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 Pond Mission 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 Shakopee, 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 Memorial 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 Zuppa Cucina or visit Chief Sakpe Statue, 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 Shakopee, 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 Shakopee, 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 Shakopee, 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.
After an off day Wednesday, the second day of action at the 2025 Minnesota boys' basketball state tournament is happening Thursday at Target Center and Williams Arena in Minneapolis.The top four seeds advanced to the semifinals in 4A, 3A and 2A. While 4A and 3A semifinals happened at Williams Arena Thursday, 2A will wait to take the court for semifinals until Friday. Meanwhile, the 1A quarterfinals are happening all day Thursday at Target Cente...
After an off day Wednesday, the second day of action at the 2025 Minnesota boys' basketball state tournament is happening Thursday at Target Center and Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
The top four seeds advanced to the semifinals in 4A, 3A and 2A. While 4A and 3A semifinals happened at Williams Arena Thursday, 2A will wait to take the court for semifinals until Friday. Meanwhile, the 1A quarterfinals are happening all day Thursday at Target Center.
Follow along for updates throughout the day.
The Class 4A title game is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Saturday at Williams Arena.
Top-ranked CDH is in the title game after a 14-point win over fourth-seeded Maple Grove. The Raiders led by as many as 23 points in the second half as they were paced by Notre Dame commit Tommy Ahneman's 28 points and 15 rebounds. Maple Grove actually led 22-15 at the half before CDH outscored the Crimson 48-27 in the second half.
Wayzata is in the title game after rallying to defeat Shakopee 59-55 Thursday night at Williams Arena. The Trojans trailed 31-24 at the half before outscoring the Sabres 35-24 in the second half. They were led by 18 points from Christian Wiggins. Shakopee's leading scorer was Luke Wherley with 15 points to go along with 10 rebounds.
The Class 3A title game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday at Williams Arena.
In a battle featuring Mr. Basketball finalists Brogan Madson of Mankato East and Nolan Groves of Orono, it was top-ranked Mankato East hanging on for a two-point victory. Madson finished with 12 points, four rebounds and nine assists, while Groves, who was named the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year earlier in the day, led Orono with 31 points and nine rebounds. Mankato East is back in the title game after falling to Totino-Grace in the 2024 state championship.
Related: It has been 14 years since the Gophers signed Minnesota's Gatorade Player of the Year
There will not be a four-peat champion in 3A as No. 2 Totino-Grace fell to No. 3 Alexandria Area 73-65 in the second semifinal of the day at Williams Arena. Chase Thompson, a standout recruit who is committed to Clemson, led Alexandria with 33 points while Mason Witt added 25.
Mankato East and Alexandria will play for the state title Saturday at Williams Arena.
The Class 2A title game is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday at Williams Arena.
The semifinals will take place at noon and 2 p.m. on Friday at Williams Arena, while the Class A title game is schedule for 11 a.m. on Saturday at Williams Arena.
Top-seeded Cherry roared into the semifinals on the back of a balanced offensive attack featuring four players in double figures. Noah Sundquist led the Tigers with 24 points, while Noah Asuma (21 points), Isaiah Asuma (18 points) and Carson Brown (17 points) each contributed big-time buckets. Will Penkert led eighth-seeded BOLD with 21 points.
No. 4 Nevis led No. 5 Henning wire-to-wire, building a 19-point lead with 12:37 to go and held on to win by six. Alex Lester fueled Nevis with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kale Misegades scored 22 to lead Henning.
Second-seeded Dawson-Boyd cruised to a 23-point victory behind 31 points from Brayson Boike. Gunner Lieble added 18 poitns for the Blackjacks, who are now 28-3 on the season.
Third-seeded Red Lake County advanced and improved to 29-2 on the season. They were led by 14 points apiece from Connor Duden and Luke Peterson, along with 13 points each for Will Gieseke and Owen Chervestad. Four players scored in double figures for Goodhue, but it wasn't enough to overcome a deficit that grew as large as 23 points in the second half.
A Shakopee, Minnesota, man is sharing a unique talent with the public.Jerry Hackett uses toothpicks to painstakingly create detailed, scale-model replicas of historic Minnesota buildings.His latest masterpiece recreates Dakota County's first courthouse, which is in Hastings.He's previously built the courthouses in Steele County, Waseca County and Washington County.Hackett starts by obtaining blueprints of the building, then draws plans himself to use as a guide. Then he places each toothpick, one by one.&qu...
A Shakopee, Minnesota, man is sharing a unique talent with the public.
Jerry Hackett uses toothpicks to painstakingly create detailed, scale-model replicas of historic Minnesota buildings.
His latest masterpiece recreates Dakota County's first courthouse, which is in Hastings.
He's previously built the courthouses in Steele County, Waseca County and Washington County.
Hackett starts by obtaining blueprints of the building, then draws plans himself to use as a guide. Then he places each toothpick, one by one.
"It's tedious," Hackett said.
He's retired and says he might spend one to three hours a day working in his man cave.
Hackett keeps meticulous inventory of all his toothpicks and other pieces of balsa wood, organized by length and shape.
