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.
WINTERSET, Iowa —It’s not every day that someone reaches the age of 100 — let alone 108.Wednesday marks 108 years since Pauline Jones was born in Forest City in 1917. She still remembers stories from her grandfather, who served in America’s Civil War in the 1860s."They didn't fight the wars then like they do now. He had to ride a horse down and fight that way," Pauline said. "That was before my time."Pauline is proud to call Iowa home. She moved to St. L...
WINTERSET, Iowa —
It’s not every day that someone reaches the age of 100 — let alone 108.
Wednesday marks 108 years since Pauline Jones was born in Forest City in 1917. She still remembers stories from her grandfather, who served in America’s Civil War in the 1860s.
"They didn't fight the wars then like they do now. He had to ride a horse down and fight that way," Pauline said. "That was before my time."
Pauline is proud to call Iowa home. She moved to St. Louis for a decade to work as a housekeeper, but her roots and family have always been in the Hawkeye State.
"My favorite place is in Iowa, of course. I was born here [and] raised here," she said. "I was a farmer's daughter and a farmer's wife."
Pauline’s been living by herself in her Winterset home for 30 years. She said maintaining that sense of independence has kept her spirits high.
"I would be lost if I wasn't here," Pauline said. "Now that I have lived here this long, I have things the way that I want it."
Living at home has allowed her to explore new passions — especially baking and painting — which she discovered only 20 years ago. Her artwork covers her walls from ceiling to floor, including a painting of the church where she married her late husband.
As far as birthday celebrations go, Pauline keeps them simple. But every milestone marks a new year to live life to the fullest.
"It's a lot of birthdays," she said. "I've enjoyed them — I guess I've enjoyed every one. And maybe I'll have a few more."
Covered bridges from a bygone era embrace a romantic view of Iowa, inspiring a bestselling novel, a Hollywood movie, and a Broadway show that launched its touring production in Iowa.As part of a USA TODAY network's "Most treasured views in America" project, the Des Moines Register is showcasing stunning places to visit across Iowa....
Covered bridges from a bygone era embrace a romantic view of Iowa, inspiring a bestselling novel, a Hollywood movie, and a Broadway show that launched its touring production in Iowa.
As part of a USA TODAY network's "Most treasured views in America" project, the Des Moines Register is showcasing stunning places to visit across Iowa.
The Bridges of Madison County are a collection of historic covered bridges located in Madison County, Iowa, made famous by Robert James Waller’s bestselling novel and the 1995 film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.
At one time, Madison County had 19 covered bridges, built between 1868-1889, and was known as Three River Country, even though, technically, four rivers wind through the county — the North, Middle, South/Grand River, and Thompson rivers. Creeks and streams also contributed to the need for so many bridges, according to Madison County Tourism.
Builders covered the bridges to extend their lives indefinitely.
Only six covered bridges remain today, and five are original structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ever since Charles City native Robert James Waller published his 1992 novel “The Bridges of Madison County,” the nation has been enthralled by the romantic bridges outside Winterset, Iowa, that formed the book's backdrop.
A tenderly romantic movie with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood debuted in 1995, and the bridges became almost a character in the story. But the bridges came about long before Waller's romantic tale.
The Roseman and Holliwell bridges made appearances in the film.
Visitors can walk over all the bridges. Start in Winterset at the Winterset City Park at 300 S. Ninth St. to fan out around the countryside and see all six bridges. Find maps of the bridge locations at the Chamber of Commerce website.
Visit the Madison County Tourism Welcome Center at 202 E. Main St. in St. Charles for physical map copies. Scenic route signs around Winterset also point to each of the bridges.
There are no charges to visit any of the six covered bridges.
Winterset, Iowa, and St. Charles, Iowa
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].
One of the best spots to buy a doughnut is located in Iowa.A Winterset bakery ranked in the top 10 best doughnut shops in the country for the second year in a row, according to USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. A panel of experts determines finalists in each category before readers vote to make the final selections.What is the best doughnut shop in Iowa?The Bakery Unlimited ranked third among ...
One of the best spots to buy a doughnut is located in Iowa.
A Winterset bakery ranked in the top 10 best doughnut shops in the country for the second year in a row, according to USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. A panel of experts determines finalists in each category before readers vote to make the final selections.
The Bakery Unlimited ranked third among the best doughnut shops in the United States, according to USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. This is an improvement from 2024, when it was ranked fifth.
The only doughnut shops to top the Winterset bakery were City Donut in Alabama and Donald's Donuts in Ohio. The Bakery Unlimited beat out doughnut shops in California, New York and Oregon.
"We are excited about these awards for our small bakery and community," said owner Katie Sparks. "It is important for visitors to know that Iowa has a lot to be proud of. Small towns, like Winterset, have unique things that you can not get elsewhere. We are worth the stop."
Doughnuts at The Bakery Unlimited are made with Sparks' mother's original recipe. The homemade doughnuts are known for being extra soft and fluffy, Sparks said.
The bakery makes anything from doughnut holes to old-fashioned cake doughnuts and long johns with strips of bacon on them. The doughnut shop is especially known for its red delicious apple fritters made with fresh apples.
"We don't make anything fancy, just good old-fashioned delicacies with no added preservatives," Sparks told the Register in an email. "We have made many non-donut eaters, donut lovers."
