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 Tracy, 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.
“Tracey Gray helped me in the biggest way today! She saved my day and I”
“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care”
“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all”
“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable”
“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”
“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”
“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”
“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
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.
Request More Information
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 Tracy, 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 Tracy, 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 Tracy, 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.
He said difficulties managing tenants and the lack of development in Iowa City has contributed to his plans.Cody BlissettTracy Barkalow, a longtime real estate agent and Iowa City landlord, has been a sig...
He said difficulties managing tenants and the lack of development in Iowa City has contributed to his plans.
Tracy Barkalow, a longtime real estate agent and Iowa City landlord, has been a significant figure in Iowa City’s student housing market for more than 20 years.
His stake in Iowa City, however, could be diminishing soon.
His company owns a large swath of residential properties, leading thousands of University of Iowa students to rent from him each year. In the downtown district, Barkalow owns at least seven buildings, totaling 5 percent of a section of downtown analyzed by The Daily Iowan. The City of Iowa City, in comparison, accounted for 6 percent.
Barkalow had a modest upbringing. He grew up in a four-bedroom house in North Liberty, where his mom raised him and his eight siblings.
“I guess that’s kind of what’s made us who we are today. We’re strong. All of us are strong people because of it,” Barkalow said in an interview with the DI.
That strength, he said, is part of what has made him successful as a real estate agent and a landlord. Bakalow said it has taken constant hard work to achieve what he’s been able to do in Iowa City.
But he said times are changing for landlords in the city.
Barkalow plans to sell off his entire residential property holdings in Iowa City, he said, attributing the decision to ongoing challenges in managing tenant relationships and the difficulties of operating in a city he believes is resistant to change.
“I believe within the next five years … My goal is not to own any residential units in Iowa City,” Barkalow said.
Barkalow said he believes there is resistance in the city for developers, which is part of the reason why he wants to divest. He pointed to a multi-year legal battle he had with the city about developing an apartment complex on North Governor Street that would add 84 units.
To accomplish the development, Barkalow needed the property rezoned to allow for larger developments. The Iowa City City Council denied Barkalow’s request, which led him to sue the city. By 2018, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the city’s zoning policy for the property was inaccurate, and Barkalow could proceed with his project.
But this was not the first time this property was involved in a legal dispute.
The decision to let Barkalow proceed was founded off of a 1987 Iowa Supreme Court case that dealt with the same property. The court found the zoning on the lot did not promote enough development, according to city documents. So, until the lots were developed, they would be zoned for high density development, which was the case when Barkalow inquired on developing the property.
“It’s a good opportunity to increase the housing surplus in Iowa City. It’s good for the overall market. It increases tax base,” Barkalow said. “I just don’t understand what the goal is for Iowa City, to be honest with you.”
Ultimately, Barkalow said his plans to sell all of his residential property do not come from a disdain for the city, and the decision was challenging because he’s spent so much time trying to develop here.
“I’m not a perfect angel by any means,” Barkalow said, reflecting on his career as a landlord. “I’ve had bumps in the road, and I’ve made bad decisions as I go through some things, but I change, and I get better, and I try to do better and be a good part of the community.”
While Barkalow reflects on his experience in the Iowa City market, local business owner Katy Brown offers a different perspective on the relationship between landlords and tenants.
Brown, who owns the recently opened Kitty Corner Social Club on South Clinton Street, claims Barkalow’s reputation among tenants has been problematic for years.
RELATED: Iowa City’s Sanctuary Pub closes after 52 years of business
Since opening her business in February, Brown alleges many landlords, including Barkalow, have failed to prioritize communication with tenants.
Brown said she wants to use her business on South Clinton to be an example of how to treat people properly and give people a space where they feel welcomed because she believes landlords in Iowa City are not treating students properly.
She said her experience having four children renting in Iowa City has shaped her view toward landlords’ approach to tenants.
“Students are living in disgusting conditions,” she said. “The communication of these companies is absurd. Yeah, they don’t have office hours, [and] they don’t answer their phones. I don’t understand how you can have a company in the state of Iowa, a for-profit company, and not be accountable.”
Barkalow said he believes the issue with Iowa City is its unwillingness to expand and develop like neighboring towns.
