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.
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 Yadkin, 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.
“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”
“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.
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. 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 Yadkin, 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 Yadkin, 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.
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 Yadkin, 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.
‘No roads, no bridges. Half the road washed away’YADKIN COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Hurricane Helene took out several roads throughout western North Carolina, and the people trying to get in to help are having a hard time navigating their way in to the hardest hit areas.I-40 toward Ashville was completely shut down as of Friday, and the same goes for I-26. Detours were adding hours to travel times.A lot of the roadways in western North Carolina have been shut down due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and peo...
YADKIN COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Hurricane Helene took out several roads throughout western North Carolina, and the people trying to get in to help are having a hard time navigating their way in to the hardest hit areas.
I-40 toward Ashville was completely shut down as of Friday, and the same goes for I-26. Detours were adding hours to travel times.
A lot of the roadways in western North Carolina have been shut down due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and people simply can’t get around. We wanted to see just how prevalent the problem was, so we outfitted a news vehicle with a camera to get a look at it firsthand.
We hit the road looking for trouble spots and stories of people having a difficult time getting around in western North Carolina. It didn’t take long to find either.
As of Friday, the intersection between I-77 north and I-40 west toward Ashville was open, but drivers will quickly learn that there’s only so far they can go.
The storm knocked out much of the I-40 freeway west of the area, as well as I-26. That’s forcing drivers to come all the way up to highway 81 before turning west, adding hours to their trip.
“It was apocalyptic looking,” Peter Bonta told WBTV’s Ron Lee.
Bonta was trying to get food to a friend in the Ashville area who had run out, and quickly found himself trapped behind road closed signs.
“We had to take backroads through Tennessee there, and it was absolutely horrific,” Bonta said.
Teri Addabbo had to hike her way out of her home in the Swannanoa area after being trapped since the storm.
“No roads, no bridges. Half the road washed away,” Addabbo said.
Many drivers told us that the road closures are adding time -- sometimes hours -- onto an already long trip.
Nathanial Jones told WBTV that GPS system he uses doesn’t even show the towns or roadways hardest hit.
“It doesn’t even show that it exists,” Jones said.
Chris Willis is from Oregon and started an emergency animal rescue specifically for Helene. He’s driving to Texas with a load of rescues, but has to go all the way up to Ohio before turning south because all the roads are closed, putting thousands of miles on his van.
“I’ve had to have two-to-four-hour detours to get into the areas,” Willis said.
“It’s just heartbreaking,” said Erin Leonard, with the Chamber of Commerce in Ashville. Leonard lives in one of the hardest hit areas in North Carolina.
“We have absolutely been hit, but people are coming together to get back on our feet,” Leonard said.
Leonard says the community is rallying and will pull through this. There’s already a saying: mountain strong.
Watch the full report in the video player up above.
---> Related: Dogs, rescuers rush to find missing in Avery County 1 week since Helene
Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.
‘No roads, no bridges. Half the road washed away’YADKIN COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Hurricane Helene took out several roads throughout western North Carolina, and the people trying to get in to help are having a hard time navigating their way in to the hardest hit areas.I-40 toward Ashville was completely shut down as of Friday, and the same goes for I-26. Detours were adding hours to travel times.A lot of the roadways in western North Carolina have been shut down due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and peo...
YADKIN COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Hurricane Helene took out several roads throughout western North Carolina, and the people trying to get in to help are having a hard time navigating their way in to the hardest hit areas.
I-40 toward Ashville was completely shut down as of Friday, and the same goes for I-26. Detours were adding hours to travel times.
A lot of the roadways in western North Carolina have been shut down due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and people simply can’t get around. We wanted to see just how prevalent the problem was, so we outfitted a news vehicle with a camera to get a look at it firsthand.
We hit the road looking for trouble spots and stories of people having a difficult time getting around in western North Carolina. It didn’t take long to find either.
As of Friday, the intersection between I-77 north and I-40 west toward Ashville was open, but drivers will quickly learn that there’s only so far they can go.
The storm knocked out much of the I-40 freeway west of the area, as well as I-26. That’s forcing drivers to come all the way up to highway 81 before turning west, adding hours to their trip.
