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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, 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.
No. 1 ranked teams remain the same in all classesOnce again, there was no change at the top of the latest high school football polls for all classifications.The regular season concludes this week for Class 2A, 1A, A and eight-player, as 5A, 4A and 3A have one week remaining.Postseason pairings will be released this Saturday after the conclusion of games on Friday night for 2A, 1A, A and eight-player.Several Key Games on Tap for This FridayRanked matchups on the do...
No. 1 ranked teams remain the same in all classes
Once again, there was no change at the top of the latest high school football polls for all classifications.
The regular season concludes this week for Class 2A, 1A, A and eight-player, as 5A, 4A and 3A have one week remaining.
Postseason pairings will be released this Saturday after the conclusion of games on Friday night for 2A, 1A, A and eight-player.
Ranked matchups on the docket for this week include second-ranked (5A) West Des Moines Valley at No. 6 Ankeny, third-rated (5A) Dowling Catholic vs. Ankeny Centennial, No. 1 (4A) Cedar Rapids Xavier vs. eighth-ranked Decorah, sixth-ranked (3A) Des Moines Christian vs. No. 10 Nevada, ninth-ranked (3A) Mount Vernon hosting seventh-ranked Wahlert Catholic, No. 1 (2A) Kuemper Catholic vs. No. 4 Okoboji and third-rated (2A) PCM vs. No. 5 Centerville.
In A, there are key games with No. 4 ACGC taking on eighth-ranked Riverside and No. 5 North Linn heading to seventh-ranked Wapsie Valley.
Here is the latest Radio Iowa high school football rankings for the week:
Class 5A
Class 4A
Class 3A
Class 2A
Class 1A
Class A
Eight-Player
Dana Becker has been a sports writer in Iowa since 2000, writing for The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others. Dana resides in northcentral Iowa and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in 2022 focused on the state of Iowa. Along with providing coverage of football and wrestling, Dana also spotlights cross country, swimming, basketball, track and field, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball and softball. He began writing for High School on SI in 2023.
Key Iowa high school football games, live broadcasts, computer rankings, statewide stat leaders, schedules and scores - live and final. The 2025 Iowa high school football season continues this week. Here's what you need to know heading into and during this weekend's prep football slate in The Hawkeye State.Schedule and Live ScoresTop 25 Scoreboard # School Rec. Str. +/- 1Valley (West Des Moines)6-1...
The 2025 Iowa high school football season continues this week. Here's what you need to know heading into and during this weekend's prep football slate in The Hawkeye State.
Schedule and Live Scores
Top 25 Scoreboard
| # | School | Rec. | Str. | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valley (West Des Moines) | 6-1 | 16.6 | |
| 2 | Xavier (Cedar Rapids) | 7-0 | 3.3 | |
| 3 | West Lyon (Inwood) | 7-0 | -3.6 | |
| 4 | Clear Lake | 7-0 | 5.3 | |
| 5 | North Polk (Alleman) | 6-1 | 9.2 | |
| 6 | Ankeny | 5-2 | 13.7 | |
| 7 | Johnston | 5-2 | 15.8 | |
| 8 | Grundy Center | 7-0 | -7.4 | |
| 9 | Kuemper (Carroll) | 7-0 | 0.7 | |
| 10 | Solon | 7-0 | 0.8 | |
| 11 | SPHS (Pleasant Hill) | 4-3 | 18.1 | |
| 12 | SBLHS (Sergeant Bluff) | 6-1 | 7.2 | |
| 13 | SCEHS (Sioux City) | 6-1 | 3.8 | |
| 14 | Pella | 6-1 | 6.1 | |
| 15 | ACHS (Ankeny) | 4-3 | 12.8 | |
| 16 | Newton | 6-1 | 5.3 | |
| 17 | LCHS (Council Bluffs) | 4-3 | 8.2 | |
| 18 | BHCHS (Sioux City) | 6-1 | 10.6 | |
| 19 | Cedar Falls | 6-1 | 6.4 | |
| 20 | DNWHS (Decorah) | 6-1 | 1.7 | |
| 21 | Gilbert | 7-0 | 2.3 | |
| 22 | Nevada | 5-2 | 5.2 | |
| 23 | Glenwood | 5-2 | 7.9 | |
| 24 | Van Meter | 5-2 | 2.8 | |
| 25 | WDHS (Manchester) | 6-1 | -0.6 | |
| 26 | ICWHS (Iowa City) | 6-1 | -1.9 | |
| 27 | Regina (Iowa City) | 7-0 | -15.7 | |
| 28 | Treynor | 6-1 | -4.5 | |
| 29 | Humboldt | 4-3 | 9.9 | |
| 30 | Sioux Center | 6-1 | 5.4 | |
| 31 | PCMHS (Monroe) | 6-1 | -7.9 | |
| 32 | Wahlert (Dubuque) | 4-3 | 7.5 | |
| 33 | Waukee | 2-5 | 19.1 | |
| 34 | Williamsburg | 3-4 | 14.1 | |
| 35 | Mt. Vernon | 5-2 | -6.5 | |
