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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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

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Home Care In Currie, NC

Home Care Currie, NC

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 1921 Fort Fisher Monument 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 Currie, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Currie, NC

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Betty H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Betty T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Laura B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Bull H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”

Kim M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I'm a beginner with the company. You must be patient when applying and beautiful things will unfold for you. This company has great position offers. Come check them out for yourself! ????”

Casual T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Charles K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Joanne S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Watching your parents age is an emotional experience. My mother has suffered from emphysema since the early 2000s and was diagnosed with dementia in 2018. We've worked with many companies to provide care for her and companionship. Since 2020, as my mother has significantly declined, we've had to make the decision to move her into a facility. For the past three years, Always Best, and more specifically Nancy Newcomer, has provided consistent and quality care for our family. Nancy is always on time, caring, and reliable. We've experienced companies with high turnover and feel blessed to have had Nancy's support for three years. She doesn’t do this solely for a paycheck but also checks on my dad on her days off and genuinely cares. I'd highly recommend this company to help care for your aging loved ones.”

Alison B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Other Navigation through the process of finding a Memory Care Facility for my husband. The Owner. Met with my daughter and me. We included my husband. Right away we could hear see and feel this man's compassionate heart. He cared for his own aging family members and can relate. He personally called to check in with us despite the fact that we needed a facility and not home care. Taking it one step further he went on tours with us and we discussed pros and cons without his bias of one over another. Once our loved one was placed this gentleman continued advising at our initiation of calls. He never failed to call back. Highly recommend this man.”

Sharon
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TESTIMONIALS

“Phenomenal services providing peace of mind during difficult times when your elderly loved ones need you the most. Highly recommend!”

Stephanie B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I could not be happier with this service. I schedule care in 15 minute or 30 minute visits for 6 visits a day. They make sure that my 96 year old mother takes her meds, walks to meals, they deliver her meals when she is too tired to walk, they water her plants, bathe her, they will help in anyway to provide the best care. Shawn Cothran, the owner, made a personal visit to her room to make sure she had all that she needs. The caregivers; Vera, Jackie, Toni, Elizabeth and many others could not be better. I highly recommend this service.”

Sandra D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I Love Always Best Care, we have an amazing team and I am lucky to be surrounded by such caring hearts.”

Shawn C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider Staff helped guide and navigate options for my mother. We found a new home for her and the extra attention she is now receiving has given both the family and her comfort and peace of mind. It is a challenging transition and the help was invaluable. Many thanks!”

Jody J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out of the hospital until he passed away 8 months later. The nurse was very fast and efficient and met us at his residence when we arrived from the hospital. Many caregivers were so sweet and careful with him and were helpful to my mother as well. He would be happy to see their smiling faces. They were also very accommodating for schedule and other changes. I would highly recommend them!”

LdaviesNC
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TESTIMONIALS

“ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out of the hospital until he passed away 8 months later. The nurse was very fast and efficient and met us at his residence when we arrived from the hospital. Many caregivers were so sweet and careful with him and were helpful to my mother as well. He would be happy to see their smiling faces. They were also very accommodating for schedule and other changes. I would highly recommend them!”

Lisa D.
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“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.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”

Angela K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We recently had to move my Dad from one senior care center to another. It was wonderful to have Paige from Always Best Care make all the appointments and show us different options. She knew all the ins & outs, positives & negatives and was such a huge help in finding him a new place to live! I highly recommend this service to anyone in need of finding a place for their loved one.”

Erin T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Oh my goodness! I was at the very bottom of my rope with no where to turn. Almost overnight, my mom went from being totally independent to needing assisted living, and I didn't know where or how to even start. The hospital was breathing down my neck to get her out of there, and I had nowhere to take her. I couldn't provide the care she needed at home. Then a friend sent me a copy of Shawn Cothran's business card. She said he could help. Shawn called me when I was at my lowest point. He offered me hope with the possibility of placement the same day or next for my mom. By that afternoon, we had signed a contract and placed a bed in mom's new home. The next day, she moved in to a very nice, beautiful and caring community. I will be forever grateful to Always Best Care Senior Services and Shawn!!”

