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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Georgetown, DE

Home Care Georgetown, 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 Old Stone House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Georgetown, DE is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Georgetown, 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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“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.”

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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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“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.”

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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.”

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

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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!!!”

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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.”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, DE

Types of Elderly Care in Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown Waterfront 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 Georgetown, 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 Fiola Mare or visit Tudor Place, 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 Georgetown, DE

Benefits of Home Care in Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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:

  • Delaware Bay Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
  • Paradise Senior Living
  • PeachTree Health Group Annex Building
  • U Count
  • Silver Lining Home Healthcare
  • Country Rest Home
Home Care Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, DE

Latest News in Georgetown, DE

For 94-year-old Georgetown man, land conservation is just the right thing to do

Delaware News JournalAs many of southern Delaware's forests and farmlands are sold to developers for millions of dollars, Georgetown's Austin Okie is instead creating a legacy of land preservation.The humble 94-year-old has been quietly donating money and land to conservation organizations for years. From Millsboro to Fenwick Island, some of Sussex County's most ecologically valuable acres are protected thanks to Okie.“It’s hard to imagine what Delaware would look like without Austin Okie&rsquo...

Delaware News Journal

As many of southern Delaware's forests and farmlands are sold to developers for millions of dollars, Georgetown's Austin Okie is instead creating a legacy of land preservation.

The humble 94-year-old has been quietly donating money and land to conservation organizations for years. From Millsboro to Fenwick Island, some of Sussex County's most ecologically valuable acres are protected thanks to Okie.

“It’s hard to imagine what Delaware would look like without Austin Okie’s decades of generosity and passion for our natural spaces," said Lori Brennan, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Delaware and Pennsylvania. "He and his family have protected and preserved thousands of acres of important forests and open space in Delaware, safeguarding an irreplaceable mosaic of plant life and wildlife habitat."

Okie has deep passion for Sussex County and recognizes how important it is to maintain the natural environment, according to Delaware Center for the Inland Bays Executive Director Christophe Tulou.

"He's made that very clear, through his lifetime of philanthropy and personal engagement," Tulou said.

Coming from Okie's own mouth, his interest in land preservation is simple.

"It almost seemed like fate or something like that," he said. "I knew somehow it should not be sold to developers. It should be used for protecting the environment, and I was right."

Who is Austin Okie?

Okie worked as a mechanic, never went to college and called himself "a late bloomer-type," but he's not the type to toot his own horn.

Ryan Faucett is Okie's 33-year-old first cousin twice removed and his next-door neighbor. He is proud of Okie, calling him intelligent, thoughtful and determined, and said he finds Okie's love and respect for both nature and local history inspiring.

"He has traced the origins of all the property he owns and has given away, as well as much of the rest of Sussex County," Ryan Faucett said. "He has a deep sense of gratitude for the hard work of his ancestors, and he has made concerted efforts to honor the native Americans who came before them (like at Bullseye Farm)."

His cousin was never the type of man to drink or gamble, values frugality and is "surprisingly progressive for a man in his 90s," Ryan Faucett said.

Okie's grandfather, Linford P. Faucett, was one of the largest landowners in southern Delaware, a 1931 news article said. Faucett was born in Georgetown but lived in Philadelphia, where he was the general manager of H.K. Mulford Co., a pharmaceutical company that later became part of Merck.

Much of Okie's land was left to him by his mother, Isabel Okie, who was Linford P. Faucett's daughter.

"I started looking into who I was and I was so damn surprised," Okie said. "I didn't have a clue."

Bullseye-Ferry Landing Preserve

Okie and his family first donated land to The Nature Conservancy in 1997. The over 400-acre Bullseye-Ferry Landing Preserve is located just north of Mountaire and on the Indian River in Millsboro.

It's a "mosaic of diverse living communities," The Nature Conservancy website says, home to rare flora and fauna and over 65 species of migratory birds. Right next door, the Okie family farm also was placed under a conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy.

Around 1700, the Waples family came into control of the property and established a ferry there. Okie's grandfather bought the land in 1906, he said, but Okie himself made the effort to find the records that named the Native American that originally lived there. Now, the first line of the historical marker at Bullseye-Ferry Landing states: "Before Dutch control of what is now Sussex County, Native American Iwatama Socuum held 'Long Reach,' now Bullseye-Ferry Landing Preserve."

