AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“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....”

Christina H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Sascha B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Marta P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Ilene P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

D H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Ruth O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Laurie D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Joel T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Don V.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

RENEE B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Raoul G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Batsheva F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Andrew L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

G S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Experienced people, excellent service.”

Elsie M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

chris B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Kaye T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Best in home care company in the South Bay & LA”

Michelle P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Ramona P.
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TESTIMONIALS

““ 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””

Leo A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Linda S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

David H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Ann W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

John D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

David S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Jennifer B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Christina 3.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very professional staff. Also my caregiver was awesome”

Atom F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Best In Home Care Company in the Southbay”

mpalacio
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TESTIMONIALS

“Helpful, compassionate, and always available to assist. I appreciate Always Best Care so much!”

ashaon
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TESTIMONIALS

“The staff are friendly and professional every step of the way.”

JG B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Jack P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Eileen S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

nancy G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Ky S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!!”

Julie M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Debora A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Great place to work”

Ruby J.
 In-Home Care Los Angeles, CA

How does In-home Senior Care in Los Angeles, CA work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Los Angeles, CA

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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

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

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

Comfort
Comfort

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, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Los Angeles, CA 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Los Angeles, CA

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in 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.

 Caregivers Los Angeles, CA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

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.

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.

Latest News in Los Angeles, CA

Cowboys 'close book' on 49ers debacle with road win at Chargers

ReactionsLike186Funny5Fire2Celebrate2Wow1INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- It's only mid-October, but Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott knew Monday was important for the psyche of his team, calling it "a must-win."Mission accomplished with a ...

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- It's only mid-October, but Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott knew Monday was important for the psyche of his team, calling it "a must-win."

Mission accomplished with a 20-17 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.

"It's early in the season but 4-2 or 3-3, it's a huge difference. Yeah, it just is," Prescott said. "Yeah ... it's early in the season. I've been in a 3-5 season that we turned around and went on a win streak and won the division ... but 4-2, second road win of the year, against a great team, against a great offense, great defense."

The fallout from Dallas' Week 5 blowout loss -- 42-10 -- against the San Francisco 49ers brought questions about the entire team, from Prescott's effectiveness to head coach Mike McCarthy's playcalling to the ability of a defense that was shredded.

"We talked after last week about not allowing this thing to landslide, and obviously I think a win like this allows you to really close that book," Prescott said.

Last year, the Cowboys were 4-2 after six games en route to a second straight 12-5 finish that qualified them for the playoffs. Since 2000, the Cowboys have started 4-2 or better nine times and made the playoffs seven times, including their last five. When they have been 3-3 after six games since 2000, they have missed the postseason six of eight times.

"The win was good," edge player Micah Parsons said. "It's good to always get back on track. That's our record: Prove the naysayers wrong."

The Cowboys are 10-1 after a loss over the past three seasons, but the heat they were catching after the San Francisco loss seemed to come at a higher temperature than at any other time in McCarthy's time as coach. Prescott was intercepted three times, and nine of his 11 drives were three plays or less. Brock Purdy threw four touchdown passes, shredding a defense that had given up 41 points in its first four games.

"A lot of talking this week," McCarthy said. "So they've been quiet. They worked hard ... I just loved their resilience and fight, and we came out on top."

The Cowboys converted three third-down opportunities on the go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter, although Prescott lamented a missed touchdown pass to running back Tony Pollard before Brandon Aubrey's 39-yard field goal gave Dallas a 20-17 lead with 2:19 to play.

A defense that had not sacked Justin Herbert or forced a turnover in the first nine possessions was finally able to get him on the ground (Parsons) and pick him off (Stephon Gilmore) to secure the win.

"Anytime I get an opportunity in the game, I'm waiting for them," Parsons said. "I feel like that's my moment. That's what my teammates are looking for me the most. It feels good to come up big for them."

It allowed Prescott to twice take a knee to seal the win in a close game.

"We haven't had close game, but this is what the NFL is about," Prescott said. "That's all I said is we've got to get used to this. We've got to stay confident in this, understand that these close games, one-score, field goal games, touchdown games, we've got to believe in ourselves, finishing it on our terms with the ball in our hands and thankful for our defense right there getting us that ball."

What made the win even better for the Cowboys is what happened to the teams they are chasing. San Francisco lost to the Cleveland Browns, and the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the New York Jets.

"Crazy weekend in the NFL, but we were on the right side of it this week," McCarthy said. "And you know how fast that can change."

