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 Bennett Place 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 Durham, 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 Sandy Creek 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 Nanas or visit Duke Homestead, 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 Durham, 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 Durham, 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 Durham, 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.
Ordering the top employers in Raleigh, Durham, and the greater Triangle can be tricky. Companies aren’t compelled to disclose local headcounts. When asked, some like Cisco and SAS gave general hiring ranges; others like IBM and GlaxoSmithKline declined to share location-specific jobs figures at all.But while employers don’t have to inform the public how many workers they have in the area, the vast majority do need to tell the government.Each month, every business, school, nonprofit and government agency in the state...
Ordering the top employers in Raleigh, Durham, and the greater Triangle can be tricky. Companies aren’t compelled to disclose local headcounts. When asked, some like Cisco and SAS gave general hiring ranges; others like IBM and GlaxoSmithKline declined to share location-specific jobs figures at all.
But while employers don’t have to inform the public how many workers they have in the area, the vast majority do need to tell the government.
Each month, every business, school, nonprofit and government agency in the state that pays unemployment insurance taxes must report their jobs numbers to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Some professions are exempt from this rule — like active military and elected officials — but it applies to more than 95% of jobs nationwide.
The N.C. Commerce Department keeps these hiring totals confidential. However, four times a year, the state uses this data to rank the biggest employers in all 100 counties — No. 1 to No. 25 — and updates the lists online. It also posts the top 300 employers statewide. Walmart is North Carolina’s largest employer, followed by Duke University.
Despite not displaying precise jobs numbers, the county-level rankings still reveal trends: Which companies appear to be hiring faster and which have receded in relative prominence? Since President Donald Trump retook office, these rankings also clarify to what degree federal policies will affect the Research Triangle workforce, from Duke and NC State to RTI International and the Environmental Protection Agency.
So, what company has replaced IBM as the largest employer in Research Triangle Park? Which are Wake County’s top hirers? And who is the biggest employer in Orange County or the No. 2 employer in Johnston County? Let’s explore.
All data is current through the summer of 2024.
Key takeaways:
Federal actions expected to most impact Duke include a sharp reduction in the proportion of “indirect” costs that the National Institutes of Health would cover for research grants — a change that leaders say could cost the university roughly $194 million per year if it is ultimately enacted. Other proposed or potential actions, such as an increase on taxes for university endowments and cuts to Medicaid and other government-funded health care services, could cost the university an extra $500 million per year, Duke says.
Key takeaways:
One key takeaway:
One of Orange County’s rising employers landed just outside the top 10. The supermarket chain Wegmans opened its Chapel Hill location in 2021 and now is the county’s 11th-biggest employer according to state Commerce Department data.
One key takeaway:
The Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk is the largest private employer in fast-growing Johnston County. It opened its first Clayton facility in 1993 where it makes injectable finished products (IFPs) like insulin pens. In 2015, the drugmaker announced plans to double its facility space southeast of Raleigh with a $1.85 billion investment, then the largest manufacturing commitment in state history. This project completed in 2020 and was the company’s first facility outside of Denmark to manufacture active drugs.
Propelled in part by demand for its weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk in June announced the state’s largest-ever private life science investment, committing $4.1 billion and 1,000 more jobs to grow its Johnston County facility.
One key takeaway:
Chatham County has yet to see two major manufacturing projects from recent years — one from the electric carmaker VinFast and the other from the chipmaker Wolfspeed — make a dent on its top employers list. After promising upwards of 7,500 jobs near the unincorporated town of Moncure, VinFast has postponed its factory plans until at least 2028, telling The N&O in February that the company had “no updates to the site plan or the timeline.”
On the western side of Chatham County, Wolfspeed is close to opening a massive materials plant near Siler City. However, the financially vulnerable company this month announced it would lay off a portion of its Chatham workforce, citing the need to strengthen its balance sheet in order to eventually achieve its commitment to hire 1,800 workers in the county.
All data is current through the summer of 2024.
N&O reporters Korie Dean and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi contributed reporting.
This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
A lot of you told me to listen to this guy:@ssilverstone24Jason Isaac’s mastery of accents is unreal #jasonisaacs #thewhitelotus #whitelotus #slytherin???? #raliegh #southernaccent That’s British actor Jason Isaacs, who’s probably best known for his role as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies. Here he’s pla...
