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 Pleasant Grove House State Historic Landmark in Rescue, CA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Rescue, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“We contracted with Always Best Care, located at 1406 Blue Oaks Blvd, Roseville, CA (916)”
“It all starts with Kristie, the scheduler! We are hard to please, but she has”
“Always Best Care has been a wonderful addition to my mom’s home care. We”
“Caring, professional, and truly dependable. They treat clients like family.”
“This company is amazing. I would recommend it to everybody. If you need reliable, loving,”
“Always Best Care is showing me how having good care is the best care and”
“As a Disabled vet I have appreciated the caregivers Always Best Care has provided. Among”
“Always Best Care has been providing me with service since January 2023. All the”
“Our family has used your service for our daughter Tamara Bohringer, who has stage 4”
“Monique m is amazing work we had a good conversation she is amazing”
“Victoria Bourke has been helping take care of my grandfather for sometime now! She is”
“Great caregivers who go above and beyond! Absolutely love Melia B! She is so joyful”
“Shoutout to Laura for being an incredible caretaker for my mom Mae! Always prompt, thoughtful”
“We are happy we chose Always Best Care to help our loved one recuperate from”
“Annie N. is the best caregiver. She goes above and beyond to care and assist”
“Gabby is very sweet and always conscience of job and our needs. She is”
“Lynette Devan has been our caretaker since January 2024. We have been very pleased and”
“We have received excellent care from Always Best Care for the past two years. They”
“Always Best Care is a great option in the Boston area if you’re looking for”
“We had an amazing experience with Always Best during a very challenging time. Their coordination”
“Great care for my husband, David Reynolds. We are happy with our caregiver Shristi”
“Eshneet with Always Best Care is an honest and trustworthy person. I would highly recommend”
“Eshneet is an extremely down to earth and caring individual! If you or your family”
“This is the best senior care services company in the Sacramento area, and it’s not”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care! Dan, the owner, is such a caring and”
“We contracted with Always Best Care, located at 1406 Blue Oaks Blvd, Roseville, CA (916) 266-6453), and couldn’t be happier. From the start, they conducted an excellent and thorough evaluation of our needs by Susan, care manager, and then assigned Jennifer, our service provider, who goes above and beyond every day. She is strong, capable, and caring. I highly recommend this office for in-home health care services. — Tony Wood”
“It all starts with Kristie, the scheduler! We are hard to please, but she has persevered and helped us find the right match. She is a thoughtful, kind and smart member of your team! Beth Cutler has become our most trusted helper. She is open to new routines and remembers all our little quirks. She has become a wonderful cook! She checks in if we ask for a new recipe, but she needs no tutoring the next time. She is prompt, resourceful and caring. She is a good problem solver and has initiated some great routines. She does laundry and tends to my needs. Nancy Farías has become our weekend caregiver. She sees what needs to be done and uses her time here like a whirlwind. She vacuums, mops the kitchen, does laundry and fixes our lunch and dinner - she is a confident cook and a caring helper. She too remembers how we like things to be done. She wants feedback and cheerfully adjusts things.”
“Always Best Care has been a wonderful addition to my mom’s home care. We have had many caregivers over the years but Raj has been so good with my mom. She is proactive and never misses a beat.. Raj has been an integral part of our family and we are so fortunate to have her….I also want to thank Kristie and the entire team behind the scenes making things as smooth as possible…”
“Caring, professional, and truly dependable. They treat clients like family.”
“This company is amazing. I would recommend it to everybody. If you need reliable, loving, compassionate in‑home care, you’ll feel so comfortable knowing your loved one is in great hands.”
“Always Best Care is showing me how having good care is the best care and my care-give Nicole is always giving me support for whatever”
“As a Disabled vet I have appreciated the caregivers Always Best Care has provided. Among those, Rashida B. has been exceptional. Recently I spent six weeks in a VA hospital and was very thankful that Rashida was able to resume her caregiving upon my return - and she didn't miss a beat. I wish to thank her and the scheduling team at Always Best Care that made my return home as seamless as possible.”
“Always Best Care has been providing me with service since January 2023. All the caregivers are very competent. The two who have been with me most of the time and provided me with the highest quality of care are Lorainne Nanca and Janie Torkelson. We could not do without them.”
“Our family has used your service for our daughter Tamara Bohringer, who has stage 4 cancer, for the last 13 months. Juana Felix every Monday for 3 hours. Also, Ashley Wright every Thursday for 8 hours. They both helped taking care of her needs and their companionship has been priceless. Thank you for your services. Also add Janie Torkelson who has helped our regular care givers.”
