Always Best Care helps families evaluate their care options as they navigate aging and health challenges. Since many people are facing this for the first time, education is a priority. Their philosophy is simple—you need to be informed to make an informed decision. Whether a senior requires in-home care or referral services, Always Best Care serves as their Care Manager, maintaining continuous communication, monitoring their condition, and offering guidance throughout their journey.
As a husband-and-wife team with strong community ties and firsthand experience with health challenges like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s in their families, they provide care that truly comes from the heart.
Can you share the story behind Always Best Care and what inspired you to enter the senior care industry?
Janné: Caring for others comes naturally to both of us. When our children were young, we frequently visited homebound individuals from our church, organized meals for families experiencing loss or illness, and volunteered with at-risk children. After Tom suffered a stroke at the age of 56, his career abruptly ended. This prompted us to reflect on how we wanted to spend our remaining working years. Watching Tom’s mother care for her father until he passed away at 100, then immediately taking care of her mother-in-law through the end of life, we saw firsthand how stressful being a family caregiver can be. We wanted to make a meaningful impact in our community, and the opportunity to help others navigate this stage of life with greater ease felt truly fulfilling.
What services do you offer, and how do they help seniors maintain a high quality of life?
Tom: Our services are designed to enhance the lives of seniors. We provide in-home care services that help seniors age comfortably in their own homes, respite care to give family caregivers essential breaks, and referral or placement services to assist seniors in finding the right independent, assisted, or memory care living arrangements.
Our in-home caregivers offer support with mobility, bathing, grooming, companionship, housekeeping, meals, health monitoring, and more. We've expanded training to include specialized dementia and Parkinson’s care, proudly partnering with the Parkinson’s Foundation as a Community Partner.
For referral and placement services, we provide senior living information, guide families through decisions, accompany them on tours, and follow up to ensure the chosen community meets expectations.
Why is professional senior care an important investment for families?
Janné: Aging is unique to each individual, and our agency provides tailored support and advocacy. We adapt to changing needs, offering anywhere from a few hours of in-home care per week to 24/7 care. Our trained caregivers provide flexible solutions while we handle insurance, background checks, credential monitoring, and scheduling, alleviating the burden on families.
What are some common concerns families have when seeking care for aging loved ones, and how do you help address them?
Janné: It all comes down to trust. Many seniors fear staying home alone if they feel unsteady or have experienced falls. Others are apprehensive about moving to a “facility.” These concerns are valid. Unfortunately, negative experiences can happen, making seniors feel vulnerable. Our goal is to earn trust. When families trust us to guide and advocate for them, that’s when we can offer the best support.
How can families prepare financially and emotionally for senior care needs?
Tom: Many people are surprised to learn that Medicare does not cover in-home care, supportive services, or assisted living. Financial preparation may involve leveraging paid-off property, retirement accounts, and long-term care insurance policies. Some individuals may qualify for Veterans Affairs benefits or other assistance programs. We partner with community agencies to help locate or liquidate funds, but financing long-term care is a complex topic that requires careful planning.
Preparing for senior care can be emotionally challenging. Many seniors fear losing their independence, but our goal is to help them preserve it. Understanding that support—whether at home or in a senior community—can improve their quality of life is key to embracing this next chapter.
How is Always Best Care involved in the Tempe community?
Janné: I volunteer at the Dementia-Friendly Tempe Memory Café, where I join other volunteers in dancing and engaging with individuals living with dementia while their family caregivers attend a support group. I'm continually inspired by the love and dedication of these caregivers, who provide daily support with little recognition. I also serve on the Age-Friendly Tempe and Dementia-Friendly Tempe Action Team.
As a Tempe Chamber member, I participated in the Women in Business Mentoring Program during my first year and look forward to returning as a mentor when my schedule allows. Our team also volunteers at events for the Parkinson’s Foundation, Barrow Neurological Institute, and other organizations that support families and raise awareness about senior care challenges. Additionally, we provide educational workshops on various topics affecting seniors.
Do you have a story or testimonial that showcases the impact of your services?
Janné: One memorable experience involved Joan and Myron, a couple we assisted for years. Initially, we provided Joan with 12 hours of in-home care per week. As her health declined, our services expanded to seven days a week. Myron, at 92, was caring for his bedridden wife without nearby family support. Seeing his health decline, we encouraged him to consider a 30-day respite placement for Joan. We found a suitable assisted living home near his residence so he could visit daily.
The family continued using our caregiving services to ensure Joan received personalized attention. Eventually, Myron felt reassured enough to take a well-deserved trip to visit his daughter in Oregon. His daughter later shared a touching video of his arrival, which was deeply moving. Supporting their family during different stages of their journey was incredibly rewarding for us.
"Our goal is to earn trust. When families trust us to guide and advocate for them, that’s when we can offer the best support."