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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Dougherty, IA

Home Care Dougherty, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Dougherty, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Dougherty, IA

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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.

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Elderly Care for Tracy G.
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“Always Best Care of the Cedar Valley has compassionate staff and flexible scheduling. The office”

Always Best Care of the Cedar Valley has compassionate staff and flexible scheduling. The office staff answers my questions patiently.
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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.
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In-home Care for Carol64210350
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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.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care of the Cedar Valley has compassionate staff and flexible scheduling. The office staff answers my questions patiently.”

Tracy G.
×
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 Dougherty, IA?

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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Senior Care Dougherty, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Dougherty, 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
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Respite Care Dougherty, 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
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Caregivers Dougherty, 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.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Dougherty, 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. 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.

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In-Home Care Dougherty, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Dougherty, 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.

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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 Dougherty, 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 Dougherty, 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 Dougherty, 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 Dougherty, 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 Dougherty, 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 Dougherty, 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.

Home Care Dougherty, 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 Dougherty, 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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Dougherty, 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.

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Elderly Care Dougherty, IA

Latest News in Dougherty, IA

Future of Ageing Awards 2025: Leader of the Year Q&A with Dougherty Apartments CEO Kelvin Neave

In this Q&A, we feature Kelvin Neave, 2025 Future of Ageing Awards Leader of the Year. Mr Neave offers insights into his approach to management, balancing financial stability with quality care, and advice for leaders of tomorrow. Results were unveiled at a presentation dinner in Sydney on November 27, 2025…To view all of the results…On the award and leadershipInside Ageing (IA): What does being named Leader of the Year mean to you personally and professionally?Kelvin: Personall...

In this Q&A, we feature Kelvin Neave, 2025 Future of Ageing Awards Leader of the Year. Mr Neave offers insights into his approach to management, balancing financial stability with quality care, and advice for leaders of tomorrow. Results were unveiled at a presentation dinner in Sydney on November 27, 2025…To view all of the results…

On the award and leadership

Inside Ageing (IA): What does being named Leader of the Year mean to you personally and professionally?

Kelvin: Personally, receiving the Leader of the Year Award is deeply humbling. Aged care is a sector built on collective effort, so this recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, the engagement of residents and families, and the support of our broader community.

Professionally, the award reinforces the importance of values-based leadership, long-term commitment to quality, and the creation of safe, dignified environments for older people. It also highlights the need to continue championing aged care leaders, supporting innovation that strengthens the quality and safety of care, and advocating for the sector as a whole.

For a small, standalone not-for-profit like Dougherty Apartments, this recognition resonates across the entire community, celebrating the collective achievements of staff, residents, and stakeholders alike.

IA: Who or what has most influenced your leadership style in aged care?

Kelvin: The people receiving care have been my greatest influence. Listening to residents and families, particularly during vulnerable times, shapes how I lead far more than anything else.

Colleagues and teams have also guided me; their resilience, compassion, and practical wisdom continually demonstrate what good leadership looks like.

My approach is centred on removing barriers and creating an environment where people feel known, safe, and valued. This ethos reflects Dougherty’s founding principles and the vision of the former Mayor Bob Dougherty, who believed aged care is about belonging and community as much as services and buildings.

IA: What leadership decision are you most proud of over the past year?

Kelvin: I am most proud of embedding innovation as a tool for inclusion, not just efficiency. This includes championing Dougherty Apartments’ nationally leading use of NeuronsVR technology to support residents’ cognitive stimulation, social connection, and wellbeing, while providing staff with meaningful new ways to deliver person-centred care. Framing innovation through a social inclusion lens, ensuring no resident is excluded due to cognitive decline, isolation, or circumstances, strengthens both resident quality of life and workforce capability.

At the same time, we have fostered a cohesive, inclusive community across Dougherty’s three streams (residential aged care, retirement living, and social housing) built on shared values of dignity, belonging, and mutual respect, and supported through whole-of-community initiatives such as our regular CEO Happy Hour.

On people and culture

IA: How do you build and sustain a positive culture in such a complex and pressured sector?

Kelvin: Culture is built through consistency: what leaders say, do, and tolerate sets the foundation for the organisation. At Dougherty Apartments, we focus on safety, clear expectations, and genuine listening, creating an environment where staff feel empowered, residents feel heard, and everyone is supported to contribute their best.

We prioritise transparency, accountability, and respect for diversity, ensuring the culture reflects both the individuality of residents and the collective commitment of the workforce to high-quality, person-centred care. In a pressured environment, acknowledging challenges honestly while staying anchored to purpose is critical. People stay engaged when they feel seen, supported, and proud of the care and service they deliver.

IA: What have you learned from your workforce that has made you a better leader?

Kelvin: Our workforce has taught me the value of slowing down and listening. Aged care is a demanding sector, with ongoing reforms, increased governance, and compliance responsibilities adding significant pressures for leaders. These challenges reinforce the importance of pausing, reflecting, and sharing with teams.

Practical solutions often come from those closest to the work, and collaboration strengthens problem-solving, building trust, and fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and included. Working alongside residents, families, and staff has made me a more thoughtful, responsive, and inclusive leader. It has reinforced that empathy, flexibility, and clarity are just as important as technical skills expertise.

On quality and care

IA: How do you balance financial sustainability with delivering consistently high-quality, person-centred care?

Kelvin: Financial sustainability and high-quality, person-centred care are not competing priorities: both are essential for safe, meaningful, and long-term outcomes. The sector is under significant financial pressure, making disciplined governance, transparent decision-making, and innovation more important than ever.

At Dougherty Apartments, we explore new technologies and care and service models to enhance efficiency without compromising quality. By looking to global examples of best practice, we continuously challenge ourselves to deliver care and services that are safe, meaningful, and sustainable for residents, staff, and the organisation.

