It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Motor Mill Historic Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Martelle, 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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“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!”
“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.”
“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!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Martelle City Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Chez Grace - Nouveau French Cuisine or visit Ely's Stone Bridge, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Martelle, 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 Martelle, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Martelle, 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.
Harpers Ferry area history ... A number of historical items, such as those pictured above, were on display at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society held Saturday, November 4 at the Ethel Robinson Meehan Community Center in Harpers Ferry. In an effort to preserve that past, the Society continues to work toward the future with plans for a new museum to be built. Submitted photo. Historical progress ... Pictured above is the area known as Martelle Heritage Park in Harpe...
Harpers Ferry area history ... A number of historical items, such as those pictured above, were on display at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society held Saturday, November 4 at the Ethel Robinson Meehan Community Center in Harpers Ferry. In an effort to preserve that past, the Society continues to work toward the future with plans for a new museum to be built. Submitted photo.
Historical progress ... Pictured above is the area known as Martelle Heritage Park in Harpers Ferry, the site where many of the projects undertaken by the Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society have become, and will continue to become, a reality. The former Oil Springs School and accompanying outhouse pictured at right in the photo have been in place on the site since being moved from their original location just north of Harpers Ferry in 2016, and plans have been in place for the property to also house a new museum (as indicated by the sign in the photo at left) that will house many artifacts, documents and other historic items from the Harpers Ferry area, with plans for breaking ground on that project in 2024 and completion of the project currently planned for sometime in 2026. Photos by Brianne Grimstad.
Displaying her heritage ... Pictured above is Marlys Martelle standing next to the sign identifying Martelle Heritage Park in Harpers Ferry. The Martelle family donated property in Harpers Ferry where the Harpers Ferry Area Historical Society has moved the Oil Springs School and where a new museum housing much more history from the Harpers Ferry area is being planned to be constructed within the next couple years. Submitted photo.
The Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society (HFAHS) celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday, November 4 with an event held at the Ethel Robinson Meehan Community Center in Harpers Ferry. Guests at the celebration heard from two speakers, Effigy Mounds National Monument Superintendent Susan Snow and Maiden Voyage Tours, LLC Captain and Harpers Ferry resident Robert Vavra.
“Preserving this history is preserving my history,” Vavra noted. His riverboat tours cover many topics and he is well-versed in Mississippi River history, as he has relied on the river to make a living, including spending time as a clammer and a diver for mussels to be used in the cultured pearl industry.
Live music was performed at the November 4 celebration by John Stravers following the presentations. A sample of some of the donated artifacts with ties to the Harpers Ferry area were also on display.
HFAHS BEGINNINGS The HFAHS was incorporated in 2013 as a 501(c)(3) organization, and has a tax-exempt status. Surveys had been sent out to residents of the Harpers Ferry area, and it was determined that there needed to be some way to preserve the history, culture and lore of that community. The resulting HFAHS group that was formed now has a president, a vice president, secretary, treasurer and board of directors, and the group holds monthly meetings. HFAHS funds its projects through donations of time and money, as well as grant writing.
The group has held events like cemetery walks, Kids’ Day activities and setting up artifact displays at local family gatherings. The HFAHS also plans to host a tour of homes in Harpers Ferry June 9 of next year. The organization also maintains an online presence through its Facebook page and a recently launched website, www.harpersferryheritage.org.
HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS Through the survey and word of mouth, there were many people who shared that they wanted to donate items of historical significance to the Harpers Ferry area, but the group had no dedicated facility to store such items.
“Things (artifacts) show up all the time,” board member Karen Soper noted. “Some of these things are really precious and need to be preserved.”
She explained that they have held History Days, where people could bring in artifacts related to the history of the area and be interviewed for preservation of oral histories. With donations of artifacts coming in and information being shared through interviews, HFAHS began to look in earnest for a facility where these items could be displayed and properly preserved. The group obtained property formerly owned by the Martelle family in 2015 and the area was named the Martelle Heritage Park, located at the corner of Vine Street and North 2nd Street in Harpers Ferry, adjacent to Tillinghast Park.
Other Harpers Ferry non-profit groups have been involved with projects, as well as the Harpers Ferry City Council and the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors. Theresa Gallagher, who became involved with the project as a grant coordinator for one of several grants the group has received, says she is extremely proud of the direction things are going. She was part of the early visioning process with HFAHS.
Gallagher is originally from Waukon, and said she was hired for the project because she wasn’t from Harpers Ferry and could be objective with her views. “I am very grateful for the time I spent with them (working with HFAHS) and my heart beats in gratitude for them to be carrying on,” she said.
Though she is now retired and living in Dubuque, Gallagher says members of the group keep her informed on what they are doing. In addition to being the grant coordinator, Gallagher also spent some time working as a volunteer on projects, including Oil Springs School, which was an undertaking in itself for the group.
