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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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

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Home Care In Paxton, MA

Home Care Paxton, MA

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 Spaulding House 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 Paxton, MA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Paxton, MA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider We worked with Always Best Care to provide 24-hour care for our parents who needed additional help to stay in their home. The care workers were helpful, caring, and provided the support and peace of mind needed. In addition to the care workers, office staff were regularly reachable and patient with multiple questions! Although it was a short term placement, about 3 months, I'd recommend and would use them again if the need arises.”

Pam
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TESTIMONIALS

“I can’t say enough great things about Always Best Care Senior Services! We used them to help move my aunt from Boston to Phoenix, and I literally couldn’t have done it without them. From my first interaction with Ron to set things up to Kingsley helping (that word doesn’t begin to describe his patience and calmness) to the most amazing caregiver I’ve ever encountered, Sarah, they handled her every need while also ensuring me it would all be okay. Another passenger on the plane even commented how amazing Sarah was with my aunt! They were truly Heaven sent, and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone for any health care they provide!”

robert L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I can’t say enough great things about Always Best Care Senior Services! We used them to help move my aunt from Boston to Phoenix, and I literally couldn’t have done it without them. From my first interaction with Ron to set things up to Kingsley helping (that word doesn’t begin to describe his patience and calmness) to the most amazing caregiver I’ve ever encountered, Sarah, they handled her every need while also ensuring me it would all be okay. Another passenger on the plane even commented how amazing Sarah was with my aunt! They were truly amazing, and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone for any health care they provide!”

Lisa
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care was very knowledgeable and compassionate to my families needs. With their assistance and guidance we were able to provide my family with much needed home and respite care. They were also able to work with my family to find ways to defray the costs. The home health aids are wonderful. They provide a high level of professional service as well as companionship for my family.”

Edward B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Fantastic care Holly is a great hire for the company. always best care is a top of the line company that really cares about its clients. I highly recommend them.”

james H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My mom is 93 and had COVID-19, requiring hospitalization for shortness of breath and treatment with oxygen. I would have cared for my mom, but I got sick. I contacted ABCSS twelve hours before I started caring for my mom. My mom had some brain fog and some fluid balance issues. They responded that they could provide my mom with 11 hours of care a day, starting the day I was to be there. The next morning, an aide came with a supervisor to see my Mom. My goals for that day were small: to coax my mother to see the hairdresser, wash her hair, and ensure she took her medications. The aide was able to do that, to give my mom medication that was set out, to encourage her to drink and to walk in the halls. The following day, the aide encouraged her to shower and get dressed. My mom left her apartment to go to the dining room and eat with her friends. My mom might have required another hospitalization without the aide coaxing her to eat and drink reliably. Having an aide helped my mom regain some of her independence despite her brain fog and helped reinstitute the daily schedule that my mom had before her hospitalization. I had initially been contracted for 8 days, but with my mother's progress, I could terminate one-to-one care in just 6 days! I helped by setting daily goals, but the aide coaxed my mother toward health. I highly recommend this agency. I thank Georgianna for her care of my mother.”

RM C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My mom is 93 and had COVID-19, requiring hospitalization for shortness of breath and treatment with oxygen. I would have cared for my mom, but I got sick. I contacted ABCSS twelve hours before I started caring for my mom. My mom had some brain fog and some fluid balance issues. They responded that they could provide my mom with 11 hours of care a day, starting the day I was to be there. The next morning, an aide came with a supervisor to see my Mom. My goals for that day were small: to coax my mother to see the hairdresser, wash her hair, and ensure she took her medications. The aide was able to do that, to give my mom medication that was set out, to encourage her to drink and to walk in the halls. The following day, the aide encouraged her to shower and get dressed. My mom left her apartment to go to the dining room and eat with her friends. My mom might have required another hospitalization without the aide coaxing her to eat and drink reliably. Having an aide helped my mom regain some of her independence despite her brain fog and helped reinstitute the daily schedule that my mom had before her hospitalization. I had initially been contracted for 8 days, but with my mother's progress, I could terminate one-to-one care in just 6 days! I helped by setting daily goals, but the aide coaxed my mother toward health. I highly recommend this agency. I thank Georgianna for her care of my mother.”

