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 Apex Historical Society, MaynardPearson House 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 Apex, NC 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.
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with.”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed,”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by”
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team of caregivers who really care about the well fare of their clients. They go above and beyond taking care of my parents and have been very professional and dependable. I would recommend ABC to anyone who needs a reliable and competent care team. Karen Lussi”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart to see the services being rendered to clients. Extra miles taken to make sure every client is well taken care, even in unpleasant weather conditions. The CEO and administrators were out in the snow last week picking up workers who were unsure of driving . I was glad to see this commitment, making sure families could sit back and relax. With no fear, I will recommend Always best to any family who needs awesome care for their love ones.”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office staff are great people, very helpful and always treat everyone with love and respect. Definitively it is a bless to work for this agency.”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time with our father. It all began with a fall, followed by an ER visit, and soon after, my sister and I found ourselves flying to NC to care for him and plan the next steps. Kathryn from Always Best Care was an absolute lifesaver! She guided us seamlessly through the process of finding the perfect independent senior living community for our father. Her extensive industry knowledge helped us navigate the additional health services he required with ease. Kathryn went above and beyond, consistently checking in and patiently responding to countless texts and emails from us. Thanks to her support, our father is now thriving in a supportive environment and is healthier than ever. We can’t imagine how we would have managed this journey without Kathryn’s expertise and compassion. Truly an incredible experience!”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of what someone living with dementia is like. This is such a horrible disease but this helps care givers understand the disease. Thanks so much!!”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things . I didn’t know it was that bad for them and it’s very sad , I will always treat them all with care and love no matter what because there dealing with something that’s really hard to deal with .”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I now know what to do differently when working with my residents. I think A all caregivers should experience this training.”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and caring home health assistance to my mother who was recovering from an unexpected surgery. They were able to assist on incredibly short notice and made a difficult situation for our family much better. Each of their carers was exceptionally professional and attentive, especially Lori and Kylie who were incredible. I felt safe leaving my loved one in their care and appreciated that they went above and beyond to meet our needs. They provided regular updates to me and my family and made my mother feel so well attended, especially as she needed extra mobility and personal care help. I would absolutely not work with any other company, should we ever need home health assistance again. Highly recommend.”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me gain my mobility! They are all super nice and very helpful! Give them your trust, they have mine. If I ever need home help, it'll be through them!”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had to downsize due to an unexpected illness and Always Best Care (ABC) stepped in to make this possible. Kind, compassion, pleasant, friendly, joyful and talented professionals comprise those providing this service. I literally couldn’t have lived for at my assisted living since I had so many hospital visits each week. I didn’t want to go alone to these appointments and this freed my family from needless distress and worry about my wellbeing when they couldn’t be there. I highly recommend ABC since they are an essential component providing excellent and reliable support.”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in law transition into her new home after moving to Raleigh from Winston Salem. She has dialysis 3x a week and they have worked so hard to coordinate a schedule to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sherry continues to amaze me in how she is able to help figure out schedules and provide customer services in a kind and professional manner. We will continue to look to this wonderful service provider as her needs change and feel blessed to have them on site at Atri”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with. He was sincerely concerned about my mom and our family. He is an excellent listener and introduced me to Paige who is equally wonderful. Together they found a great place for my mother in a very short time. Paige was always available to speak on the phone and addressed my questions or concerns. I would recommend using this service for your loved one. Laura B of Raleigh”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed, and things changed constantly. My dad has a chance to live the rest of his life with dignity and my mom has a chance to live a fuller life because of the help we got from Kathryn and this team. They have a great network and valuable knowledge but what observed that makes them invaluable is that they care...and when you are on this situation I found that this is the quality that matters the most. Cannot thank them enough.”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We are very satisfied with his service and professionalism. He took his time and our requirements and found the perfect place. Highly recommend him and Always Best Care!”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many options it was confusing for me! Shawn and his team sent me several places to review and then accompanied me to visit independent living facilities. I appreciate the resources and information provided. Shawn, thank you for being focused on our family's needs and sharing your expertise. Your compassion and patience is so very appreciated!”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by far the best place I've worked our boss and staff are everything.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”
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 Pleasant 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 Chef's Palette or visit Apex Historical Society Caboose, 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 Apex, NC, 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 Apex, NC 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 Apex, NC 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.
The city of Apex, North Carolina, was chosen to be the home of the only independent children's hospital and self-employed in the Carolinas.North Carolina Children's Health (NC Children's), a partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health, will be built on approximately 230 acres of land at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540.“We are incredibly e...
The city of Apex, North Carolina, was chosen to be the home of the only independent children's hospital and self-employed in the Carolinas.
North Carolina Children's Health (NC Children's), a partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health, will be built on approximately 230 acres of land at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540.
