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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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 Glenorchy, ON

Home Care Glenorchy, ON

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 Paradise Scheelite Mine 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 Glenorchy, ON is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Glenorchy, ON

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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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Tricia
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Bruce M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Derek B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!!”

Leslie F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Carl P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Latasha M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Gesa R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Catheryn F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Deanna S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Heather D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Oliver D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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).”

Goldie W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Kushan F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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 .”

Julian W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Jennifer H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Lisa B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Kushan F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Ashley M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Brittany T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Melissa M.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Glenorchy, ON?

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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 Glenorchy, ON

Types of Elderly Care in Glenorchy, ON

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 Glenorchy, ON
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 Glenorchy, ON
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 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 Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway 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 Glenorchy, ON
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 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 The Headwaters Eco Lodge or visit Paradise, 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.

 In-Home Care Glenorchy, ON

Benefits of Home Care in Glenorchy, ON

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?

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 Glenorchy, 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.

 Elderly Care Glenorchy, ON

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, some provinces in Canada help cover costs associated with home care. Review your province's laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet 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.

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.

 Senior Care Glenorchy, ON

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 Glenorchy, 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.

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 Glenorchy, ON

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 Glenorchy, ON

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:

  • OneCare Limited Barossa Park Lodge
  • Glenview Community Services
  • Eureka Glenorchy Gardens
  • Abbeyfield Society
  • Korongee Dementia Village
  • Bisdee Community Centre Day Respite
Home Care Glenorchy, ON

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 Glenorchy, ON

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 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

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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 Glenorchy, 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.

 Elderly Care Glenorchy, ON

Latest News in Glenorchy, ON

Pasture & Pinot: Camp Glenorchy with a Lady Butcher and Grant Taylor's wines

I had thought it best I arrive in Glenorchy with an empty stomach, a dry palate and a willingness to try something new. After a 40-minute drive along Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown, darkness may have denied me the panorama of the Humboldt Ranges and Mt Earnslaw, but the views could wait until daybreak.I was not at Camp Glenorchy for the views. I was attending Pasture & Pinot, a weekend workshop at which a whole lamb (the Pasture part of the equation) would be carved up, cooked in various ways, eaten and enjoyed with wine (pinot, na...

I had thought it best I arrive in Glenorchy with an empty stomach, a dry palate and a willingness to try something new. After a 40-minute drive along Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown, darkness may have denied me the panorama of the Humboldt Ranges and Mt Earnslaw, but the views could wait until daybreak.

I was not at Camp Glenorchy for the views. I was attending Pasture & Pinot, a weekend workshop at which a whole lamb (the Pasture part of the equation) would be carved up, cooked in various ways, eaten and enjoyed with wine (pinot, naturally). The workshop was one of a series of courses that run regularly at this luxurious Otago eco-camp - from yoga camps to wellness retreats. But this weekend, meat and wine.

I was already in the company of Hannah Miller Childs, aka The Lady Butcher, who was there to represent the Pasture side of proceedings.

We had arrived at a similar time (Hannah with her brewer husband, Andrew Childs of Behemoth brewing fame) and been rounded up by our host Kath Cahill of Camp Glenorchy and been invited to partake of a beer and some dinner.

And over beer (made by Kath's husband at his nearby Glenorchy Brew Co microbrewery), Hannah talked about The Lady Butcher philosophy of nose-to-tail eating. The approach comes from a respect for the animal, which means every cut and joint is used and very little is wasted - resulting in a more sustainable practice and making for some, at times, adventurous dining.

And it was with this approach that a 25-strong group gathered the next morning, having taken in the impressive local scenery, to watch Hannah disassemble a whole lamb.

Mercifully, the head and insides had already been jettisoned and it was pre-peeled, meaning we wouldn't need shearing clippers. But other than that, it was in its entirety.

But not for long, and while talking us through her procedure, Hannah described which cuts were what, which joints worked best for which style of cooking, and why.

Not that they all needed cooking. The first bite of the Pasture experience was lamb fillet tartare - prepared with shallots, olives, capers, parsley, olive oil, egg yolk and salt. Some of the crowd are apprehensive but the majority agreed it was a stunner, and even went back for seconds.

Before long all were involved in the preparation of the cuts of meat - the loin chops sauteed and devoured for lunch, the legs and shoulders placed in roasting pans and joined by onions, olives, oranges, lemons, oregano and chopped tomatoes where they would spend the afternoon, in the oven, before emerging in time for dinner.

And so with the Pasture under our belts (literally), it was time to see what the Pinot was all about.

