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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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.

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Home Care In Seattle, WA

Home Care Seattle, WA

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 Smith Tower 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 Seattle, WA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Seattle, WA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Provided quality care for a relative settling back home after a hospital stay. Well managed small business with very good caregivers.”

Guy H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider I worked with Joseph and Maimuna after knee surgery and more than a month in rehab. At first I didn't think I would need help, but I have never been so glad to have it. Both of my helpers were kind and courteous and, as I got to know them, I looked forward to their visits even more. They took care of everything from the smallest detail, to laundry, changing beds, fixing my lunch and supervising showers. I am grateful that I was able to have their care.”

Voicelyn
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider Consistently received quick professional responses from the owner and other admin staff, always received the care coverage we needed even when needs changed rapidly, and best of all, we were deeply impressed by her care team - each home health aide was thoughtful , thorough, professional, very attentive, and very kind. Our grandmother was well-pampered in the unexpected last month of her life thanks to Sarah and the Always Best team.”

Dusty
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TESTIMONIALS

“Sarah came and met with our grandmother in advance of her return home from the hospital after a nasty bout of pneumonia and I was immediately impressed and grateful. She treated our grandmother with respect and care and thoughtfulness. We believed we would only be working with Always Best for a short period of time while our grandmother got back up to speed. we were all incredibly impressed by the attentiveness, professionalism, and genuine care with which Sam Ishmael, Fridah, Tegan and Ima worked with our grandmother. When she declined unexpectedly and rapidly, Sarah, Jacqueline and Kaitlin all put in extra energy to ensure she had the coverage she needed. In the last month and a half of her life, our grandmother had a level of care she’d never received and felt not only cared for but even a little pampered, in the best of ways. I am so grateful Sarah picked up the phone when I called that Sunday in March to find care for our grandmother!”

Dusty K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ABC works well with other provider services such as the VA and home RN healthcare delivery services. They work to establish a rapport for ease of communication. Workers are consistent and reliable and they have been able to delegate meds and tube feedings well. Very little turnover noted in the last year! We will continue to work with them! Thanks for the ease of communication through your website, ABC!”

rebecca T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Responsive office, qualified care givers.”

Dale J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We have a wonderful experience, with ABCSS. The Team and services are the best. We are very pleased and blessed. Thank you all.”

Brenda J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The team at Always Best Care is just phenomenal. We've had nothing but amazing service. Everyone in the team is professional, punctual and truly compassionate. If you want top quality care - look no further!”

Matt A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Cannot say enough good things about Sarah and Always Best Care! After my step dad had a stroke, Sarah went above and beyond trying to find him the best place for recovery. You can tell she really cares and truly has her heart in it for the right reasons. So thankful to have found Sarah & her team - would recommend them to anyone!”

Haley V.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ABC Senior Services excels in all aspects. This is a group you can rely on to help in every way. Professional care and scheduling, with compassion and heart.”

nancy E.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Our family had an extremely positive experience with Always Best Care. During a very tough & emotional time, their skilled caregivers allowed us to lovingly care for our family member at home with reduced stress. We could not have done it without them!!”

bomoawad
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TESTIMONIALS

“Our family had an extremely positive experience with Always Best Care. During a very tough & emotional time, their skilled caregivers allowed us to lovingly care for our family member at home with reduced stress. We could not have done it without them!!”

Angie M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“After looking far and wide in Seattle, finally I found Always Best Care - what an immense relief! Sarah Cave has shown us that her range includes not only the actual caregiving itself (absolutely top-notch!) but also her knowledge and advice about senior living situations, long-term care insurance, and other related issues. Initially, I had no idea that this range of resources could be available from one source, certainly not in such a kind and caring context. Sarah and her team at ABC are the "real thing," and my husband (who has Parkinson disease) and I are forever grateful.”

Gigi S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Sarah at Alway Best Care Senior Services is excellent. She is compassionate and understands what you are trying to accomplish to help your loved one. She explains everything and puts your mind at ease. The whole team is very helpful and the caregivers are top notch! My Dad is a lot happier now that he has a care giver through this team. I feel at peace knowing my Dad is being well taken care of. Julie Taylor”

Julie T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This company did a fantastic job caring for my father. I highly recommend them for home care.”