A lot of you told me to listen to this guy:
@ssilverstone24Jason Isaac’s mastery of accents is unreal #jasonisaacs #thewhitelotus #whitelotus #slytherin???? #raliegh #southernaccent
That’s British actor Jason Isaacs, who’s probably best known for his role as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies. Here he’s playing a rich dude from Durham named Timothy Ratliff, who brings his family to a resort in Thailand in season three of The White Lotus. The joke is that Ratliff went to Duke and his wife Victoria (played by Parker Posey) went to UNC. Oh no! Hijinks ensue. Drug-fueled hijinks.
There is no Cooper Flagg storyline (yet). Outside of the show, though, the storyline seems to be about the Ratliff family accents, which at first seemed to be giving Foghorn Leghorn vibes. But what really got people going was this TikTok from Valentine’s Day, in which Isaacs says no, he’s not doing a Southern accent, he’s doing a specific Durham, North Carolina accent:
It's all in the twang. #TheWhiteLotus #HBO #JasonIsaacs #TimothyRatliff
It’s got two vowels in it, he says, that sound like upper class English. That’s the difference.
Here’s the part where I say this is a work of fiction, and one that’s based on over-the-top version of rich people. Put everything into perspective! There’s a lot going on right now! This is not a big deal.
Except, of course, to people who know Durham, who either absolutely love it or absolutely hate it. I’m not going to go out and collect the most unhinged posts and TikToks out there. I’ll let you judge for yourself whether it’s a good accent or not. But I am going to give you at least one datapoint: According to Google Trends, nobody in the United States was was really Googling “Durham accent” before that video came out.
All of this means that during the press tour for The White Lotus, poor Jason Isaacs is constantly getting asked about where he got that accent from, and he has to keep clarifying it. On a morning show in the U.K., he reiterated the two vowels thing (without saying which vowels they were), but also clarified a few things. The biggest thing was that he wasn’t doing a Durham accent per se. Instead, he was talking like a specific guy from Durham. “I don't want to say his name. He might sue me!” Isaacs said. “But I had him in my headphones all the time. He was a local politician from Durham.”
That sent me into overdrive. What Durham politician sounds like that? I was about to fire off a bunch of phone calls and messages until I found this interview from Good Morning America, in which Isaacs admits that he’s talking like Thomas Ravenel.
You may be asking yourself: What part of Durham is Thomas Ravenel from? Trick question! He’s from Charleston. He was South Caroina’s state treasurer for a while. The big bridge down there is named after his dad. And yeah, he was on a reality show called Southern Charm , and once you hear him talk, you sort of get it.
White Lotus showrunner Mike White had the actors in the Ratliff family watch Southern Charm as research for their roles. For what it’s worth, Parker Posey has said her over the top accent comes from a lot of different places, and it’s meant to be funny! Chill out people!
So that explains it. except for that two vowels thing. The fine folks at Indy Week called up Walt Wolfram at NC State, a professor who’s been studying North Carolina accents for decades. He had a theory:
“We’ve done over 3,500 interviews everywhere in North Carolina over the last 30 years. And no one has ever said that there is anything unique about a couple of vowels in Durham,” says the expert. He adds that a dialect coach likely told Isaacs to focus on a few key sounds, since it would be impossible to nail down an entire dialect in a short time.
“Nobody after puberty can just step in and learn a dialect like that,” says Wolfram.
He likes Posey’s accent a little bit better, and he also thinks that it’s accurate that the kids seem to have no Southern accent at all. That’s become more and more of A Thing in the Raleigh area as more and more outsiders move in. So no, the accents aren’t picture perfect. But once again, this proves that people really do care a lot about where they’re from, especially when those places are represented in TV shows and movies.
Anyhow, mystery solved. Except for this T-shirt in the show, which seems to come from a dead bank that was once based on Charlotte. I can’t seem to find anyone else who’s ever had it. Is it real? Or is it just a Durham accent?
The plant will manufacture the HPV vaccines Gardasil and Gardasil 9, while the site as a whole continues to produce vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, among other illnesses.DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Drugmaker Merck announced Tuesday the opening of a new facility in North Durham.The $1 billion plant will manufacture the HPV vaccines Gardasil and Gardasil 9, while the site continues to produce vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, among other illnesses"This level of investment a...
