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.
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 Bradbury Building in Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 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.
“I want to begin by thanking the owner Amy for being so helpful! She walked”
“Amy and her team are taking care of my grandmother and they are so communicative”
“As a staff member at Always Best Care Senior Services, I’m proud to be part”
“This company is a delight to work with , They are so helpful and professional”
“I love working With Always best care of Studio City, the owner Amy and office”
“I love working With Always best care of Studio City, the owner Amy and office”
“I want to begin by thanking the owner Amy for being so helpful! She walked me through step by step while I was already very stressed. Her patience was beyond helpful. We were sent Carmen to tend to my grandfather and she was a delight! Punctual, clean, and had great attention to detail. I must say her speaking both English and Spanish was a definite win. I would recommend ABC to anyone in need!”
“Amy and her team are taking care of my grandmother and they are so communicative and sweet. The caregivers really cared about my grandma too and my family and I trust. We enjoy working with them so much and they are also such a good source of support for me and my family, and my grandmother loves the company when we are at work. Thank you guys!”
“As a staff member at Always Best Care Senior Services, I’m proud to be part of a team that truly cares about the seniors and families we serve. The company creates a supportive and respectful work environment where caregivers are valued and encouraged to provide the highest level of compassionate care. Management is responsive, organized, and always focused on making sure both clients and staff feel supported. It’s rewarding to work for an organization that prioritizes dignity, reliability, and genuine kindness in everything we do. I’m grateful to be part of a team that makes such a positive difference in the community every day. ????????”
“This company is a delight to work with , They are so helpful and professional in our time of need. I highly recommend Always Best Care for your loved one , they go above and beyond.”
“I love working With Always best care of Studio City, the owner Amy and office manager Christina are a pleasure to work with. I love what I do, but the best part is that I have a company who cares for their employees.”
“I love working With Always best care of Studio City, the owner Amy and office manager Christina are a pleasure to work with. I love what I do, but the best part is that I have a company who cares for their employees.”
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.
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 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.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home 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:
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:
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 Griffith Park in Los Angeles, CA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
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 71Above or visit Hollywood Walk of Fame, 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.
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:
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.
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 older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, 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.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is 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 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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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.
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 Los Angeles, 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.
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:
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 Los Angeles, 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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
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 Los Angeles, 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.
Southern California has seen some toasty Octobers, but this year’s start to the fall season has been marked by a persistent heat wave that’s shattered records and ushered in an unprecedented streak of 100-degree days.The extreme heat is driven by a persistent high pressure ridge that has parked over the region causing sinking warming air with very little overnight relief. That is paired with down-sloping winds and uncharacteristically warm ocean temperatures — driven in part by an El Niño that has reduced Sout...
Southern California has seen some toasty Octobers, but this year’s start to the fall season has been marked by a persistent heat wave that’s shattered records and ushered in an unprecedented streak of 100-degree days.
The extreme heat is driven by a persistent high pressure ridge that has parked over the region causing sinking warming air with very little overnight relief. That is paired with down-sloping winds and uncharacteristically warm ocean temperatures — driven in part by an El Niño that has reduced Southern California’s sea breeze, frequently known as its natural air conditioning.
“We’re going on Day 4 of this really significant heat wave and we still have several more days of heat,” said Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “We do have heat events in October, but this streak of 100-plus days is definitely starting to become pretty notable.”
The average number of 100-degree days in downtown Los Angeles in a typical October has been closer to zero than one since the weather service began keeping records in the late 1800s. This month, downtown is on a four-day consecutive streak of temperatures 100 degrees or higher — the longest consecutive stretch in October since records began.
Downtown is currently tied for the most 100-degree-plus days in October with 1958 and 1971, but could surpass those years if the mercury hits 100 degrees Tuesday, according to the weather service.
“If we get another one tomorrow, then we would be at the most 100-degree-plus days in October in downtown L.A. ever,” Schoenfeld said.
The current heat wave already has broken daily heat records across the Southland.
Downtown Los Angeles broke a daily heat record Monday with the mercury reaching 104 degrees, shattering the previous record of 101 set in 1954 and tied in 1971.
The Burbank Airport hit 101 degrees Sunday, breaking the previous record of 100 set in 1964. Camarillo hit 99 degrees, inching past the previous record of 98 set in 1953. And Oxnard hit 99 degrees Sunday, shattering the daily record of 94 set in 2023.
In Orange County, Anaheim hit 101 degrees Sunday, blowing past the 98-degree record set in 2020.
