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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 Amana, IA

Home Care Amana, 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 the historic Amana Heritage Society 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 Amana, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Amana, 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.

Hear from Our Clients
Elderly Care for James T.
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“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care”

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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In-home Care for Michael H.
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“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all”

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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Senior Care for Melanie S.
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“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable”

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!
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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!”

James T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Michael H.
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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 Amana, 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.

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Senior Care Amana, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Amana, 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
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Respite Care Amana, 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
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Caregivers Amana, 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 Amana Community Park 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
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Home Care Amana, 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 Ox Yoke Inn or visit Historic Amana Colonies State Historical Marker, 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.

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In-Home Care Amana, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Amana, 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 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.

Elderly Care Amana, 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 Amana, 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 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.

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 Amana, 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 Amana, 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:

  • Amana Retirement Community - Lakeview Village
  • Amana Retirement Community - Colonial Manor
Home Care Amana, 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 Amana, 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 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.

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Elderly Care Amana, IA

Latest News in Amana, IA

Educators address concerns with proposed changes to AEAs in Iowa

AMANA, Iowa (KCRG) - People in Amana are voicing concerns about how a bill making changes to the state’s Area Education Agencies would impact rural school districts.Governor Kim Reynolds introduced the bill last month, saying more oversight and flexibility is needed to improve services special education students receive.She points out that Iowa’s test scores for students with disabilities lags behind their peers in most other states.AEA leaders at Friday’s listening session in Amana said this bill was a...

AMANA, Iowa (KCRG) - People in Amana are voicing concerns about how a bill making changes to the state’s Area Education Agencies would impact rural school districts.

Governor Kim Reynolds introduced the bill last month, saying more oversight and flexibility is needed to improve services special education students receive.

She points out that Iowa’s test scores for students with disabilities lags behind their peers in most other states.

AEA leaders at Friday’s listening session in Amana said this bill was a solution in search of a problem. A problem they said doesn’t exist.

They’re concerned about a bill which would make big changes to how the state’s area education agencies would provide services for students with disabilities.

Jessica Roman is an early access teacher with Grant Wood AEA. She said she’s watched AEA services change lives for decades. ”They didn’t tell me what to do when someone throws a desk. Or when a student has a mental health crisis. Or when a student comes to school that hasn’t been fed, or clothed for the weather, or has learning disabilities. That stuff you learn on the fly. And the AEA support was critical in keeping me in this career.”

State Senator Molly Donahue said schools in rural areas would see a bigger impact on services if this bill passed. “We know that in the urban areas there are opportunities and more services and more people who can help provide those services,” Donahue said. ”In the rural areas, they don’t have that.”

Donahue said advocacy against the bill is having an effect in the legislature.

”The appetite’s not there. Many of the legislators, know, from either House and Senate, that their districts are going to be hurt by this.”

But concerned educators like Roman don’t plan on slowing down, so they can keep helping families in need.

“I really do fear for our rural communities and what this could mean for kids here.”

An amended version of the AEA bill stalled in the House but advanced in the Senate. Next, it will be considered by a full committee.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.

The Town Of Homestead In Iowa Is The Star Of A Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie

Did you know that there is a Hallmark movie about Christmas in Iowa? Read all about the film Christmas in Homestead – one of the only Christmas movies in Iowa – below. Then, make plans to watch it, and you’ll have a newfound appreciation for an authentic Christmas here in the Hawkeye State! When it comes to Iowa Christmas towns, well, we here in Iowa are honored to be home to this one showcased by Hallmar...

Did you know that there is a Hallmark movie about Christmas in Iowa? Read all about the film Christmas in Homestead – one of the only Christmas movies in Iowa – below. Then, make plans to watch it, and you’ll have a newfound appreciation for an authentic Christmas here in the Hawkeye State! When it comes to Iowa Christmas towns, well, we here in Iowa are honored to be home to this one showcased by Hallmark.

Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Attractions And Activities In Iowa

Take A Drive To The Country To Dine At This Exceptional Rural Restaurant In Iowa

Plot A Course For The Great Outdoors On This Wild Iowa Mountain Biking Adventure

For more information about Christmas in Homestead, visit the film’s page on the Hallmark Movie Channel site. And when it comes to gift

If you want to learn about the Amana Colonies themselves, check out this charming village of shops that you must visit! You can even pick up Amana Colonies merchandise online at Etsy.

Want more Iowa in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Iowa!

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Tori Jane | November 01, 2022

What are some truly magical Hallmark towns in Iowa?

Iowa is a beautiful place to live all year, but in the winter, some small towns shine. Take for instance the adorable small town of Osceola, where everyone knows your name and the holidays are simply extra special. Another favorite Hallmark town in Iowa is Oskaloosa, which has a reputation for being the “twinkliest town in Iowa,” and for good reason – lights! Lights everywhere! We also love places like the towns of Wyoming, Dubuque, and LeClaire.

What are the best Iowa Christmas towns?

Every small town in Iowa is special during the holidays, but there really are some amazing Iowa Christmas towns (and cities) that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Did you know that Des Moines loves decking the halls (and streets) every year in the most magical of ways? It’s worth a visit. Then, there’s the adorable little Quad Cities town of LeClaire, whose entire downtown loves to go all-out. We also cannot get enough of the adorable college town of Mount Pleasant, where the warm hearts are many and the cold weather is plenty.

What is Christmas in Iowa like?

Christmas in Iowa is an amazing time unlike any other. When you’re not exploring all the delightful little Christmas villages in IA that we mentioned above, you can be doing fun, classic activities like ice skating, snowman-building, cocoa-sipping, and more! Check out some of the best Christmas lights displays in Iowa and, while you’re at it, enjoy a winter weather hiking trail in Iowa, too. Find the perfect Christmas tree and make a whole family event out of it. Head to the famous Amana’s General Store and indulge in holiday delights like an entire room dedicated completely to Christmas, and the sledding hills in Iowa are to die for. Winter in Iowa is a special time – come find out for yourself!

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Clear Creek-Amana Basketball

Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024On Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their game against Williamsburg High School by a score of 63-31....

Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024

On Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their game against Williamsburg High School by a score of 63-31.

Williamsburg31Final

Monday, Feb 5, 2024

On Monday, Feb 5, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their game against Grinnell High School by a score of 69-13.

Grinnell13Final

Friday, Feb 2, 2024

On Friday, Feb 2, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their game against South Tama County High School by a score of 70-18.

South Tama County18Final

Tuesday, Jan 30, 2024

On Tuesday, Jan 30, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their Grinnell High School game against Grinnell High School by a score of 74-11.

Grinnell11Final

Friday, Jan 26, 2024

On Friday, Jan 26, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their Benton Community High School game against Benton High School by a score of 60-37.

Benton37Final

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2024

On Tuesday, Jan 23, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their Clear Creek Amana High School game against Vinton-Shellsburg High School by a score of 68-16.

Clear Creek-Amana68Vinton-Shellsburg16Final

Saturday, Jan 20, 2024

On Saturday, Jan 20, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their Indianola High School game against Indianola High School by a score of 61-29.

Clear Creek-Amana61Indianola29Final

Friday, Jan 19, 2024

On Friday, Jan 19, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their Williamsburg High School game against Williamsburg High School by a score of 70-63.

Clear Creek-Amana70Williamsburg63Final

Tuesday, Jan 16, 2024

On Tuesday, Jan 16, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their game against South Tama County High School by a score of 71-21.

Clear Creek-Amana71South Tama County21Final

Tuesday, Jan 9, 2024

On Tuesday, Jan 9, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their game against Mt. Vernon High School by a score of 50-47.

