It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic North Carolina Executive Mansion 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 Raleigh, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Sanjay was an amazing friend during a very hard time for me and my father.”
“My husband and I first met Sanjay at a Dementia Alliance support group several years”
“I cant speak highly enough of Always ********* and ****** ***. I first met ******”
“I can’t speak highly enough of Always Best Care and Sanjay Das. I first met”
“We met Sanjay when our Dad's health took a quick turn for the worst. ”
“My mother has been bedridden for over three years now. Always Best Care has taken”
“Always Best Care has been an excellent partner in assisting my mother with caring for”
“Sanjay and his staff do amazing work. For your home care needs, give them”
“SanJay and his staff do a wonderful job explaining Senior Care. He was really helpful”
“An excellent service, always responsive & provide very compassionate care. Sanjay takes a personal interest”
“I am a current client of this provider He can't do without assistance so it has”
“I am a current client of this provider They help him with getting to activities and”
“I am a past client of this provider She did everything we asked for. She got”
“ABC is absolutely amazing! The staff is very caring and very friendly. always go above”
“I am a current client of this provider They have given her good companionship. When you call,”
“I am a current client of this provider It allows me to go and get groceries”
“I am a current client of this provider They keep her involved and stimulated. I really like”
“I am a current client of this provider They make it so that the rest of”
“I am a current client of this provider They help the most with helping him with”
“Always Best went above and beyond to help us navigate a family crisis, and we”
“I am a current client of this provider They get her up every morning. They follow the”
“I am a current client of this provider My husband's in a care facility that already”
“I am a current client of this provider It makes me feel assured that he is”
“I am a current client of this provider They are giving her a shower in the”
“I am a current client of this provider They help us out. They give us time”
“I am a current client of this provider I really need the services. I would praise Always”
“I am a past client of this provider The caregiver took care of things I needed”
“I am a current client of this provider The majority of them know what to do”
“I am a current client of this provider They are good because I now have less”
“I am a past client of this provider I like how they just open the door”
“I am a current client of this provider I know that somebody is going to be”
“I am a current client of this provider They make my life easier by making my”
“I am a current client of this provider They do so well with what I ask”
“I am a current client of this provider They have someone come and check on my”
“I am a current client of this provider Most of them will help out in any”
“I am a current client of this provider I only have one and she is outstanding”
“I am a past client of this provider She provided companionship and catered to her needs. The”
“I am a current client of this provider They help her with day to day activities,”
“I am a past client of this provider They should have been more consistent and reliable. They”
“I am a past client of this provider They made sure everything was set up properly. I”
“I am a past client of this provider I didn't need much help because I am”
“Sanjay and ABCSS were outstanding to work with. Sanjay walked us through not only their”
“I am a past client of this provider They helped the most by helping me with”
“I am a current client of this provider I like the warmth and caring feeling I”
“I am a past client of this provider They helped me the most by being dependable”
“I am a past client of this provider My mom was unresponsive, so for me, it”
“I am a past client of this provider It took a lot of pressure off of”
“I am a current client of this provider We have support, and it makes a difference. They”
“I am a past client of this provider It helped my mother a whole lot in”
“I am a past client of this provider They were very helpful at the time we”
“I called on a Monday & had a care giver on Tuesday. The caregivers are”
“I am a past client of this provider I had expectations of my parents, but they”
“I am a current client of this provider My loved one doesn't want to do some”
“I am a past client of this provider My dad has severe dementia, so they would”
“I am a past client of this provider They were able to help the most by”
“I am a current client of this provider I don't know what I would do without”
“I am a current client of this provider The showers are very good, and they wash”
“I am a past client of this provider They made my loved ones life easier by”
“I am a past client of this provider The best part was the conversations. I had”
“I am a current client of this provider It is just hard getting use to what”
“I am a current client of this provider I don't have to worry about her because”
“I am a past client of this provider They did little things that I couldn't do,”
“I am a current client of this provider When my caregivers aren't here for a day,”
“I am a past client of this provider I could not have manged without the help.”
“I am a past client of this provider If I hadn't had them, I wouldn't have”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me get groceries. They are efficient.”
“I am a past client of this provider The caregivers didn't really do a lot, but”
“ABC are awesome people. They are just like their name... The best”
“Always Best Care Senior Services not only provides clients with personal care needs, but also”
“this company is fantastic, love the people and the hours and they felxability they have”
“I am a current client of this provider They are very attentive to my mother, and”
“I am a current client of this provider It's good because they do things for me”
“I am a current client of this provider The cost is an issue. Their flexibility scheduling”
“I am a current client of this provider The service depends on the individual that we”
“I am a past client of this provider They were easy to deal with in regards”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me some freedom to go out”
“I am a past client of this provider My mom really liked the lady that came”
“I am a past client of this provider They were extremely accommodating. If we had to”
“I am a current client of this provider I've liked the director's patience with my father”
“I am a past client of this provider The daily living activities that they helped out”
“I am a past client of this provider They were on time and always polite. Having”
“We called Sanjay to help us find an assisted living facility for our mom when”
“I am a past client of this provider I wasn't there when they were with my”
“I am a past client of this provider Everyone at Always Best Care was very helpful”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care makes it so I don't”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was a very professional organization,”
“I am a past client of this provider I got good service and I was pleased”
“When we first started with Always Best Care, it was just to have somebody come”
“During one's lifetime, there are usually just a handful of people that impact one's life”
“I don't know what I would have done without Sanjay helping me and my family”
“Sanjay has been an absolute Godsend to work with in getting my grandmother transitioned happily”
“EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT! Finding a home for your elderly loved one is extremely emotional and daunting!”
