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 Bradbury Building 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 highly recommend Always Best Care for every aspect from the ones seeking care for”
“Always Best Care absolutely saved us when my father needed immediate assistance. Maria and team”
“I cannot say enough good things about Always Best Care in the South Bay. I”
“Always Best Care agency has been wonderful to work with. The caregivers they have provided”
“The senior in-home care was top notch. The caregivers were caring, comforting, and always available”
“I attended the free family caregivers seminar presented by Dr. David Hart. The seminar was”
“Dr David Hart has given me security to know that I can do it. He”
“My experience with ABC Senior Services has been uniformly positive, starting with participation in their”
“This is a long overdue review and endorsement of Always Best Care-Torrance. My family is”
“I attended one of their monthly caregiver essentials workshop and found it incredibly informative. I”
“Carrie, David, and their team are terrific to work with. Carrie has been a lifesaver”
“From the moment I first spoke to Mark Wecker at Always Best Care, he was”
“My son and I have received family counseling from Dr. Hart for nearly two years.”
“I'm glad I attended Dr. Hart's caregiver support workshop which focused on Alzheimer's disease. I”
“Experienced people, excellent service.”
“I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dr. David Hart for your elder-care needs. Dr. Hart is an incredibly”
“Dr Hart knows so much about dealing with issues that Alzheimer's creates for those who”
“Best in home care company in the South Bay & LA”
“Mark Wecker provided us with invaluable help both in terms of finding appropriate board &scare”
““ I have been very happy with the excellent professional and loving care services ABC”
“My widowed 80-year-old mother who has Alzheimer's disease has been living alone for 3 years.”
“I want to express how helpful Mark Wecker was to me and my family as”
“Thankful and grateful don’t seem quite good enough to express how I feel about Always”
“The attitude and professionalism of the management of a company is especially important in the”
“Its always a pleasure working with a team that has their hearts and minds on”
“Always best care saved my life they have a great staff ready to assist 24/7”
“I am a current client of this provider This company is very professional. All the staff”
“I am a current client of this provider Very professional staff. Also my caregiver was awesome”
“I am a current client of this provider Best In Home Care Company in the Southbay”
“I am a past client of this provider Helpful, compassionate, and always available to assist. I”
“The staff are friendly and professional every step of the way.”
“Mark Wecker provided us with invaluable help both in terms of finding appropriate board &scare”
“Dr. Hart has been of monumental assistance to our family during a very difficult time.”
“Over the last five years always best care has provided Home Care to several of”
“I want to let you know how fortunate I feel that our lives intersected with”
“I am so very fortunate to be a part of a professional, caring and supportive”
“I've worked for four agencies over the last 16 years but this is the best”
“Great place to work”
“Ms.Carrie Bianco (owner) is very friendly and accomodating. Ms.Rhona (staffing) is very nice, easy to”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care for every aspect from the ones seeking care for a loved one or themselves, all the way to the ones seeking an opportunity to care for a senior. I personally worked for ABC, and throughout my years with them I had the pleasure of interacting with the seniors as well as with the amazing caregivers. From the stories of a much more simpler time in the elders life to the reasons from a caregiver wanting to truly care for the seniors. (Most reasons are personal to them that have impacted their life and heart). This is truly a caring company with exceptional professional staff. It's hard to find a company that demonstrates both of those traits....”
“Always Best Care absolutely saved us when my father needed immediate assistance. Maria and team were extremely compassionate, responsive, informative and truly wanted us to feel comfortable with every small detail. The caretakers were all amazing and dependable. I truly cannot say enough positive things about the level of service provided by ABC as they helped us navigate this truly impossible time.”
“I cannot say enough good things about Always Best Care in the South Bay. I was lucky to be referred to ABC when my Father suddenly needed in-home care several years ago and I hired ABC again a few months ago when my friend needed in-home care. The learning curve is steep when a family member is no longer independent. Having reliable, caring and professional caregivers is invaluable in getting through these challenges. Hiring the caregivers from ABC allowed me to be the "daughter" again. I absolutely could not have cared for my beloved Father or my dear friend without ABC by my side!”
“Always Best Care agency has been wonderful to work with. The caregivers they have provided to stay with my dear friend, who has dementia, have been outstanding. My husband, an MD, and I, an RN, have rather high standards and have found all of the caregivers to be professional, caring and extremely reliable (24/7 care in this case) They go above and beyond expectations. I have felt safe with the caregivers,as they are also down-to-earth; caring people. Dr. David Hart is the main point person in this family-run agency and he is not only a very caring person, he is extremely intelligent in his communication, yet very down-to earth at the same time. He is responsive to any issues that arise immediately…not only for the client, but also to his caregivers, who he genuinely cares about. That is perhaps why he attracts and retains such stellar employees, We feel very lucky to have found ABC Senior Care services. Ilene Watson, RN and Dr. Walter Watson,MD, Manhattan Beach, CA”
“The senior in-home care was top notch. The caregivers were caring, comforting, and always available even with our requested schedule changes. Definitely would recommend to others in our family.”
