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 Sandy Spring 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 Sandy Spring, MD is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services in assisting with your search for quality”
“My 97 year old husband on Hospice was cared for by his namesake, another Benjamin”
“This is a follow up about my Mom who is 87 years old recovering”
“We have been using this service for over a year for 24/7 care for my”
“I've had such great experience working with everyone at Always Best Care. They're all amazing”
“I can't say enough about the professionalism and the general overall caring from the top”
“Needed a caregiver for my dad during my son's wedding and we were put in”
“My grandmother needed to go to a skilled nursing facility from the hospital. She was”
“Expert and professional care provided for my loved one.”
“We were very pleased with Always Best Care (ABC). We used ABC following a major”
“We used ABCSS for my Dad. When Mom needed similar care, they were the first”
“At a time when you need help the most. When you don't know what to”
“competent csring staff. always reliable.in Over six months of daily care, there was only one”
“My mother received services from ABC for about 2 years. I reached out to Robin”
“Awesome staff and care givers!!”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care is what their namesays --”
“Always Best Care is what their name says -- always the best. We used them for a”
“Great company, great staff, great care.”
“Always Best Care of Mid-Montgomery County lives up to its name! For over 2 years,”
“I am a current client of this provider Our current caregiver is great. Whenever there has been”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care of Potomac lives up to”
“Always Best Care of Mid-Montgomery County lives up to its name! For over 2 years,”
“My parents are currently receiving excellent care. During any of my interactions I have always”
“I consider myself very lucky to be able to do the work I do. I”
“I moved my parents, who have dementia, from a large retirement community to a group”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services in assisting with your search for quality care for your loved one. I worked with Dena to find a suitable facility that could care for my mother in her condition. They are very knowledgeable as it pertains to the senior care industry, which is overwhelming to those with no experience with this industry. The overall process was very thorough and I felt that worked diligently to find the best type of facility that would suit my mother's needs.”
“My 97 year old husband on Hospice was cared for by his namesake, another Benjamin who was with him daily from 8AM to 8PM. Not only did Benjamin help me survive (I am almost 97 too), but he was so kind, gentle and careful about all that he did. When my husband saw him in the morning, he actually managed a tiny smile. In addition to direct care for his patient, he washed dishes, dusted and vacuumed!! There were also two night shift aides, Emanuel and Bismarck. Each came only once but they were equally competent. Without Robin Henoch and ABC? I don't even want to think about it.”
“This is a follow up about my Mom who is 87 years old recovering from a hip fracture and numerous complications related to being under medicated and over medicated at various inpatient facilities. The 24 hour care team at Always Best Care Rockville has kept us going and cared for my Mom as if they would their own Mom over the past 9 weeks. This team includes outstanding and heroic Day shift care by Suzanne, Roseline and Dorothy and Night shift care by Afua, Ellen, Hawa. An extra 10 star commendation goes to Roseline and Dorothy who spoke up about concerns they had to their nurse managers that resulted in a discovery that my Mom was being overmedicated during day time hours and undermedicated at night. 10 star commendation also go to Ndey Care Coordinator in the office who is always calm, caring and helpful no matter what craziness is going on! Thank you all! This is the highest calling to provide personalized, deeply compassionate care to those who are sick and vulnerable!”
“We have been using this service for over a year for 24/7 care for my 87 year old mother with dementia. A few of the caregivers have been with her over a year. Raheema her weekend, daytime caregiver treats her like family. She is so kind & an advocate for her care. Mom loves Fridays when Vera comes because not only does she take good care of her above & beyond such as putting curlers in her hair & taking her around the block, but she also has lots of energy & jokes around with her which she loves. Ami takes care of Mom a few overnights each week & she is kind, gentle, compassionate & professional. In the office, Ashley spent an extraordinary amount of time with me at the beginning & was friendly & professional & caring. Esther really listens to my concerns & addresses them. I would highly recommend their service.”
“I've had such great experience working with everyone at Always Best Care. They're all amazing and hard working people.”
“I can't say enough about the professionalism and the general overall caring from the top down to my 92 year old mother's care giver Diana. Not only does my mother adore her, her friends say how great Diana is and lastly the facility called me yesterday to say how great Diana is working with my mother. 5 Stars is not enough....”
