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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 Dammeron Valley, UT

Home Care Dammeron Valley, 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 Jacob Hamblin Home 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 Dammeron Valley, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, UT

Types of Elderly Care in Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley Community Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Dammeron Valley, 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 Arrabiata Steakhouse Restaurant or visit Silver Reef Museum / Ghost Town, 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 Dammeron Valley, UT

Benefits of Home Care in Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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:

  • Sterling Court - An Elegant Assisted Living Community in Southern Utah
  • Little Valley Assisted Living
  • The Meadows at Escalante
  • Beehive Homes of St George - Snow Canyon
  • The Retreat at Sunbrook
  • Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living
Home Care Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, 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 Dammeron Valley, UT

Latest News in Dammeron Valley, UT

Team culture in Dammeron Valley ignites interest in department, fire academy

DAMMERON VALLEY — The restructuring of the Dammeron Valley Fire Department has made it not only a place where people want to train, but also a place where they want to work.The personnel conflicts and communication challenges that once dogged the department are things of the past, and one key change has had a marked impact.“The thing we have changed in the culture here is this is a place where people want to come,” Fire Chief John Hennessy said.And a major contributor is the ...

DAMMERON VALLEY — The restructuring of the Dammeron Valley Fire Department has made it not only a place where people want to train, but also a place where they want to work.

The personnel conflicts and communication challenges that once dogged the department are things of the past, and one key change has had a marked impact.

“The thing we have changed in the culture here is this is a place where people want to come,” Fire Chief John Hennessy said.

And a major contributor is the fire academy, he added.

In cooperation with Utah Valley University, the academy started to help secure professionally licensed firefighters, wildland firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

The academy is now considered a regional training center under the Utah Fire and Rescue Academy.

Hennessy said things have changed since and the professionalism is evident now.

Dammeron Valley Fire Special Service District Board Chair Mack Sorenson said the change started with bringing in retired Clark County (Nevada) Fire Department Captain Chet Barnes as the new Chief of the Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue at Fire Station 13, approximately 12 miles north of St. George, in September 2020.

Barnes did not renew his contract in February 2022, citing personal needs of time with family. Hennessy was appointed to take over the role in March 2022 after serving under Barnes as Deputy Chief.

The board wrote of their gratitude for Barnes in a press release, citing a “remarkable job.”

A far contrast from February 2020 when the restructuring of the department began. All but one certified firefighter left.

The reason for the full reconstruction of the department was cited as “the safety of our department” as stated in a letter from the board. According to the board, safety certifications and equipment had expired without being renewed.

Hennessy said they have trained multiple firefighters who have gone on to work for other departments, but come back during their free time to do hours here “because they like being here.”

“The fact they want to come back here is a testimonial of the culture we have built here,” he said.

Battalion Chief Ryan D’Ambrosio said they train firefighters who mostly want to stay at the small station. He said they now have 39 certified firefighters, with 36 of them nationally EMT certified. A stark contrast to when he was hired in January 2021 with two certified firefighters and eight volunteers.

The new Dammeron Valley Fire & EMS Training Center Fire Academy kicked off on Sept. 16 and will feature a training with live fire during the Sept. 30 weekend. A Utah Fire and Rescue Academy Live Fire Attack prop will be on site.

They will do more live fire and flashover training later on during the academy.

The trainees not only from their department but from others, including Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, Nev.

A new problem has arisen according to the board members, but according to Hennessy, it is a good problem to have.

“We have people that want to come and work here that we just can’t take anymore,” he said.

He added they don’t have the equipment nor the resources, but still, seek employment here because of their reputation.

They implemented Vision 2030 last year which outlines the meeting of the needs of the department by the year 2030. It is a strategic analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of the department.

This program has five pillars; paid staff and promotion, the professional categories of certification, the communications system, modernization of the fleet and the upkeep of the fire station.

The county commissioners helped with the modernization of the fleet by adding Engine 131 to the fleet. However, the communications system needs work as he said they are operating on Motorola “old dinosaurs.”.

