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 Waukee, 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 Waukee, 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 Waukee, 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 Waukee, 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.
The new Kettlestone Central Sports Complex in Waukee is open, and along with the still fresh smell of wood and varnish, the massive, mostly indoor court spaces are full of inspiration.The inspiration to become a better person through play is what Blake Jensen said is the goal of the two-building complex at 2045 S.E. Glaci...
The new Kettlestone Central Sports Complex in Waukee is open, and along with the still fresh smell of wood and varnish, the massive, mostly indoor court spaces are full of inspiration.
The inspiration to become a better person through play is what Blake Jensen said is the goal of the two-building complex at 2045 S.E. Glacier Trail that opened April 10. The $40 million, 140,000-square-foot basketball and volleyball facility — with two outdoor basketball courts that have grass seating between the buildings — also promises to be a huge economic engine for Waukee and the core of future development stretching west to Grand Prairie Parkway.
Displayed on the walls inside the gyms are inspirational quotes that feature the values Ames-based Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation wants to develop in youth: confidence, attitude, unity, character, service and integrity in the north building; and gratitude, courage, discipline, perseverance, respect and determination in the south building. The Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation, of which Jensen is the director, owns and operates the Kettlestone Central Sports Complex.
Jensen's favorite inspirational quote out of the dozens displayed is from American college basketball player, coach and broadcaster Jim Valvano: "Don't give up, don't ever give up."
The Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation rents out court space to All Iowa Attack, a statewide youth basketball program that was founded by his father, Dickson Jensen. The gyms serve public tournaments as well.
Blake Jensen said there are usually around 140 teams using the facility over 35 weekends of the year. There may be more than 1,000 spectators at any given time during a tournament, seated on wooden benches or stadium-style seats elevated above the courts.
"It's the quality that clearly separates us, and size," Jensen said. He said the facility is the biggest indoor wood court space in Iowa and "definitely top 10 in the country."
And the facility is adaptable. The 12 basketball courts — with a total of 84 hoops — can be converted into 18 volleyball courts or 18 smaller basketball courts for children in the third grade or younger, Jensen said.
There are side rooms and spaces for classes, fitness, referees and athletic trainers. And there's a concession stand and vending machines. But food options inside are purposefully limited so people will patronize the restaurants Blake said are planned for the rest of the Kettlestone development — also in his family under Caliber Co., founded by his cousin Nick Jensen.
The gym was part of the first phase of the $220 million, 153-acre commercial and residential development called Kettlestone Central. Residential properties already have been built east and south of the gym.
Along with restaurants, the Kettlestone Central development could have hotels, commercial spaces, medical clinics and additional indoor floor space for events such as conventions and gymnastics, Blake Jensen said. It could take two to seven years to see those projects completed around the gym facility.
It's expected the sports complex will generate an annual economic impact of more than $125 million.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at [email protected] or on X at @pslifeisabeauty. Find outmore about him onlinethrough the Register's staff directory.
WAUKEE, Iowa —Renae Herr and her husband awoke Saturday morning to a mysterious petroleum-like smell that left them puzzled and concerned."We thought it was petroleum or gas, but we couldn't figure out where it came from," Herr said.The source was soon identified as a nearby diesel fuel spill, with roughly 4,000 gallons leaking from an above-ground storage t...
WAUKEE, Iowa —
Renae Herr and her husband awoke Saturday morning to a mysterious petroleum-like smell that left them puzzled and concerned.
"We thought it was petroleum or gas, but we couldn't figure out where it came from," Herr said.
The source was soon identified as a nearby diesel fuel spill, with roughly 4,000 gallons leaking from an above-ground storage tank at an agricultural site near Dallas Center.
As Herr expressed her worries about her animals, she said, "Our dogs get in the creek and swim. We have ducks here."
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Waukee Fire Department provided reassurance, noting no observable fish kill or wildlife impact in the area.
"Yes, that's good," Herr said.
Waukee fire Chief Clint Robinson explained that, although the spill was initially believed to be confined to a pond and nearby ditches, it spread further due to Iowa’s widespread field tile systems.
"In Iowa, there is field tile everywhere. So unfortunately, it found its way into a couple of field tiles and eventually made its way into Little Walnut Creek," Robinson said.
To mitigate the damage, the Waukee Fire Department strategically placed absorbent booms in Little Walnut Creek to prevent further spread.
Robinson emphasized that the spill has been successfully contained.
Although the incident raised initial concerns for residents and wildlife, officials have assured the public that the environmental damage is minimal and is being closely monitored.
With the collaborative effort of the DNR and Waukee Fire Department, the situation appears to be under control, providing relief to local residents like Herr, who hopes her family and animals can safely enjoy the area again.
