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

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Home Care In Manteca, CA

Home Care Manteca, CA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Manteca Historical Society gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Manteca, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Manteca, CA

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The Always Best Care Difference

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

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

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

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“Worrying about senior’s care and #health in Assisted Living is common. Well, you can stop fretting now. Contact Always Best Care of #Fresno and find the best Assisted Living communities near you.”

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“In retirement years, many #elders start to feel lonely and depressed with the lack of a social life. Hire #caregivers from Always Best Care of Fresno to reduce your senior’s loneliness and ensure their care.”

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“Highly Experienced #Caregivers provide everything in levels one and two, plus knowledgeable assistance to help seniors who are suffering from a chronic illness, who are bed-bound, and those who are on hospice.”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Manteca, CA?

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

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

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

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

 Senior Care Manteca, CA

Types of Elderly Care in Manteca, CA

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

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

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

Common personal care services include assistance with:

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

Respite Care Manteca, CA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Manteca, CA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Shasta Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Manteca, CA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ernie's Food & Spirits or visit Button Estates Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

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

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

 In-Home Care Manteca, CA

Benefits of Home Care in Manteca, CA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Manteca, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Manteca, CA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your CA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Manteca, CA

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 Manteca, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Manteca, CA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Manteca, CA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • The Commons at Union Ranch
  • Apex Assisted Living & Senior Care Manteca CA
  • Cogir of Manteca
  • Prestige Assisted Living at Manteca
  • Fruitful Humble Abode
  • St. Jude Care Center
Home Care Manteca, CA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Manteca, CA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Manteca, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

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

 Elderly Care Manteca, CA

Latest News in Manteca, CA

Parade, park festival ushers in Christmas this Saturday

Santa is coming to downtown Saturday.He’s bringing up the rear of the 51st annual Manteca Twilight Christmas parade aboard Manteca Fire engine.Kitty Walker of the Manteca Veterans of Foreign Wars will serve as the grand marshal for the parade that starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2.This year’s theme is Winter Wonderland.The parade route is down Yosemite Avenue from Library Park to Garfield Avenue at Manteca High.It is one of two Manteca Chamber of Commerce holiday events on Saturday.The...

Santa is coming to downtown Saturday.

He’s bringing up the rear of the 51st annual Manteca Twilight Christmas parade aboard Manteca Fire engine.

Kitty Walker of the Manteca Veterans of Foreign Wars will serve as the grand marshal for the parade that starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2.

This year’s theme is Winter Wonderland.

The parade route is down Yosemite Avenue from Library Park to Garfield Avenue at Manteca High.

It is one of two Manteca Chamber of Commerce holiday events on Saturday.

The other is the holiday fair Christmas in the Park is Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The free event includes food trucks, kiddie rides, children’s activities, entertainment, craft and gift vendors, as well as photos with Santa.

44rd Annual Holiday

Affair set for Dec. 13

Soroptimist International of Manteca invites you to the 44rd annual Holiday Affair.

Thes annual event is at the Bank of Stockton on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The $100 ticket admits 2 guests for an elegant evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a chance to win fun baskets and cash prizes.

Proceeded benefit the service club’s’ community efforts including funding of teen crisis counseling services for Manteca Unified School District students.

Come and enjoy one of Manteca’s premier holiday parties. If interested, contact Tedra Torrice 209-679-6074 or you can stop by Tipton’s Stationery and Gifts at 169 W. Yosemite Avenue in Manteca to purchase the hottest holiday ticket in town.

Hospice Tree of Light

Doctors Hospital of Manteca will host the annual Hospice of San Joaquin Tree of Lights Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 30, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Community members recognize those who have impacted their lives via memorial or honorary light dedication.

Donations also support Hospice of San Joaquin’s programs for terminally ill patients and their families.

For more information, call Hospice of San Joaquin at 209.957.3888 or go to www.hospicesj.org

“Visit with Santa’

toy drive Dec. 9

The Manteca Educators Association is hoping to make Christmas brighter for foster kids that may go without gifts this year due to family financial situations.

At the same time, they want to spread holiday cheer.

It is why they are staging a Visit with Santa toy drive on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the McFall Room of the Manteca Library, 320 West Center Street.

Bring your own camera to get photos with Santa.

At the same time they are hoping you will consider bringing a new toy to benefit foster youth though Foster Love 209.