RM C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider My mom is 93 and had COVID-19, requiring hospitalization for shortness of breath and treatment with oxygen. I would have cared for my mom, but I got sick. I contacted ABCSS twelve hours before I started caring for my mom. My mom had some brain fog and some fluid balance issues. They responded that they could provide my mom with 11 hours of care a day, starting the day I was to be there. The next morning, an aide came with a supervisor to see my Mom. My goals for that day were small: to coax my mother to see the hairdresser, wash her hair, and ensure she took her medications. The aide was able to do that, to give my mom medication that was set out, to encourage her to drink and to walk in the halls. The following day, the aide encouraged her to shower and get dressed. My mom left her apartment to go to the dining room and eat with her friends. My mom might have required another hospitalization without the aide coaxing her to eat and drink reliably. Having an aide helped my mom regain some of her independence despite her brain fog and helped reinstitute the daily schedule that my mom had before her hospitalization. I had initially been contracted for 8 days, but with my mother's progress, I could terminate one-to-one care in just 6 days! I helped by setting daily goals, but the aide coaxed my mother toward health. I highly recommend this agency. I thank Georgianna for her care of my mother.”

RMC2
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TESTIMONIALS

“I would like to thank you for your professional care and handling of my Mom’s extended home care. When I called you for assistance with Thelma’s home care needs you were such a good listener and I could feel your warmth and good spirit over the phone”

Olga D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kingsley, first may I say what a wonderful person Aggie has been during this week helping my wife on her return from Knollwood.  She is most attentive, helpful and pleasant.  It is hard to find a nicer person to have sharing ones home.  We are very pleased you chose her to be with us.”

debi C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I would like to take sometime to commend our caregiver Holly for the wonderful job she is doing with my dad by providing in home care. She is caring, engaging , and provides professional services and the best companionship for my Dad !! Great job to Always Best Care !!!!”

lori L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider Our 85 year old mother needed overnight care following repeated hospitalizations over a 9 month period and ensuing hospice care. We called Kingsley, the Director, who was kind, gracious, professional, and knowledgeable. Flexible scheduling was also a priority and we always received immediate attention. The Director even brought over the PCAs personally to introduce them and would visit to ensure our mother’s needs were being met.The office staff and PCAs were kind and professional. Overall would highly recommend this agency.”

Kristin B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Their professionalism and response to questions and concerns. They were the only agency that said they could help us for the care of my husband. The care takers are responsible, and really care for the person and caretaker. Their secretary is very professional and helpful and always gets back to me. Kingsley is fantastic, professional, caring, and goes over an beyond his call of his profession. We are very thankful for Always Best Care and I have recommended them to friends and rehab centers.”

Annette G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care of Greater Worcester is wonderful. The person who answers the telephone (her name is Donna), and she's older like we are. She has a clue about what we're talking about when we're asking for help and why, so it becomes a very personal conversation. I was introduced to the director. He is an RN, plus a few other things. When he comes in to do the assessment for what you need, he works really hard at putting together the right caregiver with the person asking. He was just absolutely lovely. We needed somebody who could drive to do errands, and then I needed help with the laundry and occasional meals. The caregiver picks up and tidies around. She does bathing for my husband, who is almost bedbound. She does other simple health-related things for him. For me, she helps with my bathing because I have a bad back and bad knees. She's nice, and she's sweet. She can be a little tough when she needs to be, which is what we wanted. Not to be abusive, but just someone with a firm hand. When you don't feel well, you tend to act like a 7-year-old; it doesn't matter how old you are. She is just lovely. We couldn't ask for anything better.”

Diane
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TESTIMONIALS

“It's a great company to work there. I have learned a lot from this company. I was not left on my own when I started working, everyone is friendly and pleasant.”

Boakye V.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Staff was very professional during consultation.”

chief M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The Schedulers are very professional and respectful. they work with the caregivers very well and find them the right cases. The pay is also very great”

Emelia F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is a great place to work where they really care about their clients and employees! Absolutely would recommend to anyone looking for care for themselves or a loved one, or a new job!”

Anna R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Worcester.”

Bobbi D.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Paxton, MA?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Paxton, MA

Types of Elderly Care in Paxton, MA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Paxton, MA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Paxton, MA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 Moore State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Paxton, MA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 Theo's Breakfast & Lunch or visit Old Sawmill, 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.

 In-Home Care Paxton, MA

Benefits of Home Care in Paxton, MA

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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 Paxton, MA, 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.

 Elderly Care Paxton, MA

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your MA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Paxton, MA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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 Paxton, MA 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Paxton, MA

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Paxton, MA

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:

  • Paxton Senior Center
  • The Hills at Paxton Village
  • Eisenberg Assisted Living Residence
  • Falcon Meadows Assisted Living
  • Tatnuck Park at Worcester
  • Lincoln Hill Manor Rest Home
Home Care Paxton, MA

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.

 In-Home Care Paxton, MA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Paxton, MA 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.

