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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 Northfield, MN

How does In-home Senior Care in Northfield, 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 Northfield, 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 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.

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 Northfield, 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 Northfield, 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 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.

 Caregivers Northfield, 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 Northfield, MN

5 Amazing Volunteer Organizations In Northfield

Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back and get involved in your community. Fortunately for folks in the Northfield area, there’s no shortage of organizations nearby that would love to have your help.Here are five outstanding volunteer organizations in the Northfield area.1. Northfield Hospital & Clinics: This service is committed to meeting the needs of its patients and community by providing...

Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back and get involved in your community. Fortunately for folks in the Northfield area, there’s no shortage of organizations nearby that would love to have your help.

Here are five outstanding volunteer organizations in the Northfield area.

1. Northfield Hospital & Clinics: This service is committed to meeting the needs of its patients and community by providing a full complement of health services. They provide opportunities for volunteers to obtain career-related experience. Learn more at northfieldhospital.org.

2. Community Action Center: This organization focuses on supporting the community through creative programs led by passionate volunteers. You can get involved by contributing to the food shelf, whether by donating time or holding a food drive. Learn more at communityactioncenter.org.

3. Northfield Retirement Center: This organization is dedicated to supporting independence, dignity and quality of life for the aging by providing innovative living options and services. They provide in-person and at-home volunteer opportunities. Learn more at northfieldretirement.org.

4. Northfield Arts Guild: Dedicated to providing dynamic and abundant opportunities for artists and audiences, this organization offers diverse annual programming in theater, music, visual arts, education and outreach. Front-of-house volunteers are currently wanted, and other behind-the-scenes opportunities are also available. Learn more at northfieldartsguild.org.

5. Northfield Public Library: This organization supports the community through a range of family-friendly and community-driven events and programs. They offer a range of short and long-term opportunities for volunteers. Learn more at mynpl.org.

Do you know of another volunteer organization in Northfield that should be recognized? Let us know about it in the comments!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Celebrate The Defeat Of A Notorious Outlaw At This Small-Town Minnesota Festival

One of the most significant events to happen in Northfield, Minnesota – a charming college town of around 20,000 people – occurred on one day in September of 1876. The events of that day set into motion the downfall of one of the most notorious outlaws in United States history. And it also gave Northfield a reason to throw a party. For more than 75 years, this community has been hosting the Defeat of Jesse James Days,...

One of the most significant events to happen in Northfield, Minnesota – a charming college town of around 20,000 people – occurred on one day in September of 1876. The events of that day set into motion the downfall of one of the most notorious outlaws in United States history. And it also gave Northfield a reason to throw a party. For more than 75 years, this community has been hosting the Defeat of Jesse James Days, one of the most beloved small-town festivals in Minnesota. This year’s event takes place September 6 through September 10, 2023 – so be sure to mark your calendars!

If you’re planning to attend any small-town festivals in Minnesota this year, this is one that should definitely be on your list. For more information, visit the Defeat of Jesse James Days website. And be sure to book your accommodations well in advance, as lodging options do fill up pretty quickly.

Have you attended Defeat of Jesse James Days? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

Northfield will find new location for Municipal Liquor Store; Caution, vigilance urged on roads this weekend; United Way offering more funding help to local organizations

The Downtown Northfield Redevelopment project that was announced last year is an ambitious, long-term plan that looks to maintain the economic and cultural health of Downtown Northfield for generations to come. The plans stretch from a redeveloped Archer House site to new developments at 5th & Water Streets, and possibly as far as 7th Street. It would also include changes along the Washington Street corridor, along the West side of the Cannon River, and a redeveloped Bridge Square, as well. Community Development Director Jake Reilly said...

The Downtown Northfield Redevelopment project that was announced last year is an ambitious, long-term plan that looks to maintain the economic and cultural health of Downtown Northfield for generations to come. The plans stretch from a redeveloped Archer House site to new developments at 5th & Water Streets, and possibly as far as 7th Street. It would also include changes along the Washington Street corridor, along the West side of the Cannon River, and a redeveloped Bridge Square, as well. Community Development Director Jake Reilly said the city has taken on these plans in order to protect the relevance and importance of the Downtown area.

“With some additional structured parking to try and enhance the downtown pedestrian friendliness and also potentially enhance the number of housing units, because we’re sort of shooting for 10% of our population to live downtown. Data and research suggest that that would ensure that our downtown is as vital for the next 100-and-something years as it has been for the last 100-and-something-years.”

With all long-term, ambitious plans, unforeseen obstacles can arise that force the plans to move in different directions and slow down some timelines, and so it is with the city’s plans for Downtown Northfield.

Reilly revealed on Wednesday that the planned site for a new municipal liquor store, a cornerstone of the 5th and Water Street plans, will have to change. Without going into much detail, Reilly said the “site assembly” process did not work out the way the city had hoped, and the area where they had wanted to build the new liquor store will not be available. He said the city is now moving on to Plan B, but Mayor Rhonda Pownell said the better way to characterize the situation is that there are several different ideas for where the new store could be built.

