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 Canadians, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in our country 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 Benares Historic House gets harder without someone by their side. However, as seniors grow older, sometimes they cannot live independently without someone by their side to provide care. Unfortunately, many older Canadians 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 Clarkson, ON 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.
“Thank you for hosting the Dementia Live session. I am so grateful for this opportunity”
“Always Best Care provided me with with very nice and practical care givers following my”
“I have terrific care for my father from Always Best Care The Personal Support Workers”
“My husband had a stroke/brain bleed almost 3 yrs ago & we have been exposed”
“Always Best Care Senior Services helps my loved one out with bathing and meal preparation”
“ABC helps my loved one out with bathing and meal preparation mainly, which is very”
“I am grateful that Always Best Care is here to help me. I am not”
“I am grateful that Always Best Care is here to help me. I am not”
“ABC has really helped ease my concerns and worries when caring for my loved one”
“We had a fabulous experience with Always Best Care Senior Services. We needed unexpected immediate”
“Amazing organization. Very pleased at every aspect. I’m over thousand miles away from my mother”
“I am a personal support worker at ABC, I’ve been working at ABC for about”
“I had to engage Always Best Care for assistance with my parents. From my first”
“In a difficult pandemic and job hiring environment they showed up every day on time”
“Thank you the team at Always Best Care! They were instrumental in helping us to”
“I have been caring for my 85 year old Mom in my home for just”
“I had to engage Always Best Care for assistance with my parents. From my first”
“Thank you to Always Best Care Senior Services for help with my grandmother after her”
“I had a wonderful experience with the team at Always Best Care! I was very”
“Always Best Care provided excellent service for my elderly mother after she had a fall.”
“Thank you for hosting the Dementia Live session. I am so grateful for this opportunity to understand what my loved one is going through and learn strategies to help them cope with dementia. It was nice to be in a room of people that understand, support and can relate to the up’s and down’s of coping with a loved one that has dementia.”
“Always Best Care provided me with with very nice and practical care givers following my recent knee surgery. Will totally use them again when the other knee or something else is done.”
“I have terrific care for my father from Always Best Care The Personal Support Workers ensure my dad remembers to take his medication and that he has lots of food to eat and enogh to drink. The managers are good at letting me know when they have to make a staffing change for the day. I have piece of mind and I know everything is going to be alright when I am away. Thanks to Always Best Care!”
“My husband had a stroke/brain bleed almost 3 yrs ago & we have been exposed to many agencies This particular agency had gone above & beyond to ensure ALL needs were met by finding just the right PSW for my hubby & our home environment. The personal touch provided, made both my husband & I feel that our struggles are real & the staff genuinely care. ALWAYS BEST CARE is just that... the best care. A special thank you to Coree!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services helps my loved one out with bathing and meal preparation mainly, which is very important to have provided for her on a consistent daily basis. The office staff is always very consistent in getting back to me with emails and providing a helping hand. They have been extremely diligent in making sure we have the best care we can get so I’d certainly recommend them.”
“ABC helps my loved one out with bathing and meal preparation mainly, which is very important to have provided for her on a consistent daily basis. The office staff is always very consistent in getting back to me with emails and providing a helping hand. They have been extremely diligent in making sure we have the best care we can get so I’d certainly recommend them.”
“I am grateful that Always Best Care is here to help me. I am not sure what they could do better. They come and help me with transportation for appointments and errands. I like that they are courteous, pleasant and everything I was used to.”
“I am grateful that Always Best Care is here to help me. I am not sure what they could do better. They come and help me with transportation for appointments and errands. I like that they are courteous, pleasant and everything I was used to.”
“ABC has really helped ease my concerns and worries when caring for my loved one especially when im travelling. From the first connection with Steve to assigning PSWs to communicating with Coree my experience has been and continues to be amazing. Coree is exceptional in her work and always responds to our requests even on short notice. The PSW we have is also exceptional and goes above and beyond her duties. I could not have asked for more devoted help than from this company. Highly recommended. The are upfront, honest, trustworthy, and punctual. Great company.”