| 36 | North Scott (Eldridge) | 4-3 | 3.5 | |
| 37 | South Hardin (Eldora) | 6-1 | -7.4 | |
| 38 | Prairie (Cedar Rapids) | 4-3 | 7.6 | |
| 39 | Osage | 7-0 | -9.5 | |
| 40 | Western Christian (Hull) | 5-2 | 6.3 | |
| 41 | Independence | 4-3 | 4.8 | |
| 42 | Indianola | 4-3 | 9.0 | |
| 43 | Fort Dodge | 6-1 | -0.5 | |
| 44 | DCGHS (Dallas Center) | 5-2 | 3.6 | |
| 45 | Underwood | 5-2 | -5.4 | |
| 46 | Norwalk | 4-3 | 1.4 | |
| 47 | Carroll | 4-3 | 7.4 | |
| 48 | Winterset | 4-3 | 7.2 | |
| 49 | Spirit Lake | 2-5 | 8.8 | |
| 50 | Okoboji (Milford) | 6-0 | -4.2 |
State Stat Leaders
| Leaderboard - Player Passing Yards | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peyton Welch - SrSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 1349 |
| 2 | Vernon Benda - SrJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 1241 |
| 3 | Jayden Fujii - SrJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 1091 |
| 4 | Christopher Lee - JrLincoln (Council Bluffs, IA) | 811 |
| 5 | Ryan Stonebraker - JrWilton (IA) | 439 |
| 6 | Eli Gehling - FrBishop Heelan Catholic (Sioux City, IA) | 361 |
| 7 | Ian Fisher - JrPerry (IA) | 309 |
| 8 | Teague Fitzpatrick - SrDubuque Senior (Dubuque, IA) | 240 |
| 9 | Jose Lievano - SrCrestwood (Cresco, IA) | 236 |
| 10 | Jayce Shanno - SrJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 199 |
| Leaderboard - Player Rushing Yards | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kameron Adams - SoSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 908 |
| 2 | Nadir Ouahbi - JrPerry (IA) | 685 |
| 3 | Uweza Kalolero - JrJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 653 |
| 4 | Jayce Shanno - SrJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 547 |
| 5 | Andre Rogers - SrLincoln (Council Bluffs, IA) | 406 |
| 6 | Jayden Fujii - SrJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 339 |
| 7 | Christopher Lee - JrLincoln (Council Bluffs, IA) | 285 |
| 8 | Peyton Welch - SrSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 216 |
| 9 | Teague Fitzpatrick - SrDubuque Senior (Dubuque, IA) | 186 |
| 10 | Evan Lang - SrLincoln (Council Bluffs, IA) | 173 |
| Leaderboard - Player Receiving Yards | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Benson - SrSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 679 |
| 2 | Braylin De Jager - JrLincoln (Council Bluffs, IA) | 614 |
| 3 | Braxton Parks - SoJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 557 |
| 4 | Mayson Kramer - SrJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 538 |
| 5 | Lloydson Nyenow Jr - SrJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 429 |
| 6 | Casey Williamson - JrSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 337 |
| 7 | Jermaine Robinson - SrJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 271 |
| 8 | Osten Robertson - JrJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 212 |
| 9 | Grant Whitcomb - JrBishop Heelan Catholic (Sioux City, IA) | 177 |
| 10 | Hayden Morrison - SrBettendorf (IA) | 170 |
| Leaderboard - Player Total TDs | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Benson - SrSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 9 |
| 2 | Kameron Adams - SoSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 9 |
| 3 | Braxton Parks - SoJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 9 |
| 4 | Andre Rogers - SrLincoln (Council Bluffs, IA) | 8 |
| 5 | Casey Williamson - JrSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 6 |
| 6 | Braylin De Jager - JrLincoln (Council Bluffs, IA) | 6 |
| 7 | Uweza Kalolero - JrJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 5 |
| 8 | Jayce Shanno - SrJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 5 |
| 9 | Nadir Ouahbi - JrPerry (IA) | 4 |
| 10 | Osten Robertson - JrJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 3 |
| Leaderboard - Player Total Tackles | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyree Turner - SoJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 69 |
| 2 | Jace Wendling - JrJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 60 |
| 3 | Kowen Dighton - SrLincoln (Council Bluffs, IA) | 58 |
| 4 | Lucas Perry - SrSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 53 |
| 5 | Jacobo Cerna-gomez - SrPerry (IA) | 52 |
