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 St. Monica Pier 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 Santa Monica, 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 Palisades 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 Mélisse Restaurant or visit John P Jones Memorial, 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 Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, 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.
Fig is a cute, foliage-rich spot inside the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica with a mix of plants hanging from the ceiling and slightly chaotic energy radiating from the pool area. The best time to go is during their daily happy hour from 5-6pm, when everything on the menu is half off. Unfortunately, everyone else knows this as well, which means you'll have to deal with a crowd of retirees trying to politely eat pasta and vacationing kids cannonballing into the deep end in exchange for your discounted cucumber margarita. The food is the usua...
Fig is a cute, foliage-rich spot inside the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica with a mix of plants hanging from the ceiling and slightly chaotic energy radiating from the pool area. The best time to go is during their daily happy hour from 5-6pm, when everything on the menu is half off. Unfortunately, everyone else knows this as well, which means you'll have to deal with a crowd of retirees trying to politely eat pasta and vacationing kids cannonballing into the deep end in exchange for your discounted cucumber margarita. The food is the usual healthy-ish hotel fare done a touch better than you’d expect, and decorated with enough herbs and flowers to qualify as a bridal shower centerpiece.
An uncomplicated dish that lets the produce show off: the peaches and tomatoes are dripping with juice, while the creamy burrata smooths things over. Exactly what you want in 85-degree pool weather.
These are less like falafel and more like soft sweet potato hush puppies. That’s not a complaint, but the muhammara sauce topped with a neon-pink sumac foam is the most interesting happening here.
On the plus side, these pillowy little chunks are mixed with nearly every seasonal vegetable in California. Unfortunately, the light beurre blanc sauce they’re tossed in is extremely plain, and in desperate need of salt or acid.
Nicely seared, plump scallops bobbing in a coconutty sauce that we shamelessly scraped from the plate clean with our fingers.
This flaky, dessert has the ideal ice cream-to-pastry ratio, with just enough melty cream that will seep into every crevice. A pleasant way to end a sun-dazed meal.
Pretty Good: You’ll likely be satisfied by a meal here, especially for a specific situation. These are handy back-up restaurants and beloved local spots.
Dives, breweries, and pierside hangs—there’s more to Santa Monica's bar scene than you might think.For a town best known for farmers markets and brunches in athleisure wear, Santa Monica’s nightlife scene is surprisingly robust—and we're not just talking about the pubs on Main Street where dudes staring in silence at Lakers games, or god forbid, The Bungalow. From throwback dives to chic rooftops and cocktail bars on the beach, there’s real drinking to be done in Santa Monica. And here are the best places...
Dives, breweries, and pierside hangs—there’s more to Santa Monica's bar scene than you might think.
For a town best known for farmers markets and brunches in athleisure wear, Santa Monica’s nightlife scene is surprisingly robust—and we're not just talking about the pubs on Main Street where dudes staring in silence at Lakers games, or god forbid, The Bungalow. From throwback dives to chic rooftops and cocktail bars on the beach, there’s real drinking to be done in Santa Monica. And here are the best places to do it.
Unrated: This is a restaurant we want to re-visit before rating, or it’s a coffee shop, bar, or dessert shop. We only rate spots where you can eat a full meal.
This bottle shop-wine bar hybrid has great daily happy hour specials (including all-day happy hour on Sunday and Monday) with $10 glasses, charcuterie spreads with seasonal jams and fancy honey, and freshly shucked oysters for $3.50 a mollusk. And once the evening rolls around, Esters lights candles to give the space a romantic and on-the-quieter-side feel, in case you want to explore the extensive bottle list and split a seafood tower with a date.
Although technically a restaurant, The Georgian Room doubles as a historic piano lounge. So if you’re looking for a moody place with red leather booths to celebrate something big, book a reservation. That’s the only way you’ll get into this dark basement bar, hidden just off of Santa Monica’s packed Ocean Avenue strip. It’s the kind of place where you have to buzz a mysterious doorbell and put a privacy sticker over your phone camera before you’re seated. Start with one of the house martinis, and don’t leave until you hear the jazz singer crooning renditions of Britney Spears songs next to a vintage Steinway.
The profound lack of good rooftops in Santa Monica is one of society’s great mysteries. At least we have Calabra. Perched atop the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, this gigantic bar has an indoor lounge, poolside patio, and curved couches that you can rent out for more privacy. Come weekends, the music is loud and people are definitely dressed up, but if you want to sneak up on a weekday to watch the sunset and sip a gin and tonic, you’ll always be able to find a seat at the wrap-around bar.
