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 California Tower in La Jolla, 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 La Jolla, 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.
“Martesha has always been in a good mood and pleasant while providing her services to”
“I have been with Always Best Care for about 2 years, caring for my 86”
“I am very proud to Belong to Always Best Care Senior Services ❤️ Because”
“Great company. The staff is amazing and helpful. I was a caregiver for my husband”
“My name is Gabriela, I have been with Always Best Care for seven years and”
“I been working with always best care for a year now, let me just say”
“My experience with the clients with them have been great.Plus they have a very flexible”
“Hi, my name is Janett .. Working at Always Best Care has been the best experience”
“I'm a caregiver with Always Best Care. I've work for the agency since early April”
“My name is Haley Maddox and I’ve been with Always Best Care for a few”
“So grateful to be apart of this wonderful community of people, it is such a”
“Have really enjoyed working for Always Best Care !”
“Chelsea from the day she manager has been sweet and wonderful, making sure my schedule”
“Aida Gomez is truly an Angel in disguise She is patient with me & attend to”
“For me it is a honor to be part of this company called ALWAYS BEST”
“Hello ???????? there this is Leonardo Martínez I’m one of the formal Care givers associates”
“I’m really thankful for Always Best Care they stepped in to provide my great aunt”
“Honestly this is a great company to work for. The owners really care about what”
“Ethan Kim was fantastic! Called late in the afternoon that my sister needed help the”
“Ethan Kim was extremely helpful in assisting us set up in home care support. His”
“Just wanted you to know that we moved Beth into Pacific Pointe last weekend. All”
“Outstanding service taking care of my Dad. The CNA assigned was awesome and we felt”
“Ethan did an excellent job finding placement for my father within tight time parameters. The”
“Ethan Kim of Always Best Senior Services helped me find a place for my husband”
“Ethan is a hard-working, honest man who will do everything in his power to get”
“Martesha has always been in a good mood and pleasant while providing her services to me. She goes beyond what has been asked to do both physically and mentally. Her attitude is always positive and encouraging me in my recovery. She is an excellent companion and helpful to me. She is morally fit and encouraging I can’t thank you enough. ABC thank you for providing services”
“I have been with Always Best Care for about 2 years, caring for my 86 year old father. Although I am his main caregiver, I still need help. My dad has 2 caregivers assigned to him which allows me to still keep my job. Dawn, his daily caregiver, goes that extra mile. Treating my dad as if it was her father. And Martesha, a newer caregiver for my dad, knew just what to do. And with a little background about my father, she didn't need much prompting ABC is so thoughtful and really shows their employees and client's how much they are appreciated.”
“I am very proud to Belong to Always Best Care Senior Services ❤️ Because is a Company which really care about of their clients and their team workers”
“Great company. The staff is amazing and helpful. I was a caregiver for my husband and they help with training and were always pampering me with gift cards, birthday cards, Raffles. It felt just like a hug in this road”
“My name is Gabriela, I have been with Always Best Care for seven years and I have to say, it's really a great company to work for. The owners and manager are very professional, attentive, kind and flexible. As a caregiver is important that my client's needs are met and that we are a good match, and ABC does this perfectly. It's been a rewarding experience, taking care of my clients and Always Best Care has a huge heart towards people in need of care. Thank you ABC”
“I been working with always best care for a year now, let me just say how wonderful it has been to work for such an amazing company that not only cares for their clients but also their employees. If you are looking for a job as a caregiver I would highly recommend always best care!”
“My experience with the clients with them have been great.Plus they have a very flexible hours.”
“Hi, my name is Janett .. Working at Always Best Care has been the best experience of my life, from the day I went to apply for the job as a caregiver I felt very humbled. Im happy working at ABC and I hope to continue working for many years.. "❤️"”
“I'm a caregiver with Always Best Care. I've work for the agency since early April 2023. My experience has been fun, challenging at times but very rewarding. My clients are very nice. It is a great place to work. Management and administration are very communicative and attentive. They always address any concerns I have whether it is schedule issue, a client issue, or a special request. I love working for ABC. I highly recommend our company for any prospective or experienced caregivers. ????”
“My name is Haley Maddox and I’ve been with Always Best Care for a few months now and I would just like to say I absolutely LOVE and appreciate the company because they are always willing to work with you and your schedule to fit your personal life as well. Not only that but they make sure you know it’s ok to report any and every kind of complications at work and they always encourage you to ask questions and I like that a lot because not many jobs give you that comfortable feeling that YOU matter too. Thank you to ALWAYS BEST CARE for taking great care of not just their clients but their employees as well!❤️”
“So grateful to be apart of this wonderful community of people, it is such a great company! My clients treat me as I am their family and I truly take great pride in being able to care for them.”
