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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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.

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Home Care In National Park, NJ

Home Care National Park, NJ

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 Morristown National Historical Park 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 National Park, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care National Park, NJ

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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

“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that came here was amazing to my parents. Alexandra was priceless to us. Thank you.”

John Y.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that came here was amazing to my parents. Alexandra was priceless to us. Thank you.”

Gary Z.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Great place to work for”

James B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“There's one thing I look for in an Agency and that's Communication, Communication covers a lot, how a Company interacts with its Clients and Their Employees if You have Happy Employees You Will have Happy Clients All the Agency wants is Happiness for All: I really Enjoy working for Always Best Care! The End????”

Roger H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have known Kathy Godwin for over 30 years and she has been actively involved with my family for all of those years. She has always been a part of our family, and I would trust her with any situation that should arise. Kathy is and has been a loyal friend to both me and my father. She watched all my children grow up and has always been active in their lives. If there was ever a family emergency Kathy was always there to assist with any of our needs. We treasure her friendship and know that we can always count on her support in any situation. I can honestly and highly recommend Kathy Godwin's business as a care provider. I know that all clients she receives will get the best care and attention that they deserve. I would not hesitate to use her service for my personal family.”

Kasey H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kathy and her caretakers made our difficult situation less difficult. They were warm , accommodating and willing to go the extra mile and that means the world to our family. We had a lot of questions and they had all the answers. I highly recommend this company to anybody who is going through the difficulties of hospice or just needs that extra helping hand with their loved ones. 6 stars!”

joel W.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in National Park, NJ?

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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 National Park, NJ

Types of Elderly Care in National Park, NJ

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 National Park, NJ
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 National Park, NJ
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 Paterson Great Falls National Historical 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 National Park, NJ
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 ROBERT or visit Independence National Historical Park, 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 National Park, NJ

Benefits of Home Care in National Park, NJ

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 National Park, NJ, 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 National Park, NJ

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 NJ'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 National Park, NJ

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 National Park, NJ 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 National Park, NJ

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 National Park, NJ

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:

  • Pines Village
  • The Orchards Assisted Living
  • Vista on 5th
  • Arbor Terrace Shrewsbury
  • Cedar Glen Lakes Inc
  • Monarch Bella Terra
Home Care National Park, NJ

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 National Park, NJ

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 National Park, NJ 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 National Park, NJ

Latest News in National Park, NJ

NJ beach weather & waves: Jersey Shore Report for Friday, June 20

AdvisoriesMODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS. Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone.At the ShoreCurrent conditions and forecast as of Fri morningRip Current RiskModerateWaves2 - 4 feetWindsFrom the West15 - 20 mph (Gust 25 mph)13 - 17 knots (Gust 22 knots)Ocean Temperature65° - 74°(Normal 63° - 69°)Air Temp...

Advisories

MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS. Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone.

At the Shore

Current conditions and forecast as of Fri morning

Rip Current RiskModerate
Waves2 - 4 feet
WindsFrom the West15 - 20 mph (Gust 25 mph)13 - 17 knots (Gust 22 knots)
Ocean Temperature65° - 74°(Normal 63° - 69°)
Air Temperature77° - 84°
Sunrise/Sunset5:26am - 8:29pm
UV Index9 (Very High)

Tide Times

SANDY HOOKSandy Hook BayLowFri 9:44aHighFri 3:54pLowFri 10:41pHighSat 4:18a
LONG BRANCHAtlantic OceanLowFri 9:08aHighFri 3:28pLowFri 10:05pHighSat 3:52a
MANASQUAN INLETAtlantic OceanLowFri 9:20aHighFri 3:42pLowFri 10:17pHighSat 4:06a
SEASIDE HEIGHTSAtlantic OceanLowFri 9:12aHighFri 3:24pLowFri 10:09pHighSat 3:48a
SEASIDE PARKBarnegat BayHighFri 6:55aLowFri 1:49pHighFri 7:34pLowSat 2:46a
BARNEGAT INLETBarnegat BayLowFri 9:37aHighFri 3:54pLowFri 10:37pHighSat 4:17a
MANAHAWKIN BRIDGEManahawkin BayHighFri 6:02aLowFri 1:23pHighFri 6:41pLowSat 2:20a
LITTLE EGG INLETGreat BayLowFri 10:12aHighFri 4:55pLowFri 11:06pHighSat 5:09a
ATLANTIC CITYAtlantic OceanLowFri 9:11aHighFri 3:40pLowFri 10:08pHighSat 4:03a
OCEAN DRIVE BRIDGETownsends InletLowFri 9:35aHighFri 4:08pLowFri 10:26pHighSat 4:29a
WILDWOOD CRESTAtlantic OceanLowFri 9:20aHighFri 3:53pLowFri 10:12pHighSat 4:11a
CAPE MAYDelaware BayLowFri 10:11aHighFri 4:46pLowFri 10:59pHighSat 5:10a

Marine Forecast

From the National Weather Service, Mt. Holly

FRI: W winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: S 4 ft at 7 seconds and W 2 ft at 2 seconds.