Offhand Wine Bar
Offhand is a natural wine bar that looks like it could be a Chipotle from the outside. (Sorry, no moody, candlelit atmosphere here.) But if you want a casual spot that pours interesting wines, then this is your place. Not everything at Offhand is soulless and gray, though. They’re spinning vinyl, the friendly staff is eager to explain every bottle on their list, and locals stroll in wearing their comfiest hoodies to drink chilled reds and dry rieslings. It’s just-sophisticated-enough, making it perfect for a date or night out with friends that entails a lot of chit-chat.
Jakob Layman
It might not be fair to judge a book by its cover—but in the case of Big Dean’s, what you see is what you get. And that’s why we like it so much. Because even though this beachside sports bar is basically underneath the pier, it’s one of the few places where you’ll find actual Santa Monica locals hanging out this close to the tourists. Grab an excellent burger (an underrated LA classic) and a pitcher of beer, then head to their turf patio to watch whatever game is happening.
Jakob Layman
When it comes to Santa Monica bars, there’s a belief that it’s Chez Jay and everyone else—and it’s hard to argue otherwise. Opened in 1959, this nautical-themed landmark (literally) is a one-of-a-kind watering hole where you can get a dangerously stiff drink and a 10-oz. butter steak at the same time. There are peanut shells on the floor, a weird giant fish on the wall, and a jukebox playing The Stones. If you want one of the last remaining authentic Santa Monica experiences, head to this crazy shack by the water.
Alicia Cho
At this den of debauchery, the name of the game is karaoke. The Gaslite is one of the best bars in Santa Monica for cutting loose, plus there’s free popcorn and a dance floor that gets wild in a hurry. It's a great option when you prefer to skip the scene—or the long lines at a bar you don’t want to be at anyway—and go experience the dive bar of your dreams.
Santa Monica Brew Works is one of the only non-kombucha breweries in the neighborhood, so they could probably skate by on mediocrity if they wanted. But they don’t. Their taproom pours a long list of beers, like tangy witbiers, IPAs, and more experimental brews like a fruity guava-piña sour that tastes like something from a beach bar. The physical space is pretty brewery-standard, but what sets it apart is its built-in food options: Emmy Squared. The Brooklyn-based pizzeria has QR codes on the table so you can order a gooey pan pizza or double-stacked burger.
Does Father’s Office have one of LA's best burgers? You better believe it, and the bar’s not bad, either. Admittedly pretty cramped during peak hours, the original location on Montana is a small but nonetheless fantastic place to drink beer on a Saturday afternoon. The rotating craft beer list is solid, the non-burger small plates are tasty, and the ambiance is fun but relaxed, which is usually what we want from an evening in Santa Monica.
Daily Pint
The Daily Pint is a 20-something-year-old English pub/dive that might not look like much, but you’re not going to find a better craft beer list on the Westside (not to mention their 500 kinds of whiskey). Quirky, dimly lit, with old pool tables scattered about, this is the kind of place 50-year-old pirates go to get their Stone Imperial Russian Stout and reminisce about ports of call.
Chestnut Club
If you’re looking to get rowdy and make a few mistakes but drink well-made cocktails while you’re doing it, Chestnut Club is where you go. The craft cocktail bar is located in that strange, sleepy stretch of inland Santa Monica, but it still gets all-out mobbed on the weekends. So get there early or prepare to wait in line. Or just go during the week when things have calmed down considerably, and you can drink in peace.
The Misfit
The Misfit is another restaurant that often gets used as a bar, and even though it's located a little too close to the Third Street Promenade, we grin and bear it. The crowd is full of locals, the pitchers of white sangria come extra cold, and the food is solid, like the massive fried chicken sandwich with creamy fennel slaw and a quinoa-kale salad that’s great for sharing. Also, there are free cookies and a Happy Hour from noon to 7pm daily.
Ye Olde Kings Head
Santa Monica is strangely full of legitimate UK-themed pubs, and while everyone seems to have their favorite, we’ll never pass up the chance to sip a lager and eat a basket of fish and chips at King’s Head. Mere steps from the beach, it’s a staple that can certainly get a touch touristy, but the crowds add to the fun when there’s a Premier League match on the telly. Come and see what true sports passion looks like.
Electrify America just cut the ribbon on its first Santa Monica charging station, and it’s a big one: 20 “Hyper-Fast” chargers, each capable of delivering up to 350 kilowatts. For EVs that can handle it, that’s enough juice to add roughly 20 miles of range per minute.The new station sits right off the I-10 freeway at 1802 Santa Monica Boulevard, making it a convenient pit stop for road-trippers and locals alike. It’s open 24/7, has on-site security cameras, and is backed by 100% renewable energy through r...
