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 the historic Milton S. Hershey Mansion 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 Milton, WA 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.
“Loving & caring staff. Honored to know these caregivers and see them in action!”
“Great team, great clientele, available hours”
“The absolute best in home care services! Our family are so grateful for Phil, Deena”
“There is no better agency than Steve and his team. We went through 4 different”
“The greatest in home care ever!! The staff was very knowledgeable and very caring about”
“They were caring, and did a good job when we finally got the right person.”
“I felt confident that my mom was being taken care of and that she seemed”
“It takes some of the burden off of me. When I need schedule changes, such”
“The services are essential because they're always on time. I would recommend Always Best Care”
“The services have helped him the most by having no confusion about taking their pills.”
“They help with things that I can't do anymore. I like that they always have”
“I work for an assisted living community in Tacoma and often come across potential residents”
“They were proactive, nice, pleasant people. One thing I like about them is that they”
“I worked with Phil and Steve to try and find a memory care facility or”
“The agency can make my life easier by communicating more. I like this agency because”
“I am not able to do a lot of things that I used to do”
“Having someone here to assist my parents has allowed me to focus on other things.”
“The whole team was great with my mom when she was finally discharged home, especially”
“The agency helps me not to worry about the client. The company could be better”
“They helped with things like light housekeeping. I liked that they were excellent at communicating”
“It is easier for us because someone is taking care of my mom. The caregiver”
“Loving & caring staff. Honored to know these caregivers and see them in action!”
“Great team, great clientele, available hours”
“The absolute best in home care services! Our family are so grateful for Phil, Deena and their entire home care team! We could not have cared for our mother at home without them!”
“There is no better agency than Steve and his team. We went through 4 different agencies until we found them and have thanked our lucky stars. Reliable, educated and experienced. They have our family’s best interest and heart in mind.”
“The greatest in home care ever!! The staff was very knowledgeable and very caring about our needs.”
“They were caring, and did a good job when we finally got the right person. They were caring, efficient and they did a good job.”
“I felt confident that my mom was being taken care of and that she seemed happy with the caregivers. As far as her life she was well fed, her physical hygiene was taken care of, and she had company. I'd recommend them because the caregivers were well trained and they showed a lot of care for my mother and they also kept the family informed.”
“It takes some of the burden off of me. When I need schedule changes, such as today with an early morning doctor's appointment, they easily change the schedule when we need. I already have. I like that they come and check and find out what our goals are, as well as working with the provider that comes to our home. They are well coordinated.”
“The services are essential because they're always on time. I would recommend Always Best Care because I like the people who they send. They're just outstanding.”
“The services have helped him the most by having no confusion about taking their pills. I want them to follow-up more often.”
“They help with things that I can't do anymore. I like that they always have someone for you.”
“I work for an assisted living community in Tacoma and often come across potential residents and their family members who use Always Best Care for in-home caregiving, as well as senior advising to find long term care placement. Phil and Steve are fantastic care partners, and great advocates for seniors in our area!”
“They were proactive, nice, pleasant people. One thing I like about them is that they are very nice and professional, easy to work with.”
“I worked with Phil and Steve to try and find a memory care facility or possibly an adult family home for my mom who was in late stage Altzheimers disease. They were both so caring, empathetic, understanding and patient with us during the most difficult time for our family. Ultimately we were unable to move mom, but I never felt any frustration or impatience from them, only the utmost care and concern. I would recommend this place to anyone trying to find a care facility or home for a loved one.”
“The agency can make my life easier by communicating more. I like this agency because they are prompt.”
“I am not able to do a lot of things that I used to do for myself. They are responsive, and they do a good job at getting good employees.”
“Having someone here to assist my parents has allowed me to focus on other things. They're good communicators, they're kind, and the caregivers do a good job.”
“The whole team was great with my mom when she was finally discharged home, especially Roshea and Kelsey. I especially liked that they had consistent staff instead of a new caregiver every shift.”
“The agency helps me not to worry about the client. The company could be better at finding caregivers for us faster.”