“Needed a caregiver for my dad during my son's wedding and we were put in touch with Always Best. They did a tremendous job through the whole process including scheduling and making sure our needs were met. The event day caregiver was Sam and he was so great to my dad. On time, friendly, always smiling and ensuing my dad was comfortable at all times. Would use them again for sure”
“My grandmother needed to go to a skilled nursing facility from the hospital. She was scared and we wanted to ensure that she was well taken care of, so we arranged for caregivers there. She went home with 24 hour care. ABC made that process so easy and they were so kind. My grandmother found her caregivers to be dependable, courteous, helpful, compassionate and punctual. She wanted to personally thank Anne Marie Njang, Celestina, and Akosua Atta for being there for her.”
“Expert and professional care provided for my loved one.”
“We were very pleased with Always Best Care (ABC). We used ABC following a major surgery. We needed a CNA for various types of assistance for two people with limited mobility. Our original plan for help, with a different agency, fell apart early in my recovery. ABC had an excellent replacement in our home within 24 hours. The woman who provided most of our care was very good. Based on both responsiveness and quality, we would call ABC first if we need in home care in the future.”
“We used ABCSS for my Dad. When Mom needed similar care, they were the first we called. The need happened very quickly and ABCSS was able to find us a 24/7 sitter for the first night when we called them. They provide caregivers who indeed care about those they serve. Robin and Ashley (owners) are very attentive to our needs and are always looking for ways they can make things easier for us while caring for our loved ones. Highly recommend.”
“At a time when you need help the most. When you don't know what to expect next, other the expectation to be overwhelmed, Always Best Care was a great choice for help when I needed it the most in caring for my elder Father. I was out of my element and really didn't know what to do to properly care for my Father - but Always Best Care knew exactly what to do. When we first contacted Robin she responded immediately, met with us very quickly and was ready to go with as much staffing & care that we needed on Day 1. The caregivers were all experienced and personable, and genuinely nice people. When the time came that we had to shift to Hospice care, the staff already knew what to do with regard to interacting with the Hospice staff. And when the time came that my Father passed away they made sure we were notified immediately and remained with my Father until we arrived. I couldn't have asked for a level of service beyond what we received and I thank Robin and her staff for helping my Father and our family during his final weeks of life so that we could make him as comfortable as possible.”
“competent csring staff. always reliable.in Over six months of daily care, there was only one incident when weather prevented anyone from coming”
“My mother received services from ABC for about 2 years. I reached out to Robin (head of the agency) because Mom was struggling with her memory and other symptoms of dementia. Always Best Care has wonderful caregivers and the staff was always available, kind, hard working and helpful. This refers to not only the caregivers, but their staff of nurses, doctors, receptionists, everyone. I could (and did) call day or in the middle of the night, and someone was always available to help me with my mom's issues. The caregivers were prompt, professional, hard working and really patient and kind. My mom passed away last month with Advanced Alzheimer's disease. I feel good really about the final years of my mom's life, at home with all she loved most, and that includes all that Always Best Care has to offer.”
“Awesome staff and care givers!!”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care is what their namesays -- always the best.We used them for a few family members and couldn't have been more pleased. Finding quality care for those you love can be overwhelming and unsettling. Through Robin, Blake and their excellent caregivers, we found not only the high quality care we sought but completepeace of mind. It was clear from the very beginning that they place the needs of their clients and clients' families above all else. They work hard to find the best match for your particular situation, communicate extremely well, and are always ready to help however they can. In short, they are outstanding partners in the care of your loved ones, and I personally am extremely grateful for thecare Robin, Blake, and Marie provided my parents.We are fortunate to have found Always Best Care and recommend them enthusiastically and without reservation.”
“Always Best Care is what their name says -- always the best. We used them for a few family members and couldn't have been more pleased. Finding quality care for those you love can be overwhelming and unsettling. Through Robin, Blake and their excellent caregivers, we found not only the high quality care we sought but complete peace of mind. It was clear from the very beginning that they place the needs of their clients and clients' families above all else. They work hard to find the best match for your particular situation, communicate extremely well, and are always ready to help however they can. In short, they are outstanding partners in the care of your loved ones, and I personally am extremely grateful for the care Robin, Blake, and Marie provided my parents. We are fortunate to have found Always Best Care and recommend them enthusiastically and without reservation.”
“Great company, great staff, great care.”
“Always Best Care of Mid-Montgomery County lives up to its name! For over 2 years, our experience was responsive, professional, flexible and involved management and kind, caring, attentive, and utterly reliable caregivers. I highly recommend this senior care firm.”