Cowboys defense powers Dallas to MNF win over Chargers

ReactionsLike20INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- After a game filled with miscues and penalty flags, the Dallas Cowboys defense came up big in the final two minutes to seal a 20-17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football."With quarterback ...

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- After a game filled with miscues and penalty flags, the Dallas Cowboys defense came up big in the final two minutes to seal a 20-17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football."

With quarterback Justin Herbert playing through a fractured middle finger on his non-throwing hand, the Chargers dropped to 2-3 on the season as the Cowboys moved to 4-2.

Dallas Cowboys

After what happened last week against the San Francisco 49ers, a win of any kind was required by the Cowboys.

Monday's win certainly wasn't pretty, but the Cowboys enter their bye week with a 4-2 record and still within striking distance of the Philadelphia Eagles and 49ers, who suffered surprising losses Sunday.

Everything was in question after last week. Mike McCarthy's playcalling, Dak Prescott's ability, the defense's toughness. Nothing was perfect -- too many penalties, too many big plays allowed, not enough big plays made, special teams' turnover -- but when it mattered, they made the necessary plays.

Starting with three key third-down conversions on a game-winning drive that ended with a Brandon Aubrey field goal, a sack -- the first of the game for the Cowboys -- by Micah Parsons and a sealing interception by Stephon Gilmore.

The Cowboys are now 10-1 after a loss over the last two seasons.

Maybe they're not dead after all.

QB breakdown: Let's forget the passing numbers for Prescott. Let's talk about his rushing. He had the longest touchdown run of his career (18 yards) in the first quarter and the longest by a Cowboys QB since 2010. Prescott has not used his feet as much in recent years. He had 18 rushing touchdowns in his first three years and now nine in the last five. He had 45 yards rushing in the first five games and 33 in the first half versus the Chargers. He's not a running quarterback, but he can be effective with his feet and may need to do more of it.

Promising trend: Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb had 84 receiving yards in the first half -- more than he had in four of the first five games. He acknowledged during the week his body language needed to be better after he was salty in the San Francisco game. All five of his catches in the first two quarters covered 10 or more air yards. In the New England game, he had eight completions with air yards of 10 or more.

Silver lining: Maybe it's not a trend, since it's only one game, but the Cowboys were solid in their first outing without linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. Markquese Bell moved from safety to linebacker late in training camp after DeMarvion Overshown was lost for the year with a torn ACL. He was able to come up with a tackle for loss and a pass breakup in the first half on 17 snaps when the Cowboys had two linebackers in their personnel group. When the Cowboys lost Vander Esch late last season, the run defense suffered. On Monday, the Chargers had just 50 yards on 22 carries in Austin Ekeler's return from injury.

Next game: vs. Rams (Oct. 29, 1 p.m. ET)

Dak Prescott: Cowboys showed resilience in win over Chargers

Dak Prescott reflects on the Cowboys' nail-biting victory over the Chargers on "Monday Night Football."

Los Angeles Chargers

Monday night's game between the Chargers and Cowboys appeared to have all the elements required to be a high-scoring, touchdown-laden affair: Two of the best offenses in the league, a former coordinator facing his old team and a struggling Chargers secondary. Instead, it was another Chargers loss that came down to the final moments. All of their games have been decided by 7 points or less this season.

Eye-popping NextGen stat: Herbert was pressured on 42% of his dropbacks, his highest in any game this season (he had the fifth-lowest pressure rate at 25% entering the game).The Cowboys' pass rush often forced Herbert out of the pocket as he scrambled for runs and took many big hits from defenders while playing with a fractured finger on his left hand.

Pivotal play The Chargers' pass rush got to Herbert all game, and in the fourth quarter, they forced the game-deciding error. With the Chargers losing by three and just under two minutes remaining, the rush caused an errant pass from Herbert that landed in the hands of Gilmore, effectively ending the game.

Troubling trend: The Chargers are still struggling to run the ball. Even with Ekeler returning from a high right ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1, Chargers running backs struggled to have any success, amassing just 35 total yards. Outside of a 233-yard rushing performance in Week 1, the Chargers have rushed for over 100 yards just once this year and combined for just 91 yards in Weeks 2 and 3.

Next game: at Chiefs (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Chargers QB Justin Herbert again struggles in loss to Cowboys

ReactionsLike4Wow1INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- When Justin Herbert took the field with just over two minutes remaining and the Los Angeles Chargers trailing the Dallas Cowboys by only three points, it w...

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- When Justin Herbert took the field with just over two minutes remaining and the Los Angeles Chargers trailing the Dallas Cowboys by only three points, it was a position Herbert and all Chargers fans are likely accustomed to.