San Diego hit 100 degrees, toppling a record of 97 set in 1987. The Oceanside Harbor registered 98 on Sunday, toppling the record of 97 set in 1953. And Ramona hit 101, just past the record of 100 set in 1987.
“It’s going to be pretty darn warm,” UC Agriculture and Natural Resources climate scientist Daniel Swain said of this week during a recent briefing on his Weather West channel.
Temperatures between 15 and 22 degrees above normal are expected to persist through Thursday. Highs along the coasts and valleys will be in the 90s up to the low 100s in the coming days. Even the beaches will provide little relief, with temperatures in the upper 80s.
The ocean is expected to bring its own dangers beginning Tuesday with elevated morning and evening tides and elevated surf as a result of Hurricane Rachel, located several hundred miles off the coast of Baja California with sustained winds of up to 85 mph.
The weather service is warning of dangerous rip currents and elevated surf of 3 to 6 feet on Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands as well as at Los Angeles and Ventura County beaches. The most susceptible areas will be Long Beach and the Avalon Harbor on Tuesday and Wednesday and then Malibu through Ventura County from Wednesday through Friday.
“Moderate flooding of sea water is a possibility over some vulnerable low-lying coastal areas, especially around the morning and evening high tides, including over beach parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways. Moderate beach erosion is possible to likely,” according to the weather service.
And those looking for relief won’t find it overnight.
It’ll still be warm after dark too, forecasters say, with the mercury dipping only into the upper 60s to mid-70s across much of the region. The weather service in Oxnard and San Diego issued extreme heat warnings through 8 p.m. Thursday, cautioning of the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Schoenfeld said a lack of overnight recovery and days of hot weather can “really build and stress the body over time, especially for the elderly and other vulnerable folks like the very young.”
The Los Angeles Department of Public Health is urging residents to hydrate, avoid going outside during the hottest hours of the day, use an umbrella and wear lightweight clothing if you must go out — and take frequent breaks in air conditioned spaces. The county has dozens of cooling centers open.
The heat is expected to relent a bit by the weekend with temperatures in the mid-80s and even a chance of light showers Sunday as Hurricane Rachel continues its path across the Pacific Ocean.
But Swain, the climate scientist, said models suggest that temperatures won’t decline that much as October continues.
“This is not a cool autumn by any means,” he said.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- As Southern California endures a dangerous October heat wave, Los Angeles officials are preparing for a potentially powerful El Niño season.At the new Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Emergency Operations Center, the warnings went out that the El Niño weather event that is forecast has the potential, with warmer ocean water, to deliver damaging weather conditions to Southern California.The National Weather Service said strong El Niño events can increase the likelihood of wette...
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- As Southern California endures a dangerous October heat wave, Los Angeles officials are preparing for a potentially powerful El Niño season.
At the new Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Emergency Operations Center, the warnings went out that the El Niño weather event that is forecast has the potential, with warmer ocean water, to deliver damaging weather conditions to Southern California.
The National Weather Service said strong El Niño events can increase the likelihood of wetter-than-normal conditions across Southern California during the winter.
"Very strong El Niño events increase the odds of dangerous weather and coastal conditions, including flash floods, burn scar debris flows, severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and tornadoes, coastal flooding, beach erosion and dangerous rip currents," said Ariel Cohen of the National Weather Service.
City officials said Los Angeles has already begun taking steps to reduce potential damage and protect property and roadways from possible storm impacts, particularly in the Palisades burn area.
"Our bureau of engineering is actively assessing vulnerable hillsides, burn areas and locations at risk of erosion, debris flows and flooding," said Steve Kang of Los Angeles City Public Works.
Meanwhile, officials are also urging residents to take precautions during the ongoing heat wave.
"We have cooling centers set up throughout the city of Los Angeles, and we always recommend them for those individuals who don't have a way to cool their homes to take advantage of those," LAFD Chief Jaime Moore said.
The city said cooling centers remain available for residents seeking relief from the high temperatures.
A list of cooling centers in the city of Los Angeles is available here.
Information on cooling centers available in Southern California can be found in the links below:
It marks the first time a rabid raccoon has been found in LA County in more than half a century.WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA — A raccoon found in a Westlake Village-area backyard has tested positive for rabies, marking the first suspected rabid raccoon in Los Angeles County in more than 50 years, public health officials said.The raccoon appeared sick but was not aggressive toward people, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.Four people at a worksite may have been exposed to the animal and are r...
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA — A raccoon found in a Westlake Village-area backyard has tested positive for rabies, marking the first suspected rabid raccoon in Los Angeles County in more than 50 years, public health officials said.