Barbara C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I cannot praise Sarah and her team enough. My husband had a stroke and was in the hospital over a month before transferring to a physical therapy unit. It has been a scary time for my family and me. Sarah has helped us navigate the complex medical world and given me clear pathways to choose from on what the future might look like for my husband and me. Our hope is that he return home, but if he cannot, Sarah has given me concrete options that would serve our needs and give us peace of mind for the continued care and rehabilitation for my husband. We have toured facilities together and I have appreciated her kindness, intelligence and her attention to the details that I would not have even thought of. She definitely is an expert in her field and her help in our crisis has been immensely appreciated.”

Valentine C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I cannot praise Sarah and her team enough. My husband had a stroke and was in the hospital over a month before transferring to a physical therapy unit. It has been a scary time for my family and me. Sarah has helped us navigate the complex medical world and given me clear pathways to choose from on what the future might look like for my husband and me. Our hope is that he return home, but if he cannot, Sarah has given me concrete options that would serve our needs and give us peace of mind for the continued care and rehabilitation for my husband. We have toured facilities together and I have appreciated her kindness, intelligence and her attention to the details that I would not have even thought of. She definitely is an expert in her field and her help in our crisis has been immensely appreciated.”

Valli C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My experience with Always Best Care was phenomenal! I have never experienced an owner, and her amazing employees, go so far above and beyond to help my family. Sarah Cave (owner of ABC) has a heart of pure gold! She (literally and figuratively) held my sister’s and my hand as we moved through one of the most stressful times of our lives. We were dealing with a dad in serious condition in the hospital and a mom who needed 24/7 care for her Alzheimer’s. Sarah and her angelic crew rallied around us, and helped us support two parents through what felt like an impossible situation They helped care for our mom, they set up care upon my dads return home (dealing with a very unstable version of him with unending grace) and provided countless options on how to help them move forward (assisted living options, in-home care, etc). Sarah gave us all the resources we needed along the way. The degree in which she and her team showed up was truly astounding, and we will be forever grateful. They saved us during a time that felt dire. I am forever indebted to this phenomenal team. It doesn’t get better than Always Best Care!!!”

Leisha D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I hired Always Best Care (“ABC”) to provide caregivers for my husband, who has Parkinson’s and dementia. Communication with ABC was excellent. Sarah and Kaitlin worked tirelessly to find the perfect fit for my husband’s needs, and his caregivers, Surminda and Amina, were wonderful. When it eventually became apparent that I needed to move my husband into memory care, Sarah was with me every step of the way. Her knowledge and connections with the local senior care communities were invaluable, and I was so thankful to have her help in finding the best place for my husband. ABC eased the stress and burden of managing my husband’s care and I can’t thank Sarah, Kaitlin, and the ABC staff enough. They are truly the Best.”

Ron A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I hired Always Best Care (“ABC”) to provide caregivers for my husband, who has Parkinson’s and dementia. Communication with ABC was excellent. Sarah and Kaitlin worked tirelessly to find the perfect fit for my husband’s needs, and his caregivers, Surminda and Amina, were wonderful. When it eventually became apparent that I needed to move my husband into memory care, Sarah was with me every step of the way. Her knowledge and connections with the local senior care communities were invaluable, and I was so thankful to have her help in finding the best place for my husband. ABC eased the stress and burden of managing my husband’s care and I can’t thank Sarah, Kaitlin, and the ABC staff enough. They are truly the Best.”

Tara F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I hired Always Best Care (“ABC”) to provide caregivers for my husband, who has Parkinson’s and dementia. Communication with ABC was excellent. Sarah and Kaitlin worked tirelessly to find the perfect fit for my husband’s needs, and his caregivers, Surminda and Amina, were wonderful. When it eventually became apparent that I needed to move my husband into memory care, Sarah was with me every step of the way. Her knowledge and connections with the local senior care communities were invaluable, and I was so thankful to have her help in finding the best place for my husband. ABC eased the stress and burden of managing my husband’s care and I can’t thank Sarah, Kaitlin, and the ABC staff enough. They are truly the Best.”

Tara F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am so grateful that our dear family member selected ABC at the beginning of her illness. Her disease progressed quickly after that and having done her research earlier allowed us to execute her plan at a critical time. It was a great comfort to her to be home in her final days, and the ABC care plan allowed the safe discharge that was necessary in order for her to go home. The expertise provided by Sarah in navigating the complex healthcare system during a difficult time was invaluable. If fact, it probably wouldn’t have happened without ABC. The caregivers were compassionate and attentive to her needs. There was always communication at the time of shift changes. All the staff at ABC considered the whole family situation while interacting with us.”

