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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

“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.”

Gloria285054
 In-Home Care Cottage Grove, MN

How does In-home Senior Care in Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove,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 Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove, MN

Largest infrastructure project in Cottage Grove’s history will remove ‘forever chemicals’ from water supply

The city of Cottage Grove recently broke ground on its largest infrastructure project to date: a $39 million low-zone water-treatment plant at the intersection of 110th Street and Ideal Avenue.The new plant, which includes a new city well, will treat all the water in the city south of U.S. Highway 61, said Ryan Burfeind, the city’s public works director. It is expected to be operational by June 2025.The new well will replace two wells contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) “that are far removed from the m...

The city of Cottage Grove recently broke ground on its largest infrastructure project to date: a $39 million low-zone water-treatment plant at the intersection of 110th Street and Ideal Avenue.

The new plant, which includes a new city well, will treat all the water in the city south of U.S. Highway 61, said Ryan Burfeind, the city’s public works director. It is expected to be operational by June 2025.

The new well will replace two wells contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) “that are far removed from the main treatment plant,” Burfeind said. “It’s actually cheaper to drill a new well as opposed to laying miles and miles of pipe.”

The money for the construction of the plant is coming from the city’s share of the $850 million settlement reached in 2018 between the state of Minnesota and 3M Co., the company that made the PFAS substances that have leaked into water supplies across the metro area and worldwide.

The groundbreaking “signaled the start of the permanent solution, long-term solution to provide treated water for generations to come,” Burfeind said. “It was a very important day.”

Cottage Grove previously built five temporary treatment plants to handle the contaminated water, connected 183 homes to the public water system and laid almost 9 miles of pipes to make connections for clean water for a total cost of $37 million, Burfeind said.

“We’ve always had that commitment to provide safe drinking water, and we provide it now with the temporary plants,” he said. “Those are very important with our current operations, but this is our permanent solution.”

The city next year will begin construction on a permanent water-treatment plant that will treat all city water north of U.S. Highway 61, Burfeind said. That plant, designed to treat three times as much water as the plant south of U.S. 61, will be located behind the city’s Central Fire Station on 80th Street, according to Burfeind.

A cost estimate is not yet available, he said.

Mayor Myron Bailey at the groundbreaking shared that the city has been at the epicenter of the PFAS contamination in Minnesota since 2006. Residents have waited years for permanent drinking water facilities to be constructed, he said.

Bailey thanked the co-trustees of the 3M Settlement, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for their partnership on developing the conceptual drinking water supply plan. “Their leadership throughout this process has been key to making projects such as this treatment plant a reality,” he said.

Bailey also noted that the Minnesota Department of Health has been a key partner for the community through their work in providing information on the evolving science and education of PFAS.

The Maplewood-based 3M Co. began making PFAS at a facility in Cottage Grove in the 1940s and historically disposed of PFAS wastes in four east-metro locations, the source of identified PFAS impacts in Washington County groundwater.

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” do not break down in the environment and can build up in the human body, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Immediate risks are believed to be low, but long-term exposure to the chemicals can result in immune suppression, changes in liver function and lower birth weight, according to state officials.

Cottage Grove City Council member Steve Dennis resigns. Applications open for seat.

In his nearly nine years on the Cottage Grove City Council, council member Steve Dennis never missed a meeting.“Let’s see … 27 times 9 is about 243 meetings,” said Dennis, who resigned on Oct. 4. “That’s a pretty good streak. I think people got their money’s worth with me.”Dennis, 57, said he closed his longtime business, Dennis Brothers Liquor, in July and has moved out of the city. Stepping down from the council and leaving the city was an “extremely difficult decision,&r...

In his nearly nine years on the Cottage Grove City Council, council member Steve Dennis never missed a meeting.

“Let’s see … 27 times 9 is about 243 meetings,” said Dennis, who resigned on Oct. 4. “That’s a pretty good streak. I think people got their money’s worth with me.”

Dennis, 57, said he closed his longtime business, Dennis Brothers Liquor, in July and has moved out of the city. Stepping down from the council and leaving the city was an “extremely difficult decision,” he said Monday.

