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Home Care In Baker, FL

Home Care Baker, FL

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 Baker House 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 Baker, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Baker, FL

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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.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Baker, FL?

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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.

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Senior Care Baker, FL

Types of Elderly Care in Baker, FL

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
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Respite Care Baker, FL
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
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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 Baker 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
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Home Care Baker, FL
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 Callihans Restaurant or visit Baker Block Museum, 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.

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In-Home Care Baker, FL

Benefits of Home Care in Baker, FL

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 Baker, FL, 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 Baker, FL

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 FL'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 Baker, FL

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 Baker, FL 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 Baker, FL

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 Baker, FL

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:

  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Denise Johnson
  • Heritage Alf of Plant City
  • The Clair Winston House
  • Carrington Place
  • River Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, LLC
  • Provisions Residential Care
Home Care Baker, FL

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 Baker, FL

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 Baker, FL 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.

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Elderly Care Baker, FL

Latest News in Baker, FL

High school student to be recognized for academic work at Homestead City Hall

HOMESTEAD, FLA. (WSVN) - Homestead High School student Janiya Baker, 15, jumped from the ninth grade to the 12th grade in just one year and she will be recognized at Homestead City Hall for her incredible achievement.A feat that has never been done before in Miami-Dade County, Baker thrived in the busy environment of extra-curricular activities and being a student athlete. She even holds the current highest GPA in her class.“I was ready to finish school,” she said.Her mother noticed her daughter’s drive...

HOMESTEAD, FLA. (WSVN) - Homestead High School student Janiya Baker, 15, jumped from the ninth grade to the 12th grade in just one year and she will be recognized at Homestead City Hall for her incredible achievement.

A feat that has never been done before in Miami-Dade County, Baker thrived in the busy environment of extra-curricular activities and being a student athlete. She even holds the current highest GPA in her class.

“I was ready to finish school,” she said.

Her mother noticed her daughter’s drive in elementary school.

“I noticed she was very accelerated, and I’m like, ‘OK, she don’t make B’s,” so them I’m like, let’s put her in higher classes, and then she started accelerating, accelerating and she went higher and she never dropped the ball so I was, ‘OK, let’s go for it,'” Baker’s mother said.

But it was no easy goal.

“It was a lot of work I had to do,” Baker said.

She did it while juggling extra curricular as a student-athlete.

Baker currently holds the highest GPA in her class.

All of her accomplishments are making her parent and principal proud.

“Moving from 9th grade to 12th, that shows grit, perseverance,” said her principal said. “It shows a young lady with tenacity and the vision to accomplish her future goals, sooner rather than later.”

“Me and her dad Travis, we raised her to be the intelligent young woman that she is, and we’re proud of her,” Baker’s mother said.

Baker’s advice to other students who want to be a fast learners is to have a “stick-to-it” attitude.

“Never give up and keep going even if it gets hard and just have a great support system around you,” Baker said,

Her mother, who is one of her biggest supporters, remembers the day her daughter made up her mind to finish school early.

“She was like, “Mom, I’m ready for it, I’m ready to go off, I’m ready to graduate, I’m ready to be me,'” she said.

From class president to varsity cheerleader, Baker’s goals after high school are set on Florida International University where she aims to major in business and join the cheer team to spread her Panther spirit.

Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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UPDATE: Deputies investigating swatting/hoax active shooter call at Baker School

BAKER, Fla. -- The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is investigating a swatting/hoax call in reference to an active shooter situation at Baker School Friday morning.Deputies arrived at Baker School around 9 a.m. The school district says deputies were called to the scene for a shooting threat.WEARThe school was searched multiple times, but deputies did not find anything credible regarding the threat.After clearing the threat, deputies went to Crestview High School for a "precautionary sweep." The school w...

BAKER, Fla. -- The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is investigating a swatting/hoax call in reference to an active shooter situation at Baker School Friday morning.

Deputies arrived at Baker School around 9 a.m. The school district says deputies were called to the scene for a shooting threat.

WEAR

The school was searched multiple times, but deputies did not find anything credible regarding the threat.

After clearing the threat, deputies went to Crestview High School for a "precautionary sweep." The school was put on lockdown, along with nearby Davidson Middle School.