“I attended the free family caregivers seminar presented by Dr. David Hart. The seminar was both informative and practical. Dr. Hart is very knowledgeable and practical as he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimers. He is an unusually caring person who is very approachable. I am grateful to know him and to know he is available whenever he might be needed.”
“Dr David Hart has given me security to know that I can do it. He has such a caring and approachable demeanor. I feel I can call on him at any time for help with either one of us. Thank heavens he came along in our lives.”
“My experience with ABC Senior Services has been uniformly positive, starting with participation in their Memory Club several years ago. My wife has Alzheimer's and the challenges are severe. ABC, notably Dr. David Hart, has been a terrific source of support and advice. They take the time to understand your individual needs and circumstances. This is a great resource for those of us in the South Bay.”
“This is a long overdue review and endorsement of Always Best Care-Torrance. My family is forever grateful for all the care given to my father for more than four years. From our initial meeting with Carrie and David to selecting the most wonderful caregiver that was with Dad to the end of his days. The love and support from everyone at ABC was so appreciated especially during some very difficult times. May God bless you always - You are truly special angels. Thank you all!”
“I attended one of their monthly caregiver essentials workshop and found it incredibly informative. I now have a much better understanding of the disease progression, and have walked away with so many helpful resources. Attending made me aware that I do not have to struggle alone through this, there are support groups and resources available to assist me. Dr. David Hart is a compassionate person who is genuinely willing to help others navigate the path of caring for a loved one with dementia.”
“Carrie, David, and their team are terrific to work with. Carrie has been a lifesaver by helping us to quickly find a wonderful 24/7 board and care facility for our loved one who is suffering from both advanced dementia and a broken, severe arthritic neck. They have provided very capable temporary care givers to us to help with taking our loved one to doctor's appointments and during the time our loved one was being treated in the hospital. David has thoroughly educated us on all aspects of dementia and counseled the family members to help sort out their emotions during these difficult times. We strongly recommend Always Best Care South Bay to anyone needing advise, help, and services to find care facilities, care givers, and/or counseling.”
“From the moment I first spoke to Mark Wecker at Always Best Care, he was kind, caring and extremely knowledgeable. He made sure to ask all the right questions to help my siblings and me find the perfect place for our father who had very advanced Parkinson's Disease. He took us to places that fit the high quality we were looking for and in our budget range. Mark showed genuine concern for us and my father. And he helped us navigate through a challenging situation. We made a great decision based on his expert advice. Unfortunately, my father passed away before we could bring him to LA. But I will always be grateful for the detailed attention we received from Mark and Always Best Care.”
“My son and I have received family counseling from Dr. Hart for nearly two years. We both suffer from PTSD, among other mental disabilities, and have been seen by a number of therapists over the years. We have found Dr. Hart’s care to be among the most helpful. He is kind, understanding, and patient. Rather than employing long term, traditional psychotherapy or other limited methods exclusively, he uses different approaches to break through a person’s natural resistance. He suggests interpretations of feelings and actions, asks questions that show real insight, and then gives practical and usually appropriate advice that can be accepted or discussed further. He has treated us with respect and even with a non-intrusive, kind of professional affection. We would recommend him to friends and family without hesitation.”
“I'm glad I attended Dr. Hart's caregiver support workshop which focused on Alzheimer's disease. I knew then Always Best Care would be the right agency to handle my Dad's care. From the beginning to the end the staff were professional and courteous. My dad unfortunately decided to end services because of his stubbornness. Mark was understanding and expressed his concern for my Dad's wellbeing. He didn't push for us to continue services. I would work with ABC again if my father agrees to resume services. They definitely have your loved ones best interest in mind.”
“Experienced people, excellent service.”
“I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dr. David Hart for your elder-care needs. Dr. Hart is an incredibly knowledgeable and caring person who helped our family beyond measure to provide the best level of care for our mother who has Alzheimer's Disease. We engaged Dr. Hart to 1) conduct his own periodic assessments of our mother; 2) create a forum for our broader family, including our mom, to communicate and ask questions; 3) provide training and resources; and 4) help our family evaluate and implement an interim and long-term care plan for our mother. DR. HART EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS ON EVERY LEVEL. Prior to meeting Dr. Hart we had received a lot of conflicting information and our broader family was experiencing a very high level of stress and frustration. Thankfully, after engaging with Dr. Hart for several months, our family became knowledgeable, we communicated well with each other, and we just implemented a long-term care plan that addresses all of our mom's needs and one that she really enjoys. DR. HART IS THE BEST AND HE TRULY CARES ABOUT HIS PATIENTS AND THE FAMILIES HE WORKS WITH. Thank you Dr. Hart for all of you have done for our family. Words cannot express our gratitude.”
“Dr Hart knows so much about dealing with issues that Alzheimer's creates for those who have the disease as well as those of us who are caretakers.”
