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 Pella, 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 Pella, 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 Pella, 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 Pella, 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.
FORT DODGE — With just two days before her wedding, Pella coach Katie Banowetz said she didn't have any thoughts about walking down the aisle during her team's Iowa high school softball state title game against North Polk."That's what the rehearsal is for and setting up the venue is that y...
FORT DODGE — With just two days before her wedding, Pella coach Katie Banowetz said she didn't have any thoughts about walking down the aisle during her team's Iowa high school softball state title game against North Polk.
"That's what the rehearsal is for and setting up the venue is that you know what, we'll figure out what else we need," Banowetz said. "Des Moines is only an hour away from Pella, so I was like, 'The girls deserve my full attention.'"
Backed by a go-ahead two-RBI double by Abigail Melvin in the sixth inning, No. 8 Pella provided Banowetz with the perfect wedding gift — a 4-2 win over No. 3 North Polk on July 24.
The victory secured the program's first state crown.
"It was a rule that if they won a state championship that they would now be invited to the ceremony," Banowetz said. "I think they were maybe a little more excited when I said they're now invited to the ceremony, but really grateful that this group was able to accomplish what they accomplished this year."
The 4A state championship game was a rematch from a July 1 matchup that saw North Polk secure a 3-1 win. This time around, it was the Dutch that crafted a winning formula.
But the Comets struck first in the opening inning.
Senior Ava Husak hit a single before Ava Fjelland took over as the courtesy runner. Fjelland advanced to second on a wild pitch before Lucy Lucas walked. Fjelland then stole third before a passed ball opened a path to score. The North Polk speedster beat the catcher home and made it a 1-0 game.
Pella tied the game in the second inning. Melvin hit a lead-off triple to right-center field before a sacrifice bunt by Bray-Lynne Van Zante brought the junior home. But Husak tossed a pair of strikeouts in the frame to keep the game deadlocked.
The game turned into a defensive battle for the next few innings.
In the bottom of the second, Fjelland made contact on a triple, but the Dutch left the eighth grader stranded. Pella right-hander Emma Eekhoff walked Larissa Koth but got a key double play to keep North Polk off the board in the inning.
North Polk right fielder Madelyn Klever made a diving catch in the third inning that spoiled what would have been a leadoff hit by Eekhoff. Her sister, shortstop Katelyn Klever, mirrored that clutch play with her own diving catch in the top of the fourth frame.
The Comets took a one-run lead in the fifth inning. Ava Koudelka singled to left before Husak got on with an infield single. With Fjelland as the courtesy runner at first base, Lucas moved the runners over with a sacrifice. Another sacrifice bunt by Katelyn Klever brought Koudelka home for the go-ahead run.
Pella also played small ball to flip the game in its favor in the sixth inning. With Haylie DeVries as the courtesy runner following an Eekhoff walk, the freshman stole second base before a throwing error allowed her to score the game-tying run.
Elah Hiemstra singled to right field and Scheckel, who was at first base after a walk, raced to third to beat the tag. Melvin made North Polk pay with a two-RBI double that broke the tie, 4-2.
"I think one of the big things with Pella is they had nothing to lose, and they just came out and attacked and did exactly what they've been doing this whole tournament," said North Polk coach Addy Pender. "Today wasn't our day; we weren't able to come back like in the (semifinals)."
The Comets tried their best to climb back. Back-to-back singles by Lucas and Katelyn Klever brought Tessa Dillinger to the plate with two outs and a chance to win the game. Unfortunately for North Polk, Melvin fielded the final out to complete Pella's championship journey.
"This is so awesome for Katie and the team; it's unbelievable that we're here right now for the season that we've had," said Josh Mayhew, Banowetz's fiance?. "It's just really cool to see all of them come together and come together as a team and win like this in every fashion, so it's just unbelievable.
"They better sit in the back, and I hope they're quiet (at the wedding)," Mayhew jokingly added. "But it'll be fine, it'll be really cool for coach Banowetz and I'm super proud of her and all of them."
Although the final act of North Scott’s season didn’t go as planned, the Comets were able to compile a stellar 36-6 record en route to the 4A state title game. They will graduate six seniors.
"I'm really glad our younger girls got to experience this and got to see somebody else celebrate in the state title game, and I hope that just continues to build and they remember that and that just motivates them to work harder," Pender said.
For Pella, the state crown marks the end of a 25-12 season that will go down in school history and carry over into the wedding festivities.
"It's obviously a huge blessing; very blessed that I was able to get to coach this group of girls and have this special moment with them," Banowetz said. "It's kind of something that you all dream about, but you never know if it's going to happen and really super proud of this group and how they handled everything leading up to this game, especially, and obviously this game as well."
Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.
FORT DODGE — ADM eyed its second-straight appearance in the Class 4A Iowa high school softball st...
FORT DODGE — ADM eyed its second-straight appearance in the Class 4A Iowa high school softball state championship game, but Pella served as the antagonist to that mission.
The Tigers (28-9) saw their state title journey end with a 2-1 loss to the Dutch (24-12) in the state semifinal on July 23 at Rogers Park.
"We just weren't making solid contact," said ADM coach Lindsay Stanford. "If it was eight innings, I think we would have had a different outcome, but it just took a little too slow to get going."