Clear Creek-Amana50Mt. Vernon47Final

Friday, Jan 5, 2024

On Friday, Jan 5, 2024, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their Clear Creek Amana High School game against West Delaware High School by a score of 64-34.

Clear Creek-Amana64West Delaware34Final

Tuesday, Dec 19, 2023

On Tuesday, Dec 19, 2023, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their game against Benton High School by a score of 67-42.

Clear Creek-Amana67Benton42Final

Friday, Dec 15, 2023

On Friday, Dec 15, 2023, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their game against Vinton-Shellsburg High School by a score of 71-22.

Clear Creek-Amana71Vinton-Shellsburg22Final

Tuesday, Dec 12, 2023

On Tuesday, Dec 12, 2023, the Clear Creek-Amana Varsity Girls Basketball team won their game against Solon High School by a score of 58-37.

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Four Winds Farm Hemp opens shop in Amana

First generation hemp farmers Scott and Megan Booher, rural Homestead, are bringing their Four Winds Farm’s line of organic edible and body care hemp products to Amana. Four Winds Farm Apothecary, located at 5404 220th Trail, across from the Amana General Store, held a soft opening at the end of April, with a grand opening planned later this year.After selling their products at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids and at farmers markets around the state, the couple decided it was time, literally, to set up shop. With an established...

First generation hemp farmers Scott and Megan Booher, rural Homestead, are bringing their Four Winds Farm’s line of organic edible and body care hemp products to Amana. Four Winds Farm Apothecary, located at 5404 220th Trail, across from the Amana General Store, held a soft opening at the end of April, with a grand opening planned later this year.

After selling their products at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids and at farmers markets around the state, the couple decided it was time, literally, to set up shop. With an established customer base in Iowa, Johnson and Linn counties, Amana was the perfect fit.

The small retail location in the west end of the Catiri’s Art Oasis building felt custom made for Four Wind’s needs, Scott notes. A few cosmetic renovations and the addition of shelving in the display area provided the couple with a brick and mortar site to sell the products they craft themselves. As Four Winds Farm Apothecary expands its product line, they will also carry wares by several other local herbalists. The store’s common thread will be a focus on locally made products by people who grow or wildcraft their own ingredients.

Product line

Four Winds Farm specializes in both edible and topical body care products containing non-psychoactive cannabigerol or CBG. CBG is a type of cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. It is completely legal, providing it is derived from cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3 percent THC, the compound that causes people to get high.

Flowers from the hemp plants at Megan and Scott’s farm are harvested, dried and sent to a facility in Wisconsin for processing. The resulting distillate and isolate are returned to the Boohers as concentrates to be added to their various products.

While the FDA prevents the Boohers from making medical claims in the print labeling on their products, Megan says people have found the edibles useful in easing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure and helping with sleep. Topicals have properties that aid in treating inflammation and have hydrating properties. The Four Winds line includes body salve blended with herbs and essential oils to ease inflammation from arthritis or sore muscles; a solid lotion bar crafted with lanolin and beeswax; massage oils and an after-sun oil to relieve topical pain.

“People report CBG benefits that exceed what CBD (the more familiar cannabidiol) can do,” Megan says. “It’s up and coming. You’re going to see a lot of it in the future.”

She equates the body’s response to the edibles as what one might experience from taking ibuprofen.

“Everyone responds differently,” she explains.

Opening the shop allows the couple to reach more people face to face and help shoppers decide what products are the best fit for them.

“We’re available to the customers,” Megan said. “You get to talk to the people who grew it and made it.”

The Boohers rent a commercial kitchen in Iowa City to process the edibles. The remaining skin and body care items are crafted at their home.

New this year, the couple are starting a line of herbs and also growing flowers to be dried and used in crafts.

Additional products

Joining Megan and Scott in their shop will be Emma Barber, Rhubarb Botanicals, Mount Vernon, and Mandy Dickerson, Plantchanters Garden, Iowa City.

“We want to share the space with people who grow the products used in what they make,” Megan says.