| 6 | Jaydon McCauley - SrJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 49 |
| 7 | Bradley Kenealy - JrJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 49 |
| 8 | Sawyer Kane - SrSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 48 |
| 9 | Devaughn Sheeler - SrJefferson (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 44 |
| 10 | Ricky Muro - JrPerry (IA) | 41 |
| Leaderboard - Player Interceptions | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Westphal - SrJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 4 |
| 2 | Casey Williamson - JrSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 4 |
| 3 | Braxton Parks - SoJefferson (Council Bluffs, IA) | 3 |
| 4 | Owen Zander - JrPerry (IA) | 2 |
| 5 | Michael Bahtagic - SoPerry (IA) | 2 |
| 6 | Sam Benson - SrSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 2 |
| 7 | Joshua Spindler - SoSouth Hardin (Eldora, IA) | 2 |
| 8 | Grant Whitcomb - JrBishop Heelan Catholic (Sioux City, IA) | 1 |
| 9 | Eli Gehling - FrBishop Heelan Catholic (Sioux City, IA) | 1 |
| 10 | Oliver Grings - JrWilton (IA) | 1 |
DES MOINES, Iowa —Jewish leaders and a Palestinian refugee in West Des Moines are expressing cautious relief following the recent ceasefire and hostage release in the Middle East, while acknowledging the challenges that remain.Jarad Bernstein, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, has been observing the situation with horror over the past two years, witnessing the daily bombings, death, and destruction in Israel and Gaza."I don't think anyone thought it would take ...
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Jewish leaders and a Palestinian refugee in West Des Moines are expressing cautious relief following the recent ceasefire and hostage release in the Middle East, while acknowledging the challenges that remain.
Jarad Bernstein, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, has been observing the situation with horror over the past two years, witnessing the daily bombings, death, and destruction in Israel and Gaza.
"I don't think anyone thought it would take two years," he said.
Bernstein emphasized the significance of the ceasefire and the return of hostages, stating, "We're very relieved to have 20 living hostages returned after spending two years, really in dungeons of Gaza, going through hell every day. And another 28. Who were still waiting to receive their bodies."
Mohamed Ali, a West Des Moines entrepreneur and Palestinian refugee, shared his personal losses during the conflict.
"I lost a lot of family members, friends, friends of friends. This has been very, very hard," he said.
Ali expressed relief at the apparent end of the latest fighting but remains cautious about the next steps in the peace process.
"We are tired, and there's enough of killing, enough of bombs falling on people. It's about time for people to breathe and have safety," he said.
Other Jewish leaders share Ali's caution, acknowledging that there are still months or even years of negotiations required to secure lasting peace.
Philip Blumberg, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, described the hostage release as a significant milestone.
"It's a pretty big deal. And, it's a little surreal, I think, for a lot of us. Mixing kind of the grief that we've had over the last two years in the loss and. And the hard-fought battle to get the hostages back," he said.
The eighth week of Iowa high school football in 2025 is quickly approaching.There were some exciting games in Week 7, headlined by Class 5A No. 1 Waukee Northwest defeating No. 10 and four-time defending state champion Southeast Polk, 38-7, No. 7 Sioux City East edging No. 4 Johnston, 21-17 and No. 3 Dowling Catholic posting a 30-14 win over Waukee.Week 8 also has a slew of big games and potential thrillers.The top games of Week 8 include 5A battles between No. 2 West Des Moines Valley and No. 6 Ankeny, No. 1 Waukee Nort...
The eighth week of Iowa high school football in 2025 is quickly approaching.
There were some exciting games in Week 7, headlined by Class 5A No. 1 Waukee Northwest defeating No. 10 and four-time defending state champion Southeast Polk, 38-7, No. 7 Sioux City East edging No. 4 Johnston, 21-17 and No. 3 Dowling Catholic posting a 30-14 win over Waukee.
