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Home Care In Milford, DE

Home Care Milford, DE

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 Parson Thorne Mansion 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 Milford, DE is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Milford, DE

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I've been with Always Best Care, Vacaville, about a year and a half and I am very pleased with the service. Their Caregivers are very kind and competent helpers. I would recommend this service to anyone and I have recommend this service to several of my friends.”

Linda B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Here's what I posted on Google and Facebook: Life would have been a lot harder without Always Best Care in my life, I have COPD and I am on oxygen full time at level 4 so doing daily chores are out question without my caregiver Ricci Anthony who has been taking tremendous care of me for 3 years this August 2022 and I thank God everyday for him. Every time he arrives he immediately says Hi checks in with me to see how I am doing. As well as, every time he departs I thank him for all that he does for me and I tell him I love him Ricci replies in same likeness. Ricci and I are incredible friends, it’s closer to a dad and son relationship. We’re both strong Christian me. As for Chelsea who does Intake and is the Schedules for Always Best Care equally an amazing individual. Don’t let her young age fool you on the contrary she is a powerhouse. She’s highly a professional, she’s industrious, highly intelligent, she’s a great friend and you can always depend on her to be in support for you. Always Best Care is always best care.”

Michael W.
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“ABC is absolutely amazing! The staff is very caring and very friendly. always go above and beyond. They have great communication between Clients and Staff.”

Rebecca G.
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“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to trust others yet Always Best Care of Philadelphia did it with ease. We happily recommend them to our family and friends. Bryant and Co. truly care as if it was their own family. God Bless and May all your Staff be safe, they are in my prayers.”

Barbara L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”

Kia M.
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“Kathy McClure is a problem solver. She assisted us on Long Term Care Reimbursement and took us thru the process smoothly.”

Patrick M.
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“Nate and Charlene are the best in their field. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and your company.”

Jesse S.
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“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”

Sheila R.
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“Dave and his staff go above and beyond with their care. They all take special interest with their clients. Also a very helpful resource in future planning and current ideas. Trust your parents to these people - they will not let you down.”

Bill H.
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“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use them for all your personal needs Senior or younger. They get the job done!!!”

Sandra R.
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“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult time. The office staff, social workers, and the aides were professional, caring, and reliable. Donna you are awesome....keep up the great work!!!! I would recommend this service to anyone.”

Tanya R.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Milford, DE?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Milford, DE

Types of Elderly Care in Milford, DE

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 Milford, DE
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 Milford, DE
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 Bicentennial Park 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 Milford, DE
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 Benvenuto or visit Milford Museum, 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 Milford, DE

Benefits of Home Care in Milford, DE

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

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

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Milford, DE, 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 Milford, DE

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 DE'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 Milford, DE

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 Milford, DE 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 Milford, DE

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 Milford, DE

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:

  • Milford Place
  • Milford Place
  • Milford Center
  • Genesis Healthcare
  • Milford Service Center
  • Polaris
Home Care Milford, DE

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 Milford, DE

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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

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

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

Latest News in Milford, DE

Update to Homecoming Parade route

Milford High School’s Homecoming Parade is scheduled for Friday, October 4 with step off at 5:30 PM. The parade begins at Mispillion Elementary School and ends at Briggs Stadium before the Milford Buccaneers take on Saint Elizabeth.The route begins at Mispillion, located at 311 Lovers Lane, and continues down Lovers Lane to Southeast Second Street, and will then turn left on Southeast Second Street, right on South Washington Street, left on North Rehoboth Boulevard, right on Northeast 10th at the light by Dairy Queen ...

Milford High School’s Homecoming Parade is scheduled for Friday, October 4 with step off at 5:30 PM. The parade begins at Mispillion Elementary School and ends at Briggs Stadium before the Milford Buccaneers take on Saint Elizabeth.

The route begins at Mispillion, located at 311 Lovers Lane, and continues down Lovers Lane to Southeast Second Street, and will then turn left on Southeast Second Street, right on South Washington Street, left on North Rehoboth Boulevard, right on Northeast 10th at the light by Dairy Queen into the stadium.

The game begins at 7 PM and tickets must be purchased in advance by clicking here. The Homecoming Dance is planned at the high school from 7 to 10 PM. Tickets went on sale on September 23rd and will continue until sold out. The cost of tickets is $10 per student. Students bringing guests who are not MHS students must also complete a guest permission form. The forms are available in the MHS main office and must be returned no later than September 27.