“My mother recently moved into an Assisted Living facility in Cary. This has been a”
“I want to thank Sanjay and Always Best Care for always going above and beyond”
“A neighbor across the street suggested I call "Always Best Care" after my husband fell.”
“Although I have not had the need, personally, to call ABC for care I don't”
“Sanjay was an amazing friend during a very hard time for me and my father. He worked hard to find just the right place for my Dad and never gave up. I highly recommend Sanjay to anyone going through the difficult time of finding the right home for you or your family members.”
“My husband and I first met Sanjay at a Dementia Alliance support group several years ago in Raleigh. He was holding a Men’s Coffee Hangout, a unique gathering of caregivers and partners with dementia. Thanks to Sanjay the setup worked perfectly for us. We were impressed with Sanjay’s humorous and gentle approach to simply “hanging out” with the guys as we caregivers met. Years later we asked Sanjay to help us as a senior advisor when we began our search for a senior living facility. He set us on track, helped us make a chart of priorities and met us on our tours until we found one we liked. He continues today at our community with volunteering with a similar version of the Hangout. He has been an important part of our dementia journey. We feel fortunate to have him both as a supporter and a good friend.”
“I cant speak highly enough of Always ********* and ****** ***. I first met ****** at my local senior citizens center during a program on aging. I immediately found that he was experienced and knowledgeable about senior living options in The Triangle and a really nice guy too.Shortly after our meeting, I contacted ****** to learn more about how my spouse and I could best prepare for our next life chapter. He took the time to address all of my questions and concerns with compassion and care. Then he set up appointments for us to visit several senior living communities in our area. He also provided the name of a chef who prepares meals in seniors kitchens!****** delivered personalized treatment and accompanied us during the senior community visits. He emphasized how we should make our exploration fun and it was! I highly endorse Always ********* for their excellent service and expertise. Planning for our living options with ****** now is an investment in our health and happiness. If youre thinking about where you will live as you grow older, get in touch with Always *********. It will be fun!”
“I can’t speak highly enough of Always Best Care and Sanjay Das. I first met Sanjay at my local senior citizens center during a program on aging. I immediately found that he was experienced and knowledgeable about senior living options in The Triangle and a really nice guy too. Shortly after our meeting, I contacted Sanjay to learn more about how my spouse and I could best prepare for our next life chapter. He took the time to address all of my questions and concerns with compassion and care. Then he set up appointments for us to visit several senior living communities in our area. He also provided the name of a chef who prepares meals in seniors’ kitchens! Sanjay delivered personalized treatment and accompanied us during the senior community visits. He emphasized how we should make our exploration fun and it was! I highly endorse Always Best Care for their excellent service and expertise. Planning for our living options with Sanjay now is an investment in our health and happiness. If you’re thinking about where you will live as you grow older, get in touch with Always Best Care. It will be fun!”
“We met Sanjay when our Dad's health took a quick turn for the worst. We felt his health care team was MIA and had no one to help us navigate this emotional and stressful time. Sanjay quickly answered our call, helped us create a plan and had his team ready to go during a holiday weekend. His aids were all wonderful and Sanjay was always there to answer our questions and concerns. Always Best Care helped us when no one else could. I've already recommended Sanjay and his team and would do so again without hesitation.”
“My mother has been bedridden for over three years now. Always Best Care has taken wonderful care of her in these years. The management has a real desire to give care that is consistent with how they'd want their own family attended to. I appreciate the training they provide to the caregivers and the quick response to any of our concerns. It's been a great partnership.”
“Always Best Care has been an excellent partner in assisting my mother with caring for my elderly father. They are amazingly responsive. I have a single point of contact number (for Melanie), and I get an almost immediate response from her irrespective of what day or time I call/text. I have reached out at 11pm or later; I have reached out on weekends; I have reached out during holidays. In each instance Melanie has responded either immediately or within 5 minutes. They work to build a partnership. I stopped by the office unannounced recently to discuss a coverage issue that had arisen over the holidays. A new caregiver called out twice. (I would like to note that the coverage issues that arose over the holidays were highly unusual and very much outside the norm for ABC.) Sanjay, Anthony, and Melanie took an unplanned 45 minutes to sit with me and discuss my concerns and to outline the plan they had been discussing that very day to ensure we had no further issues. I do not expect any organization to never have any difficulties. The scale by which I measure an organization is 1) Does the organization take ownership of the issue? and 2) Does the organization proactively work to address the issue? ABC scores high on both these vectors. I have recommended ABC both to a coworker and to a close friend. I will continue to recommend them.”
“Sanjay and his staff do amazing work. For your home care needs, give them a call and they will take care of you. Keep up the great work!”
“SanJay and his staff do a wonderful job explaining Senior Care. He was really helpful in Dementia information. He has a tremendous amount of resources to provide.”
“An excellent service, always responsive & provide very compassionate care. Sanjay takes a personal interest in finding the best fit for each client & I've always experienced him treating clients like family. I work for Heartland Hospice and when families I'm working with need a trusted caregiver for this fragile time of life, they have always been there - available to meet in person and start care extremely fast.”
“I am a current client of this provider He can't do without assistance so it has been great assistance. With that being said, there were some caregivers that were better than others. There are some caregivers that are fantastic and there are some who aren't. They need more consistency in the caregivers.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help him with getting to activities and do his laundry. They keep me informed about what is going on.”
“I am a past client of this provider She did everything we asked for. She got the house set up for a walker. She fixed up the bathroom.”
“ABC is absolutely amazing! The staff is very caring and very friendly. always go above and beyond. They have great communication between Clients and Staff.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have given her good companionship. When you call, you always speak to a person, no matter what day it is.”
“I am a current client of this provider It allows me to go and get groceries or medication or run the errands that I need to run. We work together as a team.”