“They helped with things like light housekeeping. I liked that they were excellent at communicating with us.”
“It is easier for us because someone is taking care of my mom. The caregiver is great.”
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 Livingston Park 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 The Milton Inn or visit Milton Historical Society, 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 Milton, WA, 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 Milton, WA 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 Milton, WA 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.
Two journalists dispatched to Florida to cover Hurricane Milton were hunkered down inside their car amid a tornado warning in the Fort Myers area Wednesday when a concerned woman banged on their window. She told the pa...
Two journalists dispatched to Florida to cover Hurricane Milton were hunkered down inside their car amid a tornado warning in the Fort Myers area Wednesday when a concerned woman banged on their window. She told the pair about a yowling sound coming from underneath their vehicle.
Heavy rain was falling, and the wind was ripping branches off the trees around them. But that didn’t stop David Barcenas, a photographer for Hearst Television’s D.C. bureau, from jumping out of the car to investigate. His colleague, reporter Christopher Salas, wasn’t far behind him.
Under the back wheel of their car — parked outside Florida Gulf Coast University, which was serving as an evacuation center — Barcenas spotted a cat. He lay down on the ground, reached out for the animal, plucked it from underneath the vehicle and tucked it inside his jacket.
Salas captured the rescue on camera — much to the delight of social media users, who swiftly became invested in what they dubbed #HurricaneCat. Many thanked the pair for helping the cat — whom the journalists named “Millie” — in her moment of need.
We’re a three man crew now. My coworker, David, rescuing a cat who took shelter under our car from Hurricane Milton. I’m glad someone walking by told us they heard meowing. pic.twitter.com/9nRFM4PqPf
— Christopher Salas (@ChristopherS_DC) October 9, 2024
“People are cheering us on and expecting on-the-hour updates,” Barcenas told The Washington Post on Thursday. “I would have thrown her in our live shots if I could.”
Ahead of Milton’s landfall, those in areas expected to be hard hit by the hurricane were urged to evacuate their homes. For many, this meant considering what to do with their pets.
Hurricane Milton
(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Follow our live updates as Hurricane Milton made landfall along Florida’s west-central coast, bringing heavy rain and deadly tornadoes that left at least six dead. See the damage from Milton as its destruction hit homes, landmarks like Tropicana Field and more.
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Animal welfare groups urged pet owners to make a plan ahead of time, and to take their pets, especially smaller animals, with them — or to contact local animal services or emergency authorities about options including temporary boarding. They also urged against crating or tying up animals, which leaves them unable to get away from oncoming water or bad conditions. After the Florida Highway Patrol shared a video of a dog tied up along a highway in Tampa, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said this was “cruel” and Florida “will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable.”
Once Millie was safe inside the vehicle, Barcenas said, he put on the heat to help dry off the soaked cat. Millie sat “calmly” and “silently” as she got to know her rescuers. “I have two cats back home,” Barcenas said. “I wasn’t about to shoo her away.” Barcenas stopped at a gas station to pick up some cans of tuna, “which she nibbled on.”
“What businesses remained had all been shuttered and any residents long evacuated,” he said. “We were lucky to find a hotel very much inland in Fort Myers.”
A pet hospital with its lights on happened to be right next to the hotel. Barcenas took Millie there to see if she was microchipped. “I was apprehensive to just take her back home with me, as she seemed pretty healthy and well fed to be a stray,” he said.
Millie is not microchipped but veterinarians described her as “well-mannered.” Once the storm subsides, she will undergo a medical evaluation. Then, Barcenas said, it is a waiting game to see if she is claimed.
“I hope she does have a loving family who misses her and she was not a case of abandonment,” Barcenas said. “If she is not claimed, I filled out the application with the county to contact me so that I can bring her home to D.C. with me.”
With destruction unfolding across Florida, Barcenas said he was “happy to have found a new friend on the road.”
Milton, an extremely dangerous Category 3 hurricane, made landfall along Florida’s west coast Wednesday night. See its path with our storm tracker, view the widespread damages and watch live-stream feeds. Here are four key details about Hurricane Milton that shocked meteorologists.