“Have really enjoyed working for Always Best Care !”
“Chelsea from the day she manager has been sweet and wonderful, making sure my schedule which is very complicated was met. She is a blessing to me”
“Aida Gomez is truly an Angel in disguise She is patient with me & attend to all my needs as a caregiver.. Her appearance & personality is awesome!!????. Am very pleased with Aida. I love her flexibility.”
“For me it is a honor to be part of this company called ALWAYS BEST CARE . From the first moment they always treated me with great respect , always worried about what I need . For me , my clients are part of my family, they are people who needs heard,respected and loved♥️I feel very blessed to be their caregiver ????.. Thank you very much for allowing me to be part of your beautiful company ????”
“Hello ???????? there this is Leonardo Martínez I’m one of the formal Care givers associates for Always best Care I would like to thanks not only always best care in general for the amazing management but specially to my manager the best and most caring manager I have ever had ever, specially when it comes to work and making things work for everyone, awesome communication stills and training, always showing the best guidance for work,making me learn something new I can apply for work, honestly couldn’t be more great full and satisfied for chelsy Boscarino being by manages. God bless sincerely.”
“I’m really thankful for Always Best Care they stepped in to provide my great aunt with the care she needed when we couldn’t. The entire team treated us like family and went above and beyond our expectations.”
“Honestly this is a great company to work for. The owners really care about what they do and it's really refreshing for a change. It's been a blessing to be apart of the family. I look forward to continue my journey with them and helping seniors in our community!”
“Ethan Kim was fantastic! Called late in the afternoon that my sister needed help the next day. Ethan was able to secure help and nothing but complements that everything was better than expected. His service defines compassion and caring. If we ever need help, will only place a call to him.”
“Ethan Kim was extremely helpful in assisting us set up in home care support. His staff was very friendly and made my mother comfortable. Ethan was always available to answer questions and was quick to provide substitute support when needed. Would highly recommend this company for senior care.”
“Just wanted you to know that we moved Beth into Pacific Pointe last weekend. All is going well and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to show me this place.”
“Outstanding service taking care of my Dad. The CNA assigned was awesome and we felt great knowing that she was there throughout the day. She was attentive, caring and genuine. I would highly recommend their services. You will not be disappointed.”
“Ethan did an excellent job finding placement for my father within tight time parameters. The home care facility Ethan helped us to find has turned out to be the best thing that could have happened for all of us. They have my father rehabilitated with their extra attention and care to the point where he can even walk again.”
“Ethan Kim of Always Best Senior Services helped me find a place for my husband to recuperate after surgery for a broken femur and extensive surgery. He took me to see three places. I was able to choose one and I am very happy with my choice. I know I wouldn’t be able to accomplish this on my own. Very grateful for his service.”
“Ethan is a hard-working, honest man who will do everything in his power to get the right service you 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 Kellogg Park in La Jolla, 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 Georges at the Cove or visit Mushroom Beach House, 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 La Jolla, 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 La Jolla, 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 La Jolla, 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.
A Superior Court judge has tentatively ruled the city of San Diego’s lawsuit trying to stop the Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, violated the state’s anti-SLAPP laws and should be thrown out. The site lajolla.ca was first with the news.The ruling is here.Background: The Association for the City of La Jolla submitted signatures to start the process to make La Jolla its own city. If they got enough signatures, it would trigger LAFCO to commission an analysis of what the financial impact of...
A Superior Court judge has tentatively ruled the city of San Diego’s lawsuit trying to stop the Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, violated the state’s anti-SLAPP laws and should be thrown out. The site lajolla.ca was first with the news.
The ruling is here.
Background: The Association for the City of La Jolla submitted signatures to start the process to make La Jolla its own city. If they got enough signatures, it would trigger LAFCO to commission an analysis of what the financial impact of such a split would be and how much alimony La Jollans would have to pay.
LAFCO contracted with the county Registrar of Voters to validate the signatures. The registrar did that and reported that they didn’t get enough signatures. But then LAFCO Executive Officer Keene Simonds determined the registrar invalidated many of the signatures for simple misspellings or for using common abbreviations that didn’t exactly fit the registrar’s assumptions. He decided there was enough signatures after reviewing many of the ones thrown out.
