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 Old Sacramento Waterfront in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, 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.
“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”
“I’d highly recommend ABC Senior Services when looking for long term care for a loved”
“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.”
“I’d highly recommend ABC Senior Services when looking for long term care for a loved one. Carrie was caring, personable and knowledgeable. She took the time to get to know us and our needs to find a good fit for my mom. She was always available to assist us and made a daunting task manageable. God bless ABC Services and Carrie for the vital service they provided in our time of need.”
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 Belle Cooledge Park in Sacramento, 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 eat at the local The Firehouse Restaurant or visit Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
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 Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, 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.
The federal government shutdown is approaching the one-month mark, and as it continues to drag on food benefits for nearly 42 million people nationwide are in limbo.The USDA has announced that due to the shutdown no food stamp benefits, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be issued Nov. 1.By extension California’s version of SNAP, known as CalFresh, will also be paused, leaving the more than five million Californians who rely on these benefits in a state of uncertainty.Governor G...
The federal government shutdown is approaching the one-month mark, and as it continues to drag on food benefits for nearly 42 million people nationwide are in limbo.
The USDA has announced that due to the shutdown no food stamp benefits, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be issued Nov. 1.
By extension California’s version of SNAP, known as CalFresh, will also be paused, leaving the more than five million Californians who rely on these benefits in a state of uncertainty.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Trump administration along with more than 20 other states, arguing the refusal to fund SNAP benefits is unlawful.
Local 211 helplines and other referral services are already seeing spikes in food assistance-related calls ahead of the November cutoff, reaching all-time high levels.
In Sacramento County these requests have already shown recent volatility, and they are coming as social safety net services are facing increased demand without additional resources..
Ethan Dye is the director of the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance, which is responsible for administering CalFresh benefits to 270,000 people along with other assistance programs like CalWORKS, Medicaid and foster care assistance.
Dye spoke with Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez about the preparations the county is making to navigate this challenging moment, and provide for the many people that rely on these benefits to feed themselves and their loved ones.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The government shutdown started on Oct. 1. How have you been navigating this uncertainty on the county level, especially as these federal benefits will be paused come Nov. 1?
We have done a lot of messaging to our customers in multiple languages, multiple formats. We believe individuals need to know what is going on. The state and county have looked at a variety of different methods… is there anything we can do to be able to add a benefit, to do things that the federal government can't or is not funded to do today? And unfortunately that’s not something that can happen.
So what we're doing is making sure folks know: call 211, go to your food banks. We’re trying to do a big messaging campaign with the food banks to say, “what do you really need?” So don’t just go to a food bank and say, “we have these things in our pantry,” but what do food banks really need for the community, so we’re able to maximize that effort?
Why are SNAP and CalFresh benefits being impacted? Aren’t they considered mandatory benefits even during a shutdown?
Unfortunately, it is not. It is an entitlement program. However, because the way the shutdown is, and it’s based on actual funding, there is no funding or allocation for the SNAP program. Therefore, there is no money [for] states to be able to pay onto the cards.
On the USDA’s homepage it says no benefits will be issued Nov. 1. How does that trickle down and impact the network of organizations and individuals in counties like Sacramento?
It is a massive network and ecosystem. It's going to have a huge impact. We have 270,000 individuals who rely on CalFresh benefits, 90,000 of those are children. So with folks not being able to eat, we know that if you’re hungry you may not be able to concentrate in school, or your parents are going to be working overtime and doing things to figure out how they can bring more resources to the household and the family.
Really it’s about getting the communication out and figuring out what all the resources that the community has that we’re able to navigate people to.
You mentioned working with the state. Can they step in to buffer the pausing of federal food assistance?
The state cannot. The CalFresh benefit is 100% federally funded, and because [of] that there is no mechanism for the state to actually put money onto a card. And so, what that does is it creates the vacuum that we're seeing today that we’re all gravely concerned about.
