It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Spencer State Forest 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 Spencer, MA 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.
“I am a past client of this provider We worked with Always Best Care to provide”
“I can’t say enough great things about Always Best Care Senior Services! We used them”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t say enough great things about Always”
“Always Best Care was very knowledgeable and compassionate to my families needs. With their”
“Fantastic care Holly is a great hire for the company. always best care is a”
“My mom is 93 and had COVID-19, requiring hospitalization for shortness of breath and treatment”
“My mom is 93 and had COVID-19, requiring hospitalization for shortness of breath and treatment”
“I am a past client of this provider My mom is 93 and had COVID-19, requiring”
“I would like to thank you for your professional care and handling of my Mom’s”
“Kingsley, first may I say what a wonderful person Aggie has been during this week”
“I would like to take sometime to commend our caregiver Holly for the wonderful job”
“I am a past client of this provider Our 85 year old mother needed overnight care”
“Their professionalism and response to questions and concerns. They were the only agency that said”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care of Greater Worcester is wonderful.”
“It's a great company to work there. I have learned a lot from this company.”
“Staff was very professional during consultation.”
“The Schedulers are very professional and respectful. they work with the caregivers very well and”
“Always Best Care is a great place to work where they really care about their”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Worcester.”
“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.”
“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!”
“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!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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”
“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.”
“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 !!!!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Staff was very professional during consultation.”
“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”
“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!”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Worcester.”
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 Luther Hill Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Connect Restaurant or visit Old Spencer Cemetery, 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 Spencer, 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.
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 Spencer, 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.
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 Spencer, 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.
It’s official, Ma is on her way back to the big screen. Over six years after Blumhouse’s endlessly memed horror thriller, Ma, hit theaters, a sequel has finally been confirmed, with Octavia Spencer reprising...
It’s official, Ma is on her way back to the big screen. Over six years after Blumhouse’s endlessly memed horror thriller, Ma, hit theaters, a sequel has finally been confirmed, with Octavia Spencer reprising her role as Sue Ann, the unhinged vet tech affectionately known as "Ma." Directed by Tate Taylor, Ma is one of Blumhouse’s many low-budget horror films to clean up at the box office, grossing over $61 million on a $5 million budget, and was recently re-released in theaters as part of its Halfway to Halloween Film Festival. By most metrics, Ma is a pretty standard studio horror film, but garnered a cult following online, and the film’s surprising cultural impact undoubtedly contributed to the development of a sequel. So, why has Ma captured the hearts of so many? The short answer is Octavia Spencer, its Academy Award-winning star, who gives a totally committed performance as Sue Ann, a vengeful middle-aged woman trying to relive the high school years she wished she had by partying with a group of local teens. With all its flaws, Spencer turned what would otherwise be an unremarkable film into a cult classic and solidified Ma as a horror icon.
The premise of Ma is nothing extraordinary. A group of teens, led by our protagonist Maggie (Diana Silvers), are first introduced to Sue Ann while loitering outside a liquor store, hoping someone over the age of 21 will agree to buy alcohol for them. Sue Ann helps them out, and, after expressing concern about them drinking and driving, invites them to her house to drink and smoke in her basement. Sue Ann’s basement then becomes their regular hangout spot, but she wants in on the fun too, and becomes weirdly clingy, stalking and ultimately kidnapping them after they stop hanging out with her.
But what makes Ma extraordinary is Octavia Spencer, who absolutely carries the film, making its many flaws easy to look past every time she’s on-screen with that infamous banged bob. Outside of Spencer’s performance, there’s nothing particularly noteworthy about the film. It’s almost tediously slow until the bonkers third act, and not really that scary or gory either. It feels like a stretch to even classify Ma as a “so bad it’s good” horror film because it’s generally bland, and none of the other actors are really leaning into the unseriousness of it all aside from Spencer. This dichotomy is what makes Spencer’s presence so effective and Ma such a fascinating horror film as a whole.
'Ma' reminds us that you should always treat others how you want to be treated.
