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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 Iowa City, IA

Home Care Iowa City, 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 Plum Grove Historical 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 Iowa City, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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 Hickory Hill 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 Iowa City, 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 Orchard Green Restaurant and Lounge or visit Old Capitol Museum, 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 Iowa City, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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:

  • Bickford of Iowa City
  • Legacy Senior Living
  • Emerson Point
  • Iowa City Rehab and Health Care Center
  • Oaknoll Retirement Residence
  • Melrose Meadows Retirement Community
Home Care Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA

Latest News in Iowa City, IA

Caitlin Clark has 38 points, 10 rebounds in 92-73 victory over Nebraska

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Caitlin Clark had 38 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead No. 5 Iowa over Nebraska 92-73 on Saturday.Clark, the nation’s leading scorer at 31.7 points per game, had the 53rd double-double of her career. She was 12 of 22 from the field, including 8 of 15 on 3-pointers.Kate Martin had 16 points and Sydney Affolter added 12 points for Iowa (19-2, 8-1 Big Ten). The Hawkeyes, who had their 15-game winning streak snapped in last Sunday’s overtime loss at Ohio State, pulled away in the s...

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Caitlin Clark had 38 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead No. 5 Iowa over Nebraska 92-73 on Saturday.

Clark, the nation’s leading scorer at 31.7 points per game, had the 53rd double-double of her career. She was 12 of 22 from the field, including 8 of 15 on 3-pointers.

Kate Martin had 16 points and Sydney Affolter added 12 points for Iowa (19-2, 8-1 Big Ten). The Hawkeyes, who had their 15-game winning streak snapped in last Sunday’s overtime loss at Ohio State, pulled away in the second half after struggling to make shots in the first half.

Iowa hadn't played since that loss, and Clark called the time off a “reset.”

“We had to sit on a loss for a week, that’s tough in itself, too,” Clark said. “But I think the thing about Ohio State is we knew we were winning the game the entire game, and that’s what hurt us more. We didn’t go to Columbus and lay an egg. We went there and played really good basketball. But we didn’t execute down the stretch to put ourselves into position to win.”

Nebraska (13-7, 5-4) made just one of its first 11 shots to open the game, but the Huskers took advantage of cold shooting by the Hawkeyes to take a 31-27 lead late in the first half. Iowa, which started the game with a 9-0 run, went five minutes without a field goal in the first quarter.

Jaz Shelley had 19 points to lead the Cornhuskers. Alexis Markowski had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Callin Hake had 11 points.

“We felt like it was going to have to be a complete, 40-minute game here,” Nebraska coach Amy Williams said. “To come out and just be a little not-locked-into the defensive game plan wasn't ideal, by any stretch. But we have a team of fighters who continue to fight, and I thought we did that. We started to clue in and lock into what we wanted to do.”

But the Hawkeyes led 36-31 at halftime after a 9-0 run over the final 1:35 of the half, capped by a deep Clark 3-pointer with two seconds left.

“I think those last couple of minutes of the first half were really important, and we kind of took the momentum back before halftime,” Clark said. “That’s a huge swing right there.”

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder had called a timeout 19 seconds before the run began.

“I think she fired us up,” Clark said. “That’s what I love about her. She’s going to coach us, and none of us want to let her down. We want to make her proud. We knew ourselves that we weren’t playing to the standard of Iowa basketball.”

Iowa kept that momentum into the third quarter, shooting 71.4% from the field while leading by as much as 19 points in the quarter.

“Maybe I need to call more timeouts," Bluder said. "But I really think it was more of a gut check than anything else.”

Nebraska: The Huskers couldn’t take advantage of Iowa’s early struggles, because they struggled themselves. Shelley and Markowski provided most of the offense, and Nebraska was able to outrebound the Hawkeyes. Markowski had her Big Ten-leading 13th double-double, but Shelley had to be helped from the court late in the game after suffering an ankle injury.

Iowa: The Hawkeyes shook off the Ohio State defeat to stay at the top of the Big Ten standings. Clark and her teammates started slow, but the run late in the first half and in the third quarter woke them up. Iowa has a nine-game winning streak over Nebraska.

Nebraska: Hosts Purdue on Wednesday.

Iowa: At Northwestern on Wednesday.

Report: Iowa expected to hire former Western Michigan coach Tim Lester as new offensive coordinator

Iowa is expected to hire former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester as its next offensive coordinator, per report.He was also in consideration for the same job at Troy, but Iowa ultimately swayed his decision, according to ESPN&rs...

Iowa is expected to hire former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester as its next offensive coordinator, per report.

He was also in consideration for the same job at Troy, but Iowa ultimately swayed his decision, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. He spent the 2023 season as a senior analyst for the Green Bay Packers.

Rittenberg’s sources also tell him that Iowa ‘strongly considered’ former Duke OC Kevin Johns for their job, but went with Lester instead.