“Unfortunately, the city itself has not been embracing development or embracing any change. So, Iowa City has kind of been stale, in my opinion, on what it could be,” Barkalow said. “A lot of people in Iowa City are upset for me wanting to make changes or make the next step or chapter for Iowa City.”
Longtime Iowa City resident Vera Gross, whose family has owned a building on South Clinton Street since the 1980s, disagrees with the idea that Iowa City hasn’t been developing but acknowledges it is done so in a unique way.
Gross’ building houses a clothing store and two apartments. Since the 1980s, Gross said retailers have slowly trickled out of town, and in their place are bars and other businesses catered toward nightlife.
“Things change. There’s progress. There are a lot of positive things that have happened, but it’s harder for an independent retailer,” Gross said.
She said Iowa City has maintained much of its historical value throughout the years, but many of the houses in neighborhoods are dilapidated because of landlords and unresponsive property management companies.
“There are definitely people who take shortcuts or simply just don’t do it until they get pushed into it,” she said.
The independent, student-run newsroom at the DI covers the University of Iowa and local community to keep you informed. Your support helps provide the necessary resources and training to continue our mission.
Alex and Tanner Tracy learned that their unborn daughter, Lilly, had a tumor just 20 weeks into Alex's pregnancy.Lilly had a rare medical condition known as sacrococcygeal teratoma, where a tumor forms on the base of the tailbone. It affected her development in the womb and her ability to walk and develop as a newborn.Family and friends of the Tracys – along with the community of Larchwood, Iowa – plan to come together to support the family with a benefit on Saturday. The event will raise funds to hel...
Alex and Tanner Tracy learned that their unborn daughter, Lilly, had a tumor just 20 weeks into Alex's pregnancy.
Lilly had a rare medical condition known as sacrococcygeal teratoma, where a tumor forms on the base of the tailbone. It affected her development in the womb and her ability to walk and develop as a newborn.
Family and friends of the Tracys – along with the community of Larchwood, Iowa – plan to come together to support the family with a benefit on Saturday. The event will raise funds to help cover Lilly's medical bills and associated travel costs.
Combined, Alex and Lilly have gone through four surgeries to remove the teratoma and address the consequences of the tumor. The Larchwood couple didn't know if Lilly was going to withstand the pregnancy or survive her birth Oct. 23, 2017.
But they kept doing what they could. They still are.
"We try to make the best out of everything," said Tanner, who works at Stensland Family Farms. "Giving your kid a kiss and then having to watch them put her under is always hard, but we always try to get through it."
The Tracys traveled to Denver and Ohio for surgeries involving Lilly, who was born prematurely at 31 weeks and three days. Alex and Lilly also spent 65 days in Sanford's neonatal intensive care unit.
The stress has been hard on the family, but each trial is worth it to see Lilly smile.
"She's the 'smiliest' baby you've ever met," Tanner said. "You'd never guess there's anything wrong with this kid. She does not let anything stop her, that's for sure."
Friends and family have supported the Tracy family through Lilly's care by watching after the family's dog and giving Tanner a place to stay in Sioux Falls while Alex and Lilly were in the NICU. The benefit is only adding to the support they're already grateful for.
"When you go through something like this, it's hard to not feel completely alone," Tanner said. "Even when you are surrounded by family, you're stuck in your head with what can go wrong or what is going wrong. You lose the sense that you have all these people to put weight on if you need to. It's nice to be reminded you aren't alone and you have a whole community of people there for you. It's a good feeling."
Lilly isn't done with surgeries yet. She has a procedure planned for her foot early next year so she can walk and will have another surgery in a few years. Between then and likely for the rest of her life, she'll have regular follow-ups with doctors regarding her condition.
"Lilly's been a trooper through this whole thing," Tanner said. "It's not done quite yet, but she's still the happiest little girl."
What: Benefit for LIlly Tracy with silent auction, raffle, and pork feed
Where: Larchwood Recreation Center in Larchwood, Iowa
When: Saturday, Nov. 10, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Donations: Call Terry Viereck (605-408-6770) or Tim and Sue Viereck (712-477-2550) or mail to Tanner and Alexandra Tracy, PO Box 52, Larchwood, IA 51241.
877-292-2126