“We are incredibly excited to confirm that Apex and Wake County will be home to NC Children's,” said Wesley Burks, MD, CEO of UNC Health and dean of the UNC School of Medicine.
“This campus will create a healthier, brighter future for generations of children and teens in North Carolina and the Southeast, and we are thrilled to have Apex as our home and partner,” he said.
You may be interested: Where to get free or low-cost health care in North Carolina?
Once completed, NC Children's will bring approximately 8,000 jobs to Apex and Wake County, a 500-bed children's hospital, a pediatric outpatient center, 103 beds for child and adolescent behavioral health, and a research and education center supported by the UNC and Duke medical schools.
The 230-acre NC Children's campus will seamlessly integrate into Veridea, a 1,000-plus acre mixed-use community developed by RXR that will feature 8,000 new homes, 3.5 million square feet of retail and dining space, 12 million square feet of office and research space, and a new Wake Tech Community College campus.
“Finding the right location for NC Children's was one of our top priorities, and this location offers the space and access needed for a world-class children's hospital,” said Craig Albanese, MD, CEO of Duke Health.
Albanese emphasized that from the moment children and their families enter the campus, they will know they are in a place designed especially for them.
"Most importantly, children with the most complex health conditions will have access to the most specialized pediatric services, right here in the heart of North Carolina," he added.
“As Mayor and Chair of the City’s Economic Development Committee, I want to share how immensely proud and excited I am that North Carolina Children’s is coming to Apex – a golden moment for our community,” said Apex Mayor Jacques K. Gilbert.
“This transformative project will bring new jobs—not only strengthening our economy, but creating opportunities for people to be part of something bigger: a space where hope, healing, and compassionate care come together for countless families,” he said.
Following the announcement, the NC Children's team will focus on site planning in the coming months, with a groundbreaking ceremony planned for 2027 and construction expected to take approximately six years.
) -- The Town of Apex has been selected as the home for North Carolina Children's Health Campus. It will be the only freestanding, independent children's hospital in the Carolinas.APEX, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Town of Apex has been selected as the home for North Carolina Children's Health Campus. It will be the only freestanding, independent children's hospital in th...
) -- The Town of Apex has been selected as the home for North Carolina Children's Health Campus. It will be the only freestanding, independent children's hospital in the Carolinas.
APEX, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Town of Apex has been selected as the home for North Carolina Children's Health Campus. It will be the only freestanding, independent children's hospital in the Carolinas.
When construction is complete, the campus will bring 8,000 jobs to Apex and Wake County.
The campus will have 500-beds, a children's outpatient care center, 103 children and adolescent behavioral health beds, and a research and education section backed by UNC and Duke schools of medicine.
Hospital officials believe the massive facility will transform healthcare for North Carolinians and potentially transform the area, too.
"This is a proud moment for this wonderful town, this is a proud moment for the county, and certainly this is a proud moment for the great state of North Carolina," said Duke Health CEO Craig Albanese.
The hospital complex, once completed, will be by far the largest pediatric hospital in North Carolina and will allow Duke Health and UNC Health to pool their resources in new ways.
"By bringing both institutions together that the physicians and nurses that care for kids, Duke and UMC, we now have a critical mass of people that take care of kids, and we can develop specialties within specialties that we can't do right now," said Wesley Burks, CEO of UNC Health.
The hospital campus is the latest addition to Veridia, the more than 1000-acre development off of NC-55 and NC-540 that will also include thousands of homes, new retail, dining and office space and a new Wake Tech Community College campus. In downtown Apex, local business owners are expecting a major impact from the development.
"8000 more people working here every day, hopefully calling Apex home as well, that's big for us," said Kyle Denis, owner of Apex Outfitter & Board Co.
Denis has owned the outerwear shop in downtown Apex for 14 years, seeing firsthand the town's population explosion. He believes the children's hospital is just the latest step in that growth.
"You see it every day. We have customers come in who have moved from California, Michigan, New York, all over. But the growth has been tremendous for sure," he said.
The building will be located at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540.
"We are incredibly excited to confirm Apex and Wake County as the home for NC Children's," said Wesley Burks, M.D., CEO of UNC Health and dean of the UNC School of Medicine.
"This campus will create a brighter, healthier future for generations of children and adolescents across North Carolina and the Southeast, and we're thrilled to have Apex as our home and partner."
A groundbreaking is anticipated in 2027, and construction is expected to take six years.
North Carolina’s only freestanding children’s hospital will be built in Apex, where it’s expected to draw patients from throughout the state and eventually create 8,000 jobs.NC Children’s Health is a partnership of the Triangle’s two academic health systems, Duke Health and UNC Health. They...
