Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“Sarah was totally amazing, efficient, and super helpful. She really knows her stuff, and answered all my questions. Then she sent out the caregiver, and I've never seen anyone accomplish so much in so few hours. I almost felt guilty with all the work she did. If only I could be that efficient (won't happen). I can highly recommend Always Best Care. Puts me more at ease knowing that when I need help, they'll be there. Thank you Always Best Care!!!”

stwlisa
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TESTIMONIALS

“We were referred to Always Best Care of Seattle 2 months ago by a family member who recently had surgery and raved about her excellent experience with them. My parents are homebound with very limited mobility. They want to stay in their condo as long as possible and we want to do all we can ensure they can safely do so. Always Best Care Seattle pointed out safety issues that needed immediate attention. These were issues neither my brother and I ever would have spotted. My parents currently have a caregiver a few days a week. The caregiver does their cleaning, laundry, preps meals for them, makes lunch and I’m sure many more things that I’m not aware of! Their home has never looked better (it actually sparkles)! Their caregiver always is on time (few minutes early actually) starts the day by sitting down with my parents and catching up and finding out what their priorities are for the day. Since they are homebound the social aspect is a really important part of their overall care. The caregivers have all been EXCELLENT. Each caregiver is very caring, loving and obviously love what they are doing. Any questions I have had (either for their caregivers or the ABCSEATTLE office staff-even the most random question they have had an answer for me or a suggested resource. As the level of care that they need becomes greater, ABCSEATTLE can assist us every step of the way. If they need care additional days, longer hours, help with bathing or dressing, drive to appts..they do it all. If they eventually need to move, they’ll take us to look at facilities and help us make the best decision for our family. We are beyond grateful to have found them!!!”

Robert W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We were referred to Always Best Care of Seattle 2 months ago by a family member who recently had surgery and raved about her excellent experience with them. My parents are homebound with very limited mobility. They want to stay in their condo as long as possible and we want to do all we can ensure they can safely do so. Always Best Care Seattle pointed out safety issues that needed immediate attention. These were issues neither my brother and I ever would have spotted. My parents currently have a caregiver a few days a week. The caregiver does their cleaning, laundry, preps meals for them, makes lunch and I’m sure many more things that I’m not aware of! Their home has never looked better (it actually sparkles)! Their caregiver always is on time (few minutes early actually) starts the day by sitting down with my parents and catching up and finding out what their priorities are for the day. Since they are homebound the social aspect is a really important part of their overall care. The caregivers have all been EXCELLENT. Each caregiver is very caring, loving and obviously love what they are doing. ♥️ Any questions I have had (either for their caregivers or the ABCSEATTLE office staff-even the most random question they have had an answer for me or a suggested resource. As the level of care that they need becomes greater, ABCSEATTLE can assist us every step of the way. If they need care additional days, longer hours, help with bathing or dressing, drive to appts..they do it all. If they eventually need to move, they’ll take us to look at facilities and help us make the best decision for our family. We are beyond grateful to have found them!!!”

J P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you! Very professional and knowledgeable. Wonderful experience.”

Tom M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We were referred to Always Best Care of Seattle 2 months ago by a family member who recently had surgery and raved about her excellent experience with them. My parents are homebound with very limited mobility. They want to stay in their condo as long as possible and we want to do all we can ensure they can safely do so. Always Best Care Seattle pointed out safety issues that needed immediate attention. These were issues neither my brother and I ever would have spotted. My parents currently have a caregiver a few days a week. The caregiver does their cleaning, laundry, preps meals for them, makes lunch and I’m sure many more things that I’m not aware of! Their home has never looked better (it actually sparkles)! Their caregiver always is on time (few minutes early actually) starts the day by sitting down with my parents and catching up and finding out what their priorities are for the day. Since they are homebound the social aspect is a really important part of their overall care. The caregivers have all been EXCELLENT. Each caregiver is very caring, loving and obviously love what they are doing. Any questions I have had (either for their caregivers or the ABCSEATTLE office staff-even the most random question they have had an answer for me or a suggested resource. As the level of care that they need becomes greater, ABCSEATTLE can assist us every step of the way. If they need care additional days, longer hours, help with bathing or dressing, drive to appts..they do it all. If they eventually need to move, they’ll take us to look at facilities and help us make the best decision for our family. We are beyond grateful to have found them!!!”