Manteca, California: A Family-Friendly Haven in the Central Valley

Nestled in California's Central Valley, Manteca is a charming and welcoming city that boasts a unique blend of small-town atmosphere, rich agricultural heritage, and family-friendly attractions. With its beautiful parks, excellent schools, and thriving local businesses, Manteca is a wonderful place to call home for families and individuals alike. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, or a strong sense of community, you'll find plenty to love about living in Manteca. Let's explore some of the many benefits this delig...

Nestled in California's Central Valley, Manteca is a charming and welcoming city that boasts a unique blend of small-town atmosphere, rich agricultural heritage, and family-friendly attractions. With its beautiful parks, excellent schools, and thriving local businesses, Manteca is a wonderful place to call home for families and individuals alike. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, or a strong sense of community, you'll find plenty to love about living in Manteca. Let's explore some of the many benefits this delightful city has to offer.

Manteca is home to a variety of lovely parks, providing residents with ample opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Woodward Park, the city's largest park, features sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a skate park. Meanwhile, the serene Caswell Memorial State Park, located just south of Manteca, offers picturesque trails and a peaceful retreat along the banks of the Stanislaus River.

Manteca is served by the highly-regarded Manteca Unified School District, which offers a range of quality educational programs for students of all ages. The city is also home to several private schools, ensuring that families have access to excellent educational options. For those seeking higher education, nearby institutions such as San Joaquin Delta College and California State University, Stanislaus are within easy driving distance.

Manteca's culinary scene is diverse and delicious, with plenty of options to satisfy any palate. For a taste of local flavor, visit the popular Black Bear Diner, which serves up hearty American classics in a cozy atmosphere. If you're craving Mexican cuisine, head to La Hacienda Taqueria in nearby Lathrop, a local favorite known for its authentic dishes and friendly service.

Manteca is full of fun activities and attractions that cater to families and children. The city's Big League Dreams Sports Park, an impressive sports complex designed to resemble famous baseball stadiums, is a popular destination for sports enthusiasts. For a day of aquatic fun, visit the Manteca Water Park, which features exciting water slides and a refreshing pool. Additionally, the city hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, such as the annual Pumpkin Fair and the festive Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Manteca boasts a vibrant local business scene, with numerous shops, services, and companies catering to the needs of residents. The city's historic downtown area is home to a variety of charming boutiques, restaurants, and cafes, while the Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley provide a more contemporary shopping experience.

Manteca's central location in the heart of California's Central Valley makes it an ideal base for exploring the wider region. The city is just a short drive from major cities like Stockton, Modesto, and Tracy, as well as popular attractions such as the Lathrop Golf Course and the stunning natural beauty of the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains.

Manteca, California, offers a winning combination of small-town charm, family-friendly attractions, and a strong sense of community. With its beautiful parks, excellent schools, diverse dining options, and convenient location, it's no wonder that so many people are proud to call Manteca home. So why not pack your bags and discover the many benefits of living in this charming Central Valley haven? You'll soon see for yourself what makes Manteca such a special place to call home!

Evacuation order issued in parts of San Joaquin County; Waters rise at Airport Court in Manteca

MANTECA, Calif. —The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said on Saturday that evacuation orders have been issued for Airport Court in Manteca and Haven Acres Marina in Lathrop.Hazardous water levels in the San Joaquin River due to melting snow is the reason for the evacuation order, the sheriff's office said. The sheriff's office also said that if water levels keep rising emergency responders will lose access to people being affected in the area.Many residents along Airport Court in Manteca decide...

MANTECA, Calif. —

The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said on Saturday that evacuation orders have been issued for Airport Court in Manteca and Haven Acres Marina in Lathrop.

Hazardous water levels in the San Joaquin River due to melting snow is the reason for the evacuation order, the sheriff's office said. The sheriff's office also said that if water levels keep rising emergency responders will lose access to people being affected in the area.

Many residents along Airport Court in Manteca decided to remain in their homes, even as water filled their lower-level garages.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Evacuation order issued in parts of San Joaquin County; Waters rise at Airport Court in Manteca pic.twitter.com/NS8AeBzf4p

— Erin Heft KCRA (@ErinHeftKCRA) March 20, 2023

"We understand the dangers, but it’s a foot of water, and the houses are built to take the water up to the deck," said Kristen Vogt, a homeowner on Airport Court for several decades.

Some residents on Airport Court expressed frustration with evacuation times and the blockades on their streets.

