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Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Words cannot express how grateful we are for your companies services. We know it can be difficult to schedule around changing situations. We appreciate your flexibility and the care and compassion shown for my mother. A special thanks to your team.”

Marci
 In-Home Care Stillwater, MN

How does In-home Senior Care in Stillwater, MN work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, 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 Stillwater, MN

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, 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:

Comfort
Comfort

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, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Stillwater, MN, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Stillwater, MN 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

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.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

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.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

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.


Respite Care Stillwater, MN

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

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 Stillwater,MN 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.

 Caregivers Stillwater, MN

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 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

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.

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.

Latest News in Stillwater, MN

Stillwater’s Main Street to be featured on ‘Good Morning America’

Stillwater’s Main Street will soon be getting some national exposure.On July 3, “Good Morning America” plans to broadcast live from Stillwater’s Main Street as part of its “Main Street USA” series this summer. Stillwater will be the first city highlighted in the weeklong series, which will profile “some of America’s most iconic main streets,” a spokesman for “Good Morning America” said.Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos and Michael Strahan won’t be making...

Stillwater’s Main Street will soon be getting some national exposure.

On July 3, “Good Morning America” plans to broadcast live from Stillwater’s Main Street as part of its “Main Street USA” series this summer. Stillwater will be the first city highlighted in the weeklong series, which will profile “some of America’s most iconic main streets,” a spokesman for “Good Morning America” said.

Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos and Michael Strahan won’t be making the trip, but ABC News correspondent Alex Perez will be broadcasting live. Perez, who has been with ABC since 2012, also appears regularly on “World News Tonight,” “Nightline” and “20/20.”

“We’re really excited to host,” said Mayor Ted Kozlowski. “I like showing off our town. It’s a great chance to showcase downtown Stillwater. All of our business owners are putting up flags and spiffing their places up so we can show everyone how cool we are.”

“Good Morning America” producers have been spotted making the rounds in Minnesota’s birthplace over the past few weeks, but it wasn’t clear Friday what businesses will be highlighted. Will they get a haircut at Prohibition Barbers? Drink a latte at The Daily Grind? Get a knitting lesson at Darn Knit Anyway?

One featured location will be the city’s newest outdoor art gallery called Union Art Alley, located between the 100 block of North Main and North Second streets, Kozlowski said.

The show’s “Main Street USA” segment will air during the show’s second hour, which starts at 8 a.m. CST. The show is broadcast locally on KSTP-TV.

People who want to attend the taping of the show are asked to arrive in downtown Stillwater by 6:30 a.m.; the tentative broadcast location is the intersection of Main and Commercial streets.

“We would love for lots of people to show up,” said Kozlowski, who is scheduled to be interviewed live. “I’m super excited to see a whole bunch of happy people in downtown at 6:30 a.m. on a Monday.”

On a more serious note, Kozlowski said, the national exposure will be a boon.

“It’s really nice to have a wildly popular TV program acknowledge how awesome our town is,” he said. “It’s cool that millions of people are going to see our historic, vibrant and diverse Main Street.”

It’s been 21 years since “Good Morning America” was in Stillwater. On April 30, 2002, the show’s then-hosts Diane Sawyer and Charlie Gibson came to town and broadcast live from the Lowell Park Gazebo and the Main Street Cafe.

“Good Morning America” producers say they are excited to be kicking off the show’s “Main Street USA” series in Stillwater.

“We’re headed to the Main Streets across this country that put the ‘A’ in ‘GMA,'” said Simone Swink, the show’s executive producer. “We look forward to showcasing the people, businesses and stories in each community.”

Luxe Stillwater 'storybook' home dating to 1800s lists for $1.9 million

Gutting a home and starting from scratch is a big feat for anyone, but for Colleen Doran it was an exciting opportunity to design a home for her and her husband exactly how she imagined.She focused on making the 6,325-square-foot home on the edge of downtown Stillwater more cohesive, adding luxurious updates while preserving the historical home's character. The earliest tax record for the house is 1878 and is listed as the year the house was built. However, local historians believe it was built as early as 1858.At one point in ...

