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 Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, 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.
Iowa isn’t the first Midwestern state Buc-ee’s has targeted, as the chain is also developing its first location in Wisconsin and pursuing a site in Indiana, among others. If it arrives in Urbandale, a suburb just outside of Des Moines, Buc-ee’s would immediately compete with — and pose a major threat to — some of the most popular c-store retailers in the country, such as Casey’s General Stores, Maverik and Kwik Trip.In a statement to C-Store Dive, Rose Schroder, community development director for th...
Iowa isn’t the first Midwestern state Buc-ee’s has targeted, as the chain is also developing its first location in Wisconsin and pursuing a site in Indiana, among others. If it arrives in Urbandale, a suburb just outside of Des Moines, Buc-ee’s would immediately compete with — and pose a major threat to — some of the most popular c-store retailers in the country, such as Casey’s General Stores, Maverik and Kwik Trip.
In a statement to C-Store Dive, Rose Schroder, community development director for the city of Urbandale, said the planning commission’s recommended approval of the land-use amendment on Aug. 10 “was the first step of several in the development process.”
The amendment will now move to Urbandale’s city council. If the council approves it, Buc-ee’s would then need to submit a rezoning request and site plan for review by the planning commission and city council, Schroder added.
“Buc-ee’s Travel Centers have become an economic engine that creates opportunities and growth in every community Buc-ee’s has built,” Buc-ee’s representative said in the planning documents. “The Des Moines and Iowa market is primed to support the unique brand and loyal customers that makes Buc-ee’s more than a travel center.”
Since 2019, the c-store chain has been rapidly expanding beyond its home state.
Buc-ee’s’ closely watched expansion plans have accelerated this year. The retailer has debuted in Arizona and Ohio, broken ground on its first North Carolina store and received approvals for additional locations in Ohio and Virginia. It joins other convenience retailers like QuikTrip, Sheetz, Wawa and Dash In that are moving into new states.
A spokesperson from Buc-ee’s declined to comment.
URBANDALE, Iowa — Carnival rides, live music, food vendors and one of the metro’s biggest Fourth of July parades drew thousands to Urbandale on Saturday for the city’s 71st annual celebration.From the morning 5K to the evening fireworks, the celebration offered events for all ages. But for many, the day was about something bigger than the festivities.For longtime volunteer Alan Fuller, it was about tradition. “A sense of value that it’s carried on,” Fuller said. “I be...
URBANDALE, Iowa — Carnival rides, live music, food vendors and one of the metro’s biggest Fourth of July parades drew thousands to Urbandale on Saturday for the city’s 71st annual celebration.
From the morning 5K to the evening fireworks, the celebration offered events for all ages. But for many, the day was about something bigger than the festivities.
For longtime volunteer Alan Fuller, it was about tradition.
“A sense of value that it’s carried on,” Fuller said. “I believe in standards. You set a standard, and that’s what you live by. And tradition and standards just go together.”
The day began with the William Courtney 5K, Kid’s Mile and Tot Trot before spectators lined the streets for the annual parade. Throughout the afternoon, families packed Lions Park to enjoy carnival rides, food vendors, live entertainment and kids activities before ending the night with fireworks.
Many said the celebration has become an annual tradition.
“I think it being the 4th of July really brings out a lot of people who aren’t runners,” runner Cole Leggett said. “They come in, they celebrate America’s birthday and they just want to get this exercise in and celebrate.”
For Blake Smith, the celebration is about bringing people together.
“I think it just brings the community more together and just a way for people to bond who have, like, similar hobbies to kind of come out and have fun together on the fourth,” Smith said.
Others said it brings back childhood memories.
“Holidays mean a lot to kids. I mean, when I was younger, I loved going to the parade. So it’s nice that Urbandale can bring that together for such a great community,” Landon Hartley said.
While thousands filled the parade route Saturday morning, dozens of volunteers worked behind the scenes to make the celebration possible.
Fuller knows that work well.
He spent 22 years organizing Urbandale’s Fourth of July parade, helping continue one of the metro’s longest-running Independence Day traditions.
“It’s fun to see that people still take that kind of interest and joy to see this parade,” Fuller said.
This year’s celebration was especially meaningful for Fuller.
He walked in the parade one final time with the Urbandale Breakfast Lions, which is disbanding this year after decades of community service.
He said stepping away from the celebration won’t be easy.
“Yeah it does. It’s hard to give it up. It’s hard to give it. As I keep saying, this ain’t my circus and these ain’t my monkeys,” Fuller said.
As a member of Lions International, Fuller said serving the community is what kept him coming back every Fourth of July. “Our slogan is ‘We Serve,’ and we take that to heart. And that’s one of the reasons I do this parade, because I can serve,” Fuller said.
After 71 years, the Urbandale Fourth of July celebration continues to be one of the metro’s largest Independence Day traditions—thanks to volunteers like Fuller and the thousands of people who return each year to celebrate together.
URBANDALE, Iowa — Carnival rides, live music, food vendors and one of the metro’s biggest Fourth of July parades are returning to Urbandale this weekend.The city’s 71st annual Fourth of July celebration runs July 2-4, bringing three days of family-friendly events to Lions Park and Walker Johnston Park.The celebration features a carnival, live entertainment, bingo, sporting events, kids activities, tournaments, a community parade and a fireworks show to wrap up Independence Day.Sean Dengler, vice preside...