“Best in home care company in the South Bay & LA”
“Mark Wecker provided us with invaluable help both in terms of finding appropriate board &scare homes for our loved one, and explaining how this whole senior placement business works. It turns out we were quite naïve about it being a "service" as it is very territorial! That made us all the more impressed with Mark's unselfish and caring approach to helping us meet our needs. He also took time to really listen to our criteria, asked great questions when he accompanied us to look at the homes, and only showed us places that met our standards. We recommend him highly to anyone!”
““ I have been very happy with the excellent professional and loving care services ABC has provided for Kathleen who suffers from Alzheimer’s Dementia and the Andreoli family who cares for her. ABC is a full service provider that has also offered free seminars, consultation and information to me and my daughter who are Kathleen’s primary care takers. These have helped us greatly in this daunting task. THANK YOU – Leo Andreoli, Torrance, CA””
“My widowed 80-year-old mother who has Alzheimer's disease has been living alone for 3 years. She has been extremely resistant to having caregivers in her home and my brother and I had all but given up. We have been amazed at the progress we've made since enlisting the help of Dr. David Hart at Always Best Care. In a little over a month, Mom has accepted a caregiver and is considering a move to an assisted living facility. Equally important, the support and assistance we have received in making both large and small decisions has been invaluable and a huge relief. I also highly recommend the Caregiving Essentials class taught by Dr. Hart, which covers everything you need to know in a single 3-1/2 hour "bootcamp" session, including brain science, communication tips, and resources. (GPS shoe insert, who knew?!) The class would benefit anyone who has a friend or family member suffering from dementia.”
“I want to express how helpful Mark Wecker was to me and my family as we were looking for a place for my father to live. We needed to quickly move him from Kansas City to Los Angeles. Mark spent time with us to hear our needs and then appropriately guide us through this new challenging stage in our lives. His advice and dedicated time was so valuable and personable to us, I don't how we would have managed without him. Thank you again, Mark!”
“Thankful and grateful don’t seem quite good enough to express how I feel about Always Best Care South Bay and all the good work they do. They offer a support group run by Dr. David Hart. That group was my lifeline while I was caring for my husband. When it came time to place him in a memory care facility, they assisted me with that decision also. Dr. Hart and his team are extremely knowledgeable, always professional but most of all genuinely caring.”
“The attitude and professionalism of the management of a company is especially important in the field of elder care. I can think of no better way to express my experience with Always Best Care then to say the management and their hands on approach with the care givers they hire is 5 stars”
“Its always a pleasure working with a team that has their hearts and minds on the patient’s wellbeing. ABC is the way to go.”
“Always best care saved my life they have a great staff ready to assist 24/7 always available and reliable I highly recommend Always best care.”
“I am a current client of this provider This company is very professional. All the staff is very experenced. They provide top notch care..The caregivers are also so professional on time and experenced.”
“I am a current client of this provider Very professional staff. Also my caregiver was awesome”
“I am a current client of this provider Best In Home Care Company in the Southbay”
“I am a past client of this provider Helpful, compassionate, and always available to assist. I appreciate Always Best Care so much!”
“The staff are friendly and professional every step of the way.”
“Mark Wecker provided us with invaluable help both in terms of finding appropriate board &scare homes for our loved one, and explaining how this whole senior placement business works. It turns out we were quite naïve about it being a "service" as it is very territorial! That made us all the more impressed with Mark's unselfish and caring approach to helping us meet our needs. He also took time to really listen to our criteria, asked great questions when he accompanied us to look at the homes, and only showed us places that met our standards. We recommend him highly to anyone!”
“Dr. Hart has been of monumental assistance to our family during a very difficult time. We first learned of Dr. David’s practice when mom was first diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). His support groups for families and patients offered comfort and practical advice from others going through the same experience. He provided essential information—facts about dementia and lifestyle changes to slow the process—based on the latest research findings, sparing us the time and frustration of navigating the web and sorting facts from myths. But most important to me has been the emotional support Dr. David has personally provided to my sister and I, and the trusting relationship he established with mom. His professional empathy and experience with human behavior as well as his expertise in the field of geriatrics and cognition combine to provide an array of servicesthat will truly make the difference toward a successful transition for elders and their families. I could not recommend Dr. Hart more highly!”
“Over the last five years always best care has provided Home Care to several of my patients. I appreciate their case management did they include with their service. The patients and families have been very happy with the caregivers. Several have been able to take advantage of the driving service. I have referred numerous people to their caregiving course that is offered monthly.”
“I want to let you know how fortunate I feel that our lives intersected with your company and with those who work there. When I realized that we would be needing a company that provided caring care-providing services, I was hoping and praying that I would find a company like yours. We could not have asked for better with the service Always Best Care provided. Even when the chemistry and/or the timing wasn't quite right, adjustments were made and reasonably so. Carrie, that introductory talk you and I first had and why you started ABC -- I want to let you know that what you created and why you created it is evident. Some of Dad's caregivers go the extra mile and above and beyond and really give of themselves. They are really top notch people. I have heartfelt gratitude for your company and for your employees who cared for my dad during our time of need. Thank you not only for providing the service that your company does, but also and in particular, for the high quality of the service that some of your employees provided.”