“Monique m is amazing work we had a good conversation she is amazing”
“Victoria Bourke has been helping take care of my grandfather for sometime now! She is the best! So helpful, and attentive to his needs! Always appreciate her and the care she gives to my grandfather!”
“Great caregivers who go above and beyond! Absolutely love Melia B! She is so joyful and willing to try anything. Also love our weekend team Roseanne and Christine. Thank you everyone! The Sanchez Family”
“Shoutout to Laura for being an incredible caretaker for my mom Mae! Always prompt, thoughtful and caring???????????????????????????????????? also have to say Vivian is another great person. So resourceful kind and lovely. We also enjoy Cristina’s assistance So happy we found Always Best Care!!!”
“We are happy we chose Always Best Care to help our loved one recuperate from a lengthy hospital stay. Victoria and Tiera have been wonderful help and easy to have in our home. They were the first caregivers we’d ever had and were a bit concerned how it would out. We are very pleased. Anita and Rashida, while new to our family, have been a great help, too. Yes, 5 Star service all! The office staff is very professional and quick to answer any question.”
“Annie N. is the best caregiver. She goes above and beyond to care and assist my disabled father. She is highly experienced and professional. She always has a pleasant attitude and making sure all his basic needs are met. I noticed the difference in his mental health and working on his abilities to thrive, not focused too much on his disability. I highly recommend Always Best Care. They are great communicating with you and scheduling to ensure you have the right caregiver.”
“Gabby is very sweet and always conscience of job and our needs. She is great.”
“Lynette Devan has been our caretaker since January 2024. We have been very pleased and this is my second review of Lynette 's service to us through always best. To put it succinctly, she is the BEST!. She continues to be self-motivated, helping us with cooking, incidental, laundry, gardening and watering and just loves our birds. My sister, Ann, is especially pleased with Lynette's services. Somehow, she has not gotten tired of my dad's stories and can hold her own with telling her own stories of a very fascinating life. WE are extremely pleased with always best providing Lynette's service. Jim & Ray Moitoza”
“We have received excellent care from Always Best Care for the past two years. They have consistently provided supportive, kind, and reliable caregivers, as well as top notch communication and support around scheduling. Our current caregivers, Juana and Shannon, have been the best medicine for my disabled husband. It has been a blessing to be able to rely on them to provide the much needed support at this time in our lives. We look forward to seeing them every week and every member of the family feels supported. Kamala has always been a responsive and flexible person to reach out to with questions or requests/changes in scheduling as well. All of the staff we have interacted with have been great. We have worked with 2 other agencies in the past and ABC is above and beyond any of our past experiences.”
“Always Best Care is a great option in the Boston area if you’re looking for private Home-care and other services. It came highly recommended.”
“We had an amazing experience with Always Best during a very challenging time. Their coordination of services and quality of caregivers are exceptional. We were especially appreciative of the caregiving support of Brianna. She was not only intuitive, but also very compassionate and professional. We highly recommend them.”
“Great care for my husband, David Reynolds. We are happy with our caregiver Shristi S”
“Eshneet with Always Best Care is an honest and trustworthy person. I would highly recommend Always Best Care and Eshneet for helping your loved ones find the right senior care.”
“Eshneet is an extremely down to earth and caring individual! If you or your family are in need of some senior assistances, make sure she is your first call!”
“This is the best senior care services company in the Sacramento area, and it’s not even close. They hold themselves and their employees to a high standard and ethics that is rare in this industry. Shoutout to Eshneet, she does fantastic work hustling all around town!”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care! Dan, the owner, is such a caring and genuine human and goes above and beyond to serve the seniors in our community. I've also gotten to know Eshneet and she is wonderful to work with. There's no company I trust more to provide great quality and affordable in-home services to people I love.”
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 Avocado Lake Park in Rescue, CA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to visit California Historical Landmark No. 331, 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 Rescue, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Rescue, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Rescue, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
What you need to know: At the Governor’s direction, 34 highly trained search and rescue personnel with experience in international response are deploying from California to Jamaica.LOS ANGELES — Continuing to use California’s expertise to help communities across the world, today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of a highly trained Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team with unique international experience from Los Angeles to arrive in Ja...
What you need to know: At the Governor’s direction, 34 highly trained search and rescue personnel with experience in international response are deploying from California to Jamaica.
LOS ANGELES — Continuing to use California’s expertise to help communities across the world, today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of a highly trained Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team with unique international experience from Los Angeles to arrive in Jamaica as the nation grapples with the impact of the deadly Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.
California stands ready to help when disaster strikes—whether it’s here at home or a world away. The deployment of this urban search and rescue team to Jamaica is a reflection of our commitment to lend a hand to those in need, to share our expertise, and to show that compassion and solidarity truly know no borders.