Grant Taylor represents the Pinot half of the event. He likens the lifespan of a grapevine to that of a human. In its early years it needs care and nurturing, come the teenage years it's unpredictable and not particularly productive, get a bit older and it will give many years of diligent and fruitful service, and by the time it hits 80, it's vulnerable and ready for retirement.

Grant's winery, Valli Wines, produces a number of varietals in the Cromwell area on the other side of Queenstown from Glenorchy and he had brought a few here to try with The Lady Butcher's charcuterie.

This was where the real pairing of food and wine happened. Three cured meats (prosciutto, pancetta, bresaola) were matched with three Valli pinots.

The wines were made with grapes from different vineyards (Bendigo, Waitaki, Gibbston), each with its own microclimate which impacts how the wine tastes and smells in the glass. Bendigo has a slightly warmer climate that produces thicker skins on the grapes and results in a heavier wine. Waitaki is cooler, meaning a lighter wine with less alcohol. The Gibbston is more fragrant due to the low cropping of the vines.

Though the differences may be subtle, they each have characteristics that marry to the charcuterie - a hint of pepper matches a faint spiciness, a velvet texture enhances gentle sweetness.

The wines and meat are as good a double act as Hannah and Grant, who were entertaining scholars of their crafts. Not one question - whether scientific or gustatory - went unanswered, and was more often than not delivered with a joviality that put everyone at ease.

By dinner time, fellow guests began to feel like old friends and afterwards everyone was beginning to make themselves truly at home in Camp Glenorchy's lounge room, discussing aspects of the day and partaking more of a favourite wine.

A perfect time then for Grant to produce a bottle of Longrow single-malt Scotch whisky, which has been matured in pinot noir barrels sent from Valli Wines to the Scottish Highland distillery before a few bottles of the finished product was dispatched back to Central Otago. It's a fitting end to the day.

• The next workshop at Camp Glenorchy is a women's wellness weekend from November 21-22. Pasture & Pinot will run again Sept 11-12, 2021. Visit campglenorchy.co.nz for more workshops.

For more New Zealand travel ideas and inspiration, go to newzealand.com

Top of the Lake: why Glenorchy is the real star

Despite the fact that countless film crews have descended on the dreamy little settlement of Glenorchy – most recently those involved in the production of the new BBC 2 series Top of the Lake – this supremely picturesque part of New Zealand retains an almost Garden of Eden like innocence.Certainly that was my impression on a visit last year when, after a leisurely stroll along the shores of the nearby Lake Wakatipu, I stopped for lunch on the verandah of the Cafe Glenorchy and spotted a story on the front page of the Otago...

Despite the fact that countless film crews have descended on the dreamy little settlement of Glenorchy – most recently those involved in the production of the new BBC 2 series Top of the Lake – this supremely picturesque part of New Zealand retains an almost Garden of Eden like innocence.

Certainly that was my impression on a visit last year when, after a leisurely stroll along the shores of the nearby Lake Wakatipu, I stopped for lunch on the verandah of the Cafe Glenorchy and spotted a story on the front page of the Otago Daily Times.

“Teenage foam party concern”, ran the headline above a critical piece in which local anxieties were brought to the fore.

“Is it appropriate to hold a function where 14- and 15-year-old girls are squirted with foam while wearing white T-shirts?” the writer demanded to know.

Clearly not, was the suggestion.

It seemed an appropriate issue in a tiny, sleepy town in which time seemed to have stood still. Here was a classic example of how New Zealand - and in particular this enchanted part of it - can sometimes feel that it belongs to another epoch. Frequently it is likened to the Britain of the Fifties: a place of old-fashioned values, welcoming courtesies – and a range of products such as Cadbury's chocolate bars that are reassuringly familiar.

This part of the country is also, of course, astonishingly beautiful: hence the interest of so many film crews – most recently that of Jane Campion, director of Top of the Lake, but also even more famously those of Peter Jackson, mastermind of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and now another three films documenting the adventures of the Hobbit.

I was in this part of the world to see just what the attraction was. I based myself in Queenstown, the main town on Lake Wakatipu and a centre for adrenalin-fuelled escapades such as paragliding, skydiving and bungee jumping. While there I was suitably wowed by the peaks of the Remarkables mountain range and the glory of Milford Sound, the spectacular fjord at the confluence of the Tasman Sea and the South Pacific which, with its mix of snow-capped peaks, tree-lined cliffs and seal-bearing rocks, was described by Rudyard Kipling as the eighth wonder of the world.

Not being a bungee-jumping man myself, I took a Tolkien-themed tour by four-wheel drive of the area around Queenstown, which involved scrambling about in the bushes overlooking the valley into which the terrifying, giant-sized “oliphants” marched into battle.

