It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Bayshore Waterfront 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 Monmouth Beach, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“We are so appreciative of the care and service of your team. Mariama was a”
“As we wind down our trip to New Jersey both Megan and I wish to”
“A special shoutout to our primary caregivers: Marie C. and Florette P.. They were outstanding!”
“Terrific company. Management is tops. Very caring staff. I highly recommend them.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services in Princeton Junction exceeded our expectations. Their team was kind,”
“Could not have asked for a more caring group of professionals. From care giver to”
“ABC COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER IN A CHANGING SITUATION WITH TWO TERMINALLY PATIENTS HAVING”
“Always best care took care of my father for about 10 years..Though my father was”
“ABC and their amazing care givers enabled our Aunt to get her last wish was”
“Mom developed an infection in the afternoon that left her too weak and disoriented to”
“Faithful, Love, and Family.”
“Very professional organization and sent the right aide, Sam, to help me with my father”
“I had a great experience with the agency, Always Best Care! I am attending college,”
“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He”
“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”
“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides.”
“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she”
“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had”
“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The”
“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up”
“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and”
“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They”
“You have been outstanding in caregiving and concern for us both. We cannot thank you”
“Gimbert and Carmen Fernandez are very knowledgeable in the area of elder care services and”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care”
“We are so appreciative of the care and service of your team. Mariama was a lovely caregiver, and I especially appreciated Carli's guidance throughout the process.”
“As we wind down our trip to New Jersey both Megan and I wish to thank you personally and Always Best Care for taking care of our needs! Your professionalism and support made our experience pleasant. After having experienced three different service providers in Maryland I can say your services are above par! And Ernesta is truly supportive of Megan’s needs. She is calm, compassionate and respectful. Also your on call service is very quick to react to our changing needs!”
“A special shoutout to our primary caregivers: Marie C. and Florette P.. They were outstanding! And extra thanks to Carli, who always came through when we needed backup. Many thanks to the ABC team for all the care you gave to my husband Al H. through 3 years of Parkinson's suffering, and the support you gave me through a hard time.”
“Terrific company. Management is tops. Very caring staff. I highly recommend them.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services in Princeton Junction exceeded our expectations. Their team was kind, attentive, and provided excellent care tailored to our family’s needs. Communication was clear and supportive throughout. We’re so grateful for their compassion and professionalism. Highly recommend them for anyone seeking trusted senior home care in the area!”
“Could not have asked for a more caring group of professionals. From care giver to support staff, they are exceptional”
“ABC COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER IN A CHANGING SITUATION WITH TWO TERMINALLY PATIENTS HAVING ALZ AND STAGE IV PANCREATIC CANCER. QUALITY OF CARE TAKER WAS SUPERB AND RESPONSIVENESS TO CHANGING NEEDS PERFECT.”
“Always best care took care of my father for about 10 years..Though my father was very lucid and managed his own care with the agency, I was at his house alot and participated in his care with the aids. They were all very caring and he kindly spoke of the owners being very attentive and offered very personalized care. They even visited him. I am very fond of many of the home health aids..they were loving and concerned. They took their job to another level. I even formed friendships with some of them. The golden years are a very delicate part of our lives. Always best care not only offered good physical care to my father, but unbounded love and compassion !!!! Thank you and he is looking down at us. I'm sure.”
“ABC and their amazing care givers enabled our Aunt to get her last wish was to die in her home. I can’t say enough about how ABC was able to give her a quality of life that she valued as well as provide comfort to her family knowing that she was in good hands with ABC's Caregivers. From the caregivers that always went the extra mile to the fast response we got 24x7 from folks like Carli…you were there for us!”
“Mom developed an infection in the afternoon that left her too weak and disoriented to care for herself for that night. I called Always Best Care Senior Services (ABC) at the very end of the business day, asking if they could find someone for one night of 12-hour private duty care on pretty much an emergency basis. The ABC team went to work and secured a caregiver for mom within a matter of hours for an 8pm-to-8am care shift at mom's senior living community. We had worked with ABC in the past on a scheduled basis, but this experience was above and beyond the call of regular duty and it truly helped us get through a difficult and stressful episode. We would recommend ABC for any and all of your senior care needs.”
“Faithful, Love, and Family.”
“Very professional organization and sent the right aide, Sam, to help me with my father in day to day activities. Sam helps him with gait training and understands dementia care and how to handle care, the way the client needs it. I would not hesitate using this agency and Sam is excellent.”
“I had a great experience with the agency, Always Best Care! I am attending college, and they always provided me an aide that is helpful, considerate, and hardworking. Thank you for always providing me with an aide like Ms. Colleta!!”
“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He was God sent; thank God for him”
“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”
“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides. Thank you again!”