Julie V.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We were referred to Always Best Care of Seattle 2 months ago by a family member who recently had surgery and raved about her excellent experience with them. My parents are homebound with very limited mobility. They want to stay in their condo as long as possible and we want to do all we can ensure they can safely do so. Always Best Care Seattle pointed out safety issues that needed immediate attention. These were issues neither my brother and I ever would have spotted. My parents currently have a caregiver a few days a week. The caregiver does their cleaning, laundry, preps meals for them, makes lunch and I’m sure many more things that I’m not aware of! Their home has never looked better (it actually sparkles)! Their caregiver always is on time (few minutes early actually) starts the day by sitting down with my parents and catching up and finding out what their priorities are for the day. Since they are homebound the social aspect is a really important part of their overall care. The caregivers have all been EXCELLENT. Each caregiver is very caring, loving and obviously love what they are doing. Any questions I have had (either for their caregivers or the ABCSEATTLE office staff-even the most random question they have had an answer for me or a suggested resource. As the level of care that they need becomes greater, ABCSEATTLE can assist us every step of the way. If they need care additional days, longer hours, help with bathing or dressing, drive to appts..they do it all. If they eventually need to move, they’ll take us to look at facilities and help us make the best decision for our family. We are beyond grateful to have found them!!!”

jdp1213
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Beat Care Is a 5 star. They give you the Best service with the personal touch. They go out of their way to help you. could not ask for more.”

Alex D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Sarah was very kind and thoughtful of our situation as Mom was going through several issues due to aging. She was especially sensitive to our complicated blended family's needs. Sarah spent time with my mother and several of us in the family to build trust and confidence in all that she could help us with. Sarah went above and beyond to crunch numbers and find the information needed to know what options were available, so we could make informed decisions for Mom's health and comfort. Thank you, Sarah, and thank you, Best Care Services, for helping our mom and entire family. Your services helped us during a difficult time!”

Jody D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Sarah & Elizabeth will Aways Best Care worked quickly to help us during a difficult time. It was wonderful to have their support during such an overwhelming time. Their collective knowledge helped us navigate an unknown landscape!”

Neha P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I initially talked to Best Care Senior Services when my wife was sick and needed to have a place to go with her medical issues. They were very responsive and helpful, providing us with several quality solutions. When my wife passed away, I became the client as I could no longer stay in my home due to my physical issues. Again they were very responsive and helpful. I just moved into the community we chose together and is has been a great experience. I whole heartedly recommend them to anyone who needs their expertise.”

Richard C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Sarah and her team provided excellent guidance, compassion and advice during an extremely stressful time for our family. We were exploring Assisted Living options in Seattle as well as the Bay Area and I was especially impressed with how objective Sarah remained throughout this difficult selection process. I would highly recommend ABC for anyone needing short or long term solutions for themselves or a loved one. The expertise and support I received was unbelievably helpful and critical to helping us in the decision making process.”

Katherine B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I initially talked to Always Best Care of Seattle when my wife was sick and needed to have a place to go with her medical issues. They were very responsive and helpful, providing us with several quality solutions. When my wife passed away, I became the client as I could no longer stay in my home due to my physical issues. Again they were very responsive and helpful. I just moved into the community we chose together and is has been a great experience. I whole heartedly recommend them to anyone who needs their expertise.”

Richard C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I initially talked to Always Best Care of Seattle Metro when my wife was sick and needed to have a place to go with her medical issues. They were very responsive and helpful, providing us with several quality solutions. When my wife passed away, I became the client as I could no longer stay in my home due to my physical issues. Again they were very responsive and helpful. I just moved into the community we chose together and is has been a great experience. I whole heartedly recommend them to anyone who needs their expertise.”

