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 Historic Occoneechee Speedway 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 Orange, NC 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 Eisenhower 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 The Hobbit or visit James Madison Museum of Orange County Heritage, 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 Orange, NC, 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 Orange, NC 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 Orange, NC 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.
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.Coming off a horrendous 80-69 loss to Pittsburgh, Syracuse is back in action following a week-long break. Against Pitt, they blew a ...
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Coming off a horrendous 80-69 loss to Pittsburgh, Syracuse is back in action following a week-long break. Against Pitt, they blew a 16-point first-half lead. They allowed the Panthers to score 46 points in the back half on 62.5% shooting and six 3-pointers. Syracuse did hit a season-high 14 triples, seven of which were by Chris Bell, who scored a season-high 23 points. Ultimately, SU’s defense let it down, as it dropped its second game to Pitt this season.
Next up for Syracuse is NC State, a team that’s right behind it in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings. SU sits in 15th place, one game ahead of the Wolfpack for the last spot in the ACC Tournament. A win for Syracuse would create a cushion, but a loss means NC State would overtake it in the standings.
Here’s how our beat writers feel Syracuse (11-16, 5-11 ACC) will fare against NC State (11-16, 4-12, ACC):
Zak Wolf (23-4) Barely Syracuse 75, NC State 73
If you need any indication of how far Syracuse has fallen as a program, look no further than the stakes of Wednesday’s contest. For SU, mediocrity used to mean being on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Now it means teetering on the brink of the ACC Tournament, something that wasn’t even possible a year ago. If the Orange fail to beat NC State, they no longer control their own destiny for the postseason, which would be the cherry on top of the program’s worst season in 50 years.
That’s why I’m picking Syracuse. I don’t think it can get any worse for SU. Maybe that’s wishful thinking on my part, but I think there will be a sense of desperation against the Wolfpack. DJ Burns and DJ Horne can’t miraculously appear to recapture their Cinderella magic from last season. Instead, NC State is a below average squad that went a whole month without winning an ACC game, losing nine straight.
That doesn’t necessarily mean this will come easy for Syracuse. Every SU win this season has felt like pulling teeth, and this isn’t going to be different. NC State is going to be just as desperate as Syracuse, though I think J.J. Starling will make enough plays on the perimeter and Eddie Lampkin Jr.’s presence in the post can get the Orange over the line. Barely.
Aiden Stepansky (23-4) Living on the edge Syracuse 72, NC State 75
It’s not ridiculous to say this is the biggest game of the Adrian Autry era thus far. Of course, there were some big games last season, but the stakes in this one are massive. A loss for the Orange would put their ACC Tournament hopes in other teams’ hands for the first time. While NC State is far from an impressive squad, it has won two of its last three, including a 12-point win over Wake Forest.
Unlike Justin and Zak, I see the Orange slipping further. SU, at this point, doesn’t know how to win when it matters most. They proved it even further against Pitt, falling despite leading by as much as 16 points and Bell being hot from beyond the arc. Another sharp shooting day for Bell could lead SU to victory this time around, but I still don’t see it. The fact is Syracuse has allowed 78.6 points per game — the second-worst mark in the ACC — while the Wolfpack have given up only 69.9.
The Orange have even allowed an insane 85.6 points per game over their last five. It doesn’t matter how well Bell shoots, how strong Lampkin Jr. is inside or how crafty Starling gets in the midrange. Poor defense has plagued Syracuse time and time again. And even though NC State has one of the worst offenses in the conference, it won’t change for the Orange Wednesday.
Justin Girshon (21-6) Winners get washed Syracuse 77, NC State 74
Aiden and I were talking about if this is the biggest game of the Autry era. I thought he was nuts when he said this is the biggest one. But, it’s really not that far-fetched. I instantly thought about Syracuse’s regular-season finale against Clemson last year, which maybe could’ve pushed it toward the bubble if they won two or three ACC Tournament games.
Though SU getting to March Madness last year was pretty far-fetched regardless. What’s not far-fetched is missing the ACC Tournament — a very realistic possibility depending on what happens Wednesday. But, I think the Orange will seal their fate by defeating NC State.
While the Wolfpack are coming off a big win over Wake Forest, which SU lost to, I’m still not moved they’ll win consecutive games for the first time since December. Though the Orange’s defense has been horrific across their three-game losing streak, NC State’s 48.8% effective field goal percentage ranks 280th in the nation. I think Syracuse will score just enough to get by a shaky Wolfpack team for a crucial win.