The latest: How bad was Hurricane Milton? Before landfall, destructive tornadoes touched down across Florida in what could be the most powerful hurricane to hit the Tampa Bay area in more than a century. Milton could seriously affect some parts of Florida that are still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.
Milton’s impact: Some Florida residents pondered evacuation ahead of Milton’s landfall, but many refused to leave before Hurricane Helene. FEMA has enough relief funding for Hurricane Milton, but what’s next is less certain.
More on the hurricane season
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Hurricane Milton had mostly moved off from Florida’s east coast into the Atlantic Ocean as of midday Thursday. In many places, the storm’s destruction was becoming clearer, while in other pockets, the severity of the impact was already evident.
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Hurricane Milton
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TAMPA — On Wednesday evening, just before Hurricane Milton made landfall on an already storm-battered region of Florida, state officials issued an emergency rule to protect homeowners against “unfair and deceptive acts” and “post-storm fraud” by insurance carriers.Tracking Hurricane Milton(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)...
TAMPA — On Wednesday evening, just before Hurricane Milton made landfall on an already storm-battered region of Florida, state officials issued an emergency rule to protect homeowners against “unfair and deceptive acts” and “post-storm fraud” by insurance carriers.
Tracking Hurricane Milton
(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Follow our live updates as Hurricane Milton made landfall along Florida’s west-central coast, bringing heavy rain and deadly tornadoes. See the damage from Milton as Floridians begin surveying damage to homes, landmarks like Tropicana Field and more.
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Florida insurance officials sent the decree to all licensed adjusters in the state, and a copy was obtained by The Washington Post.
In what consumer advocates consider a groundbreaking win for policyholders, the Florida Department of Financial Services is requiring that all claims adjusters provide an explanation for each change they make to a consumer’s lossestimate, document those changes and retain all versions of the estimate and identify who made those revisions.
Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm along the state’s west-central coast Wednesday night, bringing fierce winds and life-threatening ocean surges just two weeks after another major hurricane, Helene, walloped Florida’s Gulf Coast.
“Property damage from Hurricane Milton will be catastrophic and may result in billions of dollars in property losses,” the emergency rule states. “... Fair and transparent loss estimates and claims adjustments will be crucial to ensure Floridians are properly and fairly compensated under the terms of their property insurance contracts, while also ensuring ongoing insurer solvency after potentially momentous financial losses.”
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The directive Wednesday comes more than a year after an investigation by The Post revealed that insurance companies were drastically altering policyholders’ claims following Hurricane Ian by reducing damage estimates, some without the adjuster’s knowledge or permission.
According to the investigation, adjusters contracted by regional insurance carriers said that managers were altering their work by lowering totals, rewriting descriptions of damage and deleting accompanying photos without their approval.
In May last year, Florida also introduced a law that aimed to hold property insurance companies more accountable for claims-handling practices by requiring greater transparency.
The emergency rule drills down on aspects of that law, focusing specifically on the behind-the-scenes process of pricing the cost of damage once an estimate hits a carrier’s system.
“Greater transparency will reduce post-storm fraud,” the directive states, adding that the emergency rule was “necessary to protect Florida consumers against unfair and deceptive acts in the Florida property insurance market.”
The state’s troubled insurance market has continued to spiral after years of more frequent and intense hurricanes, and it is common in Florida for residents to battle with their insurance companies for years over claims. The issue was especially apparent after Hurricane Ian in 2022. Many families were stuck in storm-damaged homes for months, unable to get in touch with their insurance carriers, or received little to no money for their claims.
Following two major hurricanes in less than a month, Florida officials said they anticipate “significant, long lasting, and potentially devastating effects on the Florida property insurance market,” and the losses will be “largely borne by Florida homeowners and small business owners.”
Officials said the creation of the emergency rule was necessitated by the “immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare to the citizens of Florida caused by untold and potentially ruinous property losses.”