“I am a current client of this provider They keep her involved and stimulated. I really like the caregiver we have, she is excellent.”
“I am a current client of this provider They make it so that the rest of the family can still have a life while they are taking care of our mother. The caregivers are really nice and confident. They are easy to work with.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help the most with helping him with things that he struggles to do it on his own. I like that they are on time, that they do what they say they will, and always give us a detailed report online.”
“Always Best went above and beyond to help us navigate a family crisis, and we literally could not have done it without them. Everyone we worked with was caring, patient and responsive.”
“I am a current client of this provider They get her up every morning. They follow the care plan and do what I ask them to do.”
“I am a current client of this provider My husband's in a care facility that already has staff, and they have supported the permanent staff so he doesn't fall. They seem very caring and it's not just a business. They seem to really understand and have compassion for people in situations like my husband is in. They are friendly.”
“I am a current client of this provider It makes me feel assured that he is being checked on especially during the COVID-19 because I can't visit with him. Everyone that I have met while visiting with my father has been nice and cordial.”
“I am a current client of this provider They are giving her a shower in the morning and they are helping her at night with her dinner. I get feedback from the nurses with my mother so I know what is going on.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help us out. They give us time off and that was the main reason we got them. We just couldn't do it 7 days a week. I like that they are reliable.”
“I am a current client of this provider I really need the services. I would praise Always Best Care because they have been good to me.”
“I am a past client of this provider The caregiver took care of things I needed done in the apartment. I liked that they were always pleasant, did what we needed, and were always on time.”
“I am a current client of this provider The majority of them know what to do and when to do it. The others that don't know are being trained on it. They are very helpful. They have improved some things already. They are timely.”
“I am a current client of this provider They are good because I now have less worries. My mom is getting the care that she deserves. That takes the pressure off of me. They always take care of the burdens that I might have. If they were not there I would have to be doing it. So far they are persistent. My mother likes them and she said they treat her good and are nice. They try to make sure that they are consistent. I do not worry too much about my mom getting her medication. They have been very consistent.”
“I am a past client of this provider I like how they just open the door and say hello to me. I have no complaints.”
“I am a current client of this provider I know that somebody is going to be there to help her with her shower. One of the people who worked for her through the other agency was who Mom requested specifically, and she hasn't seen her yet. Almost always someone comes who is new, and she doesn't like that.”
“I am a current client of this provider They make my life easier by making my bed and my coffee, and they are just wonderful. I like that they come in and remember how to do their thing.”
“I am a current client of this provider They do so well with what I ask them to do. They have wonderful personalities and they seem to be so happy in my place. We talk a little and they are so polite and friendly.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have someone come and check on my mother every day in the evening. There is no way I could do that with my time constraints. The people that we have met so far are extremely pleasant and helpful.”
“I am a current client of this provider Most of them will help out in any way they can. Some of them use the dishwasher and the washing machine, and that is nice. Some are very attentive and others will stay on the telephone all the time.”
“I am a current client of this provider I only have one and she is outstanding and I used to have several. They are on the high end of pricing and went to 11 holidays a year. They could improve in consistency of caregivers.”
“I am a past client of this provider She provided companionship and catered to her needs. The caregiver was extremely friendly.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help her with day to day activities, and provide companionship. I like the nurse we have.”
“I am a past client of this provider They should have been more consistent and reliable. They need to be more reliable.”
“I am a past client of this provider They made sure everything was set up properly. I thought the ladies did a good job.”
“I am a past client of this provider I didn't need much help because I am a nurse. She was accurate other than with the medication recommendations. The person that came was not a nurse, but she did medication reconciliation, which was outside of her practice.”
“Sanjay and ABCSS were outstanding to work with. Sanjay walked us through not only their options but gave me his personal observations and suggestions. Day 1 they were there for us and our father. Sanjay was there and spent time with Dad. Top notch service. Thank you.”
“I am a past client of this provider They helped the most by helping me with exercises and encouraging me. I like everything about the agency. They were efficient.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like the warmth and caring feeling I get from her. She is always on time and always smiling. Her attitude is caring, and she is just a great person.”
“I am a past client of this provider They helped me the most by being dependable and took great care my father. I liked that they were responsive, and they had awesome caregivers.”
“I am a past client of this provider My mom was unresponsive, so for me, it gave me an opportunity to leave the house and do what I needed or wanted to do. Every caregiver was kind, caring, loving, and reliable.”
“I am a past client of this provider It took a lot of pressure off of me. I like that they were on time and did what they were supposed to do. It was very nice.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have support, and it makes a difference. They are always available to talk about my dad's care.”
“I am a past client of this provider It helped my mother a whole lot in her daily living. I would like a little better training, but I know they have a budget to make.”
“I am a past client of this provider They were very helpful at the time we had them. I think it could be more affordable. I would recommend them because they were very prompt and flexible. They did what they said they were going to do.”
“I called on a Monday & had a care giver on Tuesday. The caregivers are always on time. Asking if there are any changes to the schedule. They fix her lunch every day and do the dishes. Amy is very attentive to my mother. She ensures she does her exercises like she is supposed to a d even does then with her. The care they give has greatly reduced my stress.”
“I am a past client of this provider I had expectations of my parents, but they were not able to fill that. I still had to be involved in the care. The caregivers did not take all of my duties away I still had to provide part time care. They are personal to the people in their care. The owner gets to know the patients, and I know that he gives extra training for any extra needs. They meet regularly with me to make sure the care is appropriate. They cared about my parents.”
“I am a current client of this provider My loved one doesn't want to do some of the activities they do. I've had success with the people that they've sent, and most of them are older. My loved one can talk to them.”
“I am a past client of this provider My dad has severe dementia, so they would sit with him at night to make sure he didn't pull on his wires. Essentially, they helped keep him alive. They helped us when we needed it most.”
