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.
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, sometimes they cannot live independently without someone by their side to provide care. Unfortunately, some 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 in the comforts or their home rather than in an assisted living community. Home care in Virgin, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they age. We are proud to have helped tens of thousands of seniors to maintain a higher level of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of 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.
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 care services in Virgin, UT. Always Best Care is here to help.
“1. Stay active. Exercise may be the last thing you want to do when your”
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 Best Care has some of the friendliest staff. They are quick to learn &”
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!
“I can leave a long review if I wanted to . I can talk about”
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
“I like working for ABC because it works well with my busy nursing school schedule!”
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!
“Always Best Care is always best!!! Highly recommended! Brent listens and hears what we need”
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.
“They are seriously so amazing to work with and really care for their clients. I”
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.
“As an employee of this company I could not ask for a better team to”
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!
“Always Best Care has provided caregivers for my mother and now my father for the”
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.
“I've been using ABC for about 2 1/2 years and have really met some wonderful”
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.
“Always Best Care has been an amazing company to work for! They are flexible with”
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!
“Always best is such an incredible company! They are so accommodating to all of the”
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!
“Always best care has been warm and welcoming. They start off with a really good”
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.
“I work for Always Best Care now and have for some time now. I love”
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.!
“I have used this company for a few of my residents. They take such good”
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!
Read full testimonial
Always B.
AsAn
Jay R.
Olivia S.
Breezy H.
Margot K.
shell S.
Mandy M.
Christina P.
Olivia L.
Cassandra O.
Salle A.
Brianne W.
Jim J.
Jenny J.
Anna S.
Aubrey S.
Anni H.
Mackenzie C.
Ashley O.
kathy N.
Bentley S.
Jeff S.
Kaylee N.
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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
×
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.
×
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.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Love always best care ❤️”
Breezy H.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Amazing business. Staff are helpful and kind.”
Margot K.
×
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.
×
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.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Love working for this company”
Christina P.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Love them! Staff is always super sweet and easy to work with! Highly recommend.”
Olivia L.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“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.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“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.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Alway best care! They are so giving and caring to their staff and clients❤️❤️❤️”
Brianne W.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“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.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“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.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“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.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“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.
×
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.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“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.
×
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.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Great company”
kathy N.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Always Best Care are the people to go to! Julie and Henry Lee are amazing people to work with!”
Bentley S.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“Very caring, and great to work with!”
Jeff S.
×
TESTIMONIALS
“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.
How does In-home Senior Care in Virgin, 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.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
01
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 or Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Eating
Mobility Issues
Incontinence
Bathing
Dressing
Grooming
02
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
03
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 activities and hobbies while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
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 other activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress helps reduce the risks of caregiver burnout.
When it comes to non-medical home care, 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.
Advanced Healthcare Technology
Benefits of Home Care in Virgin, 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.
Age in Place
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
Peace of Mind
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your senior family member is in expert hands.
Socialization
Unlike many senior care facilities where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
Personalized Care Plan
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our care plans are tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for clients 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.
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
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 Virgin, 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
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
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
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 Virgin, 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
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
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
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
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.
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 Virgin,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.
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
01
An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home
02
Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs
03
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.
How climate change is increasing the unpredictability of Utah’s streams
David Condoshttps://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2023-05-18/how-climate-change-is-increasing-the-unpredictability-of-utahs-streams
Water is already a precious commodity in dry southern Utah.But climate change may be making it even harder to come by — just by shifting when and how the region’s precipitation arrives.A new study from the Desert Research Institute found that three big factors are hurting the reliability of streamflows in Utah and across the arid West.Winter temperatures have increased over the past 40 years. During that same s...
Water is already a precious commodity in dry southern Utah.
But climate change may be making it even harder to come by — just by shifting when and how the region’s precipitation arrives.
A new study from the Desert Research Institute found that three big factors are hurting the reliability of streamflows in Utah and across the arid West.
Winter temperatures have increased over the past 40 years. During that same span, snowfall has decreased. And precipitation that used to come down as snow is falling as rain instead.