The raccoon appeared sick but was not aggressive toward people, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Four people at a worksite may have been exposed to the animal and are receiving recommended follow-up care, including rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, officials said.
A dog that was up to date on its rabies vaccination may also have been exposed. The dog is under quarantine and doing well, according to the department.
The last confirmed rabid raccoon in Los Angeles County was detected in 1973, when a strain of rabies associated with skunks was still circulating locally. That strain has not been detected in the county since 1979.
The county's last confirmed case of rabies in an animal other than a bat was reported in 2014, when a skunk in Long Beach was found to be infected with a strain associated with bats.
Officials have not yet determined which rabies variant infected the Westlake Village raccoon. Based on rabies patterns in Los Angeles County, health officials said it is likely the raccoon contracted the virus from a bat.
Additional testing to determine the strain could take several weeks.
“The detection of rabies in a raccoon is an important reminder to never touch, handle, or feed any wild animals, even when they appear healthy,” Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said in a statement.
Davis urged residents to keep their distance from wildlife and call animal control when an animal appears sick, injured or behaves unusually.
“It is also critical to ensure your pets are up to date on rabies vaccination so they are protected before any potential exposure,” Davis said. “Keeping your pets vaccinated is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your entire family.”
Rabies cases in Los Angeles County have historically been linked primarily to bats, according to health officials. The number of rabid bats detected in the county has trended upward for more than a decade, with cases typically peaking in late summer.
So far this year, a record 70 rabid bats have been confirmed in Los Angeles County.
Public health officials are reminding residents not to touch bats or other wild animals and not to allow pets to interact with them. Even small bites that go unnoticed can transmit rabies.
Anyone bitten by a wild mammal should seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to Public Health. People who may have been exposed to rabies can receive post-exposure prophylaxis, a series of vaccines that is highly effective at preventing the disease when administered promptly.
Pets bitten by wild mammals should receive veterinary care immediately, and the incident should be reported to animal control and Public Health.
Officials also urged residents to contact animal control about bats found on the ground, active during the day or unable to fly, as well as other wildlife behaving unusually. Residents should avoid leaving pet food outdoors and should keep trash containers securely covered to reduce wildlife activity around homes.
Rabies affects the central nervous system and is nearly always fatal once symptoms develop in people or animals. The virus is most often transmitted through a bite or scratch or when saliva from an infected animal enters an open wound or comes into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth.
Rabies is not spread through casual contact or through an infected animal's blood, urine or feces, according to health officials.
CALIFORNIA — A massive Kelvin wave moving toward California is now somewhere between Cabo San Lucas and San Diego and could reach Southern California within days, the scientist tracking the phenomenon told Patch Wednesday.Dillon Amaya, an assistant professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences at North Carolina State University, said he expects the coastally trapped Kelvin wave to reach San Diego in roughly five to seven days. The Kelvin wave won't stop in Southern California. After reaching the Los Angeles area, the distu...
CALIFORNIA — A massive Kelvin wave moving toward California is now somewhere between Cabo San Lucas and San Diego and could reach Southern California within days, the scientist tracking the phenomenon told Patch Wednesday.
Dillon Amaya, an assistant professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences at North Carolina State University, said he expects the coastally trapped Kelvin wave to reach San Diego in roughly five to seven days. The Kelvin wave won't stop in Southern California. After reaching the Los Angeles area, the disturbance is expected to continue north along the California coast, raising sea levels for months to come. The current wave is expected to reach the San Francisco Bay Area by the second week of October, potentially raising water levels there by nearly a foot.
But Hurricane Polo, which generated powerful swells along Baja California and Southern California this week, has complicated efforts to pinpoint exactly where the wave is and how much it could ultimately raise coastal sea levels.
"It's become somewhat hard to tell where the leading edge of the wave is because Polo has kicked up high seas along the Baja peninsula and SoCal, so there is a lot of other stuff going on," Amaya told Patch. "But as far as I can see, the wave is still propagating and somewhere between Cabo and San Diego."
This update comes after Patch reported on the approaching Kelvin wave while it was still farther south along Mexico's Pacific coast.
At the time, Amaya estimated the disturbance could raise coastal sea levels by roughly 6 to 12 inches as it moved north along California, increasing the risk of flooding when combined with high tides, large swells or storms.
Amaya said Wednesday that the Kelvin wave has lost some energy during its journey north, meaning the eventual sea-level increase in Southern California could be toward the lower end of the range.