Electrify America just cut the ribbon on its first Santa Monica charging station, and it’s a big one: 20 “Hyper-Fast” chargers, each capable of delivering up to 350 kilowatts. For EVs that can handle it, that’s enough juice to add roughly 20 miles of range per minute.
The new station sits right off the I-10 freeway at 1802 Santa Monica Boulevard, making it a convenient pit stop for road-trippers and locals alike. It’s open 24/7, has on-site security cameras, and is backed by 100% renewable energy through renewable energy certificates.
Electrify America operates the largest open network of 350 kW-capable chargers in the US, and Santa Monica’s setup is a sign of where the company’s headed – more chargers per site, bigger stations, and faster speeds. The approach is already visible at recent openings like Harrison Street in San Francisco and Fashion Valley in San Diego, which Electrify America says will serve as blueprints for future stations in 2025 and beyond.
Since installing its first 350 kW charger in 2018 and rolling out Plug&Charge in 2020, the company has logged some serious growth. In 2024 alone, Electrify America delivered more than 16 million charging sessions and pumped over 600 gigawatt-hours of energy into EVs, up 65% from the year before. Today, the network spans more than 1,000 stations and 5,000 chargers across North America.
Santa Monica’s new hub is designed to keep pace with demand. Electrify America expects even more EV drivers to be hunting for high-speed charging in 2025, and says it’s scaling up both its network and its technology to meet the rush.
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People in LA like to reduce Santa Monica to the pier, , and woo-woo wellness, but it’s more than tourists and matching Vuori sets. It’s a fully formed ecosystem where you'll find lots of electric cargo bikes, plentiful brunch options, and not just any farmers market, but farmers market where chefs across town load their carts with produce. Here are the best places to eat in the unofficial capital of the Westside.Unrated: This is a restaurant we want to re-visit before rating, or it’s a coffee shop, bar, or dessert sh...
People in LA like to reduce Santa Monica to the pier, , and woo-woo wellness, but it’s more than tourists and matching Vuori sets. It’s a fully formed ecosystem where you'll find lots of electric cargo bikes, plentiful brunch options, and not just any farmers market, but farmers market where chefs across town load their carts with produce. Here are the best places to eat in the unofficial capital of the Westside.
Unrated: This is a restaurant we want to re-visit before rating, or it’s a coffee shop, bar, or dessert shop. We only rate spots where you can eat a full meal.
This midnight-black fine dining restaurant in Santa Monica comes from the same chef as . But while that restaurant is all about luxurious, mostly classic French food, Seline is a place where the kitchen gets cerebral with seasonal ingredients presented in out-there ways, like geoduck liver crackers served on metallic orbs, banana puree with roasted leeks, and crumbly chestnut ice cream as a mid-dinner palate cleanser. It’s the type of precise high-brow cooking you’d expect from a $295 tasting menu, but you’re splurging on delicious food that’s fun to eat, too. Add the not-too-serious servers who make you feel like houseguests, a dining room with enchanted garden views, and a playlist that slips in the occasional house track, and you’ve got the making of a special occasion spot you’ll still be thinking about days later.
If all you know about French food is that it's buttery and expensive, then you already know something true about Pasjoli. But this Santa Monica restaurant stands out from other indulgent places in town because it encapsulates the Classic French Restaurant thing without feeling tired. Choose from two different tasting menus ($95 and $125), each with polished dishes like caviar-topped canapes and spongy brioche toast with chicken liver mousse in the middle. For something more casual, head to the walk-in bar with an a la carte menu of duck wings, French onion soup, and a marrow butter-topped burger.
Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits.
Melisse is a Santa Monica mainstay, a deeply fancy restaurant that’s been around in one form or another for over 20 years. A meal here is spectacular, but let’s get one thing out of the way: dinner here costs $800 for two people. Minimum. So, if you’re planning to eat here, you’re probably operating under some very specific circumstances (engagement, lottery win, final day on the job with access to the company card). Once you sit down in the intimate but not stuffy dining room, expect around ten courses (although many have multiple plates or bites involved), attentive servers who fully appreciate how special the night is, and, best of all, absolutely delicious food.
Reservations are released a month in advance, and we'd suggest booking at least two to three weeks before your dinner. There’s a strict no-cancellation or rescheduling policy, and if either occurs, you’ll be charged full price.
Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits.