“It was apocalyptic looking,” Peter Bonta told WBTV’s Ron Lee.
Bonta was trying to get food to a friend in the Ashville area who had run out, and quickly found himself trapped behind road closed signs.
“We had to take backroads through Tennessee there, and it was absolutely horrific,” Bonta said.
Teri Addabbo had to hike her way out of her home in the Swannanoa area after being trapped since the storm.
“No roads, no bridges. Half the road washed away,” Addabbo said.
Many drivers told us that the road closures are adding time -- sometimes hours -- onto an already long trip.
Nathanial Jones told WBTV that GPS system he uses doesn’t even show the towns or roadways hardest hit.
“It doesn’t even show that it exists,” Jones said.
Chris Willis is from Oregon and started an emergency animal rescue specifically for Helene. He’s driving to Texas with a load of rescues, but has to go all the way up to Ohio before turning south because all the roads are closed, putting thousands of miles on his van.
“I’ve had to have two-to-four-hour detours to get into the areas,” Willis said.
“It’s just heartbreaking,” said Erin Leonard, with the Chamber of Commerce in Ashville. Leonard lives in one of the hardest hit areas in North Carolina.
“We have absolutely been hit, but people are coming together to get back on our feet,” Leonard said.
Leonard says the community is rallying and will pull through this. There’s already a saying: mountain strong.
Watch the full report in the video player up above.
---> Related: Dogs, rescuers rush to find missing in Avery County 1 week since Helene
Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.
GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTSThe latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.Your Email AddressPrivacy Notice Heavy rains this week and additional rainfall from Helene will cause major flooding on the New river and moderate river flooding along the Yadkin river. Please make sure you New River at GalaxMajor flooding is expected on the New River. Near Galax the river will...
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Heavy rains this week and additional rainfall from Helene will cause major flooding on the New river and moderate river flooding along the Yadkin river. Please make sure you
Major flooding is expected on the New River. Near Galax the river will flood from Friday morning to early Sunday morning. When the river reaches around 15 feet, several cabins along River Beach Road are threatened by flood waters.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
MAJOR FLOODING is forecast for the New River at Galax beginning Friday and continuing into early Saturday. These times and river levels will likely change as rains move through. Get the latest updates at https://t.co/s6cZee6k0Y pic.twitter.com/uWlKvzYwzl
— lanie pope (@laniepope_wxii) September 27, 2024
Moderate flooding is forecast for the Yadkin River at Elkin from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. The river will rise above flood stage early Friday morning and crest by Friday evening. When the river reaches 24.0 feet two to three blocks of Elkin usually floods.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
MODERATE FLOODING is forecast for the Yadkin River at Elkin beginning Friday and continuing Friday night. These times and river levels will likely change as rains move through. Get the latest updates at https://t.co/s6cZee6k0Y pic.twitter.com/HwYtx7YJfG
— lanie pope (@laniepope_wxii) September 27, 2024
Moderate flooding is forecast for the Yadkin river at Wilkesboro from Friday afternoon through Friday night. It will return to below flood stage by Saturday morning.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
MODERATE FLOODING is forecast for the Yadkin River near Wilkesboro beginning Friday afternoon and continuing into early Saturday. These times and river levels will likely change as rains move through. Get the latest updates at https://t.co/s6cZee6k0Y pic.twitter.com/0vyEywzi7r
— lanie pope (@laniepope_wxii) September 27, 2024
Moderate flooding is forecast on the Yakin river at Yadkin College. The river is expected to crest Sunday Morning as heavy rainfall fills the river and makes its way downstream into the Piedmont Triad.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
MODERATE FLOODING is forecast for the Yadkin River near Yadkin College beginning Friday and continuing into early Saturday. These times and river levels will likely change as rains move through. Get the latest updates at https://t.co/s6cZee6k0Y pic.twitter.com/qCIJUb3SaK
— lanie pope (@laniepope_wxii) September 27, 2024
Next Yadkin CATT Fall Qualifier is Nov 9 at High Rock!Bart Hill & Wyatt Hill win Badin Lake with 5 bass weighing 19.60 lbs! They also weighed in the BF at 6.25 lbs!Matt Stanley & Mike Kiser 2nd with 15.90 lbs!Zac Ridenhour 3rd with 14.42 lbs!Tennessee’s Rus Snyders has won back-to-back Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year titles in the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series scored by TourneyX. Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.Oct...
