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 Kensington Historic District in Kensington, MD 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 Kensington, 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.
“Selam Lema is a pleasant and dedicated healthcare aide, my husband and I are very”
“Hanna Derara cared for my mother for several months provided us great comfort knowing that”
“Recently, while my mom was in sub-acute rehab, through ABC we hired Aster and Caroline”
“From my first phone call I felt like our home health care needs were understood”
“Our family is so grateful for the Always Best staff that lovingly cared for my”
“We have such good experience not just with the individual caregivers (special shout-outs to the”
“I’ve been working at Always Best Care for almost six years, and it has truly”
“Dena is a consummate professional that has spent years dedicating her time to helping seniors”
“We needed to find care for my grandmother after a serious health crisis. Her care”
“I would like to thank the folks at Always Best Care for taking care of”
“This is a follow up about my Mom who is 87 years old recovering”
“Always Best Care Senior Services supplied me with superior skilled nursing care after my partial”
“Tigist, Grace A, Elaine, & Jonathan try to help my elderly dad every day seemingly”
“After my elderly sister fell, I needed an attendant on short notice. Always Best Care”
“We are so happy to have found Always Best Care. Last November, I suffered a”
“ABC was so helpful, professional and easy to work with when I needed help caring”
“Always Best Care is a wonderful place to work. The staff are kind, thoughtful and”
“Always Best Care has provided my mother and our family with wonderful care and support”
“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”
“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”
“Selam Lema is a pleasant and dedicated healthcare aide, my husband and I are very pleased with her care. We are happy to recommend Always Best Care Senior Services. Frances R.”
“Hanna Derara cared for my mother for several months provided us great comfort knowing that our mother was in good hands. Hanna was always prompt and reliable. We would recommend her and Always Best Care to others.”
“Recently, while my mom was in sub-acute rehab, through ABC we hired Aster and Caroline to provide care for our mom. Having Aster and Caroline each day really helped us. Caroline was very skilled and anticipated our mom's needs with a smile. Aster was incredibly kind. She gave my mom comfort and was so dedicated that she even made it to the facility on the toughest days of the "snowcrete" storm. The ABC office staffers were great to work with. They were really flexible and acted quickly when we wanted to add extra shifts.”
“From my first phone call I felt like our home health care needs were understood and would be met. Our first aide, Tibrus, was awesome at a time when we were just out of the hospital and totally overwhelmed. He knew exactly what we needed and he calmly helped us learn what we needed to do. Tsigie was another awesome aide. She was always able to anticipate every need, and she is a hard worker who is eager to help in every way she can. Our final aide was William, a nursing student, He was also pleasant to work with. He was happy to do whatever was needed. We appreciated ABC’s support while we regained our independence.”
“Our family is so grateful for the Always Best staff that lovingly cared for my father-in-law Bill over the last year of his life. The caregivers included Sylvester, Elizabeth and Amy in the daytime, and Ellen, Haddy, and Isatu at night. They cared for Bill as if he was family. It was exceptional care and we will always fondly remember them.”
“We have such good experience not just with the individual caregivers (special shout-outs to the OUTSTANDING Tracy and Isatou), but with the administration and management. Tiara and her team are so responsive and clear, and the portal for viewing our schedules and so forth was also invaluable. Just an A+ company, which recruits exceptional people. We are so grateful.”
“I’ve been working at Always Best Care for almost six years, and it has truly been the best place to work.”
“Dena is a consummate professional that has spent years dedicating her time to helping seniors and their families. She is kind, compassionate, very resourceful, and we would not hesitate to refer her service to any family in need. As a dementia expert, she is truly able to help families understand this disease process, and provide support and guidance along their journey, which is something we greatly appreciate!”
“We needed to find care for my grandmother after a serious health crisis. Her care would be taking place across state lines, about 2 hours away from my home. I was referred to Dena at ABC by someone in my community. It turns out that she lives in the area where Gram would be placed. As a result, she was able to recommend a wonderful assisted living facility hat fit our specifications perfectly. We were able to tour the facility via Zoom while a family member toured with Dena in person. Dena’s willingness to listen and then take great care in her recommendation made the search painless. We were so fortunate to find this compassionate business.”