Teresa B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This company is hands down the best. Sarah and her staff went above and beyond, and I mean beyond, for my parents and family. I couldn’t ask for a more committed team. They made an impossible situation possible. Thank you Sarah and staff.”

Gayla M.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Seattle, WA?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Seattle, WA

Types of Elderly Care in Seattle, WA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Seattle, WA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Seattle, WA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 Kerry Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Seattle, WA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 Canlis or visit Chihuly Garden and Glass, 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.

 In-Home Care Seattle, WA

Benefits of Home Care in Seattle, WA

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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 Seattle, WA, 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.

 Elderly Care Seattle, WA

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your WA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Seattle, WA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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 Seattle, WA 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Seattle, WA

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Seattle, WA

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:

  • Queen Anne Manor Assisted and Memory Care Community
  • Emerald City at Greenlake Senior Living
  • Northgate Plaza
  • Quail Park of West Seattle
  • Brookdale Admiral Heights
  • Aegis Living West Seattle
Home Care Seattle, WA

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.

 In-Home Care Seattle, WA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Seattle, WA 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.

 Elderly Care Seattle, WA

Latest News in Seattle, WA

‘Very rare’ chance of northern lights Sunday in Seattle

A solar storm scheduled to hit Earth this weekend could make the northern lights visible across much of the United States — including Washington, if conditions are just right.After locals captured glints of green-and-purple aurora borealis in the early morning hours Sunday in Seattle, there’s a 10% or greater chance that most of Washington could get a glimpse of the northern lights s...

A solar storm scheduled to hit Earth this weekend could make the northern lights visible across much of the United States — including Washington, if conditions are just right.

After locals captured glints of green-and-purple aurora borealis in the early morning hours Sunday in Seattle, there’s a 10% or greater chance that most of Washington could get a glimpse of the northern lights starting around 10:30 p.m. Sunday, with the best chance of viewing from roughly 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast.

It’s considered a “very rare” watch for a severe “G4” geomagnetic storm. Aurora could be visible “over much of the northern half of the country, and maybe as far south as Alabama to northern California,” according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

Near Seattle, the farther north you go, the better odds of a dazzling show. Going somewhere outside of a city, with less light pollution, also helps. The moon will be nearing its first-quarter phase, and we should get clear night skies around much of Western Washington.

However, NWS Meteorologist Maddie Kristell said it’s hard to nail down probabilities when it comes to seeing aurora.

“This is really variable,” Kristell said. “It’s been hard to pin down a key time, but I think a good bet would be (to wait) until the sun is down tonight. And certainly we’re within the extent where we should be able to see it.”

The colorful lights of the aurora borealis become visible due to geomagnetic storms, when the sun ejects energy toward the Earth, National Weather Service meteorologist Anna Lindeman said.

Lindeman said visibility depends on the strength of the storm and other weather, including fog and clouds.

“There’s a little bit of uncertainty with this latest system,” Lindeman said Saturday evening.

Lindeman said the storm could be unusually strong.

The Northern Lights

Weather should be reasonably clear on Sunday night in the Seattle area, Lindeman said.

For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the lights, a cellphone camera may be more than just a way to document the sight.

“Typically with this sort of thing, the naked eye isn’t necessarily going to pick up the whole spectrum of light,” Lindeman said. “So it’s a lot easier to see it on your phone or with time-lapse photos.”

Want to share your astounding aurora borealis photos with other readers? Please email your best picture to [email protected] and we may publish it in a follow-up story.

Caitlyn Freeman: [email protected].

Jayati Ramakrishnan: [email protected].

How to prepare for wildfire season in WA

Climate Lab is a Seattle Times initiative that explores the effects of climate change in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The project is funded in part by The Bullitt Foundation, CO2 Foundation, Jim and Birte Falconer, Mike and Becky Hughes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, University of Washington and Walker Family Foundation, and its fiscal sponsor is the Seattle Foundation.ISSAQUAH — Tools leaning against a garden shed. Pine cone...