“We had a fabulous experience with Always Best Care Senior Services. We needed unexpected immediate care for my Mom and Corrie was able to get everything arranged for us right away. She was very understanding, explained everything and willing to do anything she could to help. The caregivers that helped my Mom were wonderful and made her feel very comfortable. Would highly recommend them.”
“Amazing organization. Very pleased at every aspect. I’m over thousand miles away from my mother and I feel blessed to have this group be on call for my mother when needed. Kindest Regards, Oliver”
“I am a personal support worker at ABC, I’ve been working at ABC for about 10 months now. One thing I can recommend about working at ABC is that they are always available and quick to support (you).”
“I had to engage Always Best Care for assistance with my parents. From my first call with Steve to the PSW they assigned to help out, I have been very impressed with their service. I wont hesitate to reccommend them to anyone.”
“In a difficult pandemic and job hiring environment they showed up every day on time to care for my mother-in-law as she recovered from knee replacement surgery. Everyone was warm, attentive, professional and caring. They earn and deserve your business .”
“Thank you the team at Always Best Care! They were instrumental in helping us to navigate what options we had in supporting my Dad as he recovers from a broken hip. Having them kindly answer questions helped to alleviate what is a stressful and difficult time for families. We were set-up with much needed PSW support on extremely short notice...and over the holidays too! The team has been very professional and caring in the services they have provided including adhering to safety protocols in the current environment. Additionally, they have been flexible in managing scheduling changes and have provided prompt updates as needed. Our family has been very pleased with Always Best Care Senior Services and appreciative of the peace of mind and support their services offer.”
“I have been caring for my 85 year old Mom in my home for just over a year. My Mom lives with Alzheimer’s and requires assistance with most all aspects of her life. ABC was recommended to me by the LIHN and thank goodness they made the recommendation! Compared to the experiences I’ve had with other agencies they have been AMAZING! The customer service I’ve received is exceptional - they are responsive and agile working hard to ensure that I haven’t been without support throughout the pandemic. That, I think is a miracle! The caregivers are great - friendly, kind, and have taken very good care of my Mom. I can’t recommend ABC enough!”
“I had to engage Always Best Care for assistance with my parents. From my first call with Steve to the PSW they assigned to help out, I have been very impressed with their service. I wont hesitate to reccommend them to anyone.”
“Thank you to Always Best Care Senior Services for help with my grandmother after her surgery. My first panicked phone call was answered with care and calm. Their consultation and admission process was simple but thorough and they paired my grandma with a great team of caregivers. We are quite happy with their services and look forward to continuing on! Thank you Coree for bringing the heart into homecare!”
“I had a wonderful experience with the team at Always Best Care! I was very worried about doing this, but the team was so professional and so friendly they made me feel so much better. They took amazing care of my grandparents and made them feel just as comfortable and supported as I did. They truly were the best and I highly recommend.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent service for my elderly mother after she had a fall. The staff was informative, caring, empathetic, and flexible. Angela was a wonderful caregiver, very compassionate and professional. My mother was not keen on a caregiver coming but was put at ease and was very appreciative of her care. I highly recommend this agency for anyone's home care needs.”
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 activities and hobbies while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Jack Darling Memorial 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 other activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress helps reduce the risks of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Le Relais Restaurant or visit Clarkson Historical Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
When it comes to non-medical home care, 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?
Studies on aging have 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 Clarkson, ON, 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 CBC, aging in place can be more affordable than living in a retirement home, which can cost thousands of dollars a month, with no extra care included.
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 ABC'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:
During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.
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 Clarkson, ON 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 ABC 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 Clarkson, ON 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.
There’s a certain fashion trend circulating the talk show circuit — and it certainly belongs in your spring wardrobe.Multiple celebs have turned to silky blouses for their appearances lately. It’s no wonder, really, since the lightweight style lends instant elegance and sophistication to everything from ...