Herbert has played in 38 one-score games since he entered the league in 2020, second most in the NFL over that span. Herbert has gone 18-20 in those games, with four more losses than any other quarterback.

Monday night's game was one of those losses, as the Cowboys' pass rush forced Herbert into an errant throw that landed in the hands of defensive back Stephon Gilmore, effectively ending the game. The Cowboys kneeled the ball on their remaining snaps and won 20-17, dropping Los Angeles to 2-3 and third in the AFC West.

"I thought those receivers, they made plays, and the offensive line, they're going up against a really good front seven, and they battled well today, and they gave me plenty of time to be able to get the ball off," Herbert said. I feel horrible for the guys for the way that the game went, but we'll have to to be better and learn from it."

Monday night marked the second straight game in which Herbert looked like a different version of the player many consider to be among the top tier of quarterbacks in the NFL. Against the Las Vegas Raiders last week, Herbert set career lows in completions (13) and yards (167) and threw an interception on a play that resulted in his fractured left middle finger.

Herbert's counting stats were better Monday: 227 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception, but he made costly errors, two of the most significant coming on throws to Keenan Allen.

The first was in the second quarter when Allen beat Cowboys defender DaRon Bland down the sideline, but Herbert overthrew Allen and the ball landed out of bounds. Four plays later, the Chargers punted.

On a fourth down in the first quarter, Allen made Bland fall with a quick double move that left the receiver wide open. Herbert overthrew Allen again. Herbert threw his arms up in frustration, and Allen sat on his knees and stared at the Sofi Stadium ceiling, both realizing the missed opportunity in a game filled with them.

"Keenan ran two great routes, and I missed him, so that's on me as a quarterback," Herbert said. "And we had those explosive opportunities, and we have to capitalize on those. That's a really good defense we're going against. I can't miss throws like that, and you know, expect to continue to get back on third down and get back on track."

"He missed Keenan on the double move, but that's just part of ball," Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. "He definitely gave us a chance to win in the game."

Herbert's throws to Allen were indeed bad misses when he had good protection from the offensive line, but that was far from the case all night.

Much of Herbert's struggles can be attributed to the Cowboys' dominant defensive line play. Herbert seemed to be scrambling all game as the Cowboys' pass rush blew by Chargers offensive linemen with ease. According to Next Gen Stats, the Cowboys generated pressure on 47.6% of Herbert's dropbacks, the highest rate of pressure Herbert has faced in any game this season.

"I feel like we prepared. Some of it was just technique, some of it was just tough luck," offensive guard Jamaree Salyer said of the offensive line struggles. "Obviously, they got a lot of good players who get paid a lot of money ... just some situations we got to have better technique, some situations you got to have a better plan."

The Chargers have the Kansas City Chiefs up next Sunday. According to Next Gen Stats, the Chiefs have the lowest percentage of quarterback pressures in the NFL, generating 29.2% of pressures on dropbacks. Still, they are sixth in the league with 17 sacks.

If the Chargers don't find an answer for the Chiefs' defensive line by Sunday, they could be in a similar position.

"I think it's our job as an offense to be able to score more points," Herbert said. "When our defense is playing as well as they are ... we got to capitalize on those turnovers, capitalize on the field position. So it's on us as an offense."

Dubois anticipating boos, 'special game' in return to Winnipeg with Kings

Forward traded to Los Angeles on June 27, told Jets management he did not intend to sign long term© Getty ImagesEL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Pierre-Luc Dubois understands he is likely to receive a hostile reception from fans when the Los Angeles Kings forward plays the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; TVAS, TSN3, BSW) for the first time since he was traded to Los Angeles by...

Forward traded to Los Angeles on June 27, told Jets management he did not intend to sign long term

© Getty Images

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Pierre-Luc Dubois understands he is likely to receive a hostile reception from fans when the Los Angeles Kings forward plays the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; TVAS, TSN3, BSW) for the first time since he was traded to Los Angeles by Winnipeg on June 27.

"If they're cheering my departure, I think I'd question a little bit more my time there," Dubois said Saturday. "But it is what it is."

Dubois played three seasons for the Jets. He had 143 points (63 goals, 80 assists) in 195 regular-season games and seven points (two goals five assists) in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games, but the pending restricted free agent told Jets management he did not intend to sign long term. He was traded for forwards Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari, and a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

On July 4, Dubois signed an eight-year, $68 million contract ($8.5 million average annual value).

"It will be special, I'm sure," Dubois said. "I'm sure some fans will see it a little differently, but for me personally it will be special. I spent three great years in Winnipeg. My parents are going to be at the game. To play against some teammates and friends that I have from Winnipeg, it'll be a special game.