“I am a current client of this provider Our current caregiver is great. Whenever there has been an issue or concern about my parents’ care, Always Best Care has responded immediately and effectively.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care of Potomac lives up to its name! I employed their services for a family member for 2 1/2 years. The care was EXCELLENT - kind, professional, attentive, and utterly reliable - every single caregiver. The management of Always Best Care is the best you can ask for - extremely involved, flexible to many changes in schedules and client's condition, completely professional and sensitive to needs at the same time. I HIGHLY recommend Always Best Care of Potomac - they set the standard for the highest quality of Home Care you will find.”
“Always Best Care of Mid-Montgomery County lives up to its name! For over 2 years, our experience was responsive, professional, flexible and involved management and kind, caring, attentive, and utterly reliable caregivers. I highly recommend this senior care firm.”
“My parents are currently receiving excellent care. During any of my interactions I have always encountered courteous, professional and helpful staff. I am grateful.”
“I consider myself very lucky to be able to do the work I do. I realized when I received my GNA training and certificate that I had taken an important step, but I never expected my life to be changed in so many ways. I have met and continue to meet wonderful people who need my assistance, I enjoy my colleagues, and my work is rewarding. I’m always learning. The work makes me focus on small details that can make important differences in the lives of the people I assist. When you work with people who are sick, injured, or aged, you feel their frustration, and it makes you more compassionate. Sometimes you can help them overcome that frustration, and then you share their relief and happiness. As a GNA, you won’t be rich, but compassion and happiness are gifts that certainly make you richer.”
“I moved my parents, who have dementia, from a large retirement community to a group home. When I realized that the group home did not provide proper care for them, which resulted in both parents coming down with urinary tract infections simultaneously, 2 times in three weeks, I knew they needed to move. My father’s dementia had also escalated significantly and he became fearful of the caregivers, who had no prior experience caring for someone with advanced Alzheimer’s symptoms and their approach was not appropriate. ABC came to my rescue and immediately provided a wonderful male caregiver for my father from 4-8 PM, seven days a week, while she conducted a search to find the right place for my parents to move. She took into consideration our family’s financial limitations as well. Within a short period of time, we were able to move them to their current location where they are getting wonderful care, delicious food and ongoing bus excursions every other week! My father is no longer fearful of the caregivers and my mother is very content, as well. They have had no further urinary tract problems. ABC solved 2 challenges for me: 1) they immediately found the right caregiver for my father and 2) found the perfect location for my parents to be cared for properly. Daughter of E & F Silver Spring, MD”
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 Woodlawn Manor Cultural 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 Salt Vine or visit Sandy Spring Museum, 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 Sandy Spring, MD, 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 Sandy Spring, MD 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 Sandy Spring, MD 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.
Concerns expressed after another meeting about evictions for more than four dozen families with city leaders takes place.SILVER SPRING, Md. — There are new concerns from at least 50 families and city leaders who are facing evictions at a Silver Spring apartment complex.WUSA9 has been following this story since September --- when we first learned that several refugee families were at risk of being put out. Now we're learning the latest negotiations failed.WUSA9 wasn’t allowed inside of the meeting, but sources...
Concerns expressed after another meeting about evictions for more than four dozen families with city leaders takes place.
SILVER SPRING, Md. — There are new concerns from at least 50 families and city leaders who are facing evictions at a Silver Spring apartment complex.
WUSA9 has been following this story since September --- when we first learned that several refugee families were at risk of being put out. Now we're learning the latest negotiations failed.
WUSA9 wasn’t allowed inside of the meeting, but sources tell us the meeting didn't have any good news for the people who are facing these evictions.
"It's so bad, like she can't explain it,” woman facing eviction, Amira Alhaj Merhi said.
Frustrations fueling a passionate plea from Amira Alhaj Merhi as she continues to push against her notice of eviction.
Through a translator she says she's trying to make ends meet with her, her husband and her two disabled kids but she says she lost hope after this latest meeting with her apartment complex about being evicted.
"I hope someone will help her, but she did a lot of meetings before and nothing come through,” Alhaj Merhi said.
She is just one of the more than 50 families who are facing evictions at the Enclave apartments in Silver Spring.
No one was evicted Saturday but several families we spoke with say they've lost hope when it comes to the future after this meeting.
"He is disabled - he come to the greatest country, and they should help as a disabled... not put him in a shelter, he's not homeless,” man facing eviction, Zakaria Mohamad Khirallah said.
As we've continued to speak to people here, we've noticed a pattern where many of the families recently came from Afghanistan and worked for the U.S. government.
RELATED: Dozens of families face eviction in Silver Spring apartment complex
That work put them at risk with the Taliban and they were forced to leave for their safety.
