It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Odessa - Texas State Historical Marker 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 Odessa, DE is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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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.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lawndale Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Flair Taverna or visit Chris Kyle Memorial, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Odessa, 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.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Odessa, 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.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Odessa, 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.
Noche de Mariachis is coming to the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center at 5:30 p.m. April 5.Director of Orchestral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music Jean Gomez said admission is free and it’s a showcase for some of the best student mariachi players in the region. The UTPB Music Department is sponsoring the event.“We are really excited, because this is the first time that we are doing something like this, including all the mariachi programs in the region,” Gomez said.In the past, they had ...
Noche de Mariachis is coming to the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center at 5:30 p.m. April 5.
Director of Orchestral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music Jean Gomez said admission is free and it’s a showcase for some of the best student mariachi players in the region. The UTPB Music Department is sponsoring the event.
“We are really excited, because this is the first time that we are doing something like this, including all the mariachi programs in the region,” Gomez said.
In the past, they had concerts that mostly featured UTPB students.
This time, they decided to combine all the mariachi programs, including middle and high schools giving everyone a chance to perform on the Wagner Noël stage.
“Every single group is going to play some songs, and even the UTPB mariachi is going to be closing before intermission. After the intermission, we are going to present the all-region mariachi, which is a selection of the best students from every single program,” Gomez said.
The musicians are going to be rehearsing April 4 and 5. The all-region mariachi, made up of 20 students, will perform five songs. They are bringing in Eloy Garza from Roma ISD as the clinician.
“We have students from Legacy High School, from Lake View High School in San Angelo,” and the early college high school in Midland, he said.
Ector Middle School and Midland Freshman High School are also participating. Odessa High School isn’t coming because they have the prom the same day.
Gomez added that it’s going to be “awesome.” It is two days of rehearsals, with the actual concert on April 5.
“The kids come with the parents, and it’s … going to be hectic, but it’s going to be great. I think it’s going to be a great chance to share and even observe other mariachis. I think it’s a great motivation for high school students to see what they could do in the future, even going to high school and even going to the university and keep doing mariachi. It’s just going to be full of energy. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he said.
Texas is divided into regions and Odessa is in Region 6.
Every region “gets together with the best students from the area” and have these clinics.
“The idea is just to give these kids the opportunity to play in a higher level, but at the same time give them the chance to learn from a different teacher, or in this case, a clinician, and hopefully bring that knowledge to their own programs in every single school,” Gomez said.
The event came from a collaboration between a variety of music teachers and it will give the students a chance to play on a big stage.
There is also a cultural connection with mariachi music.
“The support is just automatic” and it’s natural, Gomez said.
He added that the songs are upbeat.
“It’s always happy music that makes everyone just want to listen or to play, and that connection just happens there. There is some magic part there that everyone should just see,” Gomez said.
A local historic Black church is one step closer to achieving its restoration dreams thanks to a substantial grant.The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund announced 30 sites across the country on Feb. 24 that were selected to receive a share of $8.5 million for restoration, between $50,000 and $500,000 each. The grants are part of the action fund’s ...
A local historic Black church is one step closer to achieving its restoration dreams thanks to a substantial grant.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund announced 30 sites across the country on Feb. 24 that were selected to receive a share of $8.5 million for restoration, between $50,000 and $500,000 each. The grants are part of the action fund’s Preserving Black Churches program, with this year’s cohort receiving the largest award in the program’s three years of operation.
The action fund has raised more than $150 million since its founding in 2017. The Preserving Black Churches program is a $60 million initiative supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., a private philanthropic foundation.
Zoar Methodist Episcopal Church in Odessa was awarded $250,000, Friends of Zoar’s second time applying for the grant.
Located near the Appoquinimink Friends Meeting House and Corbit Family Cemetery, Zoar Church’s refined brick building was built in 1881 by free Black residents, all of whom were successful landowning farmers. The church replaced a meeting house a few blocks away on Osbourne Street, where they had met as far back as 1845.
One of the church's early members was Charles Albert Tindley, widely known as the grandfather of great gospel music. Born in Maryland in 1851, Tindley joined Zoar Church after leaving his position as a sexton in Philadelphia. One of his most famous works includes his composition “I’ll Overcome Someday,” largely credited as the basis for the U.S. civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.”
Aside from the building itself, records from Zoar’s church services dating back to the early 1900s have been archived, including meeting minutes and logs of different clergy members.
The Gothic Revival-style church with vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and an adjacent social hall closed in 1998 due to declining membership and deterioration. Some congregation members continued to give money to the church, hoping it would open again.
Then, Friends of Zoar Inc. was founded in January of 2021.
Friends of Zoar is a group of people from various denominations and professions who are working to restore the building and preserve its almost 150-year history.
The same year Friends of Zoar Inc. formed was the first time Zoar Church participated in Christmas in Odessa, the first historic Black building to do so in the event’s history.
The grant money will be used to restore the church’s stained-glass windows, replace its slate roof, and provide system upgrades to ensure that the building’s heritage is honored and to allow it to be used as a community and historical center.
Other grant recipients in this year’s cohort will use their funds to combat demolition threats, address maintenance and structural issues and provide resources to help congregations strengthen their stewardship plans and enhance asset management.