Week 8 also has a slew of big games and potential thrillers.
The top games of Week 8 include 5A battles between No. 2 West Des Moines Valley and No. 6 Ankeny, No. 1 Waukee Northwest and Norwalk, Ankeny Centennial at No. 3 Dowling Catholic and No. 5 Johnston at No. 10 Southeast Polk. The metro area also features Des Moines East at Des Moines Lincoln, Ottumwa at Des Moines Roosevelt and Des Moines North at 4A No. 8 Gilbert.
In 4A, No. 1 Xavier hosts Decorah and No. 2 Newton hosts Grinnell, and in 3A No. 1 Solon is at Mount Pleasant, No. 2 Clear Lake is at Charles City and No. 3 Bishop Heelan is at Humboldt.
Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.(Games are listed alphabetically, with the home team listed first)
Des Moines Roosevelt at Ottumwa, 7 p.m.
Sioux City North at Indianola, 7 p.m.
AC/GC vs Riverside, 7 p.m.
ADM vs Lewis Central, 7 p.m.
Alburnett vs Anamosa, 8 p.m.
Ankeny vs Valley, 7 p.m.
Atlantic vs Harlan, 7 p.m.
Audubon vs Exira-EHK, 7 p.m.
BCLUW vs Postville, 7 p.m.
BGM vs North Mahaska, 7 p.m.
Baxter vs Montezuma, 7 p.m.
Bedford vs Lamoni, 7 p.m.
Bellevue vs West Branch, 8 p.m.
Belmond-Klemme vs West Hancock, 7 p.m.
Benton vs West Delaware, 8 p.m.
Bettendorf vs Kennedy, 7 p.m.
Bishop Garrigan vs West Bend-Mallard, 7 p.m.
Bondurant-Farrar vs Ballard, 7 p.m.
Boyer Valley vs Sidney, 7 p.m.
CAM vs Ar-We-Va, 7 p.m.
Cardinal vs Sigourney-Keota, 7 p.m.
Cascade vs Camanche, 7 p.m.
Center Point-Urbana vs Assumption, 8 p.m.
Central City vs Springville, 7 p.m.
Central Decatur vs AHSTW, 7 p.m.
Central Springs vs South Hardin, 7 p.m.
Chariton vs Grand View Christian, 8 p.m.
Charles City vs Clear Lake, 8 p.m.
Cherokee vs Sheldon, 7 p.m.
Clarinda vs Woodward-Granger, 7 p.m.
Clarksville vs Collins-Maxwell, 7 p.m.
Clayton Ridge vs Nashua-Plainfield, 7 p.m.
Colo-Nesco vs GMG, 7 p.m.
Columbus vs Pekin, 7 p.m.
Creston vs Greene County, 8 p.m.
Crestwood vs Waukon, 8 p.m.
Dallas Center-Grimes vs Ames, 7 p.m.
Davenport North vs Davenport West, 7 p.m.
Davis County vs South Tama County, 8 p.m.
Denison-Schleswig vs Boone, 7 p.m.
Denver vs Vinton-Shellsburg, 8 p.m.
Des Moines Christian vs Nevada, 8 p.m.
Dowling vs Centennial, 7 p.m.
Durant vs Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, 7 p.m.
East Marshall vs North Cedar, 7 p.m.
East Union vs Griswold, 7 p.m.
Easton Valley vs Calamus-Wheatland, 7 p.m.
Edgewood-Colesburg vs Central Elkader, 7 p.m.
Emmetsburg vs East Sac County, 7 p.m.
English Valleys vs Meskwaki Settlement, 7 p.m.
Estherville-Lincoln Central vs Spirit Lake, 7 p.m.
Fairfield vs Keokuk, 8 p.m.
Fort Dodge vs Le Mars, 7 p.m.
Fremont-Mills vs East Mills, 7 p.m.
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura vs Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, 7 p.m.
Gehlen vs West Sioux, 7 p.m.
Gilbert vs D.M. North, 7 p.m.
Glidden-Ralston vs Coon Rapids-Bayard, 7 p.m.
Grundy Center vs Eagle Grove, 7 p.m.
HLV vs Lone Tree, 7 p.m.
HMS vs MMCRU, 7 p.m.
Hampton-Dumont vs Dike-New Hartford, 8 p.m.
Harris-Lake Park vs GTRA, 7 p.m.
