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.
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 Phoenix, AZ 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.
“Tom and Janné Gutierrez run Always Best Care and I've known them to be generous,”
“Great experience working with ABC. Everyone was very kind and caring.”
“Always Best Care was absolutely wonderful. They were so kind and caring with my husband”
“Great caring organization. Geana visited mom in the hospital before she was discharged and arranged”
“Always Best Care is an invaluable resource. For families who need a little extra help”
“I can't say enough good things about Janné and the team at Always Best Care. Janné”
“Wonderful people. So kind, helpful, and caring.”
“Extremely caring, strong communication with family,, understands our needs”
“Janne and her team were great to work with. Great communication and they cared about”
“The owner made several visits to coordinate my care including coming to my apartment when”
“I can’t put into words how great everyone is. They treated my mother so well”
“I had a wonderful experience with this service. Janné helped me find the right assisted”
“Conscientious caregiving and professional attendance at all times-supervision when required- immediate contact available with scheduling”
“I am deeply grateful that a friend referred us to ABC after my 82-year-old mother”
“They provided a fantastic caregiver for my father. Communicating with the office regarding any changes”
“The owner Janne and Rhonda our care coordinator are both amazing. They take the time”
“We used ABC for the better part of a year and we had great caregivers.”
“It is never easy dealing with aging parents and their increasing needs and health challenges.”
“Always Best Care took care of my brother so we could bring him home to”
“Always Best Care took care of my brother so we could bring him home to”
“ABC Senior Services came to us via a referral from an acquaintance. We had been”
“ABC was very quick to respond to a request for in home care for a”
“My mom's in-home senior care-aide is fantastic. She is a kind, patient, caring and friendly”
“The team at Always Best Care has been amazing. It isn’t easy navigating care options,”
“We had a great experience with Always Best Care. Janne worked hard to find the”
“Tom and Janné Gutierrez run Always Best Care and I've known them to be generous, caring, and professional. They treat their clients like their family - which means they go above and beyond in everything they do.”
“Great experience working with ABC. Everyone was very kind and caring.”
“Always Best Care was absolutely wonderful. They were so kind and caring with my husband who was on Home Hospice. And Keisha was very helpful with me both around the house and emotionally. I highly recomend ABC.”
“Great caring organization. Geana visited mom in the hospital before she was discharged and arranged immediate care for the following day. We utilized Always Best Care for 4 months. Caregivers were kind, knowledgeable and helpful. Would highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Always Best Care is an invaluable resource. For families who need a little extra help with loved ones, ABC provides thoughtful and caring companionship. The team is super easy to work with and very communicative. 5 Stars!”
“I can't say enough good things about Janné and the team at Always Best Care. Janné has truly been a Godsend. She first helped our family arrange in-home care for my mother, and when the time came to transition her into an assisted living community, she was there every step of the way. Her knowledge, compassion, and genuine concern made what could have been an overwhelming process so much easier for our family. Our caregiver, Beverly, has become like family. She truly cares about my mother and spends four hours with her twice a week, taking her to doctor's appointments, helping her get her hair and nails done, and, most importantly, providing wonderful companionship. Beverly's kindness and support were especially meaningful during my mother's transition into assisted living, helping her feel comfortable, cared for, and never alone. If you're looking for someone to help care for a loved one, I wholeheartedly recommend Janné, Beverly, and the entire Always Best Care team. They have been a tremendous blessing to our family, and I will always be grateful for the care, compassion, and professionalism they have shown my mother.”
“Wonderful people. So kind, helpful, and caring.”
“Extremely caring, strong communication with family,, understands our needs”
“Janne and her team were great to work with. Great communication and they cared about us as people not just dollar signs. When we return to AZ this fall we will definitely work with them again. We had no idea what a great company they were until we worked with some other home health companies.”
“The owner made several visits to coordinate my care including coming to my apartment when I arrived from the hospital to arrange furniture and accessories to create a safe environment. She has a very professional staff for scheduling and the care givers are amazing.”
“I can’t put into words how great everyone is. They treated my mother so well and with such respect. I would recommend them over and over again.”