There’s a certain fashion trend circulating the talk show circuit — and it certainly belongs in your spring wardrobe.
Multiple celebs have turned to silky blouses for their appearances lately. It’s no wonder, really, since the lightweight style lends instant elegance and sophistication to everything from flared jeans to flowy maxi skirts. Just look at the myriad ways silky blouses made the rounds in Hollywood lately for style proof.
Kate Hudson appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in a pleated lavender blouse with long balloon sleeves, a plunging open front, and skinny ties at the neckline and hem. She completed the bohemian-inspired look with a paisley maxi skirt.
Kelly Clarkson went for a more casual take on the silky blouse trend during an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, pairing an orange short-sleeve mock-neck top with dark blue flared jeans. And on an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, Halle Berry opted for a cream-colored silk blouse with a crew neckline and buttoned barrel cuffs. Pamela Anderson and Jennifer Hudson each rocked silk button-down blouses on talk shows, too.
It’s obvious that there are multiple ways to incorporate silky blouses into your spring style rotation. Try out the trend with the best silky tops on Amazon, all for less than $35.
Take inspiration from Clarkson’s short-sleeve blouse with this silky style, which is accented with a ruffled collar and flutter sleeves. It comes in 18 colors, including dusty pink, black, and teal, and sizes S–XXL.
If you love the pleated lavender blouse Hudson wore, try this one with a scoop neck and long sleeves with banded cuffs. It’s earned over 5,000 five-star ratings from shoppers, who said it’s “very comfortable and flattering” and “looks great with trousers and a jacket or with a pair of leggings.”
This button-down shirt is similar to the purple one Hudson wore, thanks to its smooth, satiny fabric and straight point collar. In addition to lavender, it comes in 40 colors and patterns, and sizes XS–XXL.
Take a page out of Berry’s style book with this long-sleeve silky blouse, which is designed with a pleated crew neckline, back keyhole detail, and buttoned cuffs. Happy shoppers said the pleats “create a nice drape,” and it’s “the perfect blouse to take you from the office to dinner.”
If you’re in need of more short-sleeve tops for your spring wardrobe, this silky blouse is an excellent and versatile option. It’s designed with a subtle scoop neck, oversized silhouette, and rolled sleeves, and it pairs easily with baggy jeans, mini skirts, and pleated trousers.
A triangular-shaped front keyhole detail and smocked ruffle cuffs give this long-sleeve satin blouse dressy flair. It comes in eight colors, including off-white, peacock blue, and espresso brown, and sizes S–XL.
This short-sleeve blouse has a flowy silhouette that lends itself well to skinny jeans and leggings. It’s finished with a mockneck collar, sash ties at the back, and an elastic high-low hem. I own it in two colors, red and hot pink, and have received so many compliments every time I wear it.
Go for a bold look à la Sarah Jessica Parker by pairing a printed silky blouse with a flowy maxi skirt. This one comes in 36 vibrant patterns like vivid florals and sweeping geometric designs, and sizes S–XXL.
“After last year and everything that went on with the media, we both just want to enjoy this year,” admits Chris. “There’s nothing more humbling for your own professional existence then having the whole industry flipped on its head … So we had a conversation about how we both want to get as much out of this year as we can.”Jenny-May agrees there’s a “bittersweet” feeling to work this year, with so many of their beloved colleagues losing their jobs or leaving the industry in the pa...
“After last year and everything that went on with the media, we both just want to enjoy this year,” admits Chris. “There’s nothing more humbling for your own professional existence then having the whole industry flipped on its head … So we had a conversation about how we both want to get as much out of this year as we can.”
Jenny-May agrees there’s a “bittersweet” feeling to work this year, with so many of their beloved colleagues losing their jobs or leaving the industry in the past few months. But there are no mixed emotions about being back on the Breakfast couch.