At the time of Ma’s release in May 2019, Spencer was a three-time Oscar nominee, nominated just one year prior for her role in Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water. This made her decision to step into the role of Sue Ann all the more surprising – and refreshing. The fact that Ma’s cultural impact rests almost entirely on her shoulders is a testament to her talent, versatility, and dedication to the role. Sue Ann at first presents herself as warm and amicable, but we immediately get a sense that there’s something not quite right about her, and as the film progresses, we find out why. As we learn more about Sue Ann’s traumatic past and her revenge plot is revealed, we see just how deranged she really is as her facade starts to slip, which Spencer executes perfectly. Spencer knows exactly what kind of movie she’s in, but goes at it with the same level of commitment as any of her more serious roles, and is clearly having so much fun while doing it. Her impeccable delivery of lines like “Don’t make me drink alone,” "Get naked, boy!" “Are you guys mad at me or something?” has become immortalized on social media, and she is far and away the best part of Ma.
Ma’s enduring popularity could be a reflection of the rise of the “good for her” horror subgenre, which presents the violent actions of female horror protagonists as justifiable and even commendable. Sue Ann does have a traumatic backstory, revealed through flashbacks to her teenage years, that makes her a sympathetic character and contextualizes her Munchausen by proxy syndrome and desire to enact revenge on her high school tormenters via their children. This doesn’t make her predatory behavior and third-act killing spree justifiable, but how can you not feel a dark sense of satisfaction watching Sue Ann callously hit her high school bully with her car while muttering “fucking cunt” under her breath before blasting Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September?"
Though Ma was a success at the box office in 2019, it was in 2020 that Ma memes began circulating widely on the Internet, with Ma’s face photoshopped onto the posters of all kinds of films of the past and present, and Spencer reposting many of them to her Instagram account. With the rise of TikTok, the countless audios and videos with quotes and scenes from Ma you can find on the app are a testament to the film’s staying power. With its ambiguous ending and continued popularity, Ma is a unique film in the Blumhouse catalogue and was destined for a sequel.
Break out the studded baseball cap and prepare to obey the house rules. Octavia Spencer will reprise her role as the deeply unsettling Sue Ann from the 2019 surprise hit Ma.Blumhouse Productions announced this week at their Business of Fear symposium that a sequel to Ma is indeed happening, and the Oscar winner plans to return.Though the sequel is in its very early stages, with no plot details released yet, Blumhouse's founder/...
Break out the studded baseball cap and prepare to obey the house rules. Octavia Spencer will reprise her role as the deeply unsettling Sue Ann from the 2019 surprise hit Ma.Blumhouse Productions announced this week at their Business of Fear symposium that a sequel to Ma is indeed happening, and the Oscar winner plans to return.
Though the sequel is in its very early stages, with no plot details released yet, Blumhouse's founder/CEO Jason Blum did comment on the film. “Ma has proven to be a social phenomenon since its release in 2019, with fans eagerly embracing the film and Octavia’s iconic performance as Ma. Ma likes to say, ‘don’t make me drink alone,’ so we’re thrilled Octavia will join us again for a second round," Blum said.
The original film, directed by The Help's Tate Taylor, was a major hit, amassing more than $60 million at the worldwide box office on a reported production cost of only $5 million. Spencer's Sue Ann is a lonely, middle-aged woman who befriends a group of teens. She invites them to party in the basement of her home, if, and only if, they follow a strict set of rules. Suddenly, Ma/Sue Ann's true colors show, and her obsession turns into quite the nightmare for the teens.
Blumhouse's commitment to a Ma sequel stems, in part, from survey results on the state of horror that they released at their symposium, the first for the company. The revenge subgenre, which Ma certainly fits into, is one of the 24 thriving subgenres that Blumhouse identified in its study, according to Deadline. Other subgenres include slasher, survival, and psychological thriller. The symposium also addressed the way that horror has grown in recent years. The survey included 2,000 respondents, was conducted by Sage Outcomes, and commissioned by Blumhouse last July.
Spencer's filmography is quite long, with roles in The Shape of Water, The Help, Hidden Figures, among many other features. She won an Oscar in 2012 for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Minny Jackson in The Help. Since then, she continues to be a box office draw.
Though we still don't know any major details about the Ma sequel, here's hoping that Sue Ann breaks out her studded hat and tortures some more teens. Maybe she'll even have a different set of rules this time. Until then, since the sequel is only in its earliest stages of production, keep an eye out for further developments.
Ma is currently available to stream on Hulu with a premium prescription.