Climate Lab is a Seattle Times initiative that explores the effects of climate change in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The project is funded in part by The Bullitt Foundation, CO2 Foundation, Jim and Birte Falconer, Mike and Becky Hughes, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, University of Washington and Walker Family Foundation, and its fiscal sponsor is the Seattle Foundation.

ISSAQUAH — Tools leaning against a garden shed. Pine cones and wood chips flanking the house. Arborvitae providing a natural fence between neighbors.

When Cat Robinson scanned these surroundings at Mary and Bob Fransen’s home along the Issaquah Alps, she saw fuels for fire.

Robinson, with Eastside Fire & Rescue, is trained to identify these pathways for fire and help residents reduce the risk of losing their home.

These assessments, free to those within the fire district, are one of the ways residents can prepare for wildfire season, which is expected to bring above-average fire risk in Central and Eastern Washington in June and Western Washington in July.

Wildfire season in WA: Above-normal risk in forecast

They are an important tool as hotter, drier summers in the Northwest fueled by climate change have led to more wildfires and longer fire seasons.

Climate change isn’t the only factor. More than a century of suppressing wildfires, removing Indigenous burning practices, harvesting large trees and more fire-tolerant species and more human-caused ignitions all contribute. Meanwhile, more human development has moved into the state’s forests, grasslands and sagebrush-steppe.

But there are steps people can take to reduce risks to home and family.

Where should you start?

Find your local agency at mil.wa.gov/alerts#local to sign up for emergency alerts. These will notify you of important messages from emergency managers, including evacuation notices.

You can find tips to prepare your home for wildfire, build an evacuation kit and who to contact by county at the state’s resource library: dnr.wa.gov/community-wildfire-resilience-resource-library.

Find important documents — like birth certificates, insurance documents, home and vehicle titles — and put them in a place where they are easy to find if you need to evacuate. The Department of Natural Resources recommends visiting ready.gov/kit for tips on what to include in an evacuation kit.

Food: nonperishable food for you and your petsWaterMap with at least two planned evacuation routesImportant documents: birth certificate, titles, insurance documents, passports or other identification Change of clothesExtra eyeglasses or contact lensesPrescriptionsSanitation suppliesFlashlightBattery-powered radioMoney: credit cards, cash or checksFirst aid kitValuables that are easy to carryFamily photos and irreplaceable itemsPersonal computer data on hard drives and disksChargers for cellphones and laptopsSource: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Renters and homeowners can sign up for a free home assessment on the state’s “Wildfire Ready Neighbors” website: st.news/home-assessments.

Local fire and conservation districts, like King Conservation District and Eastside Fire & Rescue, also conduct assessments.

Are you ready for the smoke?

Check Washington Smoke Blog — wasmoke.blogspot.com — for the latest air quality updates and a five-day smoke forecast.

People should reduce strenuous outdoor activities, mask and filter indoor air when air quality levels are considered “unhealthy,” or when air quality index, or AQI, exceeds 150.

And people at higher risk from smoke — including children, those over 65, those with asthma or respiratory and heart conditions, and pregnant people — should practice these strategies when AQI hits 100.

It’s a good idea to start preparing for wildfire smoke before it arrives. Products like filters and air purifiers will sell out.

Research has shown wildfire smoke exposure can exacerbate certain lung diseases, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, said Dr. Coralynn Sack, a pulmonologist and assistant professor in environmental and occupational medicine at the University of Washington. There’s also evidence that acute wildfire smoke exposure may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases like stroke, heart attacks, arrhythmia and heart failure.

Researchers are also starting to make the link between smoke exposure and an increased risk of dementia and reproductive outcomes, such as low birth weight and decreased sperm motility.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has guides on how to pick portable air cleaners and furnace or HVAC filters used in a home at: epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home.

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Be sure to select a HEPA air purifier that is effective at removing small particles, Sack said. People should avoid the ionizing air cleaners that produce ozone, which can cause lung damage, Sack said.

If you have an existing HVAC unit, make sure you have extra filters on hand.

You can also build a fan filter using a box fan, a furnace filter and masking tape. Use a 20-inch box fan and a filter of the same size, either a MERV 13 or FPR 10 filter.

More tips for constructing the box fan filter are available at: seattletimes.com/seattle-news/how-to-prepare-for-wildfire-smoke-in-your-home-car-and-while-outdoors/.