Even the elementary schools will celebrate Buc Pride this week with Spirit Days planned. Morris, Banneker, Mispillion and Ross did “Matching Monday” on September 30 where students and staff dressed as twins or triplets. Tuesday, October 1 is Tacky Tuesday with everyone wearing mismatched clothing while on Wednesday, October 2 neon or bright colored clothing is the attire for Let’s Glow Wednesday. Thursday, October 3, is Team Up Thursday with favorite team shirts and jerseys. The week concludes with Fan Friday with everyone sporting their maroon and gold.

Milford Central Academy students will celebrate Spirit Week with Decades Day on Monday. On Tuesday, students dress like teachers and teachers dress like students. Wednesday is Disney Day although no props, masks or balloons are permitted. Thursday is Class Color Day with 6th grade wearing red, 7th grade wearing blue and 8th grade wearing black. MCA will also end the week with Pride Day with the halls filled with maroon and gold.

Milford High School started the week with Monochrome Day where they wore all one color. Tuesday students dress like teachers and teachers like students. On Wednesday, “we wear pink,” an homage to the “Mean Girls” movie. Thursday is Neon day with everyone in bright colors. The high school added a twist for Pride Day. Freshman wear gold, sophomores wear white, juniors wear maroon and seniors wear black.

Downtown Milford Inc. (DMI) will hold their final First Friday event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month that same evening along Walnut Street. Everyone is invited to enjoy the parade and then come over to Walnut Street for music, food and much more.

Marijuana Discussions in Milford Return

MILFORD, DE – The topic of marijuana sales is once again up for discussion at the Milford City Council meeting Monday night. The council is holding a public hearing and workshop to discuss whether to allow marijuana sales within city limits, a topic that continues to divide many.While Delaware is set to begin legal marijuana sales statewide next year, individual municipalities, like Milford, retain the authority to regulate or ban cannabis shops within their borders....

MILFORD, DE – The topic of marijuana sales is once again up for discussion at the Milford City Council meeting Monday night. The council is holding a public hearing and workshop to discuss whether to allow marijuana sales within city limits, a topic that continues to divide many.

While Delaware is set to begin legal marijuana sales statewide next year, individual municipalities, like Milford, retain the authority to regulate or ban cannabis shops within their borders.

Last year, Milford's previous city council moved to table discussions pending further information and to see what other local municipalities chose to do.

The council has not yet drafted an ordinance regarding marijuana sales. Instead, they are weighing potential regulations, such as imposing distance requirements between cannabis shops and schools or limiting the number of stores allowed in the city. Or, on the other hand, could consider a complete ban.

Residents expressed a range of opinions on the matter. Kevin Block, a local antique seller, suggested that allowing marijuana sales in Milford might be inevitable given the state’s legalization, and just hopes there will be regulations.

"I don’t have a problem with it—it’s legal, so I think if it’s in a set amount it's fine. I don’t think we should have a shop on every corner—but I’m not opposed to it," Block said.

However, he also raised concerns about the challenges of regulating marijuana use, particularly when it comes to driving under the influence.

"My only problem with it is... how it’s gonna be regulated, as far as people under the influence driving—and since it is legal, how is it going to be detected, that’s more of a bigger issue to me."

Anthony Ohary, who lives in Milford and is a recovering addict, voiced strong opposition to allowing marijuana sales, citing concerns about its potential impact on addiction issues - even his own,

"Marijuana is the gateway to drugs, yes it is, it leads to other drugs—it leads to making bad choices," Ohary said. "The way you think, it won’t be clear, it will be foggy, you’ll be thinking negative, negative things... To me, it’s wrong."

The Milford City Council is expected to present a draft ordinance on marijuana sales at its next meeting on October 28.

Perdue Foods in Milford receives violation notice from Delaware. Here are the details

(This story was updated to add new information.)Perdue Foods LLC was found to have violated its Milford facility permit due to incomplete documentation, inaccuracies and a history with mechanical failures on-site.Perdue Foods is a division of Perdue Farms, one of the country's largest poultry producers. Its facility in Milford, located at 255 N. Rehoboth Blvd., employs around 1,300 people and processes around 240,000 chickens per day.Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Con...

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Perdue Foods LLC was found to have violated its Milford facility permit due to incomplete documentation, inaccuracies and a history with mechanical failures on-site.

Perdue Foods is a division of Perdue Farms, one of the country's largest poultry producers. Its facility in Milford, located at 255 N. Rehoboth Blvd., employs around 1,300 people and processes around 240,000 chickens per day.

Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control issued a notice of violation to the company on Sept. 3. The violation notice comes just over a month after the company's subsidiary Perdue Agribusiness reached a $12 million settlement with Maryland's environmental department, and it reflects similar violations issued by Delaware in 2023.

According to Michael Globetti, media relations manager with DNREC, the notice of violation is merely a "first enforcement measure." No penalties or fees were imposed, but if the company does not take necessary action to correct its violations, a secretary's order could be issued with further penalties.

Here are the details of the violations.

Recent violations include missing records and maintenance issues

According to DNREC's Notice of Violation, multiple issues with the company's operations were uncovered during the department's regular compliance inspection. The issues mostly centered on the company's insufficient record-keeping, especially regarding the deliveries of fuel oil. But they also raised concerns about the content of ecologically harmful chemicals and maintenance issues.

Oil with a high sulfur content that is combusted can pose a threat to the environment by polluting the air. Perdue is permitted to use only oil with a sulfur content of at most 15 parts per million.

As a part of Perdue's permit, any deliveries of fuel oil to the Milford facility must be documented with information including the name, address and telephone number of the deliverer, the volume of fuel delivered, the type of fuel delivered, the sulfur content of the oil and more.

The notice stated that Perdue Milford's site inspection revealed that "many records" were missing necessary information or not readily available altogether – primarily regarding fuel sulfur content. The notice also alleged that many of the records that were made available to the department were incomplete and did not specify the sulfur content or the methods used to test the oil.

A specific incident cited also stated that a 200-gallon delivery of kerosene – which is used for space heaters – was delivered to the site containing 230 ppm of sulfur, over 15 times higher than the permitted limit. Perdue stated to DNREC that this fuel was not combusted and a volume of 200 gallons was removed from the facility 13 days after the delivery.

In poultry production, boilers supply steam for instruments like scalders, which remove feathers from poultry, and for cleaning and disinfection.

Perdue's permit also requires the company to conduct tune-ups of its boiler every other year and to maintain written records of these tune-ups. These records are also required to specify actions taken to optimize the boiler’s total emissions of carbon monoxide – showing the differences before and after each tune-up.

Perdue Milford’s records did not include information about what actions were taken to optimize CO emissions, in violation of their permit.

During the inspection, the department also noticed a stark number of maintenance records for the boilers, implying that corrective actions were employed reactively rather than proactively. While this was not cited as a direct violation of its permit, it was listed in the notice as a point of concern for Perdue’s operations.

Perdue said in a written statement provided after this story published that following last year's inspection, it provided DNREC information regarding both the sulfur content and the appropriate methodology used for kerosene deliveries, which was later deemed "acceptable" by the department.

Additionally, the company said it has since improved processes and enacted new leadership at the Milford facility "to maintain and monitor internal compliance."

Perdue's previous – and similar – violations in the region

This is just the latest example in Perdue Milford's history with documentation and boiler maintenance issues.

In April of last year, a penalty totaling just under $40,000 was issued to Perdue Foods after the division received a shipment of 6,500 gallons of fuel oil that did not meet the permit's sulfur standards and combusting it after DNREC had advised Perdue not to.

Cited in the same violation were noncompliance issues related to Perdue's failure to determine boiler combustion efficiency and report emissions observations as well as submitting incomplete tune-up records.

In August 2023, DNREC verbally communicated to Perdue representatives the need for the company to conduct tune-ups in a more timely manner. Days later, Perdue experienced a boiler failure that led to a sitewide shutdown. DNREC approved and installed a temporary boiler while the original machine was being fixed.

In a notice approving the temporary emergency boiler, DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin stated at the time that "Perdue was not prioritizing maintenance of the boilers and that maintenance work was being performed in a piecemeal manner," and that the boilers must be brought up to standard with "good air pollution control."

On July 31, 2024, the Department of the Environment and attorney general representing the state of Maryland announced a $12 million settlement with Perdue AgriBusiness for air pollution violations at its soybean facility in Salisbury.

More:This endangered whale species was spotted in coastal waters of Delaware beaches this month

It was reported that the company installed unauthorized equipment and failed to reapply for the proper permits.

According to close sources, this notice is considered the first measure taken and can potentially lead to DNREC's enacting a secretary's order.

This means that the department can take additional action that could potentially penalize the facility for failure of compliance – unless it managed to correct the situation and once again comply with the requirements outlined by DNREC.

Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues around Delaware. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.

Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. Reach her at [email protected].

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