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

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Montezuma Creek, UT

Home Care Montezuma Creek, UT

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 Three Kiva Pueblo 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 Montezuma Creek, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Montezuma Creek, UT

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“MUST READ!! This is the best company to hire for your loved ones who need ongoing caregiver and companion services. Very thoughtful and experienced caregivers and admin staff who care deeply about the details and about customer satisfaction. Brent and Lea have been incredibly supportive and flexible, and caregivers Aarylyn, Sabrina, Lydia, and Hailie have been accommodating, patient, professional and safe. They regularly take my loved one on outings in the community to help her claim her independance and have become a vital part of her healthcare and happiness. LOVE THIS PLACE!!”

Jackie J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a caregiver with ABC, and I am so happy with the company!! They are so flexible and understanding with my schedule:) such genuine people and the clients are amazing!! They truly embody the name of the company... Not just for the clients but also for their employees???? it makes for an amazing place to work ????”

Rebecca E.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I have Always Best Care Serving Southern Utah for my husband. We got somebody coming in to help. The caregivers are good. They provide total a.m. care help like getting up and getting dressed. We have different ones and so they're trying to get us some steady people coming in. The scheduling is a little bit hard right now. The care has been good, though.”

Loretta
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I have Always Best Care Serving Southern Utah for my husband. We got somebody coming in to help. The caregivers are good. They provide total a.m. care help like getting up and getting dressed. We have different ones and so they're trying to get us some steady people coming in. The scheduling is a little bit hard right now. The care has been good, though.”

Loretta
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TESTIMONIALS

“Absolutely the best company here in St George! The care goes above and beyond what any family could ever ask for when handling care. They only have the best of the best caregivers that love to help! Their training and communication is top notch. Love this company! I refer all my friends and family! Couldn’t be more proud of an exceptional company!”

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TESTIMONIALS

“i’ve been working for ABC for about 6 months now & love it! they’re super flexible & have true love & passion for helping others!”

lydia T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I've been with ABC 3 years now. They have been gracious and kind whenever I have had to change my schedule or not be able to work a shift. They make me feel like family, and they strive to help the clients feel the same. We love our clients, caregivers and staff.”

TheXploringKay O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Love working here! Brent and lea are so sweet and understanding towards everyone! They work very hard! Great pay and amazing communication!”

aaralyn G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This is a great company to work for if you’re interested in a flexible schedule. Management is so supportive and will do what they can to make everyday at work a good day. They communicate effectively and quickly to ensure nothing is miscommunicated or misunderstood. Working here as been so rewarding and educational.”

Mckinlye G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care of Southern Ut is a great company. In November I will have worked with them for three years. I am a senior myself and absolutely love working with them. They always try to make sure the client and the caregiver have a good relationship with each other. They are family owned and genuinely care about both client and employees.”

Helen M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I work for Always Best Care and it's amazing they really do care for their clients and they'll go the extra mile to meet their needs ! Not only that but they care for employees i love the flexibility they give us.”

Aly T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has definitely been a blessing to our little familys life. As an employer of ABC they have been amazing with flexibility in chosing my schedule so that not only am I able to work but also be home with my kids when I need to be. They are amazing and put their employees first. I love being a member of ABC team.”

Falelua A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“1. Stay active. Exercise may be the last thing you want to do when your arthritis hurts, but many studies show that physical activity is one of the best ways to improve your quality of life. 2. Eat a balanced diet. Studies show that a variety of nutrients may help ease arthritis symptoms. 3. Lose weight. Being overweight puts undue strain on weight-bearing joints such as your knees, spine, hips, ankles, and feet. 5. Use hot or cold packs. By increasing blood flow, hot compresses can ease pain and stiffness. 6. Keep pain under control. Over-the-counter medications can help ease arthritis pain. 7. Talk to your doctor about supplements and complementary medicine. Many supplements have been tested for the treatment of arthritis. 8. Try splints, braces, and other aids. Devices that support painful joints, such as splints, braces, and canes can help ease your discomfort and prevent injury. 9. Seek support. Living with arthritis isn’t easy. Finding other people that you can talk to and share ideas with can help. Check out arthritis support groups online or in your area. 10. Stay positive. Your mental outlook can have a big impact on how you feel, and how well you function. #SelfCare #Osteoarthritis #Arthritis #Disability #GoodHealth #PainRelief #SeniorCommunity #Caregiver #Caregiving #WECANHELP #OlderAdult #SeniorCare #SeniorLiving #SeniorServices #SeniorHousing #AlwaysBestCare #Exercise #SelfManaging #Tips”

Always B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has some of the friendliest staff. They are quick to learn & eager to assist. Great schedulers who are on top of managing the schedules & keeping their employees accountable. I sure appreciate all the help they give!”

