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Home Care In Mt Auburn, IA

Home Care Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn 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 Mt Auburn, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Mt Auburn, 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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“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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“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 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 Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, 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 Mount Auburn Bridge 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
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Home Care Mt Auburn, 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 Ruth's Chris Steak House or visit William Howard Taft National Historic Site, 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.

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In-Home Care Mt Auburn, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, 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:

  • Good Samaritan Society - Auburn - Assisted Living
  • Good Samaritan Society - Auburn
  • Eastland Retirement Community
  • Auburn Meadows
  • Homestead Assisted Living of Auburn
  • Auburn Courts
Home Care Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, 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 Mt Auburn, IA

Latest News in Mt Auburn, IA

'Solstice' returns to illuminate dark December nights at Mount Auburn Cemetery

A large-scale, luminescent art installation returns this weekend to its novel venue. “Solstice: Reflections on Winter Light” attracted more than 8,000 visitors to Mount Auburn Cemetery last year, in its debut. Now, what started as an experiment, has been dubbed a holiday tradition.Mount Auburn’s president and CEO Matthew Stephens understands that it might be har...

A large-scale, luminescent art installation returns this weekend to its novel venue. “Solstice: Reflections on Winter Light” attracted more than 8,000 visitors to Mount Auburn Cemetery last year, in its debut. Now, what started as an experiment, has been dubbed a holiday tradition.

Mount Auburn’s president and CEO Matthew Stephens understands that it might be hard to picture an immersive art experience unfolding — at night — in a cemetery.

“Cemeteries are stigmatized. I've had people tell me, 'I would never go to a cemetery unless I had to,'” he said. “And there's a special moment that we're using to take people deeper into the experience.”

To do that, a small army of artists, technicians, and cemetery staff has been buzzing around the Mount Auburn’s grounds to transform its wooded landscapes and interior spaces into “Solstice.” Stephens said last year, the walkable concept was definitely an experiment.

“We weren't sure what was going to happen — no cemetery has ever tried something like this,” he recalled. “Are people going to be into it? Are people going to think it's hokey? And what we saw is that our community immediately fell in love with this ability to connect with this special place in a way that has never happened before.”

In 1831, Mount Auburn became the country's first “garden cemetery.” Its manicured beauty changed the way places of rest — which could be seen as sad or creepy — were designed and perceived. Now people flock here throughout the seasons to pay respect to its 100,000 buried residents, or to just meander through Mount Auburn's 175 acres, during the day. But with “Solstice,” they're allowed to enter after the sun sets.

“As soon as you step into this landscape you really can understand the sensitivity, the spirit and how special this place is," “Solstice” creative director Sam Okerstrom-Lang said as he walked over to one of the three glowing, outdoor artworks. “Eclipse” is shrouded in mist and looks like it’s floating just above the ground. Okerstrom-Lang described it as, “a pure circle with darkness in the middle, with an elegant, sharp ring of light around it.”

Okerstrom-Lang said this other-worldly work was a fan favorite in 2022. “It's an invitation to have an intimate approach to something that is so distant and cosmic,” he explained.

The “Solstice” journey continues up a short hill past stately trees, ornate headstones and beautiful monuments. “Through the artworks, through the walking, through finding your own path, we really are hoping that people are able to connect with themselves in a way that feels authentic, connect with others around them, to feel hopeful in a moment that is so dark,” Okerstrom-Lang said.

“Solstice” is the largest event ever produced by Mount Auburn. An orchestra of creatives make the sound, light and performance piece come to life. Okerstrom-Lang's firm MASARY Studios created kaleidoscopic animations that will be projected onto Bigelow Chapel accompanied by a soundtrack featuring two newly commissioned pieces of music.

The chapel is a jewel at Mount Auburn, and one of the cemetery’s most significant architectural structures. Its ornate interior will also be activated, once again, with live string musicians and the cemetery's decades-long tradition of lighting candles. The commemorative ritual moved visitors last year, Stephens recalled. “We saw people in tears, we saw people with smiles.”

Wander back down the hill, and you'll encounter Phase Garden, a mind-boggling installation that features 12 light and sound towers arranged in a wide circle. Okerstrom-Lang's team uses math, software and cutting edge media instruments to channel what he described as cosmic rhythms. “These forces that are around us that we can't necessarily feel directly or see,” he said, “and this is an attempt to funnel that down, and give that offering of these beautiful things that give us life.”

