It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Old Sacramento Waterfront 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.
“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’s been wonderful working with Carrie from Always Best Care. She took time to guide”
“Amanda Wild ' she is Great with Me, Helps with ever I Need, Helps my”
“This company is amazing. I would recommend it to everybody. If you have a”
“Your caregivers were superb. It’s not easy to support those at end of life and”
“Carrie was phenomenal in assisting us with finding a place suitable for my mothers needs,”
“We had the pleasure of working with Susan. We had an urgent matter that we”
“I worked with Carrie with Always Best Care to place my dad into a memory”
“I worked with Carrie with Always Best Care to place my dad into a memory”
“Louiscea is always dependable and on time. Goes out of her way to get”
“Lynette Devan has been our caretaker since early January 2024. She is diligent, self-motivated, and”
“I have been with Always Best Care for about four years now, and I’ve always”
“Started working for the company a few months ago, it has been one of the”
“The caregivers are wonderful, particularly Shristi. She is such a gem and she has become”
“Victoria Bourke is a wonderful caregiver. She’s very supportive of my mom and me.”
“I was frantic and knew very little about how to care for my father at”
“Tori Burke has been great. She's doing a awesome job helping my mother”
“Grateful for my health aide Shannon. She’s a great listener, always ready to hear my”
“My husband has been with Always Best Care since the end of last year 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.”
“It’s been wonderful working with Carrie from Always Best Care. She took time to guide my wife and me through the process of finding an affordable solution for my elderly father and placing him in a loving care home in the area. She also guided us through the VA process. Thank you Carrie and team for the wonderful support during a challenging situation.”
“Amanda Wild ' she is Great with Me, Helps with ever I Need, Helps my companion around the house, she is a very ,kind & giving person, your lucky to have her, she should move up in your company very Quickly, thank you for her Services, Chris Keane.”
“This company is amazing. I would recommend it to everybody. If you have a loved one your helper is available, dependable, loving. You will feel so comfortable knowing your loved one is in great hands.”
“Your caregivers were superb. It’s not easy to support those at end of life and the caregivers we had met us exactly where we were every day, blended in with our family, found ways to help us by identifying exactly what we needed and just taking care of it as opposed to waiting for us to delegate tasks. This was a huge blessing to us in our grief during a time of great difficulty. My dad had terminal agitation which took time to titrate medications to get comfortable. The caregivers moved with dad with grace and expertise to help him and us until we were able to get him settled and comfortable. This takes skill….and it showed in every way. From their soft tone of voice, redirection and agreeable attitude, flowing with his confusion and helping him feel safe until he settled. Not to mention a warm hand on our shoulder when we needed it, a snack or a drink when they recognized that we may have forgotten to take of ourselves. Zac, Tristin, Britni and Gabby were all a gift to our family as well as the organization they work for. Often times, caregivers are the lowest paid employees in their organizations. Please know, these outstanding individuals at the bedside supporting families are the face and heart of the work you do. Take good care of these amazing humans. Much love to ALL you for what you do in your community and keep up the good work! ❤️”
“Carrie was phenomenal in assisting us with finding a place suitable for my mothers needs, I am thankful so much. I would recommend Carrie to anyone who could benefit from her help.”
“We had the pleasure of working with Susan. We had an urgent matter that we really didn't know how to handle or how long we needed assistance, but she was so accommodating and incredibly helpful every step of the way. She was very kind, knowledgeable, caring, and responded quickly any time we contacted her. We truly felt like she cared about us and helping us in this time of need. We are so thankful for her!”
“I worked with Carrie with Always Best Care to place my dad into a memory care facility and I can honestly say I don’t think could have made it through such a difficult transition without her help. She helped me get through one of the most challenging times of my life. The compassion and care she showed me and my father was incredible. Going through the process of finding a place for your parent with a memory issue is so difficult and I highly recommend working with a professional. I recommend Carrie and Always Best Care to everyone I hear is trying to navigate that process. Thank you for everything you have done for me and my father.”
“I worked with Carrie with Always Best Care to place my dad into a memory care facility and I can honestly say I don’t think could have made it through such a difficult transition without her help. She helped me get through one of the most challenging times of my life. The compassion and care she showed me and my father was incredible. Going through the process of finding a place for your parent with a memory issue is so difficult and I highly recommend working with a professional. I recommend Carrie and Always Best Care to everyone I hear is trying to navigate that process. Thank you for everything you have done for me and my father.”
“Louiscea is always dependable and on time. Goes out of her way to get cleaning problems done.”