“I am so very fortunate to be a part of a professional, caring and supportive company. We are all family here trying our very best to be a family for all the clients we work with. Our caregivers and staff try our best to help those families in need live a peacefully, fulfilling and loving life. If you want to have a dependable, reliable and gratifying career come and work with Always Best Care South Bay!!”
“I've worked for four agencies over the last 16 years but this is the best by far! Personable, supportive, compassionate, knowledgeable, and the greatest staff!”
“Great place to work”
“Ms.Carrie Bianco (owner) is very friendly and accomodating. Ms.Rhona (staffing) is very nice, easy to approach...I would say this company is wonderful to be part of a team...Great people, great company. ABC is the answer for your help! more power!!!Ed”
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 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 Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar or visit Hollyhock House, 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.
Residents in the foothills above Camarillo who returned to their neighborhoods days after fleeing the Mountain fire were greeted by nothing more than devastation.More than 130 structures were lost, the majority of them houses, when flames marched through the area cementing the fire as one of the most destructive a Southern California neighborhood has seen in years. More than 80 other structures...
Residents in the foothills above Camarillo who returned to their neighborhoods days after fleeing the Mountain fire were greeted by nothing more than devastation.
More than 130 structures were lost, the majority of them houses, when flames marched through the area cementing the fire as one of the most destructive a Southern California neighborhood has seen in years. More than 80 other structures were also damaged.
Entire homes were hollowed out and the contents inside — photographs, family heirlooms and personal treasures — were reduced to ash. Now fire officials are working to determine the full scope of the ruin.
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“It’s a big system shock, almost like you’re in a bad dream,” said resident Brittanie Bibby. “You just want to wake up.”
The Mountain fire had burned more than 20,700 acres as of Friday afternoon, with parts of Camarillo and Moorpark hit hardest. The greatest devastation occurred Wednesday when the fire charged unchecked through some neighborhoods, with erratic wind gusts sparking spot fires well beyond the main blaze. Winds were so powerful that retardant-dropping aircraft could not fly for several hours.
Fierce Santa Ana winds, which had sent the blaze racing toward homes earlier in the week, were beginning to ease Friday. The diminished gusts lessened the chance of the fire spreading farther, but threats still remain. The fire is only 7% contained and more than 11,700 structures are still threatened, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
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On Friday afternoon, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order aimed at supporting recovery efforts — including by expediting debris removal, mobilizing the California National Guard and rapidly deploying state resources. On Thursday, Newsom declared a state of emergency in Ventura County.
While red flag warnings — alerts for extreme fire danger — expired Friday morning, the National Weather Service said gusty northeast winds would continue through Saturday morning across parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, especially in the mountains. Gusts up to 40 mph would remain possible through Friday evening, but generally, peak winds were forecast to drop between 15 to 25 mph. In contrast, on Wednesday, sustained winds in the area were between 25 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching well above 60 mph, fueled by the fiercest wind event the region has seen in years.
Nov. 7, 2024
But planes were back in the air Thursday and Friday, and with easing winds, firefighters were able to make their first real inroads against the blaze.
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Crews were hopeful that Friday would bring increased containment, but officials noted that the fire’s most active sections are now burning through the rugged Santa Susana Mountains, adding new challenges to the firefight. Humidity also remains low, which can help fuel wildfire conditions, though it was expected to slowly build over the weekend.
“Firefighters are opportunists,” Ventura County Fire Department Capt. Tony McHale said Friday. “Today is all about aggressive suppression.”
Even as it seemed the tide could be turning in the battle against the blaze, the painful process of assessing the damage in neighborhoods ravaged by the fire is just beginning.
In Camarillo Heights, the remains of burned houses dotted the landscape, seemingly engulfed at random. While crews tried to defend as many homes as possible, they were hindered at times by challenging terrain and poor access to water, McHale said.
Climate change has supercharged wildfires, causing them to burn faster and hotter and, at times, resulting in more catastrophic damage.
Menlo Park Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen, who spent a decade as the chief in Ventura County, said firefighters prioritize evacuations before defending structures. It used to be that there was more time to extinguish a fire before it became life-threatening, he said.
“Mother Nature, right now, is making our areas drier,” he said. “It makes the fire unstoppable.”
Some families lost every possession in the blaze.
Bibby, her husband Kenneth and their 15-month-old son had moved into their Camarillo home from Arizona two weeks ago after she inherited it from her father. They had filled up their credit cards working to turn the aging property into a safe place for their family.
By Thursday, it was gone.
“All of our family memories,” she said, “all of our possessions, Social Security cards, death certificates, birth certificates, my husband’s father’s ashes, my father’s ashes and my mother’s ashes.”