Published on February 25, 2025 at 9:09 pm
Syracuse, N.Y. – Syracuse needed Wednesday’s win.For their competitive psyche, sure, but also because beating NC State 74-60 in the JMA Wireless Dome put the Orange in better position to play in the ACC’s postseason tournament.SU is not guaranteed a spot. It could still need another win over its next three games...
Syracuse, N.Y. – Syracuse needed Wednesday’s win.
For their competitive psyche, sure, but also because beating NC State 74-60 in the JMA Wireless Dome put the Orange in better position to play in the ACC’s postseason tournament.
SU is not guaranteed a spot. It could still need another win over its next three games to seal the deal, depending on what other teams hovering near that 15th spot do over the next 10 days.
But right now, the Orange, with its 6-11 conference record, is likely to play in the ACC Tournament.
Matt Hackman, who calculates online the probability of postseason conference tournament seeding and also calculates which teams are more mathematically likely to play in tournaments with a cut line, gave SU an 84% chance of making the ACC Tournament on Sunday.
And that was before the Orange beat NC State.
Now that the ACC has expanded to 18 teams, only the top 15 teams play in Charlotte beginning March 11. If the tournament were to be played today, NC State, Boston College and Miami would be left out of the competition.
“We talk about three seasons and now you never know what happens,” SU coach Adrian Autry said. “We’re gonna finish this season out, then we get a chance to go to the ACC Tournament, that’s a new season for us. And that’s how we want to approach it.”
Syracuse players said the Orange coaching staff has not mentioned the ACC Tournament. Autry said earlier this week that the staff is focused on each game ahead of it. Winning those games would subsequently mean participating in the ACC’s postseason.
Nothing really needed to be said.
SU’s players understood how the system works.
“We know that there’s 18 teams now in the league so you got to win in order to play in the tournament,” Kyle Cuffe said. “So I mean, that’s the unspoken rule. The ACC Tournament, you have to go and you gotta win now.”
“Naturally, as players, you know what’s going on,” Jyare Davis said. “I mean, he hasn’t made a big deal about it, but we’re definitely trying to take every game seriously and win every game. Keep it one game at a time.”
Orange players want their season to continue. They had eight days to rest their bodies a bit between games, to shrug off the road loss to Pittsburgh.
That time, players said, was spent focusing on themselves, on trying to improve the things they could improve.
For most of the season, SU has played an unceasing succession of games.
“So you spend a lot of time worrying about the other team and going over the things that the other team does,” Davis said. “And we were able to kind of focus on getting our own team better instead of worrying about the other team.”
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The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team rushed out to a double-digit lead early on and never looked back, using their size to secure a convincing 74-60 victory against NC State on Wednesday night in the Dome. SU improves to 12-16 (6-11) on the season, while the visitors drop to 11-17 (4-13).Both teams entered what is one of their final games of the regular season in similar p...
The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team rushed out to a double-digit lead early on and never looked back, using their size to secure a convincing 74-60 victory against NC State on Wednesday night in the Dome. SU improves to 12-16 (6-11) on the season, while the visitors drop to 11-17 (4-13).
Both teams entered what is one of their final games of the regular season in similar positions near the bottom of the ACC standings. With goals for both programs to at least qualify for the ACC Tournament in what was effectively a play-in game, the win was a must.
The Orange entered the matchup on a three-game skid, which included losses to UNC, Pitt, and league-worst Miami. The last time the two teams met, NC State knocked the Orange out of the ACC Tournament.
The Cuse squad made their physical presence felt in the opening minutes of the contest as they protected the paint well, and Jyare Davis grabbed the first bucket of the day from right under the rim.
Jaquan Carlos started at the one for the Orange for the second straight game. The Hofstra transfer’s calm and composure allowed the team to slow things down and control the pace early on.
With this control, Eddie Lampkin Jr. was able to impose his will on the game, using his size and weight against the slender Ben Middlebrooks, who had enjoyed excellent performances against the Orange last year.
Lampkin and Davis’ physicality resulted in easy buckets that got the team out to a 13-3 lead early, also keeping NC State 1-8 through the first five minutes while dominating the boards.