“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she is paid! I miss her. Her help was timely, professional, and invaluable”
“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had professional help. Tremendous your service”
“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The management met with us and assigned caregivers almost immediately. As our needs evolved and increased, they were responsive and flexible. The caregivers were well-trained, kind, hard-working, and truly fine people whom we enjoyed having in the house.”
“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up the good work, and be safe!”
“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and concern that was shown for my husband by the Always Best Care staff. Thank you for the exceptional attention to his comfort, as well as the wonderful insights, strength, knowledge, and emotional support you showed our entire family. Watching someone you love make the transition out of this life is a really difficult thing, and your wisdom and comfort helped us navigate this challenging time. I will always be thankful for the service you provided for him. I would also like to acknowledge the excellent care provided to my husband by Ms. Marie Louisjean. We thank Ms. Louisjean for her incredible patience, tenderness, and attention to his needs. We thank her for being such a dedicated caregiver. God has given her a very special talent and He has blessed her with a compassionate heart. I could not have asked for a more passionate group of people. May God continue to bless the Always Best Care staff as you continue to care for people in need.”
“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They came out to his house and offered suggestions so that he would be able to get around with his walker easily. Their person took great care of my Dad. It is such a relief to my sister and I that we had someone stay with my Dad that was so reliable. I highly recommend them.”
“You have been outstanding in caregiving and concern for us both. We cannot thank you enough. Thanks for always being there for us in every way.”
“Gimbert and Carmen Fernandez are very knowledgeable in the area of elder care services and how best to provide workable care solutions for aging relatives. They are well informed on current issues and available options. I speak from my own experience here and strongly recommend then and their company to anyone in need of assistance in this area. They are compassionate and caring people which is critical in their business!”
“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care they provided for our Aunt and Uncle as they battled with diminishing health and mental conditions. Carmen and Gimbert were always available to us to answer questions and discuss aspects of care that was needed. Without their help the situations that we faced would have been so much worse. God Bless.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Hartshorne Woods Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ember Eagle or visit Sandy Hook Lighthouse, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Monmouth Beach, 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.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Monmouth Beach, 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.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Monmouth Beach, 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.
Hurricane Erin caused Jersey Shore streets to flood and beaches to close, but Thursday's storm also tore up chunks of the shoreline, causing significant beach erosion in some towns.Beaches from Monmouth County down to Cape May took a beating, experiencing varying levels of sand loss.Monmouth Beach lost about half of its beach, the borough's mayor told the Asbury Park Press.Further south, Bay Head also lost sand, despite the borough completing a beach replenishment project the month prior, according to NJ.com. Waves tore ...
Hurricane Erin caused Jersey Shore streets to flood and beaches to close, but Thursday's storm also tore up chunks of the shoreline, causing significant beach erosion in some towns.
Beaches from Monmouth County down to Cape May took a beating, experiencing varying levels of sand loss.
Monmouth Beach lost about half of its beach, the borough's mayor told the Asbury Park Press.
Further south, Bay Head also lost sand, despite the borough completing a beach replenishment project the month prior, according to NJ.com. Waves tore down dune fences there, the report said.
Some beach paths were closed and ocean access was limited Friday morning in Avalon, local officials said.
"Significant beach erosion occurred last night, and some erosion continues today," borough officials said.
A video shared on social media shows cliff-like conditions at 8th Street in Ocean City.
"Yesterday’s storm caused beach erosion, and our Public Works team is working between tides to restore safe beach access," Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said Friday. "I walked the beaches today, and I’m thankful that our dune system does such a great job in protecting our homes and streets. It was great to see so many people enjoying the beach."
Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera said that much of the city's recent replenishment was washed away, estimating that two to three feet of sand was lost in the island's North End since Wednesday.
"What used to be a six to eight year beach replenishment cycle now seems closer to every two to three years across many shore towns," Sera said.
Sera said that coastal mayors would be meeting with Rep. Jeff Van Drew, other community leaders and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the future of replenishment. Federal budget cuts mean that many towns have put their beach nourishment projects on hold - no federal dollars were allocated for beach replenishment in 2025.
"This storm has really demonstrated the need for exploring additional, long-term solutions such as protective structures or low-profile jetties that can help reduce erosion, protect homes, and hold sand in place longer after replenishment," Sera said.
For some beach towns along the Jersey Shore, keeping people out of the water because of the danger from rip currents is the biggest challenge created by Hurricane Erin.Other towns are dealing with flooding and significant beach erosion. Streets were flooded throughout Long Beach Island. Water came onto the beachheads in Belmar. And waves crashed over seawalls elsewhere along the Shore.New Jersey State Climatologist Dave Robinson says the impacts of Hurricane Erin will be felt for days to come.“That storm really chu...
