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 Winterset, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Winterset, 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 Winterset, 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 Winterset, 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.
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)If there is one thing Iowa is known for other than corn and pigs, it's charming small towns. So it only makes sense that Iowa was in the running for having one of the best public squares in the country.Winterset, Iowa, was nominated as one of the best public squares along with 19 other cities across the USA TOD...
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
If there is one thing Iowa is known for other than corn and pigs, it's charming small towns. So it only makes sense that Iowa was in the running for having one of the best public squares in the country.
Winterset, Iowa, was nominated as one of the best public squares along with 19 other cities across the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. A panel of experts determines finalists in each category before readers vote to make the final selections.
Roughly 40 minutes south of Des Moines is Winterset, the birthplace of John Wayne. The downtown area is lined with historic buildings and local shops, including the Iowa Theater, which was built in 1899.
The nearby covered bridges are the setting for the love story "The Bridges of Madison County" starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.
You can vote for Winterset as the best public square once a day. Visit 10best.usatoday.com to cast your vote. Winterset was ranked second as of Tuesday afternoon. Voting closes at 11 a.m. central on April 7.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to a shop on the town square that is no longer open. It has been removed from the article.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)If there is one thing Iowa is known for other than corn and pigs, it's charming small towns. So it only makes sense that Iowa was in the running for having one of the best public squares in the country.Winterset, Iowa, was nominated as one of the best public squares along with 19 other cities across the USA TOD...
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
If there is one thing Iowa is known for other than corn and pigs, it's charming small towns. So it only makes sense that Iowa was in the running for having one of the best public squares in the country.
Winterset, Iowa, was nominated as one of the best public squares along with 19 other cities across the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. A panel of experts determines finalists in each category before readers vote to make the final selections.
Roughly 40 minutes south of Des Moines is Winterset, the birthplace of John Wayne. The downtown area is lined with historic buildings and local shops, including the Iowa Theater, which was built in 1899.
The nearby covered bridges are the setting for the love story "The Bridges of Madison County" starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.
You can vote for Winterset as the best public square once a day. Visit 10best.usatoday.com to cast your vote. Winterset was ranked second as of Tuesday afternoon. Voting closes at 11 a.m. central on April 7.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to a shop on the town square that is no longer open. It has been removed from the article.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
Thousands of visitors filled the streets of Winterset Saturday for the city's annual Covered Bridge Festival as a cool breeze tossed colorful autumn leaves along the downtown square.Each year, local residents, fans of Clint Eastwood's classic "The Bridges of Madison County" film and out-of-towners make their way to Winterset's chocked-full downtown to celebrate one of the central parts of the county's identity: its famous covered bridges."We've gone back to our roots this year," Madison County Chamber of Com...
Thousands of visitors filled the streets of Winterset Saturday for the city's annual Covered Bridge Festival as a cool breeze tossed colorful autumn leaves along the downtown square.
Each year, local residents, fans of Clint Eastwood's classic "The Bridges of Madison County" film and out-of-towners make their way to Winterset's chocked-full downtown to celebrate one of the central parts of the county's identity: its famous covered bridges.
"We've gone back to our roots this year," Madison County Chamber of Commerce CEO Amara Huffine told the Register. "Covered Bridge Festival started as a pioneer-type festival, so I'm hoping that we'll just kind of bring back the joy and the nostalgia of this festival."
The festival, which began in 1970, was started by residents who loved their town and the culture of Madison County's covered bridges. The original festival had crafts and handmade goods that showcased local artisans, something that has stuck.
"Those people understood that we have a unique setting, and they understood that it's good to have people come to your community, and we love showing off because we're set up for it," Winterset Mayor Tom Leners said.
Now, Civil War reenactments, antique tractor rides, blacksmithing and wood carving and other blasts from the past are all part of the festival.
"It's a communitywide, countywide initiative to really spotlight the assets of Madison County, as well as the beauty of the trees changing colors," Huffine said.
This year's festival comes as the six covered bridges in and around Winterset are in disrepair, and repairs are projected to cost millions. A portion of the gate proceeds will go to the Covered Bridge Association, which works on restoration and upkeep of the bridges.
"This not only supports our community, but it supports the historic bridges," Huffine said. "We understand how much of an asset they are."
Over 100 vendors lined the city's historic downtown, serving up hot coffee, treats, wine slushies and a variety of lunch options.
Petite Cafe?, one of Winterset's few coffee shops, has been a vendor at the festival since 2017.
"We love being a local business and bringing something special to the covered bridge festival," said Naomi Hupton, the owner of Petite Cafe? and roastery Pammel Park Coffee. "We love talking to people and hearing all about why they're visiting and if it's their first time, or if they've been here before."
Hupton's cafe offers unusual brews such as the maple cinnamon latte and the pumpkin spice cold brew, as well as pastries such as the Nutella and pistachio croissant and the chocolate caramel chunk cookie.
Bakery Unlimited, which made the top 10 donut shops list from USA Today, was selling its signature red delicious fritters.
Dozens of vendors selling crafts, antiques, handmade pottery and other treasures occupied the outside of the square. According to Huffine, they were required to meet a 50% handmade requirement for their goods.
Local artisans including Robin Paul of the art studio Madhau?s Gallery and out-towner potter Bob Kling offered one-of-a-kind goods.
The six Madison County bridges – Imes, Cutler-Donahue, Holliwell, Roseman, Cedar and Hogback – attract over 50,000 tourists a year. Other attractions in Winterset, including the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum and Clark's Tower, also benefit the city.
According to Huffine, the festival makes around $100,000 annually. This year, she expects upward of 30,000 people to crowd Winterset's square.
The biggest crowd ever "was probably 25,000," Huffine said, and she's hoping for 25,000 to 30,000 this year in light of the good weather.
Festival-goers have the chance to go on a tour of each of the bridges and also can donate money to preserve the bridges and allow future tours.
"You always get people wanting to come see the bridges," Hupton said. "But it also it takes a lot to maintain them."
Donations can be made online at www.desmoinesfoundation.org/MadisonCountyCoveredBridge. Or make out checks to the Greater Madison County Community Foundation, with "Covered Bridge Preservation" in the memo line. Mail checks to 1217 N. 6th Ave., Suite 3, Winterset, IA 50723.
The festival acts as a homecoming for many Winterset natives who see old friends and reconnect with their roots.
Other visitors are drawn to the historic aspects of small-town Iowa.
"We have all kinds of people just looking at the architecture," Leners said. "You see people taking pictures of buildings or people taking pictures of the courthouse."
Festival first-timer Henry Gold, a Massachusetts native and a senior at Grinnell College, found Winterset and the festival warm and welcoming.
"It's really the first small town in Iowa that I've been to, other than Grinnell," Gold said. "It just it feels very like warm... there's definitely like a fall theme."
Leners, who has lived in Winterset since 1983, is proud of the sense of community the festival brings to the city and central Iowa.
"I have a sense of pride," Leners said. "We're all having a great time together... We truly are better off when we can come together and enjoy ourselves."
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