When an older loved one in your life can't take care of themselves like they could in the past, you begin to worry. You worry about their safety and their health. You stay up at night thinking about their quality of life and how it can be improved. You may wonder whether you'll have enough time, energy, and patience to care for them while you balance your own family and work obligations. You've heard that most seniors - 94% according to Forbes - prefer to stay in their own homes as they age. But if the senior in your life can stay at home, what then?
For many families, home care in Buford, GA, presents an affordable, compassionate answer to that question. Home care is quickly becoming the first choice for older seniors because it supports the family while allowing your loved one to age gracefully in the familiar, safe surroundings of their own home and community.
If you're trying to keep your mom, dad, or senior relative safe and happy in the home they love, it's time to connect with Opa Home Care for a consultation.
At Opa Home Care, our goal is to serve your senior loved one throughout their aging journey. We do so by prioritizing a continuing care model customized to your senior loved one's needs. We often begin this relationship by providing compassionate in-home care services for seniors who only need a little help around the house. When a senior is discharged from a hospital or facility after a fall or illness, we offer short-term care in the weeks that follow their return home. And when a senior receives hospice and palliative care, we supplement that care by staying with them around the clock.
Opa's continuum of care involves a comprehensive approach to delivering healthcare services that are tailored to an individual's evolving needs over time. This integrated system covers preventive care, primary care, acute treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term support, with a focus on ensuring smooth transitions between different levels and settings of care.
By promoting coordination and continuity among healthcare providers and settings, the continuum of care aims to improve health outcomes, enhance the patient experience, and make more efficient use of resources, ultimately raising the overall quality of care provided to individuals and communities.
Simply put, families choose Opa because our caregivers and staff members truly care about the senior loved one in your life. Some highlights of our senior care program include:
We're proud to have a team of over 14,000 credentialed caregivers, CNAs, and nurses who work with our experienced leadership team to provide a tailored, efficient experience for clients.
When you trust Opa as your home care provider, you won't ever have to worry about your senior going without care. In the unlikely event that your scheduled caregiver must miss a shift, we'll have another caregiver lined up and sent to your home ASAP.
As in-home care experts, we understand that the need for compassionate care doesn't follow a 9-5 schedule. When you reach out with questions or concerns, you'll always find a person on the other end of the line. We'll take as much time as needed to understand your situation and work hard to set up intake in a quick, efficient manner.
At Opa Home Care, we know that no two seniors have the same needs and budget requirements. As such, we customize every one of our care plans to cater to your desires, needs, and budget.
In-home care is a valuable option for seniors who want to age comfortably in their own homes. Cost is a major concern for many families, but in-home care is often more affordable than people expect. Hiring an in-home caregiver for a few hours a week can be cheaper than other long-term care options, even for seniors with more complex needs. At Opa Home Care, we'll work with you to create a Care Plan that meets your needs and fits your budget. After assessing your or your loved one's care requirements, we'll design an in-home care plan that's both suitable and affordable for you.
Other potential resources to help offset potential home care costs can include:
Our team understands the challenges that come with aging. That's why Opa is dedicated to providing personalized care that's easily accessible. You can get started by calling one of our locations in Georgia, where a team member will listen to you and explain our in-home care options. We make scheduling calls and meetings simple, bringing dignity to you and your loved ones by offering a flexible, straightforward care process from beginning to end.
"Home is where the heart is." This saying may sound a bit cliche, but it holds true for many seniors in America. When given the choice, most older adults prefer to age in their own homes. According to an AARP study, three out of four adults over 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they grow older.
When you consider why, it makes sense. A person's home represents a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity. Keeping seniors comfortable and healthy in their own homes as they receive care is the essence of aging in place. This approach ensures that, after spending time in a hospital or nursing facility, seniors can return home with the assistance of caregivers from home care agencies like Opa.
That's especially important because as we age, we often rely on others for assistance. When family members are too busy or live far away, in-home senior care becomes a practical solution. Home care services allow seniors to maintain personal independence while receiving reliable support from trained caregivers.
