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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 North Liberty, IA

Home Care North Liberty, 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 Samuel and Emma A. Ranshaw House 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 North Liberty, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care North Liberty, 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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“Tracey Gray helped me in the biggest way today! She saved my day and I am so thankful for her choice to help me! Thank you! #CertPrint #AlwaysBestCare”

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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!”

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“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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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 North Liberty, 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.

 Senior Care North Liberty, IA

Types of Elderly Care in North Liberty, 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

Respite Care North Liberty, 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
 Caregivers North Liberty, 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 Centennial 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
Home Care North Liberty, 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 Tin Roost or visit Cornerstone Nature Area, 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.

 In-Home Care North Liberty, IA

Benefits of Home Care in North Liberty, 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 North Liberty, 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 North Liberty, 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 North Liberty, 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 North Liberty, 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 North Liberty, 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 North Liberty, 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:

  • Keystone Place at Forevergreen
  • Country View
  • North Liberty Living Center
  • Good Samaritan Society
Home Care North Liberty, 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 North Liberty, 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 North Liberty, 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.

 Elderly Care North Liberty, IA

Latest News in North Liberty, IA

GALLERY: Bowling is just the beginning at BowlDogs in North Liberty

New entertainment center now officially open, with hatchet throwing, pool, darts and moreBowldogs, the newest bowling alley in North Liberty, offers much more than an hourlong adventure with 10 pins and a weighted ball.It’s a multifaceted entertainment center with options for the entire family, according to its co-owners, Max and Rachel Albrecht.“We started with a simple idea, and it definitely expanded,” Mr. Albrecht said. “It turned out so much bigger and better than I could have even imagined.&...

New entertainment center now officially open, with hatchet throwing, pool, darts and more

Bowldogs, the newest bowling alley in North Liberty, offers much more than an hourlong adventure with 10 pins and a weighted ball.

It’s a multifaceted entertainment center with options for the entire family, according to its co-owners, Max and Rachel Albrecht.

“We started with a simple idea, and it definitely expanded,” Mr. Albrecht said. “It turned out so much bigger and better than I could have even imagined.”

Located at 1355 Hayes Lane in North Liberty, along the rapidly-developing Penn Street on the city’s north side, BowlDogs officially opened its doors Jan. 27 after a previous soft opening.

It offers 26,000 square feet of entertainment space, including 16 bowling lanes, four VIP lanes, pool tables, dart boards, hatchet throwing and a full kitchen.

BowlDogs is located in the 80-acre Solomon’s Landing developed by Brandon Pratt and his Lion Development Group. The development includes the Palestra sports complex and several multi-family housing structures.

BowlDogs is situated on the east end of an entertainment complex with three attached businesses, including a Pizza Ranch restaurant owned by Mr. Pratt on the west end and a Fun Zone arcade in the middle.

The arcade in the middle of the complex is co-owned by Mr. Pratt and the Albrechts, with internal entrances connecting all three businesses.

Mr. Pratt said when Mr. Albrecht first approached him with the idea of developing BowlDogs, he considered building a separate facility with its own arcade, but Mr. Pratt suggested “putting it all under one roof.”

“When we originally set out to do this, we wanted to try to open as close together as possible,” said Mr. Pratt. “But the architecture of the bowling center is spectacular. We’re going to be incredible neighbors. We’re already doing a lot together. The amount of birthday parties, kids’ activities and late-night entertainment late night crowds, it’s already more than we would have assumed. It’s exciting.”

BowlDogs North Liberty

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The atmosphere of the new BowlDogs is dynamic and energetic, with extensive use of LED lighting. The floor plan is open and expansive, with high ceilings and a large bar in the center, surrounded by the bowling lanes and three hatchet-throwing booths.

A large balcony with pool tables and dart boards overlooks the entire facility, and features two colorful, high-impact murals created by West Liberty artist Carlos Maldonado.

A third blacklight mural is located on the main floor, between the bowling alleys and hatchet-throwing area.

And TV screens are everywhere, from the bar backdrop to full-width screens at the end of the bowling lanes.

“We had some amazing contractors,” Mr. Albrecht said. “Ben Hur, the general contractor, did an incredible job. And Dynamic Designs designed it. They’re one of the best amusement designers in the country. They absolutely knocked it out of the park.”

The name “BowlDogs” is derived from the Albrechts’ longtime experience with owning bulldogs, and the canine theme is reflected throughout the facility, from the murals to a bulldog-and-hydrant display under the balcony stairs and custom bulldog-themed wallpaper.

Mr. Albrecht, who has years of construction experience in the Johnson County area, said he had been exploring entertainment venue options in North Liberty for some time.

“We were thinking of some ideas and some ways to give back to the community, and a good buddy of mine named Ron told me that (Mr. Pratt) had some land for sale,” Mr. Albrecht said. “I saw the spot and thought it was perfect, right off Penn Street, and he’s building these housing units behind it too. So it seemed like a great place to build like a community entertainment center.”