Even the baby’s inhaler burned. But, she said, “being a mom, I don’t really have a choice to panic or to not think through the steps.”
Nearby, Breanna Hale stood atop the rubble where her childhood home used to stand. She was devastated.
“My grandma — my mom’s mom — just passed away very recently, and this was their house,” she said. “It’s very hard. … This is a family home.”
Nov. 6, 2024
On Wednesday morning, Hale was across town when she got the phone call to evacuate. With her mother in the hospital, no one was at the house, and Hale rushed back, hoping to grab treasured items. When she got to a road closure, she began to run toward the home but was soon stopped by firefighters.
“I was willing to go into burning flames, and they would not let me up here to get anything,” Hale said.
Hale, who is adopted, had just three pictures of her birth parents. Two of them were in that house.
She expressed relief at having one remaining photo: “I’m just praying that things happen for a reason, and I got really lucky on some stuff.”
She visited the site of the house Thursday afternoon for the first time with a shovel in her hand, sifting through the smoldering ashes looking for anything of sentimental interest.
“My mom, she’s fighting cancer,” Hale said. “So I’m just trying to find the things that matter most to her.”
Newsom spent Thursday meeting with first responders and visiting communities affected by the blaze. Around 5 p.m., he proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County to help mobilize resources to combat the fast-moving fire.
On Friday, a thick blanket of smoke hung over the the county forcing many to stay indoors and dozens of schools to close. All of Ventura County and much of northern Los Angeles County remain under air quality alerts for unhealthy conditions through at least Saturday afternoon.
Authorities are still trying to determine what sparked the fire.
Times staff writers Richard Winton, Noah Goldberg, Nathan Solis and Sandra McDonald contributed to this report.
Multifamily landlords and brokers in California are breathing a sigh of relief after residents voted against a ballot measure that would have expanded rent control in the state.Proponents of the Justice for Renters Act, or Proposition 33, said the measure would help in efforts to increase affordable housing, while opponents feared it could have the opposite effect by stymieing new development and suppressing property values. It was the third time the measure was put before voters.“Let’s hope this time around, defeat...
Multifamily landlords and brokers in California are breathing a sigh of relief after residents voted against a ballot measure that would have expanded rent control in the state.
Proponents of the Justice for Renters Act, or Proposition 33, said the measure would help in efforts to increase affordable housing, while opponents feared it could have the opposite effect by stymieing new development and suppressing property values. It was the third time the measure was put before voters.
“Let’s hope this time around, defeating Proposition 33 will be, to coin a baseball term...'three strikes and you’re out,'" the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles said in an email to members, while other industry executives including Highlight Real Estate's Josh Kaplan and Jake Glaser of Glaser Group Multifamily posted celebratory updates on LinkedIn.
If passed, the proposition would have allowed California cities to impose rent control on a broader range of housing, including single-family homes and newer apartments, potentially exacerbating declining development in Los Angeles, real estate professionals tell CoStar News.
The measure's failure comes as local apartment developers are scaling back construction amid rising expenses and slower rent growth projections, with multifamily openings down 30% year-over-year during the third quarter to 2,930 units, according to NAI Capital Markets research.
"This will bode well for multifamily investment in Los Angeles, providing clarity in this rapidly changing investment landscape," Kevin Kawaoka, executive vice president at NAI Capital Investment Services Group, told CoStar News.
Proponents, such as nonprofit housing developers, argue Proposition 33 would strengthen tenant protections at a time when California residents are spending up to 40% of their income on housing. But multifamily experts like Kitty Wallace, vice chair at Colliers, claimed policies like Prop 33 would limit a landlord's ability to raise rents between tenants, putting a serious dent in potential profits and prohibiting development.
“The best thing to do is to let people build things," Wallace told CoStar News.
Apartment supply is shrinking in Los Angeles as demand is growing, bolstered by residents opting to pay rents over often high-priced mortgages, with the region's vacancy rate falling to 4.9% in the third quarter from nearly 5.1% a year ago. Demand in Los Angeles is outpacing the rest of the country, with the national vacancy rate hovering at 7.9%.
The median cost of a single-family house in California, meanwhile, will reach $909,400 in 2025, up 4.6% from this year and significantly higher than the current national median price of $412,300, according to the California Association of Realtors.
About 22,381 multifamily units are under construction in Los Angeles, down 5% from a year ago, according to CoStar data. Higher interest rates and construction costs, coupled with regulatory headwinds like the so-called Mansion Tax that places a 4% levy on real estate sales above $5 million in the city, have contributed to fewer multifamily construction starts, brokers note.
Prop 33 would have put a dent in future profitability for apartment developers by preventing landlords from charging market rents between tenants, according to Wallace, thus discouraging future development.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit organization that operates low-income housing in Los Angeles, is driving the push for rent control in California and has sponsored unsuccessful rent control measures in California in 2018 and 2020. More than 100 elected California officials backed the measure as a tool to help alleviate the state's housing crisis, and similar measures have been passed in Portland, Maine, and in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to CoStar News.