Gutting a home and starting from scratch is a big feat for anyone, but for Colleen Doran it was an exciting opportunity to design a home for her and her husband exactly how she imagined.

She focused on making the 6,325-square-foot home on the edge of downtown Stillwater more cohesive, adding luxurious updates while preserving the historical home's character. The earliest tax record for the house is 1878 and is listed as the year the house was built. However, local historians believe it was built as early as 1858.

At one point in the house's history, it became two homes with the front part leased out. The spaces lacked flow when the couple moved in 2½ years ago.

They knocked down walls, took out one of two staircases and connected the second-level living areas, she said. The renovations opened up the space.

Now, views of the lush green St. Croix River Valley can be enjoyed from several places throughout the North Hill neighborhood home, just steps away from Pioneer Park. There are also views of the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge, the St. Croix Crossing bridge and nearby marina.

"It's great to be able to stand here in the middle of so many rooms and spaces and feel the flow and movement," Doran said. "Standing here I can see [outside in] all four directions, the trees, flowers and water. It's a remarkable space to be in."

Renovation

The home has been renovated many times. Doran had loved remodeling her previous houses and was up to the challenge.

In the foyer, she designed a compass with black and silver tiles. "This house sits on the lot at exactly due north. You walk in and you're at exactly north and I wanted to honor that," she said. "I know someone who built it was careful to have the [entryway] point north."

Many of the walls and ceilings were torn out, replaced and reinsulated. The couple added steel beams to ensure that the structure would hold together, now that the two homes were joined into one.

But with all the improvements, Doran and Smith made sure that the new materials they introduced would complement the home's historic nature. For example, new millwork was careful to match existing door frames and wallboards.

They also updated the home for modern-day living. That's especially evident in the kitchen, which is now fit for a chef. There are two of just about every appliance: refrigerators, sinks, ovens and even dishwashers.

"My husband is a chef; he's worked in so many kitchens. He said no matter where he goes he's going to build his kitchens exactly like this," she said. "It's so easy to cook in and to plate everything up and send it out."

Homegazing

Peek inside homes for sale in the Twin Cities area.

On the move

Now, although it's bittersweet, the couple have decided to say goodbye to their five-bedroom, seven-bath home. With their children and grandchildren in Minneapolis, the couple want to move closer to them.

Listing agent Abby Dean said the place is a "storybook" property with the perfect blend of modern and historic.

"The owners did a tremendous job redesigning and renovating the home to the highest level and luxury," Dean said. "It has spacious and gracious living spaces that flow beautifully for entertaining and everyday enjoyment."

In addition, she said, the sprawling property is one of the largest lots near downtown Stillwater, consisting of 1.7 acres that include breathtaking gardens and private woods.

Numerous outdoor spaces provide an ideal setting for entertaining many guests — Doran hosted her daughter's wedding reception. Outdoor features include a large fire pit, a seating area near a small natural waterfall and a hidden fairy-like garden that has a one-room treehouse. Then there's the dry stack limestone walls that line the property, giving it flair, Doran said.

Doran said she can't take credit for all of the landscaping. Much of it was built upon over the years by previous owners. She believes 150 of the 200 plants were planted in the past 50 to 75 years.

There are also beautiful lilies in at least 15 colors. "We have tiger lilies — bright pink and yellow ones," Doran said. "The other day we saw these pale pink ones with red dots."

Abby Dean ([email protected]; 651-430-2100) of Coldwell Banker Realty has the $1.9 million listing.

Correction: Previous versions of this story misidentified the year the home was built.

‘Good Morning America’ visits Stillwater, honors business owner and community booster

‘Good Morning America’ surprised a Stillwater business owner and community booster during a live, national broadcast on Monday morning.The ABC morning show kicked off a weeklong series — highlighting some of the most iconic Main Streets across the country — with its stop in t...