At Opa Home Care, we provide a comprehensive range of non-medical home care services to help seniors stay healthy while preserving their independence. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to express your love, especially if you live far away.
Some of the most common aging-in-place services we provide include:
If someone you care about is unable or unwilling to stay alone either during the day or overnight, our in-home caregiver services can provide the assistance they need. We understand that loneliness can have a significant impact on an individual's mental and physical health, and we are here to offer the necessary support to ensure their well-being.
Opa caregivers provide much-needed help with maintaining personal hygiene, dressing and eating, and aiding with mobility. We also provide transportation assistance, help facilitate communication, assist with medication management, offer support with home maintenance, and provide assistance with shopping and meal preparation.
Long-term spouses and partners rely on one another for companionship and love. That's why, at Opa, we can develop specialized care plans for aging couples who need home care in Buford, GA.
Opa caregivers are here to help you or your elderly family member with running errands like getting to and from medical appointments, picking up prescriptions or groceries, and attending community activities to stay engaged and active.
Sometimes, seniors need around-the-clock in-home care. Our experienced caregivers are available to stay with your loved ones for an extended period to ensure they stay happy and healthy at home.
Short-term care, also known as post-acute care, typically takes place following a hospital or skilled nursing facility discharge, which often occurs after a surgical procedure or illness necessitating assistance during the recovery period. Short-term care for surgery or illness recovery typically lasts several weeks. Our experienced short-term caregivers will follow your hospital's guidelines and your personalized support plan to ensure your senior's recovery and healing stay on track.
Some of the most common short-term home care services we provide at Opa include:
Loneliness can greatly affect someone's mental and physical well-being. That's especially true after having a major surgery or illness. If your loved one cannot or does not want to be left alone after being discharged from a hospital or care facility, our short-term caregivers are ready to help.
Short-term caregivers from Opa can provide essential support with daily personal care, including grooming, getting dressed, eating, and getting around. Our services also include transportation, communication assistance, medication management, household upkeep, and help with shopping and meal preparation.
We offer stand-by assistance while your senior loved one takes a shower, goes to the bathroom, moves from room to room, and walks outdoors. We can also provide stand-by assistance while your senior completes exercises and activities prescribed by Physical and Occupational Therapists.
Hospice care is not tied to a specific location; it's more about the approach to care itself. Most people who are nearing the end of their lives express a strong wish to spend their final months at home. This type of care involves a comprehensive team that considers the physical, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of the individual. Hospice focuses on providing comfort rather than pursuing curative treatments, without hastening the dying process.
While the hospice and palliative care team for your senior will provide medication and some additional support, they aren't able to be with your loved one all the time. Our caregivers are there to complement your hospice and palliative care team by offering round-the-clock assistance to the senior in your life. Opa caregivers can also ensure that the needs of a spouse are met during this challenging period. Our goal is to give your family the chance to cherish your loved one while our team takes care of their personal needs.
Homemaking services encompass a range of tasks, including cleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, home upkeep, and organization.
When a senior is going through hospice, personal care often suffers. We provide much-needed assistance with tasks such as eating, dressing, bathing, grooming, medication reminders, and more. That way, you can focus on spending time with your elderly parent or relative.
In challenging and emotional times, they say that it takes a village to stay healthy and focused. That's true in many aspects of life, but especially during hospice and palliative care. Our caregivers can help cook meals, provide transportation, and complete errands, so all you have to focus on is being present and positive.
At Opa Home Care in Buford, GA, a large percentage of our clients consist of selfless and concerned adult children who know their parents need extra help at home. Caring for your aging parents can be an incredibly rewarding act of love. As you reflect on the care they provided you while you were growing up, you now have the chance to reciprocate. However, caregiving comes with its own set of challenges. It's crucial to anticipate these challenges and learn how to effectively manage them in order to safeguard your own health and well-being.
Here are three of the most difficult challenges that family caregivers may encounter when looking after their elderly parents or loved ones.
