for country never left him, so he decided to debut his solo career two years ago at Ocoee Music Fest and has been playing at the festival ever since.

“This is all new to me,” he said. “I played with the band Paramore a long time ago, and I had done the whole traveling and touring with them, and I realized that wasn’t really the lifestyle I was looking for — especially at that time in my life.”

He decided to quit music after that for some years and now is back into it.

“Once I got to a place in my life where I just felt like I wanted to do my own thing, I started writing my own songs and my own music,” Ashley said. “I put a lot of time and a lot of energy into it.”

Now, he’s performing at Ocoee Music Festival Saturday, Nov. 15, as a country music act.

Ashley said he is super excited to perform in his backyard at this top-notch festival and perform new and unreleased songs, although he is a bit anxious.

“When there is a lot of people there that you know, whether it’s family, friends or whatever, you get a little more anxious about playing,” he said. “At the end of the day, as an artist, you start to get used to it. I’d love for people to come say hi and meet me and the guys. I’d love for people to come get to know me and find out who we are and what we’re about. At the same time, I just hope that we bring a lot of energy and bring a lot of joy to people.”

COUNTRY STARS:

SATURDAY, NOV. 15

OTHER EVENTS

DASH OF THE CENTURY

WHEN: 7 to 10 a.m.

WHERE: Ocoee City Hall, 1 Bluford Ave., Ocoee

REGISTRATION: runsignup.com/race/fl/ocoee/dashofthecentury

OCOEE GARDEN MARKET

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: McKey Street, Ocoee

FAB FIVE FAMILY FISHING TOURNAMENT

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Bill Breeze Parkway boat ramp

MUSIC FEST CAR SHOW

WHEN: Noon to 2 p.m.

WHERE: 1 Bluford Ave., Ocoee

COST: Free

14 cases of Legionnaires' disease reported in Florida, may be linked to gym

At least 14 cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported in central Florida.In an email to state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the Florida Department of Health revealed the outbreak is linked to a gym, reported ABC News affiliate WFTV.The letter from the department did not list the name of the gym, but WFTV reported that a Crunch Fitness in Ocoee -- 12 miles west of Orlando -- had members reporting cases of Legionnaires' disease.Crunch Fitness told the station it is working with the health department, ...

At least 14 cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported in central Florida.

In an email to state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the Florida Department of Health revealed the outbreak is linked to a gym, reported ABC News affiliate WFTV.

The letter from the department did not list the name of the gym, but WFTV reported that a Crunch Fitness in Ocoee -- 12 miles west of Orlando -- had members reporting cases of Legionnaires' disease.

Crunch Fitness told the station it is working with the health department, has closed off parts of the gym and is testing its pool and spa systems "out of an abundance of caution."

Neither the Florida Department of Health nor Crunch Fitness immediately returned ABC News' request for comment.

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling the Legionella bacteria in small droplets of water mixed in the air or contaminated water accidentally going into your lungs.

Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater but typically grow best in warm water and in warm to hot temperatures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The disease does not spread from person to person, but outbreaks can grow if the bacteria get into a building's water supply, including in shower heads, sink faucets, hot water tanks, heaters and other plumbing systems.

Legionnaires has increased in prevalence over the last decade, reaching a peak of 2.71 cases per 100,000 in 2018, the CDC said. Cases dropped during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and then rebounded in 2021.

Although most people recover from Legionnaires' disease with antibiotics, certain patients -- including those who are immunocompromised or who suffer from chronic lung diseases -- can develop complications that can be fatal.

About one out of every 10 people who develops Legionnaires' disease will die due to complications, according to the CDC. Among those who develop Legionnaires' disease during a stay in a health care facility, about one out of every four people will die, the federal health agency added.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

State finds no Legionella bacteria at Crunch Fitness Ocoee amid outbreak concerns

OCOEE, Fla. —On Wednesday, WESH 2 received information from Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith that 14 confirmed and suspected cases of Legionnaires' disease had been reported in Orange County due to "gym exposure."The reports stated that an outbreak occurred at the Crunch Fitness in Ocoee.Florida Department of Health testing shared with WESH 2 by the gym showed no Legionella bacterial growths in swabs collected on Nov. 21.Crunch Fitness Ocoee reached out to WESH 2 and provide...

OCOEE, Fla. —

On Wednesday, WESH 2 received information from Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith that 14 confirmed and suspected cases of Legionnaires' disease had been reported in Orange County due to "gym exposure."

The reports stated that an outbreak occurred at the Crunch Fitness in Ocoee.

Florida Department of Health testing shared with WESH 2 by the gym showed no Legionella bacterial growths in swabs collected on Nov. 21.

Crunch Fitness Ocoee reached out to WESH 2 and provided this statement:

Recent testing conducted by the Florida Department of Health has confirmed that all 20 environmental samples collected at Crunch Ocoee — including nine bulk-water samples and 11 swab samples — tested negative for Legionella. The Department performed an extensive evaluation of our facility, including the spa systems, showers, hot water heaters, water fountains, bathroom sinks, and the exterior water main. Every sample showed zero evidence of Legionella.

We understand there is heightened community attention following reports of Legionellosis cases in the wider Ocoee and Pine Hills areas. While health officials continue their broader investigation, the Department of Health's comprehensive testing into the identified systems has found no current indication that Crunch Ocoee's water systems contained the presence of Legionella pneumophila.

We appreciate the Department of Health's diligence and transparency throughout this process. Crunch Ocoee will continue to work closely with local and state officials to support public health efforts. The safety and well-being of our members and staff remain our highest priority, and we are committed to upholding the rigorous standards our community expects and deserves.