North Carolina’s only freestanding children’s hospital will be built in Apex, where it’s expected to draw patients from throughout the state and eventually create 8,000 jobs.
NC Children’s Health is a partnership of the Triangle’s two academic health systems, Duke Health and UNC Health. They announced in January that they planned to build a 500-bed hospital, an outpatient center and a 103-bed behavioral health hospital.
But they were still looking for a place to put it.
On Thursday, Duke and UNC announced that they’ve chosen a 230-acre site near where U.S. 1 and N.C. 540, the Triangle Expressway, meet in southwest Wake County. It will be part of Veridea, a planned development with offices, retail, a new Wake Tech Community College campus and 8,000 homes on more than 1,000 acres.
The announcement was formalized during a ceremony at the Apex Town Hall council chambers, where Duke Health CEO Craig Albanese opened the event to loud cheers and applause from the audience. Several others spoke after him.
Albanese said since Duke Health and UNC first announced their unique partnership in January at the Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh, the most common question they’ve been asked is: Where will the hospital be?
Now, they have an answer — Apex.
Albanese said he began his career as a pediatric surgeon caring for children with chronic and complex medical conditions, and that where and how care is delivered “really, really matters.” That’s why they considered more than 15 sites across the Triangle and several counties. The location needed ample room to grow, strong alignment with town and county leaders, reasonable proximity to both UNC Health and Duke Health, and easy access by car and air — since the destination hospital will care for children from across the country.
“This property meets all those criteria, and it was absolutely, unequivocally the clear choice,” he said.
Both Duke and UNC already have children’s hospitals, as does the region’s other large health system, WakeMed. But the two academic systems say they hope to draw on their expertise and research to provide more sophisticated pediatric care, offering the kind of complex treatments found at the country’s top medical centers.
Dr. Mary Klotman, chief academic officer for Duke Health and dean of the Duke University School of Medicine, said the affiliation between two top academic medical schools provides the infrastructure and faculty needed to attract the best trainees in the country.
Klotman said she anticipates the site will become the primary training location for both primary care pediatricians and pediatric specialists nationwide. She added that the affiliation will also support much-needed clinical trials.
“This is truly a historic moment for us,” Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert said. “It’s truly a golden moment for us. And I would say that secrets like this — this has been a secret. This has been something to keep under wraps — has been really hard to do.”
Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings, a former Apex town council member announced that Wake County will fund more than 100 new pediatric behavioral health beds at NC Children’s Hospital, as well as intensive outpatient care.
“The county’s $4.5 million investment will help address a critical gap in care for children and teens with complex behavioral health conditions” she said.
State Treasurer Brad Briner said the North Carolina pension system owns Veridea, where the hospital will be located. “This sale is a win for everybody involved. It’s a win for our retirees, and for the North Carolina pension system. We’re making a modest profit and unlocking more value in the land,” he said.
Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley highlighted an estimate that beyond the 8,000 direct jobs created, the collaboration would also generate 18,000 indirect jobs. It is expected to bring $800 million in annual wages and add $27 billion to the state’s gross domestic product over 20 years.
Children, said Wesley Burks, UNC Health’s CEO and dean of the UNC School of Medicine, “deserve the very, very best care at home, and that’s what this will do. North Carolina Children’s will provide the highest quality pediatric care ... that you’ll see any place in the country,” he said.
He gave Gilbert, Albanese, and Stallings team jerseys with No. 1 and “NC Children’s Team” written on them.
The partnership will spend the coming months planning the hospital campus and looking for contractors to design and build it. They hope to begin construction in 2027 and expect it will take six years to complete.
Duke and UNC say they’ve been planning a children’s hospital for a decade and the project got a big boost last year when state lawmakers agreed to provide $320 million. They estimate NC Children’s will cost about $3 billion to build and equip, and said in January that about half of that will come from donations.
Before Thursday’s ceremony, Duke and UNC shared additional details about the project with The News & Observer.
“Finding the right home for NC Children’s was among our top priorities, and this location offers the space and access required for a world-class children’s hospital,” Albanese said in a written statement. “From the moment children and families enter the campus, they will know they are in a place built just for them.”
“This campus will create a brighter, healthier future for generations of children and adolescents across North Carolina and the Southeast,” Burks said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have Apex as our home and partner.”
The hospital will also benefit Duke and UNC and other schools and businesses in the region, said Klotman.
“With Apex as our home, NC Children’s will ensure that the Triangle remains a hub and a destination for the best pediatric scientists, teachers and clinicians — convenient to both medical school campuses,” Klotman said in a written statement. “I’m also tremendously excited about the potential for innovation and discovery with NC Children’s and nearby businesses and universities.”
The future North Carolina Children's Hospital, which will be ...
