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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 Fairfax, IA

Home Care Fairfax, 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 Fairfax Court House Historical Marker 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 Fairfax, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Fairfax, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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 Van Dyck 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 Fairfax, 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 Ruth's Chris Steak House or visit Ratcliffe-Logan-Allison 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.

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In-Home Care Fairfax, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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:

  • Cobbdale Assisted Living
  • The Gardens at Fair Oaks
  • Sunrise of Fairfax
  • The Virginian
  • Braddock Glen
  • Actual Care Inc
Home Care Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, IA

Latest News in Fairfax, IA

Fairfax light display raises money for the Linn Community Food Bank

FAIRFAX, Iowa (KCRG) - One family in Fairfax wants to help others even more in 2020 because of the pandemic and the derecho damage in this unforgettable year.Steve and Sandy Tomash have a Christmas display so large even Santa comes to visit on occasion. It’s a tradition that has gone on at their current home for 15 years, but this is the first year their display will raise money for a food bank.“Everyone needs food and with people being laid off and not having the money we just thought that would reach not only chil...

FAIRFAX, Iowa (KCRG) - One family in Fairfax wants to help others even more in 2020 because of the pandemic and the derecho damage in this unforgettable year.

Steve and Sandy Tomash have a Christmas display so large even Santa comes to visit on occasion. It’s a tradition that has gone on at their current home for 15 years, but this is the first year their display will raise money for a food bank.

“Everyone needs food and with people being laid off and not having the money we just thought that would reach not only children but people of all ages,” Sandy said.

Their yard is sprinkled with handmade characters Steve has made from “Frozen” and “The Grinch.” He’s unsure just how many lights he uses but he says there are around 400 extension cords involved.

The Tomash’s don’t usually take donations of any kind for their display. But, between the pandemic and the derecho, they decided this year they could use the display to give back. There is a donation box out front and every penny people contribute will be given to the Linn Community Food Bank in Cedar Rapids.

Leaders there say they’ve seen an increase in need. They used to give food to 20-30 people per day, but, lately, it’s been more like 50. Monday through Friday, they’re giving out groceries from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot at the First Presbyterian Church on Fifth Street SE, no questions asked.

The Tomash’s chose this food bank because it’s run fully by volunteers.

“Even their directors are volunteers. So we know all the money people give us to donate to somewhere will be 100% paid off for the food for the people,” Steve said.

The food bank is more than grateful for the help.

“Oh, it’s great because then we can provide extra things. We get a lot of our things from HACAP through the Feeding America program and anything that we can’t get from them we would subsidize with all our donations,” Jane Suiter, president of Linn Community Food Bank, said.

Suiter said while they’ve seen more of a need, the food bank has also seen a lot of people step up to donate. In the first five days of collecting donations, the Tomash’s have raised $250.

Copyright 2020 KCRG. All rights reserved.

Our Town: Fairfax growing while working to keep its small town charm

FAIRFAX, Iowa (KCRG) - In the past 20 years, thousands of people have moved to Fairfax, and now call the community, ‘Home Sweet Home.’“I have lived in Fairfax almost 30 years, which by Fairfax standards is still a newcomer,” said Mayor Jo Ann Beer with a laugh.The same things that brought her to town years ago are still bringing people to the community now.“The small town charm, yet we’re just seven miles from the Cedar Rapids downtown,” she said.Bruce Sevig is one of the ...

FAIRFAX, Iowa (KCRG) - In the past 20 years, thousands of people have moved to Fairfax, and now call the community, ‘Home Sweet Home.’

“I have lived in Fairfax almost 30 years, which by Fairfax standards is still a newcomer,” said Mayor Jo Ann Beer with a laugh.

The same things that brought her to town years ago are still bringing people to the community now.

“The small town charm, yet we’re just seven miles from the Cedar Rapids downtown,” she said.

Bruce Sevig is one of the managers at Iowa Lot Development LLC.

“The Highway 100 bypass is one of the biggest things that are bringing people to the area people that work outside of Cedar Rapids,” he said.

The town of Fairfax grew from 800 people to 2,800 people in just 20 years. That includes the newest of three major developments, Heartland Heights.

