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Home Care In Tatamy, PA

Home Care Tatamy, PA

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 George Taylor House 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 Tatamy, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Tatamy, PA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when I would call about different circumstances.”

David G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best personal care facility fit for my mother. They have a passion for helping seniors and prioritize the health and well-being of their clients over everything else. I would highly recommend them when you are in a position of finding senior care services for your loved ones.”

Mary M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”

Carrie W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They have been amazing. My mother really likes her caregiver.”

jill F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He actually came to the rehab center to meet us where my father was getting physical therapy after a fall. This way he was able to accurately access how much care my father would need and which caregivers would be the right fit. We were afraid we'd have to move him to a nursing home but fortunately we were able to set up in-home care. It's been four months now and we have been very happy with the caregivers who have been assigned to my father. Always Best Care is very responsive and flexible in adjusting hours as needed, somehow managing to keep the caregivers my parents have bonded with even though the hours have been reduced. We are happy our parents are able to age in place with care as they need it.”

Barbara T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for my in-laws. They have been sensitive to our needs, diligent in their efforts to provide the best possible care, and consistent in their follow-up to see if things are satisfactory. We have been executing this process from out-of-state and the process has been very smooth. Through phone calls and face-to-face meetings when possible, both Ken and Rebecca have been professional, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services.”

Jane T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”

Matthew R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father was given a year to live. Instead of immediately looking at me like a business opportunity, he treated me like a close friend. He listened and treated me with complete kindness.. I have gotten to know Ken and his wife Rebecca and I can easily say that they are two of the most wonderful people I have ever met. There is nothing in this world I wouldn't trust them with. Especially the care of a loved one.”

Sheri C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Excellent in every respect.”

Andre C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been invaluable as the family navigates through dealing with the impact of our sister's illness to all of us. The structure with using ABC's online portal to evidence our sister's care is extremely beneficial in ensuring strong and coordinated communication. It is truly appreciative this technology is available and utilized by ABC. For those dealing with identifying care for a loved one, you would be smart to contact Always Best Care of Upper Buxmont.”

Denise O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good heart. Always Best Care does. The client always comes first as does their health and well-being, and the family seeking the best for their loved ones. Thank you Ken for all you did for my parents!”

Mary C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond for their clients, as do their staff. They handled emergent situations for my grandmother when we were on vacation - staying with her the entire time at the hospital. Ken also did significant research for our decision to put her in an assisted living community. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”

Jill K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father. Both Ken and Rebecca were incredibly compassionate, empathetic and caring. In addition, they were knowledgeable and had a wonderful process for determining the needs of the family, the needs of the specific individual and finding an appropriate match for a caregiver to meet those needs. I can't say enough about the services provided by Always Best Care. Ken always went above and beyond, he knew the questions to ask, and how to navigate all the red tape of various organizations (Veterans Administration, etc.) AND he diligently does site visits to the facilities he references so he is able to speak from experience about the quality of care at the facilities under consideration. If you are in need of advice and assistance in caring for a family member I recommend Ken and Rebecca and Always Best Care with no reservations.”

Lisa E.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law. Ken is very well versed in available providers and other services needed at this time.The day care providers dealt well with her memory problems.”

Earl P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for my Mom during an extremely difficult time. It was great finding two people who cared & listened to my situation. I never felt alone in my difficult decision making process.”

Howard S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in getting to know my father. They went out of their way to help us as our plans changed from in home care to personal care. They explained the process and were with us every step of the way to answer questions and provide support. I would use them again in a minute.”

Gretchen L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help for my mom, I live out of town, and can't be there myself very often. But this business goes all-out to take care of my mom. I don't know what we would do without them.”

KJack
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TESTIMONIALS

“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”

Bobbi D.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Tatamy, PA?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Tatamy, PA

Types of Elderly Care in Tatamy, PA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Tatamy, PA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Tatamy, PA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 High Street Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Tatamy, PA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 Aman's Artisan Indian Cuisine or visit 1753 Bachmann Publick House, 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.

 In-Home Care Tatamy, PA

Benefits of Home Care in Tatamy, PA

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:

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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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 - 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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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 Tatamy, PA, 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.