AsAn
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has some of the friendliest staff. They are quick to learn & eager to assist. Great schedulers who are on top of managing the schedules & keeping their employees accountable. I sure appreciate all the help they give!”

Audrey S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I can leave a long review if I wanted to . I can talk about always best cares credentials and talk about mine. But What’s the point of leaving a review if it sounds like everybody else’s. The bottom line is , that they are great at their jobs from the bottom to the top. They have a process and people in place . They keep accountability and are communicative . Ive represented many companies in the past and still do till this day contract with only the best.. If you feel you want to hear more about this company on a deeper level just lmk. Happy Healthy Safe”

Jay R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I like working for ABC because it works well with my busy nursing school schedule! I also like how I get to work on my own, but there are options to work with other CNAs for the care of some of the clients. It’s the best of both worlds! I’ve been with Always best care since 2021 and have thoroughly enjoyed working with the clients I work with!”

Olivia S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Love always best care ❤️”

Breezy H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Amazing business. Staff are helpful and kind.”

Margot K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is always best!!! Highly recommended! Brent listens and hears what we need for my 94 year old mom and matches caregivers accordingly. Sometimes, the schedule changes and he works to fill the needs immediately and always with a great attitude! The caregivers are compassionate. Again, I highly recommend Always Best Care.”

shell S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They are seriously so amazing to work with and really care for their clients. I came to them with some pretty difficult challenges that I was not sure we could work with but they were able to make it happen and truly did more than I thought was even possible. I highly recommend them.”

Mandy M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Love working for this company”

Christina P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Great to work with, caring, compassionate and willing to work with different situations! They take time to understand needs to accommodate the best way to help! They are trustworthy, dependable and a business you can count on!!????”

M S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Montezuma Creek, UT?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Montezuma Creek, UT

Types of Elderly Care in Montezuma Creek, UT

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

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

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

Respite Care Montezuma Creek, UT
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Montezuma Creek, UT
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 Ruins Trail with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Montezuma Creek, UT
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 Pit Stop or visit Butler Wash Ruins, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Montezuma Creek, UT

Benefits of Home Care in Montezuma Creek, UT

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 Montezuma Creek, UT, 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 Montezuma Creek, UT

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 UT'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 Montezuma Creek, UT

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 Montezuma Creek, UT 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 Montezuma Creek, UT

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 Montezuma Creek, UT

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:

  • Aneth Senior Center
  • Transitions Montezuma Creek
  • Red Mesa Senior Center
  • Montezuma Creek Community Health Center
  • White Mesa Ute Senior Citizens
  • Copper Creek Assisted Living & Memory Care
Home Care Montezuma Creek, UT

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 Montezuma Creek, UT

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 Montezuma Creek, UT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Montezuma Creek, UT

Latest News in Montezuma Creek, UT

Passion project intended for Navajo Nation residents evolves beyond initial expectations

Pfawnn Eskee noticed there wasn’t a dedicated space where Navajo Nation residents could find health information and resources. So she created a website that bloomed into something much bigger. | Updated: 3:46 p.m.This story is part of The Salt Lake Tribune’s ongoing commitment to identify solutions to Utah’s biggest challenges through the work of the Innovation Lab.[Subscribe to our newsletter here]Whi...

Pfawnn Eskee noticed there wasn’t a dedicated space where Navajo Nation residents could find health information and resources. So she created a website that bloomed into something much bigger.

| Updated: 3:46 p.m.

This story is part of The Salt Lake Tribune’s ongoing commitment to identify solutions to Utah’s biggest challenges through the work of the Innovation Lab.

[Subscribe to our newsletter here]

While attending the Native American Conference for Behavioral Health and Mental Health in Portland, Oregon, Pfawnn Eskee, a Navajo woman, came across something she had never experienced before--a website she resonated with.

