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.
Sign inOrono SpartansVarsity Girls Basketball Long Lake, MN94Followers26-27Overall0-0Conference0-0 (1st)2026-27 V. BasketballOrono Girls Basketball Schedule2026-27Overall0-00.000 Win PctConference0-01st AAA Section 6Home0-0Away0-0Neutral0-0PF0PA0Streak-* Conference** Playoffs*** TournamentDate/TimeOpponentWatchGame Info11/271:00pmvsEdina...
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Orono SpartansVarsity Girls Basketball Long Lake, MN94Followers
26-27
Overall
0-0
Conference
0-0 (1st)
2026-27 V. Basketball
2026-27
Overall0-00.000 Win Pct
Conference0-01st AAA Section 6
Home0-0Away0-0Neutral0-0
PF0PA0Streak-
* Conference** Playoffs*** Tournament
| Date/Time | Opponent | Watch | Game Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/271:00pm | vsEdina | Preview Game | |
| 11/282:45pm | vsDeLaSalle | Preview Game | |
| 12/17:00pm | vsLakeville North | Preview Game | |
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| 2/167:00pm | vsBenilde-St. Margaret's* | Preview Game | |
| 2/197:00pm | vsSt. Louis Park* | Preview Game | |
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| 2/267:00pm | vsChaska* | Preview Game |
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Most neighborhood parks are sweet and completely innocent right? Kids on the monkey bars, families having picnics, just pure happy vibes.This playground? Yeah, it’s all of those things... that is, until the sun goes down.While Minnesota is packed with spooky abandoned buildings and creepy old hotels you couldn't pay me to sleep in, this place takes the crown for something way weirder: it is apparently the only haunted playground in the whole state.And no, we are...
Most neighborhood parks are sweet and completely innocent right? Kids on the monkey bars, families having picnics, just pure happy vibes.
This playground? Yeah, it’s all of those things... that is, until the sun goes down.
While Minnesota is packed with spooky abandoned buildings and creepy old hotels you couldn't pay me to sleep in, this place takes the crown for something way weirder: it is apparently the only haunted playground in the whole state.
And no, we aren't talking about a high school kid jumping out of a bush wearing a cheap mask. We are talking actual, full-blown ghost sightings.
Holbrook Park in Long Lake - Completely normal by day, totally nightmare-fueled after dark.
Both Haunted Places and Minnesota Haunted Houses tell a similar, eerie story: a little girl is reportedly seen wandering the park late at night, usually around 2 a.m. on Sunday nights.
If you get too close, poof, she disappears... But, that’s where it takes a turn.
Why? Because she's not alone!
According to Only In Your State, there have also been sightings of a man believed to be her father, and let’s just say, he’s not exactly showcasing his Minnesota nice side... he apparently gets aggressive if anyone tries to come close.
No thank you. Chills yet?
I'll be over here, firmly believing playgrounds are meant for daylight hours.
If you’re curious, or feeling brave, this playground is located at
Minnesota’s got no shortage of ghost stories, and apparently, no shortage of ghosts either. Let's take a peek at some of the state’s most haunted places, according to MinnesotaHauntedHouses.com.
With tons of 5-star reviews, past guests rave about the perfect balance between charming and chilling. It’s both breathtaking and haunting - a stay like no other.
The Brief(FOX 9) - A brain injury survivor's decade-long fight to reclaim her life is now being celebrated at one of Minnesota's biggest events for the brain injury community.A second chance at lifeWhat we know:Sharonda Hopkins was 33-years-old when high blood pressure led to a severe brain bleed. She had a cerebral hemorrhage near the back of her brain, which affected her balance, vision and scent. The rupture meant she had to relearn nearly eve...
(FOX 9) - A brain injury survivor's decade-long fight to reclaim her life is now being celebrated at one of Minnesota's biggest events for the brain injury community.