But after moving here families realized they were being placed in homes they couldn’t afford, and the assistance they were promised soon ran dry.
"I still have serious concerns,” Montgomery County councilmember, Kristin Mink said. “It's always good to have people together and give community members more context, more resources but today was sharing difficult information."
Now there's a call for more county funds to help with rental assistance.
"What they want is jobs, they’re desperate for work,” Project SAFE (Saving Families from Eviction), Ilhan Cagri said. “The community is reaching out to try to find work for them but one thing we need is county money to keep them housed."
“We really do need more rental assistance at the county level,” Mink said. “Funds are tight admittedly they are most likely going to get tighter in the coming months and with the incoming administration but this is a good investment making sure we’re able to keep people housed for the length of time that it takes for them to get jobs.”
RELATED: Eviction filings are 50% higher than they were pre-pandemic in some cities as rents rise
RELATED: Evictions expected to spike as pandemic moratorium ends
Richmond’s biggest bank is about to get a lot bigger.Downtown-based Atlantic Union Bank announced on Monday its plans to acquire Maryland-based Sandy Spring Bank, a transaction that will create a $39 billion banking behemoth and further cement AUB’s status as the largest regional bank headquartered in Virginia.The stock-for-stock deal, valued at $1.6 billion, would combine Sandy Spring’s $14 billion in assets with AUB’s $25 billion. AUB also would gain its first major presence in Maryland and Washington,...
Richmond’s biggest bank is about to get a lot bigger.
Downtown-based Atlantic Union Bank announced on Monday its plans to acquire Maryland-based Sandy Spring Bank, a transaction that will create a $39 billion banking behemoth and further cement AUB’s status as the largest regional bank headquartered in Virginia.
The stock-for-stock deal, valued at $1.6 billion, would combine Sandy Spring’s $14 billion in assets with AUB’s $25 billion. AUB also would gain its first major presence in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and an expanded presence in Northern Virginia, by taking on Sandy Spring’s 53 branches.
Those will add to AUB’s 129 branches spanning most of Virginia and parts of North Carolina. It will be a franchise that AUB CEO John Asbury said would second to none in this part of the country.
“What has never been done before and can never be done again is to take the number one bank in Maryland and combine that with the number one bank in Virginia and what you end up with is the number one regional bank in the lower Mid-Atlantic,” Asbury said in an interview with BizSense.
It marks AUB’s largest ever acquisition and follows the deal it closed earlier this year to absorb American National Bank, a $3 billion institution in Danville.
Where that deal gave AUB an expanded presence in the western part of Virginia, the Maryland-D.C.-Northern Virginia market was a missing piece in what Asbury said is a desired footprint for the bank. Bringing Sandy Spring into the fold will complete AUB’s goal of covering the ‘Golden Crescent,’ the name of the stretch from the Greater Washington D.C. area, down through Richmond and into Hampton Roads.
Asbury, who will lead the combined organizations, said he’s been looking at Sandy Spring as an acquisition target for several years because it’s the only complimentary bank that has a footprint that could complete that picture for AUB.
“It is really the one and only opportunity to actually execute that strategy,” Asbury said.
Along with the branch network, Sandy Spring brings with it nearly $12 billion in deposits and $11 billion in loans. It also has wealth management subsidiaries Rembert Pendleton Jackson and West Financial Services that will nearly double AUB’s wealth management business by $6.5 billion in assets under management.
The combined bank will have $32 billion in deposits, $30 billion in loans and a $13 billion wealth management arm.
Atlantic Union will be the surviving brand once the deal closes, marking an end to the Sandy Spring name that dates to the bank’s founding in 1868 by a group of Quakers in Maryland. The bank is headquartered today in Olney, Maryland. The combined banks will be headquartered from AUB’s base in the James Center in downtown Richmond.
As part of the deal, each share of Sandy Spring stock will be exchanged for 0.9 shares of AUB stock, pegging the value at approximately $34.93 per Sandy Spring share. Sandy Spring stock closed Monday at $31.78. AUB’s stock closed at $36.21.
Expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, the combination has been approved by the board of directors of each company. Shareholders of both banks and regulators must still sign off on the deal.
A condition of the deal includes AUB raising approximately $350 million in capital through a public offering of 9.85 million shares at $35.50 apiece. The proceeds of that raise will help bolster its capital base to offset $2 billion worth of Sandy Spring loans that will be sold off as part of the transaction.