The plant will manufacture the HPV vaccines Gardasil and Gardasil 9, while the site as a whole continues to produce vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, among other illnesses.
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Drugmaker Merck announced Tuesday the opening of a new facility in North Durham.
The $1 billion plant will manufacture the HPV vaccines Gardasil and Gardasil 9, while the site continues to produce vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, among other illnesses
"This level of investment and commitment speaks so powerfully to the work we do here in Durham," Amanda Taylor, vice president and plant manager at the Merck Manufacturing Division site in Durham, said. "To see the pride and the energy of the people who work here and are helping drive this evolution in our capabilities is just phenomenal."
For at least two decades, Merck has been in the Bull City, producing millions of doses and creating thousands of jobs. Merck said it now employs more than 1,000 workers in Durham.
"We're talking $1 billion expansion," Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams said. "That means more opportunities for more jobs right here in Durham, more training programs that we could actually employ, just more opportunities for them to become a bigger, more impactful corporate neighbor."
ABC11 Eyewitness News spoke with Mayor Williams as he was in D.C. to talk about the economy and its impacts on the Bull City with other leaders nationwide. Williams said the expansion is a "great advantage" at the local level to strengthen the economy.
"If Merck is expanding their footprint, we're expanding opportunities to have more workforce development," Williams said.
The expansion comes as the life sciences industry is "growing dramatically" in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, also known as NCBiotech.Senior vice president for science and business development, Mary Beth Thomas, said in just 2024, there were 25 different company announcements about growth and expansion.
"Of those 25 announcements, there were 4,500 jobs that are proposed to be made, and that ends up equating to over $10 billion of investment from those companies influencing 16 different communities across the state," Thomas said. "So this is really dramatic, but that growth has been really incredibly high here in Durham County."
Despite the uncertainty at the federal level under the Trump Administration, including threats to medical research funding, which is a core aspect of the life sciences industry, the outlook appears healthy, according to Thomas.
"We have a lot of great institutions that have not only gotten started but are actively expanding in North Carolina," Thomas said. "They are significant investments that are not going to go away in just an overnight type of situation. They will continue, and our hope is they will continue to grow here in North Carolina."
SEE ALSO | Durham to be home base for new 'Smart USA' CHIPS manufacturing, a first-of-its-kind
SEE ALSO | Biotech giant Amgen celebrates opening of new campus in Holly Springs
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Explore unique activities in Durham, NC, and experience fun spring adventures. Dive into the local culture and find the next exciting event! Plan your trip now.Too many people wait until summer to explore Durham, but they're missing out on the best time of year. The city comes alive in spring, with cherry blossoms framing downtown, live music filling the parks, and hiking trails bursting with wildflowers.The best part? You can enjoy all the activities in Durham, NC, without the heat and humidity that make July feel like a test ...
Explore unique activities in Durham, NC, and experience fun spring adventures. Dive into the local culture and find the next exciting event! Plan your trip now.
Too many people wait until summer to explore Durham, but they're missing out on the best time of year. The city comes alive in spring, with cherry blossoms framing downtown, live music filling the parks, and hiking trails bursting with wildflowers.
The best part? You can enjoy all the activities in Durham, NC, without the heat and humidity that make July feel like a test of endurance.
Spring in Durham is an invitation to sip craft beer on a sun-drenched patio, to catch a Durham Bulls game under the lights, or to hike the Eno River before the summer crowds take over. If you've been waiting for the perfect time to experience the city, this is it. These activities in Durham, NC, will make your spring one to remember.
Spring in Durham means longer days, mild temperatures, and plenty of chances to get outside. The city offers an incredible mix of parks, trails, and gardens that are perfect for enjoying the season.
Whether you want a quiet nature walk or something more active, there are plenty of outdoor activities in Durham to explore.
Duke Gardens is one of the most popular Durham attractions, drawing thousands of visitors every spring. Covering 55 acres, it offers walking trails, koi ponds, and endless spots to take in the season's colors. Tulips, cherry blossoms, and daffodils peak in March and April, which makes this the best time to visit.
For those who prefer more movement, Durham's trail system is pretty impressive. The American Tobacco Trail stretches nearly 23 miles, running through Durham and beyond. It's great for cycling, jogging or even a casual stroll.