Visitors spent hours inside Phase Garden last year, according to Stephens. When asked what he thinks Mount Auburn's founders would make of “Solstice's” high-tech magic, he pointed to one of them — Jacob Bigelow — who actually coined the term “technology.”

“This is back in 1831,” Stephens said, “he was one of the founders of MIT and, you know, we sort of think he would be very proud of what we're doing with the canvas he started.”

“Solstice” comes to life Dec. 9 and runs through the evening of Solstice on Dec. 21. Ticket entry is timed, and there are two pay-what-you-want nights on Dec. 12 and 19.

Visitors who attended last year’s debut will notice a few other changes and additions, including more lighting and amenities including an outdoor food and drink café.

The cemetery is also instituting a “quiet hour” between 5:30-6:30 pm on Dec. 13 and 20 for people who may be grieving, have sensory conditions or prefer a less-crowded visit.

This segment aired on December 8, 2023.

Iowa or Auburn? How to pick 8 vs. 9 matchup in 2023 March Madness bracket

An 8 vs. 9 matchup in the NCAA Tournament might as well be a toss-up. And in a season with so much parity, there's even less daylight between an 8-seed and a 9-seed.Every matchup is different, though, and the one between Iowa and Auburn brings two different styles of play together. As wild as the NCAA Tournament tends to be, we have 32 games each for Iowa and Auburn with which to work.The Hawkeyes are looking to avenge an upset loss to Richmond in last year's NCAA first round. This hasn't been as strong of a season for Fran McC...

An 8 vs. 9 matchup in the NCAA Tournament might as well be a toss-up. And in a season with so much parity, there's even less daylight between an 8-seed and a 9-seed.

Every matchup is different, though, and the one between Iowa and Auburn brings two different styles of play together. As wild as the NCAA Tournament tends to be, we have 32 games each for Iowa and Auburn with which to work.

The Hawkeyes are looking to avenge an upset loss to Richmond in last year's NCAA first round. This hasn't been as strong of a season for Fran McCaffery's team, which won the Big Ten Tournament a year ago, but Iowa finished with a winning record in a tough conference and managed to beat Indiana twice.

TSN's MARCH MADNESS HQLive NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Predictor tool

Auburn similarly underwhelmed after one of the best seasons in program history last year. The Tigers finished seventh in the SEC, losing eight of their last 12 regular-season games but also picking up wins over Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas in conference play.

Bruce Pearl's teams tend to be gritty on the defensive end, which makes for an interesting dynamic against an offensive-minded Iowa squad.

Who will come out on top as the Big Ten meets the SEC? The winner could have a tough draw against No. 1 seed Houston, but the first order of business is surviving and advancing past the first round.

The Sporting News breaks down this 8 vs. 9 matchup and takes a look at how to pick what could be a close game.

MORE: Watch March Madness games with Sling TV

Iowa vs. Auburn odds

Iowa and Auburn will tip off the night slate of games on Thursday, March 16, starting at 6:50 p.m. ET. This has the chance to be one of the most interesting games of the first round.

Auburn opened as a slight favorite, though that could change as oddsmakers and bettors look deeper into the matchup.

Iowa (19-13, 11-9 Big Ten)

Iowa looked like an offensive juggernaut heading into the NCAA Tournament last season, and the Hawkeyes won games by scoring at a high level this year as well.

Instead of being led by Keegan Murray, this edition of the Hawkeyes is led by his brother, Kris. Kris Murray has averaged 20.4 points per game and the offense runs through him even with some capable scorers around him. The Hawkeyes have five players averaging at least 10 points per game and rank 18th in the nation in points per game.

Kris Murray, F, Jr. (6-8, 215): 20.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg

Filip Rebraca, F, Sr. (6-9, 222): 14.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.1 apg

Tony Perkins, G, Jr. (6-4, 210): 12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.8 apg

Payton Sandfort, G, Soph. (6-7, 215): 10.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg

Connor McCaffery, G, Sr. (6-5, 205): 6.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.7 apg

Auburn (20-12, 10-8 SEC)

Auburn took a major step back from its excellent 2021-22 season, when it earned a No. 2 seed, but ignore Bruce Pearl-led teams in March at your peril. The Tigers still play aggressive defense, holding opponents to 67.1 points per game this season. Opponents are shooting just 28.8 percent from 3-point range.

The Tigers also rebound well, led by transfer forward Johni Broome. Scoring, however, has been an issue, particularly during a rough stretch to close out the regular season. That could make this game a classic offense-first vs. defense-first matchup.