What we know:
Sharonda Hopkins was 33-years-old when high blood pressure led to a severe brain bleed. She had a cerebral hemorrhage near the back of her brain, which affected her balance, vision and scent. The rupture meant she had to relearn nearly everything, including how to balance, walk and think. She was discharged with a walker and pushed herself every day, sometimes falling and getting back up, using the walker when she needed it and setting it aside when she could.
Still fighting every day:
Hopkins is still in recovery. She gets up at 8 a.m., eats breakfast, rests, then exercises for 30 minutes to an hour a day using a small exercise room in her building. She also walks to a nearby park and does about 10 laps around an indoor tennis court. Her next goals are to get her driver's license back and eventually return to part-time work. She previously worked seasonal concessions at Minnesota Twins Stadium for four years.
Hopkins says looking at her, most people would never know what she has been through.
"A lot of people tell me that all the time," said Hopkins about people not knowing she's had a severe brain injury. "It don't matter how you look, it's the mind," said Hopkins.
Her journey back to school:
Hopkins never graduated from high school, having dropped out around 2004. She started working on her GED in May 2015 with the help of a caseworker named Carla at the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance.
She started with in-person classes at Urban League in Minneapolis, then attended a second school and eventually continued online after that school closed. It took her more than 10 years, but she passed all four GED exams on Oct. 10, 2025, and walked at her graduation on June 26 wearing a cap and gown.
Support that kept her going:
Carla from the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance was there every step of the way, including at the graduation, where she brought flowers.
"I mean there were days that I called her crying until I'm having a breakdown. You know, she's like, Sharonda, I know, I can hear it, but just keep going, and I kept going," said Hopkins.
Hopkins says she does not think she could have done it without that support. She also credits her family and a few friends for believing in her. Her mother told her in September 2024 that it was going to be her year, and Hopkins says that stuck with her as she pushed through the final stretch of testing.
What the walk is about:
The Walk for Thought brings together brain injury survivors, their family members and loved ones to honor their stories and raise money for the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance. The money helps the organization connect survivors with the resources they need for their recovery.
Brad Donaldson, CEO of the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance, says the event is like a large family reunion for the brain injury community.
"This community is very passionate, very strong, and very dedicated to supporting each other and this is place to come and celebrate the milestones such as achieving a GED, such as moving forward in life, acquiring new individual skills, new growths, and just celebrate each other," said Donaldson.
Hopkins will be honored:
The Brain Injury Alliance will honor Hopkins at this Saturday's Walk for Thought for her determination. Hopkins says she feels ready to attend and speak out this year in a way she did not feel prepared to do in past years.
"I will take that challenge and take that walk this Saturday on September 19th," she said.
The walk takes place Saturday morning at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton. For viewers in the Duluth area, it is being held at Ugstad Field at Proctor High School. You can register at braininjurymn.org.
Donaldson says the organization supports thousands of survivors like Hopkins.
"Sharonda worked for over 10 years to achieve her GED. And our organization looks to support an individual on their journey. They bring the determination, the passion, and the commitment. And we're there to help support them as they move forward," said Donaldson.
By the numbers:
The Minnesota Department of Health reports that in 2023 there were 14,000 emergency room visits for brain injuries, 4,400 hospitalizations and 1,000 deaths. As many as 100,000 Minnesotans are living with a traumatic brain injury. Donaldson says the organization works to support every one of them.
"Over 100,000 Minnesotans are affected by brain injury and they all look to live very full, passionate, dedicated lives. They have their goals and their dreams and we look to help them support each and every one," said Donaldson.
Hopkins' message to other survivors is simple. "Keep pushing myself, pushing myself. Get myself back better," she said. "Being that having a second chance at life, it totally changed me. There's nothing from the past that's left and gone. I'm a whole new person. In this life I'm going, I always promise myself to do better and live. Live the life."
The Source: FOX 9's Tim Blotz spoke with Sharonda Hopkins and Brad Donaldson, CEO of the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance, for this story. Additional information comes from the Minnesota Department of Health.
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