Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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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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“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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“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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“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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“Love always best care ❤️”

Breezy H.
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“Amazing business. Staff are helpful and kind.”

Margot K.
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“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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“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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“Love working for this company”

Christina P.
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“Love them! Staff is always super sweet and easy to work with! Highly recommend.”

Olivia L.
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“As an employee of this company I could not ask for a better team to work with. They work with schedules, are understanding caring and all around amazing people. The clients are wonderful and have nothing but good things to say. They treat you as family and care from day one!”

Cassandra O.
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“Always Best Care has provided caregivers for my mother and now my father for the last year. They always send the best people to take care of them and give me peace of mind when I have to be at work. I highly recommend them if you’re seeking care for anyone in need.”

Salle A.
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“Alway best care! They are so giving and caring to their staff and clients❤️❤️❤️”

Brianne W.
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“I've been using ABC for about 2 1/2 years and have really met some wonderful people and great caregivers. I know they all work hard and are experienced and dependable which is important to me. At times I've needed a flexible schedule and they've been able to accommodate my needs and been very friendly about it. At times I've also had to ask these caregivers to do things for me outside of their job description and they've been very accommodating. Brent is also been great to follow up with phone calls and help adjust my schedule when needed. I do recommend this company.”

Jim J.
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“The best home health company that I have ever worked for. Friendly office staff, great scheduler, and the kindest CNA’s and workers that I know.”

Jenny J.
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“I work with Always Best Care and they're always flexible with my schedule. Everyone there is very nice and understanding and I enjoy working with ABC.”

Anna S.
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“Always Best Care has been an amazing company to work for! They are flexible with my schedule being a single mom and I can tell they are always putting their clients and the individuals that they care for, the needs and their happiness above all else. I know they care for every individual that they have and they make sure their staff are the same way!”

Aubrey S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best is such an incredible company! They are so accommodating to all of the needs of their clients and do their best to help any way that they can. They are reliable and really seem to care. I would recommend Always Best to anyone looking for these kinds of services!”

Anni H.
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“Always best care has been warm and welcoming. They start off with a really good pay start and they also give really good hours and are very flexible with my work and school schedule. They are very kind even throughout my shifts they will sometimes ask me how my shifts went and make sure I’m doing ok and even through the holidays they send me messages or cards wishing me the best of holidays and always making me feel part of their family and business. And if I have any questions or concerns they are always supportive and always there for me I definitely recommend working hear and also I love working there my clients are all very nice and if you are ever looking for help always best care is the best place to call.”

Mackenzie C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I work for Always Best Care now and have for some time now. I love how much people care about their clients and how the company is always there if we need something or have questions about something. This is one of the best places I have worked in the last 6 years of being a CNA. I love that the clients are the top priority to not just me but the whole team as well.!”

Ashley O.
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“Great company”

kathy N.
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“Always Best Care are the people to go to! Julie and Henry Lee are amazing people to work with!”

Bentley S.
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“Very caring, and great to work with!”

Jeff S.
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“I have used this company for a few of my residents. They take such good care of their clients and do such a good job at taking the time with each and every one of them. They go above and beyond for their clients. I’d definitely recommend them!”

Kaylee N.
 In-Home Care Toquerville, UT

How does In-home Senior Care in Toquerville, UT work?

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

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

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

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 Senior Care Toquerville, UT

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, 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:

Comfort
Comfort

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, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Toquerville, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Toquerville, UT 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

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.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

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.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

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.


Respite Care Toquerville, UT

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

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 Toquerville,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.

 Caregivers Toquerville, 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 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

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An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

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Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

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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.

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.

Latest News in Toquerville, UT

Out of control cement truck falls 100 feet into gorge

Toquerville — An unsecured cement pumping truck launched off an estimated 100-foot-high cliff at a construction site on South Peachtree Drive Friday afternoon. The vehicle landed in the gorge of Ash Creek and was severely dam...