“It’s cliched and every Breakfast team would tell you this, but it’s the best job on TV, as far as I’m concerned … with the worst hours,” says Jenny-May. “The conversations that we get to have – it’s humbling and there’s lots of joy in it as well.”
In her sixth year as part of the hosting team – and, yes, setting the ever-present 2.30am alarm every weekday – Jenny-May says she never takes the job or the opportunities that come with it for granted.
“To be able to have a platform to allow people to have their say, to have their story told … I’m very grateful for it.”
It does, however, mean having to be aware of the events of the world – both on a global scale and on a small-town New Zealand scale – all the time, and both Jenny-May and Chris say it requires a tremendous amount of effort to switch off.
“Really getting those boundaries in place is important,” insists Jenny-May. “There are now only two of us and Breakfast is intense – it always was – but this year even more so because there’s just two of us. It’s that need to ‘shut the laptop and have a break from thinking about work’.”
Because, as she says, that fixated energy will always come at a cost to something else: family or health.
“We’re both perfectionists, we both want to do the best we possibly can,” she says. “So it’s easy to get sucked back into work, but then that bleeds into the rest of your day, which has a cumulative effect. And when you get to the end of the week and you’ve got absolutely nothing left, that’s not very cool for your family when you’ve got the weekend coming up.”
Her twins with her husband Dean Clarkson, 50, Te Manahau and Atawhai, are 9 this year and if you’ve been in the vicinity of a 9-year-old boy recently, you’ll know they require a tremendous amount of energy to keep up with.
On top of that, Jenny-May is now in the throes of perimenopause, which – like parenting twins – is also not an experience for the faint-hearted.
When this topic comes up, Chris sits forward with great attention.
“Oh, are we going to talk about menopause again?” he jokes. “I’m happy to talk about menopause, then you can take the question after that, Jenny-May.”
Laughing, Jenny-May waves him away.
“It’s something that we should be talking about and I’m still trying to figure things out,” she admits. “I love talking about it because it doesn’t just impact women, it impacts their partners …”
Chris interjects, “their co-hosts too”, which gets a huge belly laugh from Jenny-May – “and the impact it has on you is massive!”
It’s not just mood, she says, but also the fluctuation in body size and energy.
“Ultimately, I’ve come to a place where I just have to accept that this is happening to me and I’m going to do the very best I can to mitigate some of the impacts it has,” reflects Jenny-May. “But really, I’m just making it up as I go. But it’s such a hard thing.”
Chris protests, “No, it’s a beautiful thing!”
The fact Chris seems so well-versed in perimenopause is indicative of just how well the pair get along – as well as an excellent shared sense of humour, there’s a tremendous level of respect and trust between the pair.
“I have complete faith in Changy,” says Jenny-May. “He’s an intelligent and funny guy. I know he’s a brilliant broadcaster, so I feel safe with him sitting next to me about where we’re going – I don’t have to worry about whether or not he can cope with someone, because I know he can.”
She points out that the organised chaos of Breakfast – having to fill three hours of live television with a host of different guests, topics and tonal shifts – can often mean being told on no notice that a guest has fallen through, and she and Chris must now make small talk for the next few minutes while a plan B is concocted.
“There’s no stress with that – one of us will start talking,” she says. “But that takes trust that the person sitting next to you has the capability to do that. I feel very lucky to have that with Chris.”
It’s a two-way street of admiration, clearly.
“Jenny-May has worked with much better broadcasters than me – the best in the business,” says Chris, which gets him a friendly “stop it” swat from Jenny-May. “I’m lucky that we can go into the year as a duo knowing that there’s somebody next to me who’s got that experience.”
Both are very clear that even though they’re the faces of Breakfast, they’re there representing the work of a much wider team, including a lot of young staff members who are navigating the unpredictable waters of working in media for the first time. It’s incredibly important, Chris says, that he and Jenny-May show leadership in that regard as well.