"The wave's energy has attenuated somewhat, so I think the anomalies will be on the lower end of the 6-12 inch range," Amaya said. It remains a threat for low-lying coastal areas, however.
"I know that doesn't sound like much, but every 2-4 inches of baseline sea level rise essentially doubles the flood risk for low-lying regions of California, when combined with high tides, large swells, and storms, so it is substantial," Amaya said.
Recent erosion could leave places such as Long Beach more vulnerable to the effects of the Kelvin wave. Particularly hard hit were Long Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point and Malibu, where several beaches were denuded and homes were red-tagged.
With steeper, shallower beaches, Amaya said, wave energy can interact with the coastline with greater force and more water can reach buildings, roads and other infrastructure that the beach would otherwise help protect.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says coastally trapped Kelvin waves can produce sea-level changes of approximately 15 centimeters, or about 6 inches, that can be detected by coastal tide gauges and satellites. NOAA scientists have been watching for such waves to move north along the West Coast as El Niño strengthens this fall.
NOAA's latest California Current assessment, updated Sept. 25, also said additional coastal warming was expected within weeks as El Niño-driven Kelvin waves reached the West Coast.
Polo's arrival along the Baja California peninsula came almost directly in the Kelvin wave's path.
The National Hurricane Center reported Sunday that Polo was producing peak seas of about 39 feet as it moved north-northwest off Baja California, while the National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned that swells generated by Polo and another tropical system could produce high surf, beach erosion and possible coastal flooding in Southern California.
For scientists trying to identify the much broader and more subtle change in sea level associated with the Kelvin wave, all that additional ocean activity has made the signal harder to isolate.
"Polo was a true wild card," Amaya told Patch. "It's induced so much sea level variability right in the path of the wave, that it's making it difficult to estimate the wave's position and magnitude given the data I have available."
Despite its name, a Kelvin wave is nothing like a conventional breaking wave or tsunami. The phenomenon raises the background sea level across a broad stretch of ocean along the coastline. Ordinary waves, tides and storm-driven swells then occur on top of that elevated starting point.
That means Southern Californians should not expect to watch a giant wave arrive on the horizon sometime next week.
NOAA describes coastally trapped Kelvin waves as one of the oceanic signatures of El Niño. They begin when changes in tropical Pacific winds generate Kelvin waves that travel east toward Central and South America before propagating north along the North American coast.
"The main thing to realize and understand about this wave is that Kelvin waves by themselves do not cause flooding," Amaya said. "They raise background sea levels, which when combined with high tides, large swells, and storms can substantially increase flood risk."
In fact, Amaya said its arrival could go largely unnoticed unless another coastal event occurs at the same time.
"Folks are not going to see this wave whiz by and may not even know it's happened until we get one of these compounding factors to trigger flood conditions," he said.
Unemployment in the Los Angeles, CA area was at 5% in July 2026. That's a 0.8 percentage point decrease from a year before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It helps indicate the overall condition of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metro Area job market.In July 2026,5%of the labor force was unemployed in Los Angeles, CA areaJuly 2026 had a-0.8Source: Bureau of Labor StatisticsMetro area-lev...
Unemployment in the Los Angeles, CA area was at 5% in July 2026. That's a 0.8 percentage point decrease from a year before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It helps indicate the overall condition of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metro Area job market.
In July 2026,
5%
of the labor force was unemployed in Los Angeles, CA area
July 2026 had a
-0.8
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Metro area-level unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not account for fluctuations due to seasonal employment patterns, such as tourism or agriculture. That means the data may show large changes month to month. It’s important to view this local data with a long-term lens.
Unemployment rate by month, not seasonally adjusted, 2019-2026 (YTD)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Unemployment rates differ between urban areas due to various factors. The types of industries present in an area may affect unemployment rates. Seasonal work in industries like tourism can cause unemployment to go up and down. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.
Among 109 metro areas with more than 250,000 people in the labor force, the Los Angeles, CA area had the 19th highest unemployment rate in July 2026.
Other areas with similar unemployment rates to the Los Angeles, CA area’s 5% unemployment rate were the Paducah, KY area (4.9%) and the North Port, FL area (5%).
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted (Circle size corresponds to the size of the labor force)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| 1. | 19.7% | |
| 2. | 18.9% | |
| 3. | 11.1% | |
| 4. | 10.3% | |
| 5. | 9.6% | |
| 6. | 9.5% | |
| 7. | 9.1% | |
| 8. | 8.6% | |
| 9. | 8.6% | |
| 10. | 8.3% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
See all (376)
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
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