“Fairfax is very easy to work with, it’s a small community, pretty much everyone knows everyone, we grew up in this area,” Sevig said. “Our family has been developing in Fairfax and the surrounding area since about 2000 starting with my dad.”

Irie Homes is one of around a dozen builders to put up homes in Heartland Heights.

“Our tagline is Peace Within, Irie Homes,” said Mark Prahm. “Some of the biggest compliments we’ve got is that when people move in the home they feel that sense of peace.”

The first house of the development was built in 2017. Now there are around 120 homes there. Fairfax feeds into the College Community School District.

“Fairfax has always been good about controlled growth, and we have always controlled our growth,” said Sevig. “We don’t just go to grow, we want to do things right and make sure it’s a nice area for everyone involved, homeowners, builders, the city.”

“The challenge with this, is we want to retain our small town character while at the same time doing smart growth,” explained the mayor.

Town amenities are growing too.

“When I moved to Fairfax back in the 90s, we had one park, city park,” Beer said. “For a community our size, our parks and our sports facilities are just outstanding.”

All making it home sweet home.

Copyright 2023 KCRG. All rights reserved.

fp Music Academy expands services, opens new music store in Fairfax on Thursday

Fairfax — The fp Music Academy is expanding their services in eastern Iowa with a new music store in Fairfax.On Thursday, they held a grand opening for their newest Music151 store at the ...

Fairfax — The fp Music Academy is expanding their services in eastern Iowa with a new music store in Fairfax.

On Thursday, they held a grand opening for their newest Music151 store at the 4800 block of 80th Street, where city officials and local leaders got an up-close look at the new store.

A press release outlining the grand opening Thursday included statements about fp Music Academy and some of the things they do:

fp Music Academy, a music school for all ages and musical abilities, is celebrating the opening of its newest addition, Music151! Music151 is a one-stop-shop for musical instruments, books, supplies, and accessories. Additionally, there is a spacious internet-connected audio-video-enabled teaching studio available for booking. Music151 is located at 4840 80th St Suite A, Fairfax, IA 52228.
Join us at the grand opening event through November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. This exciting grand opening will have live music, delicious snacks, time for shopping, and you can tour the new store. Prepare to have fun learning about the new store and its educational offerings!

The store is one of two that are based in Linn County and offers shopping and instructional services for aspiring musicians in the area.

Thursday's grand opening celebration kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony and included a tour of the store.

Iowa's News Now spoke with Mike Nemeth, President of the fp Music Academy, to talk about their new Music 151 store in Fairfax on Thursday.

"Music 151 is a fun place," said Nemeth. "We can supply musical instruments of a number of different types, books, supplies, and accessories for a wide variety of musical instruments."

Locals in Fairfax will have a chance to see the Music151 store Friday and Saturday, November 3rd and 4th, when store officials will give tours of their new site.

Saturday's event will also included live music by the Irish Jam and The Mockingbirds.

You can learn more about fp Music Academy and their programming by clicking here.

'That's scary': Iowa mom worries about plan to overhaul special education system

DES MOINES, Iowa —Kate Fairfax, who lives in Des Moines, calls her twin daughters "miracles."Madeline and Audrey were born almost 10 weeks early. Audrey spent 99 days in the NICU."When she was three days old, she had brain bleeds on both sides of her brain and then kind of just a lot of different complications after that," Fairfax said. "Because of that, she has cerebral palsy and she's also deaf."Fairfax said Audrey has always needed therapy services. She uses ...

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Kate Fairfax, who lives in Des Moines, calls her twin daughters "miracles."

Madeline and Audrey were born almost 10 weeks early. Audrey spent 99 days in the NICU.

"When she was three days old, she had brain bleeds on both sides of her brain and then kind of just a lot of different complications after that," Fairfax said. "Because of that, she has cerebral palsy and she's also deaf."

Fairfax said Audrey has always needed therapy services. She uses a lot of mobility equipment and has a feeding tube and cochlear implants. At home, Fairfax said her family uses American Sign language to communicate with Audrey.

Madeline and Audrey are now six years old and in kindergarten. Fairfax says her local Area Education Agency, or AEA, has been there every step of the way. They helped as soon as they got home from the hospital, they helped Audrey take her first steps and move around the house on her own.