The Bakery Unlimited is based in Winterset, approximately 45 minutes from Des Moines. It is located at 119 N. John Wayne Drive.
The Bakery Unlimited is open from 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
(This story was updated to correct a misspelling.)
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
From an airplane, Iowa looks like a tapestry of cornfields and flat land. From the ground, the state's beauty is much more complex.Bluffs along the Mississippi River provide striking views of America's second-longest river as it carves Iowa's eastern border. Built structures afford tourists an elevated view of the scenic Des Moines River.And covered bridges from a bygone era embrace a romantic view of Iowa, inspiring a bestselling novel, a Hollywood movie and a Broadway show that launched its touring production i...
From an airplane, Iowa looks like a tapestry of cornfields and flat land. From the ground, the state's beauty is much more complex.
Bluffs along the Mississippi River provide striking views of America's second-longest river as it carves Iowa's eastern border. Built structures afford tourists an elevated view of the scenic Des Moines River.
And covered bridges from a bygone era embrace a romantic view of Iowa, inspiring a bestselling novel, a Hollywood movie and a Broadway show that launched its touring production in Iowa.
As part of a USA TODAY network's "Most treasured views in America" project, the Register is showcasing three of Iowa's breathtaking — and sometimes underappreciated — visual landmarks. Let us show you what makes each such a special place.
Ever since Charles City native Robert James Waller published his 1992 novel “The Bridges of Madison County,” the nation has been enthralled by the romantic bridges outside Winterset, Iowa, that formed the book's backdrop.
A tenderly romantic movie with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood debuted in 1995, and the bridges became almost a character in the story. But the bridges, six in all, came about long before Waller's romantic tale.
The Roseman and Holliwell bridges made appearances in the film.
Visitors can walk over all the bridges. Start in Winterset at the Winterset City Park at 300 S. Ninth St. to fan out around the countryside and see all six bridges. Find maps of the bridge locations at the Chamber of Commerce website.
Visit the Madison County Tourism Welcome Center at 202 E. Main St. in St. Charles for physical map copies. Scenic route signs around Winterset also point to each of the bridges.
There are no charges to visit any of the six covered bridges.
Winterset, Iowa, and St. Charles, Iowa
The High Trestle Trail Bridge is the visual centerpiece of the 25-mile High Trestle Trail that connects five communities and four counties in central Iowa.
The 13-story, half-mile-long former railroad bridge spans the Des Moines River Valley, offering scenic views and a unique, kaleidoscopic perspective.
While cyclists and pedestrians can walk anywhere along the 25-mile trail that spans from Ankeny to Woodward, the bridge, between Woodward and Madrid, is the focal point.
By night, blue lights envelop the cascading square decorations on the bridge. Polk County Conservation noted that High Trestle is the fifth-largest trail bridge in the world.
Getting there: Getting to the High Trestle Trail Bridge is part of the adventure. One option is to start from the Woodward trailhead at 99 N. Main St. west of the High Trestle Trail Bridge for a 2.6-mile walk or bike ride to the High Trestle Trail Bridge. In Madrid, park at 346-398 W. Third St. for a similar walk or bike ride to the bridge from the east.
For a more rustic hike that is closer to the bridge, park at Grant’s Woods Conservation Trail lot at 2335 Qf Lane in Madrid. From there, the walk is about nine-tenths of a mile.
Overlooks: This former United Pacific rail line was converted into a bike and walking trail in 2008. The bridge spans a half-mile across the Des Moines River, with six lookout spots featuring interpretive panels.
East Side Overlook: An overlook on the east side offers views of the entire bridge.
West Side Overlook: There's also a lookout spot on the west side.
Illusion of Gliding: Steel beams are shaped and positioned to create an illusion of gliding movement when viewed from below.
Glowing lights: At night, the beams are illuminated with blue lights on cascading squares that form the upper portion of the bridge.
No. Viewing and walking on the High Trestle Trail Bridge is free.
Madrid, Iowa and Woodward.
The national monument features more than 200 prehistoric mounds built by pre-Columbian Mound Builder cultures in the Upper Mississippi River Valley.
The picturesque views showcase the beauty of the river from the adjoining bluffs. Many of the effigies are shaped like animals, including bears and birds, and are accessible via trails of varying difficulty.
Start at the visitor center: Drop by this building at the opening of the park for a map of hiking trails and a brochure about the Effigy Mounds. Temporary exhibits and a museum offer background on the origins of the mounds and the region, part of the Driftless Area of Iowa.
Pick a trail: The only way to see the Effigy Mounds is on foot. Check the hiking trails map to choose a short walk with accessible trails or a more strenuous trek on steep hills. No automobile tours are available.
Choose from the North Unit or South Unit: Trails to the north of the visitor center are all surfaced with dirt, gravel, wood chips, and leaves, except the one-mile Yellow River Boardwalk, a 30-minute round trip through marshes and the Yellow River. Hanging Rock, the most challenging hike at the park, navigates seven miles with a visit to a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River Valley.
South Unit hiking trails include the one-mile Founders Pond Overlook for a look at the interior valley of the Yellow River and the Marching Bear Group four-mile hike for an up close look at 10 bear-shaped and three bird-shaped effigy mounds.
The National Monument has no entrance fee and is free to visit. There are no charges for the visitor center, museum, trails or ranger-guided programs.
Harpers Ferry.
877-292-2126