Jy for 3! Part of a 13-3 run to start the game. ESPNU pic.twitter.com/BbCjA2ouwu
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) February 27, 2025
Head Coach Adrian Autry opted to shift his lineup early and often as Naheem McLeod, Petar Majstorovic, and Chris Bell were brought on for a frontcourt shift and continued SU’s strong run. The Wolfpack’s undersized bigs were unable to wrangle McLeod, who picked up four easy points immediately after jumping into the game.
NAHEEM! ESPNU pic.twitter.com/mvVcqjNP1n
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) February 27, 2025
Although the scoring slowed in the following period, the Orange were able to extend their lead further through efficient shooting and mitigating turnovers.
A string of Syracuse fouls allowed NC State to close the gap to 12, and SU went cold from the field for six minutes, but their earlier lead allowed them to remain in control.
The size advantage in the paint for Cuse provided a consistent outlet on offense to slow the game and extend possessions, using the clock to their benefit.
The half ended with the Orange in complete control after their early lead. The 38-25 scoreline marked one of the team's best defensive performances in a half this year (23 vs Cal) as they also held their visitors to 30% from the field and 15% from beyond the arc.
The Pack’s three top scorers of Marcus Hill, Jayden Taylor, and Dontrez Styles were also contained to a combined four points.
On the other side, Lampkin pitched in nine, and six other SU players scored at least four points in the half. The Orange did not dominate in any category except efficiency, but also held their turnovers to three and had shown good effort on defense and the glass to establish their favorable position.
The visitors started the scoring in the second half, but the Orange got right back to work on the inside through the efforts of Davis and Lampkin as they continued to pound away at the Wolfpack defense.
Eddie playing bully ball ESPNU pic.twitter.com/X8I92xgTh4
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) February 27, 2025
The opponents traded points and fouls in a physical battle early on as the Pack attempted to go with both Middlebrooks and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield in at the same time to buff up the interior.
This attempt proved futile as Davis continued to overpower his taller opponents, putting up seven points in the first five minutes.
On the opposite side of the ball, NC State continued their poor shooting streak, going 33% through the first eight minutes of the second half.
The Pack implemented a full-court press to attempt to change the trajectory, which did force Orange turnovers on a few occasions. Despite the pressure in the open court, Cuse continued to punish their smaller opponents down low and maintain their lead through the set offense.
Davis and Lampkin kept making things happen inside, and the Cuse guards hit the right shots in critical moments to maintain a comfortable lead. JJ Starling added a few circus shots in late-clock scenarios to further boost the team’s confidence entering the final stretch.
With time on their side, the Orange simply ground out the final minutes on the clock to secure a 74-60 win in a big battle at the bottom of the ACC standings.
Jyare Davis (15pts, 7reb) and Eddie Lampkin (14pts, 14reb) made the difference for the Orange as they dominated NC State on the interior on both sides of the ball. A late flurry from Starling also saw him finish with 17 points and four assists.
The Orange defense also impressed on the night, holding their visitors to 34% from the field and 30% from behind the arc while dominating on the boards.
Following this uplifting result, the Orange will head out of town for their final two road games of the regular season at Virginia Tech on March 1 and SMU on March 4. Syracuse will likely need one more positive result if they want to qualify for the ACC Tournament.
Some Orange County homeowners could pay higher tax bills this year after a nearly 50% estimated increase in the county’s property values, officials said.“Counties are seeing large increases throughout the state,” Tax Administrator Nancy Freeman told the Orange County Board of Commissioners Tuesday. The tax office is wrapping up the 2025 revaluation, which resets home and commercial property values.This year’s median home sales price could reach $423,000 in Hillsborough, $612,500 in Carrboro, and $660,000...
Some Orange County homeowners could pay higher tax bills this year after a nearly 50% estimated increase in the county’s property values, officials said.
“Counties are seeing large increases throughout the state,” Tax Administrator Nancy Freeman told the Orange County Board of Commissioners Tuesday. The tax office is wrapping up the 2025 revaluation, which resets home and commercial property values.
This year’s median home sales price could reach $423,000 in Hillsborough, $612,500 in Carrboro, and $660,000 in Chapel Hill, Freeman said. That’s a 43% increase for Chapel Hill since 2021, when the median sales price was $460,000.
A tax office survey of 21 counties showed property values are up 25% to 88% in the last few years, Freeman said. Counties similar to Orange County are seeing an average increase of 61%, she said.