Still, there is a lot of equipment that needs updating.

“We are preparing today for the challenges of tomorrow,” he said.

He said the economic growth and the additions of commercialization will keep adding needs.

The department services Dammeron Valley and surrounding areas, which include 110 square miles. They offer 24/7 service now with their average response time cut by more than half.

“The call volume really started going up and we recognized that the need for coverage was there,” D’Ambrosio said.

They started a reserve program, filling the coverage need.

“We are at a point where we are getting double calls or triple calls all at the same time,” he said, adding they are just trying to keep up with it.

They are expecting over 300 calls this year, an increase of over 150 calls from last year.

Board member Ryan Anderson added the addition of Public Information Officer Hunter Wolfe has been a positive addition, helping to build that reputation.

They have an interagency agreement with Santa Clara – Ivins Fire Department which has been a huge ally. Anderson said they are still playing catch up, an impact felt nationwide as shortages in personnel, finances and resources are prevalent.

Hennessy said they will will continue to move forward, adjusting and changing like a machine in motion.

“I am pretty damn proud —it has taken a lot of work,” Hennessy said. “Not one individual’s but a team effort.”

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Here’s the first-ever map showing wildfire risk to American homes

The data comes as rising housing prices in cities and suburbs push Americans deeper into fire-prone areas.By Christopher Flavelle | The New York Times| Updated: 2:11 p.m.DAMMERON VALLEY, Utah • The nation’s wildfire risk is widespread, severe and accelerating quickly, according to new data that, for the first time, calculates the risk facing every property in the contiguous United States.The data, released Monday by the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research group in New York, comes as r...

The data comes as rising housing prices in cities and suburbs push Americans deeper into fire-prone areas.

By Christopher Flavelle | The New York Times

| Updated: 2:11 p.m.

DAMMERON VALLEY, Utah • The nation’s wildfire risk is widespread, severe and accelerating quickly, according to new data that, for the first time, calculates the risk facing every property in the contiguous United States.

The data, released Monday by the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research group in New York, comes as rising housing prices in cities and suburbs push Americans deeper into fire-prone areas, with little idea about the specific risk in their new locale.

That’s because the federal government maps flood risk at the property level but doesn’t do the same for wildfires, which are growing more frequent and severe because of climate change.

“For too long, we have let people live in communities, and even attracted them to join a community, while keeping them in a state of ignorance about the risk that they’re under,” said Roy Wright, a former head of risk mitigation at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Wright said he hoped the new data would “draw attention to the risk and drive people to take action.”

The data is being released at the outset of what promises to be a wildfire season even worse than usual, with blazes already burning in more than a dozen states.

Half of all addresses in the Lower 48 face some degree of wildfire risk, according to First Street’s model, a number that will rise to 56% by 2052. In some rural states, including Wyoming and Montana, more than 90% of properties already face some risk.

(The New York Times) The nation’s wildfire risk is widespread, severe and accelerating quickly, according to new data that, for the first time, calculates the risk facing every property in the contiguous United States.

Of all the addresses nationwide that could be damaged by wildfire, more than 686,000 face at least a 1% chance this year — the same degree of risk that the government uses to determine which houses are sufficiently in danger of flooding that they need flood insurance. But wildfire risk is more dangerous, according to First Street, because, while flooding often damages only parts of a house, fire is more likely to destroy it entirely.

A 1% risk may seem small. But that possibility compounds over time, becoming a 26% risk over 30 years — the span of a typical mortgage. Over the course of that 30-year mortgage, more than 381,000 properties nationwide face a risk of wildfire that is greater than 50%, according to First Street.

First Street’s analysis of property-level exposure to risk is underpinned by a high-resolution model of wildfire behavior across the country. The model is based on a number of factors, including the proximity to combustible fuels that contribute to wildfire — such as shrubs, grasses and trees — historical weather, previous fires, and warming climate conditions such as temperature and precipitation. It builds on estimates from the U.S. Forest Service of community-level wildfire risk.