Governor Gavin Newsom
The Urban Search and Rescue team from the Los Angeles County Fire Department has unique training qualifications for international deployment in addition to extensive search and rescue expertise. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) is a specialized discipline that involves locating, extricating, and providing initial medical stabilization for victims trapped in confined spaces due to structural collapses, transportation accidents, or other disasters. These teams use a multi-hazard approach, responding to events like earthquakes, tornadoes, and terrorist attacks. They are highly trained and self-sufficient teams that provide a variety of technical skills and equipment to manage complex disaster situations, often working alongside local emergency services.
This team will join colleagues from Fairfax County, Virginia as they are the only search and rescue teams in the country with the unique combination of search and rescue and international qualifications. The teams also include search and rescue canines and specialized equipment.
“California has built one of the world’s most advanced urban search and rescue programs in the world,” said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward. “We are proud to stand with our neighbors as so many states and international partners have aided California in our times of need.”
Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a powerful Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 miles per hour that left destruction across the Caribbean, including Jamaica. By Thursday, Hurricane Melissa dropped down to a Category 2 storm packing 105 mph winds as it approached Bermuda.
Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are expected to persist in parts of the region, according to the National Hurricane Center. Jamaica is among the hardest-hit areas, where severe flooding and destructive winds have obliterated homes and brought down utility poles.
Hurricane Melissa is one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, based on wind strength and pressure.
This latest deployment reaffirms California’s role as a global leader in disaster response, where skill, compassion, and collaboration come together to save lives and help communities rebuild with dignity and resilience.
Today’s deployment builds on California’s extensive history of national and international mutual aid assistance. California has a strong record of helping other countries with search and rescue following a disaster, most recently in the wake of a 7.8 earthquake in Turkey along with other disasters around the world.
Governor Newsom deployed California support to Florida to bolster the response to Hurricane Helene. California also sent aid to Florida in October 2024 to assist after Hurricane Milton, and to Texas in July and Georgia in August in response to tropical storms. In the past two years, California has also deployed firefighters to New Mexico, Hawaii, Oregon and Montana.
Naming rights have rescued major California businesses before. Now the chief of the often-belittled California High Speed Rail Authority (HSR) thinks they might be at least part of the answer to keeping the half-built bullet train system going long enough to actually carry passengers. Call this Part 2 of HSR’s survival strategy. Just make sure many of the fees are collected in advance and that they’re enough to make a difference.Frequently called a boondoggle, the train has already secured Part 1 of its fiscal survival pla...
Naming rights have rescued major California businesses before. Now the chief of the often-belittled California High Speed Rail Authority (HSR) thinks they might be at least part of the answer to keeping the half-built bullet train system going long enough to actually carry passengers. Call this Part 2 of HSR’s survival strategy. Just make sure many of the fees are collected in advance and that they’re enough to make a difference.
Frequently called a boondoggle, the train has already secured Part 1 of its fiscal survival plan, an absolute must after President Trump cancelled $4 billion in federal grant money for the poorly planned but partly-built project.
That happened when Gov. Gavin Newsom this fall signed a new law called SB 840, giving the train project one-fourth of the state’s take (or about $1 billion a year) for 20 years from cap-and-trade fees of companies that pay to continue their polluting ways. That won’t build much in a project whose cost is now estimated at over $100 billion. But it’s decent seed money.
HSR director Ian Choudri first floated the idea of leveraging that money’s presence to help sell naming rights. Some laughed. But Inglewood’s year-old Intuit Center brought in about $500 million for its naming and Aspiration Partners, a financial technology firm that went bankrupt in March, reportedly offered $1 billion. And the Intuit Center cannot even move.
If it costs that much to plaster your name on a building, imagine how much could be raised by selling naming rights for a constantly-running luxury train. When finished, the project is to link San Diego and Sacramento. Naming rights could be sold for everything from the entire system to engines, rail cars, stations, and even individual seats, along with exclusive rights to advertise inside train cars. Names could also be featured beside each mile of track.
Consider what might have happened to the former Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, home to the basketball Lakers and Sparks and the hockey Kings. When Staples office supplies removed its name and money from the building, it might have turned moribund, without an identity.
But the Singapore-based Crypto.com exchange for bitcoin and related financial products stepped in. Today the arena has a name and $35 million yearly in naming fees, the largest such deal anywhere. It’s about double what AT&T pays for naming rights on the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium.
Now think of the bullet train, which appears more desperate for cash than any sports facility.
This project is many years behind schedule in carrying its first passenger, and even then, it will likely be in 2033 and only between Merced and Bakersfield.
