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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 West Branch, IA

Home Care West Branch, IA

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 Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, IA 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 West Branch, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care West Branch, IA

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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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“Tracey Gray helped me in the biggest way today! She saved my day and I am so thankful for her choice to help me! Thank you! #CertPrint #AlwaysBestCare”

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”

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“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”

Melanie S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in West Branch, IA?

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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 West Branch, IA

Types of Elderly Care in West Branch, IA

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 West Branch, IA
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 West Branch, IA
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 local activities, such as visiting Irons Park in West Branch, IA 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 West Branch, IA
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 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 Tipsy Bear Bistro or visit Main Street West Branch, 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.

 In-Home Care West Branch, IA

Benefits of Home Care in West Branch, IA

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?

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 West Branch, 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.

 Elderly Care West Branch, IA

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, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid 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.
 Senior Care West Branch, IA

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 West Branch, 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.

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 West Branch, IA

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 West Branch, IA

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:

  • The Brook of West Branch
  • The Horizon Senior Living III
  • Villa at West Branch
  • WEST BRANCH MANOR
  • Peaceful Acres Assisted Living
Home Care West Branch, IA

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 West Branch, IA

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 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

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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 West Branch, 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.

 Elderly Care West Branch, IA

Latest News in West Branch, IA

‘People expect that service to work’: North Liberty, West Branch experience LRS trash pickup delays

WEST BRANCH, Iowa (KCRG) - Johnson County residents said they are waiting for on-time trash collection from the company LRS.Several cities, including North Liberty and West Branch, are looking at other options for trash collection contracts after what they say has been a lack of communication about delayed pickups.The city of Riverside has released a statement on Facebook saying it is terminating the contract and looking for a new provider.TV9 has previously reported on an Iowa City homeowners’ association’s ...

WEST BRANCH, Iowa (KCRG) - Johnson County residents said they are waiting for on-time trash collection from the company LRS.

Several cities, including North Liberty and West Branch, are looking at other options for trash collection contracts after what they say has been a lack of communication about delayed pickups.

The city of Riverside has released a statement on Facebook saying it is terminating the contract and looking for a new provider.

TV9 has previously reported on an Iowa City homeowners’ association’s experience with LRS and spoken with other Johnson County residents and towns.

The city of West Branch has been working with LRS for a few years - ever since the out-of-state company bought Johnson County Refuse.

City administrator Adam Kofoed said the initial transition brought up minor issues, and new residents have also had “a lot of struggles” when they move in, but recent service has been severely lacking.

“The last maybe six weeks has been the worst that we’ve seen it,” said Kofoed. “We probably average seven phone calls a day, so like 50 a week.“

According to resident reports, last Friday’s pickup day only saw trash taken away on the west side of town and recycling on the east side.

He said the council voted Monday night to end the contract and already sent out requests for proposal Tuesday morning.

As West Branch moves forward, Kofoed acknowledged that LRS did have more vehicles and had employees physically picking up the trash when they returned later.

“They tried, you know, their best but I think as of right now there’s too many towns they have for the amount of staff they have available,” he said. “Even though they did put in that good effort, they still miss like half the town essentially... There’s just those frustrations residents have and so we’re trying to represent them.”

North Liberty has seen a similar lack of service, with residents telling the city it’s “frustrating.”

Nick Bergus, the city’s community relations director, said LRS has cited staffing issues in conversations with the city.

“People expect [trash pickup] to happen, you know, if your toilet doesn’t flush, that’s a problem. If your tap doesn’t turn on, that’s a problem. If the trash and recycling don’t go away, that’s a problem,” he said.

The company said in a statement that it has hired seven new drivers and is sending eight experienced drivers to Iowa as it works to get service “back to the standard LRS and our customers expect.”

Bergus said the city is committed to continue looking into future options - as the ten-year contract expires in 2028.

“The contract expires in a couple of years, and we certainly understand as a growing community, people expect that service to work,” said Bergus.

The company has also said it will credit all North Liberty residential customers with one month of free services, which the city is now working to implement in utility accounts according to a statement on Facebook.