Researchers at the Forest Service and elsewhere said First Street’s approach was reasonable, although they cautioned that such granular projections should be viewed as estimates only, with significant levels of uncertainty.

Greg Dillon, director of the Forest Service’s Fire Modeling Institute, said people also shouldn’t discount the threat of wildfire just because they’re not in the highest risk categories on such maps. “If you’re in anything but the lowest risk category, you should be talking to your neighbors about risk mitigation and what you can do,” he said. “In a lot of the United States, there’s a potential for fire.”

Perhaps surprisingly, the state with the most properties facing at least a 1% wildfire risk is Florida, with almost 200,000 such parcels. (The next highest are Texas and California, with about 100,000 properties each.) Florida has thick vegetation that can burn easily, including palmetto and pine trees, when dried out by increasingly hot temperatures tied to climate change, according to Michele Steinberg, wildfire division director at the National Fire Protection Association.

In 30 years, First Street’s model predicts that California will take the lead, with 631,755 addresses facing at least a 1% annual risk from wildfire, followed by Texas (474,367 properties) and Florida (383,634). Arizona, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico will each have more than 100,000 properties with that much risk.

Nationwide, the number of existing properties facing at least a 1% risk will almost quadruple, to 2.5 million. And that doesn’t account for subdivisions to be built in the intervening years.

Matthew Eby, executive director of First Street, said he was most surprised by how much the wildfire risk is projected to increase over the next 30 years. He called that escalation “just mind-boggling.”

The level of risk in those states partly reflects their size. When measured as a share of all properties, fire risk is greatest in Utah. More than 5% of properties there have at least a 1% chance of experiencing a wildfire, far more than in any other state. (Only Nevada comes close, followed by New Mexico.) Utah is also one of the fastest-growing states in the country, putting more homes at a risk that, until now, has not been measured.

Perhaps nowhere is the collision between unmapped wildfire risk and America’s feverish housing market clearer than in Dammeron Valley, a small town in southwest Utah.

(Bridget Bennett | The New York Times) A house under construction in Dammeron Valley, a small town in Utah that exemplifies the collision between unmapped wildfire risk and America's feverish housing market, May 9, 2022.

A cattle ranch until 40 years ago, the town is almost absurdly pretty, cupped by gentle hills and carpeted by sagebrush and juniper. The only commercial property is a small vineyard that grows malbec and pinot noir. On the valley floor, many properties have horses. Curving roads lead into the foothills, where newer olive-colored houses with picture windows peek out from clusters of pinyon pines. A constant breeze helps keep the town a few degrees cooler than St. George, Washington County’s main city, 15 miles south and 2,000 feet lower.

But as the climate warms, the rolling hills and foliage that make Dammeron Valley so attractive are increasingly making it dangerous.

When Lonnie Andrews moved from Southern California two years ago, everything seemed to be going right. His money went further, he made new friends and the value of his house kept rising as Americans increasingly flocked to this corner of southwest Utah, the fastest-growing area in the United States.

Then, the hillside in front of Andrews’ new house burst into flames.

Firefighters kept the blaze from consuming his side of town. But soon after, another wildfire approached from a different direction, only to narrowly miss Dammeron Valley again.

“We hadn’t been here but a couple of months,” said Andrews, a former bull rider, who said no one warned him about wildfires when he bought his house.

All of Dammeron Valley’s roughly 500 properties face at least a 1% annual wildfire risk, data show. For almost 200 of them, the risk is 5% or greater. By 2052, every property in town is projected to reach that 5% threshold.

Yet even as the risk grows, so does the population. The St. George metro area, which includes Dammeron Valley and the rest of Washington County, increased by 5% between 2020 and 2021, adding about 10,000 new residents, a rate greater than any other metro area in the country, the Census Bureau announced in March.

As St. George grows, more people are moving to outlying towns such as Dammeron Valley. One evening last week, Randy Ruesch was walking his two cocker spaniels with his daughter Haily in front of the home he is building at the edge of town.