“I would like to thank the folks at Always Best Care for taking care of my Mom, especially Ashley for coordinating everything, nurse Diptina for looking after her health, caregiver Georgina for taking care of her and Dina for helping to place her in an assisted living home.”
“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!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services supplied me with superior skilled nursing care after my partial hip replacement. I could not have done without Cadaissia's and Kumba's very attentive care. I appreciated that they followed my specific directions exactly. There was never one complaint. They were calm, kind, patient and confident. I highly recommend "Always Best Care Senior Services," Cadaissia and Kumba very highly.”
“Tigist, Grace A, Elaine, & Jonathan try to help my elderly dad every day seemingly to the best of their abilities.”
“After my elderly sister fell, I needed an attendant on short notice. Always Best Care provided an over-night attendant with just 2 hours notice. The attendant arrived exactly on time and did a great job!”
“We are so happy to have found Always Best Care. Last November, I suffered a compound ankle fracture and was completely non weight-bearing. As the primary helper for my husband who has Parkinson's, I needed to find a solution fast. I called Always Best based on a neighbor's recommendation. Within a short time, I had an in-home visit from their representative who listened carefully to me describe our needs and helped develop a forward looking plan. . The next day, Always Best sent an aide to our house. From the minute this young woman (Swikriti) came into our home, things got better, I could hardly believe what a good match Always Best had to us right from the start! She is energetic, pleasant, and respectful with a strong work ethic and a desire to help. Although I am now able to walk again, we continue to work with Swikriti as she is such a big help to us. Our experience with Always Best has been very position - from the initial assessment, to their front office staff, billing, and most of all, their fantastic aide.”
“ABC was so helpful, professional and easy to work with when I needed help caring for my mom. I highly recommend”
“Always Best Care is a wonderful place to work. The staff are kind, thoughtful and the quality of service is above and beyond the norm. I am grateful to have joined such a prestigious organization of women that care about the people and employees they serve. It is extremely rare to find the level of expertise and professionalism that ABC possesses, anywhere else in this industry.”
“Always Best Care has provided my mother and our family with wonderful care and support from her stay in sub acute rehab to assisted living over several years. We have been fortunate to have the same caregiver for the last year and she has been beyond stellar! All other caregivers were always above average. Just an outstanding group of very compassionate and kind people from the office to the caregivers. Our family HIGHLY recommends Always Best Care!”
“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.”
“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.”
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 KenGar Palisades Park in Kensington, MD 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 Dish Dram or visit Kensington Historical Society, 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 Kensington, 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 Kensington, 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 Kensington, 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.
1:06Just in time for Halloween, Gene’s Costumes in Kensington, Maryland, has reopened its doors, nearly three years after an electrical fire forced the longtime costume shop to close.Related storiesFor owner Ginger Ager, who has spent 40 years at the shop, getting back in business on Oct. 1 was especially important. October used to account for about half of her annual business. But there was a time when she thought Gene’s Costumes would never reopen.On Jan. 2, 2024, Ager arrived at the shop with load...
1:06
Just in time for Halloween, Gene’s Costumes in Kensington, Maryland, has reopened its doors, nearly three years after an electrical fire forced the longtime costume shop to close.
For owner Ginger Ager, who has spent 40 years at the shop, getting back in business on Oct. 1 was especially important. October used to account for about half of her annual business. But there was a time when she thought Gene’s Costumes would never reopen.
On Jan. 2, 2024, Ager arrived at the shop with loads of clean laundry and heard a smoke detector chirping. She initially thought it needed a new battery.
When she opened the door that lead to downstairs, she discovered something far more serious.
“It was completely ominous black in front of me,” Ager recalled. “That was it. That was the end of Gene’s Costumes. That’s what I thought.”
Despite the damage, Ager refused to walk away from the business she’d devoted much of her adult life to.
While the storefront remained closed, she continued supplying costumes to schools and community theater groups.
“With no electricity, no heat, no air conditioning, I was here every single day,” she said.