“Lynette Devan has been our caretaker since early January 2024. She is diligent, self-motivated, and VERY competent. She loves to talk and entertain my Dad - 96 - listening patiently to his sometimes disjointed stories and fascinating him with her own! She loves to be active, always anticipating our needs with vacuuming, laundry, food prep, etc. WITHOUT being asked! We greatly value her work ethic and loving care. Always Best responded to our request with this caretaker after a bad experience with another agency's caretaker who was content to play with his phone whenever he could and only doing tasks when asked/directed to do so - and then sullenly. Jim & Ray Moitoza”
“I have been with Always Best Care for about four years now, and I’ve always been impressed with the quality and professionalism of the caregivers they have sent me. As a disabled veteran, I appreciate a company that I can count on for short term and long-term care. My current caregiver, Louiscea D. is exceptional, trustworthy and always punctual. Always Best Care gets my five stars.”
“Started working for the company a few months ago, it has been one of the best companies hand down that I have worked for since moving to the area. They honestly care about you as a human they work with your schedule and try very hard to accommodate you. I can’t say enough about Dixie she is so sweet and caring she is the meaning of test others how you would want to be. lol as long as she is there I will be as well????”
“The caregivers are wonderful, particularly Shristi. She is such a gem and she has become an important part of my life for me and my family. She is caring and considerate as well as efficient. The billing department however needs improvement.”
“Victoria Bourke is a wonderful caregiver. She’s very supportive of my mom and me. She’s flexible in her schedule and always has a smile!”
“I was frantic and knew very little about how to care for my father at his home. Fortunately, I found Always Best Care in Rocklin, CA. Carrie spoke to me about their services on the phone and I started crying. For the first time, I felt there was a path to follow to provide the best care for my dad. Then, I was apprehensive about bringing strangers into my dad's house. Well, Shonda came for the weekend shift and I knew instantly she was a great fit. She was kind and gentle with Dad, but firm when needed. She took care of his feeding and medication needs. I loved her. Then along came Gabrielle, Gabby for short. She was on the Monday-Friday shift. At first I thought she was too young for this responsibility. But, wow, she was awesome. She took care of Dad and his feeding, medicine, movement needs. And, without me having to direct her, she cleaned dishes, took out the garbage, vacuumed, while he was sleeping. They were better care givers than I could be. What a blessing these ladies were at a time when my father and I were the most vulnerable. Thank you Always Best Care for being there.”
“Tori Burke has been great. She's doing a awesome job helping my mother with all her needs. Tori has a very special personality that makes my mom feel very comfortable. Tori has made this past year so much easier. Thank you for sending Tori to us. Tori is a definite 5 star. Secret word OCEAN”
“Grateful for my health aide Shannon. She’s a great listener, always ready to hear my stories, wants and needs. Thanks for sending me off to dialysis with a smile and waiting for transport to arrive.”
“My husband has been with Always Best Care since the end of last year recommended by the VA. The office staff is friendly, they answer phone messages quickly and work with our schedule to assign a health aide. We love our current health aide Shannon Rauson, as does our dog Luna. She preps meals, does light housecleaning around my husbands hospital bed, and washes my husband to get him ready for his dialysis day. Thank you Always Best Care.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Belle Cooledge Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The 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 creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here.Updated: 1 p.m. Sep. 30First discovered: 24 hours ago, 12:02 p.m. Sep. 29Initial location: Van Vleck Road and Jackson Highway, Sacramento County, Calif.Fire unit: Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado UnitFire type: WildfireFire name: Vleck FireVleck Fire initially started 12:02 p.m. Sep. 29 in ...
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here.
Updated: 1 p.m. Sep. 30
First discovered: 24 hours ago, 12:02 p.m. Sep. 29
Initial location: Van Vleck Road and Jackson Highway, Sacramento County, Calif.
Fire unit: Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit
Fire type: Wildfire
Fire name: Vleck Fire
Vleck Fire initially started 12:02 p.m. Sep. 29 in Sacramento County, California.
Since its discovery 24 hours ago, it has burned 30 acres. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire crew effectively contained 95% of the fire. The cause of it is still under investigation.
Fire containment
What does it mean for a fire to be 95% contained?
Containment indicates what percentage of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line. In this case, it means that 95% of the wildfire is contained from spreading, while 5% is still uncontrolled.
Containment is part of a larger plan for managing a wildfire. It is normally expressed as a percentage and it refers to how much of the fire perimeter has been surrounded/enclosed by a control line that firefighters create. The containment percentage indicates a certain level of control, but it doesn't always correlate to safety level. Also, it's important to note that containment doesn't mean a fire is out.