IA: What innovation or improvement has had the biggest impact on residents’ lives?

Kelvin: Our nationally leading use of NeuronsVR technology is a powerful example of innovation in action. It provides residents with immersive experiences that support cognitive stimulation, social connection, and emotional well-being, tailored to individual needs.

By combining technology with genuine collaboration, we have enhanced residents’ sense of control, safety, and dignity, while equipping staff to deliver more meaningful, person-centred care. Monthly usage remains higher than any other provider nationally (a remarkable achievement for a small, standalone not-for-profit) and is fully embedded in daily care routines, with data demonstrating measurable improvements in resident engagement, mood, and overall well-being.

We have also focused on removing barriers between Dougherty’s three streams (residential aged care, retirement living, and social housing) creating a cohesive, inclusive community where residents feel at home regardless of the type of service they receive. By fostering connections, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging across all streams, we reinforce that Dougherty is not just a place for care but a true community where people are known, valued, and supported.

On sector challenges

IA: What is the biggest leadership challenge facing aged care right now?

Kelvin: The biggest challenge is leading through sustained change while maintaining confidence and trust. Leaders must balance regulatory reform, workforce pressures, and financial constraints without losing sight of the human impact.

A particular risk is losing skilled leaders to other sectors, which makes ongoing advocacy, professional development, and recognition (such as through the Future of Ageing Awards) critical for retaining talent and celebrating achievements. Most aged care leaders enter the sector because they genuinely care and are driven by a strong social purpose. Recognising and valuing this dedication is essential to sustaining the workforce.

This award win resonates across the entire Dougherty community, reflecting the collective efforts of staff, residents, and stakeholders, and highlighting the achievements of a small standalone not-for- profit-making a real difference in aged care.

On change and reform

IA: How have recent aged care reforms shaped the way you lead?

Kelvin: The reforms have reinforced the importance of accountability, clarity of roles, strong governance, and a people-first approach. They remind me that leadership is not just operational oversight, but stewardship, ethical decision-making, and ensuring the voices of older people shape how services are delivered.

They also highlight the extra effort required to support residents and staff through periods of significant change; building resilience, maintaining trust, and helping everyone feel heard and empowered. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to listen more deeply, advocate boldly, and empower teams to deliver safe, high-quality, person-centred care.

IA: What does good leadership look like during times of regulatory and structural change?

Kelvin: Strong leadership during change is grounded in principles and focused on supporting people, fostering trust, and keeping resident needs central. It requires clear communication about what is changing and why, while balancing operational priorities, staff wellbeing, and resident care.Change fatigue is real; reforms are ongoing, and this is not the first major change the sector has faced, nor will it be the last. Leadership in this context means building resilience, maintaining trust, and helping everyone feel informed, empowered, and supported to adapt.

In the future

IA: What advice would you give to emerging leaders in the sector?

Kelvin: Stay curious, stay grounded, and never lose sight of why you entered aged care. Invest in your development, seek diverse perspectives, and never underestimate the impact of kindness, integrity, and empathy. Leadership in aged care is challenging, but it is also profoundly meaningful.

IA: If you could change one thing in aged care tomorrow, what would it be?

Kelvin: I would elevate the voice of older people in system design and decision-making. When services, funding models, and regulations are shaped around lived experience, the system becomes not only compliant but genuinely compassionate and effective.

Equally, I would like society to more fully acknowledge the dedication of aged care workers. These individuals serve the community with care, compassion, and professionalism, often under significant pressure. Recognising and valuing their contribution is essential to sustaining a workforce capable of delivering safe, person-centred care now and into the future.

Iowa’s September unemployment numbers finally released

The first Iowa unemployment data since the government shutdown is now out. Iowa Workforce Development spokesman Jesse Dougherty says the September unemployment rate fell to 3.7%, down one-tenth of a percent.“We had at least what we would say a solid month is. In terms of some growth and some positive numbers,” he says. Dougherty says there was an increase in the labor force pool and an increase of 37-hundred jobs in September.He says the September data should be viewed with caution as it was delayed by the shutdown....

The first Iowa unemployment data since the government shutdown is now out. Iowa Workforce Development spokesman Jesse Dougherty says the September unemployment rate fell to 3.7%, down one-tenth of a percent.

“We had at least what we would say a solid month is. In terms of some growth and some positive numbers,” he says. Dougherty says there was an increase in the labor force pool and an increase of 37-hundred jobs in September.

He says the September data should be viewed with caution as it was delayed by the shutdown. “Knowing that this data was delayed and knowing that….there’s going to be more data coming in the weeks ahead that will give us some greater insight into the economy. So it’s hard to, I would say it’s hard to draw a lot of conclusions just during September alone. But you know the good news is we’re getting back into the data and we’re, we’re we’re seeing some good indicators for September,” he says.

There have been several announcements of layoffs in manufacturing recently, but he says there has been some good news. “You know, in September specifically, we did have an increase in manufacturing. It was a more modest increase of about 600 jobs…that was particularly in durable goods. But I think the fact that we did have a slight increase was a positive,” Dougherty says. He says we will know more about the layoffs in manufacturing when more data comes out next month as he says there’s a lot of ripple effects in terms of the supply chain and other aspects of business.

Dougherty says the unemployment claims are another economic indicator. “When compared to last year, we have about 25 percent fewer unemployment claims…then we had compared to last year, last September I should say that is a positive,” Dougherty says. “You know we always see an increase due to the winter months, a lot of temporary layoffs. There always is going to be an increase in unemployment claims every single winter. That’s just what happens.”

Dougherty says federal officials expect to release more workforce data on October and November next month.

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