“With Prop 33 off the table, the focus can now return to the fundamentals that make multifamily investment in our region so attractive,” said Nuriel Elisha, an investment associate at the SK Group of Marcus & Millichap in Los Angeles.
California has a lofty goal of building 180,000 houses annually to meet demand. That's a far cry from the 80,000 homes built on average each year over the past decade, according to the state housing agency.
Los Angeles is required to build more than 50,000 homes each year on average through 2029, about 40% of which are to be affordable, or built for those earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income.
Among local affordable projects in the works is a conversion of a 54,000-sqaure-foot former grocery store at 1355 N. Avalon Blvd. into a 55-unit supportive housing property in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Richman Group of California and Richman Property Services teamed with Brilliant Corners for the project, with financing from the Los Angeles County Development Authority and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
The project is “an important step toward addressing the local affordable and supportive housing need,” said Rick Westberg, executive vice president at the Richman Group, in a statement.
Los Angeles’ current zoning regulations are insufficient for the city to meet its affordable targets, according to Kawaoka. He pointed to a successful working model in San Diego, where a revamped process has led to "healthy development within the city," Kawaoka said.
The county is fast-tracking housing projects that are 100% affordable through a streamlined, 30-day permitting process that has resulted in more than 1,200 homes in the pipeline.
"If our neighbor 111 miles away can do it, so can we," Kawaoka said. "We will be depending on leadership in order to solve this housing problem through systematic changes."
Beyoncé earned 11 nods, making her the most nominated performer ever, and Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter dominated top categories.City News Service, News Partner|Updated Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 10:00 am PTSANTA MONICA, CA — Beyoncé's shift into the world of country music paid off Friday with a leading 11 nominations for the 67th annual Grammy Awards, while both Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter ma...
City News Service, News Partner
|Updated Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 10:00 am PT
SANTA MONICA, CA — Beyoncé's shift into the world of country music paid off Friday with a leading 11 nominations for the 67th annual Grammy Awards, while both Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter made a major splash, scoring nods in all four of the top categories of Album, Record and Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" scored her a nomination for the top prize of Album of the Year, a category that also includes "New Blue Sun" by André 3000, "Short n' Sweet" by Sabrina Carpenter, "Brat" by Charli XCX, "Djesse Vol. 4" by Jacob Collier, "Hit Me Hard and Soft" by Billie Eilish, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" by Chappell Roan and "The Tortured Poets Department" by Taylor Swift.
The nomination for Swift give her a career total of seven nominations in the Album of the Year category, breaking a tie with Barbara Streisand and giving her the most ever nods for a female artist. Beyoncé's nomination is her fifth in the category, the most ever for a Black artist. The nod for Eilish, meanwhile, makes her three-for-three in her career. Her first two albums were also nominated, and she won the prize in 2021 for her debut release "Everything I Wanted."
Beyoncé, Eilish and Swift all scored spots in the categories of Album, Record and Song of the Year, along with Roan and Carpenter.
The Record of the Year category also featured a nomination for a little band known as The Beatles, who were nominated for their recently released track "Now and Then."
Also nominated in the category were "Texas Hold 'Em" by Beyoncé, "Espresso" by Carpenter, "360" by Charli XCX, "Birds of a Feather" by Eilish, "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar, "Good Luck, Babe!" by Roan, and "Fortnight" by Swift and Post Malone.
Nominations for Song of the Year, a prize awarded to the songwriters, went to Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," Eilish's "Birds of a Feather," Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' "Die with a Smile," Swift and Malone's "Fortnight," Roan's "Good Luck, Babe!," Lamar's "Not Like Us," Carpenter's "Please Please Please" and Beyoncé's "Texas Hold `Em."
Charli XCX, Eilish, Lamar and Malone each collected seven nominations, while Carpenter, Roan and Swift all earned six.
Carpenter and Roan will compete in the best new artist category with Benson Boone, Doechii, Khruangbin, RAYE, Shaboozey and Teddy Swims.
If either Carpenter or Roan manage to sweep the awards in all four of the top Grammy categories, it would be the first time it has happened since Christopher Cross pulled off the feat in 1981.
The Grammy nominations were announced in livestream led by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., joined by Grammy winners Brandy Clark, Kirk Franklin, David Frost, Robert Gordon, Kylie Minogue, Victoria Monét, Gaby Moreno, Deanie Parker, Ben Platt, Mark Ronson, and Hayley Williams, along with Grammy-nominated comedian Jim Gaffigan and "CBS Mornings" host Gayle King.
"Today we celebrate the amazing creative achievements of our music community," Mason said in a statement after the announcement. "It was an incredible year in music and these nominations reflect the work of a voting body that is more representative of the music community than ever before. The Grammy became music's most coveted award precisely because the recognition comes from one's peers, and I'm so grateful for the Academy' s 13,000 voting members who take the time to evaluate all the amazing music, cast their votes, and honor their peers. Congratulations to all the nominees."
