abc-logo
Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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

phone-number877-292-2126 lm-right-arrow

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
SUBMIT REQUEST

Home Care In Allison, IA

Home Care Allison, 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.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Senator William B. Allison Memorial gets harder without someone by their side. 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 Allison, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Allison, IA

care-serviceHome Care Services

location Service Areas

Read More
Elderly Care Allison, IA Request More Information vector

The Always Best Care Difference

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.

Hear from Our Clients
Elderly Care for DouglasJJIWF
451
Caring

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”

Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.
Read full testimonial
Hear from Our Clients
In-home Care for Carol64210350
551
Caring

“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”

I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.
Read full testimonial
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”

DouglasJJIWF
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”

Carol64210350

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Allison, IA?

lm-check

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.

lm-check

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

lm-check

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.

lm-check

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.

Request More Information
Senior Care Allison, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Allison, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
Request More Information
Respite Care Allison, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
Request More Information
Caregivers Allison, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Wilder Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Request More Information
Home Care Allison, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Gronigans, don't feel bad. 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.

Request More Information
In-Home Care Allison, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Allison, IA

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:

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.

Request More Information vector

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 Allison, 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.

Elderly Care Allison, IA

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.
Senior Care Allison, IA

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 Allison, 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.

Respite Care Allison, IA

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
Caregivers Allison, IA

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.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Rehabilitation Center of Allison - ABCM Corporation
  • Allison Park Group Home
  • Maple Manor Village - ABCM Corporation
  • Cedar Vale Assisted Living
  • The Meadows of Shell Rock
  • Dutchman's Oaks Independent and Assisted Living Apartments
Home Care Allison, IA

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.

In-Home Care Allison, IA

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

lm-right-arrow
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

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
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 Allison, 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.

Request More Information vector
Elderly Care Allison, IA

Latest News in Allison, IA

Eastern Iowa Woman Gets Surprise Call & Wins Taylor Swift Tickets

In radio, every single day is different. In this business, if you think you've seen or dealt with it all, you have another thing coming. For the first time in my 10+ year radio career, I had someone who had to hang up and call me back to win a prize. Not just any prize, Taylor Swift tickets for this weekend in Chicago.Allison Tubbs got a phone from me today letting her know she was the winner of our last pair of tickets to The Eras Tour this weekend at Soldier Field in Chicago. Before I could even tell her she won, she had to "ca...

In radio, every single day is different. In this business, if you think you've seen or dealt with it all, you have another thing coming. For the first time in my 10+ year radio career, I had someone who had to hang up and call me back to win a prize. Not just any prize, Taylor Swift tickets for this weekend in Chicago.

Allison Tubbs got a phone from me today letting her know she was the winner of our last pair of tickets to The Eras Tour this weekend at Soldier Field in Chicago. Before I could even tell her she won, she had to "call me back" and luckily, she did.

After telling Allison of Maquoketa that she won a pair of tickets to Taylor Swift, I can now inform you that we are all out of tickets to Taylor Swift for this weekend in Chicago.

Allison Tubbs of Maquoketa got a surprise call from us today while she was working at Scooter's Coffee in Maquoketa. While she says they weren't the busiest at the moment, she definitely was busy enough where she had to call me back.

ADVERTISEMENT

The reason for my call was to tell her she won our last pair of tickets to Taylor Swift this weekend at Soldier Field in Chicago. She forgot she even signed up making it an even bigger surprise when she won.

Hear the phone call to Allison letting her know she won tickets to Taylor Swift from B100:

I've never had someone need to call me back to win tickets, let alone tickets to Taylor Swift. Regardless, congrats to Allison on winning our final pair of tickets to Taylor Swift from B100.

