It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Fort Walton Historical Marker 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 Fort Walton Beach, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Fort Walton Beach Landing Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Sealand Restaurant or visit The Mound Historic Marker, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Fort Walton Beach, 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.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Fort Walton Beach, 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.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Fort Walton Beach, 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.
It's not just you. It's hot out there — dangerously hot.Heat index advisories have been issued for the entire state of Florida with heat index values of 110-115 expected for July 21 as a heat dome spreads across the South, forecasters said. Temperatures across most of the state are expected to be in the 90s and may approach 100 degrees around Orlando and Southwest Florida, forecasters said.July 21 is also the one-year anniversary of the hottest day on record for the Earth.North Florida and the Panhandle (and parts ...
It's not just you. It's hot out there — dangerously hot.
Heat index advisories have been issued for the entire state of Florida with heat index values of 110-115 expected for July 21 as a heat dome spreads across the South, forecasters said. Temperatures across most of the state are expected to be in the 90s and may approach 100 degrees around Orlando and Southwest Florida, forecasters said.
July 21 is also the one-year anniversary of the hottest day on record for the Earth.
North Florida and the Panhandle (and parts of southeast Alabama and southern Georgia) are under a heat advisory from 11 a.m. ET through 7 p.m., with heat index values up to 112 expected. Advisories for Central, Southwest and South Florida are scheduled for noon through 6 p.m., with heat index values from 109 to 112 possible.
The National Weather Service's Heat Risk map shows roughly two-thirds of Florida from the Panhandle down into the Central and Southwest regions facing major heat risk, with pockets of extreme heat risks in the Big Bend area and parts of the Southwest.
"The 'Dog Days of Summer' are in full swing for most of the eastern two-thirds of the Lower 48," Peter Mullinax with the NOAA/NWS Weather Prediction Center said in a Monday morning update. "This is brought about by a strengthening heat dome originating over the Deep South that builds in over the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys by mid-week.
"Expect some localized daily record highs to be broken in the Southeast," he said.
More details are below. The National Weather Service forecast for July 21 has Fort Walton Beach under a heat advisory from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a high temperature near 93 and a heat index as high as 107. There is a 30% chance of rain, mainly between 1 and 4 p.m.
What’s the best setting for your AC thermostat?When your body gets hot, it cools itself off by sweating. If you get too hot, you can't cool off fast enough and your brain, your heart, and other organs can be damaged.
If the relative humidity is high (that's the moisture in the atmosphere), your sweat doesn't evaporate as quickly — or at all — and you heat up even faster. That leads to dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and potentially fatal heat stroke.
Anyone can get heat stroke, but infants, the elderly, and people with chronic disease, or people who have suffered from heat stroke in the past are at higher risk because their bodies may not be able to regulate temperature effectively.
Heat waves kill more people in the U.S. than hurricanes, tornadoes and floods combined, despite being more preventable. According to the CDC, the average number of heat-related deaths per year in the U.S. has risen 95% from 2010 to 2022. Florida saw an 88% increase in heat-related deaths from 2020 to 2023.
Symptoms, what to do, when to call 911A heat advisory will be in effect from 10 a.m. CT to 7 p.m., National Weather Service Mobile said, with heat index values up to 108 expected.
A heat advisory is in effect for the North Florida region July 21 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
Heat index values are expected to reach 112 in portions of southeast Alabama, the Big Bend and Panhandle of Florida, and south central and southwest Georgia.
A heat advisory was issued for Northeast Florida for July 21, in effect from noon ET to 6 p.m.
Heat index values up to 110 expected for all of northeast and north central Florida and southeast Georgia, the National Weather Service Jacksonville said.
A heat advisory has been issued for Lake, Volusia, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, Brevard, Okeechobee, Indian River, St Lucie, and Martin counties from noon to 6 p.m. ET July 21. Heat index values from 108 to 112 expected, the National Weather Service Melbourne said.
A heat advisory has been issued for portions of southwest and west central Florida from noon to 6 p.m. ET July 21. Heat index values up to 109 expected.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for South Florida from noon July 12 until 6 p.m.
The heat index could reach between 105 and 110 across portions of southeast, south and southwest Florida and could reach even higher is some isolated locations, the National Weather Service said.
A major heat risk means there is a risk for heat-related illnesses for most residents, especially for those without access to air conditioning or who don't stay hydrated.