I then headed to the Dart Stables in Glenorchy to take part in a two-hour Middle Earth-themed tour on horseback of the pristine forests surrounding the plain that served as the setting of Isengard.

It was a lovely way of exploring the region, particularly when I discovered that my trusty steed, an ageing brown horse called Elvis, had actually featured in some of the battle scenes of the Lord of the Rings films.

Even more lovely as far as I was concerned was a dip in the wonderful lake itself. It may have been a bit bracing, but swimming in those blue and at times turquoise-tinged waters also felt like a return to Eden.

Top of the Lake starts tonight (Saturday, July 13) on BBC 2 at 9.10pm.

For information on visiting New Zealand, see newzealand.com

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Can stories save Glenorchy's pool?

Lee Rose It's been a groundswell of people who've come together from Glenorchy and the surrounding area who use the pool, who want it saved. We just want our council to have some vision and have some motivation and understand how important a pool is to our community.Ryk Goddard Lee Rose of the Save Glenorchy War Memorial Pool Group.Lee Rose And especially to our disabled, to our young people, to the migrant people who we know there's been a drowning on the docks recently. We wa...

Lee Rose It's been a groundswell of people who've come together from Glenorchy and the surrounding area who use the pool, who want it saved. We just want our council to have some vision and have some motivation and understand how important a pool is to our community.

Ryk Goddard Lee Rose of the Save Glenorchy War Memorial Pool Group.

Lee Rose And especially to our disabled, to our young people, to the migrant people who we know there's been a drowning on the docks recently. We want adult people to know how to swim because it saves lives. And I've had two long conversations with Dr Shane Gould and it's really important to teach our children how to swim at a young age because we live on an island. Well the council has actually appointed MI Global to run those pop-up events. So there's three events happening next week. And Tuesdays to Thursdays at 11am at Northgate and Wednesday the 28th at Moonah Central and Thursday the 29th at Claremont Plaza. It's really important that everybody get on board and let the council know how we feel about this. I've been on Council Lawn meeting people and talking to people and everybody's got a lovely story about the pool. It's just so beautiful and people are hurting in our community. So my next step is to have a talk to the RSL branches and sub-branches and find stories about how the pool has benefited them. Because it was built by the community and the RSL were the first people to instigate that. There was a Mr McGrath and a Mr Williams who lived in Glenorchy and they wrote a letter to the editor back in 1960. It's a lovely story. And how the community came together and they raised funds for the pool. We had the Derrick family in Montrose. It's a beautiful story. They had a market stall outside their home and Mr Hallam from the local store gave them sweets to sell. The neighbours gave them jars of jam and they had fresh produce from their garden and they raised £50 back in 1960 to build the pool. The story is just so fascinating and it's really historically significant to Glenorchy. So we've been fighting to get the pool historically listed. The State Government knocked it back but we've asked the Council to historically list the pool under their planning process.

Glenorchy's natural hazards: Risk of severe liquefaction in quake, also flooding, study finds

Photo: RNZ / Tess BruntonResidents of Glenorchy face an uncertain future after a study detailed significant natural hazards facing the small Otago settlement.The study found that an earthquake is likely to result in severe liquefaction, and the town is also vulnerable to flooding.Glenorchy sits at the head of Lake Wakatipu where the Dart and Rees rivers merge and is surrounded by mountains.Regional councillor Alexa Forbes said it was a resilient community - but it was facing a lot of risks.Photo: RNZ / Tess...

Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

Residents of Glenorchy face an uncertain future after a study detailed significant natural hazards facing the small Otago settlement.

The study found that an earthquake is likely to result in severe liquefaction, and the town is also vulnerable to flooding.

Glenorchy sits at the head of Lake Wakatipu where the Dart and Rees rivers merge and is surrounded by mountains.

Regional councillor Alexa Forbes said it was a resilient community - but it was facing a lot of risks.

Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

The study found an earthquake was likely to cause widespread high to severe liquefaction damage across most of the town.

Liquefaction is the process that causes soil to act more like a liquid than a solid during an earthquake.

Forbes said the community needed to develop its own solutions, with support from experts.

"If houses need to be built differently, if they need to be moved, if we need to find other land, if we need to retreat from some of the natural hazards, those things have to be considered."

The regional council held a community meeting in July to discuss the issues further with the community, hear their thoughts, and answer their questions.

"If we don't implement solutions that are community generated, they're not going to stick. Why would people do things just because we say so? They have to understand the hazards and they have to develop their own solutions with help from people who know about this," Forbes said.