“It was all Native, by Natives and for Natives,” Eskee said with a half-grin on her face, recounting her experience at a presentation for We R Native. “It was just really cool to see a website that I could relate to.”

A lightbulb went off in Eskee’s head during the presentation. There wasn’t a central hub where Navajo Nation residents could look up information and resources pertaining to their community, but Eskee knew there was a need for one.

“I realized that it was really hard to find information about our community. It was hard to find resources,” said Eskee, recalling when she didn’t know how to enroll for food stamps after finding out she was pregnant in graduate school to become a therapist.

Turning inspiration into innovation

She carried the motivation from the conference back to Montezuma Creek, Utah, where, with the help of a 2017-2018 grant from the National Alliance of Mental Illness, she founded the website We Are Navajo under the Utah Navajo Health System.

The intention behind We Are Navajo didn’t stop at telling community members where the closest health clinic was. Eskee wanted to build a space where people could learn about the Navajo culture and contemplate complicated topics. For some Indigenous people, conversations about things like depression, anxiety and LGBTQ identity rarely occurred because, “A lot of subjects were taboo for our Native community to openly discuss and ask questions about,” said Eskee.

“In our community, from the traditional aspect, you don’t talk about those things,” Eskee said pointing to Indigenous suicide rates as an example, “because then you’re asking for bad things to be brought into your home, or into your family.”

Eskee wanted to expand the message of We Are Navajo to social media. But the NAMI grant lasted a year and only covered website maintenance, so most of the social media work was done off the clock, primarily by Eskee.

Her efforts paid off. Within a year, We Are Navajo evolved from a website to attract thousands of social media followers from all over the globe.

Specifically, the colorful content on We Are Navajo’s Facebook and Instagram pages were the main conversation starters for followers. They began reaching out to Eskee, thanking her for the encouragement to schedule a mammogram or therapy appointment.

“The comments and feedback that I got from the community kept that passion going,” said Eskee about all the unpaid hours spent on the project, “because they were so appreciative of all the information that I was providing.”

Little did Eskee know that in 2020, We Are Navajo’s online presence would skyrocket and turn into community aid work when a pandemic hit the sovereign land.

Serving the community through care packages

“COVID-19 was something that we’d never experienced before,” Eskee recounted with a sting in her voice. “We were put into lockdown on our Navajo reservation.”

The pandemic drove the Navajo Nation into isolation. According to Eskee, for a lot of Nation residents, social media was a fundamental source of constant COVID-19 information. Eskee expanded her content to reflect the frequently changing pandemic regulations enacted by Navajo Nation President Johnathan Nez.

Eskee watched her followers on Instagram jump from a few hundred to 10,000 nearly overnight. Her statistical tracking showed people from New York to Afghanistan were scrolling through and engaging with We Are Navajo content.

The unanticipated virtual traction resulted in followers requesting We Are Navajo merchandise and ways to donate to COVID-19 relief efforts back on the Nation.

“We all found ourselves in the middle of the pandemic,” said Sahar Khadjenoury, the program coordinator for the Utah Navajo Relief Program, “doing community service projects, finding ways to feed the community and [implementing] efforts to slow COVID-19 on the reservation.”

We Are Navajo partnered with the Utah Navajo COVID-19 Relief Program to donate items and distribute care packages for any Navajo Nation resident in need of one, but especially for the elderly who could not leave their homes out of concern for their safety.

“Our elders really need to be protected at all costs,” Khadjenoury said. “Our elders are so precious. They are our knowledge keepers. They are the pillars of the community. They possess so much traditional knowledge that encompasses everything from astronomy to botany.”

With the donations pouring in from social followers and elsewhere, Eskee braved public spaces to thoughtfully curate boxes when people were too scared to leave their homes, lost their jobs, or simply needed the support.

“When Eskee sent a box of leather working gloves, I was blown away,” said Khadjenoury, “because I thought, ‘That’s genius. That’s really what we needed because a lot of our elders still have to chop wood and bring it in themselves.’”

Shelly White began picking up care packages for her elderly mom when she discovered the resource on We Are Navajo’s Facebook page.