The city sued arguing Simonds had no right to do that and the registrar’s count should stand. The city named the Association for the City of La Jolla as a party of interest.
In the meantime, the registrar quietly updated its guidance after a separate Court of Appeal ruling that it had been way too stringent on simple misspellings or common address abbreviations.
The Association filed an anti-SLAPP motion arguing the city was trying to impede its rights to participate in public process. The judge appears to agree.
“Substantial evidence indicates Simonds did not act arbitrarily when he exercised his authority to determine the ROV improperly rejected signatures due to minor mis-spellings and/or non-standard abbreviations …” reads the tentative ruling from Judge Judy S. Bae.
La Jolla public schools continue to perform above many of their counterparts in annual ratings released this month in the California School Dashboard.The dashboard, launched in 2017, is the state’s primary way to measure schools’ performance in meeting the needs of all students. Individual schools, including charter schools, and school districts all get their own ratings in various categories.Results for the San Diego Unified School District — whose La Jolla Cluster includes Bird Rock, La Jolla and Torrey Pine...
La Jolla public schools continue to perform above many of their counterparts in annual ratings released this month in the California School Dashboard.
The dashboard, launched in 2017, is the state’s primary way to measure schools’ performance in meeting the needs of all students. Individual schools, including charter schools, and school districts all get their own ratings in various categories.
Results for the San Diego Unified School District — whose La Jolla Cluster includes Bird Rock, La Jolla and Torrey Pines Elementary schools, Muirlands Middle School and La Jolla High School — were mostly positive.
Statewide ratings improved as well, which California education officials chalked up to efforts such as expanding community schools, universal meals and literacy coaching.
The ratings are assigned colors, with blue indicating the highest performance, followed by green, yellow and orange, with red the lowest. The ratings factor in whether and how the performance of the current year changed from the previous year.
The dashboard rates schools and districts for accountability determinations in the following areas:
• English language arts: Reflecting how far from the standard that students scored on average on the Smarter Balanced assessment or California Alternate Assessments
• Math: How far from the standard that students scored on average on those same standardized tests
• English-learner progress: The percentage of students learning English as a second language who either improved or maintained high performance relative to the previous year on the state’s language proficiency test
• Suspension rate: The percentage of students suspended for a combined total of at least one full day during the school year
• Chronic absenteeism rate (elementary and middle schools only): The percentage of students who were absent for 10% or more of the instructional days they were enrolled to attend
• College and career readiness (high schools only): The number of students deemed prepared based on having met at least one of several metrics, such as taking Advanced Placement courses, passing AP or International Baccalaureate exams, completing a career technical education pathway, a pre-apprenticeship or a government job program, and passing college credit courses or state standardized tests in English and math
• Graduation rate (high schools only): Including four- and five-year graduations
Science scores, or the average number of points for continuously enrolled students who took the California Science Test or California Alternate Assessment for Science, were rated for informational purposes but not for accountability determinations.
Here’s how the La Jolla Cluster schools fared in this year’s ratings, along with changes from last year:
• English language arts: Blue. 72.8 points above standard; +21.2
• Math: Blue. 80.1 points above standard; +21.2
• Suspension rate: Blue. 0% suspended at least one day; no change
• Chronic absenteeism rate: Orange. 9.9% chronically absent; +1.4%
• English-learner progress: No rating (fewer than 11 students)
• Science: Blue. 74.2 points; +9
• English language arts: Blue. 101 points above standard; +5.3
• Math: Blue. 91.8 points above standard; +6.3
• Suspension rate: Blue. 0.3% suspended at least one day; -1.1%
• Chronic absenteeism rate: Orange. 11.7% chronically absent (no change)
• English-learner progress: No rating (fewer than 11 students)
• Science: Blue. 77.8 points; +4.2
• English language arts: Green. 86.2 points above standard; -15
• Math: Green. 70.5 points above standard; -16.8
• Suspension rate: Blue. 0.2% suspended at least one day; -0.2%
• Chronic absenteeism rate: Orange. 10.6% chronically absent; +1%
• English-learner progress: No color. 66.7% making progress; -33.3% (21 students)
• Science: Green. 70 points; -3.6
• English language arts: Blue. 73.3 points above standard; +3.2
• Math: Blue. 48.3 points above standard; -0.3
• Suspension rate: Green. 3% suspended at least one day; -0.6%
• Chronic absenteeism rate: Yellow. 10.9% chronically absent; -0.5%
• English-learner progress: No rating (fewer than 11 students)
• Science: Blue. 69.5 points; +0.3
• English language arts: Blue. 58.8 points above average; +21.8
• Math: Blue. 23.1 points above standard; +17
• Suspension rate: Green. 1.7% suspended at least one day; -0.8%
• English-learner progress: No color. 55.6% making progress; +2.6% (18 students)
• College and career preparedness: Green. 84.1% prepared; -4.3%
• Graduation rate: Blue. 97.5% graduated; -0.6%
• Science: Blue. 64.2 points; +6.7
La Jolla schools’ color ratings were fairly consistent with last year’s results, with a few exceptions.