“I lived there for 34 years,” Dennis said. “I love the community, and I have a lot of friends and people that I care about there, but it was time for me to do some new and different things in life.”

Oct. 4 was named “Steve Dennis Day” in Cottage Grove.

“I am extremely proud of the accomplishments made by our city council, staff team, and those community members who have volunteered their time to make Cottage Grove a better place,” Dennis wrote in his letter of resignation. “I also carry tremendous appreciation towards the dignified way our council has approached our call to service and the outstanding results we have achieved on behalf of the entire community.”

On his list of proudest accomplishments: Helping structure a deal to bring a new grocery store to fill the vacant Home Depot store; helping set records for economic-development success that allowed the city to grow in a way that brought value to taxpayers; helping ensure a safe and clean water supply for the city; and helping the city achieve a AAA bond rating through exceptional fiscal management and planning, he said.

Dennis, who was first elected to the council in November 2014, was known for his work ethic, passion and dedication, said council member Justin Olsen. Dennis was re-elected in 2018 and 2022.

“Being a council member is something that we all take extremely seriously, and I know that you hold that in the highest regard,” Olsen said. “We’re very grateful for what you’ve done for our community. You are somebody who has definitely put their heart and soul into the position of councilmember, and I think that’s the only way you can do it.”

Appointment, election

Dennis’ term was slated to end at the end of 2026. The Cottage Grove City Council has declared a vacancy and will fill the vacancy by appointment until a special election is held; the appointee would serve until the results of the Nov. 5, 2024, special election are canvassed.

Applications (including resumes and letter of interest) will be received until 4 p.m. Nov. 9.

For more information, go to cottagegrovemn.gov.

Grey Cloud Island leaders worry about annexation by Cottage Grove

GREY CLOUD ISLAND, Minn. (FOX 9) - Homeowners on Grey Cloud Island are fighting to preserve their township’s long history, as a local mining company moves to annex 119.5 acres of its land in the township this spring."This is completely unexpected," township board supervisor Dan Ohmann told FOX 9 on Wednesday. "We have worked in good faith with Holcim every year."Holcim’s petition for annexation reads: "the township form of government is not adequate to protect the public hea...

GREY CLOUD ISLAND, Minn. (FOX 9) - Homeowners on Grey Cloud Island are fighting to preserve their township’s long history, as a local mining company moves to annex 119.5 acres of its land in the township this spring.

"This is completely unexpected," township board supervisor Dan Ohmann told FOX 9 on Wednesday. "We have worked in good faith with Holcim every year."

Holcim’s petition for annexation reads: "the township form of government is not adequate to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the community surrounding this property because of a shortage of staff and resources."

Ohmann responded: "in all the years that I’ve served, we have not had any complaints from Holcim for lack of service." Instead, he claims the township has pushed for Holcim to be a better neighbor and steward of the land. Now, he believes the company is trying to sidestep that, into a looser set of rules in Cottage Grove.

The annexation could have large financial consequences for Grey Cloud Island Township, because of its gravel tax.

"We get about $30,000 each year," Ohmann said. "Which is not a lot to somebody like Cottage Grove. But in the township, it definitely helps us with our roads."

"That would be the demise of Great Cloud Island history… a township since the 50s," Ohmann continued. "We are a small township. We have 120 houses. We have 100 residents on a petition that don’t want this.

Ohmann fears annexation won’t stop with the 119.5 acres, but instead that Holcim will eventually annex all 500+ acres of its land, piece by piece.

"That would lead us to not being able to make ends meet as a township," Ohmann said. "And they would govern over half our community, so it would not make a lot of sense."

Holcim sent FOX 9 this statement on Wednesday:

Cottage Grove has the required resources and expertise to handle the complex permitting and environmental regulations applicable to mining operations. Furthermore, we seek a progressive partner that values the vital role that high-quality construction aggregates play in the continued development of the twin cities and recognizes the potential for unique recreational space and residential development on this property after the mining of the property is completed. The company looks forward to continuing its operations at the Larson quarry for the foreseeable future. We also look forward to collaborating with cottage grove in its work to plan for growth and the development of local recreational amenities. The annexation provides job security for the 28 employees working in the quarry and associated barge transport system.

