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 Bellamy Mansion Museum 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 Wilmington, 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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“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.”
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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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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 Long Leaf 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 La Fia Bistro or visit BurgwinWright House and Gardens, 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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, 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.
Delaware may be one of the nation’s smaller states, but it certainly packs a punch in character and opportunity. From its strategic location on the East Coast and tax-friendly policies, to its vibrant communities and natural beauty, there is much to appreciate about life in the First State. However, like any location, living in Delaware has its share of drawbacks. So, is Delaware a good place to live? In this Redfin article, we ...
Delaware may be one of the nation’s smaller states, but it certainly packs a punch in character and opportunity. From its strategic location on the East Coast and tax-friendly policies, to its vibrant communities and natural beauty, there is much to appreciate about life in the First State. However, like any location, living in Delaware has its share of drawbacks. So, is Delaware a good place to live? In this Redfin article, we will look at what it’s like to call this state home, exploring the unique pros and cons of living in Delaware. So whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Wilmington, apartments in Dover, or just want to learn more about the area, join us as we embark on a journey through the First State.
| Population | 989,948 |
| Median home sale price | $352,200 |
| Average rent in Delaware | $1,665 |
| Largest cities in Delaware | Wilmington, Dover, Newark |
Delaware can be a great place to live if you’re looking for a slower pace without losing access to bigger cities. Locals like the easy drives to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and D.C., but also value the small-town feel and quieter coastal communities. The state has no sales tax, low property taxes, and relatively short commute times. Beach towns like Rehoboth and Lewes draw in weekend crowds, but many people live there year-round for the relaxed atmosphere.
That said, it’s not for everyone. Some people find the pace too slow, especially outside the summer season, and the job market is smaller compared to nearby metros. If you’re looking for nightlife or a fast-moving career hub, Delaware might feel limiting.
One of the standout advantages of living in Delaware is the absence of a state sales tax. This unique feature sets Delaware apart from many other states in the U.S. Residents of the “First State” can enjoy tax-free shopping, making their dollars stretch further and saving significantly on everyday purchases, big-ticket items, and even luxury goods. Additionally, the state does not tax Social Security income, and no inheritance or estate tax exists. These favorable tax policies contribute to a lower overall tax burden for individuals and families, offering an attractive financial incentive for those who appreciate keeping more of their hard-earned income.
While Delaware offers diverse, appealing features, including its tax benefits and coastal beauty, it’s not without drawbacks, particularly concerning the cost of living in specific areas. Sussex County, famed for its scenic coastal communities, experiences a cost of living approximately 2% higher than the national average, driven in part by the elevated demand for housing in these picturesque towns. The state’s median sale price, at $352,200, is lower than the national median of $430,00. However, the median sale price in Lewes soars to $560,000, underscoring the considerable discrepancy in real estate costs. This higher cost of living in select areas can pose financial challenges for residents, affecting housing affordability and everyday expenses but there are many affordable places to explore in Delaware.
Delaware’s prime location on the East Coast offers a significant advantage to its residents. Positioned between the bustling urban centers of New York City and Washington, D.C., Delaware provides quick and convenient access to these metropolitan hubs’ cultural, economic, and professional opportunities. The state’s well-connected transportation infrastructure, including I-95 and Amtrak, makes commuting or weekend getaways a breeze. This geographic advantage allows Delawareans to enjoy the benefits of living in a more relaxed and affordable environment, while still having the vast array of amenities and services of major cities just a short journey away.
Delaware’s weather patterns are characterized by extreme fluctuations, which can be a considerable con for residents. The state experiences all four seasons, but their transitions can be abrupt and unpredictable. Winters can bring heavy snowfall and cold temperatures, while summers can deliver sweltering heat and high humidity. Although often pleasant, the spring and fall seasons can also be marked by sudden weather changes, including severe thunderstorms and even hurricanes in some years. These rapid shifts can challenge planning outdoor activities and dressing for the day.
The state boasts a stunning stretch of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, featuring pristine beaches such as Rehoboth, Bethany, and Dewey Beach, each with a unique character. These coastal havens offer opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, water sports, and scenic walks along the boardwalks. Additionally, Delaware’s coastal areas are home to picturesque fishing villages like Bowers and charming beach towns, each exuding a sense of nostalgia and offering delectable seafood dining options.
One notable drawback of living in Delaware is the limited public transportation options, particularly in some less urbanized areas. While the state’s larger cities offer some public transit services, like Dover, which has a transit score of 28, the coverage and frequency of these systems can be limited. This leaves residents in more rural or suburban areas reliant on personal vehicles for commuting and daily transportation. This lack of extensive public transport can lead to increased traffic congestion, higher commuting costs, and limited accessibility for those who do not own a car.
