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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 Worcester, MA

Home Care Worcester, 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 Bancroft Tower in Worcester, MA 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 Worcester, MA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Worcester, 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.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Worcester, 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 Worcester, MA

Types of Elderly Care in Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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 Green Hill Park in Worcester, MA 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 Worcester, 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 deadhorse hill or visit Salisbury Mansion, 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 Worcester, MA

Benefits of Home Care in Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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:

  • Christopher Heights of Worcester
  • Eisenberg Assisted Living Residence
  • Dodge Park Rest Home
  • Benchmark at Tatnuck Park
  • Oasis At Dodge Park
  • The Residence at Orchard Grove
Home Care Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester, 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 Worcester, MA

Latest News in Worcester, MA

Documentary Focused on Poor Fire Station Conditions to Premiere in Worcester, MA

A moving documentary that tells the stories of the firefighters who work in aging and broken fire stations is set to debut in Worcester next month and the filmmaker—who hails from a family of firefighters—hopes the film will open the door for communities to understand the conditions many firefighters face behind the bay doors.Filmmaker Tommy Jay Dwyer grew up around firehouses in Central Massachusetts where his father, uncles and other family have a storied history. When asked about filming "Burnin’ Down the Hou...

A moving documentary that tells the stories of the firefighters who work in aging and broken fire stations is set to debut in Worcester next month and the filmmaker—who hails from a family of firefighters—hopes the film will open the door for communities to understand the conditions many firefighters face behind the bay doors.

Filmmaker Tommy Jay Dwyer grew up around firehouses in Central Massachusetts where his father, uncles and other family have a storied history. When asked about filming "Burnin’ Down the House," he jumped at it immeditately.

His father, Tom, worked most of his 32-year career in Worcester on Rescue 1. His uncles, Jim and John, both had 30-plus-year careers with Worcester and John served as union president. His cousin, John Dwyer, is currently a firefighter in Worcester and his uncle, Wayne Curry, is a Fitchburg firefighter.

Dwyer’s father’s cousin, Cliff DeCourcy, died in 2014 after battling from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which he believes came from the work he did as a Worcester firefighter.

“The fire service in general has impacted my life. I grew up in these firehouses. I was with my dad a lot,” Dwyer told Firehouse.com.

His father and uncle John were working the night of the tragic Dec. 3, 1999, Worcester Cold Storage warehouse fire that claimed the lives of six firefighters.

“Dec. 3. and sort of the subsequent events that have happened in Worcester have deeply affected me,” he said. “It’s affected my whole outlook on life. It's taught me to go after what you want to do and live for now and really make sure to take care of those people that are taking care of you.”

That’s why Dwyer jumped at the opporutnity to take on this documentary.

Among his credits, his short film, "Soulless," just won the best international short at the Tokyo Film Award and "The Hit One" was awarded best short film at the Boston National Film Festival. He was in the 2010 hit movie "The Social Network."

Kathy Crosby-Bell, who founded the Last Call Foundation, wanted to take on this project and learned that Dwyer was local and from a family of firefighters.

Bell’s firefighter-son, Michael Kennedy, died alongside Lt. Edward Walsh in a 2014 Boston fire when their hoseline burned through during a wind-driven fire.

After some meetings, they developed the outline for "Burnin’ Down the House."

“She wanted me to do a short film on the conditions of firehouses across the country using some New England firehouses as sort of the reference,” Dwyer said. After spending just a day talking with firefighters to understand the realities they face, he had another idea.

“I came back to Kathy and Jason Burns and I said, ‘listen, this is much more than a short film. This is an entire can of worms,'” Dwyer said. “The facades don't always match the interior. And what these men and women are dealing with was much more than I anticipated biting off.”.

They shifted gears and decided to make a feature length film.

Dwyer told Firehouse.com that his team contacted dozens of departments to ask about using their stations for the film, but most declined. The firehouses ranged from century-old buildings to more modern facilities to paint an accurate picture of the conditions firefighters live with in their home away from home.

“I was able to really dive in on telling the story of the men and women that work in these fire stations. And the health implications that they have from living in these conditions,” Dwyer recalls.

He was able to get three diverse communities—Fall River, Westwood and Worcester—to allow his film crew to have open access to not only the stations but the members who work there. Over two dozen firefighters were interviewed with nearly a dozen sharing their personal stories in the documentary.

“Every single place we went to, I became less and less surprised at the conditions, which is sad,” Dwyer explained. “Their expectations for what they do for their municipalities is incredibly high. They give everything, they really ask for nothing. And it fell on my shoulders to become the voice for a group of people that are working really, really hard that aren't asking for much in return.”

Paint chips falling into living and eating spaces, mold, water leaks, rotted walls, and asbestos lined-pipes and tiles on floors and ceilings that are worn down and exposed.

“It makes them sick. I can't tell you how many people we spoke to that just take for granted. They say 'every time we work (at a particular station), we wake up with like a wet cough and a runny nose and we have trouble breathing.’”

Dwyer believes the conditions inside some of the stations play a role in firefighter cancer diagnosis, which is a leading cause of firefighter deaths.

“The conditions they live with, it's asbestos and the mold certainly takes a physical toll on them. And then it takes a mental toll,” Dwyer recalls. “And seeing the sort of morale and mental health of the men and women that are going to work, day-to-day, fighting for the citizens of their city and returning to a place that looks like World War II France is pretty devastating."

"Cancer is an epidemic running through the fire service in all sorts of ailments. And some of that is from firefighting and...but what we're also seeing is some problems for the industry because of their stations, " said Fall River firefighter Jason Burns, who is also executive director of the Last Call Foundation. "The conditions of their stations are from the lack of maintenance. And we're worried about the health and safety of firefighters, and quite frankly, we think they deserve better."