Before smoke arrives, try to stock up on groceries and necessary medications. If people do need to go out, Sack recommends wearing an N95 mask and reviewing online guides on how to properly fit a mask and ensure there aren’t leaks.

What can you expect from a home assessment?

The Fransens have lived in the shadow of the densely wooded Issaquah Alps since 1986.

It wasn’t until a recent stay in a Montana Airbnb that they started thinking about how their home could fare in a fire. There, Mary Fransen said, it seemed the property owners had done the most they could to reduce risk.

The Fransens completed the Wildfire Safe Eastside request form, which asks a few questions about where they live, and Robinson, with Eastside Fire & Rescue, responded to set a time for the assessment within a couple of weeks.

For a little over an hour, Robinson walked their property, documenting potential hazards through photos and notes on an iPad. She looked to the roof: asphalt, something that will provide great protection in a fire, she said.

Just below the roof, she zoomed in on the gable vents.

The most common way that homes burn in a wildfire is tiny windblown embers, Robinson said. They land on and around a home on vulnerable items that ignite and then spread the fire.

Vents are a main vulnerability.

The mesh screen on the Fransens’ vents was ¼ inch, the standard for most construction. Robinson recommended replacing it with ? inch metal mesh — holes fine enough that most embers can’t penetrate and a material that won’t melt on impact.

“A lot of people, when I come to their house they turn their back on their house, they look out at the forest and they say, ‘I’m worried about that,'” Robinson said.

Instead, they should focus on the home itself and the first 30 feet from the home.

She urged them to look at the home with an eye for where embers could settle and whether that surface is flammable — like the wood trim around the Fransens’ windows — and consider replacing with a nonflammable material.

She identified some changes they could make to break up the path for fire: getting rid of arborvitae, English holly and other flammable plants; reducing “ladder fuels,” or vegetation that could introduce fire into the canopies of trees or the home; replacing wood chips along the home with dirt, stone pavers or bricks; and removing a flammable doormat.

From her survey, she will produce a report with a set of recommendations for mitigation around the home.

“You can elect to do them all, do one, do none,” Robinson explained. “We encourage you to do as many as you can, but we also recognize that costs money.”

King Conservation District has a cost-share program to help residents complete some wildfire mitigation work. You can check with the state Department of Natural Resources and other local conservation districts for this assistance.

Is your home insurance adequate?

Check to see if you have adequate insurance coverage to rebuild your home from the ground up — this includes debris removal, construction and temporary housing.

The additional living expense coverage isn’t always included in a home policy and it may have a time or cost cap. The state Office of the Insurance Commissioner recommends having two years of coverage.

Your insurance agent should be able to walk you through what you may need.

About two-thirds of residents with “significant” damage in the Gray and Oregon Road fires in Spokane County in 2023 were likely underinsured, said Aaron VanTuyl, a spokesperson for the insurance commissioner’s office. There are still 102 claims “open” and at least 43 of those will run out of living expense coverage by Aug. 18, according to VanTuyl.

Make a detailed inventory of everything in your home. An app from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners allows you to catalog your personal items. You can also walk through your home and take a video to give an idea of what’s in your home if you need to file a claim.

Material from The Seattle Times archives was used in this story.

Isabella Breda: 206-652-6536 or [email protected]. Seattle Times staff reporter Isabella Breda covers the environment.

Clothing donations for WA mental health patients offer safety, dignity

The Mental Health Project is a Seattle Times initiative focused on covering mental and behavioral health issues. It is funded by Ballmer Group, a national organization focused on economic mobility for children and families. The Seattle Times maintains editorial control over work produced by this team.When someone leaves long-term psychiatric treatment, they’re usually assessed for whether they’re mentally and emotionally ready to go back to the community.What’s less talked about is whether their basic needs &m...

The Mental Health Project is a Seattle Times initiative focused on covering mental and behavioral health issues. It is funded by Ballmer Group, a national organization focused on economic mobility for children and families. The Seattle Times maintains editorial control over work produced by this team.

When someone leaves long-term psychiatric treatment, they’re usually assessed for whether they’re mentally and emotionally ready to go back to the community.

What’s less talked about is whether their basic needs — shelter, food and clothing — will be met once they’re on their own.

People may enter residential psychiatric treatment without much more than the clothes on their backs. Many don’t have a support system that can bring them more clothing, and if they’re unhoused, their possessions may have disappeared by the time they’re discharged weeks or months later.