Abhinav Gupta, a Nevada-based researcher who led the study, said that all adds up to be bad news for Utah’s streams.
“Because of all these three factors combined,” Gupta said, “what we are seeing is that these fluctuations of streamflow become more wide.”
Even if Utah gets the same amount of total precipitation from one year to the next, the benefit the state derives from that precipitation can change based on how it falls.
When water arrives as winter snow, it gets stored for months and slowly trickles down as it melts. That creates a steady supply of water in streams and helps river levels rise and fall smoothly and predictably.
But if that water arrives in short bursts of intense rainfall, that makes it harder for the soil to absorb it, for reservoirs to capture it and for underground aquifers to refill with it.
The research published in the Journal of Hydrology examined climate and streamflow conditions nationwide from 1980-2013. In Utah, it focused on four watersheds: the White River and Salina Creek in central Utah and the Virgin River and Coal Creek in southwest Utah.
It can be tough to draw conclusions for the whole state from just a handful of examples, Gupta said, because each watershed is unique. But the signs don’t look promising.
“We are going from a stable state to an unstable state,” Gupta said. “The situation is not that bad yet, but we expect that it's going to get worse in the future.”
So what might the local impact of this trend look like in the southwest part of the state? Erich Mueller, a hydrologist with Southern Utah University, describes it as “flashy.”
Rivers rise and fall more rapidly. More severe storms and floods.
The exceptionally wet year Utah is experiencing now could be a symptom of this unpredictability, too. As climate change shifts temperature and precipitation trends over the long term, it could become more common to see extended periods of drought punctuated by short, intense wet seasons.
“It's not like we're not going to have wet years anymore,” Mueller said, “but maybe the pattern of wet and dry is changing.”
A study from the Utah Snow Survey showed that nearly all — north of 98% — of the water that sloshes down Utah’s streams comes from melting snow. Even in watersheds with lower elevations and warmer temperatures, such as the Virgin River in southwest Utah, the study estimates that snow contributes more than 90% of the streamflow.
Because snowpack elongates the time period in which that precipitation flows down, healthy snowmelt can provide dependable streamflow well into the summer. But warmer temperatures could drive more rapid snowmelt, both shifting the melting season earlier in the year and condensing it. So by the time the heat of summer arrives — when Utahns need water the most — there’s less streamflow around.
Streamflow petering out earlier in the summer, Mueller said, could even open the door for higher wildfire risks as soil and plants have more time to dry out.
And as rain becomes more prevalent in the colder months, another risk would be winter flash floods caused by showers falling on snowpack.
“It adds enough energy to both rapidly melt the snowpack [and] also we have that addition of the rain as well,” Mueller said. “So it's sort of like a double whammy.”
These types of floods haven’t been common, Mueller said, but have led to some of the worst flooding in southwest Utah’s history, such as the disasters that washed over the banks of the Santa Clara and Virgin rivers near St. George in January 2005 and December 2020, respectively.
Evaporation and population are two other factors that put extra pressure on Utah’s water supply.
As the climate gets warmer, more water is lost to evapotranspiration. In southwest Utah, Mueller said, up to 80-90% of all precipitation floats back into the atmosphere before it even ends up in streams and rivers. So towns like St. George are left with the remaining 10-20%.
If the region’s population today were the same as it was in 1950, Mueller said, that might not be much of an issue. But as one of the nation’s fastest-growing states, the demand for water is higher than ever.
“Just that alone,” Mueller said, “without any climate change at all, is going to put a stress on our water resource.”
Flooding concerns increase across Utah amid intense rain
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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah — A final push of rain caused water to go over the Gunlock Reservoir spillway, creating some fantastic waterfalls but also causing flooding concerns.
The spill happened earlier than expected, finally breaking through around 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.
WATCH: Video shows powerful waterfalls at Gunlock Reservoir
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Although the falls are mesmerizing to watch, the excess water is also raising concerns for flooding in the surrounding areas.
Experts anticipate the Santa Clara River will not flood, but photos show the river flowing extremely high and even starting to approach the road.
