It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Lone Tree, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Lone Tree, 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 Lone Tree, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Lone Tree, 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.
Lone Tree and Mid-Prairie school districts are asking their voters to consider bond referendums to support infrastructure improvements — including upgrading Lone Tree’s heating-and-cooling system and renovating Mid-Prairie high school to create more space for students.The multimillion bond referendums will be on the Nov. 3, ballot. School bond referendums in Iowa require a 60% supermajority approval to pass.The Lone Tree Community School District is asking voters to approve a $6.9 million bond referendum to fund a m...
Lone Tree and Mid-Prairie school districts are asking their voters to consider bond referendums to support infrastructure improvements — including upgrading Lone Tree’s heating-and-cooling system and renovating Mid-Prairie high school to create more space for students.
The multimillion bond referendums will be on the Nov. 3, ballot. School bond referendums in Iowa require a 60% supermajority approval to pass.
The Lone Tree Community School District is asking voters to approve a $6.9 million bond referendum to fund a modern geothermal system that will replace the district’s aging heating and cooling equipment.
The referendum, if approved, would maintain the district’s property tax rate of $12.78 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The project could make the district eligible for up to $2 million in federal tax credits, which could be used to help pay down bond debt or fund other projects.
The school’s primary boilers were installed in 1960 and 1971, and many classrooms rely on window air conditioners and mini-split units — a ductless heating-and-cooling system that uses an outdoor compressor unit connected to one or more indoor air handlers.
A geothermal system would provide reliable heat during Iowa winters and dependable air conditioning during the hot early fall months.
“This time of year right now and when we transition to spring are those shoulder seasons that can be the most challenging,” said Tyler Hotz, superintendent of the Lone Tree district. “Today we do not have our boiler on, so rooms are a little chillier. The days start a little cooler, and it takes time for the sun to come out and heat up the building.”
Geothermal uses water circulated through the ground to exchange heat, allowing equipment within the building to provide heating and cooling as needed. Lone Tree already has geothermal installed in 2002 in a portion of the school.
The district expects the geothermal system to be significantly more energy efficient, lowering long-term energy costs, which would free district resources for instruction.
Hotz said the district had to keep air conditioning units on during the summer when classrooms were empty otherwise they ran the risk of mold growing.
“That also increases our energy costs,” Hotz said.
Repairs to Lone Tree district’s existing boilers that heat the building can keep the aging equipment operating, but it does not address the limitations of the overall system, Hotz said. The district anticipates increasing failure risk and maintenance costs of the existing boilers. Waiting to replace the system could cost the district more in the future.
The district reviewed replacing the existing system with new conventional equipment, and the estimated cost was close to the proposed geothermal system.
Construction would be completed in phases to minimize disruption to students and staff if the referendum is approved by voters.
If the bond passes, the project could be completed in 2028.
The Lone Tree district enrollment is about 350 students in Johnson and Louisa counties.
The Mid-Prairie Community School District is asking voters to approve a $19 million bond referendum that would fund facility improvements to fine arts, general education and special-education classrooms, including a new auditorium and activities entrance at the high school.
If approved, the bond referendum would not increase the district’s property tax levy, which is about $13.02 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
The referendum would fund a 500-seat auditorium at the high school for choir, band, theater, all-school assemblies and community events.
An events entrance would connect the new auditorium to the existing gym and include a new concessions area and ADA compliant restrooms.
An addition to the high school will include new band and choir classrooms, rehearsal space and storage. Current band and choir classrooms will be renovated for special education.
The current special-education classrooms will be converted to create much-needed space for general education use and additional ADA compliant restrooms.
Superintendent Brian Stone said the referendum would begin to address 24 of 37 items identified by a facility planning committee as wants and needs for the district.
If the referendum is approved, construction could be completed as early as fall 2029, Stone said.
The Mid-Prairie school district’s enrollment is about 1,500 students in Washington and Johnson counties.
Grace King covers K-12 education for The Gazette. She can be reached at [email protected] or (319) 398-8411.