Mr. Albrecht said he’s never had experience with bowling alleys or similar developments.

“I’ve worked in restaurants and bars, but never in a bowling alley,” Mr. Albrecht said. “So we’re actually a little out of our wheelhouse. But you surround yourself with smart people that know what they’re doing. We come from a construction background. We have some construction companies that we own, and I’ve grown up running those with my family. But we tend to get laid off in the winter, so this is our first non-construction based project.”

The expansion of a bowling alley into what has now become an expansive entertainment venue is designed to give North Liberty an option it hasn’t previously offered, Mr. Albrecht said.

“I really love North Liberty,” he said. “I’ve lived here a long time, and I wanted to give something back. One thing the town seemed to kind of miss, and people always seemed to be asking for, is entertainment.There’s been a lot of people talking about bowling and how it would be a great addition. We did some research, and we just felt it would be a really good fit, with the arcade and the bowling. And then we added the hatchet throwing. We’re just trying to offer a bit of everything, so everyone can enjoy themselves.”

The Albrechts also said they hope BowlDogs’ extended hours – 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week – will offer a late-night entertainment option for workers from North Liberty businesses like the nearby Whirlpool warehouse and the soon-to-open UI Health Care campus.

“We’re staying open later to just see the traffic flow,” Mr. Albrecht said. “If it ends up getting really slow at the end, we’ll adjust the hours, but that’s how we’re going to start.”

“As a fellow person who works a lot of swing shifts, it’ll be really nice to have somewhere after work to go get a good bite to eat and do something with the coworkers,” Ms. Albrecht added. “We’re really trying to give families a lot of options and things to do, to keep people here in North Liberty.”

BowlDogs’ food options might be considered unconventional. The menu includes quesadillas with pulled turkey or pork, grilled or buffalo chicken sandwiches, a veggie burrito, a range of salads, “shareables” including crab rangoon dip, dates stuffed with goat cheese and bacon and caprese skewers, sides such as cheese orzo, street corn or blackened veggies, and desserts such as “gutter balls” – iced lemon cake balls topped with chocolate sauce, powdered sugar, ice cream and fresh berries – or rainbow cake, with buttercream frosting, candy sprinkles and ice cream.

“We are not the traditional bowling alley, with everything fried in a basket,” Mr. Albrecht said. “We have real food and a real menu. We’ve had amazing compliments about it.”

Mr. Albrecht said he hopes BowlDogs becomes an integral part of making North Liberty a more regional entertainment attraction.

“We hope that this can be one of the starting grounds,” he said. “You’ve got Field Day, the Palestra, our complex and more. We’re making this sort of a hub. We wanted everything to be as big and as good as we could make it.”

Steindler Orthopedics opening this month, UIHC next month in North Liberty

Orthopedic-focused facilities 2 miles apart in blossoming health care hubVanessa Miller Why you can trust The Gazette The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.Three years after getting the state OK to build an ambulatory surgery center near the booming North Liberty-Tiffin border, Steindler Or...

Orthopedic-focused facilities 2 miles apart in blossoming health care hub

Vanessa Miller

Why you can trust The Gazette

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

Three years after getting the state OK to build an ambulatory surgery center near the booming North Liberty-Tiffin border, Steindler Orthopedic Clinic is two weeks from opening its new location on March 24.

Steindler’s $54.3 million two-part project — including both a 100,000-square-foot clinic and a six-operating-room ambulatory surgery center — sits 2 miles west of where the University of Iowa is scheduled on April 28 to debut its new $525.6 million orthopedics-centered hospital in what is fast becoming an orthopedics-heavy health care hub along Forevergreen Road, between Highway 965 and Interstate 380.

Both the Steindler and UI Health Care projects have been in the works for years, and cleared a range of hurdles — including price increases and construction delays that pushed their completion dates from late 2024 into spring 2025.

With its opening March 24, the new North Liberty Steindler clinic is designed to enhance patient flow and staff collaboration.

Separated by a firewall, its new “state-of-the-art orthopedic ambulatory surgery center” aims offer patients a “lower cost outpatient option for many procedures that previously required hospital admission,” according to a Steindler Orthopedics news release.

Ambulatory surgery centers “typically cost about 40 percent less than hospital-based procedures, making them an excellent choice for same-day outpatient surgeries,” according to Steindler. “Same-day surgeries and simplified check-ins create a smoother, more convenient patient experience.”

Its operating rooms will feature robotics and the latest orthopedic technology.

Its new orthopedic clinic aims to improve the patient experience by minimizing communal waiting and shortening total wait times by separating patient corridors from those used for staff members.