The name Le Great Outdoor sounds like an REI surplus store rather than a beautiful restaurant where your food is cooked on a giant grill in the Bergamot Station parking lot. But that’s exactly what’s happening here. All the meat, fish, and vegetables are grilled in the entirely outdoor kitchen. Everybody hangs out at picnic tables and drinks chilled wine while they pick at goat cheese-topped tartines and blistered lamb chops. It’s as if you stumbled onto a neighborhood block party—but with people who know what they’re doing at the grill.
Din Tai Fung needs no introduction, but the dumpling chain’s newest location on the third floor of Santa Monica Place offers something special—the opportunity to eat xiao long bao with an ocean view. That alone is enough reason to visit after hitting the mall, but the food is reliably great, too: expertly pleated soup dumplings, garlicky string beans, and spicy wontons with chili oil that you’ll want to put on everything. The spacious turf-lined patio, bamboo steamer-shaped booths, and see-through dumpling window into the kitchen? Added bonuses. There’s even a giant abacus by the front, in case you want to calculate the tip the old-fashioned way.
There’s nothing that screams “I’m a young, fun, cosmopolitan person living in a major city” than tossing back oysters on the half shell on a Santa Monica patio. And the place to do it in West LA is Crudo e Nudo. The former pop-up has found a permanent home on Main St., where you’ll be treated to thoughtful wine selections and entirely sustainable seafood like daily crudos served with herbs and house-made sauces, a full raw bar, and tuna tartare paired with seeded loaves from Gjusta.
Tell anyone in the LA area that you’re eating in Santa Monica and they’ll be like, “Oh sh*t, can you bring me a Godmother?” And unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that they’re not asking you for a new family member—they’re asking you for Bay Cities’ most famous sandwich. The Godmother stacks meats (prosciutto, ham, salami, mortadella, and capocollo), cheeses, and peppers on crunchy bread. If you're looking for another sandwich to tack onto your order, there's a very good chicken parm sub.
Shirube can be the first stop of the night for a pre-dinner drink and a snack or you can enjoy an incredible dinner for under $100 per person. Both are excellent paths. This izakaya serves grilled, fried, and noodle-y dishes, all of which are prepared in front of you at the bar. Most plates fall under $25, including fried corn ribs coated in shoyu butter, grilled duck breast with a beautiful pink center, and a silky egg custard topped with a pile of roe. And if you want to keep things light, there’s a great sashimi platter for two that costs $45.
Birdie G’s, an airy, industrial-looking restaurant in Bergamot Station, is what you might call a fancy person’s idea of a comfort food restaurant. The chef of Rustic Canyon is behind the menu, so you know there's a farmers market produce bent. But you can also expect a Midwestern, vaguely Eastern European feel to many dishes. We love the seasonal pickle plate with a dollop of onion dip in the center, and the “everything” marinated broccoli with miso banga cauda. They also do amazing steak frites for the crowd valeting their Teslas outside. Just don’t leave without a slice of the rose petal pie—a jiggly, strawberry Jell-O concoction that looks like a stained glass window in dessert form.
LA is undergoing a full-fledged renaissance right now, but even so, we needed only one bite at Bread Head to know this sandwich shop on Montana is doing something special. Their fresh-daily loaves blend the best parts of focaccia and ciabatta with soft, airy innards and a crackly crust that shines like a polished penny. If you visited Bread Head’s former pop-up, you know these sandwiches are big—a full order is the size of a Macbook Pro—and not strictly Italian. Get the muffuletta with a thick mattress of mortadella and orange-infused olive salad, the milky mozzarella with avocado, sprouts, and za’atar spread, and an order of “picnic nachos” (pimento cheese plus corn chips).
Layla is a welcome addition to LA’s bagel boom (thanks for starting it, Gjusta and Courage). But this Ocean Park bagel shop isn’t just part of a trend, it’s a lovely counter-service spot with great coffee and outrageously good bagels piled with the freshest produce available. And while you can order crusty-on-the-outside, cushiony-on-the-inside loosies, you’d be missing out if you didn’t try their open-face bagel offerings. Toppings range from classics (cream cheese, tomatoes, smoked salmon) to less typical stuff (lemon zest, chili flakes, PB&J, avocado, hummus). The bagel with seasonal fruit plus cream cheese and honey gives us goosebumps just thinking about it.
The Brothers Sushi’s dining room looks ripped from a sci-fi movie set: perfectly symmetrical wooden panels, black ring lights, and oh, watch your step—there’s an antique knife collection beneath your feet, inlaid in the floor. It’s a more subdued (and smaller) operation than The Brothers’ flagship location in Woodland Hills, but the quality remains just as high. Order a la carte items like salmon caviar and Okinawan jellyfish or the omakase served solely at the bar. We prefer the premium chirashi loaded with 15 types of seafood, seasoned sushi rice, plus a side of miso soup.