Ruesch, who lives in St. George, said he had decided to move to Dammeron Valley for more space. “It’s getting too congested,” he said. Gesturing toward his new house, Ruesch noted with satisfaction that no matter where one stood, it was impossible to get an unimpeded view of the structure — there were too many trees around it.

The threat of wildfires had given him no pause about building a home here, Ruesch said, calling it the price of the peace he finds in living at the edge of the woods. “It’s kind of like the reward for the risk,” he said.

Up the hill, Layne Hanna gave a visitor a tour of his recently completed 2,500-square-foot house with white walls, polished concrete floors and 12-foot ceilings. Glass doors open onto a pool deck on the west side of the building, where swimmers can watch the sun set over Nevada.

Hanna and his wife are moving to Dammeron Valley from Boise, Idaho. They wanted to retire somewhere with milder winters. He said he knows the pinyon pines and junipers around his property are a fire risk. But if he cut them down, he would be able to see his neighbor’s house, and vice versa, something he claimed neither he nor the neighbor much wanted.

“It’s a gamble,” Hanna said of living in the house. “But I try to look at the positive.”

Local officials no longer want to gamble. Two years ago, the town hired a professional fire chief. To fund the position and upgrade services, officials had to double the annual fee that residents pay for the fire department, to $480.

The reaction was not positive. “You would have thought we were taking babies away from their moms,” said Mack Sorenson, chair of the county-appointed board that oversees the fire department.

Then, in September 2020, a wildfire started on the far side of the extinct Veyo Volcano, a 5,000-foot cinder cone shaped like a saddle and forming Dammeron Valley’s western boundary. The fire crested the top of the volcano, then swept down the near slope, feeding on sagebrush and leaving behind charred husks of trees.

The newly professionalized Dammeron Valley Fire Department set up a line between the hill and the town and stopped the fire from reaching homes. Complaints about the fire fee stopped, Sorenson said.

Construction is unlikely to slow down. Last week, Sorenson drove past the spot where the 2020 fire was stopped. Just below the fire line, a developer has plans to build more homes. Sorenson said he expected those plans to go ahead. He pointed to the land that almost burned.

“This,” Sorenson said, “is all going to be new houses.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

‘We will see activity’: Multiple fire fighting agencies conduct simulations in Dammeron Valley

ST. GEORGE — Personnel from multiple fire fighting agencies conducted simulations and tested new vehicles Saturday morning in Dammeron Valley.Exercises were simulated in the field, focusing on quickly attacking wildland fires that interface with an urban environment.In other words, they practiced fighting wildfires that threaten to burn homes and structures.The training comes right as the wildfire season is expected to flare up.Washington County Fire Warden Heber Heyder was one of several Ut...

ST. GEORGE — Personnel from multiple fire fighting agencies conducted simulations and tested new vehicles Saturday morning in Dammeron Valley.

Exercises were simulated in the field, focusing on quickly attacking wildland fires that interface with an urban environment.

In other words, they practiced fighting wildfires that threaten to burn homes and structures.

The training comes right as the wildfire season is expected to flare up.

Washington County Fire Warden Heber Heyder was one of several Utah fire wardens leading their crews in Saturday’s simulations, dubbed the Utah Wildland Engine Training.

“We train year round, especially in the summertime, getting ready for the wildland (fire) season, which is shaping up to be fairly busy for us down here in the low country,” Heyder told St. George News. “I think we will see activity — whether that’s more than usual remains to be seen.”

About 30 or 40 firefighters gathered in the staging area at Dammeron Valley Fire Department to get briefed before the simulations started.

Fire fighting agencies from the city, county and state level all gathered together for the simulations, preparing for large-scale operations that might have to be utilized in the future.

“Wildland-urban interface is what we’re training on today,” Heyder stated. “So structure triage, structure protection. Also to get our cooperators working together and familiar with each other and with tactics that we use in Southwest Utah.”

Another focus at the event was to educate and familiarize fire fighters with new equipment.

“Absolutely, become familiar with new equipment they need to use, break it in, get to that point where they don’t have to think about it, just get in and use it efficiently and effectively,” Heyder noted.