 Elderly Care Tatamy, PA

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your PA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
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.
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.
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.
 Senior Care Tatamy, PA

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 Tatamy, PA 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Tatamy, PA

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Tatamy, PA

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:

  • Country Meadows Retirement Communities
  • Renaissance Home Forks
  • Alexandria Manor
  • Arden Courts - ProMedica Memory Care Community (Old Orchard)
  • Eastern Comfort Assisted Living
  • Abington Manor at Morgan Hill
Home Care Tatamy, PA

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.

 In-Home Care Tatamy, PA

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 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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Tatamy, PA 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.

 Elderly Care Tatamy, PA

Latest News in Tatamy, PA

Residents Fearful of Growing Sinkhole Danger

Recent rainfall may make chronic problem even worse.Patch Staff|Updated Fri, Apr 1, 2011 at 6:22 pm ETSinkholes are an undermining fact of life in the Lehigh Valley – a region where rainwater relentlessly wears away limestone.But residents who keep a close eye on gaps in the ground say recent heavy rains have made the problem visibly worse.Some fear for the safety of youngsters, who might meet danger in places like Tatamy, where a 40-foot sinkhole (known locally as the “Forty Footer”) ya...

Recent rainfall may make chronic problem even worse.

Patch Staff

|Updated Fri, Apr 1, 2011 at 6:22 pm ET

Sinkholes are an undermining fact of life in the Lehigh Valley – a region where rainwater relentlessly wears away limestone.

But residents who keep a close eye on gaps in the ground say recent heavy rains have made the problem visibly worse.

Some fear for the safety of youngsters, who might meet danger in places like Tatamy, where a 40-foot sinkhole (known locally as the “Forty Footer”) yawns about a mile from Trisha Street.

“With all of this rain, it has been playing havoc on the ground,” said Linda Iudicello, a Palmer Township resident. A sinkhole - about 10 feet wide and 4.5 feet deep – on her property dropped another foot and a half after a significant rainfall this winter. After more rain on March 10, the hole dropped another foot, according to the wary homeowner.

She says the expanding sinkhole in her backyard is one of 458 such holes found along the Bushkill Creek since 1999. The creek is a popular warm-weather destination for kids.

Find out what's happening in Upper Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It’s dangerous out here,” Iudicello said. “We are extremely fortunate that no one has ever gotten hurt.”

Iudicello is a founding member of the Brookwood Group, a community action organization formed in 1999. The group is made up of Palmer Township homeowners who lost their homes on Babbling Brook Road to chronic sinkhole issues. The group represents 21 families, she said. They work to raise public awareness of sinkhole dangers.

The sinkhole problem became widely evident five years after the group’s formation.

In 2004, a sinkhole damaged a northbound Route 33 bridge, which cost $3.5 million to replace.

PennDOT workers survey the two Route 33 bridges and approaches over the Bushkill Creek once every two weeks, said Ron Young, district press officer.

“An inspection of the key components on both bridges is done once per month,” Young said in an e-mail to Patch.

The monitoring is to ensure no significant movement in the bridges poses any hazardous driving conditions, according to Young.

“Basically, over the last year, there have been very minor movements,” he said. “Keep in mind that all bridges are designed to allow for movement, and all bridges do have movement. If at any time [PennDOT] felt there was any danger to motorists, the bridge[s] would be closed.”

When it comes to Tatamy’s closed Bushkill Street bridge, also known as the State Route 2017 Bridge, there are no plans for replacement, according to Young.

“As far as the Department knows, local officials do not want a replacement,” Young said. “We would not pursue utilizing taxpayer dollars to build a bridge where it is not wanted.”

According to Young, the bridge was closed when “a sinkhole opened beneath the relatively shallow foundations of the old Route 33 North bridge, causing it to sink lower than the Route 33 roadway. The new bridges have much deeper foundations, which limit the effect potential sinkholes could have on the two structures.”

Pennsylvania is one of seven states that suffer the most damage from sinkholes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The other states are Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Iudicello said one reassuring thing about local sinkholes is that they follow a pattern. She has had 3-D imaging used on her property to show exactly where the trouble spots are.

“You don’t get totally comfortable with it, but [the sinkholes] are not cropping up in new places,” she explained. “[The sinkholes] are cropping up in the same places they’ve always been. It’s the same fractures in the Earth. I’d be nervous if one cropped up in my back yard on virgin soil.”