In their directive, officials ordered adjusters to provide a written estimate of loss to the policyholder, something many carriers have historically refused to do. The estimate must include each line item, as well as each version and variation of the report and “to what extent the program was modified by the adjuster.”
Modifying the initial loss estimate is strictly prohibited unless the adjuster “provides a detailed explanation as to why each change was made,” who made it and why it was necessary.
When processing claims, adjusters must also use an electronic estimating system that provides an itemized report of all damage, as well as labor, materials, equipment and supplies. Those costs should be consistent with what a contractor or a repair company in that particular area would charge.
This is to ensure insurance companies don’t use pricing from different states or different years to lowball policyholders, consumer advocates say.
Modifying these prices is “strictly prohibited” unless the adjuster can prove it’s fair and matches the market, officials said.
“This provides much needed relief to policyholders from unscrupulous practices of insurance carriers,” said Mathew Mulholland, an insurance claims expert and the founder of the Building Experts Institute. “For so long, carriers have been able to take legitimate estimates and manipulate them for their own gains.”
Milton, an extremely dangerous Category 3 hurricane, made landfall along Florida’s west coast Wednesday night. See its path with our storm tracker, view the widespread damages and watch live-stream feeds.
The latest: Before Milton’s landfall, destructive tornadoes touched down across Florida in what could be the most powerful hurricane to hit the Tampa Bay area in more than a century. Milton could seriously affect some parts of Florida that are still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.
Milton’s impact: Some Florida residents pondered evacuation ahead of Milton’s landfall, but many refused to leave before Hurricane Helene. FEMA has enough relief funding for Hurricane Milton, but what’s next is less certain.
More on the hurricane season
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Millions of Florida residents were impacted by Hurricane Milton’s landfall Wednesday night, the second major hurricane to hit the state in less than a month and one of the strongest ever recorded in the Gulf.10 steps you can take to lower your carbon footprintThough the storm has largely passed into the Atlantic, Floridians will slowly begin to take stock o...
Millions of Florida residents were impacted by Hurricane Milton’s landfall Wednesday night, the second major hurricane to hit the state in less than a month and one of the strongest ever recorded in the Gulf.
10 steps you can take to lower your carbon footprint
Though the storm has largely passed into the Atlantic, Floridians will slowly begin to take stock of the destruction and begin the laborious process to rebuild. More than 3 million were still without power as of Thursday morning.
Aid organizations are already pouring into the affected zones to provide immediate care. Here’s what you can do to help.
Hurricane Milton
(Ted Richardson/For The Washington Post)
Follow our live updates on Hurricane Milton aftermath as Florida entered its second day of recovery and rescue operations. See the damage from Milton, which unleashed wind, rain and tornadoes that left at least 14 people dead.
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If you’d like to volunteer, apply to work with a reputable organization already on the ground. Though many folks like to get hands-on experience, showing up without a contact or partnering organization can be unhelpful.
If deployed, volunteers should be prepared with equipment and gear, such as boots and personal protective equipment including masks.
Here are organizations you can apply with:
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Many organizations are already on the ground since Hurricane Helene and prepositioned operations ahead of Milton.
The best way to help recovery efforts is often with a monetary donation; financial contributions allow organizations the most flexibility when allocating funds. Do not send supplies unless requested by an organization.
Many of these organizations are providing relief across Florida and neighboring states. Here are a few organizations that are accepting donations:
Be cautious with where you send donations following a disaster. You can verify a charity’s legitimacy on Charity Navigator.
Climate solutions
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Scientists say their efforts to inform the public about the threat of catastrophic storms are being hampered by “buffoonery” on social media.
7 min
October 9, 2024 at 5:28 p.m. EDT
John Morales has seen all manner of extreme weather in his four decades as a meteorologist. But as he described the siren-red mass whirling across his screen during his forecast for Hurricane Milton on Monday, his voice broke.
“It’s just an incredible, incredible, incredible hurricane,” said Morales, the well-known chief meteorologist at NBC6 in Miami. “It has dropped,” he said, then paused to look down and sigh heavily before glancing at the forecast again.
More on the hurricane season
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