After simulated emergency calls came through dispatch, engines from multiple districts rolled out from the Dammeron Valley Fire Department and dispersed to seven different sites featuring 15 different homes around the valley.

Engine teams at each site learned to evaluate the simulated threat to the structures present and determine an attack plan.

Also important was to determine the hose lays, which is the pattern of laying fire hoses around structures to facilitate maximum water flow.

Each engine crew worked the site and then had their assessments and attack plans discussed by mentors and instructors, going over what they did or didn’t do in their simulations and what might have worked better.

Personnel were told at the briefing that there was no right or wrong way to do things, rather, the purpose of the simulation was to become everyone familiar with what will be needed in the event of an incident in the area.

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First responder, good Samaritan honored for saving man from burning car on Southern Utah highway

ST. GEORGE — Two men were publicly honored Tuesday with Gift of Life awards for life-saving efforts they made that saved a man who was trapped in a burning car.During a Washington County Commission meeting held Tuesday, the Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue recognized Jayden Darrington, of St. George, and Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dustin “Dusty” Killpack for their involvement in an incident that took place ...

ST. GEORGE — Two men were publicly honored Tuesday with Gift of Life awards for life-saving efforts they made that saved a man who was trapped in a burning car.

During a Washington County Commission meeting held Tuesday, the Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue recognized Jayden Darrington, of St. George, and Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dustin “Dusty” Killpack for their involvement in an incident that took place June 9 at 2 a.m. on state Route 18.

Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue and other first responders received an alert about a vehicle crash that morning in the area of mile marker 13 on SR-18. While they were en route, Darrington happened to be passing by the crash site and reported the vehicle was on fire. He also stopped to render whatever aid he could.

“Jayden sprang into action, ran down the embankment to the burning vehicle and pried open the door,” Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Ryan D’ambrosio said during the commission meeting. “After the door was opened, he pulled the patient out of the vehicle and onto the ground.”

By that time, Killpack arrived and helped Darrington carry the man — who had been the vehicle’s driver — safely away from the burning wreck that was swiftly engulfed in flames.

Both men showed “extreme courage,” D’ambrosio said, and for that, the department wanted to recognize them.

Applause erupted in the commission chambers as Killpack walked up to receive the award. Darrington was not present. D’ambrosio told St. George News that Darrington likely wasn’t able to attend due to work. However, the department plans to have him out to their board meeting Thursday in order to officially recognize his life-saving actions.

While Killpack said he appreciated the recognition, he said he was just doing his job, and Darrington was the one worthy of the praise.

“This individual showed up on the scene with no idea what was going on and he jumped into action,” Killpack said.

In contact, it took Killpack nine minutes to reach the scene to help carry the injured driver away from the burning mess of crushed metal. The car itself had gone off the road, knocking down a 55 mph speed limit sign along the way

“We really need to be recognizing (Darrington) because of what he did,” he said.

If Darrington hadn’t arrived when he did, the driver would have likely perished in the spending fire, D’ambrosio said. Vehicle fires can “move quick” and it is often too late for those caught inside to be saved by the time firefighters arrive, he said.

“We see (Darrington and Killpack) as going above and beyond,” D’ambrosio said. “They were in the right place at the right time.”

According to the original report of the crash, the driver – and a passenger who had been able to escape the wreck on their own – had sustained “significant injuries” to their upper bodies and heads from the crash.

The cause of the crash is also suspected by authorities to have been the driver operating the car while intoxicated and possibly driving over twice the posted speed limit.

Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Lucas Alfred said the passenger told responders they were traveling at around 120 mph at the time of the crash.

Both the driver and passenger were taken to St. George Regional Hospital for care. Soon after, the driver was flown to Las Vegas by helicopter where he was placed in an intensive care unit. While D’ambrosio said he was unaware of the extent of the man’s injuries or what level of recovery has taken place, he said he knew the man spent nearly a month in the hospital before being able to return home.

Alfred, who was present at Tuesday’s commission meeting, said he appreciated Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue’s recognizing Killpack’s part in the incident. While he said “we’re just out there doing our job,” recognition by other groups helps “let the public know we’re out there doing this type of work.”

