It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Terrace Hill Historic Site 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 Des Moines, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Good Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Flemings Prime Steakhouse Wine Bar or visit Witmer House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Des Moines, 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.
Hunter Dekkers has found a landing spot in the NFL.The former Iowa State football and Iowa Western quarterback signed with the ...
Hunter Dekkers has found a landing spot in the NFL.
The former Iowa State football and Iowa Western quarterback signed with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, May 13, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The news comes on the heels of Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr's surprise retirement announcement this month.
After starting 12 games for Iowa State in 2022, Dekkers missed all of the 2023 college football season after getting caught up in the state of Iowa's gambling probe of University of Iowa and Iowa State University athletes.
During an August 2024 interview with the Register, Dekkers admitted to placing a $15 bet on an Iowa State football game during his redshirt freshman year.
The former West Sioux High School standout began his college football career with the Cyclones, throwing for 3,355 yards and 22 touchdowns across 19 games. He then left Iowa State and was ruled ineligible by the NCAA before landing at Iowa Western Community College in 2024.
Dekkers led the Reivers to an 11-2 record and the NJCAA Division I championship game, completing 288-of-449 passes (64.1%) for a school-record 3,806 yards and 32 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions.
Iowa State football's season-opener against rival Kansas State at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland...
Iowa State football's season-opener against rival Kansas State at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, will officially kick off at 11 a.m. CT/5 p.m. IST on Aug. 23.
The game will be held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and will be televised on ESPN.
This will be the first time that the Cyclones and Wildcats will play in a season-opening game. It will also be Iowa State's first football game played outside of the United States.
Iowa State leads the Farmageddon rivalry, 54-50-4. The Cyclones won each of the last two meetings, previously defeating Kansas State, 29-21, on Nov. 30 in Ames to clinch the program's first 10-win season. The Cyclones eventually finished the year 11-3 and won the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Kansas State is coming off a 9-4 season, which concluded with a 44-41 win over Rutgers in the Rate Bowl.
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic started in 1988 and has taken various names over the years, including the Croke Park Classic, Emerald Isle Classic and Shamrock Classic. This is the first time that the event will feature two Big 12 teams.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
After years of inaction, Iowa lawmakers have finally sent Gov. Kim Reynolds a bill limiting the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines.Reynolds' spokesperson says she is reviewing the legislation, which has implications for Summit Carbon Solutions' proposed $8.9 billion carbon sequestration pipeline that would span 2,500 miles across South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and North Dakota to conn...
After years of inaction, Iowa lawmakers have finally sent Gov. Kim Reynolds a bill limiting the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines.
Reynolds' spokesperson says she is reviewing the legislation, which has implications for Summit Carbon Solutions' proposed $8.9 billion carbon sequestration pipeline that would span 2,500 miles across South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and North Dakota to connect 57 ethanol plants.
The measure isn't a full ban on eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines, as some advocates wanted.
Instead, it combines several other pieces of legislation that limit eminent domain in certain circumstances, requires projects to carry more insurance and places new guidelines on the Iowa Utilities Commission.
Here's what to know about the bill.
Eminent domain is the power to take private property for public use, with the property owner receiving compensation.
The Iowa Utilities Commission is the body in charge of granting eminent domain to projects such as electric transmission lines and pipelines.
The commission granted Summit eminent domain powers in 2024 to acquire land, or access to land, from owners who aren't willing to sign voluntary agreements with the company.
Opponents of Summit's pipeline say they do not believe the project qualifies as a public use.
Summit officials have said the company has invested nearly $175 million on voluntary agreements in Iowa, signed agreements with more than 1,300 landowners and secured 75% of the Phase One route.
The bill, House File 639, passed the Senate in a 27-22 vote and now awaits Reynolds' signature. Here's what it says.
Catch up on the tense Senate debate over the legislation here.
The Iowa Senate has voted to limit the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines, sending the bill to Gov. Kim Reynolds after years of inaction.House lawmakers have passed eminent domain restrictions with bipartisan support several years in a row, only to see the Senate fail to consider the measures...
The Iowa Senate has voted to limit the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines, sending the bill to Gov. Kim Reynolds after years of inaction.
House lawmakers have passed eminent domain restrictions with bipartisan support several years in a row, only to see the Senate fail to consider the measures. The Monday, May 12 vote was the first time one of those bills received a vote by the full Senate.
The legislation says carbon pipelines cannot enlist eminent domain powers unless they are a common carrier, requires pipeline companies to prove their project is insured sufficiently to cover any losses or injury from the pipeline construction and any discharge, and places new regulations on the Iowa Utilities Commission.
Alons (R), Bennett (D), Bisignano (D), Blake (D), Campbell (R), Donahue (D), Dotzler (D), Evans (R), Garrett (R), Guth (R), Knox (D), Lofgren (R), McClintock (R), Petersen (D), Pike (R), Quirmbach (D), Staed (D), Taylor (R), Trone Garriott (D), Rowley (R), Salmon (R), Sires (R), Wahls (D), Weiner (D), Westrich (R), Winckler (D), Zimmer (D)
Bousselot (R), Costello (R), Dawson (R), De Witt (R), Dickey (R), Driscoll (R), Green (R), Gruenhagen (R), Klimesh (R), Koelker (R), Kraayenbrink (R), Reichman (R), Rozenboom (R), Schultz (R), T. Shipley (R), Sinclair (R), Sweeney (R), Townsend (D), Warme (R), Webster (R), Whitver (R), Zumbach (R)
Celsi (D)
The Iowa House voted to pass the bill on March 26 on a bipartisan vote of 85-10.
