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 Historic Occoneechee Speedway in Orange, NC 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.
“Always Best Care provided excellent support in helping my Mom find the most appropriate Assisted”
“My brothers and I have been caring for our Mom’s healthcare for the past 2”
“Sandy Bowen met with me when I was first making the hard decision to find”
“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was”
“I have been working for ABC for two years now, and I am very grateful”
“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after”
“This company is TOP-NOTCH! Incredibly helpful and super friendly. If you’re looking for a part-time”
“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home”
“These folks are so helpful! They care about their clients and it shows in the”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and”
“Always Best Care provided excellent support in helping my Mom find the most appropriate Assisted Living facility. We are grateful for their experience, advice and fielding great questions in the process. They also have stayed in touch making sure Mom is settling and finding peace in her new home.”
“My brothers and I have been caring for our Mom’s healthcare for the past 2 1/2 years, and in that time the knowledge, support and insight from our consultant, Sandy Bowen, at Always Best Care has made the difference between us feeling like we were suddenly out to sea in completely uncharted waters and finding that we had a competent guide and helper for the journey. There were so many details, both administrative and practical, that we were unaware of, and Sandy was always a step or two ahead of us. She had her eye out for us and our mom and was present and available from the very beginning. She did her job as a caring and compassionate professional who was also a genuine friend and ally. I cannot recommend Always Best Care and Sandy enough! I will definitely continue to tell others about them.”
“Sandy Bowen met with me when I was first making the hard decision to find a SAFE and loving place for my mom. She listened to all my emotion and to my logistical needs. She answered ALL my questions with empathy, knowledge and experience. She took that information and showed me several places taking into account how difficult it was to balance our financial situation with wanting the best care for my mom. At that point, i hesitated, procrastinated and avoided making a decision. When it became clear to me that i couldn't delay any longer, Sandy told me her honest opinion about the places that would provide what I was looking for. I was still apprehensive. This was not a position I'd ever dreamed of being in. So, I had to go look one more time at the place I felt drawn to. She gladly made the 2nd visit happen. I chose Clemmons Village. It was so clean, the residents looked content and well cared for. The financial aspect was a surprisingly good fit. But mostly, the staff at clemmons village were so kind, helpful and down to earth. Now these past few years have proven this to be the best decision I could've made. Even if we'd been better set financially, looking back i would chosen the same. Everything Sandy did during the whole process was as if she'd done it for her own family. She told the truth. She held my hand, so to speak. And she found exactly what I was looking for. I couldn't be more grateful. I 1000% recommend Sandy Bowen and Always Best Care... they truly live up to the name!”
“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was the best option. She was familiar with all assisted living/memory care facilities around town and was quick to respond to the family with tours. She delivered FL2 forms to physician's and made the transition an easy process. I recommend Sandy 100 % for any family needing a smaller community for their elderly family member.”
“I have been working for ABC for two years now, and I am very grateful for my position. The staff are acceptable, the clients are lovely, and the environments are professional. I highly recommend PCAs and CNAs to apply.”
“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
“This company is TOP-NOTCH! Incredibly helpful and super friendly. If you’re looking for a part-time in caregiving, this is it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“These folks are so helpful! They care about their clients and it shows in the service! I highly recommend ????”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
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 in Orange, NC 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.
ORANGE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- As the government shutdown continues, millions of Americans are preparing to lose food assistance when federal funding comes to a halt on Nov. 1.The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would not use emergency funds to help cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, prompting some concerns here in the Triangle."Right now, there are nearly 7,000 kids on free and reduced lunch in Orange County," Suzanne Tormollen of TABLE said. "We're serving a small portion of ...
ORANGE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- As the government shutdown continues, millions of Americans are preparing to lose food assistance when federal funding comes to a halt on Nov. 1.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would not use emergency funds to help cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, prompting some concerns here in the Triangle.
"Right now, there are nearly 7,000 kids on free and reduced lunch in Orange County," Suzanne Tormollen of TABLE said. "We're serving a small portion of it."