Six years ago, Octavia Spencer teamed with Blumhouse Productions for the psychological horror thriller Ma, where she played the homicidal title character, Sue Ann “Ma” Ellington. Last week, it was announced that Spencer is coming back for a Ma sequel – and now, Deadline has learned that Ashley Nicole Black has been hired to write the screenplay for the sequel.If you’re not ...
Six years ago, Octavia Spencer teamed with Blumhouse Productions for the psychological horror thriller Ma, where she played the homicidal title character, Sue Ann “Ma” Ellington. Last week, it was announced that Spencer is coming back for a Ma sequel – and now, Deadline has learned that Ashley Nicole Black has been hired to write the screenplay for the sequel.
If you’re not familiar with Black, Deadline has the information: “A writer, actress, and comedian, Black received an NAACP Award nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series in 2022 for Ted Lasso, and was again nominated this year for her work on Shrinking, where she’s also an executive producer and recurs as Nikki. Other recent credits include serving as supervising producer and actor on Apple’s Bad Monkey and writing and performing on HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch show. A former writer and on-air correspondent for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Black began her comedy career at Chicago’s legendary Second City.” Black won Emmy awards for her work on Ted Lasso and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and has been nominated for her contributions to A Black Lady Sketch Show and The Amber Ruffin Show.
Described as a “darkly funny revenge story,” Ma was directed by Tate Taylor (who previously directed Spencer to an Oscar win for The Help) from a screenplay written by Scotty Landes and Taylor. Spencer’s character Sue Ann was a loner who keeps to herself in her quiet Ohio town. One day, she is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in town, to buy some booze for her and her friends, and Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own. She offers the kids the chance to avoid drinking and driving by hanging out in the basement of her home. But there are some house rules: One of the kids has to stay sober. Don’t curse. Never go upstairs. And call her “Ma.” But as Ma’s hospitality starts to curdle into obsession, what began as a teenage dream turns into a terrorizing nightmare, and Ma’s place goes from the best place in town to the worst place on earth. Spencer was joined in the cast of the first movie by Diana Silvers, Juliette Lewis, Luke Evans, Missi Pyle, McKaley Miller, Corey Fogelmanis, Gianni Paolo, and Dante Brown.
Jason Blum, Founder/CEO, Blumhouse, had this to say about the Ma sequel: “Ma has proven to be a social phenomenon since its release in 2019, with fans eagerly embracing the film and Octavia’s iconic performance as Ma. Ma likes to say ‘don’t make me drink alone,’ so we’re thrilled Octavia will join us again for a second round.“ Taylor produced the first film alongside John Norris and Blum. Spencer, Couper Samuelson, Jeanette Volturno, and Robin Fisichella served as executive producers.
What do you think of Ashley Nicole Black being hired to write the Ma sequel? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Six years after Ma first was relased, Blumhouse just confirmed that Octavia Spencer is officially returning for a Ma sequel.Announced via social media on June 4, Blumhouse dropped the news with an unhinged meme-heavy post, while Spencer took to ...
Six years after Ma first was relased, Blumhouse just confirmed that Octavia Spencer is officially returning for a Ma sequel.
Announced via social media on June 4, Blumhouse dropped the news with an unhinged meme-heavy post, while Spencer took to TikTok to let fans know that, yes, Ma still doesn’t like drinking alone.
Directed by Tate Taylor, the 2019 film introduced us to Sue Ann, aka Ma, a lonely woman who lets teens party in her basement, buys them booze, and then slowly spirals into obsessive, violent territory. It was a pretty messed up movie.
The film blew up not just for its off-the-rails plot but because Spencer absolutely owned the role. Ma’s obsessive need for attention, her strict rules, and that jaw-dropping finale made it a cult hit, and a meme goldmine.
Still, one big question is looming… How is Ma even alive? If you remember the ending of the first movie, Sue Ann basically chose to burn with her secrets inside her house after her daughter set it ablaze. But in the horror world, “dead” is always a maybe. If there’s no body, there’s no closure.
No plot details have dropped yet, but considering how Ma walked the tightrope between psychological thriller and bonkers horror-comedy, it will be interesting to see how the sequel turns out.
MA fans, lovers, and apologists, this one's for you.@octaviaspencer returns in MA 2.Don't make her drink alone this time around pic.twitter.com/VkbrDKCFbJ
— Blumhouse (@blumhouse) June 4, 2025
Family Recipe Showdown might be the only place this summer where you'll catch an Oscar winner, Reese Witherspoon, a $10,000 cash prize and a killer biscuit recipe all in one hour. Hosted by Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer and set in the heart of New...