“I am a past client of this provider They were able to help the most by keeping my mom's mind interacted. The caregiver was very personable and interactive with my mom.”
“I am a current client of this provider I don't know what I would do without them. They give my mom a lot of company. I like that they keep me informed about what is going on.”
“I am a current client of this provider The showers are very good, and they wash the clothes very well. The caregiver came to me, and I decided that I would be able to have them take care of my laundry and stuff around my house. They haven't helped me much around the house.”
“I am a past client of this provider They made my loved ones life easier by helping them with their daily activities. I liked the quality time, professionalism and that they did a good job.”
“I am a past client of this provider The best part was the conversations. I had very long conversations with both of them about a lot of things, and it was nice. It was a lot of fun actually. They were interested in me, and I could tell they really cared. We've had a long relationship with them, so we were familiar with them and felt comfortable with them. I've had nothing but good experiences with them. The people they sent were warm, friendly, and nice. Management was very competent and professional. They really do try to do the best for their people.”
“I am a current client of this provider It is just hard getting use to what services are needed. The caregivers seem to be very caring, and I like that they have a website where they document all the visits and what they did.”
“I am a current client of this provider I don't have to worry about her because they're taking care of her. I like their personal care and communication.”
“I am a past client of this provider They did little things that I couldn't do, like sweeping a floor. They offered excellent service. My only problem was that I didn't know that they were coming. That just got messed up from my doctor's office. I needed the help, I just didn't know they were coming.”
“I am a current client of this provider When my caregivers aren't here for a day, I have to do what they usually do, and then I truly miss my caregivers. However, they need to be more willing to take me different places. I think the company needs to spend more time training their caregivers how to cook.”
“I am a past client of this provider I could not have manged without the help. Just knowing that they were here helped. My husband was completely incapacitated. I could not have taken care of his needs. All of the aides were very compassionate and very helpful.”
“I am a past client of this provider If I hadn't had them, I wouldn't have had any free time at all. There were times that the arrangements got mixed up, and the people were late a few times.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me get groceries. They are efficient.”
“I am a past client of this provider The caregivers didn't really do a lot, but it was good that they were there. During nighttime, the caregivers weren't really checking on me. They were pretty much sitting in my apartment watching TV.”
“ABC are awesome people. They are just like their name... The best”
“Always Best Care Senior Services not only provides clients with personal care needs, but also with companionship. Our goal is to keep our clients safe and to give them the best care possible by meeting each clients needs specifically. I have recommended this company for new clients as well as for new caregivers. I have had a very pleasant experience working for this company. The office staff works great together to help with assessments and scheduling needs for each client. ABC staff and caregivers really go above and beyond to provide assistance to their clients.”
“this company is fantastic, love the people and the hours and they felxability they have to your life schedule”
“I am a current client of this provider They are very attentive to my mother, and even though my father does not need the care, they are nice to him. They come on time, and all of the aides have been very kind and caring.”
“I am a current client of this provider It's good because they do things for me that make my life easier. They are very responsive to my needs and concerns.”
“I am a current client of this provider The cost is an issue. Their flexibility scheduling caregivers is very helpful. They had intake classes when I first stated using them, and the amount of time that they spent explaining things to me and helping me with the resources was helpful. They also have an app that is helpful.”
“I am a current client of this provider The service depends on the individual that we have. If I have a problem of any kind, they are willing to listen to me and help me with that problem. I think they pick nice people.”
“I am a past client of this provider They were easy to deal with in regards to administration and I didn't have to worry about the care for my mother. The management and the company was run well. The caregiver assigned to my mother was excellent.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me some freedom to go out and do what I need to do. I have found that they make a lot of effort to match the caregiver to the client. They go the extra mile to make sure that everyone is happy.”
“I am a past client of this provider My mom really liked the lady that came in and she always stayed busy. The price was too high.”
“I am a past client of this provider They were extremely accommodating. If we had to change the schedule last-minute, it wasn't a big deal at all. They significantly lowered my stress level because they did things I would have had to do.”
“I am a current client of this provider I've liked the director's patience with my father and the encouragement of music in my father's treatment. My father can go on a schedule now that fits his needs and takes his time. He can have one-on-one attention, which wasn't the case in the facility.”
“I am a past client of this provider The daily living activities that they helped out with were very helpful to me. They freed me up to leave, do errands, and other things like that when they were here.”
“I am a past client of this provider They were on time and always polite. Having them around made my life much easier.”
“We called Sanjay to help us find an assisted living facility for our mom when her health took a sudden turn for the worse. His compassion and care for our parents in the past and actually for the whole family unit told us he would help us find the perfect place for her. Well he did - he sought out the perfect place which is amazing - Spring Arbor. Not only did he meet us at a couple of places on his time - he visited our mom at the rehab center she was at - again on his own time. He gives his all to the entire family unit and helps you through the entire process till the end. We will be forever grateful for his help and compassion throughout this stressful time in our lives. Knowing our mom is in such a warm loving environment as Spring Arbor gives us total peace of mind and for that we are eternally grateful!”
“I am a past client of this provider I wasn't there when they were with my dad, but they were really easy to work with and get set up. I needed them in a hurry and they were great to work with and make that happen. My dad actually had fallen and was taken to the emergency room twice in a day. They immediately were able to go over there and sit with him to make sure he didn't get up again. Stress for me fell to a zero knowing he was being watched over and cared for.”
“I am a past client of this provider Everyone at Always Best Care was very helpful and was always there. Always Best Care allowed me to not have to worry about my mother, and they took such great care of her.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care makes it so I don't need to worry. I work while my mother is here at home and the service makes it so I don't have to worry about her.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was a very professional organization, I was treated fantastic, and they answered any and all questions that we had. The impact depended quite a lot on the caregiver that came to help my loved one.”