Heat advisory issued for Palm Beach County as temperatures and humidity soarThe heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature, according to the National Weather Service.
At its most basic: the heat index is what the temperature feels like when you're outside.
The chart above shows the combination of air temperature with humidity. It's important to note the chart uses the air temperature in the shade. In direct sun, the air temperature can be up to 15 degrees higher.
In Florida, except for Miami-Dade County, the National Weather Services offices around the state would issue a heat advisory if the heat index is expected to reach 108 to 112 degrees. The National Weather Service Miami said Miami/Dade County wanted a lower threshold for an advisory for its population, which was set at 105 degrees.
National Weather Service changed its heat watch and warning terms in March 2025. Here's what you should know:
? See when heat watches and warnings could be issued in your area
A heat advisory is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria, according to the National Weather Service.
"Residents are advised to consider postponing or rescheduling outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay in a cool place, especially during the heat of the day and evening."
When a heat advisory is issued also depends on where you are in Florida.
For most of the state, a heat advisory is issued if the heat index is expected to be between 108 to 112 degrees.
Here is the breakdown by each NWS region. A heat advisory is issued when the heat index is expected to be:
The National Weather Service Miami said Miami/Dade County wanted a lower threshold for a heat advisory for its population.
Heat stroke is the most serious of heat-related illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Signs and symptoms include:
What to do:
Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating, the CDC said. Signs and symptoms include:
What to do:
? What's the best temperature to set your air conditioner thermostat?
We will provide weather coverage as conditions warrant to keep you informed and prepared. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here.
Jim Ross contributed
FORT WALTON BEACH — Fort Walton Beach officials have approved a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) safety measure aimed at reducing crashes at one of the city’s most hazardous intersections.On Tuesday, the Fort Walton Beach City Council voted unanimously to support FDOT’s plan to make First Street at Beal Parkway a right-turn-only exit for vehicles entering the state road, following years of crash data showing the location is a persistent safety problem.According to a 2022 study supplied by the city i...
FORT WALTON BEACH — Fort Walton Beach officials have approved a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) safety measure aimed at reducing crashes at one of the city’s most hazardous intersections.
On Tuesday, the Fort Walton Beach City Council voted unanimously to support FDOT’s plan to make First Street at Beal Parkway a right-turn-only exit for vehicles entering the state road, following years of crash data showing the location is a persistent safety problem.
According to a 2022 study supplied by the city in the agenda packet, FDOT found 35 crashes between 2017 and 2022, with 80% involving right-angle collisions. Nine of those crashes resulted in injuries, and one involved a bicyclist. Six of the crashes were so-called “Good Samaritan” incidents, in which drivers on Beal stopped to let vehicles from First Street enter — creating conflicts with other through traffic.
Police Chief Robert Bage told the council that the crash trend has only worsened.
“In June, there were nine traffic crashes at that single location, which was 10% of all the traffic crashes within the city of Fort Walton Beach,” Bage said. “Year to date, there’ve been 18 traffic crashes at First and Beal. Anytime an intersection has more than five traffic crashes, it’s considered a hazardous intersection.”
The FDOT study recommended a full traffic signal with protected left-turn phasing, but the agency has not identified funding or a timeline for the project.
FDOT’s interim plan calls for limiting vehicles exiting First Street to right turns only onto Beal Parkway, while still allowing left turns from Beal onto First. Flexible barrier devices and signage would be installed to prevent straight-through movements until a signal can be funded.
Bage said FDOT will handle permitting and transportation logistics during installation, but the city will cover the estimated $12,000 construction cost, which will come from its half-cent sales tax fund.
Councilwoman Debi Riley clarified that the measure does not fund a traffic light.
“This is funding the signage and the flexible barriers that are very similar to the ones that you see currently on Perry Avenue,” Bage explained.
Councilwoman Gloria DeBerry, who made the motion to approve the resolution, said she’s experienced the intersection’s dangers firsthand.
“I’m one of the offenders that crossed Beal Parkway from First Street, but I watched Highway 98 very, very carefully,” she said. “Fortunately, I haven’t been hit yet, but I look forward [to the improvements].”
Councilman Bryce Jeter, who seconded the motion, praised city staff for working with FDOT on a quicker fix. “Anytime we can make our roads safer and save our time and resources responding to that many crashes, it’s a no-brainer,” he said.
The resolution passed without opposition.