Quality work in the circle by junior Lauren Hagedorn kept the Dutch at bay for the first four innings. She totaled 13 strikeouts, including three strikeout performances in the second, fourth and fifth innings.
"I knew that they were a good hitting team, and I couldn't get them anything good to hit," Hagedorn said. "I was just trying to go out there, do what I do best and just not feel the pressure."
But the ADM bats couldn’t cash in at the plate before the Dutch broke the deadlock in the fifth inning.
Pella sophomore Riley Parks made it to first base off a bunt and stole her way into scoring position before senior Emma Eekhoff cranked a two-run home run that put ADM in a 2-0 hole.
The Tigers countered with a run in the bottom of the frame. A bunt by Aubrey Noring followed by a sacrifice bunt by Ellis Smith put Noring in scoring position. Senior Aniston Tollari made it a 2-1 game after she lined a two-out RBI double down the left field line. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Pella caught Tollari stealing to third to close the frame.
The ADM defense did its best to limit the damage by Pella. In the top of the sixth inning, catcher Kinzie Maxwell caught a bunt at home plate before she slung a throw down to catch a runner leaning off second base to finish off the double play. It was a heads-up play by Tollari, the centerfielder, to cover second while the infielders rotated around on their bunt defense. Hagedorn closed the door in the inning with her 12th strikeout against Pella.
In the seventh inning, with two outs and a runner at first base, the Tigers had one final chance to capture the lead. Ultimately, Eekhoff tossed a strikeout to close the door on ADM’s 2025 campaign.
The Tigers were one game short of a state title game appearance, but that doesn’t take away from what the program accomplished. It was the fifth state tournament appearance in a row for a team that allowed just five runs in over its last four games combined.
"We had a lot of positions to fill after last season and there's a lot of girls who stepped up for this year and I'm just so proud of how far we've come this season," Hagedorn said. "I'm excited for next season with what we can do because we're returning a lot of the same girls, and I know we're going to be able to get back in this position again next year and do what we do best."
Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.
When Smash Park closed in January 2024, it not only left a hole in the restaurant scene in Pella, but also eliminated an entertainment venue as well. Enter Orchestrate Hospitality, the company behind restaurants such as Centro, Bubba, and Django in Des Moines. While the company kept the pickleball courts open, it has now introduced Pella to a se...
When Smash Park closed in January 2024, it not only left a hole in the restaurant scene in Pella, but also eliminated an entertainment venue as well. Enter Orchestrate Hospitality, the company behind restaurants such as Centro, Bubba, and Django in Des Moines. While the company kept the pickleball courts open, it has now introduced Pella to a second restaurant from the hospitality group in the city.
West Side Social Sports Grille and Game House opened in Pella with food, drinks, and plenty of entertainment. It joins sister restaurant Liberty Street Kitchen and Main Street Markt, the specialty food store, from the company in Pella.
“West Side Social is Pella’s entertainment headquarters,” said Orchestrate Hospitality President Paul Rottenberg in a news release.
The 21,000-square-foot facility includes an additional 10,000-square-foot patio. The dining room accommodates 78 diners, while the bar seats another 18. West Side Social includes private and semi-private dining rooms with seating for groups of up to 100. The space features 70 televisions broadcasting all of the games.
On the entertainment side, customers can find four indoor pickleball courts, two golf simulators, two electronic darts lounges, shuffleboard and bocce ball courts, an arcade, and seasonal outdoor gathering areas.
A full roster of family-friendly sports bar fare is on the menu.
For appetizers, try fried mac and cheese bites, birria taquitos, elote corn dip, or a pretzel charcuterie board with soppressata, gouda, cornichon, fig jam, spicy brown mustard, and beer cheese. Wings come with ranch or blue cheese dressing, bone-in, boneless, or cauliflower-based, with sauce options such as Buffalo, honey barbecue, Kansas City barbecue, or garlic Parmesan. Diners can also choose a rub, such as Cajun, ranch, or lemon pepper. Appetizers range from breaded cheese curds for $10.99 to roasted poblano hummus for $16.99, although that pretzel board is $19.99.
Flatbreads come with hot honey pepperoni, street corn, or Buffalo chicken and ranch. All cost $12.99 to $13.99.
Salads start at $12.99 with options such as berry chicken, hot honey chicken and waffle, birria taco, Mediterranean chopped, or loaded chicken Caesar.
For entrees, diners can opt for fish and chips with beer-battered cod, a 12-ounce steak frites with ribeye and Bordelaise sauce, Cajun salmon, hot honey mac with fried chicken strips, or pomegranate grilled chicken, in the $18.99 to $13.99 range.
Four versions of smash burgers can swap veggie or turkey burgers as an option, and sandwiches include renditions with burnt ends, steak, a lobster bisque roll, saucy chicken, or shredded pork and ham dubbed the Bar Be Cuban. Sandwiches and burgers range from $13.99 to $24.99.
The drinks menu includes beers and craft cocktails, as well as nonalcoholic drinks. Margaritas, mules, and frozen drinks have their own space on the menu.
Location: 1000 Fifield Road, Pella
Contact: 515-581-7104 or westsidesocialpella.com.
Hours: Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pickleball courts are open for private rental from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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If you see a new restaurant opening or a beloved place closing, send me some details at [email protected].
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].
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