With the facility’s debut, Steindler’s 18 physicians — plus physician assistants, physical therapists and other hand and occupational therapists — will vacate a 33,000-square-foot space it has occupied for decades off Northgate Drive in Iowa City.

With its North Liberty project in the works, Steindler sold that Iowa City property three years ago in 2022 for $11 million to a Kansas City investor in hopes of opening its former home to private practice physicians once empty.

This month’s grand opening comes just under two years after breaking ground on the project in summer 2023 — just over two years after UI Health Care in September 2021 broke ground on its 469,000-square-foot North Liberty campus.

‘Orthopedics and sports medicine’ hospital

In addition to their physical proximity, the health care entities have historical connections dating back to Arthur Steindler, who started at the UI in 1912 and was appointed the university’s first Department of Orthopedics chair in 1925.

After serving in that role for two decades — pioneering musculoskeletal treatment and technology — Steindler in 1949 left to become chief of orthopedics at Mercy Iowa City. The next year he founded Steindler Orthopedic Clinic — aligning its entree into North Liberty this year with its 75th anniversary.

“The roots of orthopedics in Iowa trace back to Dr. Arthur Steindler and the tradition of excellence he established at the Steindler Orthopedic Clinic in 1950,” Steindler President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Magallanes said in a statement. “By investing in a modern, patient-centered clinic design and a fully equipped ambulatory surgery center, Dr. Steindler’s vision for excellence in orthopedic care continues to serve, as we proudly uphold our legacy of delivering accessible, patient-focused, high-quality orthopedic care with high patient satisfaction at a lower cost.”

When the UI first applied for a state certificate to build a hospital in North Liberty, officials highlighted their vision for an orthopedics focus — drawing criticism from health care competitors concerned the university would drive community clinics and providers out of business.

Following the state’s rejection of its first application on those grounds, UI Health Care officials stripped any mention of orthopedics from a revised application, which then received state approval in 2021.

Since breaking ground, the UI increasingly has aired its orthopedic focus for the North Liberty campus — which now features an “orthopedics and sports medicine” banner.

And in announcing its spring opening this month, UIHC officials said the system’s first newly-constructed hospital facility away from its main university campus in Iowa City will welcome its first patients to the hospital’s “orthopedic clinics and operating rooms, orthopedic injury walk-in clinic, and emergency department on Monday, April 28.”

In addition to a new emergency room, 24-hour drive-through pharmacy and clinical lab, the campus will be home to the UI Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation.

“The North Liberty campus will provide a full range of musculoskeletal care — surgery and inpatient care, outpatient clinic services, advanced diagnostic imaging, and a walk-in clinic specifically for acute orthopedic injuries — all under one roof,” according to a UIHC news release on the opening, along with an April 12 open house for the public. “The North Liberty medical center also will serve as the primary location for UI Sports Medicine services.”

“We’ve always provided the most comprehensive treatments and follow-up care for orthopedic patients — from the routine to the most complex and challenging musculoskeletal problems,” J. Lawrence Marsh, chair of the UI Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, said in a statement. “With our new hospital, we’ll be able to provide even greater care and service to patients in our community and from across the state.”

Comments: (319) 339-3158; [email protected]

North Liberty and Hy-Vee Announce Centennial Park Event Center Partnership

Today, Hy-Vee and the City of North Liberty announced a partnership granting the retailer, pending final city council approval, naming rights to the City’s new event center and amphitheater, located in Centennial Park, for the next 15 years.“At Hy-Vee, we are deeply committed to enriching the communities we serve, and naming the Hy-Vee Center and Amphitheatre in North Liberty’s Centennial Park is an exciting way for us to support a vibrant gathering space for families, friends and neighbors,” said Crosspark Roa...

Today, Hy-Vee and the City of North Liberty announced a partnership granting the retailer, pending final city council approval, naming rights to the City’s new event center and amphitheater, located in Centennial Park, for the next 15 years.

“At Hy-Vee, we are deeply committed to enriching the communities we serve, and naming the Hy-Vee Center and Amphitheatre in North Liberty’s Centennial Park is an exciting way for us to support a vibrant gathering space for families, friends and neighbors,” said Crosspark Road Hy-Vee District Store Director Elise Scheil. “This partnership reflects our dedication to fostering connections and creating memorable experiences, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact these venues will have on our surrounding communities for years to come.”

“This investment in our community enhances our ability to provide dynamic spaces for entertainment, recreation and connection,” North Liberty Mayor Chris Hoffman said. “Hy-Vee’s support reflects its ongoing commitment to giving back to local communities, and we’re excited for the countless memories that will be made here by residents and visitors alike.”

Centennial Park’s newly named Hy-Vee Center and Amphitheatre is set to open this fall. Once open, the facility will host a mix of public and private events at this hub of the entertainment park, booking craft fairs, author visits, business functions, weddings, community meals and nonprofit fundraisers. Reservations are now available at northlibertyiowa.org/centennialpark.