Burns said the Last Call Foundation produced the film, "Burned: Protecting the Protectors," on the dangers of PFAS and cancer and "thought ("Burnin' Down the House") was a great opportunity to really open up that that window to let the public see what's going on in their fire stations. I don't think they know about it. I don't think they know that their firefighters are treated so poorly."

Dwyer recalled one station, where "the floors are sparkling. But guess what? They're asbestos tiles that are all chipped and broken. And these men and women take pride in that's something you're going to see. They take pride in where they live but it's not healthy."

During the Aug. 6 premiere of the 81-miunte "Burnin' Down the House" documentary, Dwyer will be there with his team, along with the firefighters who appear in the film and the Last Call Foundation.

The film will be screened at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, which is “two football throws” from Worcester’s South Station, which is one of the firehouses that is documented in the film.

Tickets start at $47.00 and there is a VIP package that gives ticketholders time to visit with Dwyer, the Last Call Foundation and the firefighters in the film, plus some swag to take home. Half the proceeds will be donated to Last Call Foundation.

Both Burns and Dwyer encourage the fire service to bring family, friends and local elected officials to the premiere.

"The firefighters' families already know what the issues that they're dealing with...and the general public love firefighters. They flock to them when there's tragedy or a big fire," said Dwyer. "But I think 99 percent of the time they just drive by and don't think about them. This is to open everybody's eyes. So I want the general public to come out and see these are the conditions your firefighters are living in day in and day out. And it's important that we do something when it's time to come to the ballot box or talk to your politicians."

After the premiere, they plan to show the film at other threaters across New England and across the U.S. to raise awareness to the problems in so many fire stations, being that a large percetnage of firehouses are over 40 years old.

Worcester Bridge Renamed To Honor NBA Legend Bob Cousy

The I-290 bridge over Southbridge Street in the city has been renamed.WORCESTER, MA — A bridge in Worcester has officially been renamed to honor an NBA legend.The I-290 bridge over Southbridge Street in the city has been renamed the "Bob Cousy Pass." Cousy, who now lives in Worcester and had a star-studded career with the Boston Celtics from 1957 to 1963, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.Gov. Maura Healey joined state transportation officials, Cousy, his family and local leaders on Friday to d...

The I-290 bridge over Southbridge Street in the city has been renamed.

WORCESTER, MA — A bridge in Worcester has officially been renamed to honor an NBA legend.

The I-290 bridge over Southbridge Street in the city has been renamed the "Bob Cousy Pass." Cousy, who now lives in Worcester and had a star-studded career with the Boston Celtics from 1957 to 1963, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Gov. Maura Healey joined state transportation officials, Cousy, his family and local leaders on Friday to dedicate the bridge near the College of the Holy Cross. Gov. Healey first announced in January that she would work with the city to rename the bridge after Cousy.

“We as a family feel ever so fortunate to have lived in Worcester, a community which is so generously embraced our dad and us,” said the Cousy Family. “Dad‘s love for Holy Cross and for Worcester infused all of us in the family. We are grateful that our parents to have chosen this community to make their home.”

Cousy attended Holy Cross before becoming one of the NBA’s most influential point guards with the Boston Celtics. He helped lead the Celtics to six NBA championships, was a 13-time NBA All-Star, won an NBA Most Valuable Player award and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

The bridge is located near the entrance to the Holy Cross campus. State officials said the location was chosen as a permanent tribute to Cousy’s impact on the city, the college and basketball.

"Bob Cousy changed the game of basketball forever, but his impact reaches far beyond the court," said Gov. Healey. "He has represented Worcester and Massachusetts with integrity, humility and excellence throughout his life. It's only fitting that this bridge, which connects people and communities every day, will forever carry the name of someone who has inspired generations on and off the court, myself included."

Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradicated In Shrewsbury

A years-long effort to eliminate a destructive tree-killing insect has reached a major milestone in Shrewsbury.SHREWSBURY, MA — A years-long effort to eliminate a destructive tree-killing insect has reached a major milestone in Shrewsbury.State officials announced Friday that the Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from the town, allowing Shrewsbury to be removed from a Worcester County quarantine that restricted the movement of firewood, branches and other tree material. The decision followed repeated surveys t...

A years-long effort to eliminate a destructive tree-killing insect has reached a major milestone in Shrewsbury.

SHREWSBURY, MA — A years-long effort to eliminate a destructive tree-killing insect has reached a major milestone in Shrewsbury.

State officials announced Friday that the Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from the town, allowing Shrewsbury to be removed from a Worcester County quarantine that restricted the movement of firewood, branches and other tree material. The decision followed repeated surveys that found no evidence of the insect, according to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Shrewsbury is the second Worcester County community cleared of the beetle after Holden was removed from the quarantine in 2025. Worcester, Boylston, West Boylston and part of Auburn remain in the regulated area.

“The Asian longhorned beetle is one of the most destructive invasive species that currently threatens the health of trees across Massachusetts,” DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle said in the announcement. “Removing Shrewsbury, just a year after removing Holden, from the quarantine area is a huge milestone in the fight to eradicate ALB.”

The insect was discovered in Worcester County in 2008 and detected in Shrewsbury in 2010. State and federal crews have since surveyed trees and removed infested specimens as part of a joint eradication program involving DCR, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Crews examined thousands of trees in Shrewsbury at least three times before concluding the beetle was no longer present, GBH News reported.

Asian longhorned beetles attack maple, poplar, willow, elm and other hardwood trees. The insects feed on living tissue inside trees, causing damage that cannot heal and can leave trees more likely to lose branches or fall during storms, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

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