As a nature preserve, Bullseye-Ferry Landing is not open to the public.

Marian R. Okie Memorial Wildlife Preserve

In 2007, Okie and The Nature Conservancy preserved an additional 118 acres at Poplar Thicket in Long Neck. The Marian R. Okie Memorial Wildlife Preserve, now managed by the state, is one of the few undeveloped properties along Long Neck Road.

Marian Okie, Okie's only daughter, died in a car accident when she was 24 years old, in 1982.

"Lots of people go down there to take photographs of the birds, the sunrise, the sunset. Professional photographers, amateur photographers," Okie said. "It's because it's the only place left."

Okie's grandfather bought the land in 1912, he said. The 118-acre property contains tidal salt marsh, wetlands, forests, fields and a beach on the Indian River Bay, according to The Nature Conservancy.

Fenwick Island land

In September, Okie donated two forested, ocean-block properties to the town of Fenwick Island, under a conservation easement. The lots have been in his family for centuries, he said, and he helped survey them as a boy.

The properties will become the Faucett Okie Family Preserve, Fenwick Mayor Natalie Magdeburger said. (Okie's mother was Isabel Faucett.) The town plans to open the preserve to the public before Memorial Day with a formal dedication in the fall.

Sussex County land

Last month, Okie sold Sussex County about 40 acres of forested land on Cordrey Road in Millsboro for about half the cost of its value.

Located next to East Coast Garden Center, the deed stipulates the property will not be developed except for public recreational access.

Sussex County spokesman Chip Guy said there are no plans for the property yet.

Burton's Island

Okie didn't donate this Burton's Island, but his family sold it to the state in the 1970s, he said, and the land became a nature preserve as part of Delaware Seashore State Park.

"It was mostly marsh, but some of the land was tillable and they raised sheep over there," he said. "You had to go by boat."

Today, you can get to Burton's Island's 1-mile hiking loop by walking across a footbridge. Burton's Island separates the Rehoboth and Indian River bays, so it has views of both, plus wetlands and forests. It's a great place to spot shorebirds.

The Austin F. Okie Watershed Society

The nonprofit Delaware Center for the Inland Bays' Austin F. Okie Watershed Society was created last year to recognize Okie's contributions and others who reach the same level of giving.

Members of the society have gifted or otherwise cumulatively contributed $50,000 or more to the Center.

"He is the founding member," Tulou said. "The society is in his honor and an inspiration for others to do as much for the bays and their watershed as he has over his lifetime."

"This is a very special place we call home, and I feel a strong responsibility to protect our unique bays and wildlife," Okie told Center representatives.

"My hope for the future is that many, many more people will support the Center for the Inland Bays' efforts to protect and restore them."

(This story was updated to correct a misspelled name. Delaware Center for the Inland Bays executive director is Christophe Tulou.)

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at [email protected].

Las Ame?ricas ASPIRA to open first Spanish-immersion school in Georgetown

This story was produced by Spotlight Delaware as part of a partnership with Delaware Online/The News Journal. For more about Spotlight Delaware, visit www.spotlightdelaware.org.Sussex County will soon have its first Spanish immersion school after Las Ame?ricas ASPIRA Academy expands from its Newark roots to open a new campus in Georgetown.On Jan. 16, then-Secretary of Education Mark Holodick approved the Las Ame?ricas ASPI...

This story was produced by Spotlight Delaware as part of a partnership with Delaware Online/The News Journal. For more about Spotlight Delaware, visit www.spotlightdelaware.org.

Sussex County will soon have its first Spanish immersion school after Las Ame?ricas ASPIRA Academy expands from its Newark roots to open a new campus in Georgetown.

On Jan. 16, then-Secretary of Education Mark Holodick approved the Las Ame?ricas ASPIRA Academy’s request for a new charter school in Georgetown — becoming the state’s 25th charter school, but only the fourth in Sussex County. The decision comes after multiple Latino community members expressed a need for an immersion school in the southernmost county.