RichardClarke
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TESTIMONIALS

“If you have never been through this process before with a loved one, you have no idea what the "ins" and "outs" of the process are. You can read about it, and you can watch a video about it, but you will not become an expert at it. Navigating the mine field of selecting a facility for the long-term care of a loved one requires experience, honesty, compassion, wisdom, patience, and impeccable communication skills. Sarah Cave, at Always Best Care - Seattle Metro, exceeded the expectations of my family in this endeavor. From my first contact meeting with Sarah on the phone to the final selection of the facility for our loved one, Sarah handled every step of the process with ease. At our first family zoom meeting to introduce Sarah to the family, she displayed an educated confidence that put the entire family at ease. We were left with no doubt that we had made the right choice to seek help with our search from Always Best Care - Seattle Metro and Sarah Cave. Thank you so much for your professionalism and honesty! Don Shogren”

Donald S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Sarah from Always Best Care Senior Services helped us find an adult family home for my mother in law. This was a very stressful time for our family, but through out the search process Sarah was awesome! Her hard work and expert guidance, as well as her kind and caring personality, relieved much of that stress and helped us find a great place for mom. I would highly recommend Sarah and Always Best Care.”

Kathleen S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The staff is wonderful. We were very happy with the care that was received. Any questions and return phone calls were answered quickly. I would highly recommend this company.”

Marilee B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“On short notice, ABC worked with me to create a care plan for my elder mother after a hip replacement. The care was attentive, professional and supportive. Sara leads a wonderful team and herself is attentive, responsive and kind.”

Cynthia S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Just as their name implies, they ALWAYS provide the BEST CARE.”

Robert E.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I want to take this opportunity to convey my thanks and appreciation for Always Best Care Seattle. I engaged their services leaving the hospital to return to my home. I am widowed, 90 years of age and live alone. I believe my fast recovery was the result of the caring management and professional staff. I definitely recommend Sarah and her team at Always Best Care Seattle.”

Dorothee
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TESTIMONIALS

“I mentioned we’re moving Mom and Dad, and I have to give mad props to Sarah Cave at Always Best Care - Seattle for the work she did helping us find a good fit AND for her support. In the world of senior care, I don’t even know what I don’t know, and Sarah and her team have been there for me the whole way.”

Trina
 In-Home Care Seattle, WA

How does In-home Senior Care in Seattle, WA work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Seattle, WA

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, 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:

Comfort
Comfort

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, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Seattle, WA 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

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.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

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.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

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.


Respite Care Seattle, WA

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

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.

 Caregivers 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 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

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.

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.

Latest News in Seattle, WA

Highly acclaimed Seattle soup dumpling shop announces Texas opening date

Seattle's best soup dumplings are setting up shop in its first Texas outpost, located conveniently in Houston's Midtown.Houston ex dentist convicted for surgery thatdamaged 4 year old's brainSeattle-based xiao long bao staple, Dough Zone announced it will open its first Houston location in Midtown on Oct. 2. Dough Zone is known on...

Seattle's best soup dumplings are setting up shop in its first Texas outpost, located conveniently in Houston's Midtown.

Houston ex dentist convicted for surgery that

damaged 4 year old's brain

Seattle-based xiao long bao staple, Dough Zone announced it will open its first Houston location in Midtown on Oct. 2. Dough Zone is known on the West Coast for slanging regional varieties of Chinese cuisine, highlighting northern style eats. Of note are its famed Berkshire pork-filled xiao long bao, bursting with flavorful broth, as well as its potstickers and pan-fried Q bao.

The restaurant, which has locations throughout Washington and California, will anchor its dumpling-loving audience with two other Houston-area stores, CultureMap reported. Soup dumpling lovers should anticipate openings near the Galleria in January 2024 and Sugar Land in April 2024

Houston is no stranger to xiao long bao, which is a highlight for many of the city's Chinese restaurants. The delicious, pockets of broth have been featured in a growing number of restaurants, though few can do it well. As any Asiatown aficionado will tell you, the city's best soup dumplings are found at One Dragon, though some argue that Tiger Noodle House rivals it. The popularity of the latter has expanded past Houston, with Tiger Noodle House opening up shop in San Antonio.