She knew a young family who were grappling with the decision of whether to build in Glenorchy after discovering the risks facing their property, and said they were not alone in questioning their future in the community.

The community needed to be aware of the hazards and be well informed when they made any decisions, Forbes said.

"The separation risk is massive, many times bigger than what we saw in Christchurch, and we'll all remember those big crevasses that we saw in Christchurch."

Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

Glenorchy resident Gillian Terry said she bought and built a house three years ago with her eyes wide open to the risks.

"I mean you have to get used to living an hour away from a supermarket. But we have two great general stores here where we can get emergency supplies.

"If we get cut off, we've got a great community. Like in Covid, we ended up with a food wardrobe where people shared food."

She also lived in Glenorchy 20 years ago, and was not concerned by the findings, but understood why some people would be.

"We've got a lot of new people coming into Glenorchy, which if they've come from a city is a huge change, and hearing things like liquefaction … unfortunately the report's put a big cloud over our community, and I think clarity is going to ease their mind."

Debbie Milliken lives on the edge of the flood zone in a house truck.

"Nothing that I wasn't expecting. I pretty well know that where I was is very silty, my garden, and will be prone to liquefaction if there's an earthquake."

Kinloch is a small community 25 minutes drive from Glenorchy on the other side of the river.

Kinloch Wilderness Retreat owner Toni Glover said work had been done to ensure the road to Kinloch was less impacted by flooding.

She was not surprised nor overtly worried about the research, but said it was good to be aware of the risks.

Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

She also has a few businesses in Glenorchy.

"Actually when we built The Trading Post, we built up to flood level with marine board within the shop front, so within half an hour - and we have done it - we can empty that shop out right down to the boards.

"All the electrical points are built above flood levels so there's ways of mitigating the risks."

It was a privilege to live in Glenorchy and the surrounding area, but it might come at a cost too, she said.

"Some people find this very fear inducing and are really worrying about the value of their properties and how it will affect their insurance and things in the future, which is a very real thing."

She has been thinking about how to make the town more resilient in the future, particularly with the impacts of climate change being felt more.

"We've been so focused on keeping that Glenorchy Road open, yet we have a lake and the lake doesn't need its roads (rebuilt).

"We need to be more resilient and build more wharves so that we can get boats easily up and down the lake."

There is one road into Glenorchy that winds alongside Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown and it is vulnerable to damage - cutting land access to the town.

Craig Gibson from Emergency Management Otago has been looking at threats to the settlement and how it would cope.

"Understanding that bridges might be washed out. It still means they're isolated, but actually, for example, the airport in Glenorchy is on the other side of the Buckler Burn Bridge.

"If that bridge goes, can we actually get to the airport and is that the best place to evacuate people or to get aid in or to get help in there."

They could find solutions and alternatives as long as they were aware of the risks, he said.

Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

Emergency Management Otago is working on a community resilience plan and response guide.

Gibson said plans to improve the community's resilience needed to factor in tourists - and potentially hundreds of people on the nearby Routeburn Track over summer.

He has been preparing for a worst-case scenario - like an Alpine Fault magnitude eight earthquake.

"We've got to work with those tourist entities and DOC, and make sure that actually they know the plan.

"Because if you arrive in to New Zealand today and then start the Routeburn Track tomorrow, and then on Saturday, AF8 [Alpine Fault magnitude 8] happens, you have no idea that that was going to happen. You have no idea what the plan is."

Gibson oversees the Queenstown Lakes District and said the work was aimed to help the community become more resilient.

That was where the abundance of tourism operators in the district could also help as they were well versed in managing, moving and feeding people, he said.

The Otago Regional Council is expected to meet with residents later this year to talk through options for Glenorchy's future.

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ORC report shows Glenorchy's on shaky ground, must adapt

Glenorchy at the head of Lake Whakatipu sits in dramatic surrounds, now new research commissioned by the regional council confirms the location is as potentially risky as it is beautiful.Evidence from the two Otago Regional Council-commissioned studies shows a moderate to major earthquake or flooding event in Glenorchy could have severe impacts on people, town infrastructure and properties.It's hoped the new detailed assessments of liquefaction and flooding scenarios will help the community and local authorities develop a phase...

Glenorchy at the head of Lake Whakatipu sits in dramatic surrounds, now new research commissioned by the regional council confirms the location is as potentially risky as it is beautiful.

Evidence from the two Otago Regional Council-commissioned studies shows a moderate to major earthquake or flooding event in Glenorchy could have severe impacts on people, town infrastructure and properties.

It's hoped the new detailed assessments of liquefaction and flooding scenarios will help the community and local authorities develop a phased "adaptation plan" to work towards preparing for and mitigating the hazards.