“We are Navajo had the best items,” White listed off fresh produce, cleaning supplies, and a reusable tote as an example. “We actually do use these items.”

The boxes contained not just everyday essentials, but also traditional Navajo items.

“We use blue corn, the grained kind,” said White, which is used to make blue corn mush, a popular Navajo dish, “and Juniper Ash that we use to make cornmeal with. Some of those things were in there. And those are really hard to come by.”

(Pfawnn Eskee|We Are Navajo) The creator of We Are Navajo, Pfawnn Eskee, on May 21, 2020, with a vehicle packed full of items in Cortez, Utah to create care packages for Navajo Nation residents in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marissa Woody, who lived 15 miles away from Eskee’s pick-up spot, would bring back We Are Navajo care packages to members of her community.

“My two grandmas, they didn’t go anywhere during the pandemic at all,” Woody said. “So these packages really helped out with just providing the groceries that were needed.”

The layered impact of We Are Navajo

Just recently, Eskee resigned as a licensed social worker at UNHS and became a mental health specialist with the Indian Health Services in Shiprock, New Mexico. The transition meant she handed the keys to We Are Navajo over to UNHS, despite hoping to remain on the project as a contract worker.

“In the end, UNHS wanted to keep it within the company,” said Eskee. “That was probably the hardest part about leaving my job, having to leave We Are Navajo.”

Even though Eskee no longer holds creative control over the project, the fruits of her labor did not go unnoticed.

Kolenya Dempsey, the new director of We Are Navajo and current director of Iina Bihoo’aah Program, a UNHS initiative promoting a healthy transition to adulthood for Navajo youth with serious mental illness or emotional disorders, says Eskee’s passion project exceeded expectations.

“It was originally targeting mental health topics and education,” said Dempsey, referring to the early intention behind We Are Navajo, “It grew bigger than that. It highlighted our culture and heritage and showcased it for the world to see.”

As Eskee stayed up late, packing We Are Navajo apparel and branded items to ship on her own time, those on the receiving end got a visual token of their culture to share with everyone.

For Kurt Holiday, an employee at UNHS and longtime supporter of We Are Navajo, says the merchandise gave him a strong connection to his Navajo identity.

“It’s a conversation starter,” mentioned Holiday about his We Are Navajo t-shirt, “it’s also very empowering.”

Woody, the woman who brought Eskee’s care packages back to her Navajo neighbors, feels a community in the We Are Navajo apparel. “I own five shirts.”

“We are Navajo, just the word itself,” Woody contemplated, “always brings me back to the number one teaching we were always told growing up: be proud of who you are and where you come from.”

The future of We Are Navajo

We Are Navajo started as one person’s idea and bloomed into an irreplaceable resource. As the project progresses into the future, one thing remains abundantly clear from those taking over: Eskee deserves immense kudos for the launch and success of We Are Navajo.

“She does receive a lot of credit on the development,” said Dempsey when asked about how We Are Navajo will continue without Eskee.

“We are going to have to get creative on upcoming projects, on how we will create new content, and keep it up to date with the community’s needs and what’s going on nationwide,” Dempsey added.

Even though Eskee is no longer involved directly with We Are Navajo, the impact of her passion project will live on, whether that be through her newly named Instagram (@Phenomnal_Navajo), Facebook (@PhenomnalNavajo) and Twitter (@phenomenalNDN) pages, the conversations sparked in the grocery store over a We Are Navajo t-shirt, or the future plans UNHS has for the program.

“I’ll continue with the social media accounts, and hopefully continue to inspire others and empower others to have those important conversations that should be had,” Eskee said. “I’ll continue to hopefully make something great again, and hopefully We Are Navajo’s legacy will live on.”

___

Solutions in practice

Utah Farm Bureau helps deliver 500 live sheep, 16,000 pounds of lamb to the Navajo Nation

(Courtesy of the Utah Farm Bureau) Volunteers help distribute donated sheep in Montezuma Creek on Monday, May 25, 2020, as part of the Farmers Feeding Utah program.| Updated: 7:57 a.m.Even as miles-long food bank lines have become emblematic of the coronavirus pandemic, many Utah farmers and ranchers have found themselves with plenty of food but nowhere to sell it.“Farmers and ranchers have been in just a crazy moment through all of this,” said Ron Gibson, president of the ...