OIL SPRINGS SCHOOL In 2016, Steve and Shirley Hawes gifted to the HFAHS the Oil Springs School, a one-room school house that was formerly located just north of town near the location of Mohn’s Fish Market, and an outhouse to go with it. The buildings were moved to the Martelle Heritage Park late in 2016, and restoration work began. The school was opened to the public in 2018. All of the items in the Oil Springs School are donated artifacts, many of which were used by Harpers Ferry area residents who attended the school themselves or had relatives that did. The school has proven to be a popular destination.
Soper noted that there are a lot of younger people and kids, ages 6-15, who will visit the school and be amazed. “We have some that will come back several times when visiting in the summer,” she noted.
While the school provides a way to display some of the donations HFAHS has received, even more space was needed. The Martelle Heritage Park is an area that provides ample space for such additional buildings.
MUSEUM PLANS There have been plans for a museum in Harpers Ferry since 2014, but after looking at several locations in town, there really wasn’t anything that fit the need, so HFAHS decided one would have to be built. To help in the planning process, members have visited museums, historical facilities and attended conferences.
As the group began to look at plans for a proposed 9,000 square foot facility, COVID happened and slowed the process considerably. The group wasn’t able to meet and the cost of materials sky-rocketed. The building being proposed is a 60-foot by 120-foot structure that will also feature a wrap-around porch, with the front of the building being designed to replicate the former Harper Hotel.
There will be a viewing window, with plans to display ice harvesting equipment year-round. There will also be various displays featuring the history of local groups, organizations, churches, Emma Big Bear, and other local history. The museum will also feature a research room if visitors want to do some family history research. Funding for the project comes from donations, grants, and fundraising events like shirt sales, a basket auction and bake sales.
“Right now, the museum is a big focus,” said HFAHS President Jane Hasek. “We have so many items in storage that need to be out where people can see them and have access to them.”
The group is continuing to conduct its capital campaign for the museum, thus far having secured pledges of $250,000 of the $800,000 price tag for the project, and will continue to pursue grant money. Hasek noted that the cost of materials continues to be volatile and some things are not readily available. The plan is to break ground in 2024, with hopes of completion by 2026.
For more information on the Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society, to donate to the museum capital campaign, or to become a member, visit the group’s Facebook page or website. Donations can also be mailed to Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society, P.O. Box 224, Harpers Ferry, Iowa 52146.
Pitch your deal to Ellie via Opendorse 2024: Played and started in all 55 games for the Mavericks, primarily at second base...Led the team in several categories, including batting average (.385), runs scored (41), hits (67) and on-base percentage (.437)...Tallied at least two hits in 23 games...Scored a season0high three runs against both Emporia State and Findlay...Put together an 11-game hitting streak...Earned All...
Pitch your deal to Ellie via Opendorse 2024: Played and started in all 55 games for the Mavericks, primarily at second base...Led the team in several categories, including batting average (.385), runs scored (41), hits (67) and on-base percentage (.437)...Tallied at least two hits in 23 games...Scored a season0high three runs against both Emporia State and Findlay...Put together an 11-game hitting streak...Earned All-NSIC First Team accolades...Named to the NSIC All-Academic Team and to the CSC Academic All-District Team.
2023: Played and started in all 50 games for the Mavericks, primarily at second base…Led the team with a .384 batting average and 58 hits…Scored 27 runs and drove in 27 runs…Recorded at least two hits in 18 games…Drove in a season-high four runs against Northwest Missouri State (2/3)…Named the NSIC Player of the Week once and was named to the All-NSIC Second Team…Named to the NSIC All-Academic Team and the CSC Academic All-District Team.
2022: Played in 53 games for the Mavericks, including 45 starts while splitting time at second base and as the designated player…Led the team with a .380 batting average as she tallied 52 hits…Finished second on the team in runs scored with 35, while driving in 13…Finished second on the team in stolen bases with 21…Named to the All-NSIC Second Team and the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence…Posted at least two hits in 11 games, including a season-best four against Upper Iowa (4/12)…Put together a 12-game hitting streak.
2021: Played in 29 games, including two starts…Batted .391 with three doubles and seven RBI…Scored eight runs and stole four bases…Tallied three hits and five RBI in one game against Wayne State.
High School: An infielder from Martelle, Iowa, Ellie Tallman was a three-year starter and letterwinner at shortstop for the Anamosa High School softball team...She also played two seasons as a member of the basketball team...As a freshman, she claimed all-district and all-conference honors after batting .482 with 34 runs scored and 22 runs batted in...As a sophomore Tallman batted .410 with 28 runs scored, before claiming all-conference honors during her junior season after batting .404 with 42 RBI and 36 runs scored...She also made the final out to help her team win the conference championship as they went 16-3 in conference play.
Personal: Ellie is the daughter of Debbie and Keith Tallman...Born September 28, 2001...Intends to major in special education.
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