 Elderly Care Paxton, MA

Latest News in Paxton, MA

Paxton Municipal Light Department, Lightshift Energy, and MMWEC Unveil Battery Storage Project at Paxton’s Substation

Massachusetts representatives and electeds join MMWEC and Lightshift Energy executives to unveil Paxton, MA’s new battery storage project. (Credit: Nicole Gaffney, UFO Originals)PAXTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--P...

Massachusetts representatives and electeds join MMWEC and Lightshift Energy executives to unveil Paxton, MA’s new battery storage project. (Credit: Nicole Gaffney, UFO Originals)

PAXTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Paxton Municipal Light Department (PMLD) and Lightshift Energy, a leading energy storage project developer, owner and operator, on Thursday hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the battery storage project in Paxton, Massachusetts, which will bolster the grid for PMLD and its customers. Part of a first-of-a-kind program to deploy battery storage for Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC)’s municipal utilities, the energy storage project will reduce grid load during peak events, saving PMLD up to $10 million in energy costs and lessening the Commonwealth’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Solidifying Massachusetts as a leader in the nation's clean energy deployment, representatives from across the state, including State Senator Peter Durant and Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, James Van Nostrand, participated in the press conference. The speakers celebrated how this 3 megawatt (MW)/9 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery storage project is a testament to the state’s growing stake in the clean energy economy and its broader commitment to bringing cleaner solutions to all communities.

“For smaller utilities such as Paxton Municipal Light Department, early adoption of new technologies can be cost prohibitive,” said Tara Rondeau, General Manager at PMLD. “Thanks to MMWEC’s efforts in establishing a partnership with Lightshift, PMLD is able to utilize battery storage. This will help offset rising capacity and transmission costs for our ratepayers while focusing on cleaner solutions.”

A small community nestled outside of Worcester, Paxton is one of the first municipal utilities to participate in the partnership between Lightshift and MMWEC to deploy a fleet of energy storage projects across the state. First announced in May 2024, the program is expected to provide more than $200 million in energy savings across MMWEC’s municipal utilities, while bringing grid resilience to communities and helping the state meet its ambitious renewable energy goals.

“Anytime we can combine savings for our local communities with the possibility of cleaner energy, that’s a win,” said State Sen. Peter Durant, R-Spencer. “Projects like this are often too expensive for smaller communities, so we appreciate partnerships like the one between Paxton Municipal Light Department and the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company that make it possible for those towns to acquire newer technology.”

“Paxton is an excellent example of how smaller communities can have a large impact on the clean energy ecosystem, all while providing significant electricity bill savings to ratepayers,” said Lightshift Co-Founder and Managing Partner Rory Jones. “Grid demand is rapidly straining local energy resilience, and this project will serve as an economic and energy anchor for Paxton. We’re encouraged to see municipal utilities across the state continue to bolster grid reliability while contributing to a clean energy future.”

About Lightshift Energy

Lightshift Energy is a utility-scale energy storage project developer, owner and operator headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Founded in 2019, Lightshift is developing a diverse, multi-gigawatt pipeline of energy storage projects, located throughout the U.S. With leading energy storage analytics, application design, finance, and development expertise, Lightshift deploys dynamic, multi-use energy storage projects that maximize value for utilities and other partners, while reinvesting directly into the communities where their projects are located. For more information, please visit www.lightshift.com.

About Paxton Municipal Light Department

Paxton Municipal Light Department (PMLD) was established in 1914 and serves just under 2,000 customers in Paxton, Massachusetts. As one of 40 municipal utilities in Massachusetts, PMLD is owned by the community it serves. It prides itself on providing safe, reliable and superior service at the lowest cost.

About the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC)

MMWEC is the Commonwealth’s designated joint action agency for municipal utilities in Massachusetts. Through its enabling state legislation, Chapter 775 of the Acts of 1975, MMWEC became a not-for-profit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MMWEC’s enabling legislation gave it the unique power to issue tax-exempt revenue bonds to finance electric generating facilities and other projects. Using this statutory authority, MMWEC has issued more than $7 billion in bonds since 1976. It is the largest provider of asset-owned generation for municipal light departments in New England.

Contacts

Media Contacts Mission Control Communications for Lightshift Energy [email protected]

MMWEC Kate Roy [email protected]

New clean energy project in Paxton cutting costs and emissions

PAXTON, Mass. – The Town of Paxton has some brand new batteries.“Their purpose is to save money for the community," Rory Jones said, "and indirectly reduce carbon emissions.”Jones is a founder of Lightshift Energy. He said the energy storage units will save 25,000 tons of CO2 over the course of their lives.“They charge usually in the middle of the night, when power cost is lowest and carbon intensity is usually lower," Jones said. "And then they discharge at the peak of the day...