A quick lesson

Despite their popularity around the world, xiao long bao are largely underrepresented in Houston's food scene. The puzzle of actually eating the dumpling, which needs to be handled with care, is intimidating to many. Spilling soup, though sad, is bound to happen on your first try. To minimize broth loss, here are some quick eating tips:

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Final Pacific Northwest troll sculpture by Danish environmental artist installed in Ballard

The final of six troll statues being installed around the Pacific Northwest was installed at the Nordic Museum in Ballard.SEATTLE — Danish Environmental Artist Thomas Dambo has spent the last month completing a fantastical public art project that’s inspiring big conversations about sustainability.Northwest Troll: Way of the Bird King is hard to miss and easy to appreciate....

The final of six troll statues being installed around the Pacific Northwest was installed at the Nordic Museum in Ballard.

SEATTLE — Danish Environmental Artist Thomas Dambo has spent the last month completing a fantastical public art project that’s inspiring big conversations about sustainability.

Northwest Troll: Way of the Bird King is hard to miss and easy to appreciate. Dambo was commissioned by Scan Design Foundation to install six of his custom hand-built trolls in secret locations around the Pacific Northwest. The project is a celebration of the human experience through art that amplifies the connections of cultural heritage between Coast Salish tribal communities.

Dambo’s larger-than-life creations are assembled on location and made from recycled materials.

“In nature, there is no landfill. Nature is circular, everything has a meaning and everything is recycled ” says Dambo.

A team of dedicated builders assist Dambo and local volunteers and tribal members have joined the builds. Dambo has been collaborating with members of the Muckleshoot and Snoqualmie tribes.

“Working shoulder to shoulder with Thomas and his team was a real trade of our respective cultures. I feel we are kindred spirits and have formed a life-long friendship. I’m proud to be part of the Dambo tribe now, too! ” says John Halliday of the Muckleshoot tribe.

A part of the adventure is finding the trolls for yourself and Troll Maps with hints are a great start. Dambo has more than 100 giant trolls on display across the globe and the six that are now living in the Pacific Northwest will be here for at least three years.

Ole Bolle is looking for cookies under the roof of a house in Portland and Pia the peacekeeper is an 18-foot-tall troll that sits amongst the trees at Sakai Park on Bainbridge Island.

Some say you can hear the flute from Bruun Idun who plays for the Orcas along the shores of West Seattle’s Lincoln Park. Jakob Two Trees is holding onto two massive tree trunks in Issaquah.

Over the weekend — Oscar the Bird King was introduced to residents on Vashon Island after he supposedly swam across the Atlantic ocean from Denmark. The sixth and final Troll lives in Ballard. Frankie Feetsplinter prominently sits outside the National Nordic Museum and is one more giant reminder to get out into nature and think about your role in conservation.

Dambo says he hopes to inspire with the wonders he’s created with trash.

“I’m really happy what me and my team have done over the past 100 days and I think it’s a call for all of you to think about what’s in your trash because you might be throwing out somebody's dreams,” he said.

All six trolls are easily accessible and free to view. Visitors can find clue maps and more info about each troll online.

Jill Biden in Seattle on Friday for ‘cancer moonshot’ event, fundraisers

First lady Jill Biden is scheduled to visit Seattle on Friday to promote the Biden administration’s “cancer moonshot” initiative and headline a pair of high-priced political fundraisers.Biden will land at King County International Airport on Thursday, and visit the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center on Friday to “highlight the importance of supporting cancer survivors through specialized care and research, including survivors of childhood cancers and breast cancer,” according to the White House.That eve...

First lady Jill Biden is scheduled to visit Seattle on Friday to promote the Biden administration’s “cancer moonshot” initiative and headline a pair of high-priced political fundraisers.

Biden will land at King County International Airport on Thursday, and visit the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center on Friday to “highlight the importance of supporting cancer survivors through specialized care and research, including survivors of childhood cancers and breast cancer,” according to the White House.

That evening, she will headline two private political fundraisers to benefit the Biden Victory Fund, supporting President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign.

A fundraiser in Shoreline will cost at least $1,000 to attend, with additional suggested donation or fundraising tiers of up to $50,000, according to a copy of an invitation obtained by The Seattle Times. A second fundraiser in Mercer Island is listed at $2,500 per person on up to $25,000.