Family Recipe Showdown might be the only place this summer where you'll catch an Oscar winner, Reese Witherspoon, a $10,000 cash prize and a killer biscuit recipe all in one hour. Hosted by Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer and set in the heart of New Orleans, Food Network's new home-cooking competition serves up a soul-warming combo of comfort food, family tradition, and celebrity sparkle. Premiering July 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the eight-episode series also streams the next day on Max.
This is far from Spencer's first time commanding the screen, but it is the first time she's stepping into the role of a reality TV culinary matriarch, guiding viewers through a celebration of heritage cooking that's as cozy as it is competitive. Think Cooking Mama meets Ma, if Ma had more cast iron skillets and $10,000 instead of lives on the line. “It’s about family, friends, and food—there’s nothing better than that,” Spencer said in the show’s announcement. And she’s not wrong. Family Recipe Showdown might be the warmest thing to hit TV kitchens since Barefoot Contessa started pouring white wine at 10 a.m.
In Family Recipe Showdown Octavia Spencer brings her wit, warmth, and down-home charm to the forefront. The show was filmed in New Orleans, a city with as much flavor as it has folklore. For Spencer, returning to the South wasn't just a superficial or sentimental decision. "Southern food means family to me," she shared, and that emotion is baked into every dish, duo, and decision on the show.
From buttery biscuits to skillet-fried specialties, the competition highlights deeply personal recipes handed down through generations. The format is simple: three family pairs face off in two rounds of challenges. In the first round, they whip up a themed dish -- say, soulful Sunday brunch -- then, in round two, the top two duos must reimagine a favorite recipe from the guest celebrity judge. It's a challenge of taste, technique, and storytelling because in Family Recipe Showdown, it's not just about flavor, it's also about the memories conjured by the meal. With Spencer at the helm, guiding the show like the nurturing-yet-firm "Ma" everyone wishes they had, viewers get more than a competition.
Don't make her drink alone.
Spencer isn't flying solo in the Family Recipe Showdown kitchen. She's joined by Edgar "Dook" Chase IV, a name that carries weight in Southern culinary circles. A member of the legendary Dooky Chase family (yes, that Dooky Chase, where generations of Black excellence have dined well). Dook serves as the show's resident expert and co-taster. Together, he and Spencer sample every lovingly prepared dish with the reverence of people who know what it means to eat with heart.
But what really turns up the heat in Family Recipe Showdown is the rotating cast of celebrity judges. Reese Witherspoon kicks things off in the series premiere, where contestants have to recreate one of her childhood favorites. Future episodes will feature guest appearances by Jessica Chastain, Danielle Brooks, Eric Stonestreet, Tim Gunn, Tina Knowles, Kandi Burruss, and Al Roker, who brings along his daughter Leila for a special family moment. With a lineup like this, the show brings the comfort of your grandma's kitchen with a dollop of star power.
There's something deeply nostalgic about Family Recipe Showdown, and not just because we've watched Octavia Spencer in everything from Hidden Figures to Truth Be Told. The show takes a genre that can often feel formulaic and injects it with emotion, reliability, and a surprising amount of star power. It's rare to find a food competition series where you can almost smell the butter melting through the screen, but here we are. Spencer takes her self-described role as “an excellent taster” seriously, while serving up curiosity and just enough Southern sass to keep things spicy.
The series also taps into Spencer’s passion for storytelling via family recipes that open the window to memories and unexpected history lessons. The structure of the show also allows for real emotion to rise to the surface, especially when contestants open up about their bonds, challenges, and kitchen heroes. The stakes are high for sure, with family bragging rights and a $10,000 cash prize on the line, but Family Recipe Showdown never loses sight of its heart.
In a television landscape increasingly dominated by spectacle, Family Recipe Showdown is a reminder that slow-cooked storytelling still has its place. Octavia Spencer is the perfect guide for this culinary journey, not because she's a professional chef, but because she's a professional feeler. She understands what it means to treasure recipes like heirlooms, to honor the hands that stirred before ours and to open her table (and screen) for anyone hungry for more than just a meal.
This summer, skip the reheated reality drama and let Family Recipe Showdown serve you something richer: a soulful series with seasoning, star power, and whole lot of "Ma."
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