The 67th Grammy Awards will be presented Feb. 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS. The awards recognize material that was released between Sept. 16, 2023, and Aug. 30, 202
City News Service
The warnings Wednesday morning were dire: Southern Ventura County was primed to be hit with the region’s most ferocious Santa Ana wind event in years, creating extremely critical fire weather in the area.And the conditions lived up to the billing, with ...
The warnings Wednesday morning were dire: Southern Ventura County was primed to be hit with the region’s most ferocious Santa Ana wind event in years, creating extremely critical fire weather in the area.
And the conditions lived up to the billing, with 60- to 80-mph gusts slamming the foothills of Moorpark and Camarillo. Alone, the winds were dangerous. But once a small fire ignited in the wilderness north of Somis, the seeds for disaster were firmly planted.
“We’re talking about the most volatile of volatile conditions that can come together to create the development of a large fire — fast,” said Ariel Cohen, the lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office. “And that’s exactly what we saw with the Mountain fire.”
Within hours, the blaze had jumped over the 118 Freeway from the rugged Santa Susana Mountains and was tearing across neighborhoods in the hills above Camarillo.
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Fire officials are used to battling large fires this time of year, but a ruinous combination of extreme conditions and challenging geography hampered early efforts. The winds were so fierce that retardant-dropping aircraft were grounded, at least temporarily. The fire moved so fast that officials were forced to focus on evacuations rather than firefighting.
“We were presented with very, very extreme Santa Ana conditions. That of course changes our tactics,” said Capt. Tony McHale of the Ventura County Fire Department. “So we go into a more defensive posture, and the number one priority in that is human life.”
Water pressure in some areas also became erratic, forcing crews to shuttle water up to some key positions in the firefight — though it is still not clear what effect that might have had. Officials have said it did not affect operations, but others on the ground called it a challenge.
It probably didn’t help that much of southwest California was similarly on high alert for fires, included in that elevated red flag warning. At least one fire sparked at the same time in Malibu, which initially was also threatening homes.
The entire situation fueled what would become one of Southern California’s most destructive wildfires in recent years. In less than 24 hours, the Mountain fire destroyed more than 130 structures, primarily homes in the foothills around Camarillo, and damaged 88 others, fire officials said.
Nov. 7, 2024
As winds started to subside Thursday night, firefighters made their first inroads against the blaze, reaching 5% containment. As of Friday afternoon, more than 20,700 acres had burned — the majority singed on Wednesday — and crews said the fire was 7% contained.
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Officials are hopeful they’ve turned a corner in the fight, but both residents and crews remain stunned by the speed and force of the fire.
When a fire moves this fast and casts that many embers everywhere, it’s extremely hard to fight or predict, said Kyle Ferris, fire behavior analyst with the Mountain Fire Incident Command Team. He said the houses that ended up falling victim to the flames were virtually chosen at random — at the mercy of wherever embers happened to land, some jumping up to a mile ahead of the main fire.
Linda Elmo, 75, watched as the winds picked up Wednesday morning, and though she was listening to the news, she didn’t receive notice about an evacuation until a firefighter knocked on the door and told her and her husband to “go, go, go!”
“It happened so fast,” Elmo said. All of a sudden, the blaze “was in this canyon by the house in the backyard.”
Firefighters first responded around 9 a.m. to a large brush fire on South Mountain in the Santa Susana Mountains. Within an hour, officials had issued the first evacuation orders around Moorpark as they tried to respond to the fast-moving blaze.
By 11 a.m., widespread evacuations were ordered as the blaze marched toward the Camarillo foothills and higher into the mountains — where winds blew stronger, pushing stray embers even farther ahead of the blaze, officials reported. Around 3 p.m., about six hours after the fire was first spotted, it had exploded to almost 9,000 acres without any containment, burning dozens of homes to a crisp.
Karen Cihigoyenetche, 81, and her husband Raymond, 92, were warned about the fire by a serviceman from their cable company, who begged them to leave the house.
She jumped into action, trying to call all of her elderly neighbors. She grabbed her emergency bag packed with cash, extra clothes and medicine.
“The traffic was really bad, and a lot of emergency vehicles trying to get through the traffic,” Cihigoyenetche said. “Unbelievable.”
CaroleAnn Higa, 77, and a roommate escaped their home to the roar of helicopters overhead. She stuffed some clothes and her respirator into her purse, and her roommate loaded her oxygen tank into the car. When she exited the house, she said, the smoke was so thick she could barely see across the street.
“You can’t breathe,” she said. “It hits your chest and you’re gasping for air,” she said.
It still isn’t clear how the fire started, but officials are focusing on at least one victory in this incident: No deaths or major injuries have been reported. Cohen said that’s a testament that the warnings were adequately dire and messaging well coordinated, which allowed emergency officials to pre-position resources and residents to be as ready as possible.
