abc-logo
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.

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Home Care In Midvale, UT

Home Care Midvale, UT

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 Midvale's Main Street in Midvale, UT 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 Midvale, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Midvale, UT

location Service Areas

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.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Midvale, UT?

lm-check

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.

lm-check

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

lm-check

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.

lm-check

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 Midvale, UT

Types of Elderly Care in Midvale, UT

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 Midvale, UT
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 Midvale, UT
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 Union Park in Midvale, UT 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 Midvale, UT
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 Hoof Vine or visit Midvale Main Street Mural walk, 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 Midvale, UT

Benefits of Home Care in Midvale, UT

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.

Request More Information vector

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 Midvale, UT, 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 Midvale, UT

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 UT'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 Midvale, UT

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 Midvale, UT 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 Midvale, UT

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 Midvale, UT

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:

  • Spring Gardens Senior Living Midvale
  • Valencia at Cottonwood Heights
  • Cascades at Riverwalk
  • Abbington Senior Living of Murray
  • Rocky Mountain Care Cottage on Vine
  • Holladay Home Assisted Living
Home Care Midvale, UT

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 Midvale, UT

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

lm-right-arrow
01

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

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Midvale, UT 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 Midvale, UT

Latest News in Midvale, UT

Air quality index (AQI?) and PM2.5 air pollution in Midvale • 4.8K Followers • 15:00, Oct 03 Local time

Now27°16:0027°17:0026°18:0026°19:0024°23°22°21°19°19°18°18°18°19°22°25°...

Now

27°

16:00

27°

17:00

26°

18:00

26°

19:00

24°

23°

22°

21°

19°

19°

18°

18°

18°

19°

22°

25°

Daily forecast

Midvale air quality index (AQI?) forecast

Today

35

km/h

Sun

35

km/h

Mon

28

km/h

Air pollutants

What is the current air quality in Midvale?

PM2.5Fine particles (≤ 2.5 µm)6.4µg/m³
O?Ozone70µg/m³
NO?Nitrogen Dioxide17.5µg/m³
SO?Sulphur Dioxide0.3µg/m³
COCarbon Monoxide229µg/m³

Donations needed for hundreds of residents displaced in Midvale apartment fire

MIDVALE, Utah (KUTV) — The Red Cross of Utah has requested donations for residents who were displaced by the devastating apartment fire in Midvale.Firefighters fought the blaze for over 60 hours after the fire ignited in the attic of the large complex on Friday morning.Fire officials said there were 220 occupied units with one to five people in each.The residents had to evacuate the building quickly, leaving behind essential belongings. They were told it would take several days to extinguish the flames and secure t...

MIDVALE, Utah (KUTV) — The Red Cross of Utah has requested donations for residents who were displaced by the devastating apartment fire in Midvale.

Firefighters fought the blaze for over 60 hours after the fire ignited in the attic of the large complex on Friday morning.

Fire officials said there were 220 occupied units with one to five people in each.

The residents had to evacuate the building quickly, leaving behind essential belongings. They were told it would take several days to extinguish the flames and secure the building before they could return.

"They had to drop everything and just leave, so we're sympathetic to that, but our number one concern is just that everyone's safe going back in," fire officials said over the weekend.

Donations Gathered at Shelter

To support the hundreds of displaced residents, Red Cross of Utah requested that donations be dropped off at Union Middle School on Monday between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. They said "anything and everything" would be appreciated.

"Your kind donations will help those who were displaced and lost literally everything due to the apartment fire a few days ago," they said.

While Hillcrest High School served as the previous shelter over the weekend, the middle school will take its place as an emergency shelter Monday night.

"The shelter is available for anyone displaced by the fire and offers a safe place to stay overnight, along with meals, water, emotional support and access to Red Cross disaster assistance," officials said.

Anyone in need of help was directed to go to the shelter, where volunteers and community members will be available.

United Way of Salt Lake and Airbnb.org partnered to provide free temporary stays for displaced residents, with more than 40 families having already been issued Airbnb credits. United Way team members will be at the emergency shelter to help residents.

Displaced residents can contact Red Cross by calling 800-RED-CROSS or visiting its website. Donations are also being managed through city leaders, who can be contacted at [email protected].

Donations Needed for Pets

In addition to the hundreds of people displaced, dozens of their pets were also impacted by the fire.

Salt Lake County Animal Services has been gathering donations at its facility located at 511 W 3900 S. They are still in need of large wire crates, unopened bags of dog and cat food, and dog beds. Monetary donations are also being accepted.

All the pet donations will be delivered directly to residents and their pets on Tuesday.

"Thank you for helping us provide comfort and care to animals and the families who love them. Every donation makes a difference," officials said.

On Saturday, fire officials provided an update on the animals impacted in the fire, saying most had been reunited with their owners. At that point, a few geckos and a cat were still unaccounted for.

The fire remains under investigation, but at this time officials believe it was started by a mechanical issue in the attic.