As people age, their sleep patterns can be disrupted, causing them to wake up multiple times during the night. This can be due to a shift in their internal body clock, stress, or worry. If dementia is a factor, you may need to be vigilant, as sundowning and wandering could occur. Caring for your parents or a loved one requires a clear and rested mind, which is why getting enough sleep is essential for both your well-being and your ability to provide the best care. After all, you don't want to get so burnt out and tired that you take a trip to the hospital. Avoid getting burnt out and exhausted, as it could lead to a trip to the hospital.
Taking care of aging parents can feel overwhelming and like you're shouldering the entire brunt of responsibility. Moreover, thinking that you're the sole caregiver can be stressful and put unneeded strain on other relationships in your life. It's crucial to understand that caregiving is not a one-person task. Trying to handle it alone can lead to burnout, depression, and other serious health issues. It can also negatively impact the quality of care your parents receive.
Living with your parents can affect both your physical and emotional privacy, especially if one or both need significant amounts of attention. This can lead to feelings of fear and disorientation when you're not around. Similarly, it can be challenging for your parents to maintain their own privacy while you're taking care of them.
It's crucial to have a break from caregiving to maintain a healthy life balance. Opa's in-home caregivers can give you that essential time off while ensuring top-notch care for your parents. Our aging-in-place services provide opportunities for your parents or older relatives to socialize and enjoy engaging activities, all while giving you the chance to focus on self-care. Rest assured that your parents are in good hands while you take a well-deserved break.
One of the biggest reasons why clients choose Opa Home Care is because we believe working with seniors is a privilege. Our caregivers love what they do and find joy in keeping older adults healthy, happy, and safe at home. When we work with your loved one, we want to get to know them. We want to know the foods they like, the music they listen to, and what makes them feel comfortable. We want to know if they would rather watch a movie or go for a walk. They may forget to take their meds, but we'll be there night and day to remind them. Our goal is to provide the maximum amount of comfort, independence, and compassionate care to every client we serve.
The first step in getting quality home care in Buford, GA, starts with a one-on-one consultation with an experienced Opa care coordinator. This initial meeting is needed so our team can learn more about your needs and the level of care you require. If you're ready to help the senior in your life age in the solitude of their home, we're ready to help.
Location: 9755 Dogwood Road, STE 320, Roswell, Georgia 30075, United States
Phone: +1 866 373 2302
Office Hours 8:30a - 5:30p Monday - Friday. Additional hours are available by appointment.
Office Phone Hours 5:00a -11:55p, 7 days a week.
After Hours We have after-hours phone coverage 24/7, 365 days a year.
Buford man undergos new liver cancer procedureA Buford man was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 31, 2023. He recently received new treatment available for patients with liver cancer.BUFORD, Ga. - Jeff Reid says he got the first hint something was wrong in early 2023."I started to feel discomfort in my abdomen, and, you know, a loss of appetite," Reid remembers.His doctor ordered scans, then biopsies.But as the months passed, his weight went into a sudden free-fall.&qu...
A Buford man was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 31, 2023. He recently received new treatment available for patients with liver cancer.
BUFORD, Ga. - Jeff Reid says he got the first hint something was wrong in early 2023.
"I started to feel discomfort in my abdomen, and, you know, a loss of appetite," Reid remembers.
His doctor ordered scans, then biopsies.
But as the months passed, his weight went into a sudden free-fall.
"I had lost about 20 or so pounds," Reid says.
On March 31, 2023, Reid, who is now 55, was diagnosed with colon cancer, and told the cancer had metastasized, or spread, to his liver.
He was now stage IV.
"I was shocked," Reid says. "I'm not a smoker. I was in good health. You know, very active, and physically fit."
And, Reid and Stephanie Garcia were just 4 days away from their wedding.
"I just felt like I was on a huge roller coaster where we were so happy, excited about getting married, then found out this news," Garcia says.
They got married on Jekyll Island and then Reid began treatment.