As one of the original 13 colonies, the state boasts a rich legacy celebrated through numerous historic sites and museums. Delaware enchants residents with its rich tapestry of history, ranging from the charming colonial-era buildings in New Castle to Dover’s pivotal role in early American history. Its charming historic districts and landmarks provide a living connection to the past, while cultural festivals, arts communities, and educational institutions help foster a dynamic appreciation for heritage.
With a significant portion of the state’s population concentrated along the Atlantic coast, Delawareans are more exposed to the potential consequences of coastal flooding and hurricanes. During hurricane season, the state faces the risk of severe storms and rising sea levels, which can lead to flooding, property damage, and displacement of residents. While the state has implemented measures and emergency response plans, including potential evacuation protocols, the recurrent threat of hurricanes can be a cause for concern, impacting both homeowners and the overall quality of life.
Delaware’s residents often praise the state’s strong sense of community, fostered by numerous small towns and close-knit neighborhoods. Communities frequently unite for local events, festivals, and volunteering, reinforcing neighborly bonds and nurturing a supportive, inclusive atmosphere. The state’s modest size maintains this sense of connection even in larger cities, ensuring a network of support and meaningful relationships. This pervasive sense of belonging significantly enriches residents’ quality of life, adding to Delaware’s charm and making it an inviting place to live.
The number of job openings and career advancement prospects can be more limited than larger metropolitan areas. The state’s compact size also means that commuters often look beyond Delaware’s borders for job options, adding to the complexity of the employment landscape. Consequently, career growth and industry diversity can be challenging, making it more difficult for professionals in certain fields to find their desired positions within the state.
The St. Anthony's Italian Festival is back for the 100th anniversary of its host church, and there are some new foods and events to check out.The festival will kick off on June 8 at 4 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church in the Little Italy district of Wilmington and go until 10:30. The festival is sticking around for the rest of the week as follows:Unless there is severe weather, the events are rain or shine. An unstable weather pattern of showers and storms is in store from June 8 through June 11, according to f...
The St. Anthony's Italian Festival is back for the 100th anniversary of its host church, and there are some new foods and events to check out.
The festival will kick off on June 8 at 4 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church in the Little Italy district of Wilmington and go until 10:30. The festival is sticking around for the rest of the week as follows:
Unless there is severe weather, the events are rain or shine. An unstable weather pattern of showers and storms is in store from June 8 through June 11, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service.
There will be food, rides, games and more at the festival. Anthony Albence, St. Anthony of Padua Parish trustee and festival coordinator, said simply walking around and trying as much as possible is the best way to enjoy it.
"It's a beautiful environment with the church and the school and just a very tranquil setting here," he said.
Parking in the surrounding dense neighborhoods is tough and competitive. There are options for people who are willing to park a little farther away, Albence said.
A gravel parking lot near Salesianum School, near 18th and Broom streets, will be available. Shuttles will consistently bring people to and from the festival entrance gates.
This year's festival is starting off with a bang.
OperaDelaware will be singing arias at a pop-up concert in the church at 3 p.m. on June 8. That will join a home winemaker competition and Italian dance performances from the Brandywine School of Dance.
The rest of the week will continue to celebrate the church's 100-year anniversary. There will be a procession of saints at the end of the week.
"As we enter the last few months of the centennial celebration, we wanted to really highlight that in the festival," Albence said.
Great food options are the hallmark of any Italian festival, and St. Anthony's is no different.
Some new options for people to try include a food truck for arancini, or rice balls, and homemade Italian cuisine from Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, caterer Luigi and Giovanni.
A new food truck with mini-doughnuts called DonutNV also will be there.
Besides an abundance of Italian foods from vendors from Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, summer classics like funnel cake and water ice will be available.
A full list of vendors is available on the festival's website.
"We have a nice mix of old and new," Albence said.
Single-day and festival-long passes are available on the festival's website. You can also purchase in person.
Daily admission is $7, and a weekly pass is $20. The weekly pass is $17 online if bought before the festival. The last day, June 15, is free.
Don't bother to take cash, as the entire event is cashless except for in-person admission.
All proceeds go to the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School.
Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at [email protected].
From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!In the coming months, thousands of Amazon workers in Wilmington will be joined by new “coworkers” who can regularly lift packages up to 50 pounds and don’t need breaks — because they are robots.There are already about 6,000 robots working alongside humans inside the massive Delawa...