FOX 9 reached out to Cottage Grove’s mayor and city administrator but did not hear back.

Cottage Grove X-ray tech pivots to launch beauty supply store for Black hair

COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. -- A storefront sits in the heart of Cottage Grove, the town LaShonda McGowan and her three kids call home."It's not too fast, it's not too slow paced. It's just everybody is down to earth here in Cottage Grove, and that's why I like it here," McGowan said.But there was something she didn't like."When I go shopping for myself for beauty supplies, there are stores that only have a shelf this big for us, for the African-American community. And it's frustrating, 'cause th...

COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. -- A storefront sits in the heart of Cottage Grove, the town LaShonda McGowan and her three kids call home.

"It's not too fast, it's not too slow paced. It's just everybody is down to earth here in Cottage Grove, and that's why I like it here," McGowan said.

But there was something she didn't like.

"When I go shopping for myself for beauty supplies, there are stores that only have a shelf this big for us, for the African-American community. And it's frustrating, 'cause then we have to drive to St. Paul just to get basic, basic needs met for our hair. And you shouldn't have to drive 30 minutes," McGowan said.

So she made a vision board and she made a plan. Weeks later, she left her job as an X-ray tech, cashed in her savings, and leased space inside a salon. It happened so quick, she says she even surprised herself.

Ebony Queen Beauty Supply is now up and running, and the 2,000 Black residents of Cottage Grove can shop local.

"People will come out and say, 'I didn't know you were here, I am so glad you are here so we don't have to go to St. Paul.' I get a lot of the 'we don't have to go to St. Paul' line," McGowan said.

And now the town where she lives feels even even more like home.

Ebony Queen Beauty Supply is open Tuesday through Saturday, and is located inside the Salons by JC building.

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Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield loves sharing the good news. She hosts a show on Sunday mornings based on local "positivity and empowerment," leading right into CBS Sunday Morning.

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Chase Bank applies to open Cottage Grove branch

JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) is looking to continue its expansion into the Twin Cities market, this time with a branch in Cottage Grove.According to a filing with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the bank applied to open a branch on the northwest corner of Hardwood Avenue South and 80th Street South in Cottage Grove.Spokesperson Brian Hanover said in an email that the bank is "proud of our rapid growth across the Twin Cities metro" and added more details will be announced once the Cottage Grove branch rece...

JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) is looking to continue its expansion into the Twin Cities market, this time with a branch in Cottage Grove.

According to a filing with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the bank applied to open a branch on the northwest corner of Hardwood Avenue South and 80th Street South in Cottage Grove.

Spokesperson Brian Hanover said in an email that the bank is "proud of our rapid growth across the Twin Cities metro" and added more details will be announced once the Cottage Grove branch receives full regulatory approval.

That branch would be the latest in the bank’s assertive expansion plan into the market. Earlier this year, local Chase executives outlined plans to open at least eight branches this year as part of its goal of opening more than 40 locations by 2025.

On May 12, the OCC approved the bank’s application to establish a second St. Paul branch on the southwest corner of University Avenue West and Hamline Avenue North. The same month, the bank also applied to the OCC to open its second Apple Valley branch — the existing branch is at 15103 Cedar Ave.

The New-York based bank has already opened branches this year in Stillwater, Savage and Bloomington, and applications to the OCC indicate plans for staffed branches in Shakopee and Chaska.

If approved, the Cottage Grove branch would put Chase’s branch count in the Twin Cities at 27. The first Chase branch was opened near the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus in 2019.

Here are Chase's confirmed branch addresses in order of opening date:

Largest Banks in the Twin Cities

Total deposits 2022

RankPrior RankName / Rank in 2021 (* not ranked)
11U.S. Bancorp
22Wells Fargo & Co.
33Bremer Financial Corp.

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