Reid is not a candidate for surgery, so he began intense chemotherapy.
"I was getting heavy chemo, more than the normal person, because I was otherwise healthy," he says.
At the same time, Dr. Nelson Royall, Reid's surgeon at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, was exploring a new option for patients with liver cancer: histotripsy, using sound waves to destroy tumor cells.
"The first time I saw this technology, I almost didn't believe that this was real," Dr. Royall says. "It really came out of left field. And it's incredibly exciting to have as an option."
April 19, with Reid under anesthesia, he became the first Georgia patient to undergo the procedure. Dr. Royall and his team used intensely-focused ultrasound waves to target and break apart Reid's tumor cells, without damaging his healthy liver tissue.
"And, interestingly, a lot of times it actually preserves the normal liver that used to be where the tumor was," Dr. Royall says. "The tumor is gone and has been reabsorbed by the body. But the bile ducts and the blood vessels have have come back to function."
And, because this procedure is non-invasive, requiring no incisions, Reid has been able to continue his chemotherapy.
"It does not have any side effects, is as far as, you know, things like, neuropathy or hair loss," he says. "There is none of that."
Jeff Reid believes the procedure is helping him, but his cancer is advanced.
"I have numerous tumors in my in my liver," he says. "They're not going to be able to get them all. But, it's also, you know, maybe there's an opportunity for me to have this treatment again."
And Reid and Garcia are grateful he had this option.
"Because it's just one more thing that can help lengthen his life," Garcia says. "It's not a cure. We know it's not a cure. But at least we get more time together.
Last season, 23 football players from the town of 16,800 dotted the rosters of the five most prominent college conferences.Credit: APBUFORD, Ga. — Four days before the biggest game of their lives, dozens of 6- and 7-year-olds wearing full pads and Kelly-green jerseys bounded onto a practice field in suburban Atlanta.Under bright lights last fall, the Buford Webb football team performed tackling drills and ran sprints. Players reviewed concepts such as how to fill a C-gap — all in preparation for the Gwinnett ...
Last season, 23 football players from the town of 16,800 dotted the rosters of the five most prominent college conferences.
Credit: AP
BUFORD, Ga. — Four days before the biggest game of their lives, dozens of 6- and 7-year-olds wearing full pads and Kelly-green jerseys bounded onto a practice field in suburban Atlanta.
Under bright lights last fall, the Buford Webb football team performed tackling drills and ran sprints. Players reviewed concepts such as how to fill a C-gap — all in preparation for the Gwinnett Football League championship game that Saturday. Winning would represent a proud achievement in Gwinnett County, where over 3,200 children ages 6-15 took part in the GFL’s 2023 football season.
Increasingly, evidence points to the dangers of repetitive hits through contact sports. A recent Boston University study found that young athletes are at risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head. Those who played football for many years were more likely to be diagnosed, the study found.
In Buford and Gwinnett County, parents, coaches and league administrators acknowledge playing football comes with risks. They’ve attempted to mitigate them. But they’ve determined the joys and rituals are worth preserving.
A J McDonald participated in the GFL from ages 7-13 and works today as an attorney. Playing football caused him to experience headaches as a kid. He suffered “probably three” concussions in his career.
McDonald wouldn’t have reservations if his son, born in July, followed in his father’s footsteps.
“It’s a special bond — there’s nothing like a football bond. I’m friends with kids that I played with on my 8-year-old team.” McDonald said.
Buford, a town of 16,800 residents that’s an hour’s drive north of Atlanta, excels at producing football talent, according to a Capital News Service analysis of the five most prominent college conferences.
During the 2023 season, 23 Power Five college football players were from Buford, the analysis found. In all, Buford produced more Power Five players than 12 states and Washington, D.C.
Buford’s success begins with a robust youth sports culture. With nearly 400 players, the Buford Youth Football Association is the largest of 20 Gwinnett County organizations that form the GFL.