“I had a wonderful experience with this service. Janné helped me find the right assisted living community for my 88-year-old dad, and it never felt like I was dealing with a salesperson. It felt like a caring friend stepped in to guide me through a difficult decision and process. Their support, honesty, and compassion made all the difference. I’m truly grateful and highly recommend them to anyone needing help with senior care decisions.”
“Conscientious caregiving and professional attendance at all times-supervision when required- immediate contact available with scheduling adjustments if required. Give the business a very strong A for what they are doing- highly recommend Always best Care senior services!!!!”
“I am deeply grateful that a friend referred us to ABC after my 82-year-old mother fell and broke her femur three months ago. From the very beginning, Janne and her incredible team of caregivers stepped in with compassion and expertise, guiding us through my mom’s rehabilitation journey. Thanks to their attentive support, my mom has grown stronger each day, and I truly believe her remarkable progress is a direct result of the exceptional care she received from ABC.”
“They provided a fantastic caregiver for my father. Communicating with the office regarding any changes was very easy. I would recommend them to assist in finding the right caregiver.”
“The owner Janne and Rhonda our care coordinator are both amazing. They take the time to really listen to our needs and provide the best services possible. They've helped us care for my father with Parkinson's since we moved to Arizona two years ago and we couldn't be more pleased. I would highly recommend them.”
“We used ABC for the better part of a year and we had great caregivers. Our sister was always treated with love & respect.I wouldn’t hesitate to use ABC for your loved one. We got especially attached to Cindy who was sent down from heaven!”
“It is never easy dealing with aging parents and their increasing needs and health challenges. Always Best Care has been there for us over the last 4 years to step in as needed to assist my parents as challenges arose. Initially, we hired them to assist my parents in their home after my mom suffered a terrible fall resulting in weeks of being wheelchair bound and unable to care for herself, her home, and my blind father. The team took the time to get to know my parents and their special needs, and were a great help to us during that time. Recently my dad suffered a debilitating stroke that led to him requiring a high level of care and assistance. The task of finding assisted living for him was daunting to say the least. The right placement for his particular needs and circumstances was our biggest concern, and we had no idea where to start. Always Best Care was again the answer to our prayers! They set up tours of assisted living facilities that they had already vetted, with our particular situation in mind, and connected us with the home that was the perfect fit for him. We are so grateful for their assistance through this process. Our family would highly recommend Always Best Care to care for your aging loved ones.”
“Always Best Care took care of my brother so we could bring him home to be safe and secure in his home which was his wish.”
“Always Best Care took care of my brother so we could bring him home to be safe and secure in his home which was his wish.”
“ABC Senior Services came to us via a referral from an acquaintance. We had been working with another agency as well. ABC was able to find a place nearer to our home, and at a better price. The place she recommended has a kind and caring provider, and it seems like a good fit for my mom. I SO appreciate what they did for my family, especially since we had very little time to make this transition.”
“ABC was very quick to respond to a request for in home care for a close friend of mine after her hospital stay. I was amazed at how quickly they set up care for her with a wonderful, skilled caregiver who communicated well with my friend and myself as her emergency contact. The quality of care was top notch and I would highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“My mom's in-home senior care-aide is fantastic. She is a kind, patient, caring and friendly woman who makes mom's day. Janne made the transition simple and painless. Having used one other care agency in the past, ABC is WAY better and clearly lives up to its name .. Always Best Care!”
“The team at Always Best Care has been amazing. It isn’t easy navigating care options, but Janné and her team were compassionate, patient and were able to work quickly to get our family the support we needed!”
“We had a great experience with Always Best Care. Janne worked hard to find the right caregiver for my husband and checked in at various times to ensure that he was comfortable and well taken care of.”
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.
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. 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 Phoenix, AZ, 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 Phoenix, AZ 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.
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 Phoenix, AZ 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.
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A very quiet weather pattern will overtake the state this weekend, resulting in rather seasonal temperatures statewide.In the deserts, the average high is about 100 degrees and we’ll be running just above that. Overnight lows will be in the upper 70s to low 80s.Right now, it looks like this steady weather pattern will hold into next week, bringing us a streak of more than seven days without rain chances at this point.Humidity levels are still a bit on the high side, but should grad...