PAXTON, Mass. – The Town of Paxton has some brand new batteries.

“Their purpose is to save money for the community," Rory Jones said, "and indirectly reduce carbon emissions.”

Jones is a founder of Lightshift Energy. He said the energy storage units will save 25,000 tons of CO2 over the course of their lives.

“They charge usually in the middle of the night, when power cost is lowest and carbon intensity is usually lower," Jones said. "And then they discharge at the peak of the day, when energy cost is highest and usually carbon intensity is a lot higher.”

The new batteries are also expected to save Paxton Municipal Light Department customers about $10 million over the next 20 years. Board of Selectmen chair Julia Pingitori said Paxton’s Light Department has served its ratepayers well for more than 100 years.

“It helps keep our rates low, but more than ever, especially with some of these storms that we're starting to see roll in, it helps keep us in power," Pingitori said. "So, if the power goes out, we have linemen who are available and ready to assist and can get us back online very quickly, usually in a matter of minutes, not hours, not days.”

And Paxton isn’t the only community saving on energy costs and emissions. More are anticipated in the coming years and the Department of Public Utilities is considering the storage systems on a larger scale to save money for customers across the Commonwealth.

“We have four operational systems now across the state," Jones said. "Two in Groton, one here in Paxton, and one in Holden; and we're continuing to build.”

“We don't actually regulate municipal light plants, but this is the kind of things that municipal light plants can do; they're small, they're nimble," DPU chair Jamie Van Nostrand said. "These are the kind of innovations that we want the large utilities in Massachusetts to be looking at, like Eversource and National Grid, is being able to look at battery storage project as key. The same kind of economic and environmental benefits that these batteries are going to deliver for Paxton.”

“If our little town can do it, then we think they can do it," Pingitori said. "So, let's make it happen.”

Folk Legend Tom Paxton's Final Tour Stops at Club Passim

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Arts & EntertainmentGrammy Lifetime Achievement winner performs with The DonJuans in one of his last shows after 60 years of touring and recording Mark Allen Wood, Community ContributorAfter sixty ye...

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Grammy Lifetime Achievement winner performs with The DonJuans in one of his last shows after 60 years of touring and recording

Mark Allen Wood, Community Contributor

After sixty years of touring and recording, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Tom Paxton will play one of his last shows at Club Passim on October 22. An internationally recognized and loved cultural figure with multiple Grammy nominations, Paxton’s place in folk music is secured by hit records and awards, and by the admiration of three generations of fellow musicians. Accompanying Paxton for this special show will be Grammy Award-winning songwriters The DonJuans. Tickets are on sale now at passim.org.

“Tom Paxton has been an essential part of the folk music community for seven decades,” says Matt Smith, Managing Director of Club Passim. “His impact is indelible. He’s still writing and co-writing great music. While touring may not be the future for Tom, his last songs have yet to be sung.”

Paxton was one of the most important, popular, and enduring songwriters to emerge from the Greenwich Village folk music scene of the early '60s. He has done over 50 concert tours of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland and has recorded over 50 albums of his own songs. Recordings of his songs by other artists number in the hundreds and include artists such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton, to name just a very few.

“Artists love to play at Club Passim because of the audience who always shows up,” says Paxton. “Those folks make us feel special and welcomed. What a great venue.”

The DonJuans include Don Henry and Jon Vezner. Their song, “Where’ve You Been” (recorded by Kathy Mattea) was the first song in country music history to sweep all major song of the year honors including the Grammy, ACM®, CMA, and the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) awards. Collectively, their songs have been covered by Miranda Lambert, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Nancy Griffith, and Judy Collins and more.

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Tom Paxton and The DonJuans will play on Tuesday, October 22 at 8 pm. Tickets are $50 and can be found at passim.org. Passim is located at 47 Palmer Street in the basement of an historic brick delivery and carriage house. It is on the corner of Church and Palmer Streets.

About Passim The mission of Passim is to provide truly exceptional and interactive live musical experiences for both performers and audiences, to nurture artists at all stages of their career, and to build a vibrant, inclusive music community. Passim does so through their legendary listening venue, music school, artist grants and outreach programs. As a nonprofit since 1994, Passim carries on the heritage of our predecessors-the historic Club 47 (1958-1968) and for-profit Passim (1969-1994). We cultivate a diverse mix of musical traditions, where the emphasis is on the relationship between performers and audience and teachers and students. Located in Harvard Square, Passim serves Cambridge and the broader region by featuring local, national and international artists. Our ultimate goal is to help the performance arts flourish and thereby enrich the lives of members of our community. For a complete schedule, visit www.passim.org.

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