How is containment measured?
The incident's central command constantly receives progress reports from firefighters on the ground. As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage. The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
Source: Cal Fire
Thousands of federal workers could get laid off, and those staying on the job could do so without being paid until a shutdown ends.Trying to get help with taxes, Social Security benefits and other government services could be difficult if not impossible. Visitors could be ushered out of national parks quickly.Get ready to experience the partial federal government shutdown, which began Wednesday. It promises to be unlike any other.Shutdowns have become almost routine since they became part of Washington’s political ...
Thousands of federal workers could get laid off, and those staying on the job could do so without being paid until a shutdown ends.
Trying to get help with taxes, Social Security benefits and other government services could be difficult if not impossible. Visitors could be ushered out of national parks quickly.
Get ready to experience the partial federal government shutdown, which began Wednesday. It promises to be unlike any other.
Shutdowns have become almost routine since they became part of Washington’s political process in the late 1970s. But traditionally the federal budget office put out detailed plans for how things would work.
Not this time. White House officials are threatening mass layoffs and largely being vague about their plans. Go to the budget office’s website and you’ll be referred to specific agencies, where some detail their plans and some don’t.
The bigger impact comes if the shutdown lingers. During past closings, workers sometimes protested working without pay by calling in sick or using slowdown tactics. They are due back pay under a 2019 law.
About 14,200 federal employees work in the Sacramento, Roseville and Folsom area, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Also uncertain is whether some programs will run out of the money that can sustain them during a shutdown’s early days. During the first Trump administration, the shutdown lasted 35 days.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is called CalFresh in California, can generally continue providing food aid for 30 days after a shutdown.
“A prolonged government shutdown would bring uncertainty for over 5 million California families receiving CalFresh benefits. Our team is actively monitoring, given the potential impact on California families in need,” said Kellie Longo Flores, vice president, policy and advocacy, California Association of Food Banks.
Here’s a look at the potential impact on different programs:
While Social Security payments will continue to California’s 6.4 million beneficiaries, getting someone to help with an application or a problem may be difficult. Ditto Medicare and Medi-Cal.
“Customer service at the Social Security Administration may be disrupted, including benefit verifications, earnings record corrections and updates, overpayments processing, and replacing Medicare cards,” said Max Richter, president and CEO of the nonpartisan National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare.
The level of disruption, he said, “will depend on how many SSA employees the Trump administration deems essential and nonessential.”
While benefits will continue to be paid, the Department of Veterans Affairs will curtail several services.
Benefits regional offices will be closed. Call centers on the VA’s GI Bill and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance hotlines will be closed.
At VA cemeteries, no grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones will take place, and applications for pre-needs burial at those cemeteries will not be processed.
All communication via social media, VetResources emails and the media will stop.
Student aid programs will continue, including Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with financial needs, and Title I, which provides aid to schools, usually where there are concentrations of lower-income families.
Most department grants were made during the summer, and the department said “the impacts on schools and students should be minimal.”
However, the department said its civil rights office “would pause its review and investigations of civil rights complaints.”
And, it said, the agency’s “ development and implementation of guidance, technical assistance, and regulatory actions would also pause during a lapse, unless required for otherwise funded activities.”
About 10% of the Sacramento City Unified School District’s funding comes from the federal government, said spokesperson Brian Heap, “so the potential government shutdown is a concern and something we are monitoring closely. However, right now there are too many variables to know just how impactful it will be.”
Liz Sanders, a spokesperson for the California Department of Education, said in a statement that the agency did “not anticipate any immediate disruption to state-level operations. We continue to encourage all students, educators, and school staff to remain focused on the important work of educating our young people, despite the continually disruptive and distracting actions of the Trump administration.”
No new contingency plan has been announced, but last year the Park Service said that generally its sites would be closed during a shutdown.
It planned to implement the closures in two phases taking four days. First would involve notifying the public and winding down operations “to essential activities only.”
The second phase would take a day and a half. This would include “the complete shutdown of all concession facilities and commercial visitor services.”
Overnight visitors would be given two days to make other arrangements and leave the park.
California is home to several national parks, including Lassen Volcanic near Redding.
It remains unclear which parts of the agency will be affected by the government shutdown.
“By all accounts, people inside EPA have no idea what is going on and are getting no information from leadership” ahead of the government shutdown, Stan Meiburg, a former acting deputy administrator who served at the EPA for 39 years, told The Sacramento Bee.