URBANDALE, Iowa — Carnival rides, live music, food vendors and one of the metro’s biggest Fourth of July parades are returning to Urbandale this weekend.
The city’s 71st annual Fourth of July celebration runs July 2-4, bringing three days of family-friendly events to Lions Park and Walker Johnston Park.
The celebration features a carnival, live entertainment, bingo, sporting events, kids activities, tournaments, a community parade and a fireworks show to wrap up Independence Day.
Sean Dengler, vice president of the Urbandale Fourth of July Celebration Committee, has volunteered since 2021. He said the committee’s 20 members begin meeting in February to plan the celebration.
Dengler coordinates the parade but said the variety of events is what keeps people coming back year after year.
“We have the bags tournament, we have music at night, we have obviously the carnival behind us, vendors. It’s really just a good celebration,” Dengler said.
Who can attend?
Dengler said the celebration is designed for everyone.
“It’s meant for everyone,” he said. “We got the music. I feel like the music maybe might be geared more towards the parents, but the carnival itself is definitely geared towards the kids. Even the grandparents, they can come and have some fun too.”
In addition to carnival rides, families can find kids’ activities, including appearances by the Iowa Wild and the Iowa Ghostbusters group.
Everything you need to know about Urbandale's 71st Fourth of July celebration
Friday Highlights:
Festivities continue Friday with:
Fourth of July Highlights:
Saturday begins with a morning of races at Walker Johnston Park before the celebration’s signature events.
The William Courtney 5K, Kid’s Mile and Tot Trot kick off the morning before the 10 a.m. parade, which stretches two miles and features more than 70 floats.
After the parade, the carnival and vendors reopen at noon. Live performances from School of Rock and the Community Band take the stage throughout the afternoon before the celebration ends with a 10 p.m. fireworks display launched from the west side of Walker Johnston Park. If weather forces a postponement, the fireworks will move to 10 p.m. July 5.
Parade Tips:
The parade begins at 10 a.m. on July 4, but Dengler says the best seats disappear long before then.
“Make sure you come early,” Dengler said. “People put out their blankets, they’re reserving their spots like a week in advance.”
He said many spectators arrive around 8 a.m. and recommends getting there by 9 a.m. to find a good viewing spot.
One of his favorite moments each year comes just before the parade begins.
“One of my favorite things is 10 minutes before the parade starts… just seeing the lines and swath of the crowd line the street and that excitement for the parade to start,” Dengler said.
What about the weather?
Dengler said organizers plan to continue festivities even if showers move through.
“As long as it’s not super severe weather, we’re going to keep going,” he said, adding that the fireworks would only be delayed to July 5 if necessary.
Where is it?
The carnival and festival grounds are located at Lions Park, at the corner of 72nd Street and Aurora Avenue, across from Urbandale High School.
Where should you park?
Dengler recommends using the Urbandale High School parking lot, the Urbandale Senior Recreation Center or nearby residential street parking where permitted.
He also encourages visitors to bring water and dress for the heat while enjoying the celebration.
WHO 13 News will be live-streaming the parade on WHO 13+ with Justin Surrency and Adriana Torres MCing!
Buc-ee's plans first Iowa location in Urbandale, raisingexcitement and concernsBuc-ee's, one of the nation's largest convenience store chains, is planning to open its first Iowa location in Urbandale, with the proposed site located on 100th Street just north of the interstate.If approved, the store would employ 200 people, operate 24 hours a day, and attract thousands of customers daily, potentially boosting the local economy. Urbandale Chamber of Commerce President Tiffany Menke shared her excitement about the development....
Buc-ee's plans first Iowa location in Urbandale, raisingexcitement and concerns
Buc-ee's, one of the nation's largest convenience store chains, is planning to open its first Iowa location in Urbandale, with the proposed site located on 100th Street just north of the interstate.
If approved, the store would employ 200 people, operate 24 hours a day, and attract thousands of customers daily, potentially boosting the local economy. Urbandale Chamber of Commerce President Tiffany Menke shared her excitement about the development.
"It's big news; it's exciting," Menke said.
Menke emphasized the potential benefits for the community.
"You have that, you have people that come into our community to experience this Buc-ee's phenomenon. And then the goal is that they still are spending extra money in our local businesses while they're here," Menke said.
On Monday night, the Urbandale Plan and Zoning Commission voted to amend the city development plan to begin negotiations with Buc-ee's. However, concerns were raised about the company's history of trademark disputes.
Kari Carney, representing 1000 Friends of Iowa, addressed the commission about Buc-ee's legal actions in other states.
"They're well known for suing businesses for copyright infringement. That's happened in a number of states where they went to despite businesses being there before them," Carney said.
Clark Way, owner of the Dam Pub in Beaverdale, expressed concerns about potential conflicts, as his business's logo—a cartoon beaver—appears on signage and merchandise.
"People just love the beaver. I would hate to get rid of it. I'd hate to try to rebrand ourselves. Anything other than what we already have," Way said.
Way remains hopeful that Buc-ee's arrival won't lead to legal issues for his business.
"Hopefully that's not going to be the case. We have trademarked our beaver and Beaverdale over the Dam Pub, so hopefully we won't have any problems with it. I would hate to have to think they're going to come to town and try to push anybody around, which I don't think they would. They're very liked. So are we. So we just co-exist," Way said.
Buc-ee's has not responded to inquiries about its trademark policy. The store still requires approval from the Urbandale City Council and would take more than 18 months to build.
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