Games and practices are held at Buford Youth Sports Complex, which is set to undergo an estimated $1.5 million renovation to its lighting system and synthetic turf fields, according to Ken Burge, a third-generation Buford resident and football director of the Buford Youth Football Association.
To many in Buford and the GFL, football is not just a sport. “I look at football as an opportunity to really build life skills … accountability, respect, team building,” said Buford Webb coach Markell Webb, whose 7-year-old son Micáias, played on the team in the 2023 season. They argue that football’s unique elements — the way players play through adverse weather and hit each other — offer lessons that other sports cannot.
“If you can make it through football and play football, you can do anything in the world,” said Gerald “Boo” Mitchell, president of the GFL
Buford Webb called one of its final practices before the GFL championship “Competition Tuesday.” For much of the 90-minute session, shoulder pads and helmets clacked and thwacked.
Mitchell said despite the hits, youth practices look different than in the past, part of the GFL’s attempts to make the sport safer. Full-contact practices are limited to twice a week.
“We love to see how football used to be played … but you have to understand that the game has changed,” said Keybo Taylor, a former GFL coach who today serves as the sheriff of Gwinnett County.
Even as youth teams in Buford and the GFL try to mitigate the risks of football, there is a perception that dangers are overstated, especially for younger kids.
“At this age, they don’t hit hard enough,” said Jimmy Williams, whose 7-year-old son, Christopher, played this season for Buford Webb. “It’s all fun.”
At the end of a long season, Buford Webb won the GFL title, defeating Lawrenceville, 24-6 on Nov. 11. Players received championship rings and were featured in the Gwinnett Daily Post.
“They feel like local celebrities,” Webb said.
The GFL now is in offseason, but football in Buford goes on. Parents pay for kids to work out with trainers. Children compete throughout the year.
“This is a 365-day-a-year football community,” Mitchell said. “It never stops.”
ROSWELL, Ga. — A doctor is facing federal charges for allegedly running a pill mill out of his offices in Roswell and Buford, where the U.S. Attorney’s Office said he “illegally prescribed excessive amounts of narcotics.”Isaac Sved, 65, of Gainesville has been indicted on charges of maintaining premises for drug trafficking, unlawful dispensing and distribution of controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Sved ran the operation through FamCare ...
ROSWELL, Ga. — A doctor is facing federal charges for allegedly running a pill mill out of his offices in Roswell and Buford, where the U.S. Attorney’s Office said he “illegally prescribed excessive amounts of narcotics.”
Isaac Sved, 65, of Gainesville has been indicted on charges of maintaining premises for drug trafficking, unlawful dispensing and distribution of controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Sved ran the operation through FamCare in Roswell and Valere in Buford, which are now occupied by other businesses.
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Sved was registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration to prescribe controlled substances, including the opioid Oxycodone, according to a federal indictment. It states that patients received minimal or no evaluations before Sved prescribed pain medications such as Oxycodone, Alprazolam, and Carisoprodol.
The indictment goes on to say that “FamCare serviced an inordinate amount of people from an area of Georgia over 50 miles away, many of whom were ‘referred’ by existing patients and sponsors.”
FamCare was only open on Sunday, when all the other businesses in the office park were closed, and had armed guards patrolling the clinic, according to the indictment.
Sved is also accused of receiving large sums of cash from a co-defendant, Bobby Lamar Mosley, who obtained prescriptions “for purported patients, some of whom were never examined,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
“Regrettably, the opioid epidemic has at times been fueled by physicians who abused their positions of trust in illegally prescribing excessive amounts of narcotics,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan in a statement. “Those who abuse the power of their medical profession to unlawfully profit must face the consequences of their actions.”
The indictment further alleges that Sved falsified patient files to make it look as though the patient had been evaluated on certain dates “when, in fact, the patient was not even present at the clinics,” the news release said.
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Sved has three co-conspirators, none of them doctors, who are charged with running the operation: Mosley, 60, of Buford; Dikla Rosh, 45, of Dunwoody; and Lucciano Lopez, 27, of Sandy Springs.