Toquerville — An unsecured cement pumping truck launched off an estimated 100-foot-high cliff at a construction site on South Peachtree Drive Friday afternoon. The vehicle landed in the gorge of Ash Creek and was severely damaged.

Josh Langston was helping his friend at the construction site when the incident began and said the operator of the truck was outside of the vehicle when it began to roll. The driver attempted to jump back into the truck to stop it and consequently was dragged for a distance of approximately 50 – 75 feet.

“It looked like he was going to get pulled under the truck,” Langston said. “He crashed through this tree up here. My buddy Justin and I were right here. We started running towards him, I don’t know what we were going to do. Once he was within, I don’t know, 50 feet, 40 feet of the cliff, Justin was just like ‘let go’ because he was still trying to get into that truck to stop it, and by that point it was going 20 miles an hour, maybe 30 miles an hour.”

The driver did finally let go and despite being dragged through several bushes appeared to be uninjured, Langston said, adding they watched the truck go airborne off the side of the cliff before it disappeared out of sight to crash loudly in the gorge below.

“It’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen for sure,” Langston said.

The vehicle came to rest at the bottom of the gorge, with debris scattered all around it.

Chief Deputy Shauna Jones with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office issued a news release on the incident that states:

A concrete truck was unoccupied, and apparently not sufficiently secured, when it rolled off an embankment at a job site near S. Peachtree Drive & W. Lake Lane, Toquerville. I have unconfirmed information that it rolled about 100 feet. I do not have many details, but it appears that the hazardous material concern is from engine fluids that routinely leak from a damaged vehicle into a river, not concern from the contents of the truck leaking into the river. Hurricane fire and Hildale fire are working on containment. UHP’s commercial inspection team was requested, no other details are known at this time.

The scent of diesel fuel was pervasive on the scene, and emergency responders were placing fuel-absorbing materials in Ash Creek to try and contain the spill.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Click on photo to enlarge, use left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

A year after Toquerville Falls rescue, woman has nothing but gratitude for Southern Utah ‘heroes’

ST. GEORGE — In July, Candi Kardash will turn 62. It’s a birthday that was in doubt nearly a year ago.As June turned to July last year, the resident of the Savannah suburb of Richmond Hill, Georgia, was on the se...

ST. GEORGE — In July, Candi Kardash will turn 62. It’s a birthday that was in doubt nearly a year ago.

As June turned to July last year, the resident of the Savannah suburb of Richmond Hill, Georgia, was on the second-to-last day of a once-in-a-lifetime trip with 34 other family members to see the sites of the West.

But the day would end with Kardash needing to be the first person to be rescued by the then-new Utah Department of Public Safety Southern Utah helicopter rescue team as well as a joint effort of the Washington County Search and Rescue with the Hurricane Valley Fire District.

After 10 months and three surgeries, Kardash is still recovering and still requires a walker. But she contacted St. George News for one reason: To express her gratitude for her rescuers.

“I wish to let these amazing rescuers know that I’m very grateful for their quick response in my time of need,” Kardash said. “Each one of them are heroes in my book.”

Washington County Search and Rescue hear many cries for help. But hearing a cry of thanks was music to the ears of Sgt. Darrell Cashin, who leads the team.

“Hearing the gratitude and thankfulness of someone we rescue is why we all do search and rescue,” Cashin told St. George News. “It lets us all know that what we did made a difference in someone’s life. We are humbled and encouraged to continue helping those in need.”

Last July 1, Kardash and members of her extended family were on an all-terrain vehicle tour through the outlying areas of Zion National Park when they came upon Toquerville Falls.

Kardash said the guides told her it was OK to jump off the waterfall, so Kardash took the leap. But like many local waterfalls, the water below was more shallow than it looked and the grandmother landed with a thud that instantly shattered and crushed her right ankle and the tibia at her left knee.

“My injuries were extremely painful,” Kardash told St. George News. “I was screaming as the pain was unbearable.”