-- Crunch Ocoee

What is Legionnaires' disease?

Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are similar to other types of pneumonia, with severe complications including lung failure and even death.

Most cases can be treated successfully with certain antibiotics.

Other symptoms, such as confusion, diarrhea, or nausea can also occur.

Sources of infection include showerheads and sink faucets, hot tubs, decorative fountains and water features, large, complex plumbing systems, and cooling towers.

For more information on preventing and detecting Legionnaires' disease, visit the CDC website.

14 confirmed cases of Legionnaire’s disease in Central Florida from ‘gym exposure’

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — UPDATE (12/5/2025):Crunch Fitness in Ocoee shared test results from the Florida Department of Health showing no evidence of the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease, legionella pneumophila.The records show 20 samples were taken in the spa system, showers, hot water heaters, water fountains, sinks, and exterior water main at the gym located on East Silver Star Road.Channel 9 asked Florida DOH if other facilities are being investigated by the agency, but a Florida DOH spokesperson sa...

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — UPDATE (12/5/2025):

Crunch Fitness in Ocoee shared test results from the Florida Department of Health showing no evidence of the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease, legionella pneumophila.

The records show 20 samples were taken in the spa system, showers, hot water heaters, water fountains, sinks, and exterior water main at the gym located on East Silver Star Road.

Channel 9 asked Florida DOH if other facilities are being investigated by the agency, but a Florida DOH spokesperson says information gathered in epidemiological investigations is confidential.

Florida DOH has not commented on test results shared by Crunch Fitness.

ORIGINAL STORY (12/2/25):

Florida health officials have confirmed 14 cases of Legionnaire’s disease in Central Florida, all linked to gym exposure.

The Florida Health Department released this information to State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith via an email obtained by Channel 9.

The email did not specify which gym is involved.

However, last week, Channel 9 broke the story that some members of the Crunch Fitness on East Silver Star Road in Ocoee reported having Legionnaire’s disease.

Crunch Fitness stated that it is working with the Health Department during their investigation.

Legionnaire’s disease is a severe form of pneumonia that can sometimes be deadly, though it is often mild. The disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria, which can be found in water systems like such as showers and faucets, as well as in large air conditioning systems.

The Orange County Health Department states that it is not transmitted person-to-person, but it can be transmitted through water particles.

Crunch Fitness told Channel 9 it closed off parts of the gym and says “out of an abundance of caution,” the gym is conducting “thorough water testing” of its pool and spa systems through “certified third party specialists.”

But so far, Crunch Fitness says it has not been made aware of a confirmed source of the illness.

Channel 9 learned in 2017, when the building was an LA Fitness, health officials investigated three cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Health officials said at the time that all three had worked out at LA Fitness.

Crunch says prior to its opening of this location in 2024, it spent over $5 million renovating and remodeling, including HVAC and aquatic systems.

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Health officials investigate Legionnaires’ disease ‘outbreak’ possibly linked to Ocoee gym, law firm says

Investigation centers on Crunch FitnessOCOEE, Fla. – Members of an Ocoee fitness facility are expressing concerns after learning about the Florida Department of Health’s investigation into potential health-related incidents at their gym.The investigation centers around the Crunch Fitness facility located on Silver Star Road in Ocoee and almost 30 exposures to Legionnaires’ disease that may be linked to the gym, according to the law firm Legionnaires Lawyers, which referred to the situation a...

Investigation centers on Crunch Fitness

OCOEE, Fla. – Members of an Ocoee fitness facility are expressing concerns after learning about the Florida Department of Health’s investigation into potential health-related incidents at their gym.

The investigation centers around the Crunch Fitness facility located on Silver Star Road in Ocoee and almost 30 exposures to Legionnaires’ disease that may be linked to the gym, according to the law firm Legionnaires Lawyers, which referred to the situation as an “outbreak.”

“I just think that people should know. People are coming here to work out to be safe, to be healthy, not to walk into a situation to get sick,” said gym member Carla Jones.

Jones said that when she inquired about the situation at the facility, she was directed to posted information.

“I guess they got a board of information,” Jones said. “I said OK, but why would we read about it? But why would that not be something you tell people when they walk in?”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionnaires’ disease is characterized as a serious form of pneumonia. The CDC notes that the disease:

Legionnaires Lawyers, a law firm specializing in Legionnaires’ disease cases, describes one confirmed hospitalization and 28 potential exposures that the Florida Department of Health in Orange County believes may be connected to the facility.

“The Orange County Health Department has initiated an investigation into possible Legionnaires’ disease cases in Ocoee, FL. A key focus of the investigation is the Crunch Fitness location on Silver Star Road, a facility that was previously an LA Fitness where health officials investigated three Legionnaires’ cases back in 2017,” the law firm’s website states.

At least one Ocoee woman who confirmed she is a member of the Ocoee Crunch Fitness location has been hospitalized and diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, according to the law firm’s website.

Crunch Fitness has confirmed it is cooperating with health officials and has, out of an abundance of caution, closed off parts of the gym to conduct thorough water testing of its pool and spa systems through certified third-party specialists. The company noted that it spent over $5 million renovating the facility, including the HVAC and aquatic systems, prior to its 2024 opening.

The health department has stated that it does not comment on ongoing epidemiology investigations.

Despite the ongoing testing, the facility remains open and the confirmed source of the illness has not yet been determined by health officials.

When News 6 reached out for comment at the facility, management declined to provide a statement and requested privacy on their premises.

Jones said she opted not to proceed with her workout after speaking with facility staff.

“We need to be safe in that environment,” she said.

Note: This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.

[MORE OCOEE: Remembering the Ocoee Massacre 105 years later]

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