"A thorough investigation will be done into a swatting/HOAX call in reference to an active shooter situation at Baker School," the sheriff's office says in a release. "Additional details to follow. Contrary to initial info, no swatting call was received in reference to Crestview High but a precautionary sweep was done."

No further details have been released at this time.

An investigation is ongoing.

During the incident, Jackie Smith received text messages from her Crestview High School son that no parent wants to receive.

He was hiding inside of his classroom as armed law enforcement checked the school for any threats.

"Scary," Smith said. "I mean he sent me pictures of the door being barricaded and how his teacher was panicked and that's just a scary feeling for sure."

Students inside of the school say it was a normal school day until they heard people in the hallway yelling out "get down."

"At first we just all thought it was a drill, we didn't really think it was serious," Crestview High student Gavin Shelley said.

One student says he heard alarms and thought it was a fire drill until a teacher grabbed him from the hallway and told him to hide under a desk.

The student says he sat in the classroom for almost 30 minutes until law enforcement broke into the room and told the students to run outside.

"They kicked down the door. Obviously they did the routine," Kai Lopez said. "Everyone comes in. Guns out. It's kind of scary -- lasers, flashlights."

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office says, if convicted, whoever made the hoax call can face up to 15 years in prison, 15 years probation and a $10,000 fine.

Check back here for updates.

'Everything is okay': Lockdown lifted at Baker High School after threats of a shooting

Okaloosa County sheriff's deputies swarmed Baker High School on Friday morning after a 911 call about a possible shooter on campus. But after three sweeps of the school, no shooter was found.Authorities also responded to a similar report at Crestview High. The high school and nearby Davidson Middle School were under lockdown for a portion of the morning. By 11:40 a.m., all lockdowns had been lifted, according to the school district.The Sheriff's Office and School District said a miscommunication resulted in the l...

Okaloosa County sheriff's deputies swarmed Baker High School on Friday morning after a 911 call about a possible shooter on campus. But after three sweeps of the school, no shooter was found.

Authorities also responded to a similar report at Crestview High. The high school and nearby Davidson Middle School were under lockdown for a portion of the morning. By 11:40 a.m., all lockdowns had been lifted, according to the school district.

The Sheriff's Office and School District said a miscommunication resulted in the lockdowns at Crestview and Davidson, and there was never a threat related to those schools. Nonetheless, the district said students could be checked out for the day if families desired.

The Sheriff's Office said it responded about 9 a.m. to a 911 call in which the caller said there would be a shooting at Baker High. The school resource officer on campus initiated a lockdown.

Shortly thereafter, sheriff's deputies arrived on campus to sweep the building. Three sweeps were performed, and deputies found no shooter. No shots were fired.

"Everything is okay," said Danny Dean, program director of saftey for the Okaloosa County School District.

No suspects have been identified at this time, the Sheriff's Office said. The incident remains under investigation.

Early Friday afternoon, Okaloosa School District Superintendent Marcus Chambers and Okaloosa County Undersheriff Charlie Nix gave a joint statement on the events that unfolded.

"In our School District, we often say that the safety of our students is the number one priority, and today was an example of just that," Chambers said. "I could not be more proud of our students, teachers, staff and principals for the way they reacted swiftly in this situation."

Chambers expressed gratitude toward law enforcement agencies who reacted swiftly to each campus. He then noted that parents can take advantage of the mental health resources the district provides.

Nix said the swift response that the public saw Friday was the response they should see when the Sheriff's Office receives a tip of an active shooter event, hoax or otherwise.

"I want to be clear: The Sheriff's Office will not tolerate such a hoax on any of our schools," he said. "The individual that is responsible will be brought to justice once we find out who that individual is."

According to the School District, after-school events that are planned for Friday have not been canceled at Baker or Crestview.

Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes becomes Bar president-elect designate

Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes of West Palm Beach, a veteran Board of Governors member and shareholder at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, has become president-elect designate of The Florida Bar after being elected without opposition.“I am proud to serve my fellow Bar members and deeply appreciate the support of my friends and colleagues who have joined me on this journey of servant leadership,” Baker-Barnes said after filing for the board races closed on December 15. “Whether it is through my 20 years of invo...

Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes of West Palm Beach, a veteran Board of Governors member and shareholder at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, has become president-elect designate of The Florida Bar after being elected without opposition.