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“You can’t completely stop something that has this much inertia, spreading this quickly with as much fuel burning as fast as it is. However, when we see the fire stops as a certain point — it didn’t go all the way to the coast, for instance — ultimately, many lives were saved,” Cohen said. “No one was caught off guard.”
The Mountain fire could have been a second coming of the 2017 Thomas or 2018 Woolsey fires, but luckily it didn’t pan out that way, said Mark Lorenzen, the Ventura County Fire Department chief from 2012 to 2022.
The Thomas fire — which destroyed over 1,000 structures and burned more than 281,000 acres in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties — grew under similar circumstances as the Mountain fire, with low humidity, active Santa Ana winds and lots of dry brush in mixed urban and rural areas.
“All the conditions were perfect for a fire of this magnitude,” the retired fire chief said. If the windy conditions had persisted longer, Lorenzen thinks it could have been much worse.
Nov. 7, 2024
“In spite of the homes that were lost there, there’s a measure of success in avoiding loss of human life,” he said.
This region is one that has seen many fires over the years, especially in the autumn when Santa Ana winds pick up along this “favorable corridor” for the dry, blustery winds, Cohen said.
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In the area of the Mountain fire footprint, six other wildfires have burned more than 1,000 acres since 1986. Most recently, the 2023 South and 2019 Maria fires burned thousands of acres in the western section of the current perimeter.
More frequent and larger fires create a dangerous cycle that burns through the more resilient brush and trees, making room for quick-to-dry invasive grasses. That phenomenon was particularly relevant this year, after two years of extreme growth were followed by record-setting late-summer heat.
“This was definitely an area with very high vulnerability,” Cohen said. Consecutive 12-month periods with up to twice the normal amount of precipitation produced a lot of “smaller fuels” in the form of vegetation, brush and grasses, he said, “and that ends up being the foundation for fires to very efficiently spread.”
Times staff writers Jireh Deng, Sean Greene, Noah Goldberg, Nathan Solis and Joseph Serna contributed to this report.
A Ventura County wildfire whipped by strong winds destroyed 132 structures as it devastated neighborhoods in Moorpark and Camarillo has moved into remote and rugged terrain Friday in Ventura County.The Mountain Fire was estimated at about 20...
A Ventura County wildfire whipped by strong winds destroyed 132 structures as it devastated neighborhoods in Moorpark and Camarillo has moved into remote and rugged terrain Friday in Ventura County.
The Mountain Fire was estimated at about 20,638 acres Friday evening with containment at 14% after it started Wednesday around 9 a.m. in the Somis area. The fire grew with astonishing speed under severe red flag conditions that fanned flames into neighborhoods.
The fire grew to about 15,000 acres within 24 hours.
California Wildfires Nov 6
California Wildfires Nov 7
Ventura County fire officials said Thursday evening that inspections of the burn area determined that 132 structures had been destroyed and 88 others were damaged. Many of them were believed to be homes, but the exact number was unclear.
About 10,800 customers in Ventura County were without power as of Thursday evening, according to county officials, Southern California Edison set up community resource centers at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center in Moorpark, Simi Valley Senior Center at 3900 Avenida Simi, and the Ventura Beach Marriott at 2055 Harbor Blvd.
Sheriff's officials said a total of 10 injuries have been reported from the fire, all considered minor, with most involving smoke inhalation.
Winds decreased Thursday afternoon in a positive sign fore firefighters.
"The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain, with dry and receptive fuels, which have challenged containment efforts," Cal Fire said in a Friday morning update. "Fire activity moderated due to the decrease in winds over the fire. The fire continued to back in areas where it had not been tied into control lines. The fire remains a threat to critical infrastructure. Islands of unburned fuel will continue to burn within the fire footprint."
The fire started off the 118 Freeway, near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. Flames jumped the 118 Freeway Wednesday and entered the Camarillo Heights area.
Evacuation orders were expanded Thursday and remained in effect Friday morning. Road closures were in place and several areas were without power.
Strong winds grounded fixed-wing aircraft early on because of “very dangerous” conditions caused by gusts. The winds could cause turbulence for pilots. Thick smoke also made it difficult to see from the air. Water-dropping helicopters were still making runs on the fire, some dropping water directly onto homes.
The Mountain Fire was burning in a region that has seen some of California’s most destructive fires over the years. Chief Jeff Shea of the Ventura Fire County Department noted the region’s red flag weather condition, and how it’ll contribute to the flames through Thursday.
“What that means is critically low, relative humidity," he said. "The amount of moisture in the air is less than 10%, which is critical for us and for fire behavior and the sustained Santa Ana winds.”
California's statewide wildfire update shows a staggering increase in the number of acres burned compared to last year. As of Monday, Cal Fire reported more than 1 million acres have burned since the start of the year. At this point last year, only 308,000 acres had burned.
The five-year average is 1.2 million acres through Nov. 4.
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