The indictment says federal investigators seized more than $200,000 in cash from the defendants in December 2022.
The pill mill had been in operation from as early as May 2017 to December 2022, according to the indictment.
Channel 2′s Bryan Mims tried to reach Sved by phone, using a phone listed for his offices but was told it was the wrong number.
State records show that Sved began practicing medicine in Georgia in Aug. 1994 and that his license expired Nov. 30.
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A new brewing company headed to Buford aims to bring live music, a laidback vibe, and a variety of beer to the area.Opt out at anytimeMeander Brewing is in the works now, a project from longtime friends and brewers Michael Branam and Paul Bushell.“We’re trying to target that feeling you get when you go to a lot of breweries, where it’s laidback, where you’d want to hang out and listen to music and things like that,” Branam told What Now ...
A new brewing company headed to Buford aims to bring live music, a laidback vibe, and a variety of beer to the area.
Opt out at anytime
Meander Brewing is in the works now, a project from longtime friends and brewers Michael Branam and Paul Bushell.
“We’re trying to target that feeling you get when you go to a lot of breweries, where it’s laidback, where you’d want to hang out and listen to music and things like that,” Branam told What Now Atlanta.
Expect acoustic performances, family-friendly games like cornhole, and a beer to suit every taste.
“We’ll be doing everything from a light lager to getting into more of the Belgian beers,” Branam said.
For the food program, they want to link with local eateries to provide bites along with the beers, aiming to create a system where that restaurant’s food will be served at Meander Brewing. They’ve been talking to local restaurants, and they’ve already got one in mind. They’re also seeking to expand the patio area, creating a warm and welcoming outdoor space.
This is Branam and Bushell’s first time opening a brewery, but their interest and experience in the craft goes way back, both at home and professionally, getting a taste for commercial brewing by working with Monkey Wrench Brewing in Suwanee. They’ve also won competitions for their beers, which led to more and more people suggesting they make it official and open a brewery.
“It got to a point where everybody was saying it all the time,” Branam said. “We’ve been looking for a place for several years before we found what we think is gonna be a really great spot in Buford.”
The two are excited to be part of a vibrant area with charm and character, where they feel that investment from the city has helped businesses thrive.
“Buford has just a great sense of community,” Bushell said. “It’s also a draw in the sense that it’s got a beautiful historic downtown.”
The two forged a friendship over their mutual interest in brewing, first meeting in 2006 when Bushell was playing cards at a friend’s house.
“My friend said, ‘You have to try this beer,'” Bushell said. “He took me to Mike’s. We crashed his son’s high school graduation party. That’s how I met Mike. He said, ‘How about a pale ale?’ and poured me one. I was blown away. I wanted to get into it. We’ve been brew buddies ever since.”
The name of the company is a testament to Branam’s innovative spirit – and the pair’s ability to laugh at themselves.
“Mike is a jack of all trades, a true craftsman in whatever he does,” Bushell said. “In his backyard, he put in a waterfall that came down and went into a pond. It was beautiful. He had that ever since I knew him… He said, ‘I’ve gotta redo my pond.’ I said, ‘Is it leaking? It’s beautiful as it is.’ He goes, ‘Yeah, it doesn’t meander enough.'”
To Branam, the waterfall looked too contrived. So he ripped it apart and moved several tons of rock to renovate the waterfall in order to make it, at last, meander enough.
“I wanted it to look like it was a real waterfall you’d find in nature,” he said. “After that, my family thought I was nuts. All my kids, their spouses, every time I would do any project, plant some plants, they’d say, ‘Is it gonna meander?'”
Naturally, Bushell suggested that as the name for their venture. Now, the two are preparing to open in the next several months, as early as May or during the summer. Equipment should arrive in early March, as they navigate through the waters of permitting and polishing off the design.
“There’s a lot of different breweries out there, very good ones,” Bushell said. “But we can set ourselves apart with the beer and the environment we want to make at Meander.”