Further details of Biden’s itinerary were not immediately released.

Joe Biden’s “cancer moonshot” initiative, which he first touted when he served as vice president under President Barack Obama, aims to vastly reduce cancer fatalities — an effort he has framed as giving America a united and galvanizing national agenda similar to President John Kennedy’s famous moonshot speech of 1962.

The president last year set a goal of reducing U.S. cancer fatalities by 50% over the next 25 years while improving the quality of life of patients and caregivers.

Joe Biden himself visited Fred Hutch in 2016, touring the lab of a researcher whose work included immunotherapy, which uses a patient’s own immune system to combat the disease.

Cancer has taken a personal toll on the Bidens, as it has for many families, with the president’s son, Beau Biden, dying from brain cancer in 2015 at the age of 46.

No events open to the general public have been announced as part of Jill Biden’s Seattle visit.

After the Seattle trip, the first lady will head to Los Angeles and San Diego for more political events, the White House said in a news release.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or [email protected]; on Twitter: @Jim_Brunner. Seattle Times political reporter Jim Brunner covers state, local and regional politics.

Week 3 takeaways: Alabama still searching, Washington can't miss

Although the matchups for Week 3 did not jump off the page entering the weekend, there was plenty of drama that left us with a lot of questions as we look forward.What is going on in the SEC? Do we have a full-fledged quarterback controversy in Alabama? Are Michael Penix Jr. and the Washington passing attack really this good? And how high can the hysteria get surrounding Coach Prime and Colorado?Our college football reporters look at those topics and more with this week's takeaways.The SEC remains one big mystery...

Although the matchups for Week 3 did not jump off the page entering the weekend, there was plenty of drama that left us with a lot of questions as we look forward.

What is going on in the SEC? Do we have a full-fledged quarterback controversy in Alabama? Are Michael Penix Jr. and the Washington passing attack really this good? And how high can the hysteria get surrounding Coach Prime and Colorado?

Our college football reporters look at those topics and more with this week's takeaways.

The SEC remains one big mystery

It's probably not wise to offer up a news flash three weeks into any college football season. But here goes nothing: The SEC looks pretty ordinary. Not to diss Georgia and the Dawgs' ring collection over the last two years, but they looked beatable for much of the South Carolina game before rallying in the second half at home. I'm not sure there are any givens at the top of the league, as has been the case with Georgia, Alabama and LSU over the last five or six years. We've already seen some serious gnashing of teeth over the quarterback play, which is to be expected to some degree with so many new starters and others, such as Mississippi State's Will Rogers, playing in a new offense.

Nowhere has there been more angst over the quarterback spot than at Alabama. What does Nick Saban do now, after his switch to Tyler Buchner did not go well? Some close to the program think Saban will go back to Jalen Milroe, which probably makes the most sense at this point.

Florida's upset win over Tennessee at the Swamp cooled a lot of the offseason hype surrounding Joe Milton III and the Vols, while LSU and Texas A&M get chances in the coming weeks to make amends for humbling losses to ACC foes in the first two weeks. Ole Miss is unbeaten but gets its first SEC test this week at Alabama.

Some have suggested that the SEC (gasp!) might even be left out of the playoff. I don't see that happening, but we could see some real carnage with schools beating up on each other and a lot of the records looking similar at season's end. It's what the rest of the college football world has been waiting for. -- Chris Low

Penix deserves more hype

Michael Penix Jr. solidified himself as a legitimate Heisman candidate who should be getting as much hype as anyone after an incredible performance against Michigan State on Saturday. Penix threw for 473 yards, five touchdowns and completed 77% of his passes in just three quarters of UW's 41-7 win. He became the first quarterback in Washington history to throw for 400 yards and three or more touchdowns in each of the team's first three games. He has already thrown for 1,332 yards this season, which is the most through a team's first three games of a season since 2016, when both Davis Webb and Patrick Mahomes reached that mark.