For more information about the Bushkill Stream Conservancy e-mail

In Tatamy, how a county contract turned into a ‘mess’ that imperils upcoming festival for 2,000 people

Loading your audio articleIn April, when workers removed the Bushkill Street Bridge connecting Tatamy to Forks Township, borough officials and local business owners were told the replacement would take six to eight weeks.Nearly six months later, the bridge is still out and local officials say workers from Kriger Construction in Dickson City haven’t been to the site since July.“The scariest part for us is that the work site isn’t even secure, and they have half a bridge knocked down,” said Deanne W...

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In April, when workers removed the Bushkill Street Bridge connecting Tatamy to Forks Township, borough officials and local business owners were told the replacement would take six to eight weeks.

Nearly six months later, the bridge is still out and local officials say workers from Kriger Construction in Dickson City haven’t been to the site since July.

“The scariest part for us is that the work site isn’t even secure, and they have half a bridge knocked down,” said Deanne Werkheiser, Tatamy’s secretary/treasurer, who said the area is secured only by bright orange, plastic roll fencing that doesn’t deter the curious from climbing onto the construction site.

The situation has borough officials on high alert as they prepare for next month’s Vegstock, a wellness festival expected to draw more than 2,000 visitors to Bushkill Street right where the bridge is out.

“We are taking it upon ourselves to block off the area because no one else will,” said Amanda Grega, who is the executive chef of the Kellyn Foundation, the nonprofit at the Llantrisant Retreat & Wellness Center on Bushkill Street and host of the Oct. 12 event.

“We are going to put up wood barricades and signs telling people to keep out. We are also stationing volunteers to make sure no one comes too close to the bridge,” Grega said.

She expects about 50 vendors to be stationed along Bushkill Street and the Tatamy bike trail, which is part of the Two River’s Trail System connecting the Easton area to the popular Delaware & Lehigh Canal Trail.

“I walk my dog on that path all the time,” Grega said. “I’ll be walking my dog at dusk and see people going behind the signs. Luckily, I haven’t seen anyone be too destructive, but no matter what, you are on the edge of a bridge.”

Jan Delvy, co-owner of The Grist Mill House, an art studio and woodworking shop next to the bridge, has had a portion of her parking lot taken up by cement barricades and construction equipment since the project started in April.

Delvy received money so Kriger could use a portion of her property to store equipment, but she never expected construction to take this long.

She’s had potential customers call her and say they couldn’t find the store because the bridge is out, though Delvy said the spring and summer are generally her slow months. The fall is her busy time, when customers stock up on Christmas decorations and holiday gifts.

“What I’m more concerned is the safety of my parking lot and the safety of the kids who ride past that bridge on bikes every day,” she said.

A project manager from Kriger didn’t immediately return phone calls Monday and Tuesday.

In order to work in the creek, construction workers needed to set up a cofferdam, typically made of sandbags, that keeps the water out of the area. On a recent visit to the site, the sandbag dam was in place, but the area behind it was filled with water and some of the bags could be seen downstream from the work site.

“At what point is it considered abandonment of a work site? The dam is broken again and sandbags are all over,” Werkheiser said.

Northampton County started working with the Dickson City company in October 2017 as part of a public-private partnership, also known as the P3 project.

The first-of-its-kind partnership was the centerpiece of former Northampton County Executive John Brown’s administration.

The idea is that rather than have the county go through its normal bidding process and hire individual firms to perform architectural designs, engineering and construction, the P3 process has those firms team up and offer comprehensive bids.

Proponents of the P3 system argue it gets projects done faster, and Brown contended it would result in financial savings for the county.

Kriger was approved to replace 33 county-owned bridges at a cost of $36 million.

But the work hasn’t gone smoothly.

The deal with Kriger didn’t account for the need to buy permanent easements for relocating utility lines and making bridges wider, nor did it account for the cost of temporary easements to store equipment during construction, said Northampton County’s Director of Administration Charles Dertinger.

“Notwithstanding legal fees, just this year alone the cost for temporary easements was $75,000. There are a significant number of permanent easements that are even more expensive,” said Dertinger, who also sits on the Northampton County General Purpose Authority overseeing the contract with Kriger.

The price has jumped to $38.4 million including unforeseen expenses and legal fees.

Dertinger said Kriger never gave a “real reason” why work was stopped on the Bushkill Street Bridge, a 100-foot-span over Bushkill Creek that he said carried an average of 150 vehicles per day.

“I have never had a real reason given to us. They claimed there were high water incidents,” Dertinger said, but a stream gauge monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey showed there were only three relatively minor events this year that shouldn’t have affected the work.

