It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Western Hennepin History Center in Long Lake, MN 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 Long Lake, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Long Lake Park in Long Lake, MN with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Primo or visit Veterans Memorial, 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.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Long Lake, 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.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Long Lake, 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.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Long Lake, MN 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.
Janice Lehrke said her career in the banking industry started as a “fluke” in 1955.Seven decades later, she remains with the same bank where she was hired as an 18-year-old in 1956, MidCountry Bank in Long Lake.After graduating high school in 1955, she “put on her heels” and started out to get a job in the banking industry. She landed a position at Northwest National Bank in Minneapolis. About a year later, Kenneth Bollum needed to hire someone at State Bank of Long Lake. Mr. Bollum, as Lehrke called him...
Janice Lehrke said her career in the banking industry started as a “fluke” in 1955.
Seven decades later, she remains with the same bank where she was hired as an 18-year-old in 1956, MidCountry Bank in Long Lake.
After graduating high school in 1955, she “put on her heels” and started out to get a job in the banking industry. She landed a position at Northwest National Bank in Minneapolis. About a year later, Kenneth Bollum needed to hire someone at State Bank of Long Lake. Mr. Bollum, as Lehrke called him, did not advertise for openings. Rather, he would attempt to find people he thought would make good employees.
Her parents were customers at the State Bank of Long Lake, which is what it was called then. While visiting the family home one day, Bollum offered Janice a position. Without hesitating, she accepted, the thought of money never crossing her mind.
“I was so shy, I didn’t even ask how much I would be making, so my mother said, ‘Aren’t you even gonna ask how much they pay?’”
Bollum offered her a $15 dollar-a-month raise over what she had been making ($185), and she has been there ever since.
“Everything fell into place by a fluke. I’ve been so blessed,” Lehrke said. “I always liked my job. It was such a good place to work.”
She rose up the ranks.
When hired in 1956, she was one of six employees — four men and two women. After working in a variety of departments, she ascended to the role of vice president, the first in the bank’s history, in the late 1970s.
“Well, I did feel good about that. I worked for six different presidents,” she said. “They treated me well.”
Now 88 years old, Lehrke has long since cut back on her hours. She retired from full-time work in 2001, but still enjoys contributing in a part-time role.
“I just don’t want to quit. I don’t have any reason to quit. It’s like the perfect retirement job,” said Lehrke, who lives with her husband Dale in Medina.
‘Wonderful person’
When she does go into the office, everyone is happy to see her, and not just because she always brings treats.
“She’s a wonderful person and a very good baker,” said Audrey Plotnik, who would know.
Lehrke hired Plotnick 40 years ago, giving the two 110 years combined at the same bank.
“She was great to work with and for,” said Plotnik, who was hired in 1986, right before her 26th birthday. “Janice was always a good teacher and a good friend.
“She would always tell me, ‘Get my ducks in a row.’ Well, I’d say, some of my ducks aren’t even ducks, they’re pheasants!”
It was her kind soul that everyone remembers fondly.
“She cares about everybody,” Plotnik said. “She’s friends with everybody … and when she comes, she still brings baked goods.”
‘Very blessed’
Since Lehrke was hired in 1956, the bank has had three names — State Bank of Long Lake, Lake Community Bank and now MidCountry Bank.
She always remembered what her first boss preached.
“Mr. Bollum stressed customer service. If a customer was early before the door opened or after the door was locked, we always let them in,” she said. “He believed we were there to serve the customer.”
Bollum eventually sold the business to his son-in-law Bill Bartig. Bollum dated so far back that Lehrke fondly recalled a story about how he would help customers in the early days tie their horses to the hitching post in front of the bank.
Later, Dave Sanders and Al Tychman purchased the bank.
“We were so lucky they sold to them,” Lehrke said. “They were such good owners.”
For that, and many other reasons, Lehrke looks back on 70 years at the same bank with great joy.
“No, I don’t know anybody that worked that long and stayed in one place,” she said laughing. “I just never had a reason to move. I was happy and enjoyed the people I worked with. Not everyone has that with their jobs, so I feel very thankful, and very blessed.”