Michele W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I started with Always Best Care in October of 2018 and they have been fabulous with their flexibility. I have been able to make my own schedule to accommodate other things in my life.”

cassidy O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Other Nurses aide care my elderly parent receives is excellent. Aides all well trained, caring, professional, and “go the extra mile”. Aides arrive as scheduled and maintain very good communication with the family. Owner goes out of her way to respond to requests in timely fashion. We recommend this agency strongly to friends who have parents who need care. What a blessing ABC has been to our parent and entire family. A model of what quality care looks like!”

Susan101
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“I am a past client of this provider Always Best went above and beyond to help us navigate a family crisis, and we literally could not have done it without them. Everyone we worked with was caring, patient and responsive.”

Kelley F.
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“I am a current client of this provider I called on a Monday & had a care giver on Tuesday. The caregivers are always on time. Asking if there are any changes to the schedule. They fix her lunch every day and do the dishes. Amy is very attentive to my mother. She ensures she does her exercises like she is supposed to a d even does then with her. The care they give has greatly reduced my stress.”

NNR
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was a God sent when my Mother broke her hip at 99 years old about 4 years ago. They provided 24 hour care at her place while we were getting our home ready for her to come and live with us. My wife and I both worked and needed a care service that we trusted to come into our house and not only provide excellent care for our loved one, but also treaded our home with respect. And Stephine's angels at Always Best Care were the answer to our prayers. Caregivers Cheryle and Mellissa provided a loving service that I believe extended my mother's life to 103, with the one on one care that you get in a comfortable home environment, rather than a group care that you get at at a nursing facility . We will always be grateful to Always Best Care.”

Roy T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Other When we first started with Always Best Care, it was just to have somebody come visit mom once a week at assisted-living they care whatever needed to be done, going with her on errands and so on. They were great. Their support really became important, however, when mom fractured her pelvis. I texted Sanjay, the CEO and they were at the hospital with CMTs as soon as she got her room. That was important, because mom was not entirely aware that she had fractured her pelvis, would keep trying to get up, and the hospital had not yet resourced a sitter. They also provided in room sitter services for mom when she was in rehab, at a facility they helped us down-select to. Then, when she was released from rehab, they helped locate a micro-community that provided Mom with the extra support she needed, after discussing the issues we needed to work through via conference call when there was more than could be managed via txt or email. I live out of state, so we could not have done this without them. Sanjay and team really care about the patient, and were always available. They have my highest recommendation. -WRJ, Raleigh NC”

WRJ

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Currie, NC?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Currie, NC

Types of Elderly Care in Currie, NC

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Currie, NC
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Currie, NC
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 Moores Creek National Battlefield with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Currie, NC
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 Johnson Corner Grill or visit Mill Prong Preservation, Inc., 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.

 In-Home Care Currie, NC

Benefits of Home Care in Currie, NC

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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

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

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 Currie, 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.

 Elderly Care Currie, NC

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your NC's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Currie, NC

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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

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

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

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Currie, NC

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Currie, NC

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:

  • Dayspring of Wallace
  • Champions Assisted Living
  • Ashe Gardens Memory Care
  • Carolina Residential Services
  • The Laurels of Pender
  • Smith Family Care Home
Home Care Currie, NC

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.

 In-Home Care Currie, NC

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Currie, 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.

 Elderly Care Currie, NC

Latest News in Currie, NC

Currie resident recovering from hurricanes Matthew and Florence gets long awaited relief

CURRIE, N.C. (WECT) - The first thing Woodrow Lloyd sees each morning when he gets out of his camper is what’s left of his home.Hurricane Matthew dumped two feet of water inside his house on Keith Road. In the middle of cleaning up that damage, Hurricane Florence struck.He’s lived in FEMA campers and hotels since the hurricanes, but moved into a friend’s white camper back in February.”It’s miserable. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” said Woodrow Lloyd.To add insult...