During a Sept. 17 General Purpose Authority meeting, Dertinger told several disgruntled Tatamy officials and business owners the county could spend millions of dollars to get out of the contract, but that would likely be followed by a drawn-out legal battle that could delay further construction on the bridges for years to come.

Current Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure last year called the P3 project “a mess.”

The General Purpose Authority has paid Kriger $8.4 million so far, Dertinger said.

To hopefully spur some action, the GPA at its Sept. 17 meeting approved a motion to release a milestone payment to Kriger subject to “substantial completion” of the Bushkill Street Bridge and a bridge on Glase Road in Moore Township.

Dertinger said “substantial completion” would mean the bridge is open to traffic, though at this point there may not be enough time to pave it before winter. In that case, Kriger would have to put down a temporary layer of material on the traffic lanes until they could pave in the spring.

The GPA withheld the majority of the $2.1 million payment due to Kriger in May. The authority has paid $926,000 of that amount so far, and would release the balance once those two bridges are open to traffic, Dertinger said.

Morning Call reporter Christina Tatu can be reached at 610-820-6583 or [email protected]

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY’S P3 PROJECT

Bridges open to traffic

Evergreen Road Bridge in Lehigh Township, a 23-foot span that was rehabilitated.

Lefevre Road Bridge in Stockertown, a 53-foot span that was replaced.

Ackermanville Road Bridge in Washington Township, a 24-foot span that was replaced.

East Factoryville Road Bridge in Washington Township, a 47-foot span that was replaced.

Ott Drive Bridge in Lower Mount Bethel Township, an 18-foot span that was replaced.

South Cottonwood Road Bridge in Lehigh Township, a 28-foot span that was replaced.

Knauss Road Bridge in Bushkill Township, a 24-foot span that was replaced.

Bridges under construction

Bushkill Street Bridge in Tatamy, a 100-foot span to be replaced.

Glase Road Bridge in Moore Township, a 79-foot span to be rehabilitated.

Restaurant review: Palmer’s Breakfast Table…

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then The Breakfast Table, in a strip mall in Palmer Township, is a fittingly delicious place to get it. This homey restaurant features breakfast stalwarts such as omelettes, quiche, pancakes and French toast, but ramps them up with a focus on quality, fresh ingredients and a surprising number of interesting variations. Lunch also is available (except on Sundays) and includes grilled paninis, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, salads and quesadillas. It’s a popular spot, so be ready for a sho...

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then The Breakfast Table, in a strip mall in Palmer Township, is a fittingly delicious place to get it. This homey restaurant features breakfast stalwarts such as omelettes, quiche, pancakes and French toast, but ramps them up with a focus on quality, fresh ingredients and a surprising number of interesting variations. Lunch also is available (except on Sundays) and includes grilled paninis, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, salads and quesadillas. It’s a popular spot, so be ready for a short wait for an open table on weekends.

Setting and decor: The Breakfast Table is small, with about 14 tables. The interior is bright and spotless and is decorated with country charm. Valances hang from the windows and a large wooden buffet in the back of the room holds quiches that look twice as thick as a usual pie. We were seated as soon as we arrived around 8:45 a.m. on a recent Sunday morning, although we got the last table. Our hostess later says that on Sundays, things really get hopping between 9 and 11 with the crowds coming from church. You can call ahead to speed up the process.

Food: As a big fan of that Pennsylvania Dutch favorite, scrapple, my dining companion couldn’t resist The Ernie. This came with two extra-large eggs served over scrapple with melted cheddar, with a side of breakfast potatoes and rye toast. He ordered the eggs over easy, and smushed the ingredients together into a sort of hash. Perfectly done scrapple can be hard to find, but this was just the right consistency of soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Onions added a sweet bite to the small chunks of potatoes. A trivia note courtesy of our waitress: The Ernie is named after a former business partner of the Breakfast Table’s owner who I assume also loved scrapple!