The statement from LRS to TV9 and North Liberty in full:

LRS values our partnership with the City of North Liberty. Recent staffing shortages in our local operation have led to collection delays that fell short of the service residents expect, and we take responsibility for that.

We moved quickly to correct it. We have hired seven new drivers, with five additional offers pending. While our new team members complete training, LRS is bringing in eight of our most experienced drivers from across the company to support our Iowa service areas. We expect all new drivers to be fully up to speed by July 17, with every route operational and service back to the standard LRS and our customers expect.

As an act of goodwill, we will credit all North Liberty residential customers with one month of free recycling and waste services.

We appreciate the City’s patience and are committed to delivering the dependable service North Liberty deserves.

Hoover museum reopens in West Branch with free public event

WEST BRANCH, Iowa — The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum will reopen Aug. 6 after a comprehensive renovation.The Hoover Presidential Foundation announced a ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. on the museum's East Lawn. The event will bring together President Herbert Hoover's great-grandchildren, Allan Hoover III and Margaret Hoover, alongside national and international dignitaries, elected officials and leaders from the National Park Service and the National Archives."The reopening of the Herbert Hoover Presi...

WEST BRANCH, Iowa — The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum will reopen Aug. 6 after a comprehensive renovation.

The Hoover Presidential Foundation announced a ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. on the museum's East Lawn. The event will bring together President Herbert Hoover's great-grandchildren, Allan Hoover III and Margaret Hoover, alongside national and international dignitaries, elected officials and leaders from the National Park Service and the National Archives.

"The reopening of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is about much more than a beautifully renovated building," Allan Hoover III said. "It is an opportunity to honor President Hoover's extraordinary legacy of humanitarian service, innovation, leadership and public service while inspiring future generations through his remarkable life story."

Allan Hoover III, who chairs the Hoover Presidential Foundation Board of Directors, will serve as master of ceremonies. The ceremony will begin with the Presentation of Colors by the United States Army, followed by the National Anthem and music performed by the Friends Church Choir. A ceremonial flag raising and music by the United States Navy Band Great Lakes Woodwind Quintet will follow.

Gov. Kim Reynolds will speak at the event. Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, United States Ambassador to NATO and former United States Attorney General, will also deliver remarks.

Other speakers include Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, Geert Van Dessel, Deputy Consul General of Belgium, and former Belgian Ambassador Dirk Wouters. Professor Dr. Jan Wouters, Professor of International Law and International Organizations and Director of the Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies, will speak about President Hoover's international humanitarian legacy.

Margaret Hoover, great-granddaughter of President Herbert Hoover, will speak on behalf of the Hoover family. West Branch Mayor Roger Laughlin will present the Key to the City to the Hoover family.

After the ceremony, guests will gather for the official ribbon cutting before the museum reopens to the public. The museum will offer free admission in celebration of the reopening.

The day's festivities will also include the Freedom250 Mobile Museum, commemorative keepsake tickets, blacksmith demonstrations, self-guided historic walking tours throughout downtown West Branch, Hoover Ball demonstrations and extended museum hours until 6 p.m. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Hoover museum reopening celebrates his legacy

WEST BRANCH — The mood on the lawn outside the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum was light and pleasant. The smell of cut grass and the cheery tune of “Camptown Races” — played by the U.S. Navy’s Great Lakes Woodwind Quintet — mingled on the breeze as attendees took their seats. While rain initially seemed to threaten the festivities, light had begun to overpower the clouds when the ceremony began.Four days away from what would have been Hoover’s 152nd birthday, the Herbert Hoover...

WEST BRANCH — The mood on the lawn outside the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum was light and pleasant. The smell of cut grass and the cheery tune of “Camptown Races” — played by the U.S. Navy’s Great Lakes Woodwind Quintet — mingled on the breeze as attendees took their seats. While rain initially seemed to threaten the festivities, light had begun to overpower the clouds when the ceremony began.

Four days away from what would have been Hoover’s 152nd birthday, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum reopened to the public. After 18 months of being closed for $20.3 million in upgrades, the museum drew a crowd ranging from casually dressed parents and children to military officials in full uniform to foreign dignitaries.