CURRIE, N.C. (WECT) - The first thing Woodrow Lloyd sees each morning when he gets out of his camper is what’s left of his home.

Hurricane Matthew dumped two feet of water inside his house on Keith Road. In the middle of cleaning up that damage, Hurricane Florence struck.

He’s lived in FEMA campers and hotels since the hurricanes, but moved into a friend’s white camper back in February.

”It’s miserable. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” said Woodrow Lloyd.

To add insult to injury, Lloyd was approved for federal disaster funding after Florence, but found out at the last minute his eligibility status changed. The ink was already dry on the contract for the rebuild and he had already picked out his new house when he was notified he was no longer eligible for the repairs.

”Everybody knew that Woodrow had just fallen through the cracks and it wasn’t right,” said Mike Moser, site coordinator for Baptists on Mission Pender Rebuild.

Pender County and the Office of State Budget Management have since become involved. This week, Pender County commissioners approved disaster recovery funds to allow Baptists on Mission to rebuild his home.

Now, when he looks out from the camper, he sees volunteers hard at work. Lloyd’s home is expected to be finished in a matter of months.

“Damage from Hurricane Florence is not over. It hasn’t gone away and we probably have another year and a half to two years worth of work to do and that’s hoping and praying that we don’t get another hurricane,” said Moser. “We keep getting referrals from people that, for whatever reason, were going under false hopes that they were on somebody’s list to help them and time keeps on going by and now we’re over two years past and some of them are still waiting.”

Moser still sees homes where the damage is cordoned off with plastic. Lloyd says he’s seen the entire landscape of the community change since Florence.

”If you go around the Canetuck area here you see this place looks like a ghost town. Used to be two mobile homes over there. The neighbor’s—that’s gone. The flood took it. They had to tear them down,” said Lloyd.

Lloyd’s property though is special to him, having spent his entire life here. His house will be elevated in the coming weeks, allowing him to stay here for good and weather any storms that might come his way.

”I’m so thankful to be this far and I think it’s going to hit me when I move into the house I think that’s when everything is going to come down and I’ll be grateful,” said Lloyd.

Moser says they’ve had volunteers from 42 different states help rebuild homes with the Baptists on Mission group. If you’re interested in getting involved, you can find more information here.

Copyright 2021 WECT. All rights reserved.

Environmental groups file civil rights complaint against DEQ over scant poultry farm regulations

Jefferson Currie, the Lumber River Riverkeeper, drove his truck down St. Paul’s Road, a narrow, sandy stretch near the Robeson-Hoke County line and began counting the chicken barns: “Four, eight, twelve … this is a 48-barn operation,” Currie said, “at 35,000 per barn” – doing the math, that’s roughly 1.7 million birds being raised for Mountaire Farms in nearby Lumber Bridge.Feces, feathers, urine: All of it stinking, shedding and seeping into the air and water in largely non-white, low-...

Jefferson Currie, the Lumber River Riverkeeper, drove his truck down St. Paul’s Road, a narrow, sandy stretch near the Robeson-Hoke County line and began counting the chicken barns: “Four, eight, twelve … this is a 48-barn operation,” Currie said, “at 35,000 per barn” – doing the math, that’s roughly 1.7 million birds being raised for Mountaire Farms in nearby Lumber Bridge.

Feces, feathers, urine: All of it stinking, shedding and seeping into the air and water in largely non-white, low-income neighborhoods throughout North Carolina, especially those east of I-95.

Currie, in his capacity as river keeper, Robeson County environmental organizer Donna Chavis, and Friends of the Earth filed a complaint with the EPA’s Office of Civil Rights alleging that the NC Department of Environmental Quality has failed to adequately regulate the poultry industry, which illegally discriminates against Native, Black and Latinx communities in Robeson, Duplin and Sampson Counties.

The complainants are represented by the Environmental Justice Clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School.

Sharon Martin, DEQ deputy secretary for public affairs, said the agency had not yet received the complaint.