I couldn’t decide between the breakfast burrito and the cannoli-stuffed French toast so I treated myself to both. The variety of burritos is impressive, and includes meat lovers, a spicy one and a garden version. I opted for the cheeseburger and fry, which consisted of a large tortilla stuffed with ground sirloin, scrambled eggs, American cheese and grated potatoes. The creaminess of the cheese highlighted the beefy flavor of the meat although the taste of potatoes wasn’t very noticeable. The cannoli-stuffed French toast was a wonder to behold and it tasted as good as it looked. Two pieces of thick-cut French toast were slathered with ricotta and chocolate chip-filled cannoli cream and then topped with two more pieces of French toast. Did it need to also be topped with powdered sugar and drizzled chocolate? No. Was I glad it was? Of course!

Service: Although the place was bustling, our waitress was never far away. She took the time to tell us the most popular meals (the omelettes and the breakfast panini with asparagus and hollandaise sauce are top draws) and was there to take our orders as soon as we decided. With only two waitresses covering the whole place, the hostess also stepped in and made sure to keep my companion’s coffee cup filled. She also brought me a box for my copious amount of leftover food, and joked that I’d have a “little snack for later that day.”

The bottom line: The Breakfast Table embodies homey simplicity, from its charming interior and warm, friendly service to the fresh ingredients and classic menu items. It also offers unexpected takes on breakfast classics, making it more than an ordinary diner in every way. The restaurant also offers catering. Breakfast for two, including tax, coffee and a soft drink, but not including tip, was $29.74. A quick warning to those who rely on charging when they go out to eat: The Breakfast Table takes only cash or check.

Caroline Saucer is a freelance restaurant reviewer for Go Guide. Saucer attempts to remain anonymous during restaurant visits. All meals are paid for by The Morning Call. Restaurant reviews now run Wednesdays and Thursdays.

610-820-6704

THE BREAKFAST TABLE

1315 Tatamy Road, Palmer Township

610-252-8783, breakfasttablepa.com

*Hours: 7 a.m-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

*Prices: Omelettes: $7.95 (substitute egg whites $1); side orders: $2.95-$4.95; sandwiches: $4.95-$6.95; paninis or wraps: $6.95-$9.95; burgers: $6.25-$7.25; quesadillas: $4.95-$7.25

*Credit cards: No credit cards accepted; cash or check only

*Bar: None

*Accessibility: Premises and bathroom handicap accessible

*Location: In a small strip mall called Crown Plaza, at Tatamy Road and Corriere Drive. Across the street from the Palmer Nursery and Garden Center.

Restaurant review: Palmer’s Breakfast Table serves great variations on standards

PUBLISHED: May 12, 2015 at 9:54 p.m. | UPDATED: March 30, 2019 at 6:57 a.m.If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then The Breakfast Table, in a strip mall in Palmer Township, is a fittingly delicious place to get it. This homey restaurant features breakfast stalwarts such as omelettes, quiche, pancakes and French toast, but ramps them up with a focus on quality, fresh ingredients and a surprising number of interesting variations. Lunch also is available (except on Sundays) and includes grilled paninis, sandwiches, wraps,...

PUBLISHED: May 12, 2015 at 9:54 p.m. | UPDATED: March 30, 2019 at 6:57 a.m.

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then The Breakfast Table, in a strip mall in Palmer Township, is a fittingly delicious place to get it. This homey restaurant features breakfast stalwarts such as omelettes, quiche, pancakes and French toast, but ramps them up with a focus on quality, fresh ingredients and a surprising number of interesting variations. Lunch also is available (except on Sundays) and includes grilled paninis, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, salads and quesadillas. It’s a popular spot, so be ready for a short wait for an open table on weekends.

Setting and decor: The Breakfast Table is small, with about 14 tables. The interior is bright and spotless and is decorated with country charm. Valances hang from the windows and a large wooden buffet in the back of the room holds quiches that look twice as thick as a usual pie. We were seated as soon as we arrived around 8:45 a.m. on a recent Sunday morning, although we got the last table. Our hostess later says that on Sundays, things really get hopping between 9 and 11 with the crowds coming from church. You can call ahead to speed up the process.

Food: As a big fan of that Pennsylvania Dutch favorite, scrapple, my dining companion couldn’t resist The Ernie. This came with two extra-large eggs served over scrapple with melted cheddar, with a side of breakfast potatoes and rye toast. He ordered the eggs over easy, and smushed the ingredients together into a sort of hash. Perfectly done scrapple can be hard to find, but this was just the right consistency of soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Onions added a sweet bite to the small chunks of potatoes. A trivia note courtesy of our waitress: The Ernie is named after a former business partner of the Breakfast Table’s owner who I assume also loved scrapple!