Meiburg noted the possibility that Superfund operations could continue during a shutdown, while describing the situation as “uncharted territory,” saying it is “hard to tell how many of the threats to RIF (reduction in force) employees of the government are just political speech and how many are real.”
under the Carter administration in 1980 and now largely through dedicated taxes reinstated by the Biden administration’s infrastructure law, the Superfund program is used for clearing up polluted land and handling environmental crises such as oil spills and natural disasters.
Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, noted that, based on past shutdowns, the EPA will suspend inspections at the “most hazardous waste sites, as well as drinking water and chemical facilities.”
She also warned that efforts to address PFAS — often referred to as “forever chemicals” that are linked to potential health risks, including cancer — could face delays during the shutdown.
The federal Office of Management and Budget did not respond to The Bee’s request for clarification on which operations would be halted. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did not comment on whether it had internal plans in place ahead of the potential shutdown.
When asked what the airport was doing to prepare for the potential shutdown, a spokesperson for the Sacramento International Airport in an email directed questions to the Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees air traffic controllers, and the Transportation Security Administration, which staffs security checkpoints.
The effects of the shutdown would be felt by those agencies. TSA and air controllers are expected to continue working through a shutdown, though without pay.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Maraskeshia Smith will become Sacramento's new city manager after a months-long nationwide search. She will become the first Black woman to serve in the role.Mayor Kevin McCarty and city council members announced Smith's appointment at a news conference Tuesday at the SAFE Credit Union and Convention Center, saying she'll begin her job on Jan. 5.Smith most recently served as the city manager of Santa Rosa and also has experience working as Deputy Director and Director of Public ...
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Maraskeshia Smith will become Sacramento's new city manager after a months-long nationwide search. She will become the first Black woman to serve in the role.
Mayor Kevin McCarty and city council members announced Smith's appointment at a news conference Tuesday at the SAFE Credit Union and Convention Center, saying she'll begin her job on Jan. 5.
Smith most recently served as the city manager of Santa Rosa and also has experience working as Deputy Director and Director of Public Works in Cincinnati, Assistant City Administrator in Oakland, and Deputy City Manager in Stockton.
"This is not just a job for me," Smith said. "This is a calling."
She described the new role as a milestone for her professional career and said she was "filled with deep gratitude and humility." She pledged to honor the faith entrusted in her with "integrity, transparency and unwavering dedication."
Smith referred to city workers as "the heartbeat of the city" and called residents, business owners and volunteers the "driving force behind the city."
(See her full speech below.)
In beginning her new role, she plans to hold "a series of listening sessions" with staff, residents, business owners and community members to hear their priorities, concerns and goals for the city.
"I promise to break down silos, build bridges between departments, across neighborhoods and with neighboring jurisdictions," she said. "Only through true partnership can we unlock the full potential of the Sacramento region."
City officials launched a search for a new city manager after deciding not to extend Howard Chan's contract. However, he took on a role as assistant city manager a day before his contract was set to expire.
In January, the city council appointed Leyne Milstein as interim city manager as it continued its search for a permanent position. Milstein will now return as assistant city manager.
While Sacramento has a mayor as an elected official, the city manager oversees more of the daily operations and is appointed by the city council. When Chan was city manager, he had a take-home salary of $400,000, one of the highest salaries for the role in the state of California. However, the State Controller's Office in 2023 reported he earned nearly $600,000 with a vacation payout.
Under the role he assumed as assistant city manager, Chan's salary is nearly $341,000 a year, the highest posted salary for that position.
Milstein's salary as interim was $352,000.
Asked about Chan, Smith said she commended his work. She cited growth and vibrancy in the city under his tenure.
She said she was drawn to Sacramento because of its diversity and its "community aspect." Smith also praised the city council's "bold vision" that has included the development of Innovation Park at the former Sleep Train Arena site and the new planned soccer stadium at the Railyards.
The city said nearly 100 people applied for city manager, and the final interviews were held earlier in September.
McCarty and Councilmembers Karina Talamantes and Rick Jennings described Smith as the top candidate among those who were interviewed.
Prior to the news conference, the city council held a closed-door session where the new city manager was officially "considered," according to a news release from the city. Officials also planned to hold a "priority and goal setting workshop" following the end of the news conference.
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California’s farm-to-table capital is also one of the top spots for foodies in the nation.That’s according to personal finance website WalletHub, which recently ranked the best foodie cities in America in 2025.Sacramento landed among the top 10 destinations for food lovers.“There are tons of unique culinary experiences to try, from food trucks to specialty-food stores to ... Michelin-starred restaurants,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in a Sept. 29 article. “These cities make delicious di...
