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 Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Amana Colonies gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Middle Amana, IA 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.
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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.
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 local activities, such as visiting Amana Community 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 nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ronneburg Restaurant or visit Amana Heritage Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
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?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Middle Amana, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
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:
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 Middle Amana, IA 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 Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
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 Middle Amana, IA 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.
The 33rd Annual Iowa Renaissance Festival — part medieval market, part fantasy village and part theatrical free-for-all— is underway in Middle Amana (Nick El Hajj/Iowa's News Now).MIDDLE AMANA, Iowa — In the open fields of Middle Amana Community Park, mermaids were being carted in wagons. Pirates bellowed across food stalls. Vikings stalked past fairies in gossamer wings. And under the beating Iowa sun, blacksmiths hammered iron while craftsmen quietly strung arrows and shaped knife handles.This was the 33rd A...
The 33rd Annual Iowa Renaissance Festival — part medieval market, part fantasy village and part theatrical free-for-all— is underway in Middle Amana (Nick El Hajj/Iowa's News Now).
MIDDLE AMANA, Iowa — In the open fields of Middle Amana Community Park, mermaids were being carted in wagons. Pirates bellowed across food stalls. Vikings stalked past fairies in gossamer wings. And under the beating Iowa sun, blacksmiths hammered iron while craftsmen quietly strung arrows and shaped knife handles.
This was the 33rd Annual Iowa Renaissance Festival — part medieval market, part fantasy village and part theatrical free-for-all, where historical timelines blur into one sprawling, chaotic playground.
“It’s not just Renaissance, you know,” said Sprout, or as she introduced herself on camera, Sprouts, the Bay of Seeds, wearing vines, glitter, and a flower crown. “A Renaissance Festival for the most part is a festival that takes place during Renaissance times. But a lot of Renaissance festivals all over the country, a lot of them are more fantastical.”
That, she said with a twirl, is why you see characters like her — a fairy — mingling with the crowd. “We just have all sorts of entertainment and vendors and activities and games that you can play. That’s a lot of fun. You should definitely come out.”
Indeed, the festival grounds looked like a Renaissance fairground scattered across time. Between the sword fights and the leather vendors, one group was busy building a wooden trebuchet. Nearby, families browsed handmade pelts, daggers and ironwork, while children waited in line to meet a woman in shimmering blue scales — the local mermaid.
His Majesty King Richard, crowned and robed in red velvet, surveyed his realm proudly. “It is my celebration that allows the Amana Renaissance Festival to take place,” he announced. “We have sword fighting, which is happening right now. We have banter, we have comedy, we have fire, we have comedy. See, ’cause I’m funny.” He raised his goblet, grinning. “There is ale, refreshments, I’m drinking pirate poison. What kills more pirates than anything else? Water.”
What really seemed to set Amana apart was the mingling — the fairgrounds didn’t sort people into neat historical groups. Pirates clustered beside Viking encampments, while Crusaders in chainmail shared benches with fairies and sorcerers. The air carried the smell of burning coal, the clang of steel and occasional yells of “Huzzah!” from roaming performers.
Silas the Gamemaster was busy pulling in curious onlookers to play his game of guess the fiddle tunes. “I am the one who is completely amazing and wonderful,” he declared, throwing out his arms. “I come here, I play games with many people to have so much fun. I am the most glorious person in the entire world. And if you ever come to the Renaissance Fair, you’ll find me.”
Set up near the edge of the grounds, the Band of Iron Lions worked methodically, their tents lined with weapons and armor. Their captain, Wolfgang explained their mission. “We are a mercenary company, and we come here to fight and teach about swords at the Ren fair,” he said. “We do sword fighting on our field at 11:30 and 2:30. We’ll be, you know, really showing off the skills of medieval combat. And then in encampment, we get to teach and talk about our weaponry.”
Wolfgang, who came in from Des Moines, credited the festival’s reach and community for its success.
For festivalgoers, the appeal wasn’t just the shows or the shopping — it was the chance to step, even briefly, out of ordinary time. As King Richard put it: “It is a place to escape from the real world. Once you walk through those front gates, the real world ceases, and you get to play in our world.”
The Iowa Renaissance Festival runs again May 31–June 1, and returns in October. Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for kids, and military families get in free on Memorial Day. Visitors can expect free parking, a running shuttle, and — most importantly — a place where fantasy and history collide under the wide Iowa sky.
The most obvious legacies left by the Community of True Inspiration, the utopian society that founded the Amana Colonies in 1855, are the houses they built.Solid, boxy and simple, the architecture reflects the lives of the communal Pietists, whose rejection of rituals and formalities led them to separate from Lutheranism in the early 1700s and eventually to immigrate to western New York in the 1840s, and finally to Iowa the next decade.The houses are rectangular, most with 1-1/2 stories, gable roofs, trellises for grapevines an...
The most obvious legacies left by the Community of True Inspiration, the utopian society that founded the Amana Colonies in 1855, are the houses they built.
Solid, boxy and simple, the architecture reflects the lives of the communal Pietists, whose rejection of rituals and formalities led them to separate from Lutheranism in the early 1700s and eventually to immigrate to western New York in the 1840s, and finally to Iowa the next decade.
The houses are rectangular, most with 1-1/2 stories, gable roofs, trellises for grapevines and nine-over-six windows. Red brick, sandstone or dark clapboard exteriors give them a rustic look. Inside are center halls and plaster walls.
The seven villages combined — Amana, East Amana, Middle Amana, High Amana, West Amana, South Amana and Homestead — have about 1,600 residents. The whole complex, 20 miles northwest of Iowa City and 20 miles southwest of Cedar Rapids, is a national historic site.
Until the Great Depression, in 1932, the Amana Church held all property in common. Families lived in houses assigned to them depending on what they contributed to their community and where. Single woman lived with their parents. Single men lived in dorms. A large house near Amana Woolen Mill, for example, was home to mill workers.
Lanny Haldy, 54, was born in Middle Amana, 2 miles west of Amana, the son of Leonard and Lillian Haldy. He lives there still with his wife, Andrea, and sons, Ben, 13, and Zachary, 15.
"It's the house I grew up in. Now my kids are staying in the rooms I stayed in," said Haldy, director of the Amana Heritage Society.
The 2,000-square-foot-plus, wooden-clapboard-sided home was built in 1863, when Middle Amana was founded. He said the house, one of the first constructed, was home to the carpenters who built the rest of the village. His home demonstrates two generations of construction: The original house is made of rough-hewn timber from local forests; an addition in 1890 used dimensional lumber made possible by advancing technology.
Haldy said he and his family live in the house "by chance." It's where his parents lived during the "Great Change," the separation of the Amana Church from community finances and the end of communalism. Residents were given the first option to buy the house they happened to be living in, he said. It suits him.
The 19th-century homes of the Amana Colonies, when they go on the market, sell about as fast as any, Haldy said. But as his family experience suggests, the market — something the utopian founders eschewed and their descendants reluctantly embraced — isn't a particularly hot one.
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