I couldn’t decide between the breakfast burrito and the cannoli-stuffed French toast so I treated myself to both. The variety of burritos is impressive, and includes meat lovers, a spicy one and a garden version. I opted for the cheeseburger and fry, which consisted of a large tortilla stuffed with ground sirloin, scrambled eggs, American cheese and grated potatoes. The creaminess of the cheese highlighted the beefy flavor of the meat although the taste of potatoes wasn’t very noticeable. The cannoli-stuffed French toast was a wonder to behold and it tasted as good as it looked. Two pieces of thick-cut French toast were slathered with ricotta and chocolate chip-filled cannoli cream and then topped with two more pieces of French toast. Did it need to also be topped with powdered sugar and drizzled chocolate? No. Was I glad it was? Of course!

Service: Although the place was bustling, our waitress was never far away. She took the time to tell us the most popular meals (the omelettes and the breakfast panini with asparagus and hollandaise sauce are top draws) and was there to take our orders as soon as we decided. With only two waitresses covering the whole place, the hostess also stepped in and made sure to keep my companion’s coffee cup filled. She also brought me a box for my copious amount of leftover food, and joked that I’d have a “little snack for later that day.”

The bottom line: The Breakfast Table embodies homey simplicity, from its charming interior and warm, friendly service to the fresh ingredients and classic menu items. It also offers unexpected takes on breakfast classics, making it more than an ordinary diner in every way. The restaurant also offers catering. Breakfast for two, including tax, coffee and a soft drink, but not including tip, was $29.74. A quick warning to those who rely on charging when they go out to eat: The Breakfast Table takes only cash or check.

Caroline Saucer is a freelance restaurant reviewer for Go Guide. Saucer attempts to remain anonymous during restaurant visits. All meals are paid for by The Morning Call. Restaurant reviews now run Wednesdays and Thursdays.

[email protected]

610-820-6704

THE BREAKFAST TABLE

1315 Tatamy Road, Palmer Township

610-252-8783, breakfasttablepa.com

*Hours: 7 a.m-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

*Prices: Omelettes: $7.95 (substitute egg whites $1); side orders: $2.95-$4.95; sandwiches: $4.95-$6.95; paninis or wraps: $6.95-$9.95; burgers: $6.25-$7.25; quesadillas: $4.95-$7.25

*Credit cards: No credit cards accepted; cash or check only

*Bar: None

*Accessibility: Premises and bathroom handicap accessible

*Location: In a small strip mall called Crown Plaza, at Tatamy Road and Corriere Drive. Across the street from the Palmer Nursery and Garden Center.

With Amazon and other warehouses, Chrin interchange brings promised development

The Charles Chrin Interchange on Route 33 opened a year ago in July and already is delivering the promised goods.The interchange, built on what was once farmland in northern Palmer Township and Tatamy Borough, has turned the Chrin Commerce Centre into a commercial hotspot thanks to its swift access to interstates 78 and 80.The 300 acres set aside for large-scale projects have been snapped up by developers, who have built or are in the process of building more than 3.5 million square feet of warehouse space. Among the tenants is...

The Charles Chrin Interchange on Route 33 opened a year ago in July and already is delivering the promised goods.

The interchange, built on what was once farmland in northern Palmer Township and Tatamy Borough, has turned the Chrin Commerce Centre into a commercial hotspot thanks to its swift access to interstates 78 and 80.

The 300 acres set aside for large-scale projects have been snapped up by developers, who have built or are in the process of building more than 3.5 million square feet of warehouse space. Among the tenants is Amazon, whose 1 million-square-foot fulfillment center — its second in the Lehigh Valley — is up and running and expected to employ about 500 people.

“It’s exactly what we thought would happen,” said Palmer Township Board of Supervisors Chairman David Colver.

And there is much more to come. Colver said it could take 20 years before the 800-acre park is fully built-out with more warehouses, stores, offices and, possibly, a supermarket. Because much of the taxes generated from the site will be used to pay off construction bonds, it also could take 20 years before the complex generates an anticipated $16 million or so in new taxes for the municipalities, county and Easton Area School District.

Charles Chrin Cos. announced plans for its commerce center in 2002. When it backed that with a $40 million interchange between routes 248 and 191, Stephen Thode, director of the Goodman Center for Real Estate Studies at Lehigh University, said the investment could change the pattern of development in the Lehigh Valley from east-west to north-south.