FRI NIGHT: SW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: S 3 ft at 7 seconds and NW 1 foot at 3 seconds.

SAT: SW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft. Wave Detail: SE 2 ft at 7 seconds.

SAT NIGHT: SW winds around 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft. Wave Detail: SE 2 ft at 7 seconds.

SUN: SW winds around 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: S 2 ft at 5 seconds and E 1 foot at 8 seconds.

SUN NIGHT: W winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft.

MON: NW winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming SW in the afternoon. Seas around 2 ft.

MON NIGHT: SW winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming W after midnight. Seas around 2 ft.

TUE: NW winds around 5 kt, becoming SW in the afternoon. Seas around 2 ft.

TUE NIGHT: W winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming NW after midnight. Seas around 2 ft. Winds and seas higher in and near tstms.

Plan Your Trip

Data on this page amalgamated from several sources, including the National Weather Service (weather), National Ocean Service (tides), U.S. Naval Observatory (sun), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (UV index).

Dan Zarrow is Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey. The Shore Report is generated semi-automatically daily at 5 a.m. from mid-May to late September. Follow Dan's weather blog and Facebook page for your latest forecast and realtime weather updates.

Cape May Point State Park Named New Jersey’s Most Scenic Picnic Spot

There are so many beautiful views and sights in the Garden State that make us want to stop and take it all in, but this Cape May County spot was recognized by a national website publication.New Jersey has plenty of beaches up and down the coast that are absolutely beautiful, and many visitors want to stop and take in everything we have to offer.Read more: Cape May Named Top Small Town in New Jersey ...

There are so many beautiful views and sights in the Garden State that make us want to stop and take it all in, but this Cape May County spot was recognized by a national website publication.

New Jersey has plenty of beaches up and down the coast that are absolutely beautiful, and many visitors want to stop and take in everything we have to offer.

Read more: Cape May Named Top Small Town in New Jersey

Lovefood.com ranked the best places in each state for the most scenic picnic spot. The best spots in each state were compiled by 'genuine user reviews and the first-hand experience of our well-traveled (and well-fed) team.'

According to Lovefood.com, the New Jersey winner of the ‘Most Scenic Picnic Spot’ is the Cape May Point State Park. Here’s what they had to say about this iconic destination:

New Jersey has a decent amount of green space and parks – but, really, if you’re going to have a picnic here, it has to be at the shore. Cape May, to the south, is retro heaven; all beaches, boardwalks, candy floss, and candy-hued Victorian houses. Lay out your lunch on one of the picnic tables in the state park, home to honey-colored beaches, dunes, and coastal marshes known for birdwatching.

This is a great spot at the very tip of Cape May, and the best part about it, the park is free to the public and offers more than just a great picnic location; it also has plenty of bird watching opportunities, along with swimming, photography, and nature walks with three hiking trails.

Plan Your Trip to Cape May Point State Park

Cape May State Point is located at Lighthouse Avenue. and is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

New Jersey tourist the second person this spring to be gored by Yellowstone bison

A New Jersey man was gored by a Yellowstone National Park bison – the second person this year to feel the wrath of the two-ton beasts when they get too close.The victim – a 30-year-old man from Randolph – was attacked by the bison just before 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Upper Geyser Basin, not far from Old Faithful Geyser, according to the National Parks Service.He was a part of a large group of visitors who approached the animal, which then charged the group and struck the man.The victim was left with minor...

A New Jersey man was gored by a Yellowstone National Park bison – the second person this year to feel the wrath of the two-ton beasts when they get too close.

The victim – a 30-year-old man from Randolph – was attacked by the bison just before 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Upper Geyser Basin, not far from Old Faithful Geyser, according to the National Parks Service.

He was a part of a large group of visitors who approached the animal, which then charged the group and struck the man.

The victim was left with minor injuries and transported by emergency personnel for treatment, according to the Parks Service.

His identity has not been revealed, and the incident remains under investigation.

It was the second goring at the park this year — with the first happening May 4 under similar circumstances.

A 47-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida, approached a bison, and was left with minor injuries after the animal charged and gored him.

And in 2024 two more people were hurt by bison – including an 83-year-old South Carolina woman who was tossed in the air after getting caught in an animal’s horns.