Florida remains sweltering, with the "feels like" heat index for Monday, July 28, expected to reach up to 113 degrees in Okaloosa County, per the National Weather Service.Heat advisories are in effect for portions of Florida, including Okaloosa County? Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by locationAccording to the National Weather Service, a heat advisory means that temperatures of at least 100 degrees or heat index values of at least 105 deg...
Florida remains sweltering, with the "feels like" heat index for Monday, July 28, expected to reach up to 113 degrees in Okaloosa County, per the National Weather Service.
Heat advisories are in effect for portions of Florida, including Okaloosa County
? Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location
According to the National Weather Service, a heat advisory means that temperatures of at least 100 degrees or heat index values of at least 105 degrees are expected generally within the next 24 hours.
According to the National Weather Service, the high temperature will be 100 degrees and the heat index value will be up to 113. A heat advisory will be in effect between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Not really. According to the National Weather Service, the high temperature is expected to be 98 degrees.
An average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
Here's when this year's named storms have developed, compared to historical averages:
? How to set up emergency cellphone notifications for flash flood warnings and safety tips
? Excessive rainfall forecast
Here are the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, along with how to pronounce them:
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said.
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.
Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include:
Tropical cyclone is the generic term used by the National Weather Service, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center for any tropical system, even if it's in the tropical Atlantic basin.
To be more precise, a tropical cyclone is a "rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation," NOAA said.
Once maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, what it is called is determined by where it originated:
We will update our tropical weather coverage daily.
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Jim Ross contributed
Registered nurses at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. voted decisively in favor of joining National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), the largest union of registered nurses in the United States.In a two-day vote, from Sept. 10 to Sept. 11, more than 65 percent of nurses voted in favor of unionizing.“I am absolutely overwhelmed and elated that we are now part of National Nurses United,” said Paige Campbell, a registered nurse in the emergency depa...
Registered nurses at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. voted decisively in favor of joining National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), the largest union of registered nurses in the United States.
In a two-day vote, from Sept. 10 to Sept. 11, more than 65 percent of nurses voted in favor of unionizing.
“I am absolutely overwhelmed and elated that we are now part of National Nurses United,” said Paige Campbell, a registered nurse in the emergency department. “We now have the opportunity to make real changes at our hospital so we can provide the highest quality of care to each and every one of our patients. We know that with a seat at the bargaining table, management must address our concerns. And while we rejoice in this victory, we know in the end, it is our patients who will be the biggest winners.”
“We are so proud to welcome the hundreds of nurses at Fort Walton-Destin Hospital to our NNU family,” said Marissa Lee, a registered nurse at HCA’s Osceola Hospital in Kissimmee, Fla. and an NNU vice president. “Now when nurses stand up to advocate for better patient care, they are not standing alone. They are standing with 10,000 other HCA nurses and more than 225,000 registered nurses across the country. This is a fantastic day for our union and for the nurses at Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. We could not be prouder of you!”
To arrange an interview with a nurse, please contact .
Stills and b-roll of union victory celebration can be found
Video interview clips of HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital nurses
Nurses say they moved to unionize the hospital due to chronic short-staffing, unsafe floating practices, continual issues with broken equipment, and workplace violence. A national study found that HCA staffing levels were about 30 percent below the national average. Registered nurses say these issues make it extremely difficult for them to provide safe, therapeutic care in a timely manner.
“We know that HCA has very deep pockets, and could easily supply us with appropriate staffing and working equipment,” said Lee. “But those sitting in the C-suites making the decisions don’t concern themselves with patient care, they are only concerned with profits. As nurses, we are here to remind them every day that those people lying in our hospital beds are not just a number, but real people with families, dreams, and aspirations.They need and deserve the very best that we can offer them, and that means safe staffing.”
Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is owned and operated by HCA Healthcare, Inc., the largest for-profit operator of health care facilities in the country, worth more than $90 billion. Last year, HCA CEO, Sam Hazen, made $23.8 million.
Notably, Florida is a very lucrative market for HCA. According to Medicare cost reports, from 2019 through 2023, HCA’s Florida hospitals made nearly $15 billion in profits, including $616 million at Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.
Including Fort Walton-Destin Hospital’s 400 nurses, NNOC/NNU represents some 3,500 nurses in Florida at 11 HCA hospitals. NNOC/NNU represents another approximately 6,500 RNs at HCA facilities in California, North Carolina, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Nevada.