TABLE delivers healthy food and nutrition education to children living in Orange County. Every week, volunteers prepare fresh food to feed more than 1,000 kids, with the waitlist that Tormollen said is almost 300 as of Tuesday.
"As soon as we bring families into our program, we do have more families that join our waitlist," Tormollen said. "So in order to sustainably continue feeding the kids that are on our program now, we have to make sure our numbers do not rise too quickly."
Tormollen said they're prepared for the potential impact of SNAP benefit cuts, but losing additional funds would bring even more challenges to families, especially heading into the holidays.
"It's horrible," volunteer Sue-Anne Solem said. "I know it's important work."
TABLE partners with several local farms that harvest and bring fresh food, such as Faithfull Farms in Chapel Hill.
"It's a very tough time," owner Howard Allen said.
Allen has worked with TABLE for more than a year and said the demand has grown. He said it's important for him to continue providing hunger relief to the community.
"Every time I go to the grocery store, the prices seem to be a little bit higher," Allen said. "I am concerned for my neighbors and also folks in my community."
The Syracuse University volleyball team (12-6, 4-4 ACC) fell to No. 21 North Carolina (15-2, 8-0 ACC) in four sets on Sunday afternoon at the Women's Building. The Tar Heels took the match 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-14, 25-13) in front of 457 fans. Despite the loss, the Orange showed resilience in the second set, battling back to even the match before North Carolina pulled away in the final two frames.Gabby McLaughlin led Syracuse with 14 kills while hitting .154 for the match. Skylar George added 12 kills and Soana Lea'ea contributed four...
The Syracuse University volleyball team (12-6, 4-4 ACC) fell to No. 21 North Carolina (15-2, 8-0 ACC) in four sets on Sunday afternoon at the Women's Building. The Tar Heels took the match 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-14, 25-13) in front of 457 fans. Despite the loss, the Orange showed resilience in the second set, battling back to even the match before North Carolina pulled away in the final two frames.
Gabby McLaughlin led Syracuse with 14 kills while hitting .154 for the match. Skylar George added 12 kills and Soana Lea'ea contributed four kills with three solo blocks. Tehya Maeva orchestrated the offense with 34 assists, while Rana Yamada paced the defense with 12 digs and added two service aces.
The opening set was tightly contested throughout, featuring eight ties. Syracuse pulled within one in the waning moments of the set to make it 23-22, but North Carolina closed out the set to earn a 25-23 win in the frame.
The Orange bounced back emphatically in the second set. After falling behind 8-4, Syracuse rallied behind strong serving from Reese Teves, who recorded two aces during a crucial stretch. The Orange built a 24-22 lead and closed out the set 25-23 to even the match, capping a run that saw them score nine of the final 13 points.
North Carolina seized control in the third set, jumping out to an 11-7 lead behind a dominant service run from Safi Hampton. The Tar Heels continued to pull away, hitting .375 for the set while holding Syracuse to just a .028 attack percentage. The Tar Heels took the frame 25-14 to regain the lead.
The fourth set followed a similar pattern as North Carolina built an early 9-3 advantage. The Tar Heels maintained their momentum throughout, hitting .500 for the set. Syracuse couldn't mount a sustained comeback, and UNC closed out the match 25-13.
The Orange will have a quick turnaround as they get set to take on Boston College on Wednesday this week. The match will air on ACC Network at 7 p.m.
For the latest news on the Syracuse volleyball program, follow /CuseVB on Facebook, @CuseVB on Instagram, and @CuseVB on X/Twitter.
Early voting for local elections in the Orange, Durham and Chatham county communities began on Thursday morning, helping bring the election season to a crescendo across 16 days.The 2025 municipal election cycle features a variety of races for town council, town commissioner seats, school board seats and the title of mayor across six towns in the three counties. After filing in July and campaigning through the summer, local candidates will now see if their efforts and messaging have resonated with the electorate.With the early v...
Early voting for local elections in the Orange, Durham and Chatham county communities began on Thursday morning, helping bring the election season to a crescendo across 16 days.