The farms in question are those that manage “dry litter” – manure, urine, feathers and other waste from the enormous operations – which is stored in open barns or fields. The waste, roughly 2.5 billion pounds per year – is eventually spread on farmland as fertilizer. These farms, which house millions of birds, aren’t required to obtain a state permit.

Only farms that use “liquid waste management systems” – wet litter – are subject to permitting requirements. There are only 19 “wet litter” farms in North Carolina, according to state data, accounting for 550,000 birds – a fraction of the 1 billion raised in the state each year.

But that distinction is a matter of semantics. Under state rules, the “dry litter” piled in the fields is allowed to sit for as long as 90 days. During that time, rain can wash the manure into nearby waterways, spiking levels of pollution into streams, wetlands, lakes and even drinking water supplies.

The contaminants include fecal bacteria, ammonia, nitrogen, phosphorus, nitrate and even tetracycline, an antibiotic used in the poultry industry, according to test results by riverkeepers, including Currie.

Fecal bacteria can make people sick if they ingest the water through drinking, swimming, tubing and other recreational activities. Phosphorus and nitrogen contribute to algal blooms, some of which are toxic to people, animals and aquatic life.

The waste piles also attract rodents and flies – and they reek of the shrill smell of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. The piles also emit fine particulate matter, which can exacerbate asthma and harm human health.

When the waste is applied on farm fields as fertilizer, the pollution continues, but is not comprehensively tracked by state regulators. “We don’t even know where the manure is being hauled.”

The civil rights complaint quotes Henry Brewer, a lifelong resident of Robeson County, as he describes the litter or “crust” from the farms:

“Crust is dumped across the street from my house around every hundred days . . . Each of the five piles is over eight feet tall. They stand there and start fuming off. The odor is terrible. Sometimes it feels like the flies are about to eat us alive — the dogs can’t even live in the yard.”

This regulatory exemption for the poultry industry also keeps secret the locations of the farms. Unlike hog operations, which must have a permit and whose locations and owners are listed in a public database, there is not similar transparency for dry litter operations. Only the state Department of Agriculture has a database of these exempt farms, which state law allows it to keep confidential.

Aerial flyovers can detect many of the farms, but the only comprehensive way to tally the location and number is to go county-by-county and analyze building permits.

“As a result of this unchecked regulation, dry litter poultry facilities are overwhelmingly concentrated in areas already overburdened with a long history of environmental discrimination, particularly stemming from the hog industry,” the civil rights complaint reads. By failing to regulate the poultry industry, the complaint alleges, DEQ is disproportionately burdening predominantly non-white communities, who are protected under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 from “cumulative impacts.”

Without considering the locations and pollution from these unregulated poultry farms, “DEQ cannot accurately consider cumulative impacts on water quality in its other permitting processes as it is required to do by state statute,” the complaint reads. “Each time DEQ issues a permit without considering the cumulative impacts of dry litter poultry facilities, it is a discrete violation of Title VI.”

The complaint also alleges that DEQ’s “failure to implement a comprehensive and effective permitting regime for dry litter poultry facilities is a systemic violation” of the Civil Rights Act.

These same communities are burdened with giant hog operations and their attendant open-air waste lagoons and spray fields – also a major source of water and air pollution.

In 2014, several environmental groups filed a civil rights complaint related to DEQ’s weak regulations over the swine farms. Four years later, the parties reached a settlement agreement that included timelines for investigating complaints and considering all information submitted by complainants. Under the agreement, DEQ must publicly document how it responds to citizen complaints.

The agency’s Community Mapping System, which allows the public to see all permitted pollution sources in the state – was also part of the settlement. However, dry poultry, lacking permits, is not available through the system.

The complainants are asking DEQ to take several steps to improve its poultry program:

“Dry litter poultry facilities comprise the largest industry in North Carolina yet have been unlawfully allowed to operate without adequate regulations in place,” said Hallie Templeton, Legal Director for Friends of the Earth in a press release. “This lack of regulation fails to protect the environment and nearby communities from industrial agriculture pollution. It also prevents state officials and the public from accessing vital statistics and records related to the industry. Today’s filing launches the first step toward finally securing much needed standards for this prevalent and destructive industry.”