Her inventory ended up scattered across about six locations, including a storage pod at the shop, another in a friend’s driveway, and a friend’s garage, along with a theater space in Gaithersburg.
Many of the costumes that had been downstairs suffered fire or soot damage. Ager said she’s still working with scrub brushes and cleaning products to salvage what she can.
Looking back on the catastrophe, Ager said she couldn’t have made it through those nearly three years alone.
“We hear from old customers all the time, and they’ve been reaching out during the whole time, asking if there’s anything they can do to help,” she said. “I have some wonderful customers, wonderful friends.”
That support included a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $20,000 in donations, according to Ager.
She estimated the financial toll at about $100,000, including lost business, rebuilding costs and damaged merchandise.
Getting the building ready for customers again was a long process. Ager said she did not truly believe there was light at the end of the tunnel until the shop passed its final inspection.
“Oh my gosh, that was so uplifting,” she said.
The retail operation is back up and running, with freshly painted floors and pegboards, along with new carpeting.
Ager’s son Austin, who is among her three children helping with the family business, said that over the last couple of years, when he would check her location, she would be in Silver Spring or Bethesda.
“But now she’s always in Kensington, and that makes me happy now that she’s in her happy place at the costume shop,” Austin said. “She’s dedicated her life to this.”
And after two years and nine months, Ager is looking ahead.
“We’re back in and open, and they can’t stop us now,” she said.
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Dr. Bloem Maryland Practice Details Records and Medication Steps for New PatientsKensington, United States – October 20, 2026 / Dr Fred Bloem, MD /Dr. Fred Bloem offers online guidance for prospective patients preparing for an initial consultation at his Kensington medical practice. The new-patient guide outlines the information to gather before a visit and the questions to address with the practice ahead of time.Preparation typically involves collecting relevant medical records and recent laborato...
Dr. Bloem Maryland Practice Details Records and Medication Steps for New Patients
Kensington, United States – October 20, 2026 / Dr Fred Bloem, MD /
Dr. Fred Bloem offers online guidance for prospective patients preparing for an initial consultation at his Kensington medical practice. The new-patient guide outlines the information to gather before a visit and the questions to address with the practice ahead of time.
Preparation typically involves collecting relevant medical records and recent laboratory results, compiling a list of current medications and supplements along with their doses, and identifying the specific health concerns and questions a patient intends to raise. Notes on symptoms can also help provide context during the appointment.
Prospective patients can use the scheduling conversation to clarify practical details: which documents should be submitted in advance, how records should be transmitted, what fees to anticipate, and what follow-up arrangements are available.
Patients are encouraged to confirm the intake process, insurance participation, payment options, and visit format directly with the practice, rather than assuming that general guidance applies uniformly to every appointment.
Dr. Bloem Maryland patients and those from surrounding areas can reach the office at 10400 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 206, Kensington, Maryland 20895. Consultation requests can be initiated through the practice’s consultation request page or by calling 301-260-2601.
The full guidance is available in Dr. Bloem’s new-patient information guide.
Before submitting a consultation request, prospective patients are advised to write down the topics they wish to discuss and to distinguish scheduling questions from those intended for the consultation itself. The consultation request page includes a contact form for reaching the office directly. Patients should ask the practice how it prefers to receive records and confirm all appointment details with the office before the visit.
Contact Information:
Dr Fred Bloem, MD
10400 CONNECTICUT AVE STE 206 Kensington, MD 20895United States
Fred Bloem +1-301-260-2601 https://drbloem.com
Two years ago in September 2024, smiling students at the Academy of the Holy Cross donned purple plastic hard hats at the groundbreaking for the new athletic and wellness center planned for the campus at the all-girls Catholic high school in Kensington, Maryland.In August 2026, Holy Cross students beginning the new school year stepped into the gleaming new St. Angela Athletic and Wellness Center. Emily A. Kasof, now in her third year as the president and CEO of the Academy of the Holy Cross, said it was very moving to see the expressi...
Two years ago in September 2024, smiling students at the Academy of the Holy Cross donned purple plastic hard hats at the groundbreaking for the new athletic and wellness center planned for the campus at the all-girls Catholic high school in Kensington, Maryland.