Amos Jr. (D), Andrews (R), Baeth (D), Bagniewski (D), Behn (R), Blom (R), Bossman (R), Bradley (R), Boden (R), Brown-Powers (D), Cisneros (R), Collins (R), Croken (D), Determann (R), Dieken (R), Dunwell (R), Ehlert (D), Fisher (R), Gearhart (R), Gehlbach (R), Gerhold (R), Gjerde (D), Golding (R), Gosa (D), Grassley (R), Gustoff (R), Harris (R), Hayes (R), Henderson (R), Hermanson (R), Holt (R), Hora (R), Jacoby (D), James (D), Jeneary (R), Johnson, C. (R), Johnson, R. (D), Judge (D), Kaufmann (R), Kniff McCulla (R), Konfrst (D), Kressig (D), Kurth (D), Latham (R), Lawler (R), Levin (D), Lundgren (R), Madison (D), Matson (D), McBurney (D), Meggers (R), Meyer, A. (R), Meyer, B. (D), Mohr, G. (R), Moore, T. (R), Nielsen (D), Nordman (R), Olson (D), Scheetz (D), Scholten (D), Sexton (R), Shipley (R), Sitzmann (R), Smith (R), Sorensen (R), Srinivas (D), Stone (R), Thompson, M. (R), Thomson, C. (R), Turek (D), Vondran (R), Weldon (R), Wengryn (R), Wessel-Kroeschell (D), Wheeler (R), Wichtendahl (D), Wilburn (D), Williams (R), Wills, J. (R), Wilson (D), Watkins (R), Windschitl (R), Wood (R), Wulf (R), Young (R)
Barker (R), Bergan (R), Bloomingdale (R), Cooling (D), Ingels (R), Lohse (R), Mommsen (R), Rinker (R), Sieck (R), Zabner (D)
Fett (R), Gaines (D), Siegrist (R), Wilz, H. (R),
Jones (R)
The bill awaits Reynolds' signature. A spokesperson said her office is "reviewing the bill."
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne.
Tim Webber is a data visualization specialist for the Register. Reach him at [email protected] and on Twitter at @HelloTimWebber.
CHICAGO — A surprising tariff pause between Beijing and Washington will not help U.S. farmers gain soy sales in China without additional concessions, producers said, because top-supplier Brazil still has a competitive price advantage.Under the truce announced on Monday May 12,, the U.S. will cut extra tariffs it imposed on Chi...
CHICAGO — A surprising tariff pause between Beijing and Washington will not help U.S. farmers gain soy sales in China without additional concessions, producers said, because top-supplier Brazil still has a competitive price advantage.
Under the truce announced on Monday May 12,, the U.S. will cut extra tariffs it imposed on Chinese imports to 30% from 145% for the next three months, while Chinese duties on U.S. imports will fall to 10% from 125%.
Soybean export premiums fell in Brazil on the de-escalation, reflecting expectations that China could buy more from the U.S.
But American farmers said the tariff pause isn't enough. Brazil, the biggest soy supplier to China, has ample supplies from a record harvest and its farmers do not face the Chinese tariff that U.S. competitors do. China, the world's largest crop importer, already sources roughly 70% of its soybean imports from Brazil.
"The tariff that remains in place for U.S. soy is far from inconsequential," said Caleb Ragland, a farmer in Magnolia, Kentucky, and president of the American Soybean Association.
"Products purchased from our competitors in Brazil and Argentina are not burdened with this extra cost."
The U.S. in 2022/23 accounted for about 28% of China's soybean imports, and it has been a critical market for U.S. farmers, representing more than half of U.S. soybean exports in the most recent marketing year. Iowa is second only to Illinois in soybean production.
President Donald Trump's trade war, however, created an opportunity for Brazil. The country aims to export even more agricultural goods to China, including sorghum, pork and chicken, and seize market share, said Luis Rua, who oversees foreign trade for Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture.
"What they (China) will buy is what they barely need to get by," said Dan Henebry, a corn and soy grower in Buffalo, Illinois. "If South America is short... they'll buy from us."
Chinese buyers have also avoided U.S. wheat and bought 400,000 to 500,000 metric tons from Australia and Canada in recent weeks, traders said.
U.S. farmers hope China may buy American farm goods as part of trade negotiations. However, Chinese importers will be reluctant to book large purchases because of remaining trade barriers and uncertainty over what will happen when the pause expires, said Even Rogers Pay, agriculture analyst at Trivium China.
"There are a few things stacked up against this trade war ceasefire being a boon for farmers," Pay said.
U.S. pork exported to China still faces a minimum total tariff rate of 57% during the pause, according to the National Pork Producers Council.
The pause is set to expire just before U.S. farmers begin harvesting soybeans and corn at the start of their new marketing season, an important time for exports. They planted fewer soybeans this spring than last year because the crop looked less profitable than corn.
"If negotiations break down, buyers risk losses when cargoes arrive during the U.S. soybean marketing season," a China-based soy crusher said. "It's just not worth the gamble."
The truce did little to address underlying issues that led to the dispute, including the U.S. trade deficit with China that has aggravated some farmers.
Beijing did not fulfill commitments to buy more U.S. agricultural products under a trade deal it struck with Trump during his first term in 2020.
"The situation was bad before we started and something needed to be done. The situation is still bad," said Ron Heck, an Iowa corn and soy farmer in Perry.
At the time, China had slashed purchases of U.S. crops, prompting Trump's administration to pay farmers billions of dollars in aid.
"It doesn't appear that we solved anything after that turmoil," said Henebry. "We're right back at the baseball plate trying to see if we're going to hit a home run or strike out again."
(This story was edited to add new information.)
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