“I am proud to serve my fellow Bar members and deeply appreciate the support of my friends and colleagues who have joined me on this journey of servant leadership,” Baker-Barnes said after filing for the board races closed on December 15. “Whether it is through my 20 years of involvement in our voluntary bars statewide and community organizations, giving back and mentoring lawyers and future leaders, my unwavering commitment remains focused on supporting others and our great profession.”

Baker-Barnes is a board-certified civil trial lawyer and was the 95th president of Palm Beach County Bar Association. She is also a long-time mentor to lawyers, law students, and aspiring lawyers.

Four candidates are running in two contested races for the Board of Governors in March 2024 while 22 lawyers have been elected without opposition, including three newcomers and one former member who is re-joining the board.

One contested election is to fill a 17th Circuit vacancy after board member Jay Kim declined to seek another term. Jon Polenberg and Alison F. Smith, both of Ft. Lauderdale, will vie for Seat 1 in the 17th Circuit. In the 13th Circuit, incumbent Paige A. Greenlee is being challenged by Michael J. Trentalange for Seat 4. Both Greenlee and Trentalange are from Tampa.

Elected to the Board of Governors without opposition are:

The new board members include Frank Bedell, a former Young Lawyers Division president, who is replacing retiring member Thomas Wert in the Ninth Circuit; Theodore Howell who is replacing Clifford C. Higby in the 14th Circuit; and Grasford Smith, who fills the 15th Circuit vacancy created by the ascension of Baker-Barnes to the office of president-elect designate.

Former board member John Agnew is rejoining the board replacing Laird Lile, who stepped down from his 20th Circuit seat. Agnew’s old 20th Circuit seat was eliminated a year ago when reapportionment required moving a seat for the 20th Circuit to the 11th Circuit.

For the contested races, election ballots will be emailed on or before March 1.

Five-hundred-word platform statements from the candidates in contested races will be published in the February Bar News.

Baker County fire survivor celebrates birthday surrounded by first responders

Daniel Kerr thought he may still be on a ventilator for his 22nd birthday. Instead, he was back at home, surrounded by family and friends.MACCLENNY, Fla. — Less a three weeks after a deadly fire claimed the lives of four people, one of the survivors is recovering back at home. Family and friends held a birthday party for 22-year-old Daniel Kerr Saturday.“I just remember waking up, opened up the door, checking to see what’s out there and the whole living room was on fire, so I had to close the door," said ...

Daniel Kerr thought he may still be on a ventilator for his 22nd birthday. Instead, he was back at home, surrounded by family and friends.

MACCLENNY, Fla. — Less a three weeks after a deadly fire claimed the lives of four people, one of the survivors is recovering back at home. Family and friends held a birthday party for 22-year-old Daniel Kerr Saturday.

“I just remember waking up, opened up the door, checking to see what’s out there and the whole living room was on fire, so I had to close the door," said Kerr.

Waking up to a house engulfed in flames, Baker County Corrections Officer Daniel Kerr had to think fast.

He knocked a window seal out so he could crawl through it.

“It was traumatizing, just looking at my hands being black," said Kerr. "My fingers coming off my hands.”

When Kerr was flown to UF Health in Gainesville, he had so much ash on his body he was initially checked in as a Black male.

“Just seeing your son laying there unresponsive, you know, it’s very heart wrenching," said Kerr's father, Danny Kerr.

Fortunately, Kerr wasn’t unresponsive for long.

He said doctors told him he could be on a ventilator for several weeks, if not months.

But only four days in, he didn’t need it anymore.

“I looked at her [Kerr's mom] and I’m like, ‘When are they going to take me off this ventilator? Because I’m breathing on my own.’ She’s like, ‘No you’re not.’ I’m like, ‘Watch this,'" said Kerr as he took a deep breath in.

The next day, Kerr was up and walking around the hospital – much to his doctor’s surprise.

“Tears started coming out of his eyes saying it looked like he’d seen a ghost," said Kerr. "He’d never see someone heal as fast as I did. And he said, ‘You are a true miracle.’”

Kerr didn’t wind up needing any surgery, and he just got the bandages off his hands.

He’s grateful for all the love and support from the community, including the first responders who were there for him that morning – and there for him at his birthday party.

“Really helped me through a lot of mental and going to the hospital," said Kerr. "Everyone’s been right behind me and had my back.”

Kerr still has a recurring cough from the smoke inhalation and he's going through physical therapy to regain full use of his hands.

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