It was a little after 10 a.m., and it would take hours for help to arrive and for Kardash to ultimately get to the hospital because of the falls’ remote location via an unpaved road and short hike 11 miles from the Toquerville Boulevard-Spring Drive turnoff. A family member needed to hike a mile just to get a cell phone signal.

While waiting for a rescue, Kardash’s family tried to help.

“My family helped to keep me as comfortable as possible. They kept me in the water as the cold water would help keep the swelling down,” she said. “My nephews tried to keep my legs stable because the waterfall’s movement made it incredibly painful.”

When the Southern Utah rescuers arrived, they tried to load her onto a truck but Kardash cried loudly in pain. She recalled one of the rescuers stopping the truck from departing:

“I remember one of the rescuers slapping his hand and the roof of the truck and ordered them to stop, ‘This isn’t going to work!’”

A helicopter was needed, but Intermountain Lifeflight was already on a call. But Cashin said at the time he knew the DPS chopper was on its first day as a second option.

The DPS helicopter flew in, but because heat and conditions made it tougher for the helicopter to lift, the co-pilot had to stay behind and a door had to be removed to reduce weight.

There was also a weight of fear on the part of Kardash.

“I had never been on a helicopter or an ambulance for that matter,” she said. “I was feeling a bit freaked out. After their reassuring words, the dirt was flying and so was I.”

The helicopter landed in a church parking lot in Toquerville to a waiting ambulance that took her to St. George Regional Hospital and her first surgery. She would celebrate July Fourth there before going back to Georgia and spending another month and a half in the hospital. She still has some recovery ahead.

But her doctor says she will recover, and he attributes it to the start Kardash had in Utah.

“My doctor told me that the surgeon in Utah set him up for success. Top-notch work,” Kardash said. “I was so blessed by the actions of the kind and professional people of Utah rescue workers.”

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

‘In a Rugged Land’ looks at impact of famous 20th-century photographers on 3 Utah towns

Laudable 20th-century photographers Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams spent their careers traversing the United States, taking photos of everything from stunning landscapes to heartbreaking Great Depression scenes. These images can be seen at high-end galleries and museums across the country.But there are three places that often get forgotten in their memoirs of places they documented. James Swensen, an art history professor at Brigham Young University, is bringing to light a photo series that ran in Life magazine that sho...

Laudable 20th-century photographers Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams spent their careers traversing the United States, taking photos of everything from stunning landscapes to heartbreaking Great Depression scenes. These images can be seen at high-end galleries and museums across the country.

But there are three places that often get forgotten in their memoirs of places they documented. James Swensen, an art history professor at Brigham Young University, is bringing to light a photo series that ran in Life magazine that showcased photos the two took in Toquerville, Gunlock and St. George Utah.

“In a Rugged Land” features images Swensen compiled from the photographer's month-long stay and what it was like for the photographers to go through Utah’s rural, sometimes harsh landscape. Now, the book is being honored for being the best book of Utah history in 2019 by the Utah Historical Society.

Perceptions of the towns

The landscape and culture of southern Utah for the two photographers wasn’t completely unknown when they started taking photos in August 1953. But Swensen said if Lange and Adams were to return to the area today, they’d be surprised how much the personalities of the towns have changed.

“Gunlock was young and youthful and vibrant, Toquerville was waning. They would be shocked to see the opposite,” Swensen said. “[The photographers] took people off guard when it showed up in Life, millions saw it every week. People of Gunlock were pleased, but St. George and Toquerville weren’t shown in a warm, rosy light.”

Images of St. George show the growing materialism in the area. In Life magazine it reads, "St. George has taken up worldly ways." The images show a growing tourism industry, with the neon lights and chain stores around town.

Toquerville is described in Life magazine as "old and quiet but its children have gone away." Many of the older residents were photographed as well as buildings that are falling apart.

On the other hand, Gunlock shows many young people riding horses and playing around. In Life magazine, Gunlock is described as "young and beginning to meet the future." Which today, Swensen said, doesn't seem to be the case.