(Courtesy of the Utah Farm Bureau) Volunteers help distribute donated sheep in Montezuma Creek on Monday, May 25, 2020, as part of the Farmers Feeding Utah program.

| Updated: 7:57 a.m.

Even as miles-long food bank lines have become emblematic of the coronavirus pandemic, many Utah farmers and ranchers have found themselves with plenty of food but nowhere to sell it.

“Farmers and ranchers have been in just a crazy moment through all of this,” said Ron Gibson, president of the Utah Farm Bureau. “It’s been devastating to some of our industries, and one of the industries that’s been hurt the most is the sheep industry.”

A sheep rancher in Sanpete County recently had a freezer full of meat he couldn’t sell, Gibson said, just as the Navajo Nation, where mutton is a staple for many families, was becoming one of the regions most affected by the coronavirus in Utah.

Looking at the twin problems of food insecurity caused by the economic crises and a drop in market demand for food products, a coalition of groups including the Utah Farm Bureau formed Farmers Feeding Utah, a new effort designed to address both issues at once.

In less than three weeks, the initiative raised enough money, mostly from grassroots donors, to pursue its first project: purchasing 16,000 pounds of lamb and 500 live sheep from Utah ranchers and donating them to families on the Navajo Nation.

“It’s really a Utah program for Utah families,” Gibson said. “The purpose is to help farmers and ranchers in the state ... to buy food from them and give that to people that have food insecurities.”

(Zak Podmore | The Salt Lake Tribune) Former San Juan County Commissioner Rebecca Benally speaks at a Farmers Feeding Utah event in Blanding on Friday, May 22, 2020.

Rebecca Benally, a member of the Navajo Nation and former San Juan County commissioner, helped facilitate the daunting task of distributing thousands of pounds of frozen lamb and truckloads of sheep to families who live in the remote reaches of the county and where commercial-scale freezer space is in short supply.

San Juan County "is 51 percent Native Americans, and we are told statistically that we are the poorest county in the state,” Benally said at a kick-off event on Friday in Blanding, where lamb and bags of Bluebird flour, another local favorite, were loaded into vehicles at the Blanding Food Bank.

“We're working 24 hours a day to pull this off, and we will,” Benally added, noting that the live sheep distribution would take place this week and next in communities all across southeast Utah from Aneth to Navajo Mountain.

“When we tell the people they’re getting a live sheep and flour, they’re one step from heaven,” she said. “They’re very appreciative.”

The governor’s office and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food supported the project, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covered some shipping and transportation costs. The Farm Bureau paid for administrative costs to allow donations from individuals to go directly to purchasing, processing and distributing food.

(Courtesy of the Utah Farm Bureau) Wade Garrett from Utah Farm Bureau helping load the sheep in Montezuma Creek on Monday, May 25, 2020.

Logan Wilde, commissioner of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, said the impacts of the pandemic on the food industry have been widespread.

“Across the board, every industry that’s in agriculture has been hit,” he said. “The price of corn just hasn’t come up like it usually does towards spring. There’s been a lot of problems.”

“We think [the Farmers Feeding Utah program] is a marvelous way for community outreach to happen across the state and across this country,” Wilde said.

Cheryl Bowers, director of the Blanding Food Bank, member of the Blanding City Council and county commission candidate, said the impacts of the pandemic were felt almost immediately in southeast Utah. The coronavirus arrived just as tourist-industry workers were ramping up for the busy spring season.

“At the first food bank in April after COVID hit, I had food for 220 families. About 500 families showed up,” Bowers said. Volunteers scrambled to increase capacity, but she said she’s worried about burnout.

Mutual aid efforts, donation drives and programs like Farmers Feeding Utah have helped local food banks adapt, and local groups have been critical to helping facilitate larger scale food distribution efforts. The lamb meat, for example, was stored in the Blanding Food Bank’s facilities.

When you simultaneously support local farmers and enhance existing food drive efforts in the state, you get a “true win-win," said Michael Mower, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert’s deputy chief of staff. “Nothing better exemplifies the Utah spirit and the Utah way than this program."

For Farmers Feeding Utah, the San Juan County project is just the beginning. The group is currently fundraising through its website and hopes to replicate the effort by supporting farmers and families in other parts of the state.