Tennessee’s Rus Snyders has won back-to-back Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year titles in the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series scored by TourneyX.
Photo by Mark Cisneros/B.A.S.S.
Oct. 24, 2024
Tennessee’s Snyders repeats as Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year
SHREVEPORT, La. — For the second year in a row, Tennessee’s Rus Snyders has won the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year title, accumulating 730 points throughout the five-event season. Along with a customized trophy, Snyders earned a prize of $5,000.
It is the first time in Kayak Series history an angler has repeated as Angler of the Year.
“I’m just grateful to do what I love,” Snyders said. “We had big-time attendance at all of the events this year. I’m guessing there were an average of 200 anglers this year. Most of the top kayak anglers committed to the Kayak Series this year. It was the most talent we’ve had in these tournaments.”
Virginia’s Casey Reed finished second with 717 points, Ohio’s Jason Isaacs finished third with 711 points, Mississippi’s Clint Pippen was fourth with 709 points and Massachusetts’ Derek Brundle was fifth with 707 points.
“I respect Casey a lot,” Snyders said. “He is a great angler and very respectful. There have been a number of times where we have shared water, and he is a guy that I know will treat others the way he wants to be treated.”
As a Dakota Lithium angler, Snyders has watched the company grow over the last couple of years and has been grateful for the support they have given him and the kayak industry as a whole.
“Dakota Lithium has been a big supporter of kayak fishing for a number of years now. It is how they got their foot in the door and have evolved into working with Bassmaster not only in the Kayak Series, but (with their) bass boat series too. They are a huge supporter of kayak fishing, and they take care of their pro staff. They put a lot into helping us with a number of different things, and their support means a lot to me.”
Fishing out of his Bonafide PWR 129 with a Torqeedo motor, Snyders wanted to make sure he fished consistently all year long, and he certainly accomplished that goal by cashing checks in four of the five events. The one tournament that he didn’t cash a check in — the final event of the season on Caddo Lake/Lake Bistineau — he missed out by only two places.
“I only had one Top 5, but I had the consistency of being able to cash a check. That was a big part of my goal. I played it safe a few times just to make sure I got a limit and solid fish rather than swing for the fences.
“I couldn’t have picked a better schedule,” he added.
As a shallow-water power angler, the 2024 schedule set up perfectly for Snyders. However, a variety of different strategies came into play this year for the California native who currently resides in Tennessee, including several finesse presentations. But a squarebill crankbait was what he used whenever he needed to get a quality bite.
Just like in past years, Snyders made winning Angler of the Year a priority, and he set the tone for the season with a 12th-place finish at Lake Murray. One big catch in particular late on the second day propelled him into check range and gave him positive momentum for the following events.
“Within the last half hour of that second day, I caught a 22-incher,” he explained. “Getting a last-minute big bass like that is always something that stands out. It gave me that positive energy and momentum (and that) can really carry on into the next tournament.”
Then came a weather-shortened Possum Kingdom event where Snyders veered slightly out of his comfort zone to notch a fourth-place finish in central Texas.
“There were some giant bass caught. I caught one that was nearly 10 pounds in practice,” he said. “It was one of the few tournaments where I ended up using my electronics a little more. I used LiveScope and worked a shaky head and Texas-rigged worms in brushpiles that were in 5 to 12 feet of water.”
Two of his favorite fisheries were next on the schedule, a May event at Lake Guntersville and a July event at the Susquehanna River. He finished ninth and 10th respectively in those events but used very different techniques to earn checks. On Guntersville, the crankbait shined, while a weightless Senko was his primary presentation at the Susquehanna.
“I had a little more of a finesse approach at the Susky,” he said. “I let the Senko drift with the current. I had to find as many ambush points as I could in practice and hit as many waypoints as I could.”
He then sealed the title with a 21st-place finish at Caddo Lake/Lake Bistineau, where he mined the vast cypress swamps for quality keepers.
“I’m not sure there is a better place to fish in the fall,” he said. “I really love fishing cypress trees. It is one of my favorite things to do.”
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