The future North Carolina Children's Hospital, which will be jointly run by UNC Health and Duke Health, will be built in Apex, the two health systems said on Thursday.
Why it matters: The children's hospital is one of the largest developments expected to be built in the state in the coming years, though it is dependent on hundreds of millions of dollars being appropriated from the state budget.
Driving the news: The two health systems have picked the Veridea master-planned community, a 1,000-acre site near the intersection of U.S. 1 and the Triangle Expressway, as the hospital's future home.
Zoom in: NC Children's Health Campus would include a 500-bed hospital, a surgical center, a medical office building as well as the potential of hotels, restaurants and shops for those visiting the hospital from all over the state and country.
The big picture: Outside of providing more health services to the state's youth population, the new location will be a boon for Apex, a town in southern Wake County that has already seen huge growth in the past decade.
What they're saying: "This transformational project will bring new jobs — not only strengthening our economy, but creating opportunities for people to be part of something greater: a space where hope, healing, and compassionate care come together for countless families," Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert said in a statement.
Yes, but: The hospital's future will in part hinge on what North Carolina state lawmakers allocate toward it, and whether they will put any additional dollars toward the project in the near future remains in question.
Threat level: Further complicating matters, the main source of funding for the state's portion of the project would come from the federal government — a nearly $2 billion payment authorized by then-President Joe Biden, in exchange for North Carolina expanding Medicaid in 2023, WRAL reported.
Apex has been chosen as the home of the future Duke-UNC Children’s Hospital, which is anticipated to open in the early 2030s.“Finding the right home for NC Children’s was among our top priorities, and this location offers the space and access required for a world-class children’s hospital,” said Craig Albanese, MD, CEO of Duke Health, in a press release. “From the mom...
Apex has been chosen as the home of the future Duke-UNC Children’s Hospital, which is anticipated to open in the early 2030s.
“Finding the right home for NC Children’s was among our top priorities, and this location offers the space and access required for a world-class children’s hospital,” said Craig Albanese, MD, CEO of Duke Health, in a press release. “From the moment children and families enter the campus, they will know they are in a place built just for them. Most importantly, children with the most complex health issues will have access to the most highly specialized pediatric services — right here in the heart of North Carolina.”
Construction is slated to begin in 2027 on a new hospital planned for approximately 230 acres at the intersection of US-1 and NC-540. The 500-bed facility is projected to create around 8,000 jobs in Apex and Wake County. It will feature a children’s outpatient care center, 103 beds dedicated to children’s and adolescent behavioral health, and a research and education hub supported by both UNC and Duke schools of medicine.
“We are incredibly excited to confirm Apex and Wake County as the home for NC Children’s,” said Wesley Burks, MD, CEO of UNC Health and dean of the UNC School of Medicine, in a press release. “This campus will create a brighter, healthier future for generations of children and adolescents across North Carolina and the Southeast, and we’re thrilled to have Apex as our home and partner.”
The hospital’s campus will be integrated into Veridea — a master-planned, mixed-use community spanning over 1,000 acres. Developed by RXR, Veridea will include 8,000 new homes, 3.5 million square feet of retail and dining space, 12 million square feet of office and research facilities, and a new Wake Tech Community College campus.
In January, Duke and UNC announced they would partner to bring a children’s hospital to the Triangle region.
“As Mayor and the Chair of the Town’s Economic Development Committee, I want to share how extremely proud and excited I am about North Carolina Children’s coming to Apex — a golden moment for our community,” said Apex Mayor, Jacques K. Gilbert, in a press release. “This transformational project will bring new jobs — not only strengthening our economy, but creating opportunities for people to be part of something greater: a space where hope, healing, and compassionate care come together for countless families. I’m deeply moved as I envision the children and families from across North Carolina, the nation, and even the world who will find care and comfort here. This moment reflects the very heart of Apex — a compassionate community and the true peak of hope for all.”
According to the Joint Conference Committee Report on the Current Appropriations Act of 2023, almost $320 million was appropriated for the project in the 2023 budget.
“North Carolina Children’s represents the very best of our state — bringing people together to propel North Carolina forward to the benefit of our citizens, and in this case, particularly our children,” said North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner in a press release. “We are thrilled to help bring this vision to a reality. This sale of land held by our pension fund allows us to make a good return on investment, for NC Children’s to secure a home in a growing and thriving community, and most importantly, our citizens and taxpayers to benefit from both. This is truly a win-win-win.”
For a decade, both institutions have aimed to bring a free-standing children’s hospital to North Carolina. The hospital would be the first of its kind in the state, serving as the flagship hospital comparable, clinically and academically, to top children’s hospitals in the country. Moreover, an adolescent hospital would also be housed within, according to the September announcement.
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