It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Solon Historical Society 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 Solon, 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 in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Solon Community Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Bluebird Cafe Solon or visit Solon Bicentennial Park & Solon Bull House Gallery, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Solon, 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 Solon, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Solon, 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.
SOLON, Iowa – Florence Elizabeth (Green) Boldridge, 80, passed away at Solon Nursing Facility in Solon, Iowa, on Saturday, April 26, 2025. She was born on Jan. 28, 1945, in St. Joseph, to James and Helen Green.She graduated from Central High School, in St. Joseph, and was the first class to integrate that high school. She was the accompanist for the Concert Choir at Central. As an accomplished pianist she was organist for New Hope Baptist Church and St. Francis Baptist Temple and attended the Conservatory of Music in Chicago. Sh...
SOLON, Iowa – Florence Elizabeth (Green) Boldridge, 80, passed away at Solon Nursing Facility in Solon, Iowa, on Saturday, April 26, 2025. She was born on Jan. 28, 1945, in St. Joseph, to James and Helen Green.
She graduated from Central High School, in St. Joseph, and was the first class to integrate that high school. She was the accompanist for the Concert Choir at Central. As an accomplished pianist she was organist for New Hope Baptist Church and St. Francis Baptist Temple and attended the Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She and her sister Etta were the first African American members of the music society Fort Nightly in St. Joseph.
She graduated from Mount St. Scholastica College, in Atchison, Kansas, where she met Leon Boldridge. She worked at the University of Kansas in the School of Engineering for 30 years as the Director of Diversity and Women’s Programs (formally SCoRMEBE). Upon retirement she moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where she enjoyed spending time with her many friends at Melrose Meadows Retirement Community and Keystone at Forevergreen, including her best friend, Pete. She enjoyed cooking, music, and spending time with family.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She leaves behind her daughter, Liz Tovar (Steve), of Iowa City; son, Stewart Boldridge, of Wichita, Kansas; her sister, Etta Cox, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and family members.
A celebration of life will be determined at a late date. In lieu of flowers, all contributions can be made to KU Endowment, School of Engineering, Florence Boldridge Scholarship Fund. https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1312/lg21/form.aspx?sid=1312&gid=1&pgid=349&cid=945&sort=1&appealcode=WEB
Online condolences and memories of Florence can be shared with her family at www.lensingfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
One of the many reasons I love the NFL Draft is it consistently gives me the opportunity to read about a slew of local boys who saw their dreams come true. In last year's draft, Dubuque native Jack Plummer was signed by the Carolina Panthers. In the 2023 NFL Draft, Council Bluffs, IA native Ma...
One of the many reasons I love the NFL Draft is it consistently gives me the opportunity to read about a slew of local boys who saw their dreams come true. In last year's draft, Dubuque native Jack Plummer was signed by the Carolina Panthers. In the 2023 NFL Draft, Council Bluffs, IA native Max Duggan was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Now, a Solon, IA native will have his opportunity to earn an NFL roster spot after his new team selected two quarterbacks in the sixth round on Saturday, April 26th, 2025.
With the 215th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Cam Miller, a quarterback who spent all five seasons of his collegiate career with the North Dakota State Bison. Miller becomes one of several signal callers to be drafted over the last eight years. Carson Wentz (2017), Easton Stick (2019), and Trey Lance (2021) are the others.
READ MORE: Dubuque Native QB Makes His NFL Debut for the Carolina Panthers
Unlike those names, however, Miller is an Iowa native, having grown up in Solon, IA. For Solon High School, Miller had a notable, dual-threat career, throwing for 2,436 yards and 28 touchdowns while also rushing for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns. I've driven through the town of Solon several times, past Solon High School even. It's a quaint, idyllic town, and you can bet the small, homey enclave is thrilled at the prospect of a new hometown hero.
Following his time at Solon High School, Miller committed to North Dakota State in 2019. Although his freshman year might've been dampened by the COVID-19 pandemic, he went on to be the school's starting quarterback in 2021, a job he held onto for four seasons.
During his time at North Dakota State, Miller led the Bison to two FCS National Championship victories (2021 and 2024), and was named MVP for his performance in the 2024 Championship game. In his career as a Bison, he threw for just under 10,000 yards, 81 touchdowns, and had a win-loss record of 45-11.