The river remains in it's channel, The National Weather Service reports, but a flood advisory has been issued and experts warn people could see water on the roads.
Kayakers brave the Virgin River in Springdale below (Courtesy: Tricia Ackerman Yeo):
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Rockville resident Tricia Yeo captured video of kayakers going down the Virgin River, near George Barker River Park, in Springdale.
"I think there were three kayakers, one kayak had two people and the other one had, just one person," said Yeo. "He capped sized twice and I got him on the second capsize, but he was able to get up."
Flood watches were put into effect for parts of Southern Utah, including Zion National Park and Buckskin Gulch from 9:45 Wednesday morning to Thursday at 6 p.m.
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Currently, a search is underway for a missing hiker in the area. Two other hikers from the same party, one dead and one alive, have already been hoisted out of the slot canyon.
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A video shared by the Mayor of Highland City showed water flowing down the street and encroaching in the road.
With shovels in hand, about 50 to 60 people volunteered filling sandbags near Beacon Hills in Highland.
"I was surprised how much water was going through the backyards of these homes," said Brady Mather, who lives nearby.
The hope was to help divert the high water run-off from impacting homes in the area.
"We had to get a hold of a lot of the property owners to ask, can we start building a channel to try to divert the water that's coming off the side of the mountains down back behind the intent natural channels," said Highland Mayor Kurt Ostler.
Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
A small town’s leaders violated state statute by giving themselves hefty pay increases
Mark Eddingtonhttps://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/11/10/small-towns-leaders-violated/
Official in the town near Zion National Park voted repeatedly to up their pay without properly codifying the increases. | Updated: 10:26 a.m.Virgin • Municipal officials in Virgin, a small town 15 miles west of Zion National Park, voted repeatedly to increase their pay between fiscal years 2018 and 2022 without holding a public hearing or codifying the increases by ordinance as required by state law.Mayoral pay went up from $400 to $1,000 a month, a 150% increase, over that period. Members of the Town Counc...
Official in the town near Zion National Park voted repeatedly to up their pay without properly codifying the increases.
| Updated: 10:26 a.m.
Virgin • Municipal officials in Virgin, a small town 15 miles west of Zion National Park, voted repeatedly to increase their pay between fiscal years 2018 and 2022 without holding a public hearing or codifying the increases by ordinance as required by state law.
Mayoral pay went up from $400 to $1,000 a month, a 150% increase, over that period. Members of the Town Council increased their monthly pay by 250%, from $100 to $350. They also more than tripled the Planning Commission chair’s pay from $85 to $325. Pay for others on the commission jumped from $65 to $255.
By Mayor Jean Krause’s reckoning, Virgin overpaid its elected and appointed officials by $78,240 during that four-year period. Krause, who became mayor last January, said the pay hikes happened during former Mayor Matt Spendlove’s watch and doesn’t know why town officials quit complying with the law.
“It’s up to the mayor and town council that’s in office to know how to do things right,” Krause said. “My educated guess is that the previous council thought they knew what they were doing.”
Spendlove did not return phone calls, but Councilman Gene Garate, who has been on the council for three years and voted to approve some of the increases, said there was nothing nefarious going on. He said the previous mayor and council thought they were complying with the law by putting the increases in the budget each year.
Garate said each time the budget came up for approval, the meeting was properly noticed and copies of the budget with the proposed pay hikes were available to the public and discussed openly. But the increases were never put in ordinance form.
“Ignorance and errors on our part did not mean malfeasance on the part of the individuals that screw[ed] up. We just didn’t know,” he said. “It’s real easy for people to jump in and say all this shady crap is going on in this town. And that’s not the case. We try to do the right thing but holy criminy, there’s so much to keep up with.”
State code requires the cities to provide notice at least seven days before a public hearing to increase salaries. If municipal officials decide to hike pay, the code requires them to enact that increase by ordinance. Virgin town officials did neither.
Councilman Paul Luwe, a former city attorney for Bozeman, Montana, discovered the problem after he took office in January and wondered why he was receiving $350 a month instead of the $100 listed in the municipal ordinance. He notified Krause that the ordinance needed to be amended to reflect town officials’ current salaries.