"It's so early on into the season, it feels like not that far. It happened yesterday, it feels like, but, yeah, special game."

It seemed that trading Dubois would be the Jets' first move in a major overhaul. Instead, they signed pending unrestricted free agents Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck to identical seven-year, $59.5 million contracts ($8.5 million AAV) Oct. 9.

"I was happy for the two of them, my first reaction," Dubois said. "Two guys that work extremely hard. Great players, great people, so for them to sign a contract it means they're happy, so I was happy for them, happy for their families. And, yeah, I texted 'em, will get to see them, congratulate them in person."

Dubois indicated the Jets' decision to re-sign Scheifele and Hellebuyck would not have changed his position on requesting a trade.

"There's a few things that were involved in the decision, but it was never dependent on others," Dubois said. "It was just a decision I made. But like I said, I was really happy for those two guys to sign a contract that they're happy with."

Dubois has previous experience returning to a place where he played before. Selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the No. 3 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, he was traded to the Jets on Jan. 23, 2021, after saying he no longer wanted to play for the Blue Jackets.

Playing his first game as a visitor in Columbus on Nov. 24, 2021, Dubois admitted it was an unusual experience going into parts of Nationwide Arena he had never been to before.

"Columbus, I didn't even know what it looked like," Dubois said. "The away dressing room, the away everything."

Having made three previous trips to Winnipeg as a visitor during his four seasons with the Blue Jackets, scoring a goal in his last trip Nov. 23, 2019, Dubois has some familiarity with the surroundings for his first road game with the Kings.

It will still feel a bit awkward.

"It'll be weird warming up in a different spot again, away dressing room and all that," Dubois said. "I think the weirdest part will be warmups, seeing the guys on the other side and all that, but once the game starts you just focus on the 60 minutes."

Jets coach Rick Bowness said Monday he tried to convice Dubois to stay in Winnipeg, but moving on was the best for all sides.

"I had no problem with 'Dubie,' Bowness said. "I talked to him an awful lot, spent a lot of time with him ... but that wasn't going to happen no matter what.

"He made it no secret that he wasn't going to sign a long-term deal here. When he comes out and says that, he just didn't want to be here. He was going to move on when he could, so that's his choice, didn't want to be here. It worked out well for him and it's worked out really well for us, so we're happy."

Iafallo, who said it should be a "fun game," said he and his former Kings teammates have fit in well with the Jets.

“It’s been nice," he said. "Everybody’s been great helping us out, different systems, all that kind of stuff. It’s been an easy transition trying to understand more stuff. It’s been fun so far. We’ve been playing great, so we’ve got to keep at [it].”

NHL.com independent correspondent Darrin Bauming contributed to this report

As the Strike Wears On, Actors Turn to a Familiar Fallback Job

In January, Francesca Xuereb took the leap many actors in Los Angeles dream of: She quit her waitressing job. After booking a recurring role in HBO Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls” and performing another for a forthcoming show on Apple TV+, she was meeting with producers and auditioning five or six times a week.“I was getting a lot of traction,” she said.But the concurrent strikes by the Writers Guild of Amer...

In January, Francesca Xuereb took the leap many actors in Los Angeles dream of: She quit her waitressing job. After booking a recurring role in HBO Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls” and performing another for a forthcoming show on Apple TV+, she was meeting with producers and auditioning five or six times a week.

“I was getting a lot of traction,” she said.

But the concurrent strikes by the Writers Guild of America and Ms. Xuereb’s performers’ union, SAG-AFTRA, put all that on hold. She is now back at her serving job, working four shifts a week at Akasha, a neighborhood farm-to-table restaurant in Culver City.

“It definitely felt like slowing down, and that doesn’t necessarily feel good,” she said. “I don’t mind working in the restaurant. My picture of what being an actress would look like is working as a server until I was able to not go back.”

The strikes have brought the entertainment business to a standstill. The Writer’s Guild strike, which began in May, ended on Sept. 27, but the SAG-AFTRA strike, which started in July, continues. Writers, actors, set decorators and production coordinators have all slid back into the industry that serves as Hollywood’s shadow partner: restaurants.

In Los Angeles it’s a cliché that the ranks of hosts, waiters and bartenders are filled with aspiring comedians, actors and writers. And while the rise of gig work like driving for ride-share companies means that food service is not necessarily the default job for newly arrived dreamers, the strike has supercharged demand for restaurant jobs.