What's the connection between Pender County and 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?'

In west Pender County born and raised, on a farm is where he spent most of his days.Yamacraw to be exact.It’s the home of Philip Banks, affectionally known as Uncle Phil by his nephew Will Smith in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" — a 1990s sitcom about a teenager sent to live in a rich Los Angeles neighborhood with his relatives after running into trouble on a West Philadelphia basketball court.Banks and the beloved characters have returned to television through ...

In west Pender County born and raised, on a farm is where he spent most of his days.

Yamacraw to be exact.

It’s the home of Philip Banks, affectionally known as Uncle Phil by his nephew Will Smith in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" — a 1990s sitcom about a teenager sent to live in a rich Los Angeles neighborhood with his relatives after running into trouble on a West Philadelphia basketball court.

Banks and the beloved characters have returned to television through Peacock’s “Bel-Air,” a one-hour drama series set in modern times. Once again, Yamacraw is being represented through Uncle Phil, a lawyer running to be a district attorney. He is being played by actor Adrian Holmes.

The unincorporated community is located in the Currie section of Pender County between Atkinson and Burgaw. Residents say there's not much there and the only thing letting drivers know they're in Yamacraw is a small sign before the intersection of Bell Williams and the John Henry Store roads.

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At the Yaya Mini Mart in Currie, clerk Betty Martin wouldn't have any problems giving directions if asked.

“It’s just like being out in the country,” she said. “Around here there is not a neighborhood or subdivision.”

It's an area Kendrick Holmes is pretty familiar with. The Pender County resident enjoyed watching the show and the references to the area, especially in episode three, titled "Yamacraw." Holmes and Martin said it's good to have representation of someone coming from a rural community and becoming successful

“I really like it and it’s cool,” Holmes said. “Work hard or you’re not going to get anything.”

Why Yamacraw?

Michael Y. Taylor, a longtime board member of the Pender County Historical Society, doesn't know how the name came to be in Pender County. However, Gary E. Trawick, author of "Born in Reconstruction: the story of Pender County," said the earliest mention of Yamacraw he found in the area was a 1788 reference to an early Presbyterian meeting house at this location.

“I have never heard a satisfactory explanation of the origin of why the rural community in Pender County is called Yamacraw,” Taylor said. “However, the place name is also found in several other states.”

Like us on Facebook:Head to Pender Today to join the conversation on county events and issues

A 2007 Pender Post article provided by the Pender County Library reported it may have came from a Georgia town named after a Native Americans band or other stories involving an argument where the words “yam” and “craw” were mentioned.

But how did Yamacraw end up on the script for Philip Banks?

The connection may have come from Samm-Art Williams, an American playwright and screenwriter from Burgaw, which is about a 16-minute drive to Yamacraw. He was an executive producer and writer for the Fresh Prince show in the 1990s.

Sticking with the 'Yamacraw' script

Bel-Air is executive produced by Will Smith and was inspired by a viral trailer made by writer and director Morgan Cooper reimagining the original show with a grittier concept.

Co-showrunner and executive producer Rasheed Newson said they didn’t want to change the Yamacraw roots of the original character, played by the late James Avery, and said it was a perfect part of the story.

“We liked it,” Newson said. “If you look at the mansion he’s living in and you look at LA and the community of Bel-Air, it just spoke to his arc. He started on a farm and now he lives in a mansion.”

A citrus farm is on the exterior of the Banks mansion. Newson said it was a way for him to stay connected to his agricultural roots by planting something in the earth and seeing the fruits of his labor. Agricultural art is also in his office, which represents his upbringing.

Newson said it also lets people from a small town feel like they’re part of the story, too, even though it takes place in the nation's second largest city.

“One of the things we were trying to do when we built this show is that we hope when you watch the Banks family, you saw yourself represented there somewhere in one of those characters and you felt you could have a seat at the table and join them for dinners," Newson said.