Lester was let go by Western Michigan after the 2022 season, finishing his tenure 37-32 in six seasons as the Broncos’ head coach. His team finished 5-7 that season, which doubled as Lester’s first losing record since being hired as Western Michigan’s coach in 2017.

The Broncos were .500 or better in MAC conference play in each of Lester’s six seasons as coach, including a 4-4 record in conference action in 2022. WMU started this year 3-7 before winning its final two games, but still fell one game short of bowl eligibility.

He moved on the the NFL for this past season, where he was utilized in an off-field role as an analyst. He had a prior relationship with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who were both quarterbacks at Western Michigan in the late 90s.

Lester’s hiring ends a three-month-long search to replace former OC Brian Ferentz, whose offense at Iowa struggled mightily over the past two seasons. In 2022, Iowa only averaged 17.7 points and 156.7 yards passing per game. Even worse, Iowa finished 130th out of 131 FBS teams in total offense at 256.1 yards per game. Consequently, Iowa revised Ferentz’s contract ahead of the 2023 season.

The program docked his salary from $900,000 to $850,000. Further, Iowa added a clause that stated Iowa must score 325 total points in the regular-season games for Ferentz to retain his job in 2024. For reference, 85 programs reached this mark in 2022.

By October, it was clear that Iowa would not reach this milestone, and by the time it was announced that the two parties would be parting ways, Iowa’s offense ranked 116th in the country in total offense.

Now, Iowa has moved on and Lester is tasked with rebuilding the Hawkeye offense. If Iowa can get things going on offense, the defense has proven its worth over the past two seasons and together will the hopes of becoming a force on a national scale once again.

Black’s Gold Grill reopens to provide more UI west side campus dining options

Peterson Residence Hall reopened Black’s Gold Grill for students and staff, offering a new variety of food options and activities.Kathy LeAfter being closed for two years because of COVID-19, ...

Peterson Residence Hall reopened Black’s Gold Grill for students and staff, offering a new variety of food options and activities.

Kathy Le

After being closed for two years because of COVID-19, Black’s Gold Grill, located in the University of Iowa Peterson Residence Hall, was reopened on Jan. 21 for staff and students.

The Black’s Gold Grill was originally opened in fall 2016, offering more dining options to UI students and faculty on the west side of campus.

The store offers a large variety of different food options for students ranging from burgers, slushies, and vegetarian options such as plant-based burgers. The grill’s menu also offers deluxe burgers, such as the “Hoosier Heat,” which includes jalapeños, hot sauce, and pepper jack cheese.

Along with food and drinks, the grill also offers foosball games and pool tables for students to use and enjoy. Although the grill does not accept flex meals, it does accept Hawkeye Dollars and credit cards just as similar campus cafes do.

Robert James, the assistant director for Retail Operations of UI Housing and Dining, said because of the grill’s limited storage space, it can’t handle offering flex swipes as a payment option.

“In addition to that, the first time you get a rainy day or a cold day you’d get half the building to probably come down to eat,” James said. “It couldn’t take 100 people or 700 people showing up at one time trying to eat, so it won’t be a flex meal option.”

The new dining option provides a closer choice for students living on the west side, who previously relied on Hillcrest’s dining hall and marketplace.

The menu features deluxe burgers and plant-based burgers, quesadillas, spring rolls, other grilled sandwiches, among other food items.

UI first-year student Tamryn Leonard said she was getting bored of Hillcrest dining food and feels good about having a new place to eat.

“Sometimes I’m just here wanting lunch or something, and again, Hillcrest just has the same food,” Leonard said. “It’s a nice change, it’s more of a grill area, it’s a little different than a lot of the other cafes on campus.”

When it reopened, the only change that was made to the Grill was its limited hours of operation. Gold’s Grill will be open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

“I wish they were open a little later, I feel like sometimes I’m craving food past 12:30 when I’m up late studying,” Leonard said.

RELATED: Life at Iowa: Back to the dining halls we go

The Grill’s hours are a result of its limited staffing, as well as campus dining areas usually see lower sales on weekends, according to James.

“Fridays and Saturdays are typically the slow days for us because students are usually gone for the weekend or they’re attending different basketball games and stuff like that at night,” James said.

Eventually, the Grill plans on adding wood-fired pizzas to complete its expansive menu.

The independent, student-run newsroom at the DI covers the University of Iowa and local community to keep you informed. Your support helps provide the necessary resources and training to continue our mission.

Column | How the Iowa women’s basketball team can win the NCAA Championship

The Iowa women’s basketball team has great potential to win this year’s NCAA Championship — on one condition. Colin Votzmeyer, Assistant Sports Editor...

The Iowa women’s basketball team has great potential to win this year’s NCAA Championship — on one condition.