Luwe said the mayor agreed but asked him to hold off until after the budget for fiscal year 2023, which contained yet another proposed pay increase was approved, so the city would not be processing two amendments to the salary ordinance in a short time.
Krause said town officials intended to provide the public notice of the proposed pay hikes in July, but someone dropped the ball. Nonetheless, the salary increases went into effect in July, despite the lack of a public hearing.
Another public hearing set for August had to be continued to September, the mayor added, after another item on the agenda took up the whole meeting. On Sept. 28, the mayor and council members voted 4-1 to approve the ordinance to hike municipal pay and made the increases retroactive to July. Luwe voted against the increase.
The latest pay hikes for the fiscal year 2023 bumped up the mayor’s monthly pay from $1,000 to $1,200 and council members’ pay from $350 to $400. The planning commission chair’s pay increased from $325 to $400, and other commissioners’ salaries went from $255 to $300.
Ann Beshell, who has lived in Virgin for 20 years, said the lack of transparency is something many residents have come to expect from their elected representatives.
“I understand people need to get paid, she said. But they need to do everything according to the law. They can’t just say, ‘Let’s give ourselves a raise’ and not have to ask the townspeople about it.”
California transplant Tony Sweett, who has lived in Virgin since 2019, is more inclined to give Virgin leaders the benefit of the doubt. He said his interaction with council members Garate and Leroy Thompson has shown him they are upfront guys. “I have the utmost confidence in them,” he said.
Heath Snow, Virgin’s part-time city attorney, said he did not know until just recently about the illegal salary increases. Krause said it is unfair to pin the problem on Snow, who only weighs in on matters when asked by town leaders.
“He would never have been aware that the town had not done an ordinance for salary,” the mayor said. “[Part-time city attorneys] do not sit there with a microscope and watch every little thing the town does. That is not their job.”
At any rate, the mayor and council agree, the question remains what to do about it. Krause said a representative of the state Auditor’s Office, who contacted her after receiving a complaint about the salary irregularities, told her the council needs to decide to recoup the cost or enact an ordinance to forgive the overpayments.
Snow has advised town leaders the latter might be the better option. Luwe concurs, saying trying to force current and former city officials to repay the amount they were overpaid could cost the city more in legal expenses than the amount of money they could recover.
“You might have to proceed with a civil action to collect the money,” Luwe said. “You’re going to be suing many of your citizens. This is a small town, so suing citizens is going to have a detrimental effect on people serving [in municipal government] in the future.”
Garate doesn’t mince words about which of the two options he prefers.
“We’re a very small town; everybody knows everybody,” he said. " If you come in and start saying, ‘Well, we’re going to sue you to get the money — the $300 or $500 or whatever it was that the town paid you that wasn’t put into ordinance because we messed up.’ Holy criminy, it would rip our town apart.”
Krause and council members will meet Nov. 16 to consider their options. While the outcome of that meeting is not set in stone, the city is currently drafting a proposed ordinance that would essentially forgive the overpayments by approving the increases from fiscal years 2018 to 2022 and making that approval retroactive.
Correction, Nov. 10: This article was updated with the correct percentages of increases for the mayor and Town Council.
‘One in a million’ white bison born in Southern Utah
ST. GEORGE — Southern Utah welcomed a “one in a million” white bison calf to the Zion White Bison Resort and Zion Nature Park.The female calf was born on March 31 at 7 p.m. to the resort’s 5-year-old ...
ST. GEORGE — Southern Utah welcomed a “one in a million” white bison calf to the Zion White Bison Resort and Zion Nature Park.
The female calf was born on March 31 at 7 p.m. to the resort’s 5-year-old female bison, Marshmallow, and BraveHeart, a 4-year-old white bull.
“A white bison is a rare animal that is revered and held sacred to Native American tribes,” McKell Davis, a spokeswoman for the resort, told St. George News. “If that happened, they had a ceremony; it was this very special thing.”