When speaking with community members in the Georgetown area, ASPIRA co- founder Margie Lo?pez Waite was told that these families want their children to be proficient in English while holding onto their Spanish — they want their children to be bi-literate and bilingual.

While some of the Sussex County school districts have immersion programs, the high demand has prevented some parents from being able to enroll their children. For example, applications for the Indian River School District Spanish immersion program are available for students who wish to attend the John M. Clayton, East Millsboro or North Georgetown elementary schools.

Community members hope that ASPIRA can help fill the need for an immersion program with more enrollment available.

ASPIRA Georgetown, like the existing ASPIRA Academy in Newark, will be fully immersive for its students. Students are taught in a “50/50 model” from kindergarten through fifth grade, Lo?pez Waite said. On their “A days” students stay with their homeroom teacher and learn in one of the two languages for the whole day, and they rotate to their other language teacher on “B days.”

Classes like math, science and social studies are taught in both languages, and students also have English and Spanish language arts classes.

In middle school, they transition to a “continuation model,” where 25% of their instruction is in Spanish and 75% is in English.

The academy aims to open its Georgetown school in the fall of 2026 and will take a phased-in approach, Lo?pez Waite said. Once open, the school will serve roughly 200 kindergarten through second-grade students.

The school will add a grade level each school year as it continues to renovate the building, and will reach full capacity at 500 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Lo?pez Waite will be the head of the school for the first two years before they transition to a new leader during the third year.

How is a new charter school established?

When a group submits their application for a new charter school, they must show that there is a true demand from the community, said Charter Schools Network Executive Director Kendall Massett, who is also a non-voting Charter School Accountability Committee (CSAC) member.

In order to show the demand, the ASPIRA team collected signatures from community members who believed there was a need for the immersion school in Georgetown. Nearly 65% of those families who signed the petition have children who were eligible to attend the school.

Massett gives new charters the opportunity to meet with her before the initial CSAC meeting to ensure there is a real need for the school and that they’re prepared to answer questions about the application. The Delaware Department of Education also provides optional technical assistance in the fall.

Applications for new charters are submitted by Dec. 31 and are checked for accuracy. The application will be rejected if it’s inaccurate or doesn’t have all the required materials.

The next step for new charters is an initial meeting with CSAC, whose members will ask the charter group questions about areas like enrollment, curriculum and financials.

After receiving the application, CSAC members are given a deadline to submit their questions to the charter school ahead of its initial meeting. The charters answer those questions during the initial meeting, if the charter is unable to answer a question they have until their final CSAC meeting to provide an answer.

“If they can’t answer those questions, they did not want to take the time to answer those questions or didn’t have the wherewithal to answer those questions, that’s a big red flag,” Massett said.

CSAC produces an initial report after the initial meeting based on the questions asked and the responses from the charter. The charter then has an initial public hearing for community members and advocates to give public comment.

The committee submits its final questions for the school after the public hearing. During the final meeting, CSAC releases its recommendation on whether to establish the charter and produces a final report.

If necessary, the school will hold a second public hearing.

Although CSAC may produce a recommendation that the school meets the standards for charter operation, the state’s secretary of education makes the ultimate decision and the State Board of Education assents the decision.

The total timeline for the new charter application process is 90 days. This process can also look slightly different for district-authorized charter schools, but the timeline remains the same.

The timeline for ASPIRA Georgetown was shortened because the charter is replicating its Newark school, which was also just renewed by the Delaware Department of Education, Massett said.

‘They need an environment that’s safe’

While all new charter schools have to show evidence of the community’s demand for this school, Massett said she saw more community support for the ASPIRA Georgetown location than she’s seen in the past.

The Hispanic or Latino population has increased by nearly 8% in 33 years, and in 2022, multi-language learners made up 10% of the total student population.

Some advocates have pointed toward ASPIRA Academy as a place where parents in Spanish-speaking households can feel more comfortable communicating with educators in their native language.

“[Parents are] very excited about the opportunity for not only their children to have this experience… they’re looking forward to a situation where they feel more connected to the school, and they feel that they can contribute more to the school, because the school is ready and willing and able to receive them and welcome them in their language,” Lo?pez Waite said.