The project is a win for all of Johnson County, with an estimated $11.6 million in additional economic activity rippling through businesses across the county. The development also spurs the potential for additional growth on the ample land surrounding the park and will help employers maintain and attract a strong workforce. All residents of Johnson County will benefit from the enhanced quality of life, entertainment and accessibility the new amenities will bring.

The Hy-Vee Center and Amphitheatre, park restrooms, an expansive plaza and necessary utilities are included in phase one of the anticipated four-phase Centennial Park development. Phase two, the Watts Family Play Yard, will bring a premier splash pad, wheelchair-accessible playground units and additional restrooms to the northeast corner of the park, is expected in 2026. Phases three and four will bring an open-air pavilion and honor garden to the park’s west side.

While the completion of the park is expected by 2030, the Building North Liberty’s Next Stage capital campaign that will help fund all phases has raised a total of $3.2 million of its $3.5 million goal.

Gifts to the project are being accepted by the Community Foundation of Johnson County, a 501(c)(3), who can accept gifts as cash, checks, credit card as well as other assets including stocks, required retirement disbursements and more. Gifts are eligible for tax deduction and can be made online at northlibertyiowa.org/give or by check to the Community Foundation of Johnson County at 501 12th Ave, Suite 102, Coralville, IA 52241, noting Centennial Park Fund in the memo.

Questions about the project can be directed to city staff at [email protected].

How Eastern Iowa schools make the call to cancel classes for winter weather

IOWA'S NEWS NOW — During a week of brutal cold across Eastern Iowa, area school districts have been left to make decisions on how to handle the situation - whether it be keeping things going as scheduled, delaying the start of the day, or canceling classes outright.Here's the guidance for Eastern Iowa's six largest school districts, as laid out on their websites.Cedar Rapids Community School District: There's no...

IOWA'S NEWS NOW — During a week of brutal cold across Eastern Iowa, area school districts have been left to make decisions on how to handle the situation - whether it be keeping things going as scheduled, delaying the start of the day, or canceling classes outright.

Here's the guidance for Eastern Iowa's six largest school districts, as laid out on their websites.

Cedar Rapids Community School District: There's no set-in-stone guidance on weather decisions for CRCSD. "Every weather-related event is unique and requires the consideration of multiple factors in determining whether a delay of classes, early dismissal, or cancellation might be necessary," their website states, adding that the final decision is made by the superintendent.

Iowa City Community School District: The ICCSD guidance is pretty specific - laying out scenarios for both snow days and cold-weather days. The district cites the National Weather Service Windchill Chart for temperature-related decisions. They'll delay school if temperatures at 6:00 a.m. would cause frostbite in 30 minutes or less and they'll cancel if similar temperatures stick around until 10:00 a.m. Snow days are more of a judgement call with the district stating that school will be canceled "if heavy snow and/or icy conditions make it exceedingly hazardous or impossible for school buses to travel their routes and/or for employees and students to report to school safely."

Waterloo Community School District: Specific guidance isn't laid out on the Waterloo CSD website, but a post on the district's Facebook page from Tuesday explaining the decision to cancel classes states that "While previous generations might have handled these situations differently, we believe that extreme caution is essential when making decisions that impact our students' health and safety. The well-being of Waterloo students and families is our top priority, and we must adapt to the changing times and expectations of our community." The district had initially decided on a two-hour delay for Tuesday before adjusting to a full cancelation.

Dubuque Community School District: The district lays out specific timelines for decisions to delay or cancel, but doesn't note any guidelines. They direct people to follow their social media pages as well as local TV and radio stations.

Linn-Mar Community School District: Linn-Mar specifies that school will be delayed or canceled for temperatures at -15 degrees or colder. They say a two-hour delay will be possible if the National Weather Service issues a Cold Weather Advisory (wind chills of -20 to -29 degrees). If there's an Extreme Cold Warning (wind chills of -30 degrees or colder) at the start of the school day, classes will be delayed. If the warning stretches past 11:00 a.m. that day, classes will be canceled. The district also specifies that "school will be canceled if heavy snow and/or icy conditions make it exceedingly hazardous or impossible for school buses to travel their routes and/or for employees and students to report to school safely" - the same guidance as seen with Iowa City schools.

College Community School District: District officials say the decision to delay or cancel is weighed once actual temperatures are forecasted for -15 degrees or if there's an Extreme Cold Warning. Using NWS/NOAA numbers, the district checks the temperature in Cedar Rapids and a town in the southern part of the district. Whichever is colder is the temperature used for making a decision on classes. "If the temps are forecasted to rise by 9:00, we delay, if not, we will often cancel," the district site states. "Depending on the model, the district will also look at temps within a degree or two to these targets in context of other weather factors. These decisions for weather are driven by impacts to students using our transportation."

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