Colin Votzmeyer, Assistant Sports Editor

Grace Smith

The Iowa women’s basketball team has great potential to win this year’s NCAA Championship — on one condition.

The Hawkeyes, with their offensive powerhouse averaging 90.9 points per game and defensive fortress holding opponents to an average of just 67.2, are one of a few favorites to win this year’s title as they sit atop an impressive 19-2 record thus far with some impressive wins.

And some close, nail-biting ones. And some losses too.

“Offensive powerhouse” is not quite the right term to describe this team when you look at those closer games and losses the Hawkeyes have suffered this season.

Caitlin Clark has the green light like no other player in college basketball. And to have her pour in 30 or 40 points a night and put the team on her back will work against the Nebraskas and Wisconsins of the hoops world — but what about the top-ranked teams who can really match up pound-for-pound with Iowa?

To win a championship this season, the Hawkeyes need a wider scoring effort on offense, and the statistics show why.

Iowa fell to now-No. 4 Kansas State by seven in the fourth game of the season, and Clark struggled. She finished with just 24 points on 9-of-32 from the field and 2-of-16 from deep. Only guard Molly Davis scored in double-digits behind her with just 10.

On Jan. 2, Clark saved the day with a buzzer-beating three to boost the Hawkeyes over the Michigan State Spartans for a three-point win — in which she scored 40, but only forward Hannah Stuelke scored double-digits too with 15.

And the Hawkeyes’ second loss of the season came to No. 12 Ohio State by eight in overtime on Jan. 21, in which Clark had a season-high 45. Davis and Stuelke finished with just 14 and 10, respectively, well behind despite an extra five minutes of clock.

Those three games — not to mention the narrow win over Iowa State on Dec. 6 — serve as proof that Clark is not superhuman. She needs help.

Championship-caliber basketball teams are never one-person shows. Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. LeBron James had Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Just last year, Angel Reese had Alexis Morris and Flau’jae Johnson.

So when Caitlin Clark is off, this team is not bulletproof. But when that help arrives, there is nothing in this team’s way.

Everyone thought now-No. 14 Indiana would give Iowa its best game of the year. Nope. 84-57, Hawks. And in that contest, Clark scored 30, yes, but Davis also had 18, while guards Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin had 12 and 10, respectively. That’s four Hawkeyes in double-digits.

That’s the scoring effort that makes the Hawkeyes so good against even the most solid of opponents such as the Hoosiers — opponents this Iowa team will face again and again this postseason.

To make it to April once more, that effort will need to be locked in. Because every championship team is just that — a team.

I understand there is more to the game than just scoring. Defense is crucial, as are rebounding and ball security. But the evidence is there: Clark needs help, and if she gets it, this Iowa team can beat anyone.

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Iowa Hawkeyes hiring Tim Lester as new offensive coordinator

The long search for the new offensive coordinator for the Iowa Hawkeyes has reached its end. Reports began surfacing from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg that Tim Lester was expected to be the new offensive coordinator for the Hawkeyes.Sources: I...

The long search for the new offensive coordinator for the Iowa Hawkeyes has reached its end. Reports began surfacing from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg that Tim Lester was expected to be the new offensive coordinator for the Hawkeyes.

Sources: Iowa is expected to hire Tim Lester, the former Western Michigan coach, as offensive coordinator. Lester spent the 2023 season as a Green Bay Packers analyst, and was set to take the OC job at Troy. Iowa also strongly considered former Duke OC Kevin Johns, per sources.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 28, 2024

Soon after, the reports were confirmed by The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman that Tim Lester would be the offensive coordinator.

I can confirm Tim Lester will be the next OC for Iowa football. @FootballScoop first reported.

— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) January 28, 2024

Tim Lester has spent a lot of time at all different levels of football. He began his career at Wheaton Warrenville South High School in Illinois in 2000. After that, Lester spent 2002 to 2012 bouncing around the CCIW Division Three conference at Elmhurst and North Central.

Lester broke into Division One in 2013 when he joined Syracuse as the quarterbacks coach. Following Syracuse, Lester was the offensive coordinator at Purdue in 2016 where he averaged 294.9 passing yards per game, a sharp uptick if he can carry that over to Iowa. Lester eventually took on the head coaching role at Western Michigan from 2017-2022.

Lester’s record at Western Michigan was 37-32 overall and his overall career record is 67-55. While at Western Michigan, Lester’s offense averaged 32.02 points per game with a low of 19 points per game in 2022 and a high of 41.67 points per game in 2020.

This past season, Lester spent 2023 as an analyst with the Green Bay Packers. He joined Packers head coach Matt LaFleur’s staff after the two were teammates at Western Michigan during their playing careers.

Tim Lester was slated to take on the offensive coordinator job at Troy but will now be joining the Hawkeyes. Lester comes as the new offensive coordinator after it appeared to be between himself and former Duke Blue Devils offensive coordinator Kevin Johns.

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