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A very quiet weather pattern will overtake the state this weekend, resulting in rather seasonal temperatures statewide.
In the deserts, the average high is about 100 degrees and we’ll be running just above that. Overnight lows will be in the upper 70s to low 80s.
Right now, it looks like this steady weather pattern will hold into next week, bringing us a streak of more than seven days without rain chances at this point.
Humidity levels are still a bit on the high side, but should gradually come down into early next week. At this point, there are some signs of rain possibilities in northern Arizona next week, but not for the Valley.
A Pacific storm/low-pressure system should reach the central or southern California coast by late Monday. Here’s what that will mean:
After landfall: There’s still uncertainty about exactly how strong and how quickly it develops, but most models currently agree it will move east-northeast inland, generally north of the local area.
Northern Arizona: That track could produce showers and thunderstorms, with some potential for stronger storms.
Severe-weather setup: The atmosphere could briefly have ingredients favorable for a transitional severe-weather event—especially strong forcing along a front and increased wind shear from a strong upper-level jet.
Main problem: Moisture. This weekend’s air will be very dry, and it may be difficult to restore enough low-level moisture quickly enough for meaningful rain or thunderstorms, particularly in the lower deserts.
Next week: Models do indicate a gradual return of moisture, increasingly coming from the southeast, which is a more typical pattern as the atmosphere starts transitioning toward a monsoon-like regime.
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For motorcyclists, navigating busy intersections and roadways can be a life-or-death situation.A driver turning into a motorcyclist’s path without checking their surroundings, or a vehicle drifting into a motorcycle’s lane during a merge, can have serious and potentially fatal consequences for motorcyclists and other road users alike.Personal injury law firm Bisnar Chase surveyed 3,322 motorcyclists nationwide to identify the intersections, highway interchanges and merging areas where riders feel most vulnerable....
For motorcyclists, navigating busy intersections and roadways can be a life-or-death situation.
A driver turning into a motorcyclist’s path without checking their surroundings, or a vehicle drifting into a motorcycle’s lane during a merge, can have serious and potentially fatal consequences for motorcyclists and other road users alike.
Personal injury law firm Bisnar Chase surveyed 3,322 motorcyclists nationwide to identify the intersections, highway interchanges and merging areas where riders feel most vulnerable.
According to the recent study, a Phoenix-area junction ranked among the intersections motorcyclists identified as the most feared in the United States.
At the intersection of 67th Avenue and McDowell Road, motorcyclists say they feel particularly exposed to traffic.
"Multiple lanes carry vehicles through a succession of turns and lane changes as drivers position themselves for the route ahead," said Casey Richardson, a spokesperson for Bisnar and Chase, "Riders can be difficult to distinguish among the surrounding cars and trucks, especially when traffic begins moving as a signal changes."
Three-quarters of those surveyed said they feel at least somewhat anxious when approaching a complicated or heavily congested intersection, such as 67th Avenue and McDowell Road.
With multiple gas stations and a coffee shop surrounding the intersection, the volume and movement of traffic can make the area challenging for motorcyclists to navigate.
For many riders, avoiding a dangerous intersection is more than a preference—it has become part of planning their daily routes.
Rather than risk navigating intimidating road layouts or unpredictable traffic, some riders are choosing to take longer routes. The extra time on the road is a trade-off they’re willing to make to feel safer and reduce their exposure to potentially dangerous intersections.
"Two-thirds of riders surveyed, 67%, said they had changed their regular route specifically to avoid a junction, interchange or merging area that felt unsafe" said Richardson.
The fear surrounding these locations is often rooted in experience, according to Richardson. More than three in five motorcyclists say they had experienced a near miss while riding through a junction, interchange, or merging area.
Have a news tip? Contact The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com at [email protected].
Although retiring to the warm climate of Phoenix, Arizona might sound like a dream, the state’s seniors are one of the fastest-growing populations experiencing homelessness.In fact, adults aged 55 and older regularly occupy about 40% of emergency shelter beds at Central Arizona Shelter Services, the largest shelter provider in the region. A new project hopes to help ease the issue.In March, a brand new development called Senior Bridge opened in Phoenix, with 40 independent studio units available to those 55 and older who ...