Perhaps most notably, Torrey Pines Elementary took significant drops in English language arts and math. Though it remained well above average, the school went from “blue” to “green” in those categories.
Principal Keith Keiper said there were “no immediate trends that would explain the dip in scores from the prior year.” He pointed out Torrey Pines’ “significant gains” from 2022 to 2024.
Bird Rock Elementary’s ratings held steady, with Principal Eric Banatao attributing the school’s strong academic performance to the hard work of teachers, parents, students and support staff.
However, Bird Rock’s chronic absenteeism rating dropped two levels from “green” to “orange.”
“We recognize that student attendance and student performance are correlated,” Banatao said. “Improving student attendance can mean even higher student performance.”
La Jolla Elementary’s chronic absenteeism rating also was downgraded, from “yellow” to orange.”
“Although our rates for chronic absenteeism are in the orange designation and we have more work to do in the area of attendance, I’m proud of our results from the past couple of years,” said La Jolla Elementary Principal Stephanie Hasselbrink.
She noted that the school’s chronic absenteeism rate has dropped significantly from a high of 18.4% in 2022.
La Jolla High, meanwhile, boasted a lower suspension rate and significantly higher English and math ratings than last year.
“The gains in English language arts and mathematics, along with our lower suspension rate, reflect the commitment of our students, staff and families to maintaining a positive, academically focused school culture,” said Principal Chuck Podhorsky.
Before Muirlands Principal Brendan Simon began his tenure at the middle school, he in April that he saw room for improvement with its chronic absenteeism and suspension rates.
Though he says he’s pleased with this year’s dashboard results in both categories, “there are some things that are a little outside of our control with that. But for the most part, we are focused on what we can control, which is engaging students [and] talking about why attendance is important.”
San Diego Unified, the county’s largest district and the state’s second-largest, posted improvements in many areas compared with last year’s dashboard. As a whole, SDUSD got “green” marks in English language arts, math, suspension rate, graduation rate and college and career readiness.
The district’s sharpest improvements were in English (+5.2 points) and math (+4.5 points).
PopUp Bagels, the bagel brand redefining the bagel experience, is expanding into California at 637 Pearl Street, La Jolla, CA 92037. La Jolla is the first franchise location in the state, with an additional 35 locations across Southern California to open in the next several years.Since the brand’s debut in Connecticut in 2021, PopUp Bagels has morphed from humble beginnings to a company known for its unique business model, featuring hot and whole bagels, weekly schmear flavors and brand collaborations. What started out of founde...
PopUp Bagels, the bagel brand redefining the bagel experience, is expanding into California at 637 Pearl Street, La Jolla, CA 92037. La Jolla is the first franchise location in the state, with an additional 35 locations across Southern California to open in the next several years.
Since the brand’s debut in Connecticut in 2021, PopUp Bagels has morphed from humble beginnings to a company known for its unique business model, featuring hot and whole bagels, weekly schmear flavors and brand collaborations. What started out of founder Adam Goldberg’s backyard window is now a defining icon of New York’s bagel culture with multiple pop-ups and permanent locations. PopUp Bagels’ first opening in California with new franchise partners Paul Goodman and Griffin Thall, known as The Bagel Boyz, further strengthens their position in the bagel industry, bringing the infamous Grip, Rip and Dip bagels to the West Coast.
“La Jolla marks our first PopUp Bagels in California and the start of our growth out West,” said PopUp Bagels CEO Tory Bartlett in a statement. “San Diego has an incredible food scene and sense of community, and starting this journey here with partners like Paul and Griffin is the perfect way to begin.”