“I am a past client of this provider I got good service and I was pleased with my outcome from Always Best Care. The services made a lot of difference because I could very little for myself.”
“When we first started with Always Best Care, it was just to have somebody come visit mom once a week at assisted-living they care whatever needed to be done, going with her on errands and so on. They were great. Their support really became important, however, when mom fractured her pelvis. I texted Sanjay, the CEO and they were at the hospital with CMTs as soon as she got her room. That was important, because mom was not entirely aware that she had fractured her pelvis, would keep trying to get up, and the hospital had not yet resourced a sitter. They also provided in room sitter services for mom when she was in rehab, at a facility they helped us down-select to. Then, when she was released from rehab, they helped locate a micro-community that provided Mom with the extra support she needed, after discussing the issues we needed to work through via conference call when there was more than could be managed via txt or email. I live out of state, so we could not have done this without them. Sanjay and team really care about the patient, and were always available. They have my highest recommendation. -WRJ, Raleigh NC”
“During one's lifetime, there are usually just a handful of people that impact one's life in a profound way. Family and friends would be a safe bet that most would include in this category. However, who do you turn to when you only have one parent who can no longer take on life's challenges or remember life's blessings? My sister and I were fortunate enough to have our challenge with our father met by a group of strangers that flourished into what I would consider a blessing. My dad has early onset dimentia, and at only 63 years of age, he was (and still is) deteriorating at a quicker pace as times pushes forward. To describe our experience and to not write a well thought out review would not do these people justice. My name is Brandon Ficklin, and my family is truly grateful for the work done by everyone involved. They took the time to find the kind of person that would be best suited for someone like my dad. They met with my sister and I regularly, made us feel comfortable and confident within our own minds and hearts, and the caregiver that my dad came to know was (and still is) a person that anyone would be lucky to know. Her name is Frances, and she came to treat my dad in the best way possible. The whole team (Sanjay, Dawn, and Frances), during one of the most trying times in our lives, were all compassionate, honest, straight forward, endearing, and professional. Words can not adequately express the thanks and appreciation my sister and I feel. So, in closing, I would say that Sanjay, Dawn, and Frances have, collectively, impacted our lives in a profound way. Thank you all and much love.”
“I don't know what I would have done without Sanjay helping me and my family through one of the most difficult times of our lives. My mother was gravely ill and had been hospitalized for 8 months, totally bedridden. I needed to move my Dad to the area, needed to find a place where Mom could get the best in physical rehab and had no idea where to start. He sorted through the options, made visits with me, met my Dad and visited my Mom in the hospital while she was recovering. He went above and beyond and I can't thank him enough for guiding me through the maze of Senior care options and getting them to where they needed to be. I would never have been able to do it without him.”
“Sanjay has been an absolute Godsend to work with in getting my grandmother transitioned happily to an independent living community. He has been ever so prompt and attentive to our needs and wants and through the very end has made sure to not only follow up but go above and beyond even after the ink had dried on the contracts. I am so grateful that he came so highly referred by a financial planner friend of mine and I will no doubt continue to sing his praises to anyone and everyone that I meet in need of a wonderful "senior living real estate agent" as I have so fondly dubbed him.”
“EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT! Finding a home for your elderly loved one is extremely emotional and daunting! Asking questions you never thought you would be asking. The hundreds of places you could visit. If this is you, I would highly recommend calling Sanjay Das. Sanjay, visited my home, and over the next few days had long conversations, with both my husband and myself to determine what we "thought"our loved one needs were. And after much consideration, and using all of his resources, Sanjay recommend several places. Together With Sanjay, we toured them all and in the end, we decided on something completely different then the very first community we viewed. Sanjay was able to change mid stream, and help us to understand what Mom's needs truly were. We started a whole new search with new criteria. Sanjay was knowledgeable, very soft spoken, kind and respectful. He was extremely patient and would give up until he found the perfect home for Mom. Thank you Sanjay. Dina Pahl”
“My mother recently moved into an Assisted Living facility in Cary. This has been a difficult journey for mom and our family, and I honestly don't know what we would have done without Sanjay Das. He has been with us every step of the way for the past four months. He arranged and accompanied us on visits to many area facilities, answered countless questions we had, was available to my mom and us literally 24/7, and helped us walk through the maze of details in getting mom settled. He has gone above and beyond the call of duty to a degree one rarely sees, and his kindness, efficiency, and professionalism are unparallelled. I am pretty picky about customer service and I don't normally rave about things, but I can't say enough good things about Sanjay and how important his help has been to us. He has actually kind of become our family's hero and I wholeheartedly recommend him.”
“I want to thank Sanjay and Always Best Care for always going above and beyond to exceed expectations. I live out of state and had an emergency situation with my mother who needed immediate care with no notice. No other provider could rise to the occasion on short notice, but Sanjay was able to fill the need by providing 24 hour care that evening and consistently thereafter while my mother was recovering. He went above and beyond by treating my mother like one of his family, and made constant communication standard operating procedure. He also informed me of services that were beneficial to my mother which were beyond the scope of those offered by his firm. He delivers service with empathy and care that focuses first and always on the person in need and the person's family! I highly recommend Sanjay and Always Best Care for all elder care needs.”
“A neighbor across the street suggested I call "Always Best Care" after my husband fell. They were helpful when I needed hourly care for him at home. When I could not longer keep him at home, they helped me a lot looking for a facility. Sanjay and Cheryl went out of their way to help me. They stood by me through it ALL.”