Some hospitals collect donations — helping people get proper shoes or jackets before they step out into a rainy Seattle winter, for example. UW Medicine recently restarted such a program collecting donations from staff, and the state-run Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health center runs a similar program. But the items they’re able to collect are limited, and dependent on donations from employees. And once patients get out into the community, their options for finding clothing and other necessities can dwindle even more.

There are typically two kinds of discharge for patients committed to involuntary mental health treatment through the civil court system, said Todd Carlisle, a staff attorney for Disability Rights Washington. A “planned discharge” is one where everyone is typically on the same page about the patient’s next steps — the hospital, the courts and the patient, who will usually be connected with a case manager and other services.

But in rare cases, the court will decide to release the patient without the agreement of the hospital or patient’s treatment team, Carlisle said. In those situations, release tends to be more rushed with little planning for how to connect patients with funds or adequate clothing.

Per a state requirement, behavioral health facilities that treat civil commitment patients, or those involuntarily committed to mental health treatment, must provide patients with “suitable clothing” and enough money for transportation — typically around $40, according to state policy.

But Carlisle said there’s little oversight of whether that law is followed.

“I do question how uniform and systemic that is,” Carlisle said. “What’s the process for having to provide adequate clothing and funding?”

Several of the area’s large behavioral health centers collect clothing and other items for patients to wear once they’re released, though they generally take donations solely from their own staff.

UW Medicine’s Center for Behavioral Health and Learning recently started a clothing drive for all types of clothing from jackets and pants to socks and underwear. The center is also collecting hygiene items such as deodorant and shampoo.

On a recent visit, a small blue bin sat in the lobby of the hospital, with a sign taped to the front seeking clothing donations. Sitting on a neatly labeled shelf in one of the facility’s storage rooms were collected donations, including two pairs of boots, a few shirts and a bin of jackets and sweatshirts.

Items, including clothing, must all be new, said Sara Vadset, the center’s recreation therapy supervisor.

The Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health hospital in Tukwila collects new and gently used items to distribute to patients, both for when they’re at the hospital and for when they leave. Cynthia Shipley, a spokesperson for the Department of Social and Health Services, said Western State Hospital also plans to restart a clothing donation program this summer, and will consider taking donations from the public.

The programs only accept donations from staff, and not the general public, because of limited storage space, Shipley said.

State-run behavioral health facilities absorb the costs of some basic clothing for patients, as per the state law requiring adequate clothing and transportation funds.

But while patients get some basic items, like sweatshirts, sweatpants, socks and “slide” shoes, other items, such as sturdy shoes or raincoats, are dependent on donations.

“This is a brand-new thing we’re starting, and we’re growing the donations right now,” said Maddie Gould, a recreation therapist at the Center for Behavioral Health and Learning.

The staff tries to make sure each patient gets a pair of pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a jacket and shorts, to keep up with the changing weather. Staff members also assess items patients arrived with, to see if they can be returned to them.

“Just to make sure everyone has the opportunity to receive new clothing,” Gould said.

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Vadset, the recreation therapy supervisor, said they would eventually like to expand the program to get patients other items, such as comfortable shoes and clothing for job interviews.

“We want people to be warm, but we also want people to go out into the community and be able to get around with something other than slides. It’s dignity, safety, but it’s also figuring out how we can pull it off.”

There’s little structure in place to enforce that facilities provide even the basic, legally mandated supplies, however, especially outside of state-run facilities. Carlisle, with Disability Rights Washington, said while larger facilities run by the state may have donation programs, it’s harder to know whether smaller, private care centers are following those rules.

And once patients return to the community, there are no consistent services to ensure they can keep accessing those needs. Some food banks collect clothing, such as the West Seattle Food Bank, and some services provide hygiene programs. But people who are exiting behavioral health care must rely on the “meager social service network” that’s available to them, Carlisle said.

“We really need to explore that a little bit more,” Vadset said. “People are donating to Goodwill. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was an organization that just took donations. You’d have to have a good laundry system, and then people could go acquire items without cost. That would be a dream.”

Mental health resources from The Seattle Times

Jayati Ramakrishnan: [email protected].