For some beach towns along the Jersey Shore, keeping people out of the water because of the danger from rip currents is the biggest challenge created by Hurricane Erin.
Other towns are dealing with flooding and significant beach erosion. Streets were flooded throughout Long Beach Island. Water came onto the beachheads in Belmar. And waves crashed over seawalls elsewhere along the Shore.
New Jersey State Climatologist Dave Robinson says the impacts of Hurricane Erin will be felt for days to come.
“That storm really churned up the Atlantic. And it’s going to take some time for it to calm back down. So people along the coast are still going to have some high tides as we go Friday evening into Saturday, rip currents for sure and some pretty good wave heights. We had 6 – 10-foot wave heights along the coast,” Robinson said.
Towns that suffered significant beach erosion included Upper Township in Cape May County where Mayor Curtis Corson Jr. said there’s no more beach left in some parts of the town.
Monmouth Beach Mayor Tim Somers said he is concerned about how much sand was lost during the past week.
“We know for sure we’ve lost about 50% of the beach that we had about 72 hours ago. So, some of that sand may migrate back. But we know that, through history, we understand when we lose this much, we don’t usually see it come back in total,” Somers said.
“This is the third solid day of rough surf,” Somers noted. “We’ve had the beach closed now for three days like many towns up and down the Jersey Shore. … When you look at how beautiful the day is today, in the last few days of summer, it’s hard to tell people no on a day like today. But this is a very dangerous surf right now, and it doesn’t look too friendly, and I’m glad of that. But if you get caught in a rip in this, it is not an easy thing to get out of.”
In Long Branch, Stan Dziuba, coordinator for the city’s office of emergency management, said on Friday, “We’re letting people maybe get their feet wet, lifeguard stands are all open, [and the] beach is open. But we’re not letting anyone in the water throughout today.”
POINT PLEASANT -- Health officials lifted a water quality advisory on June 11 at a Point Pleasant beach along the Manasquan River, but issued new advisories at three new swimming sites in Monmouth and Ocean counties.Water samples collected June 10 showed that bacteria levels of Enterococci at the River Avenue beach in Point Pleasant had fallen to levels considered safe for swimming, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Earlier in the week, this bacteria common in feces were discovered at levels...
POINT PLEASANT -- Health officials lifted a water quality advisory on June 11 at a Point Pleasant beach along the Manasquan River, but issued new advisories at three new swimming sites in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Water samples collected June 10 showed that bacteria levels of Enterococci at the River Avenue beach in Point Pleasant had fallen to levels considered safe for swimming, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Earlier in the week, this bacteria common in feces were discovered at levels (260 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water) that exceeded the state's safe swimming threshold, which is 104 colony forming units per 100 milliliters.
As health officials lifted the advisory at the River Avenue beach, they issued other warnings at Cedar Bridge Manor Park in Brick, where Enterococci measured at 150 colony forming units in samples collected June 10, according to the environmental department.
A swim advisory was also issued at Keyport Beach, where water samples collected June 10 had bacteria levels at 180 colony forming units, according to the state department.
Plum Island on Sandy Hook also tested high for bacteria, with levels at 170 colony forming units in samples taken June 10, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.
In large amounts, Enterococci can signal that other illness causing organisms, like viruses, are present in water. These microbes can cause gastrointestinal distress and skin infections, as well as infections of the ears, nose and throat.
Children, older adults and people with weak immune systems are the most at risk of becoming sick after contact with contaminated water.
In the right conditions, like a sunny day, bacteria levels in water can fall quickly when the microbes are exposed to UV light, according to the University of Nebraska.
In Cape May County, a swim advisory remains at 104th Street at the bay in Stone Harbor.
Despite the advisories, the beaches remain open to swimming. If subsequent water tests show lasting high bacteria counts, health officials will close the beaches.
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 17 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, [email protected] or 732-557-5701.
The aftermath of Hurricane Erin was pronounced in Beach Haven.The drop from the eroded dunes to the shoreline was over six feet down in some places on the southern Long Beach Island community. Debris and dune fencing littered the beachfront. The handicap access ramp on Centre Street was under repair on Aug. 26.Public Works employees raced to fix access points and beaches before the busy Labor Day holiday weekend."We took our hit," Beach Haven Mayor Colleen Lambert said. "We had about five blocks that saw p...
The aftermath of Hurricane Erin was pronounced in Beach Haven.
The drop from the eroded dunes to the shoreline was over six feet down in some places on the southern Long Beach Island community. Debris and dune fencing littered the beachfront. The handicap access ramp on Centre Street was under repair on Aug. 26.
Public Works employees raced to fix access points and beaches before the busy Labor Day holiday weekend.