Davis said her online research shows the birth of a white bison happens in only “one in a million” births. The name for the calf has yet to be chosen.
When the resort initially opened in September 2021, it was called Weeping Buffalo Resort and had brown bison. But after the owner brought in a white bison and heard from local Native Americans that the white bison was sacred, he decided to bring in Marshmallow, BraveHeart and the newborn calf’s grandmother Ghost, an 8-year-old white bison.
Davis said the resort is committed to preserving and protecting the sacred animals while offering guests an unforgettable experience.
A news release issued by the resort shared its excitement about the newborn:
“The resort is eager to share this remarkable addition with its guests and promote awareness about the importance of conservation and the cultural meaning of these amazing bison.”
Access to the bison is limited to guests, Davis said, and general public viewing of the new calf has yet to be available due to ongoing construction at the resort.
Davis said guests are encouraged to appreciate the spiritual and cultural significance of the white bison while learning about their role in Native American traditions.
Currently, the Zion White Bison Resort provides a sanctuary for three white bison and two brown bison. The bison calves will be rehomed to Native American tribes when it’s time to wean the calves from their mothers.
The resort is located 14 miles away from the timeless beauty of Zion National Park and features 36 glamping units on-site that include tipis, covered wagons and cliff dwellings. The tents have modern comforts such as TVs, hot tubs and climate control. That number could increase by fall, along with an additional 150 RV sites, Davis said. Davis said future plans include a restaurant or a convenience store and also a hotel for the property.
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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.
‘A gem in the desert’: This Santa-Fe-inspired restaurant in Virgin has served Kevin Costner twice
VIRGIN—The founders of Stage Coach Grille have opened a floor-to-ceiling, Santa Fe-inspired restaurant with a fine-dining menu, providing everyone from loyal locals to Kevin Costner a restaurant experience they’re sure ...
VIRGIN—The founders of Stage Coach Grille have opened a floor-to-ceiling, Santa Fe-inspired restaurant with a fine-dining menu, providing everyone from loyal locals to Kevin Costner a restaurant experience they’re sure to remember.
Defeating the odds isn’t a new story for George Rodinos, who co-owns Balcony One with his wife Cindy Rodinos. St. George News sat down with the couple along with chef Edgar Lopez and restaurant manager Ricki Triplet in their main dining area to hear how it all came about.
“This place would be absolutely nothing without these people right here,” George Rodinos said. “We have a great crew. With them, we’ve been able to stay open, stay alive and go forward.”
Balcony One, a predominately American restaurant with Mexican and Greek influence, opened two years ago this month and features an eclectic atmosphere with six different dining areas: the sunroom, the main dining room, a bar, an additional room inside the bar dedicated to Sam Zitting, an outside patio dining area and a balcony. At capacity, the restaurant can fit around 200 people. And sometimes, those people are celebrities.
Famous actor Kevin Costner has been to Balcony One twice. The first time, Rodinos said Costner’s rep ordered 15 sandwiches to-go, but when they came to pick it up, they were blown away by the restaurant. Costner came inside to see it for himself, and the group decided to eat their sandwiches in the ambiance of the restaurant.
“We looked at him, ‘Oh, it’s Kevin Costner,’” Lopez said. “He had hats and glasses and he decided to eat right here on the patio.”
A few months later, Costner’s rep called again, this time with a party of 19, and said Costner wanted his party to eat inside. George Rodinos said he originally planned to give the party privacy with an entrance from the back fire escape, but that’s not what Costner had in mind.
“He said, ‘Hell no. I want to go through the front door, and I want to show my wife what you and your wife have done here,’” he said.
George Rodinos has owned seven restaurants across the world from Greece to La Verkin. Born and raised in Athens, he came to the U.S. at 9 years old.
After breaking his arm rock climbing, he moved to Los Angeles to work at his father’s deli. What was expected to be a few months turned into 10 years and included personal ownership of three restaurants: Georgie’s Cafe in downtown LA, Georgie’s number two upstairs and Harlow’s restaurant, which he said was the first patio dining restaurant in LA’s downtown Garmon District.