We are sending five winners this weekend to Soldier Field in Chicago to see Taylor Swift. Congrats to Jessica Eggers of Clinton, Avree Wright of Davenport, Kayle Kettering of Milan, Emma Coulter of Aledo, and Allison Tubbs of Maquoketa on winning tickets to Taylor Swift in Chicago from B100! Check out all of those phone calls made letting them know they won tickets to Taylor Swift from B100:

From the archives: T.J. Otzelberger, Alison Lacey find love through basketball at Iowa State

Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2013, a few months before T.J. Otzelberger and Alison Lacey were married. ANKENY — They see each other early in the morning, and then again late at night.Unless one's on the road for a game.Or recruiting.Then they might go days before hanging out together in the Ankeny townhome they share.Welcome to the world of two college basketball coaches — man and woman — living under one roof.Welcome to the world of ...

Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2013, a few months before T.J. Otzelberger and Alison Lacey were married.

ANKENY — They see each other early in the morning, and then again late at night.

Unless one's on the road for a game.

Or recruiting.

Then they might go days before hanging out together in the Ankeny townhome they share.

Welcome to the world of two college basketball coaches — man and woman — living under one roof.

Welcome to the world of T.J. Otzelberger and Alison Lacey, a few months before their June 1 wedding.

The former Cyclone women's basketball star who now is the head coach at Marshalltown Community College is getting hitched to Fred Hoiberg's top assistant. And after the ceremony, a free-throw shooting contest just might break out — the reception will be at (of course) an athletic club.

"It won't have a basketball theme," Lacey promised during a rare night at home with her soon-to-be husband. "That would be very expected — very cookie-cutter."

More:Former Iowa State basketball star Alison Lacey enjoying Sweet 16 rides for men's and women's teams

More:Peterson: For Iowa State basketball's Sweet 16 appearance, here are 16 thoughts ahead of Miami clash

Unless, of course, the DJ puts on the Iowa State fight song for the newlyweds' customary first dance.

"Everyone that's in the wedding party either coached basketball or played basketball with me," Lacey said, "and his friends all played basketball.

"It's very much a basketball group, so much so that I don't want to have the announcement as we walk into the reception."

Basketball is their lives, however. Right down to the delayed Hawaii honeymoon.

Delayed?

"Recruiting," T.J. said.

Lacey's parents will be in town from their home in Australia, so the couple wants to spend time with them. And then there are potential stars to evaluate.

Then the honeymoon.

"I hear there's a lot of good players in Hawaii," Otzelberger said.

Her side of the story

Basketball is their lives — right down to the day they met.

Lacey was finishing up her career at Iowa State in 2010, and so was star Craig Brackins on the men's side.

They knew each other. However, Alison didn't know the coach who recruited him.

"Not a clue," Lacey said, glancing at Otzelberger during an interview in their basketball-themed family room.

More:Looking back on Alison Lacey's 3-pointer vs. Michigan State that sent Iowa State to the Elite Eight

They arrived on campus in 2006, Lacey from Ballard of Huxley High School, where the Australian was a foreign-exchange student, and Otzelberger from coaching at Chipola College in Marianna, Fla.

They didn't speak, however, until Lacey said goodbye to Brackins.

"I don't even remember having a conversation with him," Lacey said, "and he didn't know who I was. I just knew he was a coach."

Brackins was their common denominator, their unsuspecting cupid.

"I knew Craig from basketball, and T.J. recruited Craig," Lacey said. "Through Craig, we met."

His side of the story

That's Lacey's story. Otzelberger tells it like this:

"I saw women's games when she played in college, but it wasn't like I was watching her play," Otzelberger said. "I don't even remember her as a player in college."

Something happened, however, after their first conversation on the day Lacey left for the WNBA. Love at first sight?

"I don't know about that, but we kept in contact," Otzelberger said.

They traded texts, then finally went on their first date after Lacey returned to Ames following the 2010 WNBA draft.

"I asked her out when I bumped into her leaving the (practice) facility after she was working out on a Friday afternoon," Otzelberger recalled.

More:Iowa State's Ashley Joens dreams of playing in the WNBA. What does her pro potential look like?