“I’d like to say we’ve got three Plan ‘A’s. In our back pocket, and each one is going to be great. You know there are just different options, different avenues that we can follow, and we’re going to make sure that we’re going to make a really solid decision for our community.”

Reilly also said the planned Bridge Square redevelopment has hit a snag due to an archeological discovery. Plans to redevelop the park in the center of Downtown Northfield have been in various stages of conversation for nearly a decade. After approving a design team for the project late last year, the city has been planning to actually begin construction in 2024. However, he said, a section of the original Ames Mill’s foundation has been discovered in an area that was to be part of the development. The plan now is to determine whether the discovery is significant enough to delay the plans for next year.

Mayor Pownell and Director Reilly do not seem to believe that either of the developments will significantly affect the long-term plans.

Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Community Development Director Jake Reilly and Mayor Rhonda Pownell can be heard here

Fourth of July Weekend is one of the most dangerous on Minnesota roads

This 4th of July weekend will bring extra law enforcement patrols out to monitor traffic safety. The holiday week is one of the most enjoyable times of the year for many, but according to the Minnesota office of traffic safety, it is also about one-third of the way into what has been labeled as the 100 most dangerous days of the year on Minnesota roads.

A statement issued by the OTS said more fatal crashes happen on Minnesota roads between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other time of the year. Of the 444 traffic fatalities that occurred in Minnesota last year, 169 of those, a full 38%, occurred over that 100-day stretch.

As a means to mitigate the danger between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the federal government sponsors traffic safety initiatives throughout the summer, which gives local law enforcement funds to put extra patrols on the roads specifically to watch for unsafe driving.

Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service Chief Tom Nelson and his crew have seen enough accidents on the road that didn’t need to happen that he knows exactly what the problems are.

“We all are guilty of complacency when it’s nice out, the roads are fine, you know, we’re just kind of tooling along. [But we’re] texting and driving or not paying attention and just not being as aware as we are when it’s raining or snowing. You have got to have that same diligence when you’re driving now, even if it’s nice out to make sure that you’re paying attention.”

The OTS statement said the three major causes of fatal crashes in the summer are speed, impairment, and distracted driving.

Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service Chief Tom Nelson and Northfield Emergency Medical Services Chief Brian Edwards can be heard here

Rice County United Way offering microgrants

And the Rice County Area United Way is reminding the community that the organization is offering microgrants as a means for funding urgent, community-based challenges or innovative new programs to reach underserved populations.

The grants are in the amount of $100 to $1,000 and will be made to local groups

Specifically, the projects funded by a microgrant should affect members of the Rice County community in the United Way target areas of: Financial stability, Health and Education. The group applying should have limited access to funding. It does not need to be registered as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization, but the project should focus on a charitable, tax-exempt purpose.

The statement said that, while the United Way does not require a specific report on use of the funds, they will request that an informal account of the use and the project results be made to the Executive Director of the Rice County Area United Way, Elizabeth Child.

For more information on the grants, contact Child directly at [email protected] or call 507-664-3510. To find the microgrant application form, visit ricecountyunitedway.org

Former Northfield student is a Lake Superior drowning victim; County Board approves monthly open forums; Age Friendly Northfield consults with Downtown redevelopment team

A former Northfielder has been identified as one of the two 18-year-olds who drowned in a cliff-jumping accident on Lake Superior on Sunday.According to reports, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said 18-year-old Maximillian “Max” Williams, a recent graduate of Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights, drowned after he jumped into the water at Black Beach in Silver Bay. Williams had recently moved to Inver Grove Heights from Northfield.The other victim has been identified as Austin Henning, also 18 of Inver Gr...

A former Northfielder has been identified as one of the two 18-year-olds who drowned in a cliff-jumping accident on Lake Superior on Sunday.

According to reports, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said 18-year-old Maximillian “Max” Williams, a recent graduate of Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights, drowned after he jumped into the water at Black Beach in Silver Bay. Williams had recently moved to Inver Grove Heights from Northfield.

The other victim has been identified as Austin Henning, also 18 of Inver Grove heights.

The incident happened around 1:25 pm Sunday after the two were reportedly seen struggling to swim after jumping from a cliff. According to reports by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Duluth News Tribune, at the time of the drownings, wind speeds were up to 23 mph and waves were three to four feet tall. Numerous emergency departments rushed to the scene, including a U.S. Coast Guard boat and helicopter, Lake County Search and Rescue, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the St. Louis County Rescue Squad.

According to authorities, the bodies were pulled from the water between 6pm and 8pm on Sunday night.

The Pioneer Press report described Williams as an ambitious person. It said he had intentions to study medicine and perhaps become a radiologist.

County Board expanding public comment opportunities

On Tuesday, the Rice County Board of Commissioners approved a schedule of monthly open forums.

These forums will provide opportunities for members of the public to speak on topics not on an agenda, but relevant to the county’s work and within its authority. According to a statement issued by the county, the 30-minute open forums will begin at 8 am on the second Tuesday of each month, though the board chair, at their discretion, may extend the comment period.