Nearby roads blocked as crews fight Midvale house fire burning in attic, backyard

MIDVALE, Utah (KUTV) — A fire that officials believe started outside a Midvale home caused significant damage before firefighters were able to put it out.Several adults were inside the home when the fire broke out, but all were able to get out safely, Battalion Chief Craig Ellingson said.Ellingson said crews arrived on scene quickly and were able to knock the fire down.View post on X“We could see a lot of smoke before we even arrived,” he said. “So we did get a lot of resources coming early...

MIDVALE, Utah (KUTV) — A fire that officials believe started outside a Midvale home caused significant damage before firefighters were able to put it out.

Several adults were inside the home when the fire broke out, but all were able to get out safely, Battalion Chief Craig Ellingson said.

Ellingson said crews arrived on scene quickly and were able to knock the fire down.

View post on X

“We could see a lot of smoke before we even arrived,” he said. “So we did get a lot of resources coming early, and all those resources got on scene in a fairly hasty manner.”

The cause of the fire remained under investigation, but Ellingson said investigators believe it started in the backyard, outside the home.

The home was left with significant fire, smoke and water damage, Ellingson said.

“It’s in bad shape,” he said.

Reed Pierson, who lives two doors down and is a retired firefighter, said he was alarmed by the size and speed of the response.

“Twenty years in a fire department, I’ve never seen that,” Pierson said. “I thought it was my house... I was afraid it was my house.”

When he arrived, Pierson said he saw smoke coming from the back of his neighbor’s home.

He said he was grateful firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading.

“I expected the house to be gone, but it wasn’t,” he said.

Ellingson said the high temperatures made conditions more dangerous, noting that heat can make fires spread more quickly. He urged homeowners to create defensible space around their homes.

“A lot of the fires that we're going on start on the outside of the home in the vegetation,” Ellingson said. “So keep the vegetation cut back from your house. Keep heat and flame sources away from the exterior vegetation.”

‘It makes you hopeless’: Residents demand answers from management after being displaced by Midvale apartment fire

MIDVALE, Utah () — Since Friday morning’s fire at North Union Apartments in Midvale, residents claim it’s been almost radio silence from management and the complex’s owners.More than 220 residents were displaced following the fire. On Sunday afternoon, scores of them gathered outside the apartments to express their experiences with the complex management, with some saying they are effectively homeless.“There’s so many people that are not fortunate like that and are in a really bad situation a...

MIDVALE, Utah () — Since Friday morning’s fire at North Union Apartments in Midvale, residents claim it’s been almost radio silence from management and the complex’s owners.

More than 220 residents were displaced following the fire. On Sunday afternoon, scores of them gathered outside the apartments to express their experiences with the complex management, with some saying they are effectively homeless.

“There’s so many people that are not fortunate like that and are in a really bad situation and don’t have anywhere to go, and it just makes you hopeless,” Lexee Mortensen said.

Jake Meacham added, “Everything we’ve heard has been from the fire department and in meetings that we’ve had. The apartment has sister companies that they’re offering to put us in. There’s no benefits at all to us, like, not even a month’s free.”

`It literally looks like scorched earth`: Wide Mouth 2 Fire threatens more evacuations as conditions worsen

Other displaced residents said they feel betrayed. While their lease agreement contained renters’ insurance, they say they have had to discover the hard way that their monthly fee covers the apartment building, not the renters’ items that were lost in the fire.

“I had renters’ insurance previously. I was told that I needed to get the insurance with the property, thinking everything was covered. They told me everything was covered, and to find out that it was only a liability…” Savannah Page expressed. “And for hundreds of people is crazy. It just makes everything so much harder.”

Taryn Hancock and Preston Bland, a newlywed couple, said they are being forced to move back home after moving into the complex just weeks prior to the fire and are hoping the complex can make things right.

“I think canceling all leases and getting that taken care of for us would be great, and refunding us for rent and security deposits in a timely manner is what I would like to see because we want to move past this as quickly as possible and get on to our new beginnings,” Bland told .

Others allege a need for basic communication.

Guiuliano Vaz said, “A lot of us never experienced before. So, what do we do? Where do we go? Who do we talk to? There’s a lot of those things that we are very frustrated with.”

On Friday, North Union Apartments wrote:

We are truly so sorry and devastated about today’s fire. We still do not know the cause and will continue to update you guys via resident portal (emails and SMS). We will update you on temporary housing, your lease, next steps and any other questions you may have.

Please stay safe and thank you so much for your patience. We want to thank all the surrounding businesses, the Red Cross, and the city mayor for all of their help today. If you have any questions please send us a message via resident portal. DMs may take a while to respond but we will ensure all messages are answered.

has reached out to North Union Apartments and the complex’s owner, Keller Properties, for a response to the residents’ grievances and has not yet heard back.

As residents are forced to evacuate from Midvale apartment fire, Hillcrest High School opens its doors and Red Cross responds

MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4) — After a fire on the roof of an apartment building in Midvale forced residents to evacuate, Hillcrest High School opened its doors to help, and the Red Cross set up a temporary shelter inside the school.The fire broke out at the North Union apartment complex in Midvale early Friday morning. Unified Fire Authority said that it looks like the fire started between the fourth floor and the roof, but the cause of the fire is under investigation. They said that there was smoke da...

MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4) — After a fire on the roof of an apartment building in Midvale forced residents to evacuate, Hillcrest High School opened its doors to help, and the Red Cross set up a temporary shelter inside the school.

The fire broke out at the North Union apartment complex in Midvale early Friday morning. Unified Fire Authority said that it looks like the fire started between the fourth floor and the roof, but the cause of the fire is under investigation. They said that there was smoke damage throughout the building, but the worst extent of the damage is still being evaluated.

Luckily, all residents were able to safely evacuate, and Eduardo Lopez is one of those residents. He told ABC4.com that when he first heard the fire alarm, he thought it was a drill, because they had an upcoming drill scheduled. They could smell the smoke, and as soon as they opened the door, they saw the hallway was filled with smoke.

“It’s kind of insane, just the thought of losing everything potentially, or for everyone who lost everything. Sometimes you see it in like the movies and stuff, and you never think it will happen to you, and then, everything changes,” he said.

Another resident, Jeremy T, said that he thought it was a false alarm at first. “Once it started getting heavier and we start hearing the firefighters come in, we start evacuating, and then I kind of got scolded for not evacuating fast enough, but I understand,” he said.

He said that he had to go straight in to work. “Start working with the anxiety of, is my stuff good or not? And just a bunch of chaos, anxiety, and stress on my mind.”

Kim Walters and Cathy Nelson are members of the counseling team at Hillcrest High School, which is located behind the apartment complex. The school opened its doors to residents so that they can have somewhere to go, and it’s where pets who were rescued were taken. The American Red Cross also initially set up their shelter at the high school, though it has since been moved to Union Middle School.

When they learned that residents had to evacuate, Kim and Cathy took to the streets to hand out water and supplies to residents. Kim explained that Thursday was actually the first day that staff were back at the school, and on Friday morning, they were in a meeting planning the 2026/2027 school year.

“Our VPs came in and said, ‘All hands on deck,’ and so we emptied out all of our cupboards of water and snacks that we have for students and wanted to come down and help as much as we could,” Kim explained.

She also had a message for residents: “Our hearts are broken and we feel so bad for you. You know, Hillcrest is such a community, and so even though some of these people are not affiliated to Hillcrest, you’re part of our family and we’re so sorry that you’re dealing with this. We’re here to help and support in any way we can.”

The American Red Cross also came to the scene to help. Leigha Westover said that the Red Cross is manning the evacuation center, meeting with residents to find out who has a safe place to stay overnight and who needs assistance and sheltering.

“What that means is that we are willing to put them up for a night on cots and be able to feed them breakfast, lunch, and dinner until they have a place to go,” she said. “We encourage them to go with family, friends, because that’s where comfort, compassion, but our volunteers offer the same thing, just not in familiar areas.”

The Red Cross first set up a temporary shelter in the field house at Hillcrest High School, but they later moved to Union Middle School, because power was out at the high school due to its proximity to the fire. At the high school, the Red Cross provided lunch for about 200 of the people who were displaced by the fire.

The Red Cross also has responders there to help if evacuees need medical care like access to medication or mental health services. They’ll also take down residents’ information so that once they find out about the extent of the damage, they can help residents start their recovery.

Leigha said that every situation is different, but right now, residents are most concerned about their medication and clothing. Her takeaway, she said, is, “Be prepared the best you can, have a plan, and have renters’ insurance if you’re renting.”

Initially, firefighters responded to a call for some haze in the building, but that quickly became smoke, and flames became visible from the roof.

“We have a counselor that is notorious for smoking lots of food at home, so when we first started smelling it, we kind of teased him, thinking he maybe smoked a pig last night, and then it just got progressively worse,” Kim recalled. “But it was really– we looked out the windows and said, oh, it’s a fire. We could hear the fire trucks. We saw very little smoke, and then it just became this, and it’s just… It’s awful.”

All residents were safely evacuated, and crews rescued as many pets as they could, but of course, this has been incredibly difficult for residents. Eduardo said that he hopes everything is okay, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty about what’s going to happen.

“It’s a lot of dread, I think, a lot of sadness. It all kind of just switched really quickly. It went from like, ‘Oh, what’s happening?’ to ‘Oh, we lost everything, we’re losing stuff…’ And then you see people who you know, who have apartments, and you just see a lot of sadness,” he said.

“Even if there’s chaos in our life, we gotta keep pushing on,” Jeremy said.

“It is absolutely awful and heartbreaking, and all these people that are dealing with the shock of this, and if we can give a little bit of comfort with some water and Gatorade, then we’re going to do it,” Kim said.

Midvale Mayor Dustin Gettel said that so many people have been reaching out to help that they’ve created a dedicated email address for people to use to offer assistance or resources, especially business owners who can offer hotel rooms, food, or clothes. That email is [email protected].

“We at the city are doing everything that we can, everything possible to fill the gaps and find housing solutions for the folks displaced today,” he said. “We’re going to stay with these residents every step of the way to make sure that they’re taken care of during this time.”

Gettel also said that Canyon School District donated food trucks and pizzas to help feed displaced residents.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

Invalid Phone Format

Please do not include the country code "1". Just enter your valid 10-digit phone number starting with the area code.