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 Watkins Woolen Mill State Park And Historic Site 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 Watkins, 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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“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. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Watkins Glen State 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 The Capital Grille or visit Watkins Community MuseumHistory, 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 Watkins, 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 Watkins, 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 Watkins, 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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PositionCHeight5-11ClassFr.HometownTaylor Ridge, Ill.HometownTaylor Ridge, Ill.High SchoolRockridgeHawk Item… Is the ninth player in school history to be a four-time All-Big Ten selection, earning first team honors in 2012, second team in 2010 and 2011 and third team in 2009… finished her career ranked third in the record books in home runs (28) and RBIs (137).2012 as a Senior… First team All-Big Ten selection… Academic All-Big Ten honoree… one ...
PositionC
Height5-11
ClassFr.
HometownTaylor Ridge, Ill.
HometownTaylor Ridge, Ill.
High SchoolRockridge
Hawk Item… Is the ninth player in school history to be a four-time All-Big Ten selection, earning first team honors in 2012, second team in 2010 and 2011 and third team in 2009… finished her career ranked third in the record books in home runs (28) and RBIs (137).
2012 as a Senior… First team All-Big Ten selection… Academic All-Big Ten honoree… one of 30 candidates nationally for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award — the second UI softball student-athlete to be up for the honor… played in 51-of-53 games with 51 starts, 50 at catcher and one as designated player… hit .311 (42-of-135) with 30 RBIs and 20 runs scored… had 13 extra base hits (eight doubles, five home runs), 24 walks and 13 hit by pitches… was second on the team with a .457 on-base percentage and third with a .481 slugging percentage… had eight multi-hit and seven multi-RBI games… tied for second in the Big Ten with the 13 hit by pitches, tied for third in runners picked off (4), and ranked ninth in on-base percentage (.457)… had a pair of RBIs in the 8-0 win over Belmont (2/12)… tied an Iowa hits record, going 5-for-5 — with a three-run home run — with five RBIs and four runs in a 26-5 rout of Iowa State (2/18)… collected at least one hit in 13-of-final-17 games with seven two-hit games… went 2-for-3 with a double and home run at Iowa State (4/18)… homered for a second straight game, hitting a towering solo home run to dead centerfield at Michigan State (4/21)… went 1-for-1 with a home run in the series finale against the Spartans (4/22)… went 3-for-7 in the doubleheader split against Northern Iowa (4/26)… hit .625 (5-of-8) with two multi-hit games in the series win against Indiana (4/28-29)… went 2-for-4 in the opener, 1-for-2 in game two and 2-for-2 with a run and RBI in the finale… had three two-hit games over the final five contests… went 4-for-6 in games two and three at Ohio State (5/5-6)… went 2-for-3 with a grand slam, four RBIs and a run scored in her final collegiate game at Minnesota (5/12).
2011 as a Junior… Second team All-Big Ten selection… Academic All-Big Ten honoree… one of two Hawkeyes to play in and start all 51 games… caught every pitch thrown at the catcher position… posted a .294 batting average with a team-best 36 RBI, which ranked 11th in the Big Ten… led the team with nine home runs, a .556 slugging percentage and a .486 on-base percentage… ranked ninth in on-base percentage in the conference… drew 36 walks, which ranked fourth in the league, and tied for fifth with 11 hit by pitches… had 10 multi-hit games and a team-best 11 multi-RBI contests… hit a solo home run in the win over Maryland (2/11)… went 2-for-4 with a home run and a triple against UMBC (2/26)… connected on a grand slam in the 5-1 victory over Cal State Fullerton (3/4)… hit her fourth long ball of the season against Liberty (3/12), going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored… went 2-for-2 with her fifth home run of the season against South Dakota (3/20)… drew three walks in the second game of the doubleheader… tied a career-high going 4-for-4 with three RBI in the opener against Ohio State (3/26)… laced a three-run first inning home run — her sixth of the season — in the 7-2 victory at Ohio State (3/27)… named Big Ten Player of the Week on March 28 after hitting .714 with six RBI and three runs scored against the Buckeyes… had a home run in her second straight game at Western Illinois (3/30)… went 1-for-2 with two RBI in the 5-3 win over Michigan State (4/9) and 2-for-3 with two RBI in the series finale on April 10… reached base in 8-of-9 plate appearances against Northwestern… went 2-for-2 with three RBI and three hit by pitches in the opener before going 2-for-3 with three runs and three RBI with a pair of home runs in the finale… it has her second career two home run game… named Big Ten Player of the Week April 18.