Expanding to California marks a major milestone for PopUp Bagels, bringing its bagels to the West Coast for the very first time, a state that has long craved high-quality bagels. The new location will deliver the same freshly baked, hot-out-of-the-oven bagels that have redefined the bagel experience in NYC, Connecticut, Florida, and beyond. The shops will serve bagels for walk-ins, advance orders, and catering. San Diego partners Paul Goodman and Griffin Thall plan to open 10 locations in San Diego County over the next several years.
“When we experienced PopUp Bagels in New York, we were instantly hooked by the energy,” said Paul Goodman & Griffin Thall, Co-Founders of The Bagel Boyz in San Diego. “The lines out the door, the creative schmears, and the sense of community built around something as simple as a bagel – it all felt electric. We knew right then it was something special. Bringing PopUp Bagels to our hometown of San Diego isn’t just about great food; it’s about recreating that same excitement, connection, and neighborhood spirit for a whole new community.”
What sets PopUp Bagels apart is the experience. Every bagel is baked fresh and served hot, whole, and straight from the oven—no slicing, no sandwiches. Whether you prefer to grip, rip, and dip right on the street or bring them home to enjoy in countless ways, PopUp Bagels celebrates simplicity, flavor, and the pure joy of a freshly baked bagel. With its commitment to quality and its ever-changing lineup of weekly schmear offerings, the brand continues to inspire excitement and loyalty among bagel enthusiasts everywhere.
To kick off this exciting launch, PopUp Bagels will also have a Limited Edition Schmear for La Jolla: Truff Cream Cheese in partnership with premium truffle-infused condiments brand TRUFF. Launching on opening day & available until sold out, this specialty schmear will only be available at the La Jolla location as a unique offering for the community. There will also be more surprises and giveaways in the lineup for opening day.
PopUp Bagels is located at 637 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA 92037 and is opening on November 21st.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Combined Territories to offer Largest In-Home Care Service in the County It’s rare when franchisees find out that they have the same values and principals and decide to share their business strategy to increase their ability to serve a wider group of people. In this case, the combined territories of the three Executive Home Care (EHC) franchisees will offer care for seniors and adults with special needs from downtown San Diego...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
It’s rare when franchisees find out that they have the same values and principals and decide to share their business strategy to increase their ability to serve a wider group of people. In this case, the combined territories of the three Executive Home Care (EHC) franchisees will offer care for seniors and adults with special needs from downtown San Diego to the North County coastal communities and beach cities to inland North County to the East County cities to the backcountry. Combined, this effort will reach upwards of 2 million households. The three franchisees are Gil Flores, a Firefighter Paramedic who was looking for a new way to use his clinical expertise, Swiss-born Michael Nef who wanted to use his years as a corporate executive for a business more suited to family life, and Jack McCarty, who wants to tap into his vast experience in the senior living sector as an owner. All three choosing a service model versus the traditional brick-and-mortar senior housing.
“I had reached a point in my life and career where I wanted to build something meaningful beyond just financial success,” said Flores. “My background as a firefighter and Navy veteran shaped my perspective on service, responsibility, and teamwork. I want people to know that this isn’t just a business for me — it’s personal.” Flores’ territory covers Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Encinitas.
“Leaving corporate America and doing something with more purpose and honor were the driving factors,” said Michael Nef. “There is no greater purpose than helping seniors. My wife and I will be starting a family soon, so we knew this would be a good time to build something special, and I don’t want to be the corporate dad who misses soccer practice, and school meetings due to my job. Bottom-line helping seniors to be more independent so they can stay in their treasured home longer, is extremely valuable to many people, and we want them to feel comfortable making the decision.” Nef’s territory covers San Diego including La Jolla, Coronado, La Mesa, El Cajon, and Jamul.
“Having worked in senior living for more than 31 years, the only role that I haven’t truly experienced is that of owner,” said Jack McCarty. “I know firsthand the importance of providing the highest quality of care possible, and I believe that we can offer this level of care in-home verses asking a senior to move away from their memories. Because all of us are unique, a senior living solution shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach. Many families wish to keep their loved ones at home, but they need our help, and we will provide it for them.” McCarty’s service area includes all of North County except for Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Encinitas.
Families who are interested in scheduling an in-home assessment can call 619/877-6626 or online at www.EHCSanDiegoCounty.com. A personal representative from your area will be able to guide you through the process. Executive Home Care (EHC) has a mission to improve the lives of seniors, whether it be for those in our care or those who love them. Leading this mission are co-owners Gil Flores, Jack McCarty, and Michael Nef who each bring a unique perspective to EHC. To find out more about EHCs “Quality of Care Pledge” and how to arrange an in-home assessment, call 619/877-6626 or visit https://www.ehcsandiegocounty.com
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?