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WAUKEE, Iowa —Monarca Paletas is known for being the sweet part of someone's day."Every day people walking in, people on first dates, you got people celebrating something," Monarca Paletas co-owner Jose Jacome said.But what happened on Monday, March 31 wasn't on the menu."I had a gut feeling that something was wrong," Jacome said.A 16-year-old employee answered the business' phone. The caller claimed to be a business partner and said they urgently needed money for ...
WAUKEE, Iowa —
Monarca Paletas is known for being the sweet part of someone's day.
"Every day people walking in, people on first dates, you got people celebrating something," Monarca Paletas co-owner Jose Jacome said.
But what happened on Monday, March 31 wasn't on the menu.
"I had a gut feeling that something was wrong," Jacome said.
A 16-year-old employee answered the business' phone. The caller claimed to be a business partner and said they urgently needed money for the business. Jacome said the scammer kept the employee on the phone by being nice and by seeming to know a lot about the business. It wasn't until a customer alerted their Clive location that the employee wasn't being attentive at the Waukee location that alarm bells went up the Monarca Paletas chain of command, and Jacome, who was off-site, pulled up the security footage to see what was going on.
"I saw the employee pacing back and forth and, you know, kind of a worried look on his face," Jacome said.
What the employee didn't know at the time is that there are only two people who own the family-owned business. Both locations Waukee and Clive are owned by Jacome and his wife Fatima Esparza. So this was a scam.
"They're very bold," Jacome said. "They're very bold."
Jacome tried calling the employee, but the teen wasn't answering, presumably because they were still on the phone with the scammer. Through the security camera, Jacome watched as the situation escalated.
"And then all of a sudden, I saw that he kind of just walked out of the store to leave," Jacome said. "Which prompted me to really, really worry."
The employee panicked for his bosses and, really wanting to help, was about to take out his own money when Jose finally got a hold of him.
"'Hey, do you guys still need the money? Is everything OK?'" Jacome said the employee said to him. "I said, 'Well, wait, you know, what are you doing for bitcoin ATM?'"
Thankfully, no money was handed over to the scammer. Jacome said the employee involved has their full support and this incident has brought their already close work family even closer.
"Too much communication is never bad," Jacome said. "So inform yourselves about these types of scams. Find resources and have conversations."
They're serving up their story as a cautionary tale in the hopes this doesn't happen to another employee or business in our community.
"People here are just fantastic. The community is great. Celebrating our wins, and supporting us on our bad days. Every business owner has a bad day. We're very fortunate the community has rallied behind us," Jacome said.
While this was a targeted attack, it's a reminder to have a healthy amount of skepticism with any phone call or message you receive. If you think you suspect a call is a scam, authorities tell you to hang up right away and do not give out any personal information.
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Des Moines, get ready to experience a new-to-Iowa burger. Wayback Burgers based in Cheshire, Connecticut, is headed to the metro, opening a new restaurant at 1165 S.E. Alice’s Road in Waukee this fall.The restaurant, which got its start in Delaware in 1991, serves burgers made as they’re ordered, chicken sandwiches and tenders, hot dogs, milkshakes, and an array of side not always found at a fast-casual restaurant. Wayback Burgers offers a nostalgic de?cor with retro touches.The new Wayback Burgers, which plans to h...
Des Moines, get ready to experience a new-to-Iowa burger. Wayback Burgers based in Cheshire, Connecticut, is headed to the metro, opening a new restaurant at 1165 S.E. Alice’s Road in Waukee this fall.
The restaurant, which got its start in Delaware in 1991, serves burgers made as they’re ordered, chicken sandwiches and tenders, hot dogs, milkshakes, and an array of side not always found at a fast-casual restaurant. Wayback Burgers offers a nostalgic de?cor with retro touches.
The new Wayback Burgers, which plans to hire 30 people, opens in September and marks the first location in Iowa.
The restaurant specializes in fresh, never frozen burger patties in a variety of toppings options, including the Cheeeesy with four slices of melted cheese topping two patties and served on an inverted bun.
Cheesesteaks, crispy and grilled chicken sandwiches, veggie and Impossible burgers, chicken tenders, salads, and sides, including fries, tater tots, onion rings and fried pickles, all find a home on the menu. Wayback Gold Sauce combines barbecue sauce and mustard.
Wayback also offers milkshakes made with Blue Bunny ice cream.
The 1,972 square-foot Wayback Burgers in Waukee will feature a nostalgic feel with a counter lined with red stools reminiscent of a soda shop, as well as banquettes, booths, and tables. Diners can watch the staff work in the kitchen enveloped in glass.
Wayback Burgers currently operates in 35 states with more than 170 locations nationally and internationally in Brunei, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, United Arab Emirates, and seven provinces in Canada.
For a taste of Wayback Burgers before it opens, head to Woodbury, Minnesota, or Darien, Illinois, the closest locations to Des Moines. Kansas City and St. Louis also have locations in the work.
Location: 1165 S.E. Alice’s Road in Waukee
Contact: waybackburgers.com
Opening: September 2025
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].
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