California’s farm-to-table capital is also one of the top spots for foodies in the nation.
That’s according to personal finance website WalletHub, which recently ranked the best foodie cities in America in 2025.
Sacramento landed among the top 10 destinations for food lovers.
“There are tons of unique culinary experiences to try, from food trucks to specialty-food stores to ... Michelin-starred restaurants,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in a Sept. 29 article. “These cities make delicious dining affordable for residents and visitors alike,” Lupo added.
Sacramento was No. 9 on WalletHub’s list of the best foodie cities in the United States in 2025. The city was ranked ninth in the nation in terms of diversity, accessibility and quality, the site said, scoring considerably lower for affordability.
Michelin Guide California lists a total of 17 restaurants in the Sacramento area — including one-star recipients Localis and The Kitchen.
The Michelin Guide added three local eateries in 2025: Majka Pizzeria & Bakery, Pho Momma and Kin Thai Street Eatery, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
Sacramento is also known for its many food festivals and events, including Terra Madre Americas, FoodieLand and the Tower Bridge Dinner.
In 2023, New York Times writer Ella Quittner described Sacramento as a “great restaurant town” that’s benefited from the Central Valley’s “vast agricultural wealth” and Bay Area culinary talent.
“It look a cadre of young chefs returning or relocating to Sacramento, and a flock of new residents fleeing from punishing Bay Area housing prices, to fully flip the switch,” Quittner wrote.
This isn’t the first time Sacramento has ranked among the top destinations for gourmands.
The city came in sixth place in the 2024 version of WalletHub’s Foodie Cities in America ranking.
According to WalletHub, the top 10 cities for foodies can be found from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
Here’s which spots made the list:
To choose the cities with the best and most affordable foodie scenes, WalletHub said it compared a total of 182 U.S. cities based on two categories: affordability and diversity, accessibility and quality.
To determine what qualified as “affordable,” WalletHub looked at factors including the cost of groceries, restaurant meal costs and the accessibility and affordability of high-quality restaurants.
For the diversity, accessibility and quality category, WalletHub checked for the presence of Michelin-starred restaurants, the number of food trucks per capita and the ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food establishments, among other factors.
Data came from sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, TripAdvisor, Yelp and the Council for Community and Economic Research.
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].
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday asked the Department of Insurance to make recommendations about California’s troubled home insurance market as part of a larger effort to better understand how the state can mitigate damage from natural disasters.That request came in an executive order, which the Governor’s Office said was an effort to speed up the work required under a new state law. That law, authored by state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, calls state agencies to produce a report by next year.“We’re takin...
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday asked the Department of Insurance to make recommendations about California’s troubled home insurance market as part of a larger effort to better understand how the state can mitigate damage from natural disasters.
That request came in an executive order, which the Governor’s Office said was an effort to speed up the work required under a new state law. That law, authored by state Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, calls state agencies to produce a report by next year.
“We’re taking a whole-of-government response to protect Californians from wildfire while boosting coverage options and bringing down costs,” Newsom said in news release.
Senate Bill 254, which Newsom signed in September, calls for the state to come up with long-term changes to “protect access to insurance, reduce litigation costs, provide fair and expeditious compensation to claimants, support wildfire mitigation, safety, and community resilience, and ensure large electrical corporations are accountable for safety and also have the financial health to attract low-cost capital on behalf of ratepayers.”
Californians have had to pay higher prices to find home insurance coverage or use the state’s backup provider in recent years as companies have restricted business in response to losses from fires and rising risks of future ones.
“The Governor is exactly right: we need a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to keep moving in the right direction,” Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a statement about Newsom’s order.
It asks the department to provide feedback and suggestions on the accessibility of property coverage, as well as a state-supported property insurance plan for wildfires and other disasters, publicly-funded financial aid to help make insurance rates more affordable, and other proposals.
“Many of the ideas in the executive order are promising,” said Carmen Balber, the executive director of Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy organization that often challenges rate increases by property insurance companies, “but they have to be paired with requirements that the insurance industry invest in making communities safer from wildfires and provide coverage to those that do.”
The governor also asked the California Public Utilities Commission to participate in the effort and directed Cal Fire, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety to be involved.
“It’s vital that the stability and health of California’s insurance market remain a priority as work is being done on this report, and insurers are looking forward to participating in the process,” said Denni Ritter, a lobbyist for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, a nationwide trade group.
The California Earthquake Authority will be required to submit a report to the Legislature and governor by April with recommendations.
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