From LA, he took on a joint restaurant venture in Miami, then opened a restaurant in Montreal, Canada. He then decided to move back to Greece in 1989, where he also opened a restaurant. Despite his Greek roots, Rodinos said the locals only saw him as an American and did not support the business. In an attempt to save a failing restaurant, he opened a bar – both of which went under.
“I went broke,” he said. “I came back to this country, serving tables and doing construction. I was an immigrant twice in America and that’s the beauty of the American dream – you can fail, you get the guts, and you start over again. You’re not that snob that used to be a restaurant owner and can’t serve tables.”
While living in Las Vegas, he visited Southern Utah and fell in love. He bought a camera and decided he would shoot his way through retirement.
“I got my camera, got the horses, it’s the end of the line, like, hang up and breathe. And just as I did, she came into the picture,” Rodinos said about his wife.
In order to be closer to her daughter and grandkids, Cindy Rodinos moved from New York to Southern Utah 14 years ago. That’s when the pair met for the first time and were married a year later in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The couple first built The Stage Coach Grille in La Verkin, which opened in 2015 and sold in 2018. They were officially ready to retire, a feeling that expired in two weeks.
“An opportunity arose,” George Rodinos said. “Cindy and I are people of faith and we felt that God opened the door for us. We wouldn’t be here without him.”
The couple bought the property from the owners of the Fairfield Hotel, who sold it at a quarter of the market value, with the following conditions: they couldn’t flip the property, they couldn’t sit on it and they had to build. They agreed, and Balcony One broke ground in late 2019. Shortly after, the pandemic struck the nation, but together, the Rodinos pushed through to open their doors in October 2020. From the color scheme to the authentic Santa Fe doors, the entire design of Balcony One was completed by Cindy Rodinos.
“I love Santa Fe, so I designed the place inside and out like Santa Fe,” she said. I’m the artist; he’s the businessman.”
After completing her first painting at 13, she said her paintings have been featured in eight different galleries in four different states. Paintings as well as her husband’s photography are for sale at the restaurant.
“My job is to eat here every night and talk to the customers,” she said. “We’ve gotten so much positive feedback. I hear a lot that we’re a gem in the desert.”
Dishes and desserts
When it comes to the food at Balcony One, Lopez brings 25 years of experience to the table and is responsible for everything from the main dishes to the desserts. And everything at Balcony One is made from scratch, right down to the salad dressings.
“This gentleman here, I say is the backbone,” George Rodinos said, pointing at Lopez. “Because if the food is no good, we’re out of business.”
With a career that began as a dishwasher at a LA restaurant, Lopez said he worked his way up while being mentored by a variety of chefs along the way. He remained at the same restaurant for 15 years, then moved to Las Vegas where he worked for Wolfgang Puck for 10 years at Caesars Palace, the Palazo and MGM. When he was asked by Rodinos to work at Stage Coach Grille, he jumped at the opportunity and has since been a part of Balcony One since its construction.
On the management side, Triplet said she’s been in the restaurant industry her entire life, and began by baking pastries, bussing tables and serving with her dad at a country club. Later, she met the Rodinos and worked at Stage Coach Grille alongside Lopez. Balcony One is a “family affair,” with her father as the butcher, smoker and dessert maker, her daughter making salads and appetizers, her husband in charge of the pasta dishes and her son as a busser.
“It’s much more of a family thing than it is a business thing,” Triplet said. “I don’t know what I’d do if I had a normal job that did the same thing every day. I like it to be interesting, to be something different.”
George Rodinos said they run Balcony One with the following philosophies: do the right thing, create a good atmosphere and provide great food and service.
“The second part of that philosophy is taking care of the locals,” he said. “If you build a good reputation, the word of mouth is worth more than anything. We’re in our 70s, so this is our last restaurant. For us, it’s leaving a legacy behind and this is the foundation.”
Balcony One is located next to Fort Zion at 770 W. state Road 9 in Virgin. Call 435-635-7141 or visit the Balcony One Website for more information.
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