If you'd rather go for a hike, Eno River State Park has miles of wooded trails, plus spots where you can cool off in the river.
A visit to the Durham Farmers' Market is another way to experience spring in Durham. Located in Durham Central Park, this market runs year-round, but spring weekends bring fresh strawberries, local honey and handmade goods.
Some local favorites to check out at the market include:
Durham's arts and entertainment scene really comes alive in the spring. From art galleries to live performances, there's no shortage of ways to soak in the city's creative side.
Located at Duke University, the Nasher Museum of Art features contemporary and historical collections. It's a great place to check out new exhibitions while enjoying a quiet afternoon indoors. They often host artist talks and events that make the experience even more interesting.
If you enjoy live entertainment, DPAC is a top choice. Spring shows range from Broadway hits to comedy acts and concerts, so there's something for everyone. Tickets sell out quickly for bigger performances, so checking the schedule early is a good idea.
For a mix of shopping, dining, and art, Brightleaf Square is a great stop. Located in historic tobacco warehouses, the area is home to independent boutiques, local artists, and outdoor dining options. The brick-lined walkways and string lights add to the atmosphere, making it a great place to spend an evening.
Spring means festival season in Durham and food lovers have a lot to look forward to. Local chefs, food trucks, and restaurants bring out their best seasonal dishes, making it a great time to explore the city's diverse food scene.
For over 50 years, the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival has honored African American culture, history, and traditions. This free event brings together live performances, cultural dances, and incredible food vendors.
Attendees can experience traditional and modern cuisine that highlights the African diaspora.
If you're looking for family activities in Durham, NC, with great food, this festival is a top pick. It features soul food trucks, live entertainment, and games for kids. This event takes place at Durham Central Park, where there's plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the day.
Durham's spring weather is perfect for outdoor dining, and many restaurants have patios made for soaking up the sunshine. Some of the best spots include:
Spring events in Durham tend to draw big crowds. Whether you're into film, music, or baseball, there's something happening every weekend.
This internationally recognized film festival takes place in downtown Durham every April. It brings together filmmakers and documentary lovers for screenings and discussions. Many of the films shown here go on to win major awards.
Baseball fans look forward to the Durham Bulls season opener every spring. The stadium, located in the heart of downtown, is known for its lively atmosphere and affordable ticket prices.
Live music fans can catch free concerts at Durham Central Park on select weekends. These shows feature a mix of local bands, food trucks, and craft beer vendors, making it a great way to spend an evening outdoors.
From scenic trails to food festivals and live music, Durham is brimming with ways to celebrate the season. Whether you're planning a quick getaway or looking for the best activities in Durham, NC, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy the city this spring.
For the latest on Durham weekend events, family activities in Durham, NC, and everything happening across the Triangle, WRAL has you covered. With real-time updates, exclusive event spotlights, and the most trusted local coverage, WRAL makes it easy to plan your next adventure.
Check out our Out & About section today and get the inside scoop on what's happening in your city.
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Within an hour of trading Friday morning, the Durham semiconductor manufacturer Wolfspeed had lost half its value. Its shares dove below $2.80 before eventually plateauing around lunchtime. By percentage, it ended up being the biggest single-day decline in Wolfspeed’s 32 years as a public company.The reason for this drop wasn’t immediately clear.Unwelcome Wall Street turns have become common for the wobbling North Carolina firm, whose stock sold above $100 as recently as two and a half years ago. At that time, Wolfs...
Within an hour of trading Friday morning, the Durham semiconductor manufacturer Wolfspeed had lost half its value. Its shares dove below $2.80 before eventually plateauing around lunchtime. By percentage, it ended up being the biggest single-day decline in Wolfspeed’s 32 years as a public company.
The reason for this drop wasn’t immediately clear.
Unwelcome Wall Street turns have become common for the wobbling North Carolina firm, whose stock sold above $100 as recently as two and a half years ago. At that time, Wolfspeed was well into a transformation under then-CEO Gregg Lowe, divesting its lighting and radio frequency divisions — and ditching its original name, Cree — to exclusively produce a special semiconductor material called silicon carbide.