“This is fabulous because it moves our project forward in a way that, without this money, we’d be kind of stuck,” said Kate O’Donnell, corresponding secretary for Friends of Zoar. “It’s wonderful to have been recognized by the National Trust as worthy.”
Friends of Zoar has a $950,000 renovation budget, with $650,000 already secured from previous grants, individual donors and the National Trust grant.
Craig O’Donnell, secretary for Friends of Zoar, said the $650,000 should help the group get through the next 18 months of construction, which is slated to begin this spring. The group is hoping to make up the last portion of its funding goal through other grants and more donations. They can also apply for another grant with the action fund in two years.
Since Friends of Zoar formed four years ago, architectural plans have been drawn up and the church has been evaluated, but not much has changed with the building itself.
The most notable updates are cleaning up the interior, choosing a small number of pews for rehabilitation, and fixing some of the stained-glass windows.
Once fully restored, Zoar Church will serve as an open space for events with tables inside. The social hall adjacent to the church will become the official meeting space for Friends of Zoar, which currently operates remotely. It will also house a small kitchen for catering and an ADA-compliant bathroom. The location of the original Zoar Church building on Osbourne Street, which also belongs to Friends of Zoar, will be turned into a memorial park with benches and greenery. A historical marker will have information about the site’s origin.
The O’Donnells note that some Friends of Zoar board members have left due to health reasons, and others are unable to be as active because of their ages. They hope to fill these gaps, particularly with younger newcomers.
“There’s a grassroots element there that we would like to expand upon,” said Craig O’Donnell. “We're hoping that the news of the grant will help us speak to some people who would like to be additional volunteers or put themselves up as possible board members.”
Anyone wanting to get involved can contact Friends of Zoar by emailing [email protected] or visiting friendsofzoar.org or its Facebook page.
(This story has been updated to correct a misspelling.)
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at [email protected].
For many Delaware families, nothing captures the holiday spirit quite like Christmas in Odessa.Led by the Women’s Club of Odessa, this annual tradition has sought to not only bring holiday joy but also find ways of bettering and preserving the history of the tow...
For many Delaware families, nothing captures the holiday spirit quite like Christmas in Odessa.
Led by the Women’s Club of Odessa, this annual tradition has sought to not only bring holiday joy but also find ways of bettering and preserving the history of the town and community.
And now, for its 60th anniversary, the club is set to mark this landmark year with something special for the community.
Here’s what to know about Christmas in Odessa and other events visitors can enjoy this holiday season.
While the town has been around for centuries, the holiday tradition officially began in 1964.
Inspired by a similar tour three club members took in New Jersey – and created to help collect money for scholarships for students residing in the Appoquinimink School District – the club and several local homeowners presented the first-ever Christmas in Odessa.
The event allowed families and communities across Delaware to come inside public buildings and homes all dressed up for the holidays – many of which have been in Odessa for over a century – and learn more about the town and its history.
Along with fellow community members, sponsors and homeowners, the club has raised more than $300,000 in higher education scholarships for over 200 students, according to the Christmas in Odessa website.
While the event has changed over the years, for Women’s Club of Odessa president and Christmas in Odessa co-chair Carol K. Sheats, it is an opportunity to celebrate and see all that this “special town” has to offer, from homes along High Street to many of its most noteworthy sites up and down Main Street.
To commemorate this milestone, the Women’s Club of Odessa will release a "60th Anniversary Christmas in Odessa'' coffee table book next month.
Along with a written history of the annual fundraiser, the book contains 60 pages of “festive holiday decorations, time-honored family traditions and seasonal activities” readers can recreate with their loved ones during the holidays.
The book also contains several photos of Christmases in Odessa past, with a “sprinkling of all the years” that the event has taken place, from its first year up to 2023, according to the club’s marketing and social media representative Jane Mruk.
A limited number of books will be available for purchase on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Historic Odessa Foundation Visitors Center.
For Sheats, what remains special about Christmas in Odessa is how it has been a family-centered event “right from the beginning.”
As for Mruk, who has “20 years’ experience” of attendance under her belt, this tradition holds “a very special place” in her and her family’s hearts.
She also hopes that this tradition continues to live on and become a “more family-oriented event,” in which family members, both old and young, can make holiday memories that will last a lifetime.
“That’s what’s cool about it,” Mruk said. “There’s something for every age group here.”
Christmas in Odessa will take place Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Seventeen public buildings and ten private homes will be open that day. Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased ahead of time online or same day.
In addition to the tours, featured events throughout the day will include Christmas concerts, tea and cookies and a tree-lighting ceremony on the Old Academy lawn to ring in the holiday season.
There will also be a fresh-cut greens sale at the Fieldstone Stable from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Historic Odessa Foundation Visitors Center through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More information can be found at www.christmasinodessa.org/.
Several town partners will also have their own separate holiday-themed events on the same day as Christmas in Odessa.
The Historic Odessa Foundation presents its annual holiday exhibition through Sunday, Dec. 29, recreating scenes from J.M. Barrie's 1911 novel, "Peter and Wendy.''
Additional details can be found on the Foundation website.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library will host a wide range of events on Dec. 7.
Features will include a hot chocolate bar, live music and entertainment and a cookie plate and ornament sale fundraiser.
The Odessa Fire Company Station 24 will host a vendors and crafts fair that same day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food will be provided from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact. You can reach her at[email protected].
302-409-3710