Seattle-area Catholic school says US Border Patrol detained students of color

The BriefA Seattle-area Catholic school is filing a complaint against U.S. Customs and Border Protection, alleging they detained and questioned music students — specifically students of color — on a return trip from ...

The Brief

A Seattle-area Catholic school is filing a complaint against U.S. Customs and Border Protection, alleging they detained and questioned music students — specifically students of color — on a return trip from Canada.

Students at Eastside Catholic School, located in Sammamish, went on a band and choir trip to Canada.

The backstory:

According to school president Gil Picciotto, when they came back into the U.S. at the border crossing, a U.S. border agent stopped and questioned students about their "affiliation with the school and wrongfully accused them of attempting to enter the country unlawfully."

Picciotto says nearly all the students detained were students of color. They were all fully documented and under school supervision.

"We are deeply grateful to our students and faculty who, in the face of this unjust and xenophobic treatment, responded with calm, courage and grace," wrote Picciotto.

Catholic school files complaint against U.S. CBP

What they're saying:

On Thursday, Eastside Catholic School announced it would be filing a complaint against the federal agency.

"Eastside Catholic School is aware of an incident during a recent student trip and will be filing a formal complaint with U.S. Customs and Border Protection," reads a statement from the school. "As a Catholic school, we are committed to upholding the dignity of every individual and advocating for our students' well-being. At this time, to protect the privacy of those involved and remain focused on supporting our students and families, we will not be making further public comments."

The other side:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to our request for comment.

Eastside Catholic School said it would make no further comments on this incident.

New COVID-19 variant detected in Washington state. Here’s what to know

Last week, the World Health Organization designated NB.1.8.1, a new strain of COVID-19 that’s been rising in frequency lately, as a “variant under monitoring.” Now, Washington state has its first case.The case was detected by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance program at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, according to a statement sent to ...

Last week, the World Health Organization designated NB.1.8.1, a new strain of COVID-19 that’s been rising in frequency lately, as a “variant under monitoring.” Now, Washington state has its first case.

The case was detected by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance program at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, according to a statement sent to McClatchy by the Washington State Department of Health.

“There appears to be a single detection of NB.1.8.1 in Washington state,” the statement said. “The sample was collected on May 15th 2025 by Ginko Bioworks, the industry partner for CDC’s Traveler Genomic Surveillance Program. This means this sample was captured via a CDC program, not a WA surveillance system.”

Washington is one of four states where airport screening has detected the new variant, along with California, New York and Virginia. Reports suggest that only a handful of states have detected the variant, which has yet to become common enough for the CDC to include it on its COVID-19 variant tracking dashboard.

The variant has been linked to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in China, leading to concerns it could spread quickly in the U.S. However, officials say the early indications are that the variant doesn’t pose much of a threat. Here’s what to know about NB.1.8.1 in Washington.

According to WHO, the frequency of NB.1.8.1 cases quadrupled during April. The variant accounted for 2.5% of COVID-19 samples obtained over the week ending April 6. By April 27, that number had risen to 10.7%.

But despite the sharp rise, health officials say that the case doesn’t necessarily pose a threat to the public.

According to WHO, there isn’t much evidence that NB.1.8.1 is any more dangerous than existing variants.

“The additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low,” WHO’s latest report on the strain says.

That’s largely due to the fact that early evidence indicates available COVID vaccines protect against the severe illness in patients with the new variant.

WHO did note that some countries have seen an increase in cases and hospitalizations as NB.1.8.1 spread. However, WHO’s latest update on the variant states that “current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.”

WHO also noted that little information is available about the variant right now, and that these conclusions are drawn from preliminary observations.

The state health department echoed WHO, saying that there’s no evidence the variant poses significant risk to the public.

DOH noted that the case was detected in the airport, making it unclear whether or not the person who tested positive is a Washington resident.

“Because this is a Traveler Genomic Surveillance collection, the collection site would be SEA-TAC airport; however, that doesn’t mean that the case is necessarily a Washington resident, meaning county may not be a relevant field,” the DOH statement said.

COVID-19 case counts have fallen in Washington so far this year. Through mid-May, the state has seen 399 COVID-19 deaths, according to DOH’s respiratory illness dashboard. That’s less than half of the 897 deaths seen at this point last year, and around 25% of the number seen in 2023. The disease currently accounts for 0.5% of Washington hospital visits, compared to 0.9% last May and 1.5% in May of 2023.

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