Miller's selection by the Raiders came just one pick after Las Vegas selected Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott with the 213th pick. Because this was a weird draft, the Raiders were not the only team to take two quarterbacks. The Cleveland Browns selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round before trading up to get Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round.
The Raiders were in quarterback purgatory when the 2024 season concluded. Under new head coach Pete Carroll and General Manager John Spytek (a Wisconsin native, I'll add), the Raiders traded for Geno Smith to serve as their starting quarterback. There will be a stiff competition to backup Smith, not only between newcomers Miller and Mellott, but also incumbent Aidan O'Connell. O'Connell is entering his third season with Las Vegas.
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It was a clash of Class 3A Iowa high school football heavyweights at Spartan Stadium on Friday night.No. 3 Solon football faced its...
It was a clash of Class 3A Iowa high school football heavyweights at Spartan Stadium on Friday night.
No. 3 Solon football faced its biggest challenge to date, a head-to-head matchup with No. 4 Mount Vernon.
With both teams coming into the game undefeated, somebody was going to walk out with a blemish on their record. But the Spartans (4-0) prevailed, pulling out a 7-6 nailbiter over the Mustangs (3-1).
"Over the past three weeks, we've played good opponents but nothing like Mount Vernon," said Solon sophomore Maddox Kelley. "So, a win like that drives our confidence a whole lot going into next week and weeks after that."
Here are three reasons why Solon football is a state title contender in Class 3A.
The final two minutes brought a wave of emotions. Up 7-0, the Spartans needed a few stops to walk away with a win. But it's never as simple as it sounds.
On second-and-15, the Solon allowed a 65-yard touchdown. On top of that, the Mustangs rolled out its offense to attempt a two-point conversation for the win. At that point, the message was clear for the Spartans: don't linger on past mistakes.
"Like the rest of the game on defense, we couldn't dwell on the previous play," said Solon coach Lucas Stanton. "We had to go with a next-play mentality. I know it sounds super cliche, but we just moved on."
The Spartans made up for the late-game scare with a game-clinching stop. They pressured Mount Vernon quarterback Kellen Haverback out of the pocket and forced an overthrown ball that sealed the win.
Those "grind-it-out" wins build mental toughness, a trait that is needed when competing in a tough field of competition in Class 3A.
"For our kids, it shows them that they can be put through some tough situations, and they can battle with anybody," Stanton said. "If we get through this four-week gauntlet (Mount Vernon, Grinnell, Benton, Williamsburg), we're going to be tested, and we'll be able to make a run."
It's no surprise that the first turnover of the game belonged to Kelley, a sophomore who's already regarded as one of the best young pass-catchers in the Iowa City area.
At the right place at the right time, Kelley, who entered Friday's game with a team-high 229 yards on 17 receptions, showcased those pass-catching skills on the opposite side of the ball. He picked off a tipped pass that stopped the Mustangs' momentum.
After a second turnover fell in the hands of senior Owen Einwalter, Kelley broke on the ball and snatched his second interception of the night. Those three turnovers were difference-makers.
"The first one...just happened to be right there; it just hit into my hands. But the second one I kind of cheated a little bit because the way they were motioning," Kelley said. "I was kind of expecting that, and so when I saw them go out ... I was like 'I hope he comes over here because I'm going to get it'".
There's no doubt that Kelley has become a spark for the Spartans this season, no matter what side of the ball he's on.
"He's a ball hawk, he's a game changer," Stanton said. "They kind of took him away on offense, but they couldn't take him away on defense."
The Spartans were held to a season-low 7 points. Mount Vernon's defense, which allowed just about 8 points per game this season, created some problems.
But Solon's only touchdown made all the difference in the end.
The Spartans set the tone with a six-play, 65-yard drive that lasted just 59 seconds in the first quarter. Like he has all this season, running back Eddie Johnson answered the call. A 45-yard explosion on a swing pass helped put the Spartans in Mustang territory. Four plays later, Johnson — who rushed for over 100 yards Friday — walked in a 2-yard touchdown to put the first six points on the board.
"Our line got after it (during that first drive)," Johnson said. "We did that little swing pass, I just broke a couple of tackles, and then we finished it off."
While there is room for improvement, a win over a rival like Mount Vernon is the type of adversity the Spartans needed to overcome to prove to the state they are state title contenders.
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