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.
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 Windsor Heights, 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.
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. 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 Windsor Heights, 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 Windsor Heights, 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.
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 Windsor Heights, 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.
Residents fighting a new gas station in Windsor Heights have suffered a loss in their decade-long battle.Casey’s General Stores aims to put a convenience store and gas station at 6961 University Ave., just east across 70th Street from the suburban city's Hy-Vee store. The city's council chambers were standing room only as the Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 4-1 Wednesday night to approve the chain's request to rezone the property.The decision came after residents spoke in opposition to the plan, raising concerns about ho...
Residents fighting a new gas station in Windsor Heights have suffered a loss in their decade-long battle.
Casey’s General Stores aims to put a convenience store and gas station at 6961 University Ave., just east across 70th Street from the suburban city's Hy-Vee store. The city's council chambers were standing room only as the Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 4-1 Wednesday night to approve the chain's request to rezone the property.
The decision came after residents spoke in opposition to the plan, raising concerns about how the store would affect their property values and traffic and the impact another gas station would have on the community. A Kum & Go is located just to the west of Hy-Vee.
"The majority of the residents don't want this," said Coleen Kelleher. "We want something that that will enhance our city, that won't be open from 5 in the morning to 11 at night."
The 1.29-acre lot is currently occupied by a two-story office building that's more than 50 years old. According to the Polk County Assessor's Office, it's owned by the Colby family of Colby Interests, formed in 1947. The family-owned real estate development and management company developed as much as half of the residential property in Windsor Heights and owns the land the city's Walmart Supercenter and Sam's Club occupy.
The proposal would entail demolishing the existing structure and building a 4,283-square-foot convenience store. A report from city staff said the project would cost up to $5 million and that the sale of fuel, prepared foods and other goods would produce "significant" property tax benefits to the city.
"I've seen a lot of changes within Windsor Heights," said Stephen Loew, who's resided for 35 years in a house that backs up to the property. "I just asked you to remember this is not Colby Ville. This is not Casey's Ville. This is Windsor Heights, Iowa."
The city's Planning and Zoning Commission will review Casey's plans in a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. After that, it will be up to the City Council in March to determine whether to approve the project.
This isn't the first time a company has sought to put a gas station at the corner of 70th Street and University Avenue: Hy-Vee proposed to build a Fast & Fresh there in 2014, but residents beat it back.
The then-director of real estate for Hy-Vee, Rob Wadle, said the plan would have improved traffic by moving the store's access point on 70th Street to the north and adding more parking. Neighbors were not convinced, expressing concerns for pedestrian safety, noise and "fumes."
"I don't want to see a town like some of our suburbs that are mostly strip malls and gas stations," Jen Strate, a resident, told the Des Moines Register at the time.
The city's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously rejected the plan, and the City Council concurred. Hy-Vee later acquired a former QuickTrip store at 7220 Hickman Road in Windsor Heights and converted it into a Fast & Fresh.
The following year, residents showed up in opposition to the Aldi store that would later be built at 7100 University Ave. across from Hy-Vee, a property also owned by the Colby trust. Though some complained about oversaturating the area with big-box stores, the plan eventually was greenlit in 2021.
Brian Sheriff, president of Colby Interests, told the board that the Colbys have owned the property since it was farmland — long before the construction of the office building in 1972. Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, the company has struggled with vacancies at the property.
"In August of '21, we spent $47,000 on refurbishing and redoing the entire parking lot, both front and back, in hopes to retain and attract tenants to this property. Unfortunately, that effort was not rewarded," Sheriff said.
He said the building currently is less than half rented and doesn't generate enough revenue to cover maintenance expenses or the property taxes. The property also has seen a steady decline in its assessed value and is poised to lose even more in years to come, he said.
"Over the last 2 1/2 years, we've been trying to figure out what can we bring to this site to redevelop that is an attractive use for the community and for Windsor Heights," he said, citing discussion with Chick-fil-a, Walgreens and CVS. "Of the options that were available for this location, we're thrilled to bring Casey's to this site."