There was one goring in 2023, and two in 2022.

The massive park is populated by dangerous wildlife – including predators like wolves and bears – visitors are advised to give animals a wide berth and only observe from a safe distance.

People are warned to keep 25 yards away – about two bus lengths — from the likes of bison and elk, and 100 yards – eight bus lengths – from bears, wolves and wildcats.

Bison are not predators but are known to charge if they feel threatened – with their sharp horns and sheer size making them formidable dangers.

Feds begin demolition of historic smokestack at Great Falls National Historical Park

3-minute readPATERSON — From an aerial platform extended almost 120 feet into the air, a worker using a hammer and chisel began pulling off bricks — one by one — from the top of an old factory smokestack near the Great Falls on June 17.The brick removal marked the start of a $4 million environmental ...

3-minute read

PATERSON — From an aerial platform extended almost 120 feet into the air, a worker using a hammer and chisel began pulling off bricks — one by one — from the top of an old factory smokestack near the Great Falls on June 17.

The brick removal marked the start of a $4 million environmental cleanup of asbestos and lead from industrial ruins, contamination that has stalled the opening of a $7.9 million national park expansion that was completed nine months ago.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the removal of the top half of the 118-foot smokestack will take four to six weeks. After the dangers of the unstable chimney are resolved, officials said, the removal of the ground-level pollution can move forward.

Smokestack is unstable, officials say

The first day of work illustrated why officials think the smokestack deconstruction will not be a quick job. After a handful of bricks were taken down, the aerial work platform’s safety sensors began going off because of its proximity to the crumbling factory structure, officials said.

The contractor lowered the platform to devise a different approach for getting workers close to the smokestack. Officials said the revision reflected the trial-and-error nature of such a unique demolition.

Officials said the chimney can’t be knocked down with an excavator because of the risk of asbestos fibers becoming airborne and floating toward nearby homes. But the smokestack can’t stay in place during the cleanup because it might come crashing down on workers below.

What did officials say?

Mayor Andre Sayegh visited with EPA officials as the work began on Tuesday.

“Are we about to witness history being made here?” Sayegh said, sounding like a sports announcer as the aerial platform climbed towards the smokestack.

The cleanup project has been a cause of frustration for the mayor, who has expressed disappointment that the expanded section of the national park has remained shut.

“We want to open the rest of the park as soon as possible, but we want to do it safely,” Sayegh said.

Colleen Grell, the EPA’s on-site coordinator, said the bricks and mortar being removed from the chimney will be tested to determine whether they are contaminated with the asbestos and lead that have been found on the ground amid the ruins. If the bricks are tainted, Grell said, the whole smokestack will be taken down.

The project has raised some concerns among people who live and work near the ruins, which sit along the Passaic River. Residents have asked about the perils of contaminants becoming airborne during the deconstruction.

Grell and EPA spokesman Stephen McBay noted that work crews have installed four air monitoring devices around the perimeter of the ruins. A technician is at the site checking real-time results from the air tests, they said.

McBay said the testing will identify any contaminants in the air near the smokestack before its begins to spread into the surrounding area.

NJ man gored by bison in Yellowstone National Park after getting too close

A man was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on June 10 after getting too close to the animal, the National Park Service said.The man, a 30-year-old from Randolph, New Jersey, sustained minor injuries and was treated by emergency medical personnel, ...

A man was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on June 10 after getting too close to the animal, the National Park Service said.

The man, a 30-year-old from Randolph, New Jersey, sustained minor injuries and was treated by emergency medical personnel, NPS said in a news release.

He was among a large group of visitors in the Old Faithful Geyser's Upper Geyser Basin at around 9:45 a.m. on June 10 when the incident occurred, NPS said. It is currently under investigation.

This is the second reported person injured by a bison in 2025, according to NPS. There were two incidents last year.

Officials warn to stay back from animals at Yellowstone

The NPS is warning visitors about maintaining proper space from wild animals at Yellowstone after a man was gored by a bison.

Particularly, bison have injured more people than any other animal at the park. They can run three times faster than humans and will defend their space when threatened, according to the agency.

Here's how far visitors should stay back from animals at Yellowstone, per NPS:

How many bison are at Yellowstone?

According to NPS, Yellowstone is the only place in the country where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times.

In 2024, there were an estimated 5,400 bison at the park. The number has ranged from 3,500 to 6,000 in recent years.

At Yellowstone, bison can roam relatively freely, despite most other herds around the country.

Males weigh up to 2,000 pounds while females are at most half that size. They live on average 12-15 years and can run up to 30 miles per hour, per NPS.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected].

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