“Evacuation decisions are made to ensure people impacted or in danger of impact by a disaster can be evacuated or sheltered in place in a timely manner," explained David Bramell, Chief of Lathrop-Manteca Fire District. "In many geographic areas of the county, time lost in delaying evacuation equals a missed opportunity that cannot be recovered.”

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| VIDEO BELOW | Here's a look at San Joaquin River levels

According to the sheriff's office, there are currently no issues with any of the county's levees.

KCRA 3's Erin Heft on Sunday saw several cars submerged in rising waters at Airport Court in Manteca.

New homeowners on Airport Court, Kris and Victoria Canete, decided to evacuate, sharing the following photo with KCRA:

Kris and Victoria Canete

Flooding on Airport Court

This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

At Haven Acres Mobile Home Park in Lathrop, most people did decide to evacuate, according to San Joaquin County Director of Emergency Operations Tiffany Heyer.

Sam Gutierrez and his girlfriend were among that group.

"We just got everything out," Gutierrez said. "So, I’m going down to my sister’s house and we'll see what happens after that."

He had to use a boat to move things from his mobile home to his car, before heading out.

"It was a scramble. Her and I packed everything up last night and got it all ready to go, and we knew it was gonna rain so we waited until we got some clear weather," Gutierrez said.

His neighbor, Debbie Dommaschk, decided to stay and wait it out with her husband.

"We have a little boat with a little trolling motor, and if we have to put some of our stuff in it we can do that and get out," she said.

Dommaschk said she has only lived at Haven Acres for about a year and a half, so this is the first time she has experienced something like this. However, she knows it has happened before.

San Joaquin County officials said the area suffered damage from flooding back in 2017.

How to craft a beer: Manteca brewery takes us behind the scenes to learn how to make an IPA

Ever take a sip of an IPA and wonder, “How in the world was this glass of hoppy goodness created?”We went to Brethren Brewing Company, a new craft brewery in Manteca, to learn what constitutes a craft beer, and how they are made. Owner Daniel Machado opened the spot in January, along with five founding board members who share a love of beer and God.“It was a bunch of guys who said, ‘Hey, let’s try making this beer stu...

Ever take a sip of an IPA and wonder, “How in the world was this glass of hoppy goodness created?”

We went to Brethren Brewing Company, a new craft brewery in Manteca, to learn what constitutes a craft beer, and how they are made. Owner Daniel Machado opened the spot in January, along with five founding board members who share a love of beer and God.

“It was a bunch of guys who said, ‘Hey, let’s try making this beer stuff,’” Machado said in a video on the company’s website. “’What if you could have a genuine conversation about church over a couple pints?’”

They took us behind the scenes to show us how it’s done. Here’s what we found out:

If you ask Brethren’s head brewer, Kevin Whitehouse, he would say a craft beer is made with love.

“How I would define it would be a couple things: Your love of what you’re creating and then how involved you are with the process,” he said.

Whitehouse does his entire brew process manually.

“There’s no automated anything to stir it or grind it, it’s all me,” he said. “For me, craft would be a connection with your product as opposed to a bigger beer manufacturer who has just profit and market space.”

Officially, though, the definition is set by the Brewers Association. The association defines a craft brewer as small and independent, making 6 million barrels (31 gallons each) or less of beer per year.

Craft brewers and craft beers also may have some of these qualities, according to the association’s website:

You can see the tanks on display at certain breweries, but what are they for? Are they all the same? Is the beer in your glass the same as what’s in that big device?

Answer: Each tank has a specific purpose, and they’re all part of the process that turns grain into the beverage in your frosted glass.

To put it simply, when grain and water are heated, hops are added, the mixture is cooled, yeast is added and the mixture is barreled, you get beer. Here are the steps:

Step 1

First things first. Whitehouse said he sets his water to 155 degrees. He grinds the grain in a mill, where it will then travel up an auger and, depending on the brew, mixes with 120 to 175 gallons of hot water in a mash tun.

The hot water steeps the grains and activates enzymes, Whitehouse said. The process takes about an hour.

Step 2

When it’s done steeping, Whitehouse transfers the mixture to a brew kettle, where he boils it with another 120 gallons of water for 60 to 90 minutes. It becomes what’s known as “wort.”

“When it gets here, I have about 250 gallons of really sweet, like, cereal water,” Whitehouse said. “If you’re drinking a soda that tasted like Bran Flakes, but carbonated — it’s like that.”