In August 2026, Holy Cross students beginning the new school year stepped into the gleaming new St. Angela Athletic and Wellness Center. Emily A. Kasof, now in her third year as the president and CEO of the Academy of the Holy Cross, said it was very moving to see the expressions on those young women’s faces as they walked through the facility which they had watched being built over the past two years.
The St. Angela Athletic and Wellness Center includes an expansive gymnasium with bleacher seating for more than 400 people, a fully equipped fitness and training center, and modern locker rooms and team facilities, along with an outdoor bocce court, yoga terrace and practice field with ample parking. The facility’s design includes a large scoreboard over a prominent display of the Tartans nickname for the academy’s teams, and accents of the lavender and white school colors.
“They (our students) felt they were in a state-of-the-art facility,” Kasof said. “Now we have this beautiful space that encapsulates our athletics and our ability to have every student reach her personal best.”
Kasof added, “They were standing a little bit taller (afterward). You could tell they feel so much pride being in their own space.”
Kelly Flaherty, in his fourth year as the director of athletics at the Academy of the Holy Cross, agreed, saying, “It’s a facility to be proud of.”
The St. Angela Athletic and Wellness Center – which will be blessed by Washington Cardinal Robert W. McElroy at its grand opening on Sept. 18 and have its official ribbon cutting followed by a student pep rally – marks another milestone in the history of the Academy of the Holy Cross, which was founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1868.
Kasof noted that the Sisters of the Holy Cross made the lead $1 million gift for the facility and named it, “demonstrating their commitment to the students and their legacy.”
The president of the academy emphasized that the Sisters of the Holy Cross were pioneers, establishing educational and health care institutions across the United States. That legacy can also be seen in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland founded by the congregation in 1963, and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital that opened in upper Montgomery County in 2014. Both hospitals are now part of the Trinity Health system.
“They (the Holy Cross sisters) are pioneers… They are still pioneers, and we think of our girls as pioneers as well,” Kasof said.
According to a fact sheet provided by the Academy of the Holy Cross, the new facility is named for Mother Angela Gillespie, also known by her religious name, Mary of St. Angela. Mother Angela Gillespie was an American religious sister, mother superior, and founder of many works of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in the United States during the 19th century. She served as the first directress of Saint Mary’s Academy, which later became Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. The name “St. Angela” was previously associated with St. Angela Hall, where the Sisters of the Holy Cross lived and worked on campus of the Academy of the Holy Cross. That building is now the nearby Strathmore Mansion.
The St. Angela Athletic and Wellness Center, a 20,000 square-foot facility, was built by Keller Construction. The project manager is Matt Whalen with Whalen Construction, and the architects are Don Gregory and Bill Spack with CGS Architects.
“Ultimately for the girls, it’s a full-circle experience. They came to Holy Cross knowing this was in the works, and they’ve seen the progress every day,” said Flaherty.
The athletic director added that the Holy Cross students “are excited and they’re embracing the new space.”
Now students are taking a variety of physical education classes in the new center, including yoga classes. Holy Cross faculty and staff members can also exercise in the facility before and after school. As the use of the wellness center evolves, related speakers and community events and additions to the students’ curriculum may be offered there. Holy Cross will also welcome class reunions at the St. Angela Athletic and Wellness Center, and have some schoolwide events there.
The gymnasium at the new athletic center has space for two full-sized volleyball courts and will also be the home court for the Holy Cross basketball team. In addition to bleachers with twice the seating of the previous gym, the new center has a concessions area.
The training and fitness center, which will be used by all the Tartans teams, includes three squat racks and three dumbbell stations for weightlifting, along with three treadmills, a cardio bike, and an open layout for cardio and core work.
The back of the athletic center has access to an outdoor yoga patio and additional field space, and it is near Holy Cross’s turf field, where the Tartans’ soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and softball teams play, and where the high school’s track and field and cross country runners train and compete.