They went to dinner at the Cafe in Ames. They went to a movie.

"It was so bizarre how it all happened," Lacey said. "It was a bizarre way of meeting, and then dating."

More:What do Iowa State and Miami have in common? They've been big winners in the transfer portal

The proposal

Romantic?

That's nothing, compared to Otzelberger's proposal.

"We were in Australia last May for him to meet my family," Lacey said. "We were hanging out at my parents' house, but he kept wanting to go back to the hotel."

Otzelberger is a strategist — on and off the court. He had a plan.

"Alison didn't want to leave the house, but I finally convinced her that we had to get going — that we're on a tight schedule," Otzelberger said.

Instead of driving to the hotel, they stopped at a lake that surrounded a downtown residential development.

"He said he wanted to look at a development — some apartments that were being built," Lacey said. "There was the biggest full moon in 10 years, they were saying. It was beautiful."

They walked around the lake, Alison more briskly than T.J.

"I walked ahead of him because I was cold and wanted to get back to the car," she said. "I finally turned around to see how far back he was."

He wasn't far.

He was on his knee.

Otzelberger-the-romantic did the old-school thing, however. He first asked permission.

"Alison's dad and I went to lunch earlier that day, where I asked for her hand in marriage," Otzelberger said. "So he knew.

"I exposed the side that we try not to show at practice every day."

Q&A: In their own words (from 2013)

WHEN DO YOU SEE EACH OTHER?

Lacey: "Not much during the season."

Otzelberger: "We both get home between 7 and 8 o'clock at night, depending on the day, and we're both kind of mentally and emotionally spent from practice. We'll grab dinner, talk a little bit, and that's about it."

WHO COOKS?

Lacey: "Me mostly, but T.J. cooks a little, too. He's definitely getting better than he used to be. If I've had a really bad day at practice and I've just had it, then I won't cook. But I try to cook at least four times a week. He cooks maybe once."

Otzelberger: "I'm good with hamburger — I make sloppy joes. That's my go-to. I can make pasta and spaghetti a little, too."

CHAIR COVERS, NO CHAIR COVERS

Otzelberger: "She likes the details about the table placement, what jewelry the bridesmaids are going to wear, the cake — that stuff's off my radar. The rehearsal dinner I was involved in. I went to high school with a photographer and DJ, so that wasn't too difficult. I think I've been involved in the wedding planning — fairly involved."

COACHSPEAK?

Lacey: "He definitely helps me, but I don't know that I've ever helped him. He's helped me a ton, especially being a first-year head coach. When we watch basketball games together, I bounce things off of him."

THE RECRUITING TRAIL

Otzelberger: "In the past, I've told parents that basketball is my life 24/7. I'll take their phone call any hour of the day — I tell them I'll be there for your son. That's always been my pitch, now I'll have to switch it a bit — to family guy and that sort of thing."

DRIVEWAY ONE-ON-ONE

Lacey: "He would never let me win. He will do everything in his power not to lose. He's stronger. He fouls a lot. I would not win."

BAD DAYS TIMES TWO

Lacey: "I'm probably more guilty of being crabby or grumpy if we've had a bad practice or if we lose. Watch out if we've both had a bad practice or both lose. We're so invested in it emotionally. He just comes down to his man cave and watches basketball on TV. I stay upstairs and watch my reality shows and just space out."

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson embarked on his 50th year of writing sports for the Des Moines Register in December 2021 . Reach him at [email protected], 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete.

How one Iowa woman’s ovarian cancer journey has helped countless others

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.IOWA — Five years ago, Allison Kilfoy thought she had food poisoning. She was vomiting and in pain and in and out of the hospital seeing various doctors. For months there was no clear diagnosis until June 12, 2017.“She called me and said, I have bad news,” Allison remembers vividly. You have stage three cancer and you will never be a mother.”Not...

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

IOWA — Five years ago, Allison Kilfoy thought she had food poisoning. She was vomiting and in pain and in and out of the hospital seeing various doctors. For months there was no clear diagnosis until June 12, 2017.