'Barely a footnote'

The photographers often surprised people in these towns with all the photography equipment, but eventually residents would open up and relax. One bishop with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints even allowed Lange and Adams to attend and photograph services. But the project ended on not-so-great terms between Lange and Adams, and is "barely a footnote" in the photographers' careers, according to Swensen.

In writing the book, Swensen enjoyed being able to go back and look at these images and meet people who were photographed or descendants of those photographed. He was also able to work with Lange’s son to learn more about what the thoughts were of the photographers.

"Their stories helped me understand what that experience was like, And that was one of the most rewarding things [about writing this book]," Swensen said.

Read more St. George news:

Lexi Peery is the environment and politics reporter for The Spectrum & Daily News, a USA TODAY Network newsroom based in southern Utah. You can reach her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @LexiFP. And if you want to support and sustain this work, consider subscribing today.

Utah woman gets prison for locking her 12-year-old, 30-pound son in a feces-covered bathroom

| Updated: 7:18 p.m.A Toquerville mother who locked her severely malnourished 12-year-old son in a bathroom for up to a year was sentenced Monday to serve three consecutive sentences of one to 15 years in prison for child abuse.Fifth District Judge Eric Ludlow sentenced Brandy K. Jaynes to up to 45 years in prison Monday afternoon, according to a report from The Spectrum and Daily News...

| Updated: 7:18 p.m.

A Toquerville mother who locked her severely malnourished 12-year-old son in a bathroom for up to a year was sentenced Monday to serve three consecutive sentences of one to 15 years in prison for child abuse.

Fifth District Judge Eric Ludlow sentenced Brandy K. Jaynes to up to 45 years in prison Monday afternoon, according to a report from The Spectrum and Daily News, after attorneys argued about her level of remorse

A letter from the victim in the case said he would get one meal of a couple of hot dogs every other day for four months and would be drenched with ”ice cold water in the winter,” the newspaper reported.

His statement described frustration and confusion, and as Ludlow pointed out, one “particularly heart-wrenching” paragraph in which the boy said he would like to see his mother again someday.

“She did horrible things to me, but she’s still my mom,” the boy wrote. “I feel safe now. I started feeling safe when I got away from her.”

A pre-sentence report said Jaynes has shown no remorse for her actions, but defense attorney Edward Flint countered she “has great sorrow, remorse and concern” for that boy, as well as for her other two children.

Flint wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed last week with 5th District Judge Eric Ludlow that the Adult Probation and Parole (APP) interviewer never asked BrandyJaynes questions about her son. Flint asked the judge to strike that portion of the APP report.

Flint urged the judge to take into account a letter Brandy Jaynes wrote to the court, in which she admitted that she “screwed up by not getting help” and apologized “to everyone I have hurt.”

Brandy Jaynes, 36, pleaded guilty as charged last month to three counts of second-degree felony child abuse. Though she was sentenced to a maximum penalty of one to 15 years in prison on each charge, Flint said APP sentencing guidelines call for jail time and probation.

Prosecutors asked for consecutive terms, for a total sentence of three to 45 years in prison.

| Courtesy of Washington County jail Brandy K. Jaynes

In January, Jaynes’ husband, 40-year-old Russell Orin Jaynes, took the 12-year-old boy — who weighed 30 pounds — to a local hospital for treatment after he found the child was locked in a bathroom. Later, police said the bathroom was covered in feces and had empty cans of beans and a spoon in the shower.

The boy’s two siblings told investigators that their brother had been in the bathroom for at least one year, though Flint has said he doesn’t believe the child was there for that long.

After an investigation, Russell Jaynes was charged with third-degree felony reckless child abuse, accused of not intervening sooner regarding his son’s care. He is expected to be in court again Sept. 19, when he may resolve his case, according to court records.

Flint has said that Brandy Jaynes was overwhelmed by a child with “severe special needs.”