Studies have shown that Hispanic parents want to be more involved in their children’s education, and say they would be if more Spanish-fluent educators were present.

Some school districts in Sussex County have tried to effectively communicate with Spanish-speaking parents, but many parents have varying degrees of literacy in their own language, said Jennifer Fuqua, the co-executive director of La Esperanza, an organization that has expressed support for the charter and has helped thousands of immigrants in Delaware.

“Some people are coming to Delaware with limited literacy in their own language, in Spanish, or potentially their native language is a dialect,” Fuqua said. “So it’s very difficult for them to be able to even read, if there is information in Spanish sent home, difficult to read it because of low literacy levels.”

ASPIRA in Newark has already worked to address some of these concerns by creating a Family Resource Program and offering adult literacy classes, nutrition and parenting classes among others. Lo?pez Waite said they aim to provide those supports in Georgetown as well.

La Plaza, which bolsters Latino businesses in Sussex County, is another organization that has expressed support for ASPIRA Georgetown. La Plaza’s Executive Director Mary Dupont said they’re working with investors to ensure the school is Latino-built, making it the “real deal” for the Latino community.

“This community is like any other community,” Dupont said. “They love to learn, they love to interact, they love to communicate, and they need an environment that’s safe, that respectful, that embraces their culture.”

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Georgetown, DE – One Injured in Crash at Dupont Blvd & College Park Ln

The collision occurred around 11:36 a.m. on June 11, along the well-traveled US-113 (Dupont Blvd), near the College Park residential area. Initial reports confirmed that one person sustained minor injuries and received on-site medical attention. That individual was later transported for additional evaluation, though their injuries were not considered life-threatening.Traffic at the intersection was briefly impacted as responders secured the area and cleared the vehicles involved. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by l...

The collision occurred around 11:36 a.m. on June 11, along the well-traveled US-113 (Dupont Blvd), near the College Park residential area. Initial reports confirmed that one person sustained minor injuries and received on-site medical attention. That individual was later transported for additional evaluation, though their injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Traffic at the intersection was briefly impacted as responders secured the area and cleared the vehicles involved. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by local authorities, who will review potential factors such as driver inattention, turning maneuvers, or right-of-way violations.

We extend our best wishes to the injured individual and hope for a full recovery.

Injury Collisions at Busy Intersections in Sussex County

Intersections like Dupont Blvd and College Park Ln are frequent sites of vehicle collisions in Sussex County, particularly given the blend of high-speed travel and turning traffic along US-113. This stretch of roadway experiences steady volume from both local residents and commercial vehicles, increasing the chances for conflict at access points like College Park Ln.

Even crashes resulting in “minor injuries” can still lead to physical discomfort, missed work, vehicle loss, and long-term medical monitoring. Prompt evaluation by EMS—as in today’s case—is key to preventing complications and ensuring proper documentation for recovery.

Common causes of intersection crashes in areas like Georgetown include unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, distracted driving, and limited visibility at cross streets. In response, transportation officials continue efforts to improve safety by reviewing signage placement, signal timing, and community outreach programs.

Residents are urged to approach busy intersections with heightened awareness, especially during mid-morning and afternoon hours when local roads see peak activity.

If you’ve been injured in a traffic crash, even one described as minor, it’s important to take it seriously. Local Accident Reports offers the support and information you need to navigate recovery—from understanding your medical rights to getting help with insurance and legal guidance. Contact us today to get connected with the resources that can make a difference after a crash in Georgetown or anywhere in Sussex County.

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Note: These posts are created solely for the use of Local Accident Reports. We have not verified the information in these posts as the information is gathered from secondary sources. If you have personal knowledge that the information contained in these posts is inaccurate, please contact Local Accident Reports immediately so we can make the necessary corrections or remove the story.

Disclaimer: We are providing this information to the general public as a resource to use in the event you or a family member are injured in a similar incident. Every effort is put forth to honor the victims of accidents, and hope the information presented helps others avoid the same type of accidents in the future. The photos depicted in these posts are not representative of the actual accident scene. Please contact Local Accident Reports at (888) 657-1460 to be connected with an attorney in your area who will answer any legal questions you may have.

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