The original plan voters approved was to open the Los Angeles to San Francisco run by 2020.
The first leg of this system will now cost an estimated $35 billion, more than the original budget for the entire plan.
Enter naming rights. Besides putting their name on various parts of the project, companies could buy development rights for land around stations. They could fund and name tunnels and perhaps charge for each passing train. Or they could buy rights to name stretches of rail. All this could add up to a lot.
Whether it could produce the sums still needed to build out the system is strictly speculative. But Choudri notes that all environmental reviews for the Los Angeles to San Francisco run are in hand and a rail system suitable for high speed operations already exists between San Francisco and San Jose.
HSR officials tout the fact they have built 54 structures and laid 70 miles of track, almost half what’s needed for the Merced to Bakersfield run.
The real question is whether this system can ever overcome its founding mistake, which was to build essentially parallel to Highway 99, rather than on the often-wide state-owned median strip of Interstate 5 along the western side of the San Joaquin Valley.
In short, can it overcome the greed of politicians who insisted this system run through towns they represented, rather than open spaces devoid of job-seeking constituents?
Email Thomas Elias at [email protected].
Diane Keaton’s Final Act of Kindness: California Animal Rescue Reveals Untold Story After Her Death at 79Diane Keaton’s final days were marked by quiet heroism — and a secret that only her favorite California animal rescue is now revealing. The Oscar-winning Annie Hall and The Godfather actress, who died at age 79 in California on Saturday, Oct. 11, is being remem...
Diane Keaton’s final days were marked by quiet heroism — and a secret that only her favorite California animal rescue is now revealing. The Oscar-winning Annie Hall and The Godfather actress, who died at age 79 in California on Saturday, Oct. 11, is being remembered not just for her films, but for saving countless lives — animal lives.
In a moving tribute, the Helen Woodward Animal Center confirmed that Keaton’s two decades of work behind the scenes led to legislative victories, adoptions, and rescues that continue to ripple across the world. The Center, where she served on the Board of Directors for over 20 years, described her as “a guardian angel for animals who had no voice.”
As of October 15, 2025, no official cause of death has been released for Diane Keaton.
When an official cause of death isn’t publicly confirmed, it means that her family or representatives have not disclosed the medical reason behind her passing — often to protect privacy or await coroner results.
“Helen Woodward Animal Center thanks Keaton for a lifetime of dedication to the cause of animal welfare,” the organization said in a statement. “Her impact has been profound — from championing major legislation to rescuing pets herself.”
Keaton supported critical animal protection laws like the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which made it illegal to privately own wildcats. She also helped enforce stronger standards for animals working in film and TV, ensuring no creature would suffer on set.
She lived what she preached — embracing vegetarianism, promoting adoption, and rescuing strays herself. One story now resurfacing is how Keaton once pulled a frightened dog off a Los Angeles freeway, later ensuring it found a permanent home through the Center.
Few fans knew the extent of Keaton’s dedication. She first partnered with Helen Woodward Animal Center in 2001, becoming their celebrity spokesperson and starring in public awareness campaigns. In 2005, she received the Humane Award, cementing her as one of Hollywood’s most consistent voices for adoption and rescue.
“Diane didn’t just talk about helping animals — she lived it,” said Mike Arms, the Center’s president. “It’s impossible to count the number of lives she saved. She was the real deal.”
Her devotion also extended to the Center’s Remember Me Thursday® campaign, encouraging millions to adopt orphaned pets each year.
Diane Keaton worked directly with the Helen Woodward Animal Center to promote animal adoption, fundraise through celebrity galas, and push for stronger animal rights laws.
In simple terms, she used her fame, money, and time to protect animals from cruelty and to help shelters save more lives.
She even appeared in telethons, personally answered phones, and donated lunches with herself as prizes — raising thousands of dollars for animals in need.
On April 11, just six months before her passing, Keaton shared a touching photo with her golden retriever, Reggie, to mark National Pet Day. The post, in collaboration with home brand Hudson Grace, read:
“Proof our pets have great taste too! Happy National Pet Day from HG & @diane_keaton ????????”
It would become her final public message — a simple love letter to the creatures she spent her life defending.
“Helen Woodward Animal Center and the global animal community lost a true friend,” Arms said. “Her compassion, humor, and belief in second chances will never be forgotten.”
Though Diane Keaton is gone, her legacy lives on through every adopted pet and every law that now protects them — a quiet revolution built on kindness.
Diane Keaton’s greatest performance wasn’t on screen — it was in the lives she saved. Her advocacy changed laws, inspired adoption, and reminded the world that compassion is the most powerful role anyone can play.