The 2025 municipal election cycle features a variety of races for town council, town commissioner seats, school board seats and the title of mayor across six towns in the three counties. After filing in July and campaigning through the summer, local candidates will now see if their efforts and messaging have resonated with the electorate.
With the early voting period lasting through Saturday, Nov. 1, here is what you need to know before heading to the polls in Orange, Chatham and Durham counties.
Only one site in Orange County is taking early voters for the duration of the early voting period. Orange Works in Hillsborough at 113 Mayo Street is the designated Board of Elections voting site for the cycle, and began welcoming voters from across the county on Thursday, Oct. 16. The site is open on Friday, Oct. 17 before closing for the weekend and picking up again on Monday, Oct. 20. Its weekday hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — with the exception of Friday, Oct. 31 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) — with its Saturday hours on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 running from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and its Sunday hours on Oct. 26 lasting from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The four Chapel Hill and Carrboro early voting sites will join the offerings to voters on Thursday, Oct. 23. This year, they are:
Their hours will follow Orange Works’: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all weekdays except Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26.
There are a handful of voters with Chapel Hill addresses that vote in Durham County, as well as thousands of other Durhamites. Per usual, the county government is utilizing branches of the Durham Public Library as voting sites as well as the Board of Elections building and the law building on N.C. Central’s campus. They are:
Following its municipal primaries, the early voting sites for Durham’s 2025 general elections are open the entire period of Thursday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Nov. 1. Hours on all weekdays are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Saturday hours on Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 set for 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On Sunday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 26, all early voting sites will be open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The final day of early voting, Saturday, Nov. 1, will have the extended hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chatham County early voters have two sites to pick from this municipal cycle: one near downtown Pittsboro, and another on the eastern side of Jordan Lake. The Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center (1192 U.S. Highway 64 West Business in Pittsboro) is available on Thursday, Oct. 16 and Friday, Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. before closing for the weekend. It will then operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays — with hours extended to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30 and Friday, Oct. 31 — 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Starting on Saturday, Oct. 25, the early voting site at New Hope Baptist Church (581 New Hope Church Road in Apex) will be active. Its hours are as follows:
Yes, you will need to show a photo ID in order to vote according to North Carolina law.
Acceptable photo IDs include: driver’s licenses; passports; military IDs; student and employee IDs from UNC, Durham Tech and NC Central; student IDs from Duke; and employee IDs from Orange County, Durham County, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. You can also receive a free photo ID from your county elections office.
Even if you show up to vote without a photo ID, you will still be able to vote – but then to confirm your vote, you’ll have to bring a valid photo ID to your county elections office by 5 p.m. on the ninth day after Election Day (which is Thursday, November 13). You can also sign a Photo ID Exception Form if there’s a reasonable impediment keeping you from providing a valid photo ID. This would apply, for example, if you have a religious objection to being photographed, or if you were the victim of a recent natural disaster.
If you are worried about wait times when going to vote, Orange County is running an early vote wait-time tool, which can be accessed here. Durham County has its own website as well, which can be found here.
The Orange County, Durham County and Chatham County websites have more information that could be helpful to voters and residents during the general election cycle.
Additionally, Orange County voters can text 919-246-8773 at any time to ask questions before they head to the polls.
You can also find more voter resources and information on the North Carolina Board of Elections website.
Stay up to date on local election news by visiting the Local Elections page on Chapelboro.com, where you’ll be able to read all our election coverage including introductions to the local candidates.
Featured image via AP Photo/Michael Conroy.
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WEST ORANGE — Five female students from Morris and Essex county schools, travelled to North Carolina this summer to help rebuild an area damaged by a hurricane last fall.The service trip to Asheville, N.C. was with the nonprofit organization TEEEM – The Empathy Equality Entrepreneurship Mission. From installing drywall to trim work and painting, the five high school students spent a week helping communities rebuild from Hurricane Helene’s destruction last fall.Abigail Goldberg, 18, a senior at Golda Och Academ...
WEST ORANGE — Five female students from Morris and Essex county schools, travelled to North Carolina this summer to help rebuild an area damaged by a hurricane last fall.