“Although I have not had the need, personally, to call ABC for care I don't doubt that that would be my first call should the need arise. I've had the privilege of having Sanjay as both my friend and colleague and so I have a lot of faith in his ability to provide both caring and service through ABC. For me, these are the two ingredients that I would expect and require. Recently, my neighbor was in need and so I recommended ABC and was able to observe how Sanjay responded. Even though he was just starting his business and was not yet able to place his care givers in the home he still spent a lot of time with my neighbor, offering guidance, caring, and comfort to assist them in getting the best care available. And that's just who he is. Fortunately, now he has his license and is fully equipped to provide care.”
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 Pullen Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Capital Grille or visit Mordecai House, 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 Raleigh, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Raleigh, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Raleigh, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Several movie theaters across the state are bringing the holiday spirit to the big screen with discounted prices this season.As part of Cinemark Holdings, Inc.’s ...
Several movie theaters across the state are bringing the holiday spirit to the big screen with discounted prices this season.
As part of Cinemark Holdings, Inc.’s Holiday Movie Clubhouse, you can tune in to catch some classic Christmas movies on Saturdays and Wednesdays now through Wednesday, Dec. 18:
Movie tickets are $5, and as an “extra stocking stuffer” with the discount, all kids’ snack packs and any size popcorn and drink combos will be $1 off.
250 Cinemark theaters around the U.S. will be showing the festive films, including the following in North Carolina:
Location: 400 Randolph Mall, Asheboro, NC 27203
Location: 1640 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803
Location: 9630 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28270
Location: 4840 Grove Barton Road, Raleigh, NC 27613
Location: 305 Faith Road, E. Innes St. Market, Salisbury, NC 28146
Tickets can be purchased online at cinemark.com/hmc or on the Cinemark mobile app.
The post-pandemic academic gains being made in North Carolina’s elementary schools are largely not making their way into middle schools, according to a new state report presented Thursday.The state Department of Public Instruction report shows post-pandemic gains in achievement trends in elementary schools in reading and math. But the results are mixed in middle schools, with the trends being neg...
The post-pandemic academic gains being made in North Carolina’s elementary schools are largely not making their way into middle schools, according to a new state report presented Thursday.
The state Department of Public Instruction report shows post-pandemic gains in achievement trends in elementary schools in reading and math. But the results are mixed in middle schools, with the trends being negative in some grade levels.
“Something has been working since the pandemic in early grades,” said Jeni Corn, who worked on the report at DPI before becoming director of Impact Evaluation and Strategy for the UNC Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill.
“The work that’s been done, whether it’s LETRS training, whether it’s the focus on foundational math skills, and that is not translating and tracking into middle schools.”
State Board of Education members and researchers said more work needs to be done to improve and support instruction in middle schools.
Academic performance dropped sharply statewide and nationally after schools switched to online instruction during the end of the 2019-20 school year and most of the 2020-21 school year.
DPI worked with SAS Institute to quantify how far behind students have fallen and what it will take to declare that they’ve fully recovered from pandemic learning loss.
DPI compared achievement trends on state reading, math and science exams before the pandemic and since 2022.
The new report shows positive trends since the pandemic in reading in grades 3 and 5 and math in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6. The trend was also positive in high school for the English II and Math 1 exams.
“That is something to be very proud of as a state,” Corn told the state board. “I think we know our teachers and principals and all of our school instructional support personnel have worked so hard, and this is evidence that all of that hard work in our K-12 classrooms is really making a difference for our students.”
Much of the literacy improvement was credited Thursday to the state’s heavy financial investment in teaching elementary school teachers in the use of the “science of reading.”.
Under LETRS, which stands for “Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling,” teachers are taught to stress phonics when teaching students how to read. All of the state’s 44,000 elementary school teachers completed the 160 hours of LETRS training by this fall.
Only 49% of third-grade students passed the state end-of-grade reading exam last year. But State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said the use of the LETRS training will cause performance to continue to rise.
“We are going to see the trends continue in the right direction,” Truitt said Thursday at her final state board meeting before her term ends. “I have no doubt about that. But it is going to take a couple of years for all students to realize the investments of time and money.”
One exception to the literacy gains was 4th-grade reading, where the achievement trend has been negative since the pandemic.
Educators attributed much of the struggles to how those 4th-grade students spent their earliest grades learning online or in classrooms with COVID restrictions.
“I remember those children learning to write on a Chromebook, learning phonics in a mask from a teacher on a mask, often through a Chromebook,” said Beckie Spears, principal of Wilkesboro Elementary School in Wilkes County and an advisor to the state board.
Spears said the impact of those COVID years hasn’t gone away for students.
Corn said the students missed learning some important foundational reading skills because of masking. She recommended continuing to track over time the performance of those students, who are in 5th grade this school year.
The largest source of concern was the performance of middle school students.
The report showed negative post-pandemic achievement trends in reading for grades 7 and 8. The report also showed concerning trends in math for grades 7 and 8.
“North Carolina has got some work to do to figure out how to better support middle school students and middle school teachers,” Corn said.
State board member J. Wendell Hall questioned whether it’s an attitude issue for why middle school students aren’t doing as well as elementary schoolers. He said the data also points to the need to have more mental health support concentrated in middle schools.
“At the middle grades level the children are not taking the learning process too heart as much as the earlier grades,” Hall said.
Ian House, a student at Green Hope High School in Cary and advisor to the state board, said it’s “alarming” that only 28% of students were proficient on the state eighth-grade math exam last school year.
“I think there’s a disconnect in the middle grades between how is this going to help me in the real world compared to elementary and high school,” House told the board. “I think for the students if they don’t feel what they’re learning they can apply in their lives, they’re not going to put in as much effort.”
The News & Observer
T. Keung Hui has covered K-12 education for the News & Observer since 1999, helping parents, students, school employees and the community understand the vital role education plays in North Carolina. His primary focus is Wake County, but he also covers statewide education issues.