‘Good Morning America’ surprised a Stillwater business owner and community booster during a live, national broadcast on Monday morning.

The ABC morning show kicked off a weeklong series — highlighting some of the most iconic Main Streets across the country — with its stop in the Washington County river town.

Residents from across Minnesota poured into downtown Stillwater early Monday, carrying signs saying “Mainstreet U.S.A,” “This is our home” and “We heart MN!”

GMA hosts Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos and Michael Strahan weren’t in attendance, but ABC News correspondent Alex Perez was broadcasting live from downtown Stillwater.

“Stillwater, Minnesota has one of the most amazing, beautiful main streets across America,” Perez said, “You’ve been here once or a million times, it always feels like home.”

What happened next on Main Street in Stillwater came as an apparent surprise to viewers and attendees.

Perez turned to the crowd and asked for Sara Jespersen, owner of the Lumberjack and Mad Capper in downtown Stillwater, to come forward.

“Sara Jespersen makes everyone feel welcome,” a video montage began.

The video showed murals around Stillwater that Jespersen organized in an effort to beautify the town as well as photos from a snow sculpting competition she started to help energize Stillwater’s economy during the pandemic.

“Thank you for all you’ve done for this community for so many people, and the legacy you’re leaving is amazing,” Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Robin Anthony-Evenson said.

As the video montage ended, the crowd began cheering and chanting, “Sara, Sara, Sara!”

“I never don’t have words,” Jespersen told Perez, “but I don’t have words — I’m really overwhelmed! There’s so many people here that are so wonderful, I’m very touched.”

Jespersen received an honorary plaque which will hang at the Stillwater Union Art Alley commemorating her contributions to the town. Jespersen worked with ArtReach St. Croix to create the in a rundown corner of Stillwater. The space, which used to be filled with trash, is now a popular hang out spot showcasing murals by local artists.

Post-Lumberjack Days, there’s a major road closure planned for downtown Stillwater

Stillwater businesses and residents are bracing for a major disruption downtown this summer.Starting July 17, the day after Lumberjack Days, Main Street will be closed from Myrtle Street to Olive Street for two months as crews finish work on the $3.6 million Chestnut Street Plaza. Traffic will be detoured around the area.The work, including installation of utilities, a traffic signal, lighting and sidewalk, was supposed to have been done this spring, but the late winter and spring flooding curtailed those plans, said Shawn Sand...

Stillwater businesses and residents are bracing for a major disruption downtown this summer.

Starting July 17, the day after Lumberjack Days, Main Street will be closed from Myrtle Street to Olive Street for two months as crews finish work on the $3.6 million Chestnut Street Plaza. Traffic will be detoured around the area.

The work, including installation of utilities, a traffic signal, lighting and sidewalk, was supposed to have been done this spring, but the late winter and spring flooding curtailed those plans, said Shawn Sanders, the city’s director of public works.

Officials decided to wait and close Main Street – also known as Minnesota 95, the main thoroughfare through downtown – until after the Fourth of July and Lumberjack Days celebrations. Lumberjack Days, the city’s annual summer festival, runs July 14-16.

“We decided to wait until those major events were over, and the contractor found that to be acceptable,” Sanders said. “There is no good time to be closing Main Street down during the year, and we acknowledge that, but it’s just something that’s got to happen.”

Completing the work before this fall’s Rivertown Fall Art Festival and Harvest Fest also was key, he said.

Waiting until after those events were over in mid-October wasn’t an option because the “weather may be turning cold, and you can’t be pouring concrete in cold weather,” he said. “Two months would put us in December, and that wasn’t acceptable.”

Officials began planning for the area of Chestnut Street between the Stillwater Lift Bridge and Main Street to be turned into a pedestrian plaza as soon as plans were approved for a new St. Croix River bridge to be built south of Stillwater and for the Stillwater Lift Bridge to be closed to vehicular traffic. The new bridge opened in August 2017, but the plaza project was beset by numerous delays, including the discovery of contaminated soil in the project area.