“She called me and said, I have bad news,” Allison remembers vividly. You have stage three cancer and you will never be a mother.”

Not just cancer – uterine and ovarian cancer. Diseases that usually affect women in their sixties. Allison was 27.

“The first opinion I was told they would treat me the same as a 60-year-old, which means a full hysterectomy.”

That’s not what she wanted to hear, and she wanted a second opinion. She got a life-changing one at the University of Iowa.

“They spent more than an hour just going over options. I was able to freeze eggs to use in the future and I did not have a hysterectomy. They just took the cancer out and then I did chemotherapy.”

Chemo meant going from platinum blonde, to bald. Allison put on a brave face but the change was tough to take.

“I had a hard time going anywhere without a wig,” she said. “I wore a wig all the time because I didn’t want to look like I had cancer.”

Her friends knew it, and planned a celebration to mark the end of chemotherapy. And they all showed up wearing wigs of their own. Allison has turned that party into an annual fundraiser. That fundraiser is happening this Sunday, September 25 from 1-4 p.m. at Kinship Brewery. All of the money raised will go to the University of Iowa and the team that treated Allison five years ago.

Drake basketball's Allison Pohlman on Taylor McAulay's return, Iowa, Iowa State games

Drake women’s basketball coach Allison Pohlman spoke with confidence Monday during her team’s media day ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, and her optimism is not misplaced.The Bulldogs were ranked third in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll and received six first-place votes, one less than second-place Illinois State. Newcomer Belmont received 32 first-place votes.“I think one of the great things when you think about our team, we return four starters," Pohlman said. "Four start...

Drake women’s basketball coach Allison Pohlman spoke with confidence Monday during her team’s media day ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, and her optimism is not misplaced.

The Bulldogs were ranked third in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll and received six first-place votes, one less than second-place Illinois State. Newcomer Belmont received 32 first-place votes.

“I think one of the great things when you think about our team, we return four starters," Pohlman said. "Four starters from a team that found themselves in postseason play and found a way to really get it done in postseason.

“We were able to win a couple games. I think that experience really sparked the hunger of this group and seeing what they were able to do.”

Drake is the only Missouri Valley team with multiple student-athletes on the preseason all-conference team, with Megan Meyer and Grace Berg making the cut. But Meyer and Berg aren’t the only players returning to the Knapp Center this fall. Maggie Bair and Katie Dinnebier both started 32 games last season. Anna Miller, Courtney Becker and Sarah Beth Gueldner also saw a lot of playing time.

The Bulldogs (20-14, 9-9 MVC in Pohlman's first year as head coach) added two freshmen to the roster as well − Ava Hawthorne from Gilbert and Taedyn Gray from Lenexa, Kan.

Off to a strong start

Pohlman and the Bulldogs will not face an easy schedule. Drake plays No. 4 Iowa and No. 22 Nebraska – both at the Knapp Center – in the second and third games of the season. Before the end of the calendar year, the Bulldogs also must get through No. 8 Iowa State and No. 21 Creighton.

It won’t be an easy task for Drake, but it’s a set of nonconference games that Pohlman knows will make her squad better.

“I think what we’re gonna get out of that is really just a guage,” Pohlman said. “Where does this team stand? How competitive are we? What are we willing to do to be able to put the ball in the hole or get that extra stuff that we need when we need to get it?”

An injury update, or lack thereof

Drake men’s basketball has several players working through injuries just weeks before the start of the new season. That is not the case for the school's women’s basketball program.

When asked if the Bulldogs were dealing with any injuries heading into the schedule, Pohlman’s only update was that there were “none,” before knocking on the podium.

More good news: Drake will have 5-foot-11 guard Taylor McAulay back after she missed all of last year with an injury.

“One of the other people that we’ve added back … and people haven’t talked about her in a year because she’s been injured, is Taylor McCauley, who’s done a really phenomenal job of stepping back into this group,” Pohlman said.