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

Torrential rain floods Dammeron Valley, sends river of mud into Veyo Pool

ST. GEORGE — Residents and resorts were still dealing with the aftereffects Thursday in the Dammeron Valley and surrounding areas after two large storm cells crossed over the region Wednesday evening. Efforts are underway to prepare for more rain, as the current monsoon storm pattern is expected to continue.On Wednesday, the first of two storm cells formed above the Dammeron Valley area, sending a downpour of torrential rain upon the region, Hunter Wolfe, communications director for the Dammeron Valley Fire Depa...

ST. GEORGE — Residents and resorts were still dealing with the aftereffects Thursday in the Dammeron Valley and surrounding areas after two large storm cells crossed over the region Wednesday evening. Efforts are underway to prepare for more rain, as the current monsoon storm pattern is expected to continue.

On Wednesday, the first of two storm cells formed above the Dammeron Valley area, sending a downpour of torrential rain upon the region, Hunter Wolfe, communications director for the Dammeron Valley Fire Department, told St. George News.

“I mean it was relentless for more than 20 minutes or so,” he said. “And then we got hit with a second cell that did not last as long, but the amount of water that came down was “pretty surprising.”

Following the first spell of heavy rain, the Dammeron Valley Fire Department deployed all resources to address any problems, using every engine, truck, and other apparatus that were deployed from the station. Crews set out to first check on the areas most prone to flooding, while other members were checking a number of residential neighborhoods, culverts and drainage ditches for flooding.

Once the second storm cell hit, Wolfe said, many of the culverts became overwhelmed. At that point. the water overflowed into residential areas where homes and other structures were located.

“Those culverts put up a valiant fight,” Wolfe said. “But at some point, they were inundated with water.”

One home reported flooding in the basement with two to three inches of water. The fire department responded to the residence Wednesday night and helped remove the water using electric pumps.

The overflow of water also carried with it a tremendous amount of mud and debris that was swept across a number of areas, and crews went out with chainsaws to cut and remove the larger branches and other vegetation that were caught in the overflow.

Meanwhile, crews and residents were filling sandbags that were made available to the public, and the Washington County Public Works Department was working to provide an additional load of sand late Thursday.

The fire department was also notified of flooding in the Veyo Pool and Crawdad Canyon area, where heavy rainfall not only caused flooding, but sent a river of mud down the canyon and into the pool. Emergency crews were out there Thursday with electric pumps and other equipment to remove the mud and debris from the property.

What did hold up during the storm was the large culvert that was installed under state Route 18 — a project that was completed after the unprecedented flooding from the storms in 2018 when two massive storms flooded the highway and left the valley with significant damage, Wolfe said, and also prompted a number of improvements across the region.

A number of new culverts and drainage ditches were installed, as well as other improvements designed to divert the water away from residential areas by moving it towards the undeveloped public land regions.

More preparations are being made, Wolfe said, as the storms do not appear to be ceasing anytime soon. He added crews remain on high alert as flash flood watches and inclement weather can result in more excessive rainfall over the next several days.

He also recommended that residents maintain situational awareness and if a heavy rainstorm hits, it is important to continue monitoring the property for flooding. Placing sandbags around the home or other structures can help divert the water away from the property. Sandbags can be picked up at the Dammeron Valley Fire Department, or can be delivered to residents if needed.

Keeping an eye on the homes located next door or nearby is also a good idea, Wolfe said, as a number of the residences in the valley serve as a second home and may be unoccupied when the storm hits. If the home appears to be in jeopardy, the fire department can respond with sandbags or other resources to help mitigate the damage.

Wolfe said water levels and the rate the water is flowing can quickly change, so residents are cautioned to remain vigilant and avoid flood waters at all costs — “turn around, don’t drown,” he added.

Anyone needing assistance is asked to call 911 instead of the fire department, which will streamline the operation and ensure that crews respond to each call with the appropriate supplies or equipment.

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