“By having Uncle Phil have these roots, if you come from a rural place, he’s somebody you could talk to about growing up in a small town. It also helps Adrian ground his character. He loved having that backstory and something specific to work with as he was building his own version of Uncle Phil.”

As the series continues, Newson said he would like to have some of his relatives from Yamacraw visit Bel-Air. He also emphasized having a character from rural America is something he wants people to take serious as well, while referring to colleagues from small towns.

"I think too often, rural sort of gets portrayed in this negative light,” he said. “We’re not doing that. We’re proud that he’s from Yamacraw, and we honor that.”

Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at [email protected].

Obituary for Daniel L. Currie, Jr.

Daniel L. Currie, Jr., Captain, USN (retired) was born at home in Hamlet, N.C., on August 24th, 1938. His father was Daniel L. Currie, and his mother was Ailcey (Freeman) Currie. He has two siblings, Cecilia Pearl (1942) and Eugene Freeman (1950). When he was 12 years old, his father took a job in Aberdeen, N.C., 30 miles away from Hamlet. They moved to Aberdeen in 1950, and he entered the 6th grade.After graduation from Aberdeen High, he headed to Chapel Hill to enter the fall class in 1957. The University had awarded him a small sel...

Daniel L. Currie, Jr., Captain, USN (retired) was born at home in Hamlet, N.C., on August 24th, 1938. His father was Daniel L. Currie, and his mother was Ailcey (Freeman) Currie. He has two siblings, Cecilia Pearl (1942) and Eugene Freeman (1950). When he was 12 years old, his father took a job in Aberdeen, N.C., 30 miles away from Hamlet. They moved to Aberdeen in 1950, and he entered the 6th grade.

After graduation from Aberdeen High, he headed to Chapel Hill to enter the fall class in 1957. The University had awarded him a small self-help scholarship that provided tuition and fees, and a job in Lenoir dining hall that provided meals. The rest was up to him. Despite the work load, he very much enjoyed his four years at Carolina, although he never settled on a major. He graduated in May 1961 and was accepted for employment at the National Security Agency (NSA). Before he left Aberdeen for Fort Meade, Maryland in August, he and Patsy Taylor were engaged. She was the love of his life.

Dan entered the training program at NSA in August and had long range plans for a career there until fate intruded. At that time the draft board was casting a wide net to fill ranks for Vietnam. He was about to be drafted. To forestall becoming an Army “grunt”, he joined the Navy and reported to Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island in the dead of winter. After four grueling months, he was commissioned an ensign in June 1962. Two days after commissioning, he and Patsy were married in Aberdeen. They then set off on an odyssey that would take them all over the world, from Germany to Japan, and from Adak to Oahu in the Pacific, interspersed with lots of time in the Washington, DC area.

His nearly 30 year career was spent in the Naval Security Group (NSG) due to some serendipity. Since his lengthy security clearance for work at NSA had been completed, the Navy saw him as a ready candidate for the NSG, and snapped him up. The NSG and sister services were the collection arm of the NSA. He served at several of the so-called listening posts located around the world including Germany, Adak, Alaska, the Philippines, Okinawa, and Hawaii. These listening posts contained giant antennas that vacuumed up radio emissions from foreign countries. The intercepted radio signals were provided to NSA for analysis and intelligence exploitation. His limited sea duty was spent on aircraft carriers and in submarines. His command tour of duty was as commanding officer of the NSG activity in Okinawa.

He served in the Navy with great joy and pride for nearly 30 years (29 years, 5 months, 22 days) and was quite sad when it came time to retire. His service was enhanced exponentially by his wife, Patsy, who was a wonderful Navy wife. Every three to four years they would pull up stakes and move, and she always was eager to go with a smile on her face. She gladly entertained legions of guests to their home, and was by his side at the many, sometimes boring, social events. She maintained a happy home under often difficult conditions and during his frequent absences. Along the way, she gave him three fine sons who are married to equally fine women. He has five wonderful grandchildren.