Penix will have the chance to showcase his ability on the national stage when his team plays Oregon, USC and Utah later this season. The game against USC will put him against last season's Heisman winner, Caleb Williams, and is sure to be an offensive duel worth watching. -- Tom VanHaaren

Washington's receiver depth showing

Of course, someone has to be on the other end of all those Penix passes, and for the third straight week, a pair of Washington wide receivers went over the 100-yard mark in the same game. Rome Odunze (eight catches for 180 yards) and Ja'Lynn Polk (five receptions for 118 yards and a TD) turned the trick Saturday.

The emergence of Polk (300 receiving yards) and tight end Jack Westover, who had three touchdown catches against the Spartans, behind Jalen McMillan and Odunze will allow coach Kalen DeBoer to keep his foot on the gas and continue to make opposing defenses dizzy. A week after 10 Huskies caught passes in a win over Tulsa, nine receivers had receptions Saturday in East Lansing. That sort of balance, which doesn't allow defenses a chance to breathe, could prove pivotal as the Pac-12 gauntlet commences. -- Blake Baumgartner

The Pac-12 is easily the nation's best league

Late Saturday night, I was asked on ESPN radio whether the Pac-12 champion had a chance to make the CFP. A fair question, given the league's absence from the event since 2016, but the answer clearly is yes. The Pac-12 has backed up the offseason hype and established itself as easily the top conference in the FBS. The disappointing starts by both the SEC and Big Ten factor in, and some ugly Pac-12 results can't be ignored, but the league deserves credit for how its top teams are performing.

For years, the Pac-12 botched the nonleague portion of its schedule, as its better teams -- 2019 Oregon, 2022 Utah -- would lose to inferior opponents. This season, the Pac-12 largely has taken care of business, beating Florida (Utah), Texas Tech (Oregon), Wisconsin (Washington State), TCU (Colorado), Michigan State (Washington) and others. Although the biggest nonconference test remains -- USC at Notre Dame on Oct. 14 -- the Pac-12 has minimized the damage and had its best teams often look dominant. The league will beat up on each other, as always, but wins within the league will resonate more because of what's happened outside of conference play. -- Adam Rittenberg

Don't panic over sloppy September wins

Yes, the CFP selection committee certainly pays attention to how teams win, and it's obviously better to handle unranked competition with some style. After a sluggish Saturday when many teams sputtered their way to victory, though, it's worth noting the group also recognizes when contenders simply find ways to win.

The question is if the struggles are more indicative of larger problems (Alabama?), or if maybe a team was looking ahead (Florida State?), or simply ran into a gritty little guy swinging for the fences (Texas?). Whatever it was, it seemed to be contagious Saturday, and the final scores didn't reveal how close some of the games were at one point. Georgia was trailing South Carolina by 11 at the half. Texas was tied at 10 with Wyoming late in the third quarter. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw a career-high three interceptions and was clinging to a 1-point lead at the half before beating Bowling Green.

Sometimes, those performances can be more impressive than clobbering, say, NC Central, 59-7 (UCLA). This is why the committee doesn't release its first ranking until Halloween -- it's still too early to tell who's a pretender. But Week 4 will be much more revealing. Ohio State at Notre Dame. Colorado at Oregon. Florida State at Clemson. Those games will help show us who to take seriously. -- Heather Dinich

It's Deion Sanders' world, we're all just living in it

Saturday's win over Colorado State didn't just feel like the marquee game of the day. It was the sporting event of the weekend. Between the celebrities on hand and the hype leading up to the matchup against a Colorado State team that was neither ranked nor on the radar of most college football fans, Deion Sanders & Co. were the talk of the sport once again. Then the game began and Sanders' son Shilo had an 80-yard pick-six, while his son Shedeur led the game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter that helped the Buffs secure a thrilling win in overtime.

Everything was literally turning up Sanders. Three games and three wins into the season, we're reaching a point where it feels like everything Sanders touches -- from shades to interviews to pregame speeches and his entire roster -- turns to gold. The injection of energy Sanders has given the sport since he began his coaching tenure at Jackson State and now in Boulder isn't without substance, which makes the coming two weeks all the more compelling. Matchups against Oregon in Eugene and USC at home will show where Colorado truly stands, but no matter the result, one thing is certain: Everyone will be watching. -- Paolo Uggetti

Geomagnetic Storm Watch in effect as dazzling auroras could be on display from Seattle to Boston

The Sun's active cycle continues as a geomagnetic storm may produce aurora lights overnight Monday into early Tuesday further away from the poles from Seattle to Boston.NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in Boulder,...