Nurses will now move to elect their bargaining team and prepare to negotiate their first contract. In contract negotiations, nurses will address the same issues that motivated their unionization campaign.
NNU represents more than 225,000 nurses nationwide, including members at facilities in southern states Texas, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and Louisiana.
National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.
FORT WALTON BEACH — The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to authorize Mayor Nic Allegretto to sign an amended interlocal agreement with Okaloosa County that splits the cost of designing the long-planned “Around the Mound” traffic project.The agreement, approved by the County Commission in January, formalizes a joint effort to seek state and federal grants while advancing design work for the $2.7 million project, which aims to divert U.S. 98 traffic around downtown to imp...
FORT WALTON BEACH — The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to authorize Mayor Nic Allegretto to sign an amended interlocal agreement with Okaloosa County that splits the cost of designing the long-planned “Around the Mound” traffic project.
The agreement, approved by the County Commission in January, formalizes a joint effort to seek state and federal grants while advancing design work for the $2.7 million project, which aims to divert U.S. 98 traffic around downtown to improve safety, relieve congestion, and support regional mobility. The Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization ranks the project fourth on its Strategic Intermodal Systems (SIS) priority list.
According to the agreement, the project is intended to “increase the capacity of US 98 to accommodate current and future traffic and to reduce regional and commuter traffic through downtown Fort Walton Beach.” The latest Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) five-year work program has no design funding for the project through 2030, prompting local leaders to act now.
Under the deal, both the city and county will contribute $675,000 each if a Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) grant covers the remaining 50 percent of design costs. If awarded, the TRIP grant would provide $1.35 million. The agreement also commits both governments to pursue a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) implementation grant, which could offset the local match or accelerate later phases such as right-of-way acquisition.
City Manager Jason Davis told the council the county will honor its original $650,000 commitment despite earlier grant setbacks, with the city covering the rest from its half-cent sales tax revenue. “We’re ready to move forward,” Davis said.
City Attorney Jeff Burns noted that the original contract was contingent on grant funding, but Davis persuaded the county to commit regardless.
Councilmember David Schmidt clarified that the city’s share is currently $2,025,000, thanking the county for its contribution and urging the project’s start to align with the Brooks Bridge replacement.
“From a traffic management standpoint, we can get those orange cones off our street in under 10 years,” Schmidt said.
Allegretto explained to residents that the half-cent sales tax is an extra half-penny on each taxable purchase, designated for non-recurring projects such as parks or major infrastructure. Finance Director Nicole Nabors said the city currently has about $7 million in the restricted fund balance, adding that if the project does not move forward, “it will get put back into half-cent” for other uses.
Councilman Payne Walker asked when the project development and environment (PD&E) study is due. Allegretto estimated spring 2026, noting it was initially set for February.
Walker also pressed for details on what would happen if the PD&E deems the project too costly, and expressed frustration over repeated grant denials. “We’re important… but then we don’t get any money… taxpayers keep ponying up more,” he said.
Schmidt said Fort Walton Beach had competed against 16 districts for TRIP funding last time, but was not awarded.
Councilman Bryce Jeter suggested enlisting the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce to help find additional funding. Allegretto said the chamber board is already organizing efforts to support the project.
During public comment, resident Patrice Miles asked whether taxpayers could face utility or service fee hikes. Allegretto said no increases are planned for this project, and funding would come from existing reserves.
Tim Gibson, Planning Supervisor for the city’s Growth Management Department, explained that while SS4A funds are not currently available, the city intends to apply in the next cycle. He noted the program focuses heavily on multimodal safety improvements, not just vehicle traffic.
Several council members also discussed the idea of hiring a lobbyist in future years to improve grant success rates, citing Destin’s success after employing one during the last legislative session.
“If there’s an ROI… I’m all for it,” Schmidt said. Davis added that while the move wouldn’t happen this year, “maybe something we can look at going forward.” Burns said Destin had “most of their requests approved” after hiring a lobbyist.
The interlocal agreement remains in effect until the project is completed and can only be terminated with mutual consent. It also includes provisions for dispute resolution, indemnification, and compliance with Florida law.
“This project… is way more than just creating more vibrancy for downtown Fort Walton,” Schmidt said. “It’s to complement and go along with the huge need of trying to improve the mission readiness… the traffic… on Highway 98 is directly impacting our economy.”
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