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.
A bill to repeal a controversial 2018 law that limited public access to beaches in Walton County cleared its first legislative hurdle last Tuesday in the Florida Senate.“Walton County was uniquely affected by this statute due to a narrow exception which recognized only ordinances before January 1st, 2016,” Trumbull told the committee. “The result was Walton County’s ordinance, which was adopted in October of 2016, was preempted, which afforded private beach owners, many of whom held deeds to th...
A bill to repeal a controversial 2018 law that limited public access to beaches in Walton County cleared its first legislative hurdle last Tuesday in the Florida Senate.
“Walton County was uniquely affected by this statute due to a narrow exception which recognized only ordinances before January 1st, 2016,” Trumbull told the committee. “The result was Walton County’s ordinance, which was adopted in October of 2016, was preempted, which afforded private beach owners, many of whom held deeds to the mean high waterline, the right to call out beachgoers for trespassing on dry sand behind their homes.”
Under Florida law, “customary use” refers to the public’s right to access and use the dry sand areas of privately-owned beaches if that use has been ancient, reasonable, without interruption, and free from dispute. While the state owns the wet sand area below the mean high-water line as public land, the dry sand areas above this line can be privately owned.
The 2018 law established stringent procedures that local governments must follow to claim customary use, including filing a lawsuit and proving customary use for each individual parcel. This effectively overturned Walton County’s 2016 ordinance that had declared customary use rights for the public across all county beaches.
Walton County Commissioner Tony Anderson, who has lived in the county for 69 years, spoke passionately in support of the bill.
Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner voiced support for neighboring Walton County, noting how beach access restrictions have created conflict. “We’re seeing fights break out. Sheriffs are getting involved, and it’s really making a black eye in the panhandle,” Wagner said. “For us, being a southern culture of hospitality, it’s turning into a political nightmare with literal lines in the sand.”
Private property advocates argued against the bill. John Howard, a Walton County resident and homeowner, contended that “forced occupation of unlimited people with unlimited beach equipment against the will of the property owner isn’t American. It is theft.”
The economic impact on the county has been significant, according to testimony at the hearing. One speaker noted that while tourism increased 1.8% statewide, Walton County has seen an 11% decline. Real estate professionals testified that residential sales volume is down 36% from its peak, with transactions down 47%, and the county now has a higher inventory of unsold homes than the state average.
Former State Representative Dr. Joel Rudman urged passage, noting severe economic concerns. “The economy in Walton County is entirely driven by tourism and real estate,” he said. “Only 5% of vacation homes are Gulf front, so we are effectively blocking beach access to 95% of the vacation homes in the area.”
Senator Passidomo, who sponsored the 2018 law, defended her legislation. “The bottom line is the original bill came as an amendment to a marketable record title act bill that I had filed in 2016,” she explained. “My feeling is customary use is something that the courts determine. The courts need to do that.”
Senator Don Gaetz, who voted against the bill, offered a more cautious assessment of the situation, drawing from his 40-plus years as a Walton County property owner.
“Whatever you do with this bill is not going to solve the problems in Walton County,” Gaetz warned the committee. “My fear is, in fact my hard prediction is that whatever you do with this bill is not going to solve the problems in Walton County of people who think they own property near the beach or on the beach because they bought it from being very upset when somebody else tries to use that property.”
Gaetz acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that there are “miles and miles of beaches in Walton County where nobody is trying to shoo you away.” However, he explained that many property owners have legal title to beachfront land and believe that “if you own property and someone wants it, they should buy it from you, or if they want to use it or walk across it, they ought to ask permission.”
He suggested that a better approach would be “a reasonable civil understanding, perhaps having to be dictated by the courts” rather than legislative action, allowing the courts to determine where customary use applies and where it does not based on evidence and established legal precedent.
In the House, a companion bill (HB 6043) sponsored by Representative Alex Andrade was approved last Thursday by the House Civil Justice and Claims Committee and next faces the Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee.
The bill now moves to the Senate Community Affairs Committee, scheduled for March 31 at 4 p.m. EDT.
The smell of freshly baked cookies will soon fill the air at 180 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE as THICK Cookie Co. prepares to open its doors Saturday, March 15.The journey to opening day has been anything but simple for the couple, who met while playing collegiate sports in Arkansas five years ago.For Page, a Texas native from the small town of Giddings, baking has been a lifelong passion that started in her grandmother’s kitchen.That childhood hobby followed her to colle...
The smell of freshly baked cookies will soon fill the air at 180 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE as THICK Cookie Co. prepares to open its doors Saturday, March 15.
The journey to opening day has been anything but simple for the couple, who met while playing collegiate sports in Arkansas five years ago.
For Page, a Texas native from the small town of Giddings, baking has been a lifelong passion that started in her grandmother’s kitchen.
That childhood hobby followed her to college, where she began baking for friends.
“I played college football, and she played college softball,” Minnix explained. “Morgan started baking cookies for the football team and our friends, and she got a lot of compliments.”
What began as sharing homemade treats with teammates evolved when a friend suggested they start selling the cookies. Minnix came up with the name THICK Cookie Co. as a playful nod to Page’s interest in bodybuilding.