Medical helicopter crashed on a Highway 50 in Sacramento, critically injuring three people aboardA medical helicopter crashed on a highway in Sacramento, critically injuring three people aboard – including a woman who was pinned underneath and was rescued with the help of motorists who lifted part of the aircraft, according to officials.The helicopter had taken a patient to a hospital and was on the way back to the place it had been dispatched from when it experienced an “in-air emergency” just after 7pm local...
Medical helicopter crashed on a Highway 50 in Sacramento, critically injuring three people aboard
A medical helicopter crashed on a highway in Sacramento, critically injuring three people aboard – including a woman who was pinned underneath and was rescued with the help of motorists who lifted part of the aircraft, according to officials.
The helicopter had taken a patient to a hospital and was on the way back to the place it had been dispatched from when it experienced an “in-air emergency” just after 7pm local time on Monday, said Justin Sylvia, a spokesperson for the Sacramento fire department. He said it looked like the helicopter crashed upside-down and left a large debris field.
A pilot, nurse and paramedic were taken to hospitals and were in critical condition, he said. No one on the highway was injured, he said, calling that “mind-blowing” given that the helicopter crashed in the center of the highway in California’s capital.
“People reported that they basically saw the helicopter kind of going down quickly,” Sylvia said. “So all the traffic slowed down.”
One of the people injured was trapped underneath the helicopter, and a small crew from the fire department was able to work with people on the highway to push the aircraft off the woman to get her out and into an ambulance.
“It took every ounce of all approximately 15 people to move that aircraft up just enough to get her out,” he said.
The helicopter did not catch on fire, Sylvia said.
The crash closed the eastbound lanes of Highway 50, according to Mike Carrillo, an officer and spokesperson for the Valley Division of California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The aircraft was a Reach Air Medical helicopter, according to the company, which said in a statement that they “are keeping all those [affected] in our thoughts and prayers”.
“We are in the process of determining the details of this situation, as well as the condition of the REACH crew involved, who were all taken to area hospitals,” the company’s statement said.
In images posted online, a long line of cars on Highway 50 could be seen backed up just behind a crashed helicopter.
“The cause of the crash is still under investigation,” Carrillo said, adding that emergency crews and CHP were on the scene.
Lisa Kaplan, a Sacramento city council member, said she was on a ride along with law enforcement responding to the crash and said there were plumes of white smoke coming out of the crashed helicopter.
“It’s really … sobering,” she said. “I am up flying with sheriff pilots that do this day in and day out. And it really makes you grateful for every day and grateful for our officers and our medical pilots.”
An overdue trail runner nearly “outran the rescue team” as they searched for her after nightfall in the California wilderness.The Montrose Search and Rescue Team got a call about an overdue trail runner at about 9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, rescuers said in a Facebook post.“She is a semi-pro trail runner and had never been in the area around Switzers (Falls),” Mike Leum, an assistant director with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, said in a Facebook post.When two hours had passed s...
An overdue trail runner nearly “outran the rescue team” as they searched for her after nightfall in the California wilderness.
The Montrose Search and Rescue Team got a call about an overdue trail runner at about 9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, rescuers said in a Facebook post.
“She is a semi-pro trail runner and had never been in the area around Switzers (Falls),” Mike Leum, an assistant director with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, said in a Facebook post.
When two hours had passed since the runner’s expected return time, the 22-year-old woman’s “very anxious mom” drove to the trail and found her daughter’s car, according to Leum.
“Luckily she told mom WHERE she was going and WHEN she should be finished,” Leum said.
Rescuers said the runner had intended to travel from Switzer Falls to Bear Canyon Trail Camp in Angeles National Forest.
“I told my teammates that based on her level of fitness, we might be chasing her all night,” Leum said.
Leum said he was searching with a new team member, along with two trainees.
“I told them to start yelling the subject’s name and within minutes we heard her respond,” Leum said. “It was great to see the excitement of the trainees on their first live find.”
The runner, who was found about 20 minutes after rescuers set out to look for her, was headed back toward the trailhead, rescuers said.
“We’re thankful she was moving toward us when we made contact, because let’s be honest—she could have easily outrun our team, and they’re no slouches when it comes to fitness,” rescuers said.
The woman was in good spirits, “despite her ‘run’ turning into an unplanned 20-mile adventure after getting turned around and running out of cell phone battery,” rescuers said.
Leum said the woman asked about potentially joining the search and rescue team.
“I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t have a problem with our fitness test,” Leum said he told the runner.
Rescuers said the “incident highlights how important it is to leave a detailed route plan with someone you trust and stick to it.”
“Her preparation allowed us to respond quickly, and her family’s decision to call when she was overdue was the right move,” rescuers said.
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