From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!
In the coming months, thousands of Amazon workers in Wilmington will be joined by new “coworkers” who can regularly lift packages up to 50 pounds and don’t need breaks — because they are robots.
There are already about 6,000 robots working alongside humans inside the massive Delaware fulfillment center that runs 24/7. During an average week, the center receives and sends out about 5 million products.
Amazon is investing in more automation at the site, such as new robots that can help workers move containers of packages just before shipping — upgrades the company expects to have in place in time for the holiday shopping season.
“A robot will take that container [of] packages right to the dock door, where an associate will then load onto [the truck],” said Ken Jones, the fulfillment center’s site manager.
The aim, Jones said, is to ease the physical strain on workers — reducing how much walking and heavy lifting employees do moving packages through one of the largest fulfillment centers in the nation.
Amazon officials say that automation does not replace human jobs, but shifts the role away from physical labor to quality management and robotics maintenance.
The company’s 3.6 million-square-foot center opened in 2021. A former General Motors manufacturing plant at the site was demolished several years ago.
Delaware offered a $4.5 million performance grant to Amazon in exchange for the investment. Amazon signed a 20-year lease for the building with industrial developer Dermody Properties.
Amazon has about 9,500 part-time and full-time employees across Delaware.
During President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war, the U.S. has imposed tariffs as high as 145% on imports from China. But Amazon didn’t notice any slowdown of products being processed at the Wilmington fulfillment center, Jones said.
Fulfillment centers are just one step in Amazon’s supply chain. They’re already a blend of automation and manual processes.
For example, if a container ship arrives at the Port of Wilmington filled to the brim with imports, it’s sent to a freight operation known as Amazon’s inventory replacement warehouses.
It’s then broken down into pallets of goods, which are then routed by truck to an Amazon fulfillment center like the one on Boxwood Road in Wilmington.
At the receiving dock, workers unload pallets stacked with everything from coconut water to shoes to vacuums. Items are unpacked, sorted and shelved — triggering systems to indicate the products appear as available to purchase online.
When customers order a product, a computer algorithm works backwards based on how long it takes to ship the product to arrive on time. It helps Amazon decide which fulfillment center to use for processing.
Pickers remove items from movable, robotic shelving units and pack each box by hand. A machine applies a shipping label.
Sorters then route boxes onto conveyor belts, which then drop through chutes at a pace of 1,000 boxes per hour. Drivers in delivery trucks take packages to customers’ doorsteps.
In both the picking and sortation areas, robots help workers move packages along.
Autonomous motorized robots known as drivers look like solid plastic pallets low to the ground. They wheel themselves over QR codes on the floor and are controlled by computer algorithms.
On its top, one of these robots can carry a shelving unit in the picking section or, in the sortation section, a single cardboard package that’s nearly ready for shipping.
Years ago, workers would walk miles each day to retrieve products themselves. But now, when attached to drivers, the shelving units move themselves across the fulfillment center’s cement floor and bring products to employees for packing.
There’s a single robotic arm attached to a platform used in the sortation section that works with the drivers to move packages along.
The large, robotic arm sweeps across a conveyor belt to pick up and sort packages that already have shipping labels on them. It uses suction cups to pick up the packages, uses a camera to scan the labels, and sets the packages on the drivers that wheel themselves to the right chute, where packages keep traveling to the next processing area.
There are still manual package sortation stations where workers pick up boxes from a conveyor belt and place them on those robotic drivers.
Those stations are usually reserved for high-demand periods like busy shopping seasons; the stations are only opened when the robotic arm section hits max capacity. On average, about 80% of packages are sorted by autonomous robots.
There are about two dozen of those robotic arms attached to the platforms in the sortation section working now. They can process 150% more packages than humans, in part because they don’t take breaks and run 24 hours a day.
The average package at the facility is 25 pounds or lighter. The robotic arms can lift up to 50 pounds if the suction cups have a good grasp.
“Instead of the associate being focused on the physical lifting, the role has now transferred to, ‘How do I keep the robots on the floor running?’” Jones said. “The automation allows for the associate to focus on quality inspection.”
The company is investing in new robotic arms on a different floor of the facility as its expansion plan.
The average nationwide hourly wage at a customer fulfillment center and operations job is $22 an hour. When benefits are included, the company estimates the value is $29 an hour.
Amazon declined to share how much the robots cost for initial purchase and maintenance. But through generative artificial intelligence the company is “optimizing our supply chain planning, forecasting and delivery routing as well as creating new capabilities in robotics and automation,” the company said.
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