They retired to Pensacola, Florida, the closest place to Pacific island weather they could find, hurricanes and all. Dan worked in real estate for five years after retirement. After that, he began volunteer work at the National Museum of Naval Aviation (tour guide and security) and the Pensacola Historic Village (tour guide and archives). They moved to Azalea Trace in March 2013.

A graveside service will be held at 9:30 am, Friday, August 14, 2020 at Barrancas National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate

How One Man Overcame Addiction by Growing the Hottest Peppers in the World

“I’m going to keep on working while we talk,” says Ed Currie, the founder and brains behind PuckerButt Pepper Company.Currie is a busy man. He runs his entire company out of a small storefront in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and sells everything from seeds to pepper mash and hot sauce to more than 95 countries around the world....

“I’m going to keep on working while we talk,” says Ed Currie, the founder and brains behind PuckerButt Pepper Company.

Currie is a busy man. He runs his entire company out of a small storefront in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and sells everything from seeds to pepper mash and hot sauce to more than 95 countries around the world. Currie -- who’s rightfully earned the nickname Smokin’ Ed -- is most famous for creating the Carolina Reaper, which is currently the spiciest commercially-available pepper. With an average of 1,641,000 Scoville heat units (SHU), it also holds the Guinness World Record for Hottest Chili Pepper in the world. For comparison, a jalapeño’s range tops out at a measly 8,000 SHU, and the previous record holder -- the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T -- has 1.46 million SHUs at its very hottest.

Currie has been into hot peppers for decades. The 55-year-old from West Bloomfield Township, Michigan first got into chiles when he went away to the University of Michigan for school, mostly as a way to stay healthy as raucous partying became a way of life.

“I was studying indigenous populations around the equator,” he says. “One of the things they all had in common is they don’t have heart disease or cancer. And one of the things they all had in common was capsicums at just about every meal and in their water. Originally, it was: How can I do something about cancer and heart disease? But really, it was: How could I keep on partying?”

Multiple studies have shown that capsaicin -- the active compound inside chile peppers that produces a burning sensation when it comes into contact with tissue -- does have anticancer properties. In very simple terms, capsaicin causes certain cancer cells to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Basically, studies show that hot peppers have the power to make cancer cells self-destruct. But like many holistic remedies, the evidence behind the cancer-fighting properties of capsaicin isn’t solid enough to use it for actual medical treatment. But there’s definitely enough information there to strongly suggest that spicy food, is in fact, good for you.

Most people don’t get into super hot peppers for the health benefits. Some people indulge in peppers akin to the Reaper for the thrill. Others do it to one-up their friends, even if it makes them feel terrible afterward. Currie fits into a third group, one that he calls the addicts.

“Addicts don’t understand that they’re doing it for the buzz,” he says. “A lot of people in recovery do a lot of stupid hot stuff. They say ‘it makes my food better,’ but they’re getting high. They just don't realize it.”

We know that the human tongue is equipped with taste buds. These receptors identify the five elements of taste -- salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami -- and are responsible for making food taste either pleasant or offensive. Notice that there are no taste buds incidental to spice. Spiciness is a sensation rather than a flavor. The compounds in capsaicin sends a message to your brain and tricks it into thinking you’re being burned. In turn, the brain responds by releasing endorphins (the body’s natural way of relieving pain) and dopamine. Together, these create a euphoric feeling that many would describe as “high.”

“One of the coworkers who’s with me right now, Derrick, me and him made a tincture last Thursday,” Currie says. “And that was so frickin’ hot that when we tried it, both of us were miserable. But then we got a lot of work done because we were both high as kites for about two hours. And that’s just part of what happens.”

I can personally attest to the Carolina Reaper high. I first met Currie at The 7th Annual NYC Hot Sauce Expo, and he offered me a taste of one of his famous tinctures. This particular formula was a mix of Carolina Reaper, Chocolate Blue Bonnet, and Pepper X, which is currently the hottest chile in Currie’s lineup but not available for commercial sale. I immediately started sweating and tearing-up, and grabbed for a can of whipped cream (which was free-flowing at the event) to help dull some of the pain. But after about five minutes, the burning subsided and left a euphoric feeling in its wake. I felt light and energized, and those sensations lasted for the better part of the day.