What is the average amount that a family or household receives if they're eligible for CalFresh in Sacramento County?
We have approximately 150,000 cases, a case is a family household, and it’s about $370 a month.
I also want to make a clarification that, in Sacramento and in the state of California, food benefits are issued by the last digit of a case number. So, if your last digit is a one, you get paid on the first, second, two, etc. So, if the federal government is able to come to a collective agreement, and fund CalFresh or fund SNAP, there may be a couple-day delay but other folks may not see an impact to their benefits because we issue over a 10-day period.
The longest government shutdown in history spanned 35 days and was back in 2018 during President Trump’s first term. How did Sacramento County navigate that time?
It was different because there was a different interpretation of how much money the federal government would keep in certain benefits. At one point a few years ago, they had two months worth of benefits that they would keep in a contingency. Now they have one month, which was October. And, the federal government is also not utilizing the contingency they have currently, which is about $5 billion, to fund benefits because they say they don’t have the authority to do so.
Have you ever encountered a situation like this where CalFresh can be paused?
I have been with the department for 20 years, and I never thought I'd be having this conversation. This is absolutely unprecedented, and it’s honestly the first time in my career and for my staff… not really having that ability to feel like we don’t have our hands tied. We’re doing everything we can, we’re working with the state [which is] doing everything they can, but this is a very different issue than we have ever seen.
When it comes to social services, and the related supports and infrastructure, why is funding them such a challenge?
Funding is a challenge really because of how the dollars come in. Whether it's its property taxes, state allocations and how other funding is brought in, and the cost of living is high for all of us. So when you start to see resources changing, then you start to see what we're really feeling today.
I think one of the other issues that we see is federal policy changes that also impact the community. House Resolution 1 has a significant impact for us come October of next year. What that means is, the way CalFresh is funded today it’s 50% federal, 35% state, and 15% county. But with House Resolution 1 it changes to 25% federal, so the state and county have to now bridge another 25%. And as you start looking at the dollars that are in [the] community and how budgets play out, it becomes significant.
What would you like the 270,000 residents in the county who rely on CalFresh to know as we inch closer to Nov. 1?
There’s so many things. I wish we could have been able to get messaging out at the state level and county level a little faster, so people can make informed decisions on whether they wanted to maintain benefits or go to other resources sooner so benefits could stay on their card. What I really want to say is, don’t let this impact your ability to reach out. If you need to apply for benefits, come see us. Once the shutdown is over we’re able to get you on and get you benefits.
Go to 211. Reach out to your community. Talk to your food banks. Do whatever you can do to maintain your family, yourself and do the best you can to be healthy.
Should new or renewing applicants still follow the process, even if the shutdown continues?
Absolutely. If you are not on CalFresh now and you feel like you need it in the future, come do an application. You can apply, call us, you can click online, you can come into one of our offices. If you have a renewal coming up, do your renewal. Don't let there be a lapse in benefits.
If CalFresh is paused come Nov. 1, what other resources for food are available for those who qualify?
Right now all we really have at our disposal is having folks reach out to the food banks. We know that the governor released $80 million that was already in the budget to be allocated. He's moved it out faster, but we also need the community to step up… and this is not going to be an easy situation. We can all do a piece to make sure the folks are able to get through this.
You can hear more of Dye’s conversation about the potential disruption of CalFresh benefits and how his department works with the 211 helpline here.
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There are more outdoorsy towns in the Sierra Nevada than you can shake a San Franciscan sourdough at. This 250-mile range of skyscraper-high sequoias and glacier-carved granite domes has the high desert city of Bishop on its eastern flank and the fabled 'Gateway to Yosemite' that is Mariposa over in the west. The list could go on and on and on, but pause just a moment to appreciate one outdoor playground in particular: The off-radar outpost of Pollock Pines.The location says it all. Pollock Pines sits along the serpentine courses of U...