Wendell Green, G, Jr. (5-11, 170): 13.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.2 apg

Johni Broome, F, Soph. (6-10, 235): 14.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.3 bpg

Jaylin Williams, F, Sr. (6-8, 230): 11.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg

K.D. Johnson, G, Jr. (6-1, 190): 8.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.3 apg

Allen Flanigan, G, Sr. (6-6, 215): 10.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg

Iowa vs. Auburn prediction

This is a very intriguing matchup because of the different styles of play.

Iowa is one of the nation's best offensive teams according to offensive efficiency rankings, but the Hawkeyes rank 167th in defensive efficiency. Defense wins in March, so Auburn feels like the pick here even if it hass been the less impressive team of late.

On the other side, Auburn is a stronger defensive team than an offensive team and ranks higher in offensive efficiency than its raw numbers would indicate.

It's fair to be concerned about Iowa's offense against such a strong perimeter defense. Auburn has defended the 3 better than almost any team this season. While the Hawkeyes aren't an elite 3-point shooting team and do plenty of their work inside the arc, they still attempt 23.5 3s per game and have to perform better than Auburn's SEC counterparts have this season.

Iowa has enough size to offset Johni Broome in the Auburn frontcourt. The experience level between teams (and coaches) is about even.

One major advantage for Auburn could be that this game is being played in Birmingham. It could be a pro-Tigers crowd in Alabama, and that matters in such an even matchup.

We saw Iowa's prolific offense melt against a Richmond team that wasn't even supposed to make the tournament until it stunningly won the Atlantic 10 last season. In March, strong defense tends to beat strong offense.

Auburn did slip up late in the season, but a win over Tennessee and narrow loss to Arkansas to close out the season indicate that the Tigers are ready for this challenge.

History of 8 vs. 9 matchups in NCAA Tournament

No. 9 seeds hold a very slight edge over No. 8 seeds in NCAA Tournament history, entering the 2023 tournament with a 76-72 all-time record.

No. 9 seeds held the advantage last year as well, going 3-1. The only No. 8 seed to beat a No. 9 seed was North Carolina, which blew out Marquette and made it all the way to the national title game.

Below is the recent history of 9-seeds upsetting 8-seeds in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Mt. Auburn Cemetery to sell six acres in Watertown

Mt. Auburn Cemetery is the latest Greater Boston institution seeking to secure its future by cashing in on the region’s hot real estate market.The historic cemetery is selling about 6 acres it owns in Watertown, a deal that real estate industry experts say could bring $25 million or more to Mt. Auburn’s coffers.The site is home to a parking lot and a former cement plant on Grove Street, across the street from the cemetery grounds. It’s land Mt. Auburn does not really need, said president David Barnett, but can...

Mt. Auburn Cemetery is the latest Greater Boston institution seeking to secure its future by cashing in on the region’s hot real estate market.

The historic cemetery is selling about 6 acres it owns in Watertown, a deal that real estate industry experts say could bring $25 million or more to Mt. Auburn’s coffers.

The site is home to a parking lot and a former cement plant on Grove Street, across the street from the cemetery grounds. It’s land Mt. Auburn does not really need, said president David Barnett, but can use to bolster the cemetery’s endowment and fund long-planned improvements to burial services, horticultural space, and greenhouses on the 175-acre complex.

“It seems like the perfect time to capitalize on this,” Barnett said. “Some of it may go to achieve our vision for new facilities. Some of it may go to the endowment.”

From universities to civic organizations, a growing number of nonprofits in and around Boston are selling real estate these days, taking advantage of the booming demand for buildings, and building sites. Among others, YW Boston recently put its historic home in the Back Bay on the market, while Simmons University is planning to lease half of its Fenway campus to a developer, who would help it rebuild the other half.

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It Mt. Auburn’s case, the cemetery is selling what is essentially surplus land it has accumulated over the years.

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Mt. Auburn has owned most of the site since the 1940s, Barnett said. It was once used for storage, but in recent years part of the property has been leased to nearby Mt. Auburn Hospital for employee parking. The rest is the site of a now-demolished cement plant the cemetery purchased in 2009 for $4.75 million, in part, Barnett said, to prevent it from ever again being used as a cement plant.

To that end, he said, Mt. Auburn will want to make sure that the buyer plans a use that’s “compatible” with the historic cemetery across the street, likely office or lab space, or perhaps housing. Any project would likely need zoning approvals from the town as well.