Iowa governor, Republican lawmakers respond to flood of feedback over AEA bill

Now at school, Audrey has a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, an audiologist and a special education consultant. They're all from the AEA and all work to help Audrey succeed.

So when Fairfax heard about Gov. Kim Reynolds' plan to overhaul the state's nine AEAs, she said she was worried.

"I know that it could greatly change what our school day looks like for Audrey [and] for all kids because there are so many services that the AEA provides that even I wasn't even aware of," Fairfax said. "So I think a lot of people don't know how much the AEA helps their kids every day."

Reynold's bill would give school districts full control over special education funding. Schools could continue using their AEAs for some or all services or they could pay private companies to provide those resources instead.

Fairfax started emailing every state lawmaker in Polk County to voice her concerns.

"If we're consulting different therapists to come in, that's going to look totally different. We might not have the therapists that already know [Audrey] or the teachers that know her and can provide all that training they've had," Fairfax said. "For kids in rural areas, who knows what that will look like? And that's scary."

Reynolds released an open letter to Iowans Friday morning explaining the goal of her bill.

"From early interventions for infants and toddlers to speech therapy for K-12 students, AEAs will continue to offer the guidance and reassurance families need and the support teachers rely on," Reynolds said.

Reynolds wrote that as the AEAs expanded their services over the past 50 years, the outcomes of students with disabilities declined.

"Over the last 20 years, Iowa’s fourth-grade students with disabilities have consistently performed below the national average when compared to students with disabilities in other states," Reynolds said. "In the last five years, fourth and eighth graders with disabilities have ranked 30th or lower on nine of 12 national reading and math assessments."

But Fairfax doesn't feel that assessment data merits an AEA overhaul.

"In regards to our students with disabilities testing lower, that is really hard to use as data because...it's like comparing apples and oranges," Fairfax said. "I can't give Maddie and Audrey, my girls even, the same exact tests and know that it's really showing what their true abilities are."

She said it's difficult to gauge Audrey's abilities with a standardized test.

"She needs an alternate assessment that can really show what she is capable of doing and looking at her IEP," Fairfax said. "Things like that are really going to show that better than those tests because she can't go and do a time test."

Instead, Fairfax said she wants more collaboration and support for the agencies that have provided a lifeline for her daughters.

"Are there changes that need to be made in the AEA? Possibly. I don't know, but I don't think that we can know that without working with the AEAs," Fairfax said. "I think the AEA is great and I don't want to see it get kind of torn apart. You know, I don't want to see it get dismantled."

Top Picks

A New Mexican Restaurant Has Opened in Fairfax

Folks over in Fairfax finally have a new restaurant to enjoy! According to the official Facebook page, Chilangos Mexican Restaurant began welcoming customers this week.Chilangos Mexican Restaurant is located right next to the Dairy Queen in Fairfax at 515 Williams Blvd. The new eatery has taken over the building that was once home to Charlie’s Re...

Folks over in Fairfax finally have a new restaurant to enjoy! According to the official Facebook page, Chilangos Mexican Restaurant began welcoming customers this week.

Chilangos Mexican Restaurant is located right next to the Dairy Queen in Fairfax at 515 Williams Blvd. The new eatery has taken over the building that was once home to Charlie’s Restaurant, and it appears that the space has received a bit of a makeover these past few months.

Since opening on Monday, November 15th, the new restaurant is already getting some positive reviews on Facebook. A comment from Megan Dvorak Burns reads, "DELICIOUS! HUGE portions! We DEFINITELY will be back." Another Facebook user named Karen Elizabeth wrote, "EXCELLENT FOOD! Mike was kicking ass for how busy it was! So excited this place is in the neighborhood!"

Chilangos Mexican Restaurant is open for both dine-in and carryout. The hours listed online are Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant hasn't posted their menu online yet, but Joe Sample included some photos of it in his latest Facebook post! if you want to place an order, you can call 319-357-8038.

Chilangos is one of several Mexican restaurants that have recently opened here in Eastern Iowa. Just last week we told you that Taco Depot III is finally open in the former Hardee's at 35 Miller Ave SW in Cedar Rapids, and a new place called Alebrije Mexican Restaurant has officially opened at 401 S Linn St in Iowa City. There is certainly no shortage of delicious Mexican food, no matter what city you're in!

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