Each speaker will be allotted three minutes to address the board. To ensure a complete record of the meetings, speakers will be asked to fill out a card with their name, the issue they plan to address and whether they are a county resident. Online participants will be asked to provide that information verbally.

The newly established open forum schedule is in addition to expanded opportunities being provided for public comment on agenda items during county board and Committee of the Whole meetings.

The board adopted Rules of Public Participation at its June 13 meeting, part of a board effort to create additional opportunities for it to hear from constituents. The policy will allow time for attendees, in person and participating online, to address the board on items on the session’s agenda during Committees of the Whole and county board meetings.

The policy also includes rules of decorum intended to ensure members of the public can be heard in a fair and impartial manner and that meetings are conducted in a way that’s open to all viewpoints, yet free from abusive, distracting or intimidating behavior.

Ideas to make Downtown Northfield more Age Friendly

As the city of Northfield moves forward on its ambitious vision to redevelop and reshape Downtown Northfield, the city’s lead consultants on the project Bob Close and Bruce Jacobson are seeking input from every source they can find, including the folks with Age Friendly Northfield.

Age Friendly Northfield is, of course, an advocacy group for the older citizens of Northfield, seeking to ensure that the city is always considering the needs of its elder population in planning for the future.

CC Linstroth, the Age Friendly Northfield co-chair said she and her organization did recently meet with Jacobson and Close and offered a detailed list of suggestions:

Linstroth said members of Age Friendly Northfield also met with City Engineer Dave Bennett and City Administrator Ben Martig to discuss the design of the proposed transit hub. The design features a long ramp for people who cannot climb stairs, and Linstroth said they have made a strong suggestion that the ramp be covered to preclude problems that can arise from bad weather.

Linstroth said the organization looks very carefully at projects such as these that will have a direct effect on the lives of older people in Northfield, and they are aided in their research by the American Association of Retired Persons.

“So that is our focus. We don’t really get into things that aren’t our wheelhouse, but we do know we’ve done a lot of research. AARP is a phenomenal resource. They have given us such helpful things so that we can get in at the early stages of planning in Northfield.”

Linstroth said the group is now seeking more people, of all ages, to join and volunteer with Age Friendly Northfield. Those who are interested can visit the Age Friendly Northfield website at agefriendlynorthfield.com

2023 Minnesota High School Preview: Northfield Raiders

PBR Minnesota strives to be the most comprehensive source of player information across the state. The Prep Baseball Report is the No. 1 resource for high school baseball in each state we cover through our variety of events, boots-on-the-ground scouting staff, daily coverage, and multimedia platforms. Our multimedia platforms and events work in tandem, ultimately creating the most powerful source of high school baseball promotion in each state. While other organizations take a national approach, our goal is to become the authoritative voice o...

PBR Minnesota strives to be the most comprehensive source of player information across the state. The Prep Baseball Report is the No. 1 resource for high school baseball in each state we cover through our variety of events, boots-on-the-ground scouting staff, daily coverage, and multimedia platforms. Our multimedia platforms and events work in tandem, ultimately creating the most powerful source of high school baseball promotion in each state. While other organizations take a national approach, our goal is to become the authoritative voice on the ground level of each state.

Interested in attending a PBR Minnesota event? Click Here.

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For Minnesota high school baseball news and updates follow us on Twitter @PBRMinnesota, on Instagram @pbrminnesota & on Facebook at PBR Minnesota.

As we prepare for the upcoming 2023 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Northfield Nickname: Raiders Class: AAA League: Big 9 Head Coach: Jack Spitzack Years as Head Coach at School: 1st year 2022 Overall Record: 7-17 2022 League Record: 4-7 2022 League Finish: 8th 2022 Post-Season Finish: 3rd in section # of Returning Starters: 2 # of Pitchers With 15+ Innings Returning: 3 # of Starters Lost: 6 # of Pitchers with 15+ Innings Lost: 2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Spencer Mellgren, IF/RHP, 2023 (St. John's University-MN commit) Tyler Hughes, OF/P, 2023 (Gustavus commit) Gabe Sawyer, C. 2023 Nolan Thompson, IF/P, 2023 Austin Koep, OF/RHP, 2024 Kamden Kaiser, OF/RHP, 2024 Jacob Geiger, IF, 2024

ALUMNI CURRENTLY PLAYING COLLEGE BASEBALL: Joey Glampe - St. Olaf Ethan Lanthier - St. Cloud State University Blake Mellgren - St. John's MN Cole Stanchina - Winona State University Ryan Bell - Century College Joey Malecha - North Alabama

2023 OUTLOOK: "We have a great group of seniors that will provide leadership and experience for our juniors coming in. We should have quite a bit of depth at multiple positions and a strong pitching staff as well. The individual talent is there for us to be successful, but if we can come together as a team we have the potential for a great year." Jack Spitzack, Northfield Head Coach

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