Snow blanketed the North Carolina Zoo with a rare coating of white — but it wasn’t the only unusual sighting.In the snowfall, the zoo also spotted a white deer — the second one found roaming wild on its property this year, photos show.“To see two white deer together in the same place is an exceedingly rare and special occurrence, a reminder of the bea...
Snow blanketed the North Carolina Zoo with a rare coating of white — but it wasn’t the only unusual sighting.
In the snowfall, the zoo also spotted a white deer — the second one found roaming wild on its property this year, photos show.
“To see two white deer together in the same place is an exceedingly rare and special occurrence, a reminder of the beauty and wonder that nature holds,” zoo officials wrote Dec. 3 in a Facebook post.
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Zoo workers caught a glimpse of the first white deer in the spring. The fawn with “snow-white” fur made his “stunning debut,” standing out from other animals in his herd that had brown fur, McClatchy News reported in November.
“Employees who were lucky enough to see the small white fawn were the envy of their co-workers,” the wildlife park wrote in a Nov. 12 blog post. “More and more staff confirmed seeing the little guy — everyone commenting how striking it is to see his big pink ears and brown eyes set against his pure white body.”
Workers at the zoo, located in Asheboro, long suspected there was a second white deer but hadn’t been able to take pictures of the two together. Recently, antlers started to emerge on the first deer, confirming he was a male.
Then in early December, “during the first snowfall of the season, a graceful white doe (female deer, without antlers) was photographed, as though the magic of winter itself called her forth,” the zoo wrote.
The wildlife park doesn’t believe the deer have albinism. Instead, the two are suspected to have leucism, defined as a partial loss of pigmentation that can cause animals to have white patches of fur. The genetic condition may impact about 1 in 1,000 baby whitetail deer, according to the National Park Service and the zoo.
“I have seen the white deer myself, and it stopped me in my tracks,” Diane Villa, deputy director and chief communications officer at the zoo, told McClatchy News in an email. “He or she was looking right at me, and we just stayed still for several minutes. It’s a rare and mystical thing to see a white deer. It was truly enchanting!”
The two deer aren’t on exhibit but instead are among the wild animals that have roamed the zoo’s property for years. Visitors looking for the “elusive” creatures are asked to stay on trails and keep their distance.
“As fate would have it, author Nicholas Sparks recently released Counting Miracles, featuring a white deer right here on Purgatory Mountain, where the zoo is located,” the zoo wrote in a past Facebook post. “White deer also have great significance in the traditions and folklore of the Native American Indian tribes throughout the state of North Carolina.”
Asheboro is a roughly 70-mile drive west from Raleigh.
The ACC had just one win in the ACC-SEC Challenge when N.C. State tipped off against Texas on Wednesday night at Lenovo Center.N.C. State knew the challenge ahead — not only in its representation of the league, but to its own resume.“This is probably going to be the most athletic team that we face so far on our early schedule,” Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts said Tuesday before the game. “We gotta be ready for that opportunity.”Ready? Perhaps. But N.C. State was unable to come up with the ...
The ACC had just one win in the ACC-SEC Challenge when N.C. State tipped off against Texas on Wednesday night at Lenovo Center.
N.C. State knew the challenge ahead — not only in its representation of the league, but to its own resume.
“This is probably going to be the most athletic team that we face so far on our early schedule,” Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts said Tuesday before the game. “We gotta be ready for that opportunity.”
Ready? Perhaps. But N.C. State was unable to come up with the win for itself or the ACC.
The Longhorns defeated the Wolfpack, 63-59, in a game that featured nine ties and 12 lead changes.
“It’s a very tough one. We feel like we should have won that game,” forward Dontrez Styles said. “We know we’re a good team, so we just gotta keep building. It’s a tough one. I ain’t gonna lie, it’s a very tough one for me and for my guys and the coaching staff. We’re gonna bounce back from it, though.”
Texas (7-1) jumped out to an early 9-0 lead after scoring four straight baskets. Despite N.C. State’s early shooting woes and some sloppy ball handling, the Wolfpack created a competitive game. Marcus Hill and Jayden Taylor hit shots that gave the team two separate leads, while the defense held the Longhorns under 40 points before halftime.
N.C. State (5-3) came out of the locker room with a sense of determination, led by three transfers — Styles, Marcus Hill and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield — who accounted for 43 points. Texas outscored the Pack by two points in the second half, giving the visitors a win.
The free-throw line was the Wolfpack’s kryptonite in the loss. It went 5 of 14 from the stripe for its worst showing of the season.
“The biggest thing is we have some missed those shots and free throws, but we’re still right there,” guard Michael O’Connell said. “We had a chance to win the game, so if we can just clean some of that up, obviously, myself included, then we can win these games.”
Defensively, the Wolfpack made the Longhorns uncomfortable. Texas entered the game averaging 8.9 turnovers per game to rank No. 4 in the nation, according to the NCAA. It had committed a turnover on 12.9% of its possessions, which ranked No. 6 in the nation, according to KenPom.com. The Wolfpack forced 12 total turnovers, or one on 21.4% of the Longhorns’ possessions.
Texas’ roster features Kadin Shedrick, who grew up in Holly Springs. Shedrick finished with five points and five rebounds in his homecoming.
“What a what a hard fought battle tonight against Texas, a really good Texas team,” Keatts said. “It felt like one of those late February ACC games where both teams were playing extremely hard and really wanted it.”
Here are three takeaways from the Wolfpack’s loss in the ACC-SEC Challenge:
N.C. State went 0-2 at the Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego last week. Its biggest issue was rebounding. It lost the rebounding margin by double digits against BYU and Purdue. It was still a problem on Wednesday, but it wasn’t as bad.
