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.
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Home Care In West Des Moines, IA
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.
Since 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.
“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care”
Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!
“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all”
On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.
“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable”
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!
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“Tracey Gray helped me in the biggest way today! She saved my day and I am so thankful for her choice to help me! Thank you! #CertPrint #AlwaysBestCare”
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“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”
James T.
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“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”
Michael H.
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TESTIMONIALS
“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!”
Melanie S.
What is Non-Medical Senior Care in West Des Moines, IA?
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:
Personal 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.
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:
Age in Place
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.
Peace of Mind
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.
Socialization
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.
Personalized Care Plan
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.
Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors
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.
Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:
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.
Affordable 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:
If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.
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.
Assisted Living Referral Services
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:
Housekeeping
Laundry
Recreational Activities
Social Outings
Emergency Medical Response
Medication Monitoring
Family Visitation
Personal Care
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.
Taking the First Step with Always Best Care
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
01
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
02
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
03
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.
Iowa High School Football Playoffs: Revenge For No. 1 Dowling Catholic
DANA BECKERhttps://www.si.com/high-school/iowa/iowa-high-school-football-playoffs-revenge-for-no-1-dowling-catholic-01ka2f2yneve
In Week 1 of the Iowa high school football regular season, scored a victory over .On Friday evening in the Class 5A state semifinals, the Maroons returned the favor.Dowling Catholic scored a 14-10 victory over its long-time rivals, advancing to the 5A state championship game. The regular season loss to the Tigers remains the lone setback this year for the Maroons.Joey Nahas hit Iowa State University commit Jeffrey Roberts on a 69-yard touchdown strike with just under two minutes to play in the third quarter for the game...
In Week 1 of the Iowa high school football regular season, scored a victory over .
On Friday evening in the Class 5A state semifinals, the Maroons returned the favor.
Dowling Catholic scored a 14-10 victory over its long-time rivals, advancing to the 5A state championship game. The regular season loss to the Tigers remains the lone setback this year for the Maroons.
Joey Nahas hit Iowa State University commit Jeffrey Roberts on a 69-yard touchdown strike with just under two minutes to play in the third quarter for the game-winning points. Earlier in the quarter, Nahas found brother Jimmy Nahas on a 28-yard TD.
Nahas finished 8-for-17 for 151 yards and the two touchdowns, as Ian Middleton ran for 125 yards on 29 carries. Roberts had three receptions for 76 yards, Jimmy Nahas finished with two for 44 and University of Northern Iowa commit Sam Drexler caught two passes.
"We knew what we could do," Nahas said. "We just had to stay poised. This means a lot but we didn't come here to win the semifinal game."
Blake Dorenkamp got the Tigers on the board in the first quarter, scoring from 29 yards out. Conley Harne gave Valey a 10-7 lead late in the third quarter when he kicked a 43-yard field goal.
Dorenkamp ran for 103 yards and Louisville commit Jayden McGregory caught six passes for 60 yards. McGregory’s final high school catch, though, came up a couple yards short on fourth-down late in the game.
Drake DeGroote was 9 of 18 passing for 64 yards with an interception.
On defense for Dowling, Carlos Blount had 10 tackles and Anthony Bonanno had eight with fuor for loss. Bonnano had two sacks and Ryan Bobo one. Jeremiah Roberson recorded an interception.
The Tiger defense was led by Hayden Demaray, who had 10 tackles with three for loss. Alonzo Jimenez had five tackles and three for loss.Demaray recorded 2.5 sacks and Jimenez had 1.5.
Iowa City Liberty Handles Waukee Northwest
Just a few short years removed from starting the football program, Iowa City Liberty finds itself headed to the 5A state title game.
The Lightning, who started out competing in 4A before moving up a class, earned a 31-15 victory over Waukee Northwest. They will play perennial contender and multi-time state champion Dowling Catholic next week for the championship.
Reece Rettig found Pryor Reiners for a first quarter touchdown and Iowa City Liberty was off, as Rettig added a rushing score and another TD pass to Logan Laubenthal. Brody Beaver had a rushing touchdown to make it 14-0 early in the second.
For Waukee Northwest, Bodie Morrison recovered a fumble in the end zone for a score midway through the third quarter. They finally got an offensive TD when Mack Heitland hit Jordon Green late in the fourth.
Rettig was brilliant, completing 26 of 31 for 210 yards with a pair of touchdowns, adding 66 yards rushing. Beaver had 93 yards on the ground and Reiners caught six passes for 53.
Heitland finished 19 of 25 for 150, adding 32 yards rushing. Isaiah Oliver caught eight passes for 66 yards and Green six for 49.