For some, the pain that comes with the world’s hottest peppers isn’t worth the struggle. But for Currie and many people in his circle, chiles don’t just provide pleasure. “Pretty much all my team is in recovery in one form or another,” he says. “And I truly believe that being part of that fellowship, as well as the chile fellowship, is a support structure.”

Throughout college (he attended seven of them before graduating from Central Michigan University) and the decade following, Currie was addicted to drugs and alcohol. One night he had a revelation of sorts, and checked himself into a rehab facility where he completed a substance-abuse program. Shortly after in 2001, he moved to South Carolina to be close to his parents. That’s when his love for and knowledge of chiles flourished. He began growing his own peppers in the yard and experimenting with crossbreeds.

Interestingly enough, the Carolina Reaper wasn’t a product of some grand scheme to create the hottest pepper, but rather a happy accident of Currie’s botanic experiments.

“The hottest pepper wasn’t hot enough for me back in the '90s,” he says. “When I created the Carolina Reaper, I really wasn’t trying to make the hottest pepper in the world. I was just trying to make something that was good, and it just turned out hot. It turned out that all nine in that series were extremely hot.”

When crossbreeding produce to create something new, you can’t simply watch the experimental plant grow and call it a day. The process of getting a new species approved is a rigorous one that takes the better part of a decade. “It takes eight to 10 years to stabilize a cross breed -- if it works, most of them don’t,” Currie says. “You have to have a geneticist involved and a chemist involved, pretty much the whole time. We get them involved in year two, if things are looking good.” From there, a chemistry lab needs to verify a statistical average of the SHUs.

“Then you can apply to Guinness to get a world record or just get a certificate from the USDA that says it’s a stable crossbreed,” he says. “It takes anywhere from eight to 10 more years for it to become a cultivar, which is what you see for sale at stores.”

Chiles also brought Currie and his wife together. He first spotted her at an AA meeting, but she didn’t pay him any mind. At the next meeting, Currie gave her a jar of homemade peach mango salsa, and the rest is history.

“We got married like nine months later,” he says. “And she is 15 years more clean than me, so being together with her helped me stay clean. All my friends that are in recovery who also participate in my chile madness help me stay clean.”

Currie isn’t here to tell you that peppers are the overarching answer to beating addiction. But for him, obsessing over chiles and PuckerButt has helped him stay away from drugs and alcohol for 20 years.

“Twelve-step recovery is the base of all of it,” he says. “You become a productive member of society, and you learn to look up to your responsibility instead of trucking off and doing stupid shit, excuse my language,” he says.

Currie’s pepper operation was merely a hobby, until his wife convinced him to start a business. When she realized how much hot sauce and salsa they were giving away for free, she encouraged Currie to sell it instead.

“We went to a farmer’s market, and the first weekend we sold like $800 bucks worth,” he says. “When I saw that we could offset some of the costs by doing all of this, I decided to start a business.”

PuckerButt currently brings in more than $1 million in annual revenue and is the biggest organic pepper farm in the United States.

Like anyone who starts a business, Currie admits to making “every mistake there could be” as an entrepreneur. But for him, the drive to make PuckerButt successful was motivated by more than money and world titles. “When I got clean, I figured I really gotta get serious about something, and that [peppers] was one of the things I got serious about,” he says.

Now, Currie’s product is everywhere. The company’s main focus is making and selling pepper mash to manufacturers for things like hot sauce and salsa. If you buy something spicy in the grocery store, chances are the peppers responsible for that heat came from PuckerButt. Enthusiastic as can be, Currie sees a bright future for the company, so long as people remain interested in spice.

“I couldn’t make this up with my very worst lies as a drunk,” he laughs. “I couldn’t! Amazing things keep on happening.”

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