2010 as a Sophomore… Second team All-Big Ten selection… Academic All-Big Ten… played in 47 games with 46 starts, including 41 at catcher and five as the designated player… led team with seven doubles, five triples, .584 slugging percentage, .441 on base percentage and 12 hit by pitch… second on the team with a .328 batting average and a .392 average during conference play… had 10 multiple hit and seven multiple RBI games… 2-for-4 with a home run, double, five RBIs and two runs scored in win over South Dakota (3/21)… 4-for-4 with a home run, double and three RBIs, including game-winning hit against Michigan State (3/28)… named Co-Big Ten Player of the Week (3/29)… hit by pitch in four-consecutive at-bats during two-game series at Penn State.
2009 as a Freshman… Third team All-Big Ten selection… given team’s Most Improved, Coaches and Peg Augspurger Hawkeye Heart Awards… played in 56 games, with 54 starts behind the plate… started the final 34 games… batted .331, and finished second on the team with nine home runs and 45 RBIs… had three home runs and 16 RBIs in Big Ten play… finished with a .604 slugging percentage… committed only one error and recorded a .998 fielding percentage… first-career hit was a solo home run at Texas (2/7)… 2-for-2 with a home run and career-high four RBIs in win over Cornell (March 14)… collected a career-high four hits in win at Ohio State (3/29)… hit walk-off, solo home run in win over Illinois (April 1)… 2-for-3 with go-ahead, three-run home run in win at Northern Iowa (4/21).
High School… Named to six all-state teams during career, including Chicago Tribune first team as a sophomore and Illinois Coaches Association first team as a senior… four-time all-area pick…named all-area co-Player of the Year as a junior… four-time all-conference selection… given conference’s Best Offensive Player award as a sophomore and was a unanimous first team selection as a junior… led high school team to state championship as a freshman in 2005 and was named co-MVP of the state tournament… team also finished third at state tournament in 2007 and was named to the all-tournament team… adidas top 100 recruit… NIAAA Female Athlete of the Year in Illinois as a senior… team captain as a senior… set school record for RBI in a season (52) as a sophomore… batted .514 as a senior… high school coach was Tracy Logue… played for the Q.C. Firebirds from 1999-2005 and club team was nominated for the ASA Hall of Fame… also played for the Heartland Havoc from 2006-08… lettered in volleyball and basketball… holds volleyball school record for blocks in a season (152)… holds three basketball school records… named first team all-state and was an all-conference and all-area pick three times in basketball… class valedictorian… academic all-state as senior… three-time academic all-conference… super 60 student athlete in 2008… member of the National Honor Society… also member of the French National Honor Society.
Personal… Born Oct. 14, 1989… daughter of Dave and Mary Beth Watkins… majoring in business management and organizations.
CAREER HIGHS Runs Scored: 4 vs. Iowa State, 2/18/12 Hits: 5 vs. Iowa State, 2/18/12 Doubles: 2 vs. Ohio State, 3/29/09 Triples: 1, 6x, last vs. UMBC, 2/26/11 Home Runs: 2, 2X, last vs. Northwestern, 4/17/11 RBI: 5, 2X, last vs. Iowa State, 2/18/12 Stolen Bases: 1, 3X, last at Michigan State, 4/21/12
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