More Iowa High School Sports Headlines
Special Election - Iowa State Senate District 16 - Tuesday, December 30
Special Election - State Senate District #16 - Tuesday, December 30 - Polls Open 7:00a - 8:00pDemocratic Candidate: Renee HardmanRepublican Candidate: Lucas LoftinAbsentee Voting in Office: 2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310 will begin on Wednesday, December 10 @ 8:00aAbsentee Ballot Requests by Mail Deadline - Monday, December 15th State Senate #16 Polling Place Address ...
Special Election - State Senate District #16 - Tuesday, December 30 - Polls Open 7:00a - 8:00p
Democratic Candidate: Renee Hardman
Republican Candidate: Lucas Loftin
Absentee Voting in Office: 2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310 will begin on Wednesday, December 10 @ 8:00a
Absentee Ballot Requests by Mail Deadline - Monday, December 15th
State Senate #16
Polling Place
Address
108 Clive 1
108 THE HARBACH CENTER
8505 HARBACH BLVD. Clive, IA
109 Clive 2
109 FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
10395 UNIVERSITY AVE. Clive, IA
110 Clive 3
110 FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
10395 UNIVERSITY AVE. Clive, IA
111 Clive 4
111 CLIVE CITY HALL
1900 NW 114TH ST. Clive, IA
159 West Des Moines 111
159 WEST DES MOINES SENIOR CTR.
134 6TH ST. WDM, IA
160 West Des Moines 112
160 FRED MAYTAG II SCOUT CENTER
6123 SCOUT TRAIL WDM, IA
161 West Des Moines 113
161 WDM FIRE/EMS STATION #17
1401 RAILROAD AVE. WDM, IA
162 West Des Moines 114
162 SACRED HEART PARISH HALL
1627 GRAND AVE. WDM, IA
163 West Des Moines 115
163 ST. TIMOTHY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1020 24TH ST. WDM, IA
164 West Des Moines 116
164 VALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
4201 ASHWORTH RD. WDM, IA
165 West Des Moines 117
165 ST. TIMOTHY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1020 24TH ST. WDM, IA
166 West Des Moines 118
166 ST. MARK'S LUTHERAN CHURCH
1115 GRAND AVE. WDM, IA
167 West Des Moines 211
167 ASHWORTH CHURCH
5300 ASHWORTH RD. WDM, IA
168 West Des Moines 212
168 ASHWORTH CHURCH
5300 ASHWORTH RD. WDM, IA
169 West Des Moines 311
169 WEST DES MOINES CHRISTIAN CHURCH
4501 MILLS CIVIC PKWY. WDM, IA
170 West Des Moines 312
170 WEST DES MOINES CHRISTIAN CHURCH
4501 MILLS CIVIC PKWY. WDM, IA
171 West Des Moines 313
171 SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY CHURCH
3900 ASHWORTH RD. WDM, IA
172 West Des Moines 314
172 WDM FIRE/EMS STATION #18
5025 GRAND AVE. WDM, IA
173 West Des Moines 315
173 VALLEY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH
4343 FULLER RD. WDM, IA
174 West Des Moines 316
174 VALLEY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH
4343 FULLER RD. WDM, IA
175 Windsor Heights 1
175 WINDSOR HEIGHTS LUTHERAN CHURCH
1240 66TH ST. WHts, IA
176 Windsor Heights 2
176 WINDSOR HEIGHTS LUTHERAN CHURCH
1240 66TH ST. WHts, IA
Capturing the northern lights: How to take the best photos
Iowans have another chance at seeing the northern lights Wednesday night. Here are some ways to capture those colors. Iowa —Iowans were treated to mesmerizing colors from the aurora borealis, or Northern lights, in the sky Tuesday night. This is because of a severe geomagnetic storm triggered by solar flares. The lights can appear faint when looked at with the naked eye, like in this picture from our KCCI SkyCam in Creston Tuesday night.With the right camera settings, the different colors ...
Iowans have another chance at seeing the northern lights Wednesday night. Here are some ways to capture those colors.
Iowa —
Iowans were treated to mesmerizing colors from the aurora borealis, or Northern lights, in the sky Tuesday night. This is because of a severe geomagnetic storm triggered by solar flares. The lights can appear faint when looked at with the naked eye, like in this picture from our KCCI SkyCam in Creston Tuesday night.
With the right camera settings, the different colors and waves can be seen in pictures, like this one taken in West Des Moines.
Other pictures taken by Iowans on Tuesday night can be found here.
Skies are not expected to be as clear Wednesday night because of cloud cover. However, there is still a chance to catch the lights. Here's how to take the best photos of them:
Most newer versions of iPhone and Android phones have a setting for taking pictures in low light. This slows the shutter speed, allowing more light in and taking a clearer picture. Here's how to adjust settings on iPhone and Android devices like Samsung phones or Google Pixel phones.