There are more outdoorsy towns in the Sierra Nevada than you can shake a San Franciscan sourdough at. This 250-mile range of skyscraper-high sequoias and glacier-carved granite domes has the high desert city of Bishop on its eastern flank and the fabled 'Gateway to Yosemite' that is Mariposa over in the west. The list could go on and on and on, but pause just a moment to appreciate one outdoor playground in particular: The off-radar outpost of Pollock Pines.
The location says it all. Pollock Pines sits along the serpentine courses of US-50, a highway that actually runs all the way from the West Coast to the East Coast. However, the section in question here is the ultra-scenic bit that goes through the Sierra Nevada from Placerville to Lake Tahoe, giving gorgeous mountain vistas the whole way along. Hikes, mountain biking, climbing, and shimmering alpine lakes are abundant there, and Pollock Pines sits neatly in the middle of it all. As if that's still not enough, the spot has a charmingly historic downtown core that can trace its days back to the Gold Rush. It's perfect for cozying up at the end of the day!
Aim to jet into the big Sacramento International Airport if you can. It's just over an hour's drive down the road from Pollock Pines, and offers stacks of domestic flights and even some international arrivals, along with plenty of car rentals. Alternatively, the major international aviation hub in San Francisco is only a 2.5-hour drive from the west.
Welcome to the very center of the western Sierra Nevada. Pollock Pines is plumb in the midst of the foothills of that iconic range, so you'd be right to think that there's a smorgasbord of outdoorsy pursuits on the menu. The Eldorado National Forest sprawls all around the town, extending across the ridges to the east. It'll be your main playground during your visit.
But before you venture too far, be sure to check out the Sly Park Recreation Area. It's among the top draws of Pollock Pines, sat only a 10-minute drive south of the downtown. You'll find it anchored on the glimmering waters of Jenkinson Lake, which transforms into a kayaking and boating haven during warm-weather months. Around that, a short hiking route loops over a creek to reveal a waterfall in the forest.
Just beyond is where you can get onto some of the 350 miles of trails that beckon in the vast Eldorado National Forest. They begin with the Fleming Meadow area, where a 5-mile loop promises a quiet escape into the evergreen woods. Those willing to go further could cruise the US-50 out to Lover's Leap and Twin Bridges. The first is a mecca for rock climbers — think a near-vert ascent up classic Californian granite. The latter has trailheads that access roaring waterfalls and summits within the breathtaking land of peaks and glistening lakes that is the Desolation Wilderness.
Pollock Pines — like so many other towns on the western edge of the Sierra Nevada — rode the wave of the Californian Gold Rush. But, unlike its nearby compadres on the wildly scenic Highway 49 through Gold Country, which passes through Placerville just 15 minutes' drive down the road, this one wasn't a boomtown for prospectors. Instead, it cut its teeth as a lumber mill and a stop on the old Pony Express mail route.
There are still whiffs of that long past. Check out Sportsman's Hall, an erstwhile inn for riders that's been around since the 1850s. You can still dine in that piece of history today — the breakfast menu is a hearty offering of ribeye with eggs, lobster benedict, and biscuits with gravy. Just what you need for a long day's galloping on the postal trails!
All filled up? Good, because some of the most enchanting historic towns in California await just down the road. Join the aforementioned Highway 49 route, and you'll cruise through several of them within an hour of leaving Pollock Pines. The 'Jewel of the Motherlode' of Sutter Creek is 50 minutes away, offering antiques shops and wine tasting galore. Coloma, the spot where gold was first discovered in California, is just 30 minutes to the north. Go there to wander a preserved historic district complete with a blacksmith shop and a vintage lumber mill.
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View All JobsTheatre For Children, Inc. | Sacramento, CASacramento,, CANotice: Stage ManagerCONTRACTIndependent Theatre Contract / TYAITC: $1155 weekly minimum - Stage manager $1024 weekly minimum - Assistant stage managerTYA: Stage manager $844 weekly minimum (+ 2% media bump) - Until 6/22/26 $878 weekly minimum (+2% media bump) - After 6/22/26Assistant stage manager $671 weekly minimum (+2% media bump) - Until 6/22/26 $698 weekly minimum (+2% media bump) - After 6/22/...