Although retiring to the warm climate of Phoenix, Arizona might sound like a dream, the state’s seniors are one of the fastest-growing populations experiencing homelessness.
In fact, adults aged 55 and older regularly occupy about 40% of emergency shelter beds at Central Arizona Shelter Services, the largest shelter provider in the region. A new project hopes to help ease the issue.
In March, a brand new development called Senior Bridge opened in Phoenix, with 40 independent studio units available to those 55 and older who are transitioning out of homelessness.
The buildings are made from shipping containers and tout major sustainability features, including off-grid power. During the day, the units are powered by solar panels. At night, lithium batteries take over.
“By doing this, completely energy independent, it reduces one of the largest costs for an operator, and then for the permanent housing, it reduces the cost of your air conditioning bill,” Brian Stark, co-founder of Senior Bridge and CEO of Steel and Spark, which manufactured these repurposed containers, told KJZZ Phoenix.
Senior Bridge is operated by housing nonprofit Mercy House, and Phase 1 is now open to residents. Each 160-square-foot unit includes a twin bed, bathroom with sinks, toilets, and showers, a mini-fridge, and a microwave.
Each resident is paired with a case manager who will help them access services like health care, nutrition support, and community engagement. Mercy House chief program officer Timothy Huynh told Axios Phoenix that there is no set time for how long residents are allotted, but that they will ideally move on to more permanent housing within about 90 days.
And, once Phase 2 is completed, 54 permanent supportive apartments will be available on the same campus, so those seniors can fully maintain their progress as they end their journey with homelessness. Once here, they will pay an affordable rent but no additional power bills.
It’s an intentional model out of Mercy House, which ensures that social services exist in the same place as housing support.
“We have this mistaken idea that shelters exist in isolation,” Mercy House CEO Larry Haynes told KJZZ Phoenix. “You know, the effectiveness of a shelter depends upon the outreach teams that bring books to us, and the amount of permanent housing stock to which we can then connect people to.”
The communal element of the program is what Haynes believes will be central to solving senior homelessness.
“We will not solve homelessness if we’re working against each other,” Haynes said. “We will only solve homelessness if we’re all working together. Because the things that our local businesses want to turn a modest profit, the things that our neighborhoods want to have a decent place to live, are virtuous, are reasonable.”
The permanent apartments are already under construction and are expected to be move-in ready by the end of 2026, Axios Phoenix reported.
Phoenix Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington spoke at the Phase 1 ribbon-cutting event earlier this year.
“We are creating a model that centers dignity while delivering results,” she said.
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A Phoenix mother is accused of smuggling methamphetamine into an Arizona state prison to visit her incarcerated daughter, according to court documents.Dorothy Terrell, 60, of Phoenix, was arrested Sept. 13, 2026, at the Arizona State Prison Complex Perryville in Goodyear and faces five felony charges, including money laundering, transportation of dangerous drugs, conspiracy, and taking contraband into a correctional facility.According to a probable cause statement filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, detectives with the Ari...
A Phoenix mother is accused of smuggling methamphetamine into an Arizona state prison to visit her incarcerated daughter, according to court documents.
Dorothy Terrell, 60, of Phoenix, was arrested Sept. 13, 2026, at the Arizona State Prison Complex Perryville in Goodyear and faces five felony charges, including money laundering, transportation of dangerous drugs, conspiracy, and taking contraband into a correctional facility.
According to a probable cause statement filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, detectives with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry's Office of Inspector General were tipped off to a possible drug smuggling attempt after prison staff reviewed recorded phone calls between Terrell and her daughter, Perryville inmate McKayla Terrell.
In one recorded call, Dorothy Terrell allegedly said she was afraid to insert a package inside of her body and was not able to remove it. She also told her daughter it was acceptable to package the contraband double, according to the probable cause statement.