Perhaps it’s the casual lifestyle and year-round beach weather, but dogs are often spotted all over San Diego, dining on restaurant patios, shopping, and socializing with their families.If our dog could type, here is what I’m sure would be his list of things to do around La Jolla with dogs.1. Go to the BeachLeashed dogs are allowed on the beach before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. from November 1 – March 31 and after 6 p.m. from April 1 through October 31.We typically go to La Jolla Shores Beach in t...
Perhaps it’s the casual lifestyle and year-round beach weather, but dogs are often spotted all over San Diego, dining on restaurant patios, shopping, and socializing with their families.
If our dog could type, here is what I’m sure would be his list of things to do around La Jolla with dogs.
Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. from November 1 – March 31 and after 6 p.m. from April 1 through October 31.
We typically go to La Jolla Shores Beach in the morning (one of our favorite free things to do in La Jolla), which has plenty of flat sand for us to run around and socialize with other dogs when we feel like it, and avoid when we don’t. He love, love, loves little dogs and I think it freaks their owners out sometimes because, well, he’s huge.
Plus, sniffing seaweed is oh-so-fun. Our dog is still unsure of the ocean, especially when it’s cold. It’s taken three years to get him to occasionally go in up to his elbows without freaking out. We also hung out near the playground at Kellogg Park while my daughter played on the swings and climbed on the structure.
If you need to grab treats, a new toy, or high-quality food, Decker’s Dog + Cat is your stop. With two La Jolla locations (in The Village on Ivanhoe Ave and in Bird Rock on La Jolla Blvd), this boutique is a perfect, dog-friendly spot to browse for gear and supplies.
In addition to a lovely outdoor patio that is totally over-the-top decked out for Halloween and Christmas, Barbarella restaurant in La Jolla Shores has a dedicated doggie menu with human and canine favorites such as organic scrambled eggs, cut-up chicken breast, and a “cold-nosed treat” which is—wait for it—your doggie’s own scoop of vanilla ice cream.
An ideal dog adventure might be ending an evening walk on La Jolla Shores Beach with dinner at Barbarella, since it’s only a few blocks away. A number of La Jolla restaurant patios are dog-friendly, but this is the only one I know of that offers a special menu like this.
There are a lot of wildlife scents to sniff in the native vegetation around the perimeter of the memorial. My daughter loved to do cartwheels and run around the grassy area in front of the memorial when she was little.
We walk the dogs around the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial to learn about the people who fought for our freedom. Bunnies hang out on the grass in the evening, and it’s an excellent spot to watch the sun rise or set.
While my dogs’ out-of-control wagging tail keeps me from taking him into stores with fragile items below waist-level, I’ve seen little and chill big dogs pretty much everywhere in downtown La Jolla.
We often walk down there—and I do take him into a couple of places—but it’s a great way to window shop, grab coffee, and get some exercise outside of the house.
This is the quintessential La Jolla photo-op with your dog. Start at Ellen Browning Scripps Park (the grassy park overlooking La Jolla Cove) and head north along the scenic Coast Walk Trail.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail and in the park, where you’ll enjoy stunning ocean views. Just keep a firm grip on the leash, as the trail has steep cliffs, and you will pass by other walkers.
With a lovely view over Mission Bay to downtown San Diego, Kate Sessions Park is an excellent place to walk or run with your dog. Though dogs are supposed to be leashed, many owners do not obey this rule, which means that there might be the occasional dog that runs up to your leashed dog. It can be annoying to owners, but my dog thinks these unlawful meet-and-greets are awesome.
Yay for off-leash fun! With a separate, enclosed dog park for small dogs and another for big dogs, here’s a great place to give your dog freedom to socialize with other dogs, with bench seating for you. Find Capeheart Park on the Pacific Beach side of Mt. Soledad, on Soledad Mountain Road just before Garnet Street. Bring a tennis ball.
My dog also loves this place. We usually sit at the low fire pit table in the corner, which is at his level. Staff often bring him a bowl of water and some treats. He can watch people and dogs through the glass windows—a lot happens on Garnet Street. We don’t take him during busy times as he gets easily overwhelmed.
And, we get to eat some of the best seafood in San Diego. Pick your fresh fish, choose your marinade, and then choose your style (salad, taco, or sandwich plate). I highly recommend the ceviche, too.
Where is your favorite place for a dog adventure in La Jolla?
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