Hempstead vs Jefferson, 7 p.m.
Hinton vs Alta-Aurelia, 7 p.m.
Humboldt vs Bishop Heelan, 7 p.m.
I-35 vs Ogden, 7 p.m.
Iowa Falls-Alden vs Independence, 8 p.m.
Iowa Valley vs WACO, 7 p.m.
Janesville vs Dunkerton, 7 p.m.
Jefferson vs Glenwood, 7 p.m.
Jesup vs Hudson, 7 p.m.
Kingsley-Pierson vs St Edmond, 7 p.m.
Kuemper vs Okoboji, 7 p.m.
Lawton-Bronson vs West Lyon, 7 p.m.
Liberty vs Iowa City, 7 p.m.
Lincoln vs D.M. East, 7 p.m.
Linn-Mar vs Cedar Falls, 7 p.m.
Lisbon vs Beckman, 7 p.m.
Logan-Magnolia vs Akron-Westfield, 7 p.m.
Lynnville-Sully vs Earlham, 7 p.m.
MVAOCOU vs Ridge View, 7 p.m.
Madrid vs Colfax-Mingo, 7 p.m.
Maquoketa Valley vs East Buchanan, 7 p.m.
Maquoketa vs Central DeWitt, 8 p.m.
Marion vs Oskaloosa, 7 p.m.
Martensdale-St Marys vs Nodaway Valley, 7 p.m.
Mediapolis vs Central Lee, 8 p.m.
Midland vs Highland, 7 p.m.
Mormon Trail vs Lenox, 7 p.m.
Mt Ayr vs Southwest Valley, 7 p.m.
Mt Pleasant vs Solon, 8 p.m.
Mt Vernon vs Wahlert, 8 p.m.
Muscatine vs Davenport Central, 7 p.m.
New London vs Van Buren County, 7 p.m.
Newman vs AGWSR, 7 p.m.
Newton vs Grinnell, 7 p.m.
North Butler vs St Ansgar, 7 p.m.
North Fayette Valley vs New Hampton, 7 p.m.
North Polk vs Carlisle, 7 p.m.
North Scott vs Burlington, 7 p.m.
North Tama vs Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 7 p.m.
North Union vs Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.
Northeast vs MFL MarMac, 7 p.m.
OABCIG vs Southeast Valley, 7 p.m.
Osage vs Forest City, 8 p.m.
PCM vs Centerville, 8 p.m.
Panorama vs Pleasantville, 7 p.m.
Pella Christian vs Albia, 8 p.m.
Pella vs Clear Creek-Amana, 7 p.m.
Perry vs Carroll, 8 p.m.
Pleasant Valley vs Dubuque, 7 p.m.
Pocahontas vs South Central Calhoun, 7 p.m.
Prairie vs Iowa City West, 7 p.m.
Red Oak vs Underwood, 7 p.m.
Regina vs Louisa-Muscatine, 7 p.m.
Rockford vs Riceville, 7 p.m.
Roland-Story vs Oelwein, 8 p.m.
S.C. East vs Lincoln, 7 p.m.
Saydel vs Winterset, 8 p.m.
Sergeant Bluff-Luton vs S.C. West, 7 p.m.
Seymour vs Murray, 7 p.m.
Shenandoah vs Tri-Center, 7 p.m.
Sibley-Ocheyedan vs Sioux Central, 7 p.m.
Sioux Center vs MOC-Floyd Valley, 7 p.m.
South Hamilton vs Manson-Northwest Webster, 7 p.m.
South Winneshiek vs Starmont, 7 p.m.
Southeast Polk vs Johnston, 7 p.m.
St Albert vs Woodbury Central, 7 p.m.
St Mary's vs North Iowa, 7 p.m.
Stanton-Essex vs Melcher-Dallas, 7 p.m.
Storm Lake vs Spencer, 7 p.m.
Tipton vs Monticello, 8 p.m.
Treynor vs Missouri Valley, 7 p.m.
Tripoli vs Don Bosco, 7 p.m.
Twin Cedars vs Moravia, 7 p.m.
Union vs Sumner-Fredericksburg, 7 p.m.
Unity Christian vs Central Lyon, 7 p.m.
Urbandale vs Norwalk, 7 p.m.
Van Meter vs Clarke, 8 p.m.
Wapello vs Danville, 7 p.m.
Wapsie Valley vs North Linn, 7 p.m.
Washington vs Fort Madison, 8 p.m.