Speaking to the gathered crowd, Hoover’s great-grandson, Allan Hoover III, pointed to the cottage Hoover was born in, visible across the well-tended fields of the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site where the library sits. He described it as the site of an “extraordinary American story,” in which Hoover grew from a young boy to someone who became an engineer, served as the nation’s 31st president and aided reconstruction around the world after the world wars.

“Seeing all of you here today is both very humbling, very gratifying,” Hoover said. “It's a reminder that Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover’s story belongs not only just to our family, but to all of you.”

While speakers referenced Hoover’s presidency, from 1929 to 1933, their remarks focused on his work outside of office, namely his aid efforts that fed millions of Belgians during and after World War I. Together, they painted a picture of Hoover as a multifaceted and moral man who left behind a legacy of service.

Herbert Hoover was born in West Branch, east of Iowa City, in 1874. After being orphaned when he was 9, he was a real estate broker before graduating from Stanford’s first class in 1895 and becoming a mining engineer. Hoover was living in London when World War I began, and he established the Commission for Relief in Belgium in response to the desperate famine the country was facing.

Dr. Jan Wouters, a professor of international law at the Leuven Centre for Global Governance in Belgium, described the enormity of the task Hoover was faced with. Belgium was a manufacturing-focused country that relied heavily on imports to feed its citizens. When the Germans occupied it in 1914, millions of Belgians faced the possibility of famine.

Hoover was not involved in any government position, Jan Wouters said. Yet he took on the responsibility of coordinating aid to Belgium, which not only involved coordinating the logistics of distributing food but negotiating with Germany and England to allow aid into the contested territory.

“The challenge was almost unimaginable: to feed an entire nation, in total 9 to 10 million people, on a daily basis,” Wouters said. “He acted at once as a businessman, as a diplomat, as an advocate, and as an administrator.”

Hoover remained active in restoration efforts after the war, and built a relationship between the U.S. and Belgium that endures to this day, said His Excellency Dirk Wouters (no relation to Jan), former ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the United States.

“The distance between West Branch, Iowa, and Leuven, Belgium, is measured not in miles but in a century of friendship,” Wouters said. “That is Herbert Hoover’s enduring gift to all of us.”

Hoover’s memory is best honored by following in his footsteps, Jan Wouters said, asking the crowd if the will existed today to orchestrate a vast initiative to assist foreign people in crisis.

“History becomes most valuable when it inspires action in the present,” he said. “To honor Hoover is not simply to place his name upon a building. It is to ask whether we remain capable of the same moral imagination and organizational courage today.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who also spoke at the event, said Hoover’s journey — from being the son of craftspeople to a mining engineer, humanitarian and president of the United States — is a reminder that small-town Iowa children can grow up to have a tremendous impact on the world.

“History gives us perspective. It teaches us about perseverance in difficult times, the responsibilities of citizenship and the character required to lead through challenge and change,” Reynolds said. “Hoover's life reminds us of the values that built this nation and still define Iowa: hard work, personal responsibility, voluntary cooperation, and a deep belief that people working together can accomplish great things.”

Mary Henderson, 74, came to the ceremony prepared for the sun, wearing a woven hat with a bright ribbon. Originally from the West Branch area, Henderson was in Iowa from her home in Goodyear, Arizona, for her 60th high school class reunion and decided she might as well attend the museum’s while she was in town.

The museum was built when Henderson was in high school, and she said her family would gather in the yard by a local garage and watch the construction. The last time Henderson had walked through it was 15 years ago, when she toured it with her daughter and grandchildren.

The library and museum have grown from just being Hoover’s birthplace, Henderson said, and she's seen it reinvigorate the community's interest in discovering its own history. Henderson, a former fourth-grade teacher, said she would often tell her unimpressed students in Arizona that she shared a hometown with a U.S. president.

Henderson said she appreciated Hoover’s “dedication to humanity” even more than his presidential title. Hearing from the Belgian representatives about Hoover’s contributions to aiding and rebuilding their country made her appreciate the scope of his work.

“You heard little snippets about his humanitarian aid and everything, but never, never heard the impact it made,” Henderson said. “He really did so many things outside of being president.”

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