Zak Podmore is a Report for America corps member and writes about conflict and change in San Juan County for The Salt Lake Tribune. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by clicking here.

Dozens sickened after carbon monoxide leak at elementary school

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutesThis archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.MONTEZUMA CREEK, San Juan County — Forty-four students and adults from Montezuma Creek Elementary School were treated for possible carbon monoxide poisoning Monday."An exhaust pipe coming from one of two water heaters ...

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

MONTEZUMA CREEK, San Juan County — Forty-four students and adults from Montezuma Creek Elementary School were treated for possible carbon monoxide poisoning Monday.

"An exhaust pipe coming from one of two water heaters had become disconnected at some time, venting gas into a mechanical room, the kitchen and classrooms," San Juan County administrator Rick Bailey said in a prepared statement.

The carbon monoxide scare and subsequent school evacuation started shortly after school began Monday. Many students were gathered for an assembly in the school's gymnasium, located next to the room where the water heaters operate.

The San Juan County emergency management office reported the 44 people, including a male volunteer EMT, were transported to hospitals in Blanding, Monticello and Cortez, Colo.

A female teacher was taken by medical helicopter to Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, Colo., and later transferred to a Salt Lake City hospital, where she remained overnight, Bailey said.

A third-grade student was also flown to Southwest Memorial Hospital, where she was treated and later released.

A second adult woman who was inside the school was taken by medical helicopter to Mercy Medical Center in Durango, Colo. Bailey did not have an update on her condition Monday night.

The volunteer EMT, who was being treated for a broken leg he sustained during the response at the school, was also expected to remain hospitalized overnight at San Juan Hospital in Monticello.

Others affected by the gas, some of whom had passed out, were taken by bus or ambulance and treated at area hospitals, San Juan School District Superintendent Douglas Wright said.

Blue Mountain Hospital in Blanding reported treating students and school employees for dizziness, difficulty breathing and nausea.

"The CO levels rose to dangerous levels; they measured it at about 300 parts per million, which is really high," said San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman.

For adults, carbon monoxide levels can get dangerous at 35 parts per million.

About

CO PoisoningUnborn babies, infants, elderly and people with respiratory problems are at the most risk

In a series of 911 calls, a female employee of the school described the symptoms children and adults were experiencing, including dizziness, vomiting, headaches and collapsing. She first called about a little girl who was sick, then a woman.

"What's going on over there?" a dispatcher asked.

Soon after, the principal talked to the dispatcher, saying several other students were experiencing similar symptoms.

"Get as many ambulances as you can over here," the principal told the dispatcher.

The illnesses alerted school officials to the possibility of a leak.

"Within an hour they started to show some symptoms, and then by 9:30 there were a number of kids who were actually unconscious," Lyman said. "We're really concerned about the whole situation. That's not the kind of news you want to get on a Monday morning."

He did not believe that initial reports of up to 15 students being found unconscious inside the school were true.

The elementary school was evacuated, sending faculty, staff and students who were not immediately effected to nearby Whitehorse High School. Students were being evaluated at the high school. According to the sheriff's office, 30 people had been triaged at the scene.

The elementary school was closed for the rest of the school day. Classes will resume Tuesday, and a meeting will be scheduled for parents who want more information about the incident, Wright said.

Carbon monoxide detectors aren't required in the school, but the school district will be reconsidering the policy, he said.

Montezuma Creek Elementary holds kindergarten through sixth grades. About 280 students were estimated to be at the school at the time.

Contributing: Sandra Yi and Peter Samore

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View Montezuma Leak in a larger map

Utah, EPA reach settlement worth at least $220 million over Gold King Mine spill

| Updated: Aug. 7, 2020, 9:56 a.m.Utah will reap million of dollars’ worth of environmental cleanup and monitoring benefits in a “landmark” agreement arising from the disastrous 2015 Gold King Mine spill.On Wednesday, officials announced a deal to settle Utah’s claims against the U.S. ...

| Updated: Aug. 7, 2020, 9:56 a.m.

Utah will reap million of dollars’ worth of environmental cleanup and monitoring benefits in a “landmark” agreement arising from the disastrous 2015 Gold King Mine spill.