Washington vs Mason City, 7 p.m.
Waterloo Christian vs Turkey Valley, 7 p.m.
Waterloo Columbus vs Aplington-Parkersburg, 7 p.m.
Waterloo West vs Marshalltown, 7 p.m.
Waukee Northwest vs Waukee, 7 p.m.
Waverly-Shell Rock vs Waterloo East, 7 p.m.
Wayne vs Southeast Warren, 7 p.m.
Webster City vs Algona, 7 p.m.
West Burlington vs Mid-Prairie, 8 p.m.
West Central Valley vs West Marshall, 7 p.m.
West Central vs Kee, 7 p.m.
West Fork vs Lake Mills, 7 p.m.
West Liberty vs Wilton, 8 p.m.
West Monona vs IKM-Manning, 7 p.m.
Western Christian vs BHRV, 7 p.m.
Western Dubuque vs Clinton, 7 p.m.
Westwood vs South O'Brien, 7 p.m.
Williamsburg vs Knoxville, 8 p.m.
Winfield-Mt Union vs Belle Plaine, 7 p.m.
Xavier vs Decorah, 7 p.m.
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at. Follow him on Twitter at
An Afghan family has resettled in West Des Moines, Iowa, after escaping the Taliban, with the help of local residents.WEST DES MOINES, Iowa —After four years of uncertainty and danger while trying to escape terror and get into the United States, the Zaki family has found safety in Iowa, and a community eager to help them start again.The Zakis are Afghan refugees. They arrived on U.S. soil this spring after obtaining a special immigrant visa, which grants residency to Afghan nationals who a...
An Afghan family has resettled in West Des Moines, Iowa, after escaping the Taliban, with the help of local residents.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa —
After four years of uncertainty and danger while trying to escape terror and get into the United States, the Zaki family has found safety in Iowa, and a community eager to help them start again.
The Zakis are Afghan refugees. They arrived on U.S. soil this spring after obtaining a special immigrant visa, which grants residency to Afghan nationals who assisted U.S. forces during wartime.
Shahamat Zaki is the eldest son living in the U.S. He's 20 and the family’s primary translator, but he was just 16 when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
He recalls how quickly life changed saying, “When the Taliban came back, I can literally say we went back 20 years."
He added that under the Taliban's rule, being a woman is hard, noting that girls can only attend school up to sixth grade.
Before their escape, Arifa Zaki, the matriarch of the family, had worked with the U.S. government, providing evacuation support as the Taliban regained control. For years, she helped others flee, risking her life, while waiting for the chance to take her family and leave their home country.
That chance came on April 9, when the Zaki family landed at the Des Moines International Airport with the help of a grassroots group of friends from Iowa.
Jane Patton has volunteered with immigrant services in Iowa for almost two decades. She said when President Donald Trump won the 2024 election, she wanted to get more involved before certain programs were discontinued.
So she rallied her friends, including Angela Garrison and Amy Eilers, to help her sponsor a Syrian refugee family. But when President Donald Trump took office in 2025, he suspended all U.S. Refugee Admissions on his first day, and those flights were cancelled. Still, the women did not give up. They instead turned to the nonprofit No One Left Behind, which is dedicated to resettling wartime allies.
That's when they connected with the Zakis.
Since then, the Zakis and their sponsors have built a deep bond.
“We are just so much more alike than we are different,” Garrison said.
Patton added, “We’re learning so much from them, too.”
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The women help teach the Zakis' English, and the Zakis teach the women how to make cultural meals. They go to the science center together, the park and the zoo, too.
And in just six short months, the Zakis have begun building a new life as Iowans. Shahamat attends Des Moines Area Community College and works at Hy-Vee, with hopes of becoming an engineer. He has a driver's license, a car and took a military entrance exam last week.
"So far, we really like America. We like the people and we like the environment, we like everything," Shahamat said.
But their fight isn't over yet.
The three oldest Zaki children were unable to join the rest of their family in Iowa. They were over age 18 at the time of the move, which is too old to qualify for a special immigrant visa.
The family stays in touch by phone, but said it’s not the same. Something most people understand.
That's why the women and their families are still committed to helping the Zakis find a pathway to reunite the entire family in the U.S.
As that work continues, the Zakis are focused on building a future here — one filled with safety, education and opportunity that they can one day share with the rest of their loved ones.
To learn more about how to sponsor an immigrant or refugee family, Patton suggests Welcome.US as a starting point.
877-292-2126