Dorothy Terrell had scheduled a visit with her daughter on Sept. 13, 2026. When she arrived at the prison, court records say prison staff found a cigarette containing marijuana on her person during the initial screening process. She was detained by detectives after clearing a second security checkpoint.
After being read her Miranda rights, Dorothy Terrell admitted to detectives that she had a package concealed inside her body containing methamphetamine, according to court documents. She was then escorted to a nearby restroom by female corrections personnel, where she allegedly produced a medium-sized package wrapped in what appeared to be a blue latex glove.
Dorothy Terrell also allegedly admitted to detectives that she had previously smuggled marijuana into the prison on Aug. 30, 2026, during an earlier visit with her daughter. She told detectives she received approximately $400 in deposits in exchange for the marijuana she smuggled in on that date.
Court records show Dorothy Terrell was previously an inmate with ADCRR and has prior arrests and convictions including aggravated DUI, drug paraphernalia, forgery, and a dangerous drug violation. Records also indicate she was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the Sept. 13 offense.
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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Major Valley freeways are set to close this weekend as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) completes needed maintenance.An Interstate 10 closure through the Deck Park Tunnel in central Phoenix is one of several Valley freeways that will be impacted by road work.Eastbound I-10 will be closed through the tunnel — from the Stack to Washington/Jefferson streets — from 9 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday.The westbound lanes of I-10 through the Deck Park Tunnel will be clo...
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Major Valley freeways are set to close this weekend as the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) completes needed maintenance.
An Interstate 10 closure through the Deck Park Tunnel in central Phoenix is one of several Valley freeways that will be impacted by road work.
Eastbound I-10 will be closed through the tunnel — from the Stack to Washington/Jefferson streets — from 9 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday.
The westbound lanes of I-10 through the Deck Park Tunnel will be closed the following night — 9 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday.
These closures will allow crews to complete tunnel maintenance, ADOT said. Drivers are asked to use I-17 as an alternate route to avoid the closures and get back onto I-10.
In the East Valley, the Loop 202 Santan freeway will close westbound between Cooper and Alma School roads from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for a widening project.
ADOT advised drivers coming from Mesa or Gilbert to use westbound U.S. 60 to avoid that closure, while Chandler drivers are asked to use Pecos or Germann roads.
From 10 p.m. Saturday to noon on Sunday, westbound Loop 202 will be closed from U.S. 60 to Alma School Road, as well as the westbound on-ramps at University Drive and Broadway Road.
From 10 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday, Loop 202 Santan will be closed eastbound from Williams Field Road to the U.S. 60 for pavement work, along with the ramps at Val Vista Drive and Lindsay Road. Drivers can use Val Vista Drive or Higley Road to avoid this closure.
Back in Phoenix, westbound Loop 101 Agua Fria freeway will be closed from I-17 to 51st Avenue from 10 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Sunday for a widening project. This will also close westbound on-ramps at 27th and 35th avenues and north- and southbound I-17 ramps to the westbound Loop 101.
Drivers can avoid the Loop 101 closure by using Union Hills Drive, ADOT said.
More roadwork will affect the southbound Loop 101 Pima/Price freeway between McKellips Road and Rio Salado Parkway from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. This stretch will be narrowed to three lanes as crews work on the pavement, ADOT said. All ramps in this area will also be closed.
ADOT says SR 51 in Phoenix will be closed southbound from Glendale Avenue to Indian School Road from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for pavement work. Drivers are asked to exit the freeway early and possibly use 16th or 24th streets to get around the closure.
Near Maricopa, SR 347 will be narrowed to one lane in both directions from just south of Casa Blanca Road to Mammoth Way from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for a paving project.
Finally, Loop 303 eastbound will be closed between 43rd Avenue and east of the I-17 bridge from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for a construction project.
For drivers looking to get back onto I-17, ADOT recommends using northbound 43rd Avenue and eastbound Dove Valley Road.
Drivers trying to access Sonoran Desert Drive can use eastbound Dove Valley Road to southbound North Valley Parkway. And I-17 drivers looking to get to Sonoran Desert Drive are asked to use eastbound Dove Valley Road to southbound North Valley Parkway.
These scheduled closures are still subject to change, ADOT said.
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