The Dakota County Courthouse replica is now on display in the county's administrative building after Hackett called and said he had something to give them.
"It's just an amazing gift from somebody who spent his time putting this together and just gave it to the public, so we're thrilled," Heidi Welsch, the Dakota County manager, said.
The model took Hackett three months and about 4,000 toothpicks.
"Probably doing the roof is the toughest part," he said. "With the courthouse, there's four towers, one in each corner. It's a lot of work figuring all that out and gluing the pieces together."
Before he got into Minnesota courthouses, Hackett's interest was in building bridges, windmills, a Ferris wheel and even the Eiffel Tower and the Space Needle in Seattle.
He has some behind-the-scenes construction experience in his life, but nothing that would seem to directly correlate with such engineering prowess.
Hackett says with a laugh that he doesn't consider himself an artist, because it's simply a hobby.
His next project will be the Blue Earth County Courthouse in Mankato. He plans to start as soon as he gets the blueprints.
David joined the WCCO team in April 2020, previously working at CBS 58 in Milwaukee. Prior to that, he worked in Las Vegas. While there, David covered several stories in the national spotlight, including the October 1 mass shooting and political visits from President Barack Obama and candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Here's a look at the scores from the 2025 Minnesota boys state high school basketball tournament.MINNEAPOLIS —CLASS 4AAt Target CenterTuesday, March 18Cretin-Derham Hall 69, Rochester John Marshall 57Maple Grove 74, Apple Valley 51Wayzata 61, Moorhead 52Shakopee 85, Anoka 52At Gangelhoff CenterWednesday, March 19Rochester John Marshall 78, Apple Valley 53Moorhead 85, Anoka 77At Williams ArenaThursday, March 20Cretin-Derham Hall ...
Here's a look at the scores from the 2025 Minnesota boys state high school basketball tournament.
MINNEAPOLIS —
At Target CenterTuesday, March 18
Cretin-Derham Hall 69, Rochester John Marshall 57Maple Grove 74, Apple Valley 51Wayzata 61, Moorhead 52Shakopee 85, Anoka 52
At Gangelhoff CenterWednesday, March 19
Rochester John Marshall 78, Apple Valley 53Moorhead 85, Anoka 77
At Williams ArenaThursday, March 20
Cretin-Derham Hall 63, Maple Grove 49Wayzata 59, Shakopee 55
At Gangelhoff CenterThursday, March 20
Moorhead 76, Rochester John Marshall 73
At Gangelhoff CenterSaturday, March 22
Maple Grove vs. Shakopee , 4 p.m.
At Williams ArenaSaturday, March 22
Cretin-Derham Hall vs. Wayzata , 8 p.m.
At Williams ArenaTuesday, March 18
Mankato East 76, St. Paul Harding 33Orono 87, DeLaSalle 71Totino-Grace 88, Duluth Denfeld 72Alexandria 82, vs. Byron 70
At Gangelhoff CenterWednesday, March 19
De LaSalle 61, St. Paul Harding 54Byron 63, Duluth Denfeld 60
At Williams ArenaThursday, March 20
Mankato East 64, Orono 62Alexandria Area 73, Totino-Grace 65
At Gangelhoff CenterThursday, March 20
Byron 80, De LaSalle 66
At Gangelhoff CenterSaturday, March 22
Orono vs. Totino-Grace, noon
At Williams ArenaSaturday, March 22
Mankato East vs. Alexandria Area, 1 p.m.
At Williams ArenaTuesday, March 18
Albany 80, Pelican Rapids 57Caledonia 72, Minnehaha Academy 56
At Target CenterTuesday, March 18
Waseca 49, Pequot Lakes 45Breck 73, Montevideo 49
At Gangelhoff CenterWednesday, March 19
Minnehaha Academy 78, Pelican Rapids 61Montevideo 62, Pequot Lakes 39
At Williams ArenaFriday, March 21
Albany vs. Caledonia, 6 p.m.Waseca vs. Breck, 8 p.m.
At Gangelhoff CenterThursday, March 20
Montevideo 83, Minnehaha Academy 80
At Gangelhoff CenterSaturday, March 22
Semifinal loser, 2 p.m.
At Williams ArenaSaturday, March 22
Semifinal winners, 5 p.m.
At Target CenterThursday, March 20
Cherry 89 vs. BOLD 57Nevis 58 vs. Henning 52Dawson-Boyd 69, Heritage Christian 46Red Lake County 68, Goodhue 61
At Gangelhoff CenterFriday, March 21
BOLD vs. Henning, noonHeritage Christian vs. Goodhue, 2 p.m.
At Williams ArenaFriday, March 21
Cherry vs., Nevis noonDawson-Boyd vs. Red Lake County, 2 p.m.
At Gangelhoff CenterSaturday, March 22
Consolation semifinal winners, 8 a.m.
At Gangelhoff CenterSaturday, March 22
Semifinal losers, 10 a.m.
At Williams ArenaSaturday, March 22
Semifinal winners, 11 a.m.
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