On Wednesday, officials announced a deal to settle Utah’s claims against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency associated with the massive spill from the breach that washed tons of toxic waste out of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains and into the Beehive State via the San Juan River.

The Aug. 5, 2015, disaster sparked dozens of claims against the federal government, with Utah’s the largest at $1.9 billion. In the suit filed in U.S. District Court in New Mexico, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes alleged the spill deposited tons of toxic metals in the state’s waterways and Lake Powell, resulting in a costly cleanup and disrupting the lives of San Juan County residents.

In the deal announced five years to the day since the spill, at least $220 million will be provided toward the cleanup of the historic Bonita Peak Mining District and other abandoned mine sites, including many in Utah. Reyes called the settlement “cooperative federalism,” representing a true partnership between the state and federal governments.

“After years of intense litigation and negotiations, we are very pleased that millions of dollars can now be spent towards mitigation, remediation and assuring water quality in Utah rather than years of more litigation, trial and appeals,” Reyes said in a statement.

The state had two goals in the case.

“First, get the federal government to clean up massive amounts of waste still lurking in many historic mining districts, including the one that caused the Gold King Mine blowout,” Reyes said. The second goal was to get the feds to pay for any damages caused by the spill.

“We are highly encouraged,” the attorney general said, “the EPA has stepped up and committed hundreds of millions of dollars toward cleaning up several dangerous mining districts containing billions of gallons of potentially harmful substances that threaten Utah if they are released.”

FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2015, file photo, water flows through a series of sediment retention ponds built to reduce heavy metal and chemical contaminants from the Gold King Mine outside Silverton, Colo. The U.S. government settled a lawsuit Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, brought by the state of Utah over a mine waste spill caused by federal workers that sent wastewater downstream to several states from the inactive Gold King Mine in southwestern Colorado five years ago. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)

The disaster unfolded when EPA contractor Environmental Restoration and its subcontractors inadvertently unleashed a 3 million-gallon torrent of mine waste while conducting cleanup work at Gold King outside Silverton, Colo. The waste turned the Animas River an alarming shade of orange and contaminated the San Juan as it flowed through New Mexico and into Utah, terminating at Lake Powell.

Utah officials are elated with the federal government’s pledge to address abandoned mines and give Utah a voice the remediation of upstream sites in another state.

“It is a large commitment, given the level of damages the state couldn’t prove in a legal case. That was one of the challenging things going into this,” said Scott Baird, executive director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. “We always projected a worst-case scenario to come up with something reasonable for a lawsuit. Dredging Lake Powell isn’t a practical approach to this.”

The Gold King spill was a catastrophic event, but the 540 tons of metals it released into the environment pales in comparison with what has gradually leaked from the Bonita Peak district, not to mention dozens of other historic mining districts, over the years, Baird noted. Monitoring has shown that Utah’s waterways were not that badly damaged by Gold King because much of the harmful sediments settled out of the water before reaching Lake Powell.

The bigger threat to Utah’s water quality is from hundreds of retired mines, not just Gold King, that have gone unreclaimed, and Wednesday’s settlement dedicates resources to address that threat, according to Baird.

The EPA has so far put out $75 million toward reclaiming the Bonita Peak district since the spill and will spend another $65 million there over the next several years, according to Reyes. The settlement obligates the agency to spend $80 million to $100 million remediating other sites affecting Utah water quality.

“While not related to [the Gold King] incident, it is related to the issue of abandoned mines,” Baird said. “The other point is we have a seat at the table in the final remediation of this whole [Bonita Peak district] so we can make sure, as the downstream partner, we have a say. If other issues come up, it allows us to come back to the table.”

In the 10-page settlement agreement, Utah dismisses its legal claims against the federal government as well as the EPA contractors involved, but not its claims against the owners of Gold King and neighboring mines, namely the Harrison Western Corp., Kinross Gold USA, Sunnyside Gold Corp. and Gold King Mine Corp.

While Colorado opted to not sue over the spill, Native American tribes and New Mexico filed suits against the EPA, which are still pending.

The EPA had already reimbursed the $500,000 Utah spent on its initial response to the disaster. But Wednesday’s settlement also secures $3 million in funding for the Utah Division of Water Quality for a variety of projects that have little to do with mine waste, such as monitoring harmful algal blooms, reducing agricultural and septic runoff and protecting underground drinking water sources.