The service trip to Asheville, N.C. was with the nonprofit organization TEEEM – The Empathy Equality Entrepreneurship Mission. From installing drywall to trim work and painting, the five high school students spent a week helping communities rebuild from Hurricane Helene’s destruction last fall.
Abigail Goldberg, 18, a senior at Golda Och Academy, was one of the five students who volunteered alongside All Hands and Hearts, a disaster relief organization started by supermodel Petra Nemcova to help rebuild communities impacted by natural disasters.
Goldberg found out about TEEEM through social media. The trip to Asheville was a meaningful experience for her.
“It hit close to home, seeing how similar their community is to ours and how this could have happened to anyone,” she said.
Though the days were long and the work was physically intense, Goldberg saw this as a very good learning opportunity.
“I learned every power tool you can think of,” she said. “It was a unique hands-on experience. It’s an amazing experience and I definitely recommend everyone to try it, even if it’s a day trip.”
Goldberg said her family has always been big on service work and giving back.
“I feel like it’s something that has been engraved in me,” she said. “I saw the opportunity. Why wouldn’t I do it? Might as well help anyone that I can.” Taylor D’Alessio has worked as TEEEM executive vice president since 2021. She said the trip to Asheville was great.
“The girls I was with were so eager to help,” she said. “So excited to learn new tools, learn new skills.”
What made D’Alessio proudest of the girls was the level of empathy they had. She said, “Sometimes it’s difficult to get teenagers to care about people other than themselves and their friends,” D’Alessio said. “The work ethic they put forth was very humbling. We were very proud of the way they approached the entire trip.”
Working directly with Goldberg, D’Alessio saw something special.
“Abigail went right into it from the beginning,” she said. “Very little hesitancy. She volunteered to help one of the other volunteers. It was a difficult task. She had fun with the volunteering. One woman in particular loved working with Abigail. She was very driven to get the job done well. For her to be able to celebrate it being finished, you can see it was a rewarding experience.”
Some of the girls never used power tools before, and D’Alessio saw that as a challenge.
“Your natural nerves are coming in,” D’Alessio said. “These are real power tools. Helping them grapple with something they haven’t done before was a good challenge.”
Nevertheless, D’Alessio said they all did a great job.
“These girls chose to spend the week during the summer to help people they never met,” she said. “That’s really special. It’s just really positive to see. There’s a lot of kids who just want to make the world better.”
TEEEM is a nonprofit providing K-12 schools and universities with free resources to equip students with real skills to make a real impact through its Social Entrepreneurship and Empathy Programs. To learn more about TEEEM, visit: https://www.teeem.org/.
Residents tried but failed Tuesday night to hold Orange County and its fiber broadband partner accountable for a 2022 promise to deliver higher internet speeds to nearly every rural home without reliable service.“As the stewards of our public utility, I would ask you to look at this very carefully and not make any precipitous decisions, but really hold any potential providers’ feet to the fire,” county resident Ken Bradley said.The commissioners debated a few options Tuesday, before voting 5-2 to amend the $10...
Residents tried but failed Tuesday night to hold Orange County and its fiber broadband partner accountable for a 2022 promise to deliver higher internet speeds to nearly every rural home without reliable service.
“As the stewards of our public utility, I would ask you to look at this very carefully and not make any precipitous decisions, but really hold any potential providers’ feet to the fire,” county resident Ken Bradley said.
The commissioners debated a few options Tuesday, before voting 5-2 to amend the $10 million contract with Lumos Fiber. The new, $9.2 million deal gives Lumos until Dec. 31, 2026, to extend broadband service to 665 more customers, for a total of 5,852 homes. About 600 homes would still lack reliable internet service, although 21 may be eligible for a state grant program.
Commissioner Earl McKee called the removal of several hundred homes an equity issue before voting with Commissioners Vice Chair Jean Hamilton to reject the amended contract.
Families without reliable broadband internet struggle to keep up in a digital world, often traveling to parking lots, coffee shops and other public places to work and complete classroom assignments. The issue came to a head during the COVID shutdown.