During this part of the process, hops are thrown into the wort at different intervals, depending on the brew, Whitehouse said. The hops add bitterness to the wort, sanitize it and extract any natural bacteria in the grain.

Step 3

The wort is then “whirlpooled,” which circulates it and cools it down.

“Cold water goes in one side; hot water goes in on the other side,” Whitehouse said. “As it whirlpools, it’ll bring all the sediment to the middle.”

Step 4

The wort is transferred to a big hose, where it goes from the brew kettle to a fermentation vessel. There, Whitehouse said, he will wait until the wort cools to about 60 degrees, usually taking a couple of hours.

“Technically, I make the wort— the food for the yeast,” Whitehouse said. “The yeast is what makes the beer.”

As the yeast metabolizes the wort, it produces alcohol and releases carbon dioxide.

Step 5

As the wort is fermenting, Whitehouse takes “gravity readings,” which show how much sugar is in the mixture, and ultimately how much alcohol is being produced.

“As the number on (the measuring stick) sinks lower and lower, (the brew) becomes less and less dense,” Whitehouse said. “More sugars are being eaten up, more alcohol is coming out.”

The fermenting process is never stopped by the brewer, Machado said. The process stops naturally when the yeast eats all of the sugar that it can. If the alcohol content is higher than planned, the brew is marketed, and poured, differently.

The temperature is also altered during the fermentation process, depending on the type of beer.

Step 6

After fermentation, the beer is pushed through lines into separate keglike tanks. Machado said the company does not use a pump to push the beer through the lines, like it does the wort.

“Once it becomes beer, we actually push it with just carbon dioxide,” Machado said. “Oxygen kills beer.”

Whitehouse said once the tanks are filled, he will add a clarifying agent and let it sit for about 48 hours.

He then drains a bit out to release any sediment (yeast, grain or hop matter) that may have gotten through. Then, the beer is carbonated and voila, it’s ready to drink.

The length of the entire process depends on the style of beer, Machado said. Some complete the brewing process in days, and some take weeks. One of the company’s lagers, for example, took about six weeks from grain grinding to keg tapping.

Want to know how something is made? Have questions about your community? Email our service journalist at [email protected].

This story was originally published July 12, 2023, 6:00 AM.

California restaurant owner agrees to pay $824K in back wages, damages to 102 workers after Department of Labor finds employer failed to pay overtime

La Estrella Tacos & Seafood assessed $50K in penalties for willful overtime violationsMANTECA, CA – A restaurant in California will pay $824,405 in back wages and liquidated damages to 102 workers after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor found the company’s pay practices denied employees overtime pay for the hours they worked beyond 40 per week, as the law requires.Investigators with the department’s W...

La Estrella Tacos & Seafood assessed $50K in penalties for willful overtime violations

MANTECA, CA – A restaurant in California will pay $824,405 in back wages and liquidated damages to 102 workers after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor found the company’s pay practices denied employees overtime pay for the hours they worked beyond 40 per week, as the law requires.

Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division found Juan Francisco Fonseca – owner of a restaurant company operating under different corporations as La Estrella Tacos & Seafood at four locations in Manteca, California – in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act for not paying required overtime rates and failing to maintain accurate and complete payroll records.

Division investigators found the employer tried to avoid paying overtime by creating different corporations and not combining the hours worked at multiple locations for purposes of overtime pay calculations. Some employees who worked up to 26 overtime hours per week were paid at their regular rates of pay.

“Restaurants with workers at more than one location cannot simply move employees between establishments in the same workweek to avoid overtime pay,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Cesar Avila in Sacramento, California. “This employer’s costly disregard for their workers’ rights has also resulted in the assessment of civil money penalties.”

In addition to the employer paying $412,202 in overtime back wages and an equal amount in damages, the department assessed $50,320 in civil money penalties due to the willful nature of the violations.

The FLSA requires that most employees in the U.S. be paid at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked and overtime pay at not less than time and one-half the rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

Workers and employers can contact the division confidentially at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE (487-9243). Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including the agency’s restaurant compliance assistance toolkit, an overview of FLSA protections for restaurant workers and Workers Owed Wages, a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division. Workers and employers alike can track hours worked and pay by downloading the department’s Android and iOS Timesheet App for free in English or Spanish.

This news release is also available in Spanish.

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