Barber specializes in herbalist-formulated tinctures and elixirs, therapeutic salves and balms, tea blends and additional small-batch seasonally-inspired creations. Her herbal remedies are crafted from planted tended and harvested on her medicinal herb farm.

Dickerson’s homemade apothecary and culinary goods are crafted from her home garden, as well as local wilds. Her product line includes botanical soaps, herbal kitchen items, infused vinegars and salves and body balm.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Look for Four Winds Hemp at farmers markets in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines and possibly Davenport this year.

To learn more about the Boohers and their farming practices, visit www.fourwindsfarmhemp.com. You can also find them on Instagram and Facebook at fourwindsfarmhemp.

Comments: [email protected]

5 Iowa day trips to take in summer 2023 from Winterset and the Amanas to Jewell and more

Stay local this summer by taking a day trip to one of the charming towns in Iowa. The Amana Colonies offer a glimpse of German heritage that makes up the seven scenic villages. Winterset brings charm, covered bridges and John Wayne a short drive west of Des Moines. Jewell north of Ames features quaint shops and cute dining and coffee options. Over in the Loess Hills near Council Bluffs, find stunning views. And in Charles City in northern Iowa, discover rapids for rafting.Here, a look at five ways to take a day trip in Iowa this summe...

Stay local this summer by taking a day trip to one of the charming towns in Iowa. The Amana Colonies offer a glimpse of German heritage that makes up the seven scenic villages. Winterset brings charm, covered bridges and John Wayne a short drive west of Des Moines. Jewell north of Ames features quaint shops and cute dining and coffee options. Over in the Loess Hills near Council Bluffs, find stunning views. And in Charles City in northern Iowa, discover rapids for rafting.

Here, a look at five ways to take a day trip in Iowa this summer.

Amana Colonies

Learn about the history of the seven villages that make up the Amana Colonies at the Amana Heritage Society to find out more about the area originally settled by German immigrants in 1855, and visit the Amana Woolen Mill, Millstream Brau Haus, multiple wineries or the Amana Meat Shop & Smokehouse.

Learn more: amanacolonies.com

More:Fill your summer with 113 things to do in Iowa, from Hawkeye point to 'American Gothic'

Winterset

There is no shortage of things to do and see in Winterset. Visit the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum, discover the six covered bridges, or browse a variety of shops in the downtown area. Don’t miss City Park. You can hike to Clark Tower, get lost in the hedge maze or let the little ones loose on the large playground.

Learn more: madisoncounty.com

More:5 ways to feel the beat this summer in Iowa from Hinterland to Saturday in the Park and more

Jewell

Head to Jewell north of Ames on weekends to stroll down Main Street and visit the local shops. Browse antiques, vintage items and Iowa-made products. Stop at The Mustard Seed Revival and Mustard Bean Coffee House for cup of coffee while you shop. Try a panini, the Cat’s Meow charcuterie board or enjoy a cocktail at Juniper & Olive Co. while you’re in town.

Learn more: jewelliowa.com

More:5 ways to celebrate the great outdoors in Iowa the summer, from nature walks to lakes

Loess Hills

Southwest Iowa is home to the Loess Hills, created by glaciers and winds carrying glacial till. The area spans more than 1,000 square miles. Take a hike at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek and enjoy the views from the Loess Hills Lodge and Gallery.

Learn more: pottconservation.com

More:5 ways to learn more about Iowa this summer, from farm equipment to military history

Charles City

Go whitewater kayaking, tubing or stand-up paddle boarding at Riverfront Park in Charles City. The course consists of three water features and is three-quarter of a mile long. If you prefer to stay on land, play a round of disc golf at Riverside Disc Golf Course or head to nearby Rockford and dig your own Devonian fossils at the Fossil and Prairie Center.

Learn more: cityofcharlescity.org

Heather Torpy is a freelance writer based in Des Moines.

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