The Sun's active cycle continues as a geomagnetic storm may produce aurora lights overnight Monday into early Tuesday further away from the poles from Seattle to Boston.

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in Boulder, Colorado, issued a G2 (Moderate) Geomagnetic Storm Watch on a 5-level scale for Tuesday.

The SWPC said a coronal mass ejection, or CME, was observed on Sept. 14, and the Earth-directed component from the CME is likely to arrive early on Tuesday. According to NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, the Sun produced 9 M-class flares, 22 coronal mass ejections and one geomagnetic storm this past week.

Space Scientist Robert Steenburgh, with NOAA's Space Weather Forecast Office, said as the Sun approaches solar maximum, the SWPC has been busy.

"This is pretty consistent with what you'd expect as we run up into the solar maximum," Steenburgh said. "We're heading towards the maximum in our 11-year solar cycle. And this is well within what we consider a normal activity for that kind of thing."

NASA video shows solar activity over a week

Video from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows activity during a week ending on Sept. 17. NASA said space weather included 9 M-Class flares, 22 CMEs and 1 geomagnetic storm.

For most people, a Geomagnetic Storm Watch is not something to be concerned about. The watches help government agencies, power providers, telecommunication companies and satellite operators prepare to protect systems impacted by space weather.

"The key thing is it's not anything to be alarmed about," Steenburgh said. "It's something the sun's been doing for a long time, and it just gives us an opportunity to see some really neat stuff."

One group who might be concerned is pigeon handlers, according to Steenburgh. Ahead of low levels of geomagnetic activity, pigeon racers might delay releasing their birds because the birds would get lost.

"Pigeons use the magnetic field, Earth's magnetic field, as one of their many navigational tools. And so when it's disturbed, it throws things off; that's not the only thing they use to navigate, but it is one of the things they use," Steenburgh said. "You'll have conflicting information if you're a pigeon when certain tools are telling you one thing and your magnetic fields telling you another."

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Where to view aurora lights this week

Geomagnetic storms can produce stronger aurora borealis lights or Northern Lights, which normally occur at the poles, but space weather can cause the lights to expand into the northern edge of the U.S.

(FOX Weather)

THE DAY THE NORTHERN LIGHTS COVERED THE PLANET: HISTORY OF EARTH'S GREATEST SOLAR STORMS

The exact timing of when the effects of the CME will arrive is still to be determined as space weather forecasters are tracking multiple solar eruptions at any given time. During the high solar activity in the solar cycle, more eruptions can make things interesting.

"One can catch up with another one or even overtake it," Steenburg said of back-to-back eruptions.

For now, the effects from this geomagnetic storm, including aurora lights, will happen late Monday night and into Tuesday morning.

"So there's some there's some uncertainty in terms of when this particular one originated from the Sun. If it wasn't the earlier one, then there a subsequent one that we're expecting," Steenburgh said. "Trying to piece all that together. It's always a challenge."

The aurora forecast from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute predicts highly active auroral displays overhead in Alaska and Canada. Auroras will likely be visible low on the horizon for the U.S. Northern Tier, including in Seattle, Great Falls, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Chicago and Boston.

Those with cloud-free skies will also have a better chance to see the dancing lights. The best time to view the aurora is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to the SWPC.

Based on the FOX Forecast Center cloud cover forecast, Cut Bank, Montana, Marquette, Wisconsin, and Bismarck, North Dakota, will have mostly cloud-free skies for viewing the aurora.

Another thing that helps to see the aurora lights is a recent new Moon. With the mid-September new Moon, there is a better chance to see the aurora lights. Moonlight and city lights can wash out the Northern Lights when they might be visible in the northern U.S.

(Mathew Nichols Photography)

If weather conditions don't prove favorable to see the lights on Tuesday, there will be more opportunities in the coming months. The Sun is in the midst of an active period in its solar cycle, which lasts 11 years.

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