Erika Rotolo, the director of human resources for the local breakfast-taco chain HomeState, said that while hiring for two new locations this summer, the company was flooded with applications from not only actors and writers, but also art directors, seamstresses and makeup artists. Open calls were packed, and a job posting for a dishwasher, which the restaurant would normally struggle to fill, had to be taken down after drawing 70 applications in 12 hours.

Ms. Rotolo said that while she loves working alongside creative people in restaurants, she had mixed emotions. “We were excited to have so many applicants,” she said. “Another part of me felt badly because people were putting some of their creative and personal dreams on hold due to what’s going on.”

Chelsea Rendon, a SAG-AFTRA strike captain at Warner Brothers, has performed in both film and television since she was 5 years old, and was a series regular on Showtime’s “Vida,” which ended in 2020. She said a combination of shrinking residuals, Covid slowdowns and a lack of opportunities for Latinos left her financially drained even before the strike.

In May, when the Writers Guild walked out, she took her first-ever restaurant job at Roadside Taco in Studio City, where she’d been a regular diner.

“Normally, you have a day job as a server, and once you get a good booking you quit,” she said. “I feel like I’ve had a successful career and had been able to provide for myself, and all of a sudden I can’t.”

Still, she finds the job’s routine a surprising balm. “It felt amazing to have somewhere to go and have a purpose.,” she said. “So much of life as actors is waiting for auditions, waiting for callbacks.”

John Dellaporta had never been able to fully leave his restaurant job, but the strike shifted him from picking up occasional shifts — “spackle,” as he put it — to working regular nights at Miceli’s, the oldest Italian restaurant in Hollywood. Before the strike, he’d booked his first recurring role, on HBO’s “Winning Time,” which has since been canceled.

At Miceli’s, the servers take turns singing for the guests, which he said he enjoys because it gives him a chance to perform even as Hollywood is shut down. “I go back to my tables and make the joke, ‘I’m not just a singer, I’m also your waiter,’” he said. “It gets more laughs than it deserves.”

Writers are rarer than actors in the restaurant ranks, in part because climbing the writing career ladder can involve a decade of office-based assistant work.

Hillary Handelsman was working in her first staff writing job in the summer of 2022, on the Netflix comedy “Survival of the Thickest.” The show didn’t air for a year, leaving Ms. Handelsman in financial limbo before the strike even began. Finding part-time work was a struggle until she was put in touch with Cookie Good, a cookie business started by a screenwriter during the 2007 strike.

At one point she was doing a delivery in her Cookie Good outfit and saw a colleague from an agency where she had worked 10 years earlier. “Oh, God, what if they see me and I have to explain?” Handelsman remembered thinking. “As time has gone on, I’m so much less sensitive about it. I’m supporting myself and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

For nine years, the actor and comic Elyssa Phillips has been a server at Osteria Mozza, the high-end Italian restaurant run by Nancy Silverton. Since coming to Los Angeles, Ms. Phillips has nabbed a number of co-starring roles in TV, and was the artistic director of the Pack Theater in Hollywood. But the one time she tried cutting back her hours at Mozza, she couldn’t afford the parking meters near work. She credits the job with giving her the flexibility to serve as a strike captain of the picket line outside Disney studios.

Ms. Phillips has always tried to keep her life in entertainment separate from her work in the restaurant, an effort that grew more complicated during the strike. “There are studio executives I’ve taken care of for nine years. I know when their anniversaries are, I know if they like a black or white napkin, I know how they like a martini. I try to never ever talk about entertainment,” she said.

If a regular finds out she’s a strike captain, she changes the subject: “Let me get you a martini. Let me do what I’m here to do.”

Ms. Phillips called working at Mozza “the best restaurant job in Los Angeles,” but she said she hopes the strike will allow more working actors to leave their day jobs. “Being a member of this union, we have a certain level of responsibility, and that responsibility is keeping acting as a career and not as freelance work,” she said.

Ms. Xuereb, who began her career in 2020, is newer to the industry but understands that conditions are not what they once were. “When I talk to mentors, it sounds like the way I was working, with a few guest stars every few months — people used to raise a family on that,” she said.

Talks between the performers’ union and the studios were recently suspended, but even when the strike eventually ends, it will likely be months before production ramps up again, especially with the holidays approaching. Every actor and writer will be out auditioning and pitching at once, too.

Ms. Rotolo said HomeState recently lost an employee who was called back to her job as a showrunner, but otherwise the restaurant is fully staffed.

Ms. Xuereb said she expects to keep her restaurant job for the time being. “It’s not the dream,” Ms. Xuereb said. But, she added, “This is part of it, working to be able to do the thing that you love.”

Our Coverage of the Hollywood Strikes

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