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Theatre For Children, Inc. | Sacramento, CASacramento,, CA
Notice: Stage Manager
CONTRACT
Independent Theatre Contract / TYA
ITC: $1155 weekly minimum - Stage manager $1024 weekly minimum - Assistant stage manager
TYA: Stage manager $844 weekly minimum (+ 2% media bump) - Until 6/22/26 $878 weekly minimum (+2% media bump) - After 6/22/26
Assistant stage manager $671 weekly minimum (+2% media bump) - Until 6/22/26 $698 weekly minimum (+2% media bump) - After 6/22/26
SEEKING
Equity stage managers for B Street Theatre's ITC & TYA 2026 Seasons.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit your resume for consideration to Jerry Montoya, Executive Producer.
Deadline: 12/10/2025
SUBMIT TO
B Street Theatre
2700 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95816
PERSONNEL
Lyndsay Burch: Artistic Director/Casting Director
Jerry Montoya: Executive Producer/Casting
Director/Playwright
Liz Baldoo: Associate Executive
Director/Casting Director
Sean Patrick Nill: Artistic Manager/Casting
Director/Playwright
See breakdown for production specific personnel.
OTHER DATESSee breakdown for production specific dates.
OTHER
bstreettheatre.org
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.
BREAKDOWNB Street Theatre ITC & TYA 2026 Seasons
Independent Theater Contract (ITC) 2026 Season:
MISERYWritten by Stephen King, Adapted by William GoldmanDirected by John Lamb
Rehearsal: 12/30/2025Opens: 01/23/2026Closes:02/15/2026
FRANKLINLAND (Premiere)Written by Lloyd SuhDirected by Sean Patrick Nill
Rehearsal: 04/07/2026Opens: 05/01/2026Closes: 05/24/2026
WORKING FOR CRUMBS (New Work)Written by Kate DanleyDirected by Lyndsay Burch
Rehearsal: 05/26/2026Opens: 06/19/2026Closes: 07/12/2026
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYSWritten by Jules Verne, Adapted by Mark BrownDirected by Lyndsay Burch
Rehearsal: 07/21/2026Opens: 08/14/2026Closes: 09/06/2026
PRIMARY TRUSTWritten by Eboni BoothDirected TBA
Rehearsal: 09/15/2026Opens: 10/09/2026Closes: 11/01/2026
WHEN MARTHA MET KRIS: THE SANTA CLAUS LOVE STORY (New Work)Written by Lyndsay Burch, Jerry Montoya, & Sean Patrick NillDirected by Tara Sissom-Pittaro
Rehearsal: 11/10/2026Opens: 12/04/2026Closes: 12/27/2026
THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES (TYA) 2026 Season - Family Series:
HARRIET TUBMAN & THE UNDERGROUND RAILROADWritten by Jerry MontoyaDirected by TBD
Rehearsal: 01/13/2026Opens 02/06/2026Closes 03/08/2026TYA Resident contract
ONCE UPON A TIMENew Plays by Students of Northern CaliforniaDirected by Greg Alexander
Rehearsal: 03/17/2026Opens: 04/11/2026Closes: 05/10/2026TYA Resident contract
GRACE & THE BUTTERFLY EFFECTby Greg Alexander, Clifford Lee Johnson III, & Jane KelleyDirector TBA
Rehearsal: 09/01/2026Opens: 09/25/2026Closes: 10/18/2026TYA Resident contract
TIS THE SEASON: BEST OF!By B Street TheatreDirector Lyndsay BurchRehearsal 10/13/2026Opens: 11/06/2026Closes: 12/20/2026
Stage manager $844 weekly minimum (+ 2% media bump) - Until 6/22/26 $878 weekly minimum (+2% media bump) - After 6/22/26 Assistant stage manager $671 weekly minimum (+2% media bump) - Until 6/22/26 $698 weekly minimum (+2% media bump) - After 6/22/26
AEA
Construction will close a key stretch of Highway 50 in the Sacramento area for 55 hours, according to Caltrans.The “extended weekend full closure” will affect westbound Highway 50 from the north- and southbound Interstate 5 interchange connector ramps in Sacramento County to westbound Highway 50 in Yolo County,” the California Department of Transportation said in an Oct. 22 news release.“Associated on- and off-ramps in West Sacramento” will also be impacted, Caltrans said.In addition, the st...