According to the report from city staff, a convenience store and gas station would also create between 25 and 35 full and part-time jobs.
Justin Williams, owner of A New Look Windows and More and chair of the Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of Casey's proposal. He noted that other options for the property wouldn't provide the same stability or contribute as much to the city's tax base.
"I think redevelopment of the corner is inevitable," Williams said. "So whether you're for or against the Casey's, I think that something will change."
Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at 608-931-1761 and [email protected], and follow her on Twitter at @addisonlathers.
WINDSOR HEIGHTSThe Des Moines RegisterWindsor Heights Councilwoman Threase Harms "almost single-handedly" created a hostile work environment at city hall, according to a lawsuit filed by the city's former administrator.Elizabeth Ann Hansen claims she was fired after supporting employees who made harassment complaints against Harms and resisting the city council's efforts to bypass Iowa's open meetings laws."Since being elected to the Windsor Heights council, (Threase Harms) has spent ...
WINDSOR HEIGHTS
The Des Moines Register
Windsor Heights Councilwoman Threase Harms "almost single-handedly" created a hostile work environment at city hall, according to a lawsuit filed by the city's former administrator.
Elizabeth Ann Hansen claims she was fired after supporting employees who made harassment complaints against Harms and resisting the city council's efforts to bypass Iowa's open meetings laws.
"Since being elected to the Windsor Heights council, (Threase Harms) has spent substantial personal capitol making city employees' lives more difficult by attempting to undermine them and berating and bullying them at council meetings," the lawsuit says.
Hansen filed a wrongful termination lawsuit Thursday in Polk County District Court against the city and council members Harms, Zac Bales-Henry, Mike Jones, Michael Loffredo and Joseph Jones.
It seeks back pay, damages for emotional distress and asks the court to assess fines against each council member for violating open meetings laws.
According to the lawsuit, Harms met with Hansen after she was hired and told the city administrator that she would "make people look foolish, and make people quit."
The councilwoman told Hansen she did not like the city's deputy city clerk, who she referred to as a "country bumpkin." She said she "hated her sneeze" and didn't like her speaking at meetings, it says.
Two employees filed hostile environment complaints that were investigated by outside experts, according to the lawsuit. Hansen's lawsuit says her contract was not renewed in retaliation for supporting the complaints.
"I've been told by the mayor and some council members that I was the best city administrator the city has had," Hansen said in a statement to the Register. "But for the efforts of one hostile person on the city council (Threase Harms), I would have been reappointed. I am standing up for myself and others in an effort to discourage this kind of conduct."
Harms, who is running for reelection in November, did not respond to a request for comment Monday morning, saying she wanted to consult with her attorney before answering a reporter's questions.
Windsor Heights city attorney Matt Brick did not respond to a phone call requesting comment.
In addition to the claims of retaliation and a hostile workplace, Hansen's lawsuit says Windsor Heights officials violated open meetings laws by using personal emails, phone calls and text messages to conduct city business behind closed doors. One council member told Hansen that Harms and several other council members had a group text chat, it says.
In addition, the lawsuit claims council members added items to agendas without proper public notice and improperly used closed sessions to discuss city business.
Hansen challenged the city council's open records violations, the lawsuit says. She also requested the examination of council members' personal emails for violations of Iowa law, but the city refused to provide the information, saying it has "no control over the personal accounts of council members."
According to the lawsuit, a Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce representative told Hansen last year that Harms, Loffredo and Bales-Henry were trying to get rid of her.
In April, the city council voted unanimously not to extend Hansen's contract. Councilman Joseph Jones was absent from that meeting.
Hansen's performance evaluation that past year had been mostly positive, the lawsuit says, except for her evaluation by Harms, which the lawsuit says is an "example of bias and unfairness."
Prior to her hiring in August 2016, Windsor Heights had gone through six city administrators in six years, according to the lawsuit. The city could not confirm that claim.
Ian Richardson covers Ankeny and Altoona for the Register. Reach him at [email protected], at 515-284-8254, or on Twitter at @DMRIanR.
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