Asbury said those loans consist entirely of debt on commercial real estate that have “ultra-low” fixed interest rates that were originated before the recent rise in rates. While the loans are still performing, an acquisition requires they be “marked to market,” and their low, fixed rates in the face of today’s higher rates would cause a capital hit to AUB.
“We had to shrink the bank in order buy it,” Asbury said of Sandy Spring.
Sandy Spring Bank was founded in Maryland in 1858.
AUB is represented in the transaction by financial advisor Morgan Stanley and legal advisor Davis Polk & Wardwell. Sandy Spring’s financial advisor Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and its legal counsel is Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton.
The Sandy Spring deal will be AUB’s fifth acquisition in the last decade. In addition to American National, its other previous deals included taking on Northern Virginia’s Access National Bank, Christiansburg-based StellarOne Bank and Richmond-based Xenith Bank.
Monday’s news marks the second pending local bank merger announced in recent weeks. Midlothian-based Village Bank announced last month its deal to be acquired by Hampton Roads-based TowneBank.
And earlier this month, Prince George-based Touchstone Bank completed its deal to be acquired by First Bank out of Strasburg, Virginia.
This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partner InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today.Two of the Washington area’s largest regional banks announced a merger Monday that will create the largest regional bank headquartered in the lower Mid-Atlantic.Under the merger agreemen...
This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partner InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today.
Two of the Washington area’s largest regional banks announced a merger Monday that will create the largest regional bank headquartered in the lower Mid-Atlantic.
Under the merger agreement, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp. will acquire Sandy Spring Bancorp in an all-stock transaction valued at about $1.6 billion. The merger will enhance the combined company’s presence in Northern Virginia and Maryland, according to a news release.
Founded in 1868, Sandy Spring is headquartered in Olney, Md., and has $14.4 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in total deposits and $11.5 billion in total loans as of Sept. 30. The combined company will have pro forma total assets of $39.2 billion, total deposits of $32.0 billion and gross loans of $29.8 billion.
The combined company will add 53 branch locations in the Mid-Atlantic, and Atlantic Union will approximately double its wealth business by increasing assets under management by more than $6.5 billion.
“At our 2018 investor day, I noted that part of our long-term vision was to complete the ‘Golden Crescent’ from Baltimore, through Washington D.C. and Richmond to Hampton Roads and recreate a banking franchise that had not existed since the 1990s,” said John C. Asbury, president and CEO of Atlantic Union. “With today’s announcement of our partnership with Sandy Spring, Atlantic Union will create a preeminent regional bank, with Virginia as its linchpin, that spans the lower mid-Atlantic into the Southeast and that is committed to the communities it serves.”
Daniel J. Schrider, chair, president and CEO of Sandy Spring Bank, said the merger is the right long-term decision for the bank’s shareholders, clients and employees.
“This combination will deliver enhanced scale, diversity in the market and capabilities for our clients, and it will provide greater opportunities for our employees to grow within a larger organization,” Schrider added. “Sandy Spring Bank and Atlantic Union Bank share a people-first approach to doing business and serving our communities, and together we will add even greater value to the individuals, families and businesses we serve across our expanded footprint.”
Under the terms of the merger agreement, each outstanding share of Sandy Spring common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.900 shares of Atlantic Union common stock. This values the transaction at about $34.93 per Sandy Spring common share, based on Atlantic Union’s closing stock price on Oct. 18. Sandy Spring stock closed at $32.61 on Oct. 18, up about 19% this year.
Three members of the Sandy Spring board of directors, including Schrider, will join the Atlantic Union board of directors upon the closing of the transaction.
The companies said the merger agreement has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of each company. They expect to complete the transaction by the end of the third quarter of next year, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval by Atlantic Union shareholders and Sandy Spring stockholders.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor to Atlantic Union, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as its legal advisor in the transaction. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Sandy Spring, and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP is acting as its legal advisor in the transaction.
TableFest, a fundraiser for Shepherd's Table, is set for Oct. 5. It provides services through meals, social support, and case management.Deb Belt, Patch StaffSILVER SPRING, MD — Shepherd’s Table will present ...
Deb Belt, Patch Staff
SILVER SPRING, MD — Shepherd’s Table will present TableFest: A Neighborhood Block Party in Downtown Silver Spring, featuring restaurants such as Lemon Slice Café and Zinnia. The event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at 919 Silver Spring Ave. between Silver Spring Avenue and Thayer Avenue.