Construction will close a key stretch of Highway 50 in the Sacramento area for 55 hours, according to Caltrans.
The “extended weekend full closure” will affect westbound Highway 50 from the north- and southbound Interstate 5 interchange connector ramps in Sacramento County to westbound Highway 50 in Yolo County,” the California Department of Transportation said in an Oct. 22 news release.
“Associated on- and off-ramps in West Sacramento” will also be impacted, Caltrans said.
In addition, the state roads agency has planned several overnight closures on westbound Highway 50.
“Motorists should plan for additional travel time and expect delays,” Caltrans said in the release.
Here’s what to know:
The Yolo Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50 Pavement Rehabilitation Project aims to “rehabilitate and repair” the roadway in and around West Sacramento, Caltrans said, to “improve safety and ride quality.”
The construction zone on Interstate 80 stretches from eastbound Highway 50 from the Yolo I-80 ramp to Jefferson Boulevard in West Sacramento.
The $280 million project includes $47 million in funding from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, Caltrans said.
According to Caltrans, westbound Highway 50 will be closed overnight from the I-5 interchange to west of Jefferson Boulevard for a total of five days.
The closures began on Sunday, Oct. 26, and continue nightly through Friday, Oct. 31, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., the state roads agency said.
Drivers can “use the signed detour” to the I-5 interchange with Interstate 80 as an alternate route,” Caltrans said in the release.
According to Caltrans, the following freeway exits and connectors from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 through 4 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4:
Caltrans has mapped out several suggested detours for motorists to take during the scheduled closures.
For instance, drivers can take southbound I-5 to the westbound I-80 connector ramp and continue on westbound I-80, according to Caltrans. Those traveling northbound on I-5 can likewise head to the westbound I-80 connector ramp and continue onto I-80.
To steer clear of construction on westbound Highway 50, take the highway to the northbound I-5 connector ramp, then take northbound I-5 to the westbound I-80 connector ramp, Caltrans said.
You can also take southbound I-5 to the westbound I-80 connector ramp.
The speed limit for the work zone has been reduced to 55 miles per hour for the safety of workers and motorists, according to Caltrans.
under California’s Vehicle Code, it is illegal to exceed the posted speed limit in highway construction zones even if workers are not present.
Speed limits on highways are typically reduced by 10 mph when under construction. Some work areas can have speed limits up to 25 mph lower than usual.
Drivers caught speeding can be ticketed and fined, with the penalty depending on their speed.
Caltrans has helpful tips for driving safely in construction zones and avoiding traffic tickets:
What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email [email protected].
The end of daylight saving time is nearly here.Soon, Californians will get an extra hour of sleep as we “fall back” and set our clocks and watches behind one hour.How could the end of daylight saving time affect your health? And how long will it take for your body to adjust to the time change?Here’s what to know, including tips from sleep experts:When does daylight saving time end?Daylight saving time ends across most of the United States on the first Sunday of November, according to Tim...
The end of daylight saving time is nearly here.
Soon, Californians will get an extra hour of sleep as we “fall back” and set our clocks and watches behind one hour.
How could the end of daylight saving time affect your health? And how long will it take for your body to adjust to the time change?