LONE TREEThe moment was infectious. Really.A Lone Tree Lion knocked the ball over the net for a point last Thursday night in a volleyball match against Columbus.And they celebrated. Loudly. Enthusiastically.Even if you weren’t a Lone Tree Lion, you cheered.Harper Kuboushek, a junior, jumped up and down happily as the Lions gathered in a huddle on the court. Teammates slapped each other’s hands. Others on the Lions bench jumped up. Crazy.Students in Lone Tree’s bleachers behind the b...
LONE TREE
The moment was infectious. Really.
A Lone Tree Lion knocked the ball over the net for a point last Thursday night in a volleyball match against Columbus.
And they celebrated. Loudly. Enthusiastically.
Even if you weren’t a Lone Tree Lion, you cheered.
Harper Kuboushek, a junior, jumped up and down happily as the Lions gathered in a huddle on the court. Teammates slapped each other’s hands. Others on the Lions bench jumped up. Crazy.
Students in Lone Tree’s bleachers behind the bench stood and roared their approval.
Tie game.
Wow.
Kyle Holderness, the team’s head coach, well, he’s their only coach, stood up from his seat.
This was a big deal for a team that almost didn’t have a team.
A really big deal.
The Lions wound up losing that set dramatically, 27-25, and lost the match by three games to one as its losing streak was extended to 38 matches by Columbus.
But that wasn’t really the point for a season that began not long ago in an arts class at Lone Tree High School.
Yes, arts class.
The Lions didn’t have a coach.
So, they approached Holderness, a former football player and assistant football coach at Clear Creek Amana who is now an arts teacher for all grades at Lone Tree Community Schools.
Volleyball?
He didn’t have a clue.
“I know you have to hit the ball over the net and stop the other team from doing that,” Holderness said.
Olivia Magruder, a senior who has been in Holderness’ art class at Lone Tree High School, was among the Lions players who went to Holderness with one thing in mind: talk their art teacher into becoming their coach. Please.
“I knew he had his (coaching) license,” Magruder said.
There was never a hesitation.
And now the Lions, who never won a match last year and haven’t done so since October 2024, are having a blast on the court. They won their opening set against Columbus in their home opener last week and won a set against rival Highland at the beginning of the season.
That in itself was progress. The Lions won just one set all season in 2025, and that one win of one set came on the opening night of the year. They never won even a set after that. And many weren’t even close. There was a 21-2 loss to Jesup, 21-4 to West Burlington, 25-2 to Montezuma on the last night of the season.
Sixty-three straight sets. All losses. Only one other team in Iowa, Kee, lost more than the 28 matches that the Lions lost.
And that’s what Holderness inherited.
The interest in Lone Tree volleyball took off. Full varsity and JV teams. Six seniors, including Magruder, who is the team’s leading hitter and server. Two 5-foot-11 attackers, including Kuboushek. A freshman libero, Maggie Burke, who is one of the top freshmen in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North with 58 digs in just 6 matches.
Art students, all.
And in the middle of it all is this rookie head coach learning a game.
“He does a good job listening to us,” Magruder said.
More than you realize. It isn’t unusual for something to happen in a match, and a call is made by an official, and the coach says something like this to a player: “What was that?”
They are learning together.
Holderness has taught art to all of the 18 or so students who are on the volleyball team, either in high school or elementary school, or both. He is the only art teacher in the Lone Tree Schools district.
Coaching is not new. He was an assistant football coach at Clear Creek and just kept re-certifying his state license to coach. A good thing.
As Columbus’ players gathered in front of their fans after their match at Lone Tree and celebrated with a school cheer, Lone Tree’s volleyballers collected their personal items from the bench area and retreated to their locker room, just as they had done 37 previous consecutive times dating back to 2024.
But this is different.
And they know it.
The streak will end.
“We did good,” Holderness said. “There’s a lot of talent in here.
“This year, we’re winning sets, keeping in games.”
The Lions will crank it up again this week in the SEISC Tournament, and home matches in October against Hillcrest Academy and Highland.
Somewhere in there, happy news is just busting to break out.