Work underway

But there’s been major progress over the past few weeks, including the planting of oak and elm trees, installation of pavers from the Lift Bridge concourse toward Water Street and installation of street lighting. The concrete sidewalk in the plaza area also is now complete. Benches and tables should be installed soon, Sanders said.

Concrete placement for Water Street is underway and will be completed next week; the remaining concrete will provide the pedestrian link from Main Street to the St. Croix River. Once the remaining concrete is placed next week, crews will begin the final phases of paver installation, Sanders said.

In the meantime, pedestrians should continue to use Myrtle Street or Nelson Street to access the St Croix River and Lift Bridge Loop Trail.

Water Street is expected to open to through traffic on June 24, which will help drivers working around the closure of Main Street, he said.

Mayor Ted Kozlowski said the two-month closure will be painful.

“There’s no other way around it,” he said. “We’re going to try and do it as orderly as possible, but there’s no question it’s going to hurt for a little bit.”

Area businesses plan to stay open during the detour.

“These short term challenges will improve our town,” said Cory Buettner, owner of Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop at the corner of Chestnut and Main streets. “Stillwater has become a four season destination and when phase 2 is complete, we will be even more inviting for locals and visitors.”

Musician Caroline Smith and Her Partner, a Former LA Chef, Bought a Bar in Stillwater

Minnesota-born musician Caroline Smith, who performs as Your Smith, and her partner Adam To, formerly a chef at Michelin star LA restaurant Trois Mec, announced Wednesday that they bought Whitey’s Bar...

Minnesota-born musician Caroline Smith, who performs as Your Smith, and her partner Adam To, formerly a chef at Michelin star LA restaurant Trois Mec, announced Wednesday that they bought Whitey’s Bar, a downtown Stillwater institution of 20 years. They’ll reopen the space as Howard’s Bar on June 7, keeping many of the bar’s historic touches and introducing a new saloon-style menu.

Smith, originally from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, has been a big presence in the Twin Cities music scene for many years, known for her band Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps, her collaborations with Lizzo, and her smoky, neo-soul solo work. In 2015, she moved to LA, where she changed her artist name to Your Smith, released two EPs, and met To, who has roots in Apple Valley. The pandemic brought the pair back to Minnesota, where they had a baby and eventually decided it was time to start their own restaurant. When they heard Whitey’s was for sale, says Smith, everything clicked.

“We were like, what an amazing way to raise a baby — above a bar that’s homey, that’s not pretentious, where Adam can cook what he loves to cook. Obviously, Adam can cook Michelin star-level French food, but what he’s really good at making is an amazing burger,” says Smith — not to mention a mean sandwich.

The Howard’s menu will feature American saloon-style classics, says To, like wings, a Cobb salad, steelhead trout dip with the fish smoked in-house, and a local Peterson Craftsman Meats burger. He’ll be rolling fresh pasta sheets for a sweet Italian sausage and ricotta lasagna, and trimming whole ribeyes in-house, which he’ll serve with loaded baked potatoes au jus.

There’ll be no cocktail menu — Howard’s will have a rail bar, with beers on tap. And, of course, pull tabs. “It’s very Minnesota,” says To. “We really want it to feel really comfortable and small-town.” They’ll be sourcing ingredients locally, but keeping prices affordable and the vibe understated and unpretentious. “What’s cool about it is we’re calling it Howard’s Bar — it’s not Howard’s Bar and Eatery. It’s like, boom, you get great food, and really great specials.”

The Whitey’s building dates to the mid-19th century, says To. They’ve replaced the carpeting with a checkered floor, but the integral elements of the bar are staying the same. “We want it to feel like a 70s basement,” says Smith. “We’re warming up the space with warm colors, and doing a lot of old neon signs.”

One thing that certainly won’t change is Whitey’s famous fresh-squeezed juice behind the bar. “The locals are hell-bent on making it known that we are never allowed to do away with that,” says Smith, laughing. “We make a hell of a Greyhound,” says To. “Titos and fresh-squeezed grapefruit.”

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