Here’s what to know, including tips from sleep experts:
Daylight saving time ends across most of the United States on the first Sunday of November, according to Time and Date, an online world clock.
At 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, clocks in California and other states will move back by one hour, causing people to gain an hour of sleep that night.
Sunset will occur one hour earlier once the time shift takes place.
Californians will experience less daylight in the evenings and more light in the mornings.
After daylight saving time ends on Nov. 2, sunset will be at 5:04 p.m., according to Time and Date.
The shortest day of the year will be on Sunday, Dec. 21, the winter solstice.
The sun will rise at 7:20 a.m. and set at 4:48 p.m. on the winter solstice, according to Time and Date.
On that day, Californians will experience five hours and 24 minutes less daylight compared to the longest day of the year — the summer solstice, which will be on Sunday, June 21, in 2026.
Observing daylight saving time — moving clocks forward an hour in the spring and “falling back” an hour in autumn — is “acutely bad for our health,” according to Stanford Medicine researchers.
The biannual time shift tends to affect peoples’ circadian rhythms — the body’s 24-hour clock — which regulate several physiological processes.
When circadian cycles get out of sync, a range of poor health outcomes can occur, according to Stanford Medicine.
“The more light exposure you get at the wrong times, the weaker the circadian clock,” Jamie Zeitzer, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Medicine, wrote in a Sept. 15 article. “All of these things that are downstream — for example, your immune system, your energy — don’t match up quite as well.”
Dr. Michael Breus, clinical sleep specialist and founder of SleepDoctor.com, compared the twice-annual time shifts to jet lag.
He said the start of daylight saving time in the spring can impact your cognitive, emotional and physical well-being.
The shift forward has been linked to a jump in fatal traffic crashes and heart attacks, according to Stanford Medicine.
The end of daylight saving time can also disrupt your body’s natural rhythms, especially if you’re already sleep-deprived, Breus said.
When you get an extra hour of rest, “Your body then wants to stay in sleep — something that we call sleep inertia,” Breus said. “This is the body wanting to stay in a deeper stage of sleep, to become more nourished, and it just kind of continues to want that sleep process to occur.”
How quickly you adapt to the time shift depends on who you are, according to Breus.
Babies and older adults tend to struggle the most to adapt to the time change.
Infants are more sensitive to changes in light and routine in general, he explained, while seniors are more vulnerable to shifts in sunshine because their eyes are less adept at taking in light.
Most people, however, will need about a day to transition to clocks falling back an hour, Breus said, the same amount of time you’d need to adjust to a new time zone when traveling.
When clocks fall back on Sunday, Nov. 2, most Californians should feel back to normal by the next day.
“It should not have a tremendous effect past a day, maybe two days,” Breus told The Sacramento Bee. “When you’re sleep-deprived, that’s when we start to see bigger and bigger effects. But generally speaking, (the effect) should wear off ... within a day to two.”
Californians can more easily adapt to the end of daylight saving time by making adjustments to sleep routines and light exposure, according to Breus.
Following the fall time change, he suggested wearing sunglasses in the morning to adjust to the increased daylight in the early hours of the day.
In the evening, he said, you should take a 30-minute walk after dinner or use a bright light therapy device to help ease your body’s transition.
You should also limit caffeine use around the time change since it can interfere with your sleep, according to Dr. Charles Czeisler, a Mass General Brigham sleep medicine specialist.
Czeisler recommended not consuming caffeine after 2 or 3 p.m. since the substance can stay in the body for up to 10 hours.
“You might want to eat an hour earlier than you usually would for a few days,” Czeisler said.
As for adjusting your sleep routine, Breus advised moving up your bedtime by 15 minutes each day in the leadup to Sunday, Nov. 2, “to make the transition a little bit easier.”
“You really do want to maintain consistent sleep habits,” he said. “So sticking to regular sleep and wake times, even on the weekends with this transition ... is going to be important.”
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