The City of Watertown’s comprehensive plan calls for commercial development in the area, which today is a mix of small office buildings and older light industrial sites. The Mt. Auburn property for sale sits in the eastern corner of Watertown, near Arsenal Street, which is emerging as a popular destination for life science companies looking to tap the talent of Cambridge-area workers while securing slightly lower rents than those in Kendall Square.

Ben Sayles, a senior director at real estate firm JLL, which is working with Mt. Auburn on the sale, said the site could attract a wide range of developers, and various potential uses. He expects interest will be high.

“It has been exciting to see the east end of Watertown come alive during the past five years,” he said.

Tim Logan can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @bytimlogan.

Watertown’s Mount Auburn Club to close for good, sell site to lab developers

Another longstanding local institution said Monday that it won’t reopen after the coronavirus crisis.The owners of the Mount Auburn Club fitness and tennis center closed last week on a deal to sell their 6.3-acre site on Coolidge Avenue in Watertown to a pair of heavyweight local developers, who plan to build life-sciences lab and office space there.In a letter to members Monday, the club’s owners, the Crowley family, said the coronavirus crisis pushed them to sell and close down the facility they’ve run for n...

Another longstanding local institution said Monday that it won’t reopen after the coronavirus crisis.

The owners of the Mount Auburn Club fitness and tennis center closed last week on a deal to sell their 6.3-acre site on Coolidge Avenue in Watertown to a pair of heavyweight local developers, who plan to build life-sciences lab and office space there.

In a letter to members Monday, the club’s owners, the Crowley family, said the coronavirus crisis pushed them to sell and close down the facility they’ve run for nearly a half-century. While gyms in Massachusetts could reopen indoor spaces starting Monday (except in Boston), many are doing so at significantly reduced capacity, unsure of their longer-term prospects for survival.

“Like most other athletic clubs, we have struggled with the fallout of the COVID-19 crisis, and even now are unsure of what its long-term effects will be for our industry,” wrote Bill, Paul, and Tanya Crowley. “This uncertainty has made it difficult to be confident in the future direction of the club.”

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They own more than six acres off Arsenal Street near the Charles River, in what has become a hot corridor for development in recent years, especially for life-sciences companies looking for a less-costly alternative to Kendall Square in Cambridge.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, a publicly traded lab developer with deep experience in Kendall Square, and Newton-based National Development, which has built a variety of mixed-use projects around the region, teamed up to buy the club. They paid just under $33 million, according to Middlesex County property records, and plan to start meetings with the community soon about what they’ll build there, with an eye to office or lab space.

“We look forward to working with the Watertown community on an exciting new development that is consistent with the vision for reinvigorating Coolidge Avenue,” said National Development managing partner Ted Tye. “We salute the Mount Auburn Club on their many years of operation at the property and wish the Crowley family all the best.”

It’s the latest excursion outside of Kendall Square for Alexandria, which in December paid $525 million to buy the athenahealth campus on Arsenal Street in Watertown and is partnering with National to develop the site once planned for General Electric’s corporate headquarters, on Necco Court in Boston’s Fort Point section. The pair were also runners-up in the contest to develop the first buildings at Harvard University’s Enterprise Research Campus in Allston.

Real estate experts expect that life-sciences and lab space will remain bright spots amid the broad downturn sparked by the coronavirus crisis, and a number of places around the region are vying to emerge as alternatives to space-starved Kendall Square. Eastern Watertown is one, and a string of small and mid-size life-sciences companies have moved or expanded there in recent years. Given six acres to work with, Alexandria and National Development could probably give them a lot more room to grow.

But first, the Mount Auburn Club will shut its doors. The distinctive white bubbles that cover its tennis courts will come down, and the club, the Crowleys wrote, will mail out refunds for prepaid dues and gift cards. Another longtime local institution will fade away.

“It has been especially gratifying to see how special the Mount Auburn Club was for so many — not just as a fitness and tennis center, but as a second home,” the Crowleys wrote. “Its closure will leave a void that will be hard to fill.”

NCAA Tournament Odds, Picks for Auburn vs Iowa

Auburn vs Iowa OddsThursday, March 166:50 p.m. ETTNTAuburn OddsSpreadTotalMoneyline-1.5-110151.5-110o / -110u-125Iowa OddsSpreadTotalMoneyline+1.5-110151.5-110o / -110u+105Odds via ...