“We have to set the tone for it – if it’s a bit of a slog, or, like last year, if times are a bit tougher, then they will naturally look to the more senior people in the team,” he explains.
There is a downside to being a public face in New Zealand, as any broadcaster will tell you – an ever-increasing amount of criticism and negative feedback that comes via social media or other channels. Chris has a very simple solution: “Don’t read it!” he exclaims, which Jenny-May nods in agreement with. “Everyone’s got a thought about the people they see on TV – and that’s great, they should have that – but don’t get too high when times are good and don’t get too low when things aren’t going so well.”
Adds Jenny-May, “It’s very important to understand who you are and what your values are. Changy and I front up every day, doing the very best that we possibly can – sometimes it goes great, sometimes it doesn’t, but the effort is always there to try and get things right.”
Once the TV lights are off and the presenter outfits are gone, they both go back to their regular lives at home.
“I go home to cleaning my house and picking up dog poo, just like anyone else,” tells Jenny-May. “Ultimately, what really matters is the health and wellbeing of your family, and knowing that keeps things in perspective. This is what I do, and I try and do it to the best of my ability. Yep, you’re going to get criticised, but no matter what you do, there is always going to be that. Like Changy said, don’t buy into it.”
At a time when overseas headlines are getting scarier, there’s a real importance to come back to our own communities – and the role of Breakfast in having a place for all those stories has never been more necessary.
“Our best stories – the stories that people most resonate with – are often the ones where we go into a smaller town and talk about what’s happening with them,” says Chris. “It’s the local stories that people want to hear more of.”
When asked what stories she enjoys telling the most, Jenny-May says, “All of it. The good, the bad and the ugly. The uplifting ones – the hopeful ones. Every story has something that sparks within me. And it might be something that you think is mundane, but then there’s something you connect with.
“You’re always trying to find that connection – it doesn’t matter who it is, you’re making a connection to that story and taking it to the audience. That’s what brings me back every time and why I’m still here five years later.”
“Five years?” questions Chris, joking. “I thought it was 25 years!”
Kelly Clarkson has covered Billie Eilish‘s 2024 hit single ‘Birds Of A Feather’ for her ongoing ‘Kellyoke’ segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Watch the performance below.‘Birds Of A Feather’, which is in contention for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the forthcoming Grammy Awards this Sunday (Februa...
Kelly Clarkson has covered Billie Eilish‘s 2024 hit single ‘Birds Of A Feather’ for her ongoing ‘Kellyoke’ segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Watch the performance below.
‘Birds Of A Feather’, which is in contention for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the forthcoming Grammy Awards this Sunday (February 2), was given a classic rendition by Clarkson and her band.
While retaining the song’s original dreamy indie rock arrangement, Clarkson lends it her soaring vocal range that ends it on a high note. This marks the second Eilish song that Clarkson has attempted, the first being 2021’s ‘Happier Than Ever’. Watch it below.
‘Kellyoke’ has seen Clarkson cover the likes of Weezer, Chappell Roan, The Last Dinner Party, and My Chemical Romance, among others. It also birthed a covers EP by Clarkson in 2022.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that ‘Birds Of A Feather’ was the most streamed song on Spotify in 2024, beating Sabrina Carpenter‘s ‘Espresso’. The latter finished 650,000 streams behind on 1,774,525,704 listens on the streaming platform.
Eilish’s hit also reached Number Two in the official UK singles chart and in the same position in Billboard’s Hot 100 in the US.
The ‘Hit Me Hard And Soft’ star is up for seven Grammy categories this weekend – aside from the top song categories, she’s also in the running for Album of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (for her Charli XCX collaboration ‘Guess’), Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Dance Pop Recording. See the full list of nominees here.
Later today, Eilish will perform at FireAid, a benefit concert in light of the recent Los Angeles wildfires, alongside Finneas, Gracie Abrams, Earth, Wind & Fire, John Mayer, among others.
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