It's important to hold your phone steady or use a tripod so your image does not end up blurry.
There's an app for that, too
There are also apps available that are specifically designed to help you take pictures of the northern lights. Northern Lights Photo Taker is available on the Apple App Store for $0.99 and is rated 2.7 out of 5 stars. NightCap Camera is available for $2.99 for iOS users with 4.4 out of 5 stars. ProCam X - Lite has 3.9 out of 5 stars from Android users and is free to download from Google Play.
Be in the right place at the right time
Artificial light pollution can decrease your chances of catching the best colors, so it is best to get away from cities and into rural areas for picture-taking. There will be more visibility the farther north you can get. Any time after it gets dark outside and before midnight will be the best opportunity.
If you have any photos or videos of the northern lights, you can send them to KCCI here.
America’s least popular city revealed in new report as residents flee in droves
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both si...
Residents of a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa, may be trying to flee the city at a higher rate than anywhere else in the country, an analysis found.
The moving research platform moveBuddha found that for every 18 people using the site to search for information about moving into the city of West Des Moines, 100 people were searching for information about moving out.
West Des Moines, which Money magazine ranked as one of America’s best places to live as recently as 2016, has been overtaken in popularity by other suburbs in the region.
“Today, Waukee is the state’s top move-to suburb, pulling in more new building permits than West Des Moines,” moveBuddha analysts wrote.
“And at [an average home value of] $319K, West Des Moines is pricey by Des Moines standards, so new Iowans aren’t seeing an affordability edge in the mature suburb, where the average home dates from 1993 (in Ankeny, homes average 16 years younger),” the company added.
The Independent has contacted the mayor, city council, and chamber of commerce of West Des Moines for comment.
Despite the apparent interest in leaving the area, West Des Moine’s overall population has continued to grow largely unabated since 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Another 2025 analysis, from U.S. News and World Report, listed the move from West Des Moines to Phoenix, Arizona, as the third most popular city-to-city migration path in the country, with analysts guessing the residents were “likely seeking warmer year-round weather, perhaps for retirement.”
moveBuddha identified the following cities as rounding out the top 10 destination residents seem to be seeking to exit: San Marcos, California; Port Richey, Florida; Yonkers, New York; Moscow, Idaho; Norwalk, Connecticut; Lowell, Massachusetts; Ellicott City, Maryland; Woodbridge, Virginia; and Issaquah, Washington.
The company identified eight of 10 of those cities as pricier satellite communities that were once desirable areas near larger metro areas, such as Yonkers, which is just north of New York City, or Woodbridge, which is nestled outside of Washington, D.C.
“In just about every state, movers are turning on yesterday’s star suburbs; they make up 8 out of the 10 least popular cities and 30 of the 50 states’ top exit cities,” moveBuddha wrote.
The results seem to match other recent analyses of moving trends.
The Journal of Consumer Research found that between March 2024 and 2025, interest in leaving was highest in higher-cost states mentioned in moveBuddha’s unpopular cities research, including California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Washington.
In- and outflow data has long been a source of bragging rights for local governments, especially in places like California, which has worked to lower its historic affordability issues and population outflow in recent years.
Iowa high school football playoffs quarterfinal matchups released by IHSAA
Eli McKownhttps://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/10/31/iowa-high-school-football-playoff-bracket-schedule-ihsaa-quarterfinals/86974407007/
Only one more set of games in Iowa high school football is left before the UNI-DomeWith just eight teams left in each class after a thrilling Round of 16, we're onto the state quarterfinals. The winners of the quarterfinals advance to the UNI-Dome for the semifinals and finals.Here's a look at those quarterfinal matchups with a spot in Cedar Falls on the line.8-player games are 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6. All other classes are 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7.Class 5APOD ACheck out the all ne...
Only one more set of games in Iowa high school football is left before the UNI-Dome
With just eight teams left in each class after a thrilling Round of 16, we're onto the state quarterfinals. The winners of the quarterfinals advance to the UNI-Dome for the semifinals and finals.
Here's a look at those quarterfinal matchups with a spot in Cedar Falls on the line.
8-player games are 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6. All other classes are 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7.
Class 5A
POD A
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POD B
POD C
POD D
Class 4A
POD A
POD B
POD C
POD D
Class 3A
POD A
POD B
POD C
POD D
Class 2A
POD A
POD B
POD C
POD D
Class 1A
POD A
POD B
POD C
POD D
Class A
POD A
POD B
POD C
POD D
8-player
POD A
POD B
POD C
POD D
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at. Follow him on Twitter at
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