Also in the settlement, the EPA agreed to initiate and pay for waste removal evaluations at three historic mine sites in Utah. They include Mill D or Cardiff Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon outside Salt Lake City, a uranium-tainted site in San Juan County’s Lisbon Valley and the Bauer tailings dump at Tooele County’s Ophir Mining District. These evaluations can cost up to $200,000 each and would not likely happen were it not for the settlement.

Correction: Aug. 7, 9:50 a.m. • This story was corrected to reflect the accurate value of the settlement.

Gold mine's toxic plume extends to Utah

The (Farmington, N.M.) Daily TimesFARMINGTON, N.M. — The plume of heavy metals released last week into the Animas River from the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colo., reached Utah on Monday.As of Monday evening, officials said the plume of contamination was southeast of Montezuma Creek, Utah, and was headed for Lake Powell. Environmental Protection Agency officials say the pollutants in the plume include arsenic, lead, copper, alumi...

The (Farmington, N.M.) Daily Times

FARMINGTON, N.M. — The plume of heavy metals released last week into the Animas River from the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colo., reached Utah on Monday.

As of Monday evening, officials said the plume of contamination was southeast of Montezuma Creek, Utah, and was headed for Lake Powell. Environmental Protection Agency officials say the pollutants in the plume include arsenic, lead, copper, aluminum and cadmium, but have not released any detailed information on the spill that started Wednesday morning and has since been contained.

The Gold King Mine's discharge raises the possibility of long-term damage from the toxic metals falling out of suspension as the plume slowly moves along the river.

"Sediment does settle," said Shaun McGrath, administrator of EPA's Region 8. "It settles down to the bottom of the riverbed."

EPA officials announced Monday afternoon that public access to the Animas and San Juan rivers would continue to be closed until at least Aug. 17.

One rural water user association in San Juan County, where New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez declared a state of emergency Monday, has spent thousands of dollars buying water from Farmington and Aztec because it had to shut down its wells after the toxic mine waste spilled into the Animas last week.

"We don't want to take a chance of contaminating them — and it sure has cost us a lot of money," said Rick Mitchell, Flora Vista Mutual Domestic Water Association general manager.

Mustard-colored water began rushing out of the Gold King Mine in southern Colorado on Wednesday after an EPA team disturbed a dam of loose rock lodged in the mine.

The deluge of polluted water poured into Cement Creek and continued into the Animas River. The plume of pollution, clearly visible from the air and estimated to be more than 80 miles long at one point, reached Farmington, N.M., on Saturday morning.

McGrath said future runoff from storms will kick that toxic sediment back into the water, which means there will need to be long-term monitoring.

He added that "the Animas River has historically been polluted by acid mine drainage."

Chapters within the Northern Agency have started the process of issuing emergency declarations after toxic mine waste flowed down the San Juan River onto the Navajo Nation.

The San Juan River travels west through the Navajo Nation, then converges with the Colorado River at Lake Powell in southeastern Utah. For the chapter communities near the San Juan River, it is the main source of water for crops and livestock.

So far, the chapters of Upper Fruitland, Nenahnezad, San Juan and Shiprock have issued either declarations or resolutions calling for a state of emergency within their boundaries.

The "slug" of pollution, which the EPA says contains metals and is about as acidic as black coffee, is headed toward Lake Powell.

Silverton is surrounded by abandoned mines, and the EPA was checking on one of the worst ones, the Gold King, when the breach occurred. Area residents are furious that the federal agency charged with fighting pollution accidentally caused it.

The Animas has largely returned to running clear below Silverton and into Durango, although some of the orange sediment remains in some puddles and along the shore.

Officials advise residents with wells in the flood plains of the Animas River and the San Juan River downstream of the confluence of the two rivers to have their water tested before using it for cooking, drinking or bathing.

County Executive Officer Kim Carpenter voiced frustration about the delay in getting information about the chemicals in the water. The data, he said, will "give us a big picture of what we are going to deal with and the long-term effects we will have to deal with."

Contributing: Steve Garrison, Joshua Kellogg and Noel Lyn Smith, The (Farmington, N.M.) Daily Times; and Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY

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