“We didn’t do a good job of finishing possessions with defensive rebounding, which I thought really cost us, getting out in transition,” Keatts said during a press conference on Tuesday. “For the entire weekend, we gave up 28 offensive rebounds. You don’t rebound the basketball, you’re not able to get out in transition. So I thought we got hurt in those situations.”
The Wolfpack, at times, still lacked effort — allowed a Texas put-back on what should’ve been an easy board and allowed a pair of offensive rebounds on a single possession down the stretch — but looked more engaged this time.
N.C. State entered the game pulling down 34.8 rebounds per game, ranking 262 in the nation. Texas averaged 37.3, or 155th in the country.
The two teams entered the locker room with the Pack holding an 18-14 rebounding advantage. It didn’t maintain that lead, with Texas ending the game up, 37-30. However, there was no denying N.C. State looked more competitive off the glass.
“They beat us to a couple 50 balls,” Keatts said, unconcerned with the final rebounding totals. “I thought in the first half we did a really good job. We came into this game we’re focusing on not giving up offensive rebounds. At halftime, we’d done a great job. I thought in the second half they beat us to some loose basketballs. I thought we made a better effort to block out. There were long rebounds that we didn’t get.”
The Wolfpack likes to run. Keatts hasn’t been shy about the desire to play fast and get out into transition. N.C. State played fast, but it struggled to get into transition for the third straight game.
The team scored six fast-break points in the first half and ended with 11. It came into the contest averaging 22.1 transition points to lead the nation. It scored five transition points against BYU and eight against Purdue.
N.C. State may not be able to run quite as much against other power programs as it did against mid-majors, but it would like to get a little more production in that area of the game.
Jayden Taylor told reporters in September and October and November that you have to play hard to play for N.C. State. A guy doesn’t have to be the best shooter, and off nights are OK, as long as there’s toughness and togetherness.
Those haven’t always been consistent, but the Wolfpack took a step forward.
Michael O’Connell finished with his worst shooting night of the season, going 1 of 8 from the field and making one free throw, but impacted the team in other ways. He finished the first half with five rebounds to lead the team and finished with six. The graduate point guard added seven assists and two steals.
Dennis Parker Jr. forced a first-half turnover under the basket against one of the most disciplined teams in the nation. Ben Middlebrooks was more than once tangled up with opposing players, on both ends of the floor, trying to fight for the upper hand.
“The teams that come together a lot faster are the guys who are going to win a lot quicker...You can’t do it by yourself,” Keatts said. “One of my messages to our guys is, if you’re not scoring the ball, what are you doing? What else are you doing to affect the game? And are you rebounding the ball? Are you playing great defense? Are you being a good teammate? Are you bringing energy to the team?”
Keatts said the program doesn’t count moral victories, but it can still take positives away from losses. That’s what N.C. State will do with this one.
“If I didn’t tell you the score of the game and you just picked up the stat sheet, you wouldn’t know who won the game,” Keatts said. “I thought we did really do some good things. I thought our defense was really good. I thought we answered some runs that Texas had. I thought it was a back and forth game. It literally came down to who had the last possession.”
This story was originally published December 4, 2024, 11:38 PM.
Despite the loss, Raleigh business leaders say they are still bullish about downtown.RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- After more than four decades in business, City Club Raleigh is shutting its doors permanently at the end of the year.Its members learned about the impending closure in a letter that was sent out Tuesday night."Our last day of operations will be Tuesday, December 31, 2024, with the conclusion of our lease," the letter reads. "This decision was not made lightly and reflects the current circumstances t...
Despite the loss, Raleigh business leaders say they are still bullish about downtown.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- After more than four decades in business, City Club Raleigh is shutting its doors permanently at the end of the year.
Its members learned about the impending closure in a letter that was sent out Tuesday night.
"Our last day of operations will be Tuesday, December 31, 2024, with the conclusion of our lease," the letter reads. "This decision was not made lightly and reflects the current circumstances that have affected our operations in the post-Covid era."
The City Club opened in 1979.
General manager Liz Miller, who declined an interview with ABC11 on Wednesday, sent out a statement that says in part "It's been an honor to be a part of so many memorable experiences ... and we wish everyone the best in their future endeavors."
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This year, Wells Fargo also moved out the Capitol Center, citing much of the reduction to underutilization of the space pre-Covid, according to a spokesperson.
"As part of our multiyear effort to build a stronger, more efficient Wells Fargo, we continually assess our real estate portfolio to ensure we are best meeting the needs of employees and customers, responding to consumer and economic trends, and managing our costs responsibly," the spokesperson said.
Despite some of the larger tenants leaving downtown Raleigh, some experts said the changing business landscape is "still healthy" with office leasing increasing.
"If you look at sort of the overall decline of private dinner clubs and social clubs over the last decade or so, I'm thinking that might be have simply been a business decision because they didn't say where they're going or what they're going to do with the club," Billie Redmond said.
Redmond, who's the founder of the commercial real estate company, TradeMark Properties, said that although the City Club is leaving the Wells Fargo building, a law firm that already operates inside the building is making moves to take over the space on the 28th floor.
"Highwoods Properties, who owns (the building), is making significant improvements and making substantial investments in the building. So obviously they're bullish on downtown," Redmond said. "So on the one hand, you have City Club closing after a long history in downtown and you have Smith Anderson, who's been on Fayetteville Street for a hundred years, not only renewed their lease to stay, but they even expanded."
Redmond said she expects the downtown area to continue to attract investors.
"The more people who live downtown, the more office leasing, the more retail leasing and entertainment will happen," Redmond said. "Think about the expansion of the Convention Center and the new Omni Hotel. All of that just says that we are going to keep growing and that we are going to realize that in the next few years."
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