“We made our own little logo and started doing small markets in Russellville, Arkansas,” Minnix said. “People really responded well on Facebook.”
As their popularity grew, the couple expanded to nationwide shipping and local pickup operations from their apartment. The demand became overwhelming, with customers lining up 20 cars deep in their parking lot.
After Page graduated with a degree in exercise science and struggled to find a job in her field, she began focusing on the cookie business full-time. Minnix, originally a pre-med student, eventually joined her.
The couple then looked further north along the Gulf Coast. “She was looking around the Destin area and pointed to Fort Walton Beach,” Minnix recalled.
When they saw the former Artesano building was available, they decided to visit. Within 15 minutes of arriving, Minnix said they were surrounded by local business owners and residents welcoming them to the community.
Despite seeing “a huge puddle of water on the floor” during their first visit, they signed the lease last June and began the renovation process.
The transformation was extensive. They removed the recessed entrance, installed double doors, widened the interior by removing sheet rock walls, replaced the ceiling, upgraded electrical systems, installed a sneeze guard for the service counter, and completely redid the bathroom.
While preparing for their grand opening, the couple has maintained their online shipping business and participated in local markets to build brand awareness.
Their business model revolves around customer engagement, with monthly votes on social media determining new cookie flavors.
Options have included creative flavors like strawberry Pop-Tart, cinnamon roll, caramel pretzel, and Butterfinger Reese’s combinations.
The store will offer two main cookie categories: classic cookies weighing four ounces ($4 each) and giant cookies starting at seven ounces ($6.75 each). They also plan to add ice cream and drinks to their menu.
Page is particularly excited about having a storefront where customers can enjoy cookies fresh from the oven.
The timing of their grand opening coincides with the start of spring break for Okaloosa County. While this wasn’t their original plan, they’re embracing the challenge.
The couple has designed the shop with social media sharing in mind, including eye-catching signage, disco balls, and a stylized bathroom.
The grand opening will take place at 11 a.m. on March 15, complete with a balloon arch. The first 15 people in line will receive a free classic cookie with their purchase.
Tentative hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, though times may vary based on inventory.
Looking ahead, the couple plans to eventually offer delivery through DoorDash and potentially build a team to help with operations.
For now, they’re focused on becoming Fort Walton Beach’s newest sweet spot.
“I’m really excited to share that fresh-out-of-the-oven experience with everyone…Finally,” said Page.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.-Fort Walton Beach High School was named the winner of the 2025 Sunshine State Spirit Showdown. Fort Walton beat out two spirited competitors to claim the title of best student section in Florida.The Florida High School Athletic Association kicked off this competition in 2014 to promote sportsmanship and celebrate school spirit among member schools.Student sections are an essential component when it comes to supporting athletic teams. The athletes and teams feed off the fans excitement and are...
GAINESVILLE, Fla.-Fort Walton Beach High School was named the winner of the 2025 Sunshine State Spirit Showdown. Fort Walton beat out two spirited competitors to claim the title of best student section in Florida.
The Florida High School Athletic Association kicked off this competition in 2014 to promote sportsmanship and celebrate school spirit among member schools.
Student sections are an essential component when it comes to supporting athletic teams. The athletes and teams feed off the fans excitement and are there to cheer them on through the good plays and the bad ones.
The members of the FHSAA’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee scored the entries on the criteria of sportsmanship, participation, organization of students, and spirit conveyed through the submissions. Fans showed their support by voting for their favorite video via social media, which contributed to the overall scores.
"The 2025 Sunshine Spirit Showdown was outstanding! FHSAA member schools went above and beyond to capture and showcase their school and community spirit with this year's submissions. Every school captured the creativity and passion of their students in their respective videos. Thank you to all member schools who participated in this annual event. Congratulations to Fort Walton Beach High School on winning the 2025 Sunshine State Spirit Showdown. Your exceptional school spirit and sportsmanship have earned you this well-deserved title. As a previous champion in 2022, your continued dedication to fostering a vibrant and supportive community is truly inspiring.” Said Craig Damon, Executive Director of the FHSAA.
The FHSAA will send Fort Walton Beach a commemorative plaque and a personalized banner that they can present at a ceremony to notably honor the 2025 champions.
Fort Walton Beach’s winning video and those submitted by the two finalists can be found on the FHSAA’s YouTube Channel.
For more information about the Sunshine State Spirit Showdown visit the Sunshine Spirit Showdown information page.
For additional updates, follow @FHSAA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Use #FLSquad, the official hashtag for the Sunshine State Spirit Showdown, to join the conversation.
About the FHSAA The Florida High School Athletic Association supervises and regulates interscholastic athletic programs for high school students at member public, private and charter schools. The organization also recognizes and honors academic achievement among student-athletes at nearly 850 middle, junior and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the official governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida. About the SAAC The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will provide a voice in the FHSAA governance structure to the Association’s largest constituency – the more than 300,000 participating student-athletes. The committee will focus on the following areas: current issues facing student-athletes, input regarding rules and regulations, input on FHSAA special initiatives (e.g., sportsmanship program), and promoting a positive image of the student-athlete.
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