He recently affirmed that projection, based on what has sprouted in the past year.

“If additional retail and other kinds of commercial development occur along [Route] 33, it’s going to tend to attract a lot more Northampton County residents and perhaps residents from New Jersey to do their shopping and other things along the Route 33 corridor as opposed to heading across the river to McArthur Road,” he said.

Before the project, the warehouse mecca was 30 miles west, in Lehigh County’s I-78 corridor. The new interchange “has moved that pendulum a little more to the eastern side of the Lehigh Valley,” said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.

When all is said and done, the transformation is expected to bring more than $300 million in new buildings and about 5,500 jobs, giving an economic jolt to Palmer Township and Tatamy Borough, which host the interchange, as well as neighboring Stockertown and Nazareth boroughs, and Upper and Lower Nazareth and Forks townships.

Chrin’s first tenant was Porsche Logistics, which came in 2009. Mondelez International, a multinational snack and confectionary company, opened in 2014.

In the past year, Duke Realty built the Amazon warehouse and has received approval to build two more warehouses — one for 1.1 million square feet and the other 629,000 square feet. DCT Industrial built a warehouse now occupied by FedEx Ground and XPO Logistics. A 182,000-square-foot warehouse just outside the Chrin Commerce Centre is under construction. And a 240,000-square-foot warehouse in the center is under review.

Besides the warehouses, plans for a hotel, bank, retail space and medical office building on 13 acres on the interchange’s southwest corner are working their way through the Palmer Township planning process.

Jeff Palmquist, Duke’s senior vice president for the northeast region, noted the Chrin interchange was designed to handle the high volume of traffic generated by distribution centers.

“It’s easier to start with a new slate rather than retrofitting or going in after an interchange is done,” he said.

Farther down the road, Forks Township is seeing some residual development.

Township manager John Cornell noted two projects that have come before the supervisors: a truck repair and natural gas filling station to serve increased truck traffic and a request to expand a storage center on Sullivan Trail.

In Tatamy, the new on and off ramps have roused the sleepy borough, bringing a blessing as well as a bother.

The expected – and dreaded –traffic came with the noisy rumble of heavy trucks. Crossing Main Street, where the occasional car was once easy to dodge, has become a lesson in patience for pedestrians en route to the post office.

Vehicles that would have gotten off at the Stockertown exit and made their way down Sullivan Trail into Forks Township, now exit at the Chrin interchange and follow Tatamy’s Main Street to Bushkill Drive and Sullivan Trail.

Main Street resident Hazel De Reamus tallied the vehicles driving past her window one morning soon after the interchange opened. In just half an hour she counted 461.

“Our life has completely changed,” she said.

Voicing a common complaint heard in the borough, she added, “Palmer Township gets all of the benefits and we get what’s left.”

But it hasn’t been all bad for Tatamy residents. Convenient for tractor-trailers, the interchange also helps the average driver reach the interstates faster.

“It’s been a blessing for a lot of people that need to travel to get to work, having an interchange right there,” said Deanne Werkheiser, the borough’s municipal secretary.

It will also be a boon, she said, when the Bushkill and Schoeneck creeks flood and block traffic in and out of the borough, which happens during a good rain storm. Now, she noted, residents can just hop on the highway and out of town.

[email protected]

twitter @michellejmerlin

610-820-6533

CHRIN COMMERCE CENTRE

A look at development at the 800-acre Chrin Commerce Centre, which is located on 800 acres surrounding the Chrin interchange off Route 33 in Palmer Township and Tatamy.

*Mondelez Global LLC:

Moved into 103,000-square-foot warehouse in 2009.

*Porsche Logistics Services:

Moved into 130,000-square-foot warehouse in 2014.

*Duke Realty:

Built 1-million-square-foot distribution center occupied by Amazon. Has township approval to build two more, one for 1 million square-feet and one for 629,000 square feet.

*DCT Industrial:

Built 425,000-square-foot warehouse occupied by FedEx Ground and XPO Logistics. Plans for 240,000-square-foot warehouse under township review.

*IDI Gazeley:

Proposed 240,000-square-foot warehouse needs township approval.

*Other:

Plans for a hotel, bank, retail space and medical office building under township review.

*Near interchange:

182,000-square-foot warehouse being built by Triple Net Investments XXI, a limited partnership of developer J.G. Petrucci.

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