In Johnston County, significant growth since 2019 has led to a 70.6% increase or more in the median sales price, The News & Observer has reported. Wake County property values rose an average of 53% in that revaluation last year.
Durham County officials are expecting an 80% jump in median home sales prices — to $430,500. Revaluation notices should go out this month.
Orange County will send out new tax value notices in mid-March. Public information events will follow, and the tax office will meet with the town boards in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough.
The county and towns will set new tax rates by June, and new tax bills will arrive in August. Property owners currently pay:
? Orange County: 86.29 cents per $100 in property value. A home valued at $450,000 generates a county tax bill of $3,883.05.
? Chapel Hill: 59.2 cents per $100 in property value. A $450,000 home generates a combined county and city tax bill of $6,547.05.
? Carrboro: 60.44 cents per $100 in property value. A $450,000 home generates a combined county and city tax bill of $6,602.85.
? Hillsborough: 60.7 cents per $100 in property value. A $450,000 home generates a combined county and city tax bill of $6,614.55.
? Chapel Hill-Carrboro property owners also pay a special city schools district. The tax rate is 19.8 cents, which adds $891 to the tax bill for a $450,000 home.
? An appraisal of residential and commercial properties countywide, based on fair market value — the price at which the property would sell on the open market.
? The property’s location, size, scale, and income potential — the highest and best use under current zoning — are also considered.
? The goal is ensuring owners of similar properties pay roughly the same tax bill.
? The state requires a revaluation at least every eight years, but more quickly if a county’s sales ratio grows too high or too low.
? The state requires counties to set a revenue-neutral property tax rate following a revaluation.
? The revenue-neutral rate ensures that local governments receive the same amount of tax revenue based on new market values that they collected before the revaluation.
? Local governments can budget around the revenue-neutral tax rate or raise it to bring in additional money.
? A revaluation can generate higher tax bills for some property owners, while others can see their bills reduced.
An appeals form is included with revaluation notices and also available online. Submit an appeal:
? By mail: Orange County Board of Equalization and Review, Orange County Tax Office, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278-8181
? In person: Place in lockbox at 228 S. Churton St., Hillsborough
? Online: https://appeals.spatialest.com/nc-orange#/
There are two appeals periods:
? Informal appeal: Property owners can submit a real property or personal property appeal, such as for a car or mobile home, from mid-March through April 30. Staff handles informal appeals.
? Formal appeal: Property owners can submit a real property appeal or a personal property appeal, such as for a car or mobile home, from May 1 through July 31. The county’s Board of Equalization and Review considers formal appeals.
? Board of Equalization and Review decisions can be appealed to the N.C. Property Tax Commission.
There are local and state programs — each with its own requirements — that help lower-income property owners pay their tax bills.
? Homestead Exclusion: Open to homeowners who are 65 and older or permanently disabled as of Jan. 1, with incomes below $37,900. Provides a discount of $25,000 or 50% of the appraised value of the home and up to an acre of land, whichever is greater. Must own your home as of Jan. 1.
? Circuit Breaker Tax Deferment: A tax deferment program that puts a lien on your property. All owners of the property have to be approved and cannot earn more than $56,850 a year in 2025. Taxes from the last three years of program participation must be repaid if the owner dies, is later disqualified, or stops using the home as their permanent residence.
? Disabled Veteran Exclusion: Available to honorably discharged veterans from any military branch who get their disability documented through the Veterans Administration. Offers a $45,000 tax discount. Applications are due before June 1 each year.
? Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program: A tax relief program for Orange County and Chapel Hill property owners who have lived in their home for at least five years, earn no more than 80% of the area median income for their household size, and own a home worth less than the county’s annual property value limit.
There may be exceptions for households that also include a person age 70 or older or someone who is disabled.
This story was originally published February 26, 2025 at 8:28 AM.
TG
The News & Observer
Tammy Grubb has written about Orange County’s politics, people and government since 2010. She is a UNC-Chapel Hill alumna and has lived and worked in the Triangle for over 30 years.
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.Syracuse men’s basketball had a week off following its disastrous 80-69 loss to Pittsburgh, where it ...