The site is about a 7-minute walk from the Silver Spring metro stop on the Red Line, or you can park on the street or in public parking lots nearby. Organizers recommend parking at the Thayer Public Parking Lot decks and Fenton Street Village Public Parking Garage 4.
Attendees will dine on signature dishes from some Silver Spring restaurants, and enjoy music, family-friendly entertainment, a brief program, and a silent auction. The event is open to the public with a purchase of a $25 ticket.
The Signature Dish Competition, where you can vote on the “Best of the Fest” dish, will run from 4 to 6:30 p.m., as will the silent auction.
Individual tickets are $25 for adults, free for kids under 12, and can be purchased here.
For four decades, Shepherd’s Table has provided services through meals, social support, and case management. This annual fundraising event offers an inside look at the organization’s mission, its growth over the past 41 years, and a chance to build community with all its neighbors.
Enjoy a DJ and salsa dancing lessons, family entertainment (craft table and plant giveaway), and more.
Organizers said event sponsorships play a critical role in supporting Shepherd’s Table year-round. If you want to become a sponsor, read our sponsorship packet here and contact Daniella Burgos at [email protected]. Sponsorships start at $500; each level includes event tickets and a host of perks.
Shepherd’s Table depends on the partnership of businesses, individuals, and organizations to serve the community's most vulnerable members.
ABOUT SHEPHERD’S TABLE
Shepherd’s Table has offered daily meals and comprehensive social services for the past 41 years. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for the community’s most vulnerable members through nutritious meals and supportive services. Located in downtown Silver Spring, our work addresses food insecurity and homelessness while fostering dignity and respect for all.
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Community organizers say families are stuck in a bad situation with no help in sight.More VideosSILVER SPRING, Md. — Dozens of families that fled Afghanistan now living in Montgomery County are on the verge of being evicted, and they say this is just the latest housing issue they've dealt with since coming to this area.Shila Sayedi first arrived to the U.S. from Afghanistan 10 months ago, but in three days, she and her family may not have a home.And she’s not alone.Dozens of families at the En...
Community organizers say families are stuck in a bad situation with no help in sight.
SILVER SPRING, Md. — Dozens of families that fled Afghanistan now living in Montgomery County are on the verge of being evicted, and they say this is just the latest housing issue they've dealt with since coming to this area.
Shila Sayedi first arrived to the U.S. from Afghanistan 10 months ago, but in three days, she and her family may not have a home.
And she’s not alone.
Dozens of families at the Enclave apartment complex in Silver Spring have just weeks before getting evicted.
On Saturday, community groups showed up to get an idea of just how big the problem is, and were shocked by what they learned.
“Our list is incomplete, but I have 76 families on my list of people we talked to,” said Ilhan Cagri of Muslim Voices Coalition. “Of that, I’d say 23 received a Sheriff’s notice, so they’re going to be evicted within the next three or four weeks.”
As the stories were collected, a pattern began to emerge: many of the families recently came from Afghanistan and worked for the U.S. government.
That work put them in the Taliban’s crosshairs, forcing these families to escape with their lives.
“They will hunt you down, they’ll hunt your family down, they’ll kill you, kill your family members, burn your house down,” Cagri said. “They are ruthless in going after the people in the US government, so knowing this, the US gives them special status called an SIV visa. This means you worked for the US government, and they make it easy for you to come to the United States.”
However, families realized they were being placed in homes they couldn’t afford, and the assistance they were promised soon ran dry.
“Our caseworker found this place and brought us here, and she said the rent would be $1,650,” Sayedi said. “For six months, they paid rent, and then when we had to pay rent, it went up to $2,550.”
Cagri points to three agencies, the International Rescue Committee, Lutheran Social Services, and the Ethiopian Community Development Council, as the responsible parties, adding that this mismanagement has had real consequences for families who’re still trying to adjust to life in the U.S.
“They kind of dropped the ball,” she said. “They put these people in apartments they couldn’t afford. They’re more than $2,000, sometimes up to $3,000 for people who do not speak English, do not understand how this place works, can’t apply for a job because they don’t have anything to show where they worked before or what their education status was, and if they do get a job, they’re going to work minimum wage.”
Sayedi says her husband is disabled, meaning making rent falls on her alone, but with only days until eviction, she wonders what her options are.
“My kids and I came from Afghanistan for a better life,” she said. “I’m going to end up in the street with my children. I don’t have anyone in America. What am I supposed to do with my children out on the street?”
Cagri is calling on anyone who is able and willing to help to reach out to her organization. WUSA9 reached out to the complex for a comment, but they were unavailable.
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