The St. Angela Athletic and Wellness Center also features new locker rooms for its home teams and visiting teams and a shower room. The trainer room includes an ice machine, a cold tub, muscle stimulator machines, and four taping tables where athletes can get treatments before, during and after practices and games.
“We try to use athletics as a vehicle for lifelong memories, building relationships and resilience,” said Flaherty, who noted that about 70 percent of Holy Cross students participate in a sport there. The athletic director added that the new athletic and wellness center “is just an organic space where our girls can be their best selves” and will be motivated to take advantage of the space during their time at the school.
On Sept. 8, the Tartans’ varsity volleyball team will have its first home game in the new athletic and wellness center, competing against Georgetown Visitation. Holy Cross competed in the finals for the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference varsity volleyball championships for 15 straight years before this past season, when the Tartans’ team with a 27-0 mark was upset in the semifinals. Over that span, Holy Cross won seven WCAC varsity volleyball championships.
“Success breeds success. We had some wonderful players early on,” said Dave Geiser, the varsity volleyball head coach and a science teacher there since 2011. Flaherty said the athletes in that program have a culture of success and “work year in and year out.”
Geiser said the volleyball team members love the new gym, and he added, “There’s some nostalgia for the shoebox we used to play in. I’m hoping some of the aura from the old gym crosses the drive.”
The varsity volleyball coach is also one of the teachers in the Project Lead the Way program at the Academy of the Holy Cross, a nationally recognized STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program offering hands-on learning in engineering, biomedical science and computer science. Holy Cross is the only all-girls school in Maryland to offer Project Lead the Way, which the school’s website notes is “empowering students to build confidence, think critically and lead in STEM fields.”
The Academy of the Holy Cross is known for its honors programs, including for its Project Lead the Way engineering program and for its humanities classes. Through its Moreau Inclusion Program, the school welcomes students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Catholic high school requires that its students complete at least 75 hours of service hours by graduation, and Holy Cross students are serving the elderly, youth and other people in need of support.
Traditionally, Holy Cross students and graduates have been known as “Ladies of the Academy,” and Flaherty said they are also “Leaders of the Academy.”
That morning as Kasof walked through the new St. Angela Athletic and Wellness Center, groups of Holy Cross students began arriving for their P.E. classes in the school’s new state-of-the-art facility. “It’s for them,” the academy’s president said, smiling.
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Sign inEinstein TitansVarsity Football Kensington, MD205Followers25-26Overall2-8Region1-1 (5th)NAT Rank12676MD Rank1972025-26 V. FootballEinstein Football (2025) Schedule2025-26Overall2-80.200 Win PctRegion1-15th Class 4A3A SouthHome0-4Away2-4Neutral0-0PF164PA477Streak5L* Region** Playoffs*** TournamentDate/TimeOpponentResultWatchGame Info...
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Einstein TitansVarsity Football Kensington, MD205Followers
25-26
Overall
2-8
Region
1-1 (5th)
NAT Rank
12676
MD Rank
197
2025-26 V. Football
2025-26
Overall2-80.200 Win Pct
Region1-15th Class 4A3A South
Home0-4Away2-4Neutral0-0
PF164PA477Streak5L
* Region** Playoffs*** Tournament
| Date/Time | Opponent | Result | Watch | Game Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/56:30pm | @Springbrook* | W 28-16 | Watch Replay | Box Score |
| 9/117:00pm | vsPaint Branch | L 55-0 | Watch Replay | Box Score |
| 9/197:00pm | vsNorthwood | L 42-28 | Watch Replay | Box Score |
| 9/267:00pm | @Blair | L 42-0 | Watch Replay | Box Score |
| 10/36:30pm | @Watkins Mill | W 44-38 | Box Score | |
| 10/107:00pm | vsKennedy* | L 56-8 | Watch Replay | Box Score |
| 10/177:00pm | vsDamascus | L 72-6 | Watch Replay | Box Score |
| 10/246:30pm | @Poolesville | L 44-38 | Watch Replay | Box Score |
| 10/316:30pm | @Wheaton | L 40-6 | Watch Replay | Box Score |
| 11/77:00pm | @Oxon Hill** | L 72-6 | Watch Replay | Box Score |
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