“It’s not going to take you long to recognize which one she is, because she’s had a phenomenal fall. Really excited for us to be able to showcase her talents.”

How the schedule tips off

Drake opens the 2022-23 campaign with a Sunday exhibition against Northwest Missouri State. The regular-season opener is Nov. 7 vs. Green Bay. Then Iowa at home (Nov. 13) and Nebraska at home (Nov. 19). Then Massachusetts and an opponent to be determined at a Thanksgiving tournament in Florida. Then five more non-conference games in December before the Valley opener Dec. 30 at Illinois State.

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

Iowa high school tennis: Allison Szalay adds to Dowling Catholic's tennis prowess with 2A title

IOWA CITY, Ia. — Almost everything on the Class 2A tennis scene is coming up Dowling Catholic.Less than a week after Maroons standout Daniel Lu captured the boys' singles title in Cedar Rapids, Dowling junior Allison Szalay accomplished the same Thursday in Iowa City...

IOWA CITY, Ia. — Almost everything on the Class 2A tennis scene is coming up Dowling Catholic.

Less than a week after Maroons standout Daniel Lu captured the boys' singles title in Cedar Rapids, Dowling junior Allison Szalay accomplished the same Thursday in Iowa City. Szalay toppled West Des Moines Valley's Claire Gu (6-4, 6-3) in the Class 2A girls' singles championship match at Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex.

As the bracket's top two seeds — Gu at No. 1, Szalay at No. 2 — a championship collision between these two seemed inevitable. Gu began the day with a semifinal win over Ames' Arunadee Fernando, 6-3, 7-5. Szalay held up her end with a cruise-control win over Ankeny Centennial's Abbie Peterson (6-3, 6-1).

With the June sun bearing down, Gu and Szalay went at it with everything on the line. The Dowling standout needed a strong start to match Gu's top-ranked prowess. And Szalay got it with a 6-4 win. Now on the doorstep of a state title, Szalay wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away.

She grabbed control in the second set and didn't leave anything to chance. Szalay completed the upset with a 6-3 win, sending those wearing Dowling maroon into jubilation.

More:Iowa high school tennis: Dowling Catholic's Daniel Lu, A-P's Cameron Luhring win boys' singles titles

On the doubles' side, Cedar Falls' dynamic duo of Mira Keeran and Maya Mallavarapu toppled Dowling's Ava Petersen and Mackenzie Klein in the 2A championship match.

The Maroons nearly made it a singles/doubles sweep, grabbing the first set, 6-3. But the Tigers' tandem stormed back with 6-4 wins in the second and third set to clinch the title.

Epic final in Class 1A singles

The championship showdown between Columbus Catholic's Sasha Hyacinth and Cedar Rapids Xavier's Miyako Coffey will be remembered in Iowa's tennis community for quite some time.

It went like this at Waterloo's Byrnes Park.

Coffey, the No. 2 seed, grabbed the upper hand with a dominant 6-2 win in the first set. Hyacinth, the No. 1 seed, needed to re-group in a hurry. And did she ever.

More:Iowa high school boys' state soccer: Roundup of Thursday's semifinal games

An emphatic 6-1 win in the second set up an epic final showdown. Back and forth Coffey and Hyacinth went, neither budging in a high-pressure environment. After Hyacinth fought off five match points, then failed to put the title away on her first three match-point attempts, the Columbus Catholic standout finally emerged with a 12-10 victory.

Having won this title as just a sophomore, Hyacinth is set up for strong upperclassman years as the Sailors' tennis anchor.

More:Waukee's Matt Pries named 2021 All-Iowa Girls' Track Coach of the Year

It wasn't all bad for Xavier, either. On the 1A doubles' side, the Saints tandem of Ally Burger and Courtney Carstensen took home the title over Fairfield's Yana Gaskell and Penelope Higdon. The win came in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.