"We took our hit," Beach Haven Mayor Colleen Lambert said. "We had about five blocks that saw pretty severe erosion, and our Public Works (department) has been down there diligently trying to get these beaches built back up."
The borough is paying the employees overtime to get it done before the last summer crowds arrive, she said.
Although the eye of Hurricane Erin skimmed New Jersey by hundreds of miles, the storm churned wave heights of 10 to 17 feet along the Jersey Shore, according to the National Weather Service. Its swells "effectively rais(ed) the height of the ocean by 1 to 3 feet," meteorologists at the weather service's Mount Holly station wrote in a Facebook post.
The gravitational pull of a new moon helped to maximize the heights of high tides, giving the storm an advantage as it flooded low-lying areas and back bays, according to the weather service.
Monmouth Beach Mayor Timothy Somers estimated that Hurricane Erin eroded about 50% of the sand from the shoreline in his borough.
"It was a very different beach than what we had last week," he said. "It's definitely been a pretty dramatic impact."
In a particularly narrow section of beach, the waves went right up to the seawall that keeps the surf from reaching west-lying structures and high-rise residential towers, Somers said.
"When the water gets up that high and it gets to the seawall, it accelerates that (erosion) process dramatically because… the water hits the wall and then it sucks the sand out like… a riptide," the Monmouth Beach mayor said. "It causes an immense amount of beach loss when it gets to that point.
"Unfortunately, it did that for two high tide cycles," he said.
Other towns fared better.
In Seaside Heights, "we had very little beach erosion," Mayor Anthony Vaz said. "We really were very lucky."
"Brick beaches suffered minimal damage," Mayor Lisa Crate said. "The brand-new replenishment (project) helped us a lot and the metal wall (under the dunes) was not exposed. All in all, our beaches held up great throughout the storm."
Beach replenishment is ongoing across the northern barrier island and started Aug. 23 in nearby Mantoloking.
Mantoloking Mayor E. Laurence "Lance" White said he did not see too much impact from the storm along the beaches there.
"We do have a thin spot in the middle of town," he said. "I know how the sand works. It goes out, depending on the currents, but it typically comes back. And other people's sands (from nearby municipalities) goes here, and some of our sand goes north, depending on the time of the year.
"It tends to — not every day, or every week — balance out pretty well," White said.
The storm did not result in any setbacks for beach replenishment in Mantoloking or Brick, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson Ed Voigt. Erosion was more severe along the southern Jersey Shore, but no area in the state was badly damaged, he said.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was also taking stock of the storm's impacts.
"Preliminary indications are that while notable erosion occurred, primarily along the southern three-fourths of the coast and in areas prone to erosion, beaches overall withstood the impacts of Erin and performed their function in protecting property," said Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Larry Hajna.
In Monmouth County, southern Deal and northern Sea Bright suffered some of the deepest cuts to their beaches, he said. In northern Ocean County, moderate erosion and dune fencing damage was reported. In Long Beach Island, moderate erosion and dune scarping (or dune loss) was reported in Holgate and Beach Haven, according to the department.
Waves reached the dunes in multiple areas across both counties, Hajna said.
Somers, the Monmouth Beach mayor, worries that new cuts to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' beach replenishment funds will make maintaining vulnerable beaches harder in the future.
Earlier this summer, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., said the House of Representative's Energy and Water Development subcommittee only wants to provide the Army Corps with $60 million to cover beach replenishment projects for the entire nation in 2026. Usually, the Corps gets $200 million, Pallone said.
"Suddenly this year, the vast majority of it (beach replenishment federal funding) was removed," Somers said. "Two-thirds of the funding is gone and the remaining $200 million that is there is earmarked for projects that are already in progress. So no new projects are going to be taking care of, and that's scary.
"We have one major hurricane (Erin) go past and this (erosion) is what happened," he said. "I was here in (Superstorm) Sandy. I know what the potential is."
Monmouth Beach is in a dangerous position with eroded beaches and only being halfway through hurricane season, the mayor said.
Wide beaches are not just economically advantageous due to summer tourists and beach badge revenue, they also protect homes and businesses from storms. They provide "habitat for a variety of species in addition to acting as reservoirs of sand to help maintain beach equilibrium and preserve the ability of the beach to respond naturally to storm events," according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Beaches "are vitally important during moderate to large storms when the dissipation created by the sand bars is insufficient to prevent the waves from attacking the beach berm," according to the state department.
Wide beaches help prevent erosion and weaken waves from storms, which protects landward homes and structures from being washed away, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.
In Monmouth Beach, "we would be destroyed if we didn't have that blanket (of sand) out there to protect us," Somers said.
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 17 years. Reach her at [email protected] or 732-557-5701.
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