Wolfspeed both makes silicon carbide, which promises higher efficiency than standard silicon, and fabricates it into chips for electric vehicles, power systems and other industrial applications. In 2022, Wolfspeed opened a fabrication plant in New York State’s Mohawk Valley and announced plans to build a massive materials facility near Siler City in western Chatham County.
But optimism around Wolfspeed’s big semiconductor bet has been replaced by fears over its future. Softer demand for electric vehicles mixed with production delays at its Mohawk Valley facility and looming debt obligations have raised liquidity concerns. In November, Wolfspeed fired Lowe as its top executive. By then, one of Durham’s largest employers had already reduced its staff roughly 20% through layoffs, buyouts and attrition. In early March, it announced additional layoffs as one of several “aggressive steps to strengthen its balance sheet.”
Uncertainties surrounding the company’s outlook resurfaced late last week. Midday Friday, after its stock halved, Wolfspeed released a statement reiterating the belt-tightening steps it would take to strengthen its finances. The release also included news that Wolfspeed had received another $192.1 million in expected tax refunds through a provision of the federal CHIPS and Science Act.
But what happened last week to require this statement? One possibility involves a different portion of the CHIPS Act, the bipartisan bill passed in 2022 to support U.S. semiconductor production.
On Thursday morning, Wolfspeed named long-time semiconductor industry executive Robert Feurle its next CEO. During a press conference discussing the hiring, Wolfspeed board chair and interim CEO Thomas Werner also addressed the company’s prospective $750 million CHIPS Act award, which the Biden administration announced in October but did not finalize before leaving office.
In early March, President Donald Trump called the CHIPS program “a horrible, horrible thing” and advised U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to repurpose what money the office hadn’t already spent.
“I would say that it’s likely that the parameters of CHIP funding ... are likely to evolve some because the company has evolved, and because the CHIPS office is different,” Werner said Thursday.
Some saw the new CEO selection as evidence Wolfspeed won’t see the CHIPS dollars.
“We believe the timing of this appointment raises concerns about WOLF’s ability to have its $750M CHIPS Act grant awarded, especially given Feurle’s lack of CEO experience,” CRFA Research analyst Brooks Idlet wrote in a March 28 note, adding that losing this grant could necessitate “a major restructuring” at the Durham company.
In its statement Friday, Wolfspeed noted it continues “constructive dialogue with the White House” regarding domestic semiconductor production.
Another potential reason for Friday’s selloff involves reporting about the status of Wolfspeed’s debt, which is also linked to its CHIPS funding.
Under its preliminary CHIPS agreement with the Biden administration, Wolfspeed agreed to first restructure $575 million in convertible debt that it owes creditors on May 1, 2026. This is debt the company issued to help fund investments like its Mohawk Valley and Siler City factories.
Convertible bonds give holders the option to be paid back at a future date in company equity or cash with interest. Given Wolfspeed’s suppressed stock price, debt holders would likely elect for cash under the current arrangements.
“Wolfspeed continues to explore alternatives with regard to its convertible notes, in partnership with its advisors, and remains in a dialogue with lenders, including Apollo and Renesas,” the company said in its statement Friday.
But early that afternoon, Bloomberg cited “people with knowledge of the matter” who said Wolfspeed was struggling to refinance this debt. “Based on where the company’s stock is currently trading, a conversion to equity is unlikely unless that price reaches $47.32,” Bloomberg wrote.
“We cannot comment on speculation,” Wolfspeed head of investor relations Tyler Gronbach said in an email Friday.
Wolfspeed overall has issued more than $3 billion in convertible bonds in recent years and has future debt obligations of $750 million in 2028, $1.75 billion due in 2029, and $1.25 billion due in 2030.
On Monday, following its worst market day in history, Wolfspeed shares rebounded 18% to inch the company share price above $3. This still marked its lowest stock price since 1998.
While this is poor news for Wolfspeed shareholders, its good news for those who have made the company one of the market’s most-shorted stocks. And it some cases, the shorters and shareholders may actually be the same people as investment firms short stocks in companies they have lent money to as a hedge.
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Brian Gordon is the Business & Technology reporter for The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun. He writes about jobs, start-ups and all the big tech things transforming the Triangle. Brian previously worked as a senior statewide reporter for the USA Today Network. Please contact him via email, phone, or Signal at 919-861-1238.
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