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 the historic Waterford Historic Bridge 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 Northfield, 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 Riverside Lions Park 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 Ole Store Restaurant or visit Historic Ames Mill, 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 Northfield, 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 Northfield, 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 Northfield, 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.
Celebrate Giving Tuesday all season long by donating, volunteering and spreading the word about these amazing local organizations.Patch Holiday, Patch StaffGiving Tuesday is a global movement that encourages people to give back to their communities, typically through charitable donations, volunteer work or acts of kindness. It takes place annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving in the U.S., right after Black Friday and ...
Patch Holiday, Patch Staff
Giving Tuesday is a global movement that encourages people to give back to their communities, typically through charitable donations, volunteer work or acts of kindness. It takes place annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving in the U.S., right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While it's celebrated widely, the real impact happens when we do good right at home by supporting local businesses, causes and organizations working to uplift our own communities.
We've rounded up a list of some great organizations, causes and initiatives in the Northfield area. Please keep in mind, this is by no means an exhaustive list — just a starting point for discovering amazing local opportunities to give back, not only on Giving Tuesday but year-round! Be sure to contact each organization directly to find out about their hours or the best ways you can contribute.
Ruth's House of Hope is dedicated to assisting individuals and families in the Northfield area who are experiencing homelessness or crises. Through a combination of shelter, advocacy and empowerment initiatives, the organization works to help clients rebuild their lives and achieve long-term stability.Learn more: ruthshousemn.org
The Community Action Center (CAC) of Northfield strives to combat poverty by providing essential services that foster self-sufficiency and financial security for individuals and families. Since its inception in 1969, the CAC has focused on building a healthy, equitable and compassionate community by utilizing resources like its food shelf and emergency assistance, alongside advocacy efforts and dedicated volunteer support.Learn more: communityactioncenter.org
The Northfield Union of Youth, or the Key, is an organization that aims to cultivate a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for youth in the community. A youth-led group, it provides an array of programs and services designed to empower and connect young individuals, including activities at the youth center, assistance with housing, mental health support and educational training.Learn more: unionofyouth.org
The Northfield Area Family YMCA helps to improve community well-being by offering a variety of fitness programs, youth development initiatives and engagement activities for individuals of all ages. By promoting healthy and active lifestyles, the YMCA acts as a central hub for community interaction and support, strengthening connections and improving the overall quality of life in the area.Learn more: northfieldymca.org
Northfield Shares serves as a vital community foundation focused on empowering local initiatives and nonprofit organizations. By offering scholarships, grants and support for various community projects, it aims to enrich the quality of life in Northfield, fostering a stronger and more vibrant community for all residents.Learn more: northfieldshares.org
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Last Saturday, at the Viking Theatre of St. Olaf College, The League of Women Voters hosted a forum to hear from the local candidates. This will be part 1 of a series highlighting some of the forum’s significant moments. Today, we are focusing on the candidates for Northfield Mayor, Ruth Dahl, and Erica Zweifel, and City Council At Large, Brad Ness and David Delong.In one moment of sharp contrast with the current city council, all four candidates expressed dislike for how the council receives public comment. Delong said about th...
Last Saturday, at the Viking Theatre of St. Olaf College, The League of Women Voters hosted a forum to hear from the local candidates. This will be part 1 of a series highlighting some of the forum’s significant moments. Today, we are focusing on the candidates for Northfield Mayor, Ruth Dahl, and Erica Zweifel, and City Council At Large, Brad Ness and David Delong.
In one moment of sharp contrast with the current city council, all four candidates expressed dislike for how the council receives public comment. Delong said about the new public listening sessions started this year they are: “Imposing people do not feel comfortable. They feel singled out.”
Brad Ness, the only current member of the council running for re-election, agreed: “And I agree with David that the listening sessions have failed.”
Dahl referenced her involvement in the petition presented to the council last year as an example of the council not listening to the public and said that “city hall needs to be more welcoming”:
“So I feel that the City Hall needs to be open and more welcoming to people with comments and use those comments rather than throw them out.”
Zweifel focused on working to engage with residents earlier to include their feedback.
“We know what Rd. projects are coming our way. If we can get out in front of it sooner, get to those neighborhoods sooner. And then that way the Community knowledge that we receive can be incorporated into the design process. Right now, they’re coming to you with here’s the design. Thank you very much. We need to start earlier and truly engage with the residents.”
Both mayoral candidates expressed some concern about the many capital projects the city is currently undertaking. Dahl stated that the current number of projects is confusing, and the city should slow down and reconsider: “I’m a firm believer we’re doing way too many large projects. They’re all stacked up and if we can withdraw and back off a year or two or three or 10 on some of these projects, that’s perfectly fine. There’s nothing wrong with waiting a year or two.”
Dahl stated that waiting can be helpful in case “better options come along” or in case of emergencies needing city funding. Zweifel said that we need to keep “the big picture in mind” and that projects should align with the city’s goals “I would use the priorities I listed earlier to look at the at the projects that come before us. The strategic goals of does it add to the commercial industrial. Space. What’s the climate impact? What’s the equity impact? What’s the housing impact? All these things that we say that we desperately need as a city, we have to focus on those and set those priorities.”
Zweifel said that the city has put projects like remodeling and fixing the Community Resource Center on the “back burner” in favor of “bigger, shinier projects.”
You can learn more about the candidates at the KYMN Radio 2024 Election, and we will have posted links to watch the full League of Women Forum there as well later this week. The Northfield Mayor and City Council candidates will meet again for a second forum hosted by the Northfield Chamber of Commerce on October 3rd .
“I’m cautiously optimistic at this point “That is Northfield Hospital and Clinics CEO Steve Underdahl when asked about the hospital’s financial status this year. For this year’s budget, NH&C had put together a plan to break even and after a slower summer, they are “running above the plan.” During the summer, the hospital has had fewer patients than usual, and Underdahl noted that the latter half of the year will see an increase in patients for two reasons: an incr...
“I’m cautiously optimistic at this point “
That is Northfield Hospital and Clinics CEO Steve Underdahl when asked about the hospital’s financial status this year. For this year’s budget, NH&C had put together a plan to break even and after a slower summer, they are “running above the plan.” During the summer, the hospital has had fewer patients than usual, and Underdahl noted that the latter half of the year will see an increase in patients for two reasons: an increase in sickness and insurance:
“Robust activity that happens in medical centers happens at the end of the year. Some of it is just, that’s when we’re back together. That’s when we’re indoors. That’s when we give each other sickness and some of it is how insurance is structured now, so that people have these big deductibles and as they get towards the end of the year and they think they want their knee done. I want to get it done before the end of the year so we get this fourth quarter rush if you will.” – Northfield Hospital & Clinics CEO Steve Underdahl on the KYMN Morning Show
Since the pandemic, it has been increasingly difficult for hospitals to make budget projections because of the number of different variables; Underdahl cited variables outside of the hospital’s control, like the labor force and inflation, as one of the main complicating factors in creating a budget.
Underdahl has noted that “you can’t sort of shrink your way to prosperity” and has worked to increase the services offered by NH&C. At Farmington Clinic, NH&C has partnered with Tareen Dermatology, and the response has been positive from many patients.
Another example is NH&C’s birth center. Unlike other small-town hospitals, Northfield has invested in the facilities and staff to have a top-rate birth center. The average small town would have 250-300 births in their hospital, but Northfield has around 600. Additionally, people are choosing to travel to Northfield Hospital because of the low number of services available in their own communities. Services like this has helped the organization continue to see patients and thus maintain funding levels.
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