Commissioner Amy Fowler defended Tuesday’s decision, saying the commissioners worry the company might walk away at this point. The county’s options are limited, because it can’t seek other grants when a grant is already in place, she noted.
Orange County also struggles to get rural broadband grants, because it is considered one of the state’s wealthier counties.
“I am willing to say yes to [the contract] as structured, as frustrating as that is to many of you out there, because I am trying to get broadband to as many people as we possibly can and make it clear who is not included,” so the county can find other money to serve those homes, Fowler said.
Commissioner Sally Greene urged residents to press the legislature to change state law, so local governments can provide internet service or contract with a broadband provider.
“The free market does not want [broadband] to be” a regulated utility, Greene said. “It is a shame. It should be regulated. It should be available to everyone, just like electricity and telephones.”
Lumos officials blamed weather delays and unforeseen bedrock issues for not being able to meet the original Dec. 31, 2025, deadline. The $48 million project has also run over budget, adding $18 million to $20 million to the estimated cost, they said.
Work was delayed for several months last year, followed by a two-month delay this summer. In April, T-Mobile and the investment company EQT acquired Lumos Fiber for $1.45 billion.
The county’s contract is now worth $9.2 million to Lumos, or about $1,572 per home. The county has paid $4 million for previous work and plans to pay the rest in three installments, each contingent on Lumos extending its network to a set number of homes.
The money — from the federal American Rescue Plan Act — must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026 or returned to the federal government. It cannot be used for another purpose.
“I think we should continue with what’s provided here so that they can get to work and not waste more time,” Commissioners Chair Jamezetta Bedford said.
McKee, however, continued to challenge a Lumos official to explain how the company chose the homes to exclude, suggesting the delays were “a ploy to force an amendment.”
The decision was based on “where we thought we could get the most bang for our buck,” replied Andrew Stevenson, Lumos director of market development. It also boils down to the cost overruns, he said under further questioning.
McKee noted T-Mobile’s almost $52 billion in profits last year and $81 billion in revenues. The additional cost, he said, “is nothing more than pocket change.”
He unsuccessfully tried to get the board interested in offering a $3 million bonus if Lumos completed all the work by the 2026 deadline, before suggesting the county return the money and use local dollars to find an internet provider who can finish the job.
“We are dealing with a company that, because their margin didn’t hit what they wanted, decided to be a bully, and their tactic was to stop working,” McKee said. “If they had continued working through the spring of 2025, they would have over 600 of these homes done, and that is offensive to me, and should be offensive to this board.”
Several county residents who spoke also dismissed the project’s challenges as poor planning on the part of Lumos. Robin Mulkey said she doesn’t “have any faith at all” that Lumos will finish the work, even with more time.
“Get the project moving so we don’t run out of time or that money runs out,” Mulkey told the board. “You vote against this amendment, then you show us that rural Orange County does matter to you. You vote for T-Mobile, you show us we don’t matter at all. It’s that simple.”
Jack Vest, who lives on Dairyland Road, about five miles west of Carrboro, called the decision to amend the contract unfair.
His dial-up service barely hits 6 Mbps when downloading and uploads at speeds that are “a ridiculous 1/10th of that,” Vest said, but “only if it doesn’t rain and short out the break in the cable that AT&T refuses to find and repair.”
Cell phone service is spotty, too, sometimes only working through the DSL lines, he added.
“It is so grossly unfair for me to have to pay $80 for six megabit service when friends that live just a little closer to town are paying $10 less for nearly 100 times that speed,” Vest said. “I guess you can imagine the dismay I felt when I learned (about) plans to break your promise to me and 599 other county residents.”
The board unanimously adopted Hamilton’s suggestion that the county re-engage a task force formed in 2021 to study broadband expansion in rural areas. A few affected residents could join the original task force members to look at ways to get high-speed internet to the remaining homes.
“Given where we’re at, and knowing that there’s still holes … we need to bring this task force back and figure out how we’re going to serve the whole county,” Hamilton said.
NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email .
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