Xcel Energy has acknowledged continued power outage concerns in Long Lake, City Clerk Jeanette Moeller said during the Tuesday, July 21 city council meeting.The Minneapolis-based power company had an area engineer look at the outages, which have generally been contained to certain parts of the city. The outages have been more frequent this year, according to Mayor Charlie Miner and anecdotal reports.What Xcel Energy plans to do exactly remains unclear.“They replied back with a list of improvements, and we hope that...
Xcel Energy has acknowledged continued power outage concerns in Long Lake, City Clerk Jeanette Moeller said during the Tuesday, July 21 city council meeting.
The Minneapolis-based power company had an area engineer look at the outages, which have generally been contained to certain parts of the city. The outages have been more frequent this year, according to Mayor Charlie Miner and anecdotal reports.
What Xcel Energy plans to do exactly remains unclear.
“They replied back with a list of improvements, and we hope that’s going to happen,” Moeller said, also reporting the company had designated an engineer to examine the issue.
There is no timeline on when, or if, the repairs will happen, Moeller stressed. In order for Xcel to investigate the outages, permission had to be secured by city staff from the homeowners affected.
The two primary items on the agenda during the meeting were reports on the Shoreline Fire Department’s 2027 budget and the city’s second-quarter revenues and expenditures.
City administrator Amanda Nowezki said Long Lake’s 2027 contribution to the department is 14.285 percent of the overall budget for a total of $194,938. Shoreline Fire Department serves Long Lake, Orono, and Minnetonka Beach.
As for the second quarter revenue review, funds are currently operating slightly over budget for the year, with expenses ranging from 58 to 69 percent of the budget. Nowezki said it is not uncommon for this to happen over the summer months due to public works projects.
One of the main projects this summer was removing 91 dead ash trees across various parks, trails, and city rights-of-way. Extensive repairs to the public works fleet and the completion of all required DOT inspections also factored into the mix. The council also authorized staff to advertise for a full-time public works lead maintenance position, which is currently vacant.
Considerable discussion also was devoted to changing the upcoming council meeting schedule due to the November elections.
Long Lake will be having a municipal election in conjunction with the state general election for mayor and two councilmember seats. Current mayor Charlie Miner has been in the job since 2019. His latest term ends in December. As of July 22, city council member Jahn Dyvik is the only candidate to file for mayor.
Kelly Grady and Travis Michels are city council candidates on the November ballot. Dyvik and Deirdre Kvale have their council terms end this year.
Buckhorn Days is back with something for everybody during the July 25 event.Held at Nelson Lakeside Park in Long Lake, activities begin at noon and run through 10 p.m.It’s a team effort to pull off the daylong celebration, said Long Lake chamber member and former mayor Marty Schneider.“It’s a collaborative effort between the Long Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the Orono Lions Club,” Schneider said. “This is all done by volunteers. There are no paid staff members. We’re not looking t...
Buckhorn Days is back with something for everybody during the July 25 event.
Held at Nelson Lakeside Park in Long Lake, activities begin at noon and run through 10 p.m.
It’s a team effort to pull off the daylong celebration, said Long Lake chamber member and former mayor Marty Schneider.
“It’s a collaborative effort between the Long Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the Orono Lions Club,” Schneider said. “This is all done by volunteers. There are no paid staff members. We’re not looking to make money.
“Our goal is straightforward: to promote our community and provide a wide variety of activities for everybody at little to no expense.”
Among the highlights is the return of Midwest All-Star Wrestling, which appeared for the first time last year and was a big hit.
“It turned out to be exceptionally popular,” Schneider said of the wrestling exhibition, which will be held from 5-7 p.m. “It’s very family-friendly. In between the matches, the wrestlers do a great job interacting with the crowd. It went so well last year; we’re really excited they’re coming back.”
There is seating but it fills up fast. Schneider encourages attendees to bring lawn chairs as a fallback plan.
Otherwise, most of the same events from last year return for the 42nd edition of Buckhorn Days. The two that will not be back are the carp fishing contest and the 5K Red Hot Run. Not a single carp was caught last year as local anglers attempted to lure as many of the invasive species out of Long Lake as possible. The 5K Red Hot Run will be held during the Corn Days festival in August.
The popular doggie races also return, beginning at 3:30 p.m., followed by the bean bag toss tournament at 4. No pre-registration is required for any of the activities.
Live music will be performed throughout the day, featuring Brady Perl, Stampede, Pickled Beats and more. Also, food trucks will be stationed throughout the park.
There is no cost to attend, and the event is open to everyone.
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