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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“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.
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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.
As Valley softball coach Tom Bakey recapped his team's July 25 regional final over Waukee, he turned to the Tiger scoreboard that displayed a 4-1 win and the seven state titles the program has won since 1990."The expectation each and every year at Valley High School is we're going to make the state tournament," Bakey said. "Look up there, that's what we're trying to do on a consistent basis."For years, the Tigers have been a routine qualifier and contender at the state tournament in Fort Dodge, and 2025 will...
As Valley softball coach Tom Bakey recapped his team's July 25 regional final over Waukee, he turned to the Tiger scoreboard that displayed a 4-1 win and the seven state titles the program has won since 1990.
"The expectation each and every year at Valley High School is we're going to make the state tournament," Bakey said. "Look up there, that's what we're trying to do on a consistent basis."
For years, the Tigers have been a routine qualifier and contender at the state tournament in Fort Dodge, and 2025 will be no different. Sophomore pitcher Maddie Zlomke had a stellar day in the circle and fellow sophomore Brynn Cibula helped lead the way for the Tigers in their victory.
Valley will be the No. 5 seed in next week's Class 5A tournament and will face No. 4 seed Ankeny Centennial in the July 21 quarterfinals. Waukee Northwest is the top seed and will face No. 8 Dowling Catholic. Southeast Polk also won its regional final and will be the No. 3 seed.
Iowa high school softball state tournament 2025: See IGHSAU brackets for all five classesValley led its regional final from start to finish, with senior Mackenzie Mohler reaching home plate in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Her score was followed by Cibula getting driven home on a sacrifice fly from senior Drew Cooley in the second inning, a solo home run from Cibula in the third frame and an RBI single from Cooley to drive home Cibula in the sixth inning to clinch the victory.
Zlomke was dynamite in the circle, with just one run and five hits allowed across seven innings.
Young players like Zlomke and Cibula are the theme of the 2025 Valley softball team. After graduating seven seniors from their state title game appearance last season, the program had to rely on a lot of new faces this year. That youth showed at times, starting the season 4-3 and having three different occasions with back-to-back losses.
But as the season rolled on, the Tigers started to find their groove. Heading into the state tournament, they have won 12 of their last 15 outings. In two regional games, Valley outscored Waukee and Council Bluffs Lincoln by a combined 14-3 margin.
Both Cibula and Bakey pointed to the mass exodus of seniors from last season as something that could have hampered the team. While many programs would have a hard time sustaining success after such a loss of talent, Cibula said the Tigers rallied together to sustain the standard the program expects.
"Even though we're younger, we still vibe really good with each other and I think that helps a lot," Cibula said.
Mohler is one of only two seniors on the roster with consistent playing time, but the Tigers can always count on her. She ranks third in the state with 20 home runs and holds a .525 batting average, good for fourth in Class 5A. Not only has she brought production and leadership to the team, she also instills a sense of confidence in the young players around her every time she steps to the plate.
"Any time she goes up, I know she's getting on," Cibula said. "She's just crazy."
Behind this young core and one of Iowa's top hitters, the Tigers will be one of the most-feared opponents in Class 5A when the state tournament begins on July 21.
"At the start of the year, we were super young. We didn't know what we were going to get," Bakey said. "At the end of the day, we ended up being a really good softball team. I'm super proud of my girls because there's been struggles all year and we found a way to figure it out, put the parts together and our girls have played really good softball down the stretch."
Des Moines-area teams make up half of the Class 4A bracket, with No. 2 Norwalk, No. 3 North Polk, No. 4 Dallas Center-Grimes and No. 5 ADM winning their regional finals. Van Meter is the No. 1 seed in Class 2A.
Class 5A
Class 4A
Class 2A
This story was updated with additional information about the state tournament.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at. Follow him on Twitter at
Actor John Cusack is crossing the nation to showcase his catalog of films with screenings followed by Q&A sessions.“Grosse Pointe Blank” and “Say Anything” are on the docket in other cities, but in August, the actor makes a stop in the Des Moines metro to show “High Fidelity,” his 2000 cult-hit classic rom-com that served as a love letter to music and ex-girlfriends.The movie just marked its 25th anniversary.Here’s what we know:When will John Cusack appear in the Des ...
Actor John Cusack is crossing the nation to showcase his catalog of films with screenings followed by Q&A sessions.
“Grosse Pointe Blank” and “Say Anything” are on the docket in other cities, but in August, the actor makes a stop in the Des Moines metro to show “High Fidelity,” his 2000 cult-hit classic rom-com that served as a love letter to music and ex-girlfriends.
The movie just marked its 25th anniversary.
Here’s what we know:
Cusack plans to be at Vibrant Music Hall, 2938 Grand Prairie Pkwy. in Waukee, on Aug. 7 at 7:30 p.m. to show the movie and talk to the audience afterward.
The actor has starred in 80-plus films during his four decades of work, specializing in coming-of-age films at the start of his career. “Sixteen Candles,” “Better Off Dead,” “The Sure Thing,” “Stand by Me” and “Say Anything” launched his career in the 1980s.
He later turned to dramatic roles with “Grosse Pointe Blank,” “The Grifters,” “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and “Being John Malkovich.”
The film is based on a novel by author Nick Hornby about Rob, who owns a record store and looks back on his failed relationships after his girlfriend leaves him. Rob makes Top 5 Lists of worst breakups, and reaches out to exes to find out what he could have done better.
"High Fidelity" takes place in a record store in Chicago, which inspires a soundtrack of 57 songs from the Velvet Underground, Elvis Costello, The Kinks, Marvin Gaye and more, all reflecting Rob's eclectic taste in vinyl.
Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Joan Cusack, Tim Robbins, Sara Gilbert, and Catherine Zeta-Jones all appear in the film. Bruce Springsteen makes a cameo appearance.
Stephen Frears directed the film.
The screening of "High Fidelity" will be followed by a Q&A with Cusack.
Tickets go on sale May 1 at 10 a.m. through Live Nation, and for the general public on May 2 at 10 a.m. at concerts.livenation.com.
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].
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.
Who has Iowa's Best Burger? The 2024 winner comes from central IowaThe 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.
Love a good burger? Here's where to find some of the best in the Des Moines metroWayback 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.
Fast-casual chicken arrives in Waukee with Hawaiian plate lunches on the wayLocation: 1165 S.E. Alice’s Road in Waukee
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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