In a report to be presented at an ORC committee meeting in Cromwell tomorrow, geo-technical consultants Tonkin + Taylor detail that underneath Glenorchy township there is a thick sequence of delta and alluvial sediments, with most sediments highly susceptible to liquefaction.

Liquefaction and lateral spreading occur with strong ground-shaking in earthquakes, as seen in the Christchurch earthquakes more than a decade ago.

Chair of the council’s Data and Information Committee councillor Alexa Forbes says the new information may be a source of concern for some members of the community, and she anticipates people may have plenty of questions in the weeks ahead.

“Our approach is to build and maintain the best information we can and to make sure the community is fully informed."

An online briefing was held for Glenorchy last Thursday night to reveal the new findings.

"Last week’s online community meeting was to present the latest evidence. We will have another meeting – in person – at a later date to ensure the channels are wide open for questions in the days, weeks and months ahead,” Cr Forbes says.

“Our aim is to stand alongside the community and help build resilience. The first step is communicating information. That’s happened, and now we move further into the adaptation cycle.

“We encourage people to ask questions and make contact. We won’t always know the answer straight away, but we will seek those answers out.

"Much of this is new to us too."

ORC general manager of operations Dr Gavin Palmer says the latest investigations contribute to a "significant advance in natural hazards understanding".

They include the most detailed hydraulic modelling study ever taken of the Dart and Rees Rivers, and the first liquefaction hazard assessment for Glenorchy based on comprehensive subsurface geotechnical data, he says.

“The ongoing work of our natural hazards team and consultants in Glenorchy is designed to inform how residents and local government act together to adapt and plan for flooding, liquefaction and other natural hazards, informing future decision-making in the Dart-Rees floodplain and Glenorchy township.”

The ORC, in collaboration with project partners including the Queenstown Lakes District Council, is leading the programme of work to develop a natural hazard adaptation strategy for Glenorchy and surrounds.

Included on the agenda: Civil Defence capabilities, potential flood mitigations, and future town planning – all to be part of a strategy developed in collaboration with the community.

Results of the latest investigations

Previous reports have shown a likelihood of liquefaction occurring in Glenorchy during a large earthquake. Flooding has also affected houses in the township on several occasions, most recently in November 1999 and in February 2020.

However, these hazards and their likely impacts can now be better understood following the latest investigations.

The paper to be presented at the ORC Data and Information Committee tomorrow says the new technical reports build understanding of natural hazard characteristics.

The paper also reinforces the need to adapt to the new challenges and supports the public dissemination of the technical reports.

The liquefaction vulnerability report presents the assessment of liquefaction and lateral spreading impacts for a range of earthquake shaking scenarios – including an Alpine Fault rupture – when widespread "high to severe" liquefaction damage is likely across the majority of the lake-side township.

In the western parts of the town, nearer the lakefront, lateral spreading is also expected to cause major damage and vertical subsidence.

“The hazard posed by the Alpine Fault is extremely high over the next 50 years. So the likelihood of a severe level of liquefaction damage, including severe damage from lateral spreading in the western side of Glenorchy occurring in the next 50 years is very high,” the Tonkin + Taylor report says.

The liquefaction and lateral spreading impacts in Glenorchy may be comparable or worse than the most affected areas of Christchurch during the events of the 2010-2011 earthquake sequence.

For comparison, in Glenorchy there is a greater cumulative thickness of liquefiable sediments, and a much higher drop - 25 metres - into Lake Whakatipu, which is a key factor in lateral spreading susceptibility.

Parts of the township already have a relatively high flooding risk, and the vertical subsidence effects from liquefaction and lateral spreading would also increase the extent of land exposed to potential flooding.

This effect was also observed in Christchurch alongside the Avon River.

Consultants Land River Sea Consulting Ltd (LRS) also assessed the flood hazard for the Dart-Rees floodplain and Glenorchy township using detailed hydraulic modelling for a range of large-magnitude flooding scenarios. Model scenarios also looked at the effects of climate change on river flows, and of changes to the river channel alignment in the lower Rees River.

For the largest modelled flooding scenarios – events with a one percent likelihood of occurrence in any year – hazard assessments based on floodwater depths and velocities shows the worst flooding within the township may be unsafe for vehicles and people, and buildings may be vulnerable to structural damage.

Model results also show large sections of Kinloch Road, and parts of the Glenorchy-Routeburn road at the foot of Mount Alfred, would be inundated during large flood events.

The ORC has a dedicated web page about natural hazards for Glenorchy and the head of Lake Wakatipu - Read report summaries, get answers to questions and find out more here.

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