News columnist Paul Bowker can be reached at . Follow him on Twitter/X: @bowkerpaul
LONE TREE — Jessica Howard, a teacher in the Lone Tree school district, was named 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year Wednesday for her “educational entrepreneurship.”Howard, a business and computer science teacher at Lone Tree High School in Johnson County, said her approach to teaching is to make it real-life focused. She received the award Wednesday in a surprise ceremony in Lone Tree.“If I’m teaching something, it has to have real-life implications that prepare students for the world they are going t...
LONE TREE — Jessica Howard, a teacher in the Lone Tree school district, was named 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year Wednesday for her “educational entrepreneurship.”
Howard, a business and computer science teacher at Lone Tree High School in Johnson County, said her approach to teaching is to make it real-life focused. She received the award Wednesday in a surprise ceremony in Lone Tree.
“If I’m teaching something, it has to have real-life implications that prepare students for the world they are going to live and work in,” Howard said Wednesday in a news release.
“I see students as capable, compassionate, dedicated members of our community and in turn, they start to see it in themselves and produce the solutions that are needed,” Howard said.
The Iowa Teacher of the Year award recognizes exceptional teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and have made a significant impact on student outcomes and their fellow educators.
Howard was selected from nine finalists who were recently named as Iowa’s Regional Teachers of the Year, representing all education regions of the state.
Howard also was honored as the Grant Wood Regional Teacher of the Year.
Howard is dedicated to expanding learning opportunities for students.
Howard helps students further explore their interests and discover careers by creating opportunities for students to develop and pitch their business plans to community leaders. She creates community events that showcase industry opportunities, postsecondary institutions and the military.
Several of Howard’s students have turned their business plans into reality — a coffee shop, a landscaping company, a coaching and mentorship program and a digital marketing company, she said.
“I have been very lucky in my various careers to create a network of support so that I can pass that support to my students. I push my students outside of their comfort zones, but I am also there to support them as they need it,” Howard said.
Before becoming a teacher, Howard worked in the private sector at Lee Enterprises and U.S. Cellular
She became a teacher through Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure, a two-year, state approved program designed for adult learners looking to change their career.
“Jessica, who changed careers from business to education a decade ago, knows firsthand the importance of empowering all learners with multiple pathways to postsecondary success,” said McKinzie Snow, director of the Iowa Department of Education.
“Now, with the support of incredible educators like Jessica and their industry partners, nearly 60% of students are attaining a work-based learning experience while in high school. Every day, Jessica works as an education entrepreneur to change lives, empower her community and strengthen her local economy, and we are proud to congratulate her with this honor,” Snow said.
Howard is a concurrent enrollment course instructor in partnership with Kirkwood Community College, adviser for the school district’s chapters for National Honor Society and Business Professionals of America and coach of Lone Tree’s state champion esports team.
She is an inaugural participate in the Iowa Department of Education’s innovative new Work-Based Learning Endorsement Leadership and Investment for the Field grant that strengthens work-based learning educator pipelines.
She also is a recipient of the Department’s Computer Science Educator Endorsement grant that provides tuition reimbursement for Iowa teachers seeking computer science endorsements and authorizations.
Howard is a former Iowa STEM Teacher Award recipient and has participated in multiple externship program opportunities that paired her with local business and industry partners to further advance career-connected learning in her community.
“Jessica Howard goes beyond teaching content by helping students become solution-oriented, active problem solvers, and that’s exactly how we prepare the next generation with durable skills that will serve them long after graduation,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a press release Wednesday.
Howard “uses hands-on learning to prepare students to succeed in Iowa’s high-demand, high-skill and high-wage jobs, teaching from a place of real-world experience. This is what exceptional teaching looks like, and I am grateful for teachers like Jessica who help prepare Iowa students for success,” Reynolds said.
Established in 1958, the Teacher of the Year award honors an Iowa teacher who advances student learning through evidence-based instruction, empowers students with multiple pathways to postsecondary success, learns from and invests in fellow educators, and serves students in partnership with families.
The annual program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature. Honorees serve as ambassadors to schools, higher education and communities across the state.
Grace King covers K-12 education for The Gazette. She can be reached at [email protected] or (319) 398-8411.
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