But prosecutors say in a response to the defense memorandum that any problems the boy had were “a direct result of the defendant‘s abuse and neglect of him.”

The boy was removed from school for home schooling in December 2012, prosecutors wrote, and the only issue identified by school officials was that he had been caught stealing and was falling behind in classwork because of excessive absences.

In his sentencing memorandum, Flint says Brandy Jaynes went from being “an abused child to a young mother, to a homemaker and mother, with no outside work or interests.”

In the four months before her January arrest, Flint wrote, Brandy Jaynes began abusing heroin and methamphetamine as her 14-year marriage deteriorated.

“This was the time of the most serious decline in the victim‘s health and well-being, and probably constitutes the actual time where [the 12-year-old boy] spent either locked in, or staying in the bathroom by his own choice,” Flint wrote.

Flint noted that Brandy Jaynes had scheduled an appointment for the 12-year-old boy to see a doctor Jan. 23, but she was arrested Jan. 12.

Brandy Jaynes “concedes she should have taken [the boy] in to see doctors and specialists months or even years ago, when it was clear that she was not capable of caring for his special needs,” Flint wrote.

Flint noted that Brandy Jaynes’ prison sentence means the state will seek to permanently terminate her parental rights. If she were granted probation, there would have been a possibility of having her children in her life, Flint said.

The couple’s children are in state custody.

Helicopter rescue team pressed into service on first day to rescue woman injured at Toquerville Falls

ST. GEORGE — It was the first day of the Utah Department of Public Safety’s new Southern Utah helicopter rescue team, and it only took a few hours for it to prove its worth.They came to assist Friday in the rescu...

ST. GEORGE — It was the first day of the Utah Department of Public Safety’s new Southern Utah helicopter rescue team, and it only took a few hours for it to prove its worth.

They came to assist Friday in the rescue of a woman who was injured while either jumping or falling off a waterfall in a remote, rugged area above Toquerville. A woman shattered her left knee and right ankle after a rough landing in the rocks below Toquerville Falls, and it took a joint effort of Washington County Search and Rescue with the Hurricane Valley Fire District to reach the injured party.

But to get her out, it took an additional team that until Friday didn’t exist in Southern Utah.

Until now, the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Aero Bureau would aid in rescues locally by having to fly its helicopter an hour-and-a-half from Salt Lake City. But on Friday, a second team and helicopter went into operation at St. George Airport.

When it became too difficult and painful to the victim to get her out on the ground, Sgt. Darrell Cashin, who oversees Washington County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, knew who to call.

“Knowing that the DPS helicopter was here and it was their first day, I figured this would be a good opportunity. They were five hours into it and we said, ‘We need you,’” Cashin said.

Toquerville Falls is considered a hidden treasure of a hike with water from LaVerkin Creek cascading down stepped cliffs,

The area is only reachable by a rough, unpaved road and a short hike. It’s a place without a cell phone signal located 11 miles from the Toquerville Boulevard-Spring Drive turnoff and civilization.

Because of that, a person accompanying the injured woman had to hike at least a mile before getting a signal to call for help, Cashin said.

It’s unclear if the woman had lost her footing on the falls and fell or deliberately jumped, Cashin said. But the result was painful.

The rescuers quickly learned that the initial attempt to drive the injured woman from the scene wasn’t going to work.

“We tried to put her in a vehicle and the pain was too excruciating,” Cashin said, necessitating the need for a short airlift. “The injuries were not life-threatening. It was more of getting her to an ambulance with less discomfort to her.”

After taking off from its new base of St. George Airport, the helicopter found a landing zone near the falls and the woman was brought aboard. She was then flown within minutes to a Toquerville church parking lot where a waiting ambulance took her to St. George Regional Hospital.

Cashin said the Aero Bureau’s new Southern Utah team passed their first test with flying colors.

“We have called on them a lot in the last month but (they) had to fly out of Salt Lake,” Cashin said. “Having them this close with this quick response is really going to enhance our ability.”

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