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Syracuse men’s basketball had a week off following its disastrous 80-69 loss to Pittsburgh, where it spoiled a 16-point first-half lead. The defeat marked SU’s 11th Atlantic Coast Conference loss of the season, tying its most-ever since the 2021-22 season. If the Orange lose one of their final four regular-season games, it will be the first time in program history that they’ll have 12 conference defeats.
SU will look to stave off that feat against NC State at home Wednesday. The contest will be both teams’ most important games of the season. Syracuse sits in 15th place in the ACC, which would be the lowest seed for the ACC Tournament. Due to the ACC’s expansion, three teams won’t qualify. NC State is currently one of those programs, but a win would propel the Wolfpack ahead of the Orange in the standings.
Here’s everything to know about NC State (11-16, 4-12 ACC) ahead of its matchup with Syracuse (11-16, 5-11 ACC) Wednesday:
Syracuse leads 14-7.
SU and NC State met in the second round of the ACC Tournament, where the Wolfpack prevailed 83-65. It was their first of nine straight wins, which helped them win the ACC Tournament and go all the way to the Final Four. Meanwhile, the loss ended the Orange’s first season under Adrian Autry.
Syracuse trailed by only three points at halftime and even led 39-37 with 18:45 remaining. That was before NC State embarked on a 21-2 run to seize control of the game. In his final game with SU, Judah Mintz scored a game-high 21 points while Jayden Taylor led NC State with 18.
Syracuse has a 56% chance of winning, with a projected score of 73-71.
NC State captured the hearts of college basketball fans last March with its Cinderella run to the Final Four. It finished 9-11 in ACC play and entered the ACC Tournament as the No. 10 seed after four-straight losses. The Wolfpack then won five games in five days to seal a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Center DJ Burns Jr. became a sensation due to his combination of power post moves and soft touch at 6-foot-9, 275 pounds. DJ Horne also wowed fans with his microwave-scoring ability.
Both players graduated, and NC State has failed to build off its success. Taylor — the Wolfpack’s third-leading scorer — returned alongside forward Ben Middlebrooks and guard Michael O’Connell, but they lost four of their top five scorers. To make up for the losses, head coach Kevin Keatts brought in Bowling Green transfer Marcus Hill and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield from Louisville, a former five-star recruit, per 247Sports.
Hill has made an instant impact, leading NC State in scoring with 12.1 points per game while Huntley-Hatfield is playing less than 20 minutes per game. Dontrez Styles, a Georgetown transfer, has had an impact in the frontcourt, adding 10.6 points per game and shooting 35% from 3.
NC State’s new-look squad went over a month without winning an ACC game, dropping nine straight. Before a 70-62 win against Boston College, the Wolfpack were 2-11 in ACC play. A 12-point win over Wake Forest two games later made it two wins in three games.
Chris Bell had his best game of the season against Pitt, scoring a season-high 23 points on seven 3-pointers. Syracuse should try to keep Bell hot to take some of the weight off J.J. Starling’s shoulders. Bell has come off the bench the last 14 games, but can still provide a scoring boost when needed, like he showed last Tuesday.
The Orange also need to play better defense, especially late in games. During their three-game losing streak, their second-half defense has been atrocious, allowing 140 combined points. Syracuse conceded 48 to Miami and 46 to both North Carolina and Pittsburgh. The lowest field goal percentage SU held anybody to in that stretch was 53.8% against UNC. NC State’s offense shouldn’t provide the Orange with many challenges, considering it averages just 70.2 points per game, which is the third-lowest mark in the ACC.
Starling attempted a career-high 11 3-pointers against Pitt. The point guard connected on just three of them, part of a 5-for-15 effort from the field. It was just the fourth time in his career he attempted at least 10 triples. Many of Starling’s looks were open, which Autry pointed to postgame. He just didn’t hit them. Even if Starling didn’t take any ill-advised shots, 11 3s is a lot for him. Starling is best when he’s driving to the rim, not when he’s living on the perimeter.
Taylor is the only double-digit scorer left from NC State’s run to the Final Four. As a junior, he wasn’t one of the Wolfpack’s stars, only averaging 5.6 points during the NCAA Tournament. He was solid for NC State during the season, averaging 11.2 points per game, and this year, his role has largely remained the same. His scoring average has barely increased to 11.8 points per game and he still hits over four 3-pointers per game, totaling a team-high 40 3s at a 33% clip.
Published on February 25, 2025 at 9:01 pmContact Zak: [email protected] | @ZakWolf22
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