Unlike almost every other restaurant ever, Tar & Roses has gotten better with age. It’s the sort of place that can be as casual or formal as you need it to be, with a menu that’s perfect for sharing. But in an alternate universe, we'd come here once a week with one other person and only order the whole fried snapper. It arrives with cold, springy soba noodles and a fishy dipping sauce. When you carve off a hunk of fried fish, dunk it in the sauce, and incorporate the noodles, and you'll have the singular best bite in Santa Monica.
Xuntos is the best Spanish restaurant on the Westside and the kind of place where dinner can turn into a three-hour party without really noticing. That’s because everyone in this homey, two-story spot in Downtown Santa Monica lets loose over vermouth cocktails, Basque cider, and however many rounds of garlicky gambas they can get in before their parking meter runs out. The menu is specifically northern Spanish—that’s right, LA has hyper-regional Spanish food now—and features things that belong on a José Andres travel special, including grilled baby squid balloons full of minced shallots, fatty seabass collars we eat like chicken wings, and scallops on the half-shell bathed in golden saffron butter.
Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits.
Tre Mani is a sandwich shop in Ocean Park that serves two of our favorite things: Jyan Isaac’s fluffy schiacciata bread and Ghisallo’s deli meats. The result is a perfect union of crunch and cured meat that holds its own in the neighborhood. These massive Roman-style sandwiches are more expensive than what you’ll find elsewhere (they range from $17-$26), but you could easily share one. Drop by the shop inside Ghisallo from 12-4pm to try the mortadella version on your lunch break. There are plenty of seats on the patio around back.
Rustic Canyon has been doing farm-to-table dining (without the pretension or white tablecloths) since before it was cliche. Like every other seasonal spot, their menu changes all the time, so go ahead and embrace eating those vegetables you can only find for one week of the year. Your parents, out-of-towners, and early-in-the-game dates will all love it here.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.By Michael Ashcraft --In the last two minutes of the game, Lighthouse Christian Academy scored two touchdowns to send New Designs Charter home with a message:You may have run up the score in the first half. But we wore you down, bruised you up and dominated you in the second half.Despite a stellar finish, Lighthouse lost 28-36 to the Downtown LA school.Senior Zion...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
By Michael Ashcraft --
In the last two minutes of the game, Lighthouse Christian Academy scored two touchdowns to send New Designs Charter home with a message:
You may have run up the score in the first half. But we wore you down, bruised you up and dominated you in the second half.
Despite a stellar finish, Lighthouse lost 28-36 to the Downtown LA school.
Senior Zion Jenkins played at 480 volts. Asked whimsically by a reporter if he had swallowed a lightning bolt before the game, Zion didn't miss a beat: "Yeah, with some cereal and some milk."
Early in the fist quarter, Zion found a hole and bolted 60 yards for a touchdown to make it 6-8. Before the end of the first half, Zion made a critical tackle to stop the Cardinals for making their fourth TD.
In the second half, Zion made impossible catches for huge gains. In one, he bobbled the ball under the cover of two players and caught the bounce as he was falling to the ground.
"It's my senior year, and I have to give it all I got for my teammates, and I can't hold anything back," Zion said.
Coaches cackled over the fireworks finish. While the Cardinals looked bedraggled, tired and in pain, towards the end of the game, Lighthouse looked like they were just getting started.
"If there was another quarter in this football game, I think they'd fold. It was game over," bragged Coach Justin Kayne to his team. "In the second half, we scored 22, they scored 12. You guys brought it to them. A few missed tackles, they got a couple touchdowns, it would have been a completely different game. That was the greatest response I've ever seen in my life of coaching. Incredible effort."
What doomed the Saints was the the Cardinal's pull play, which LCA was unfamiliar with. That and some fast and fancy footwork of just a couple of guys. The Cardinals scored three TDs in the first half (with conversions) and two on some breakthrough runs in the second half.
Lighthouse eventually learned to stop New Designs. They ground them down, charging through the line and sacking quarterback. Except for the two mega-yard breakthrough runs to touchdown, New Designs couldn't move the ball.
Big men Alex Brick and Nile Hosni battered their line. Kirollos Abdalla trucked players several times. QB Justice Neos came to life in the fourth quarter, connecting with passes and making a scintillating run for one of the touchdowns (helped by a brutal block from Zion). Justice also stripped the ball from New Designs and ran for a touchdown.
Kicker Exjani Rojas kept the Cardinals pinned back with rocket launches on kickoff and punt. He also showed his soccer speed, catching runners that others couldn't catch.
"We have a lot to build on," Coach Justin said.
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