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 Prairie City, 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”
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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.”
“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.
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 Prairie City, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
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 Prairie City, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
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 Prairie City, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
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Since 2003, the Iowa Pork Producers Association has named a restaurant serving the best breaded pork tenderloin in the state. That first contest named Darrell’s Place in Hamlin as the best in the state. Forty pork producers tried BPTs from 90 restaurants across the state to determine a winner.
And a tradition was born.
Since then, restaurants big and small from Elk Horn to Ogden and Creston to St. Olaf found themselves in the top five for the state, and 21 have earned the honor of being called the best.
To be considered, pork tenderloins must be hand-breaded or battered. The restaurant also must be open all year long and feature the breaded pork tenderloin on the menu as a regular item. That means no food trucks, concession stands, seasonal eateries, and catering businesses are eligible.
Currently, pork producer judges make their picks based on the taste and quality of the pork, physical characteristics, and presentation to make the first cut of nominees. Then a panel of three judges head out to the five finalist restaurants to select the first- and second-place winners, announced later this month.
2024 nominees
The Market at the Tap in Monticello
Here’s a look at previous winners as well as runners up.
2023 nominees
Spillway Supper Club in Harpers Ferry.
Stumpy’s Bar & Grill in Duncombe.
ToJo’s Bar & Grill in Jamaica.
The Roadhouse in Orange City.
2022
First place — Lid’s Bar & Grill, Waukon
Second place — Ludlow’s Steakhouse, Corydon
Top five
Main Street Bar & Grill, Massena
St. Olaf Tavern, St. Olaf
5th Quarter Bar & Grill, Van Meter
2021
First place — Victoria Station, Harlan
Second place — Larsen’s Pub, Elk Horn (2007 winner)
Top five
Stalker’s Pub, Miles
Z’s Eatery and Draught Haus, Indianola
Old Road Cafe & Bar, Emerson
2020
First place — PrairieMoon on Main, Prairieburg
Second place — Birdies, Burgers and Brews at Hillcrest Golf & Country Club, Graettinger
Top five
The Blind Pig, Cedar Rapids
Sasquatch Jacks Hideaway Barroom & Grill, Waverly
Bents Smokehouse & Pub, Westgate
2019
First place — The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton
Second place — Stumble Inn, Bradford
Top five
Nite Hawk Bar & Grill, Slater
Big Al’s BBQ, Des Moines
West Side Family Restaurant, Grinnell
2018
First place — Three C’s Diner, Corning
Second place — Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew, Luther
Top five
The Landmark Bistro, Grundy Center
Nine & Dine, Eagle Grove
Stout’s Irish Pub & Grill, Clinton
2017
First place — Grid Iron Sports Bar and Grill, Webster City
Second place — Northside Cafe, Winterset (Closed)
Top five
The Buffalo Tavern, Burlington
Thirsty Carp, Lake View
Double Dip, Chariton
2016
First place — Nick’s, Des Moines (Closed)
Second place — 1901 Chop Haus, Traer
Top five
Sweet ‘n Saucy BBQ & Catering, Fairfield
Stumpy’s Bar & Grill, Duncombe
Willie’s Sports Bar Inc., Hampton
2015
First place — Belmond Drive-In, Belmond
Second place — Three C’s Diner, Corning
Top five
The Recovery Room, Ottumwa
Peru Bar & Grill, Peru
The Office, Lenox
2014
First place — The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill, Ogden
Second place — Brick Street Butler Cafe?, Bondurant
Top five
TC’s Point After, De Witt (Closed)
B & S’s 529, Carroll
Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill, Princeton
Menlo Cafe?, Menlo
2013
First place — River Rock Cafe?, Mt. Pleasant
Second place — 209 Main, Paton
Top five
Hard Luck Cafe?, Kalona
Doosky’s Pizza & Patio Restaurant, Hinton
Malarky’s Pub, Storm Lake
2012
First place — Breitbach’s Country Dining, Balltown
Second place — Vinny’s BBQ, Dakota City
Top five
The Dog House, Pella (Closed)
Kelly’s Country Oven, Monticello
Antlers Bar & Grill, Clare
2011
First place — Gramma’s Kitchen, Walcott
Second place — The Country House Family Restaurant, Colo (Closed)
Top five
Legal Limit Pub & Grill, Boone
The Rusty Duck, Dexter
Newton’s Paradise Cafe, Waterloo
2010
First place — Buck’s Bar & Grill, Mitchellville (Closed)
Second place — Happy’s Place, Dubuque
Top five
CJ’s, Aspinwall (Closed)
Boonie’s, Earlville
The Gasthaus, Cherokee
2009
First place — Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Prairie City
Second place — TC’s Point After, De Witt (Closed)
Top five
Corner Station, Templeton
Tojo’s Bar & Grill, Jamaica
Angle Inn, Walford
2008
First place — Augusta Restaurant, Oxford
Second place — Michael’s Restaurant, Des Moines
Top five
The Palmer House, Palmer
Flatheads Bar & Grill, St. Anthony
Hillcrest Golf & Supper Club, Graettinger
2007
First place -- Larsen’s Pub, Elk Horn
Second place -- Rustix Restaurant, Humboldt
Top Five: Fat Randi’s Bar & Grill, Van Meter
Junction Bar & Grill, Delta
BK’s Sports Bar & Grill, Ogden
2006
First place — The Town House Supper Club, Wellsburg
Second place — The Links Restaurant & Lounge, Panora
Top five
Jo’s Bar & Grill, Searsboro
TC’s Point After, De Witt (Closed)
St. Olaf Tavern, St. Olaf
2005
First place — Dairy Sweet, Dunlap (under new management)
Second place — Lou’s Diner, Woodward
Top five
Mr. Bibbs Tenderloins, Des Moines
Big John’s, Bode
The Farmer’s Kitchen, Atlantic
2004 (Best Grilled Tenderloin Contest)
First place — Suburban Restaurant, Ames (out of business)
Second place — Stinky’s Bar & Grill, Aplington
Third place — Slaby’s Restaurant, Walcott
2003
First place — Darrell’s Place, Hamlin
Second place — Rookie’s Bar & Grill, North Liberty
Top five
Elm’s Club, Creston
Perry Bowl, Perry
Viking Lake, Stanton
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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