Auburn vs Iowa Odds

Thursday, March 16

6:50 p.m. ET

TNT

Auburn Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
-1.5-110151.5-110o / -110u-125
Iowa Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
+1.5-110151.5-110o / -110u+105

Odds via bet365. Get up-to-the-minute college basketball odds here.

Auburn and Iowa meet in Birmingham as the Tigers get a semi-home game in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Auburn had a ton of late-game scenarios go against it this season and finished the season 20-12. The Tigers possess a ton of talent and are battle-tested after playing a top-25 most-difficult schedule in the country.

The question is: can their offense keep up with Iowa in this game, or will it go cold, which has happened one too many times this season?

The Iowa Hawkeyes were a complete rollercoaster of a team this season. They had highs of beating Indiana by 21 on the road, and they've had lows like losing to Eastern Illinois at home.

Iowa has an electric offense that is capable of going ballistic at any moment, but the defense has really struggled to keep the team in games this season.

The Tigers are the kings of second-half collapses. In six of their 11 losses this season, Auburn has held a lead at some point in the second half.

Offense has been a bit of a struggle for Auburn all season long; the team is 48th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, per KenPom.

The problem is it's one of the highest-frequency transition teams in the country, but it isn't very efficient in transition, averaging 1.24 PPP, which is 291st in the country.

The entire offense is dependent on Wendell Green Jr. and Johni Broome, who are taking 55% of the team's shots when they're on the floor. Green is a very good facilitator and draws a ton of fouls, but the problem is that he's shooting a very poor 29.5% from 3-point range.

Auburn has been good on the defensive end of the floor, ranking 29th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, and the Tigers on paper are an elite 3-point defense.

Auburn is allowing only 28.3% from 3-point range, which is the third-best mark in the country. However, you have to take that number with a grain of salt.

Out of every single conference in college basketball, the SEC was dead last in cumulative 3-point field goal percentage, so facing an efficient 3-point shooting team — like Iowa — might be a wake-up call for the Tigers.

The Tigers do defend the rim incredibly well, allowing 53% on the season, which is big against Iowa.

But they have a major flaw: they're a terrible defensive rebounding team, ranking 319th in defensive rebounding percentage, while Iowa is top-70.

Iowa is an outstanding offensive team, ranking third in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency, per KenPom.

What the Hawkeyes do a good job of is attacking the rim and taking quality 3-point shots, which are the two most valuable shots on a basketball court.

During Big Ten play, Iowa had the fourth-highest Rim & 3-Point Rate and is averaging 1.07 PPP on those shots. It also spaces the floor incredibly well, which has led to it being a top-10 team in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency.

It also helps that Iowa is top-10 in turnover percentage on offense.

Image via ShotQuality

Iowa has one of the best offensive players in the country at its disposal in Kris Murray. He is averaging 20.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while also shooting 59.1% from inside the arc and 34% from 3-point range.

For Iowa to be successful offensively in this game, the Hawkeyes have to attack Auburn where the Tigers are weakest, which is defending screens. Iowa runs either pick-and-roll or off-ball screens on 19% of its offensive sets, but that number will have to increase on Thursday.

Iowa will also need to be effective in crashing the offensive glass, considering Auburn is an awful defensive rebounding team.

The problems that have existed for Iowa have been on the defensive end of the floor. For whatever reason, teams are just shooting lights out against the Hawkeyes, who are 167th in defensive efficiency on KenPom but 22nd on ShotQuality.

The main three areas where Iowa struggles are defending in transition, defending mid-range jumpers and defending post-up sets, which they see a lot in the Big Ten.

The Hawks are outside 230 in PPP allowed on those three sets, which isn't great against Auburn — those are three of its highest frequency sets on offense.

This is a great matchup for Iowa's offense to thrive against an overrated Tigers defense.

Auburn has benefitted by defending in the SEC against terrible 3-point-shooting teams for a long time now and just gave up 1.13 PPP to Arkansas in the SEC Tournament despite the Razorbacks shooting 3-for-11 from behind the arc.

So, what do you think the third-most efficient offense in the country is going to do?

Iowa's ability to crash the offensive glass and get to the free-throw line at high rate are huge against Auburn, considering those are its two weaknesses.

The Auburn offense is way too reliant on Green and Broome to provide all of its offense, and Iowa has fantastic athletes to matchup well against those two.

So, I love the value on the Hawks at +1 (Bet365) to move on to face Houston in the second round.

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