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Home Care In Dresher, PA

Home Care Dresher, 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 Washington Crossing Historic 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 Dresher, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Dresher, 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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Dave and his staff go above and beyond with their care. They all take special interest with their clients. Also a very helpful resource in future planning and current ideas. Trust your parents to these people - they will not let you down.
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“Dave and his staff go above and beyond with their care. They all take special interest with their clients. Also a very helpful resource in future planning and current ideas. Trust your parents to these people - they will not let you down.”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Dresher, 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.

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Senior Care Dresher, PA

Types of Elderly Care in Dresher, 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
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Respite Care Dresher, 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
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Caregivers Dresher, 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 Twining Valley 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
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Home Care Dresher, 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 Jarrettown Hotel or visit Pearl S. Buck National Historic Landmark, 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.

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In-Home Care Dresher, PA

Benefits of Home Care in Dresher, 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 Dresher, 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 Dresher, 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 Dresher, 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 Dresher, 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 Dresher, 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 Dresher, 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:

  • Woodland Creek Memory Care Community
  • Sunrise of Dresher
  • Brandywine Living at Dresher Estates
  • Dresher Hill Health & Rehabilitation Center
  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Dianne DeClerck
  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Joanna Dunbar
Home Care Dresher, 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 Dresher, 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 Dresher, 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.

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Elderly Care Dresher, PA

Latest News in Dresher, PA

Two PA Restaurants Named Best Hidden Gems in the U.S.

I'm always looking for great, new-to-me restaurants to try in Pennsylvania. Going out to dinner is one of my favorite things to do. I love to gather friends, eat, drink and be merry.Thankfully, I found Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Restaurants list for 2023. If you're unfamiliar, it names the very best restaurants across the United States based on stellar reviews.Get our free mobile app...

I'm always looking for great, new-to-me restaurants to try in Pennsylvania. Going out to dinner is one of my favorite things to do. I love to gather friends, eat, drink and be merry.

Thankfully, I found Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Restaurants list for 2023. If you're unfamiliar, it names the very best restaurants across the United States based on stellar reviews.

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It's broken down into categories and two Pennsylvania restaurants made the Best of the Best Hidden Gems in America list.

Ohhh, I love a good hidden gem restaurant. I feel like I'm in an exclusive club that not a lot of people know about. Well, until now. Haha.

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The first Pennsylvania restaurant that's on the list is Lawrence Park Dinor in Erie.

The list states, "Lawrence Park Dinor is a charming diner that serves delicious American food. The vintage decor adds to the nostalgic feel of the restaurant, which is housed in a 1948 silk city diner that is on the national historic registry. The breakfast features mouth-watering dishes such as pancakes, omelets, and French toast. With a variety of options to choose from, Lawrence Park Dinor is a great spot for anyone looking for a great diner experience."

The second Pennsylvania restaurant that made the list is A Little Pizza Heaven in Scranton.

The list says, "A Little Pizza Heaven offers a diverse Italian menu including pizza and pasta, as well as seafood, salads, and appetizers. Popular dishes include the margherita pizza, lasagna, jambalaya, and antipasti. Gluten-free options are available. The friendly waitstaff and authentic Italian food make A Little Pizza Heaven a great choice for a delicious meal with generous portions."

If you're ever in the area of either of these places, make sure to stop by and eat.

To see the entire list of the Best of the Best Hidden Gems across the U.S., click here.

Dresher Couple Helps Montco CC Raise More Than $10 Million With 'Futures Campaign'

Blue Bell, PA -- Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) celebrated the naming of its Presidential Reading Room on June 13 in Blue Bell, thanks to the generosity of Richard Montalbano and Deborah Cross, of Dresher, according to a press release.Their generous pledge to the Student Success Endowed Scholarship as part of the MCCC Foundation’s Futures Rising campaign was commemorated with a plaque.“The College wholeheartedly thanks Rich and Deb for their generous contribution to the Futures Rising campaign and for th...

Blue Bell, PA -- Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) celebrated the naming of its Presidential Reading Room on June 13 in Blue Bell, thanks to the generosity of Richard Montalbano and Deborah Cross, of Dresher, according to a press release.

Their generous pledge to the Student Success Endowed Scholarship as part of the MCCC Foundation’s Futures Rising campaign was commemorated with a plaque.

“The College wholeheartedly thanks Rich and Deb for their generous contribution to the Futures Rising campaign and for their commitment to the success of our students,” said MCCC President Dr. Kevin Pollock in a statement. “For many of our students, a Foundation scholarship is the reason they are able to stay in school and complete their education. By supporting scholarships, Rich and Deb are making a significant and positive impact on the lives of our students.”

Montalbano is a member of MCCC’s Board of Trustees, for which he chairs the Personnel Committee. He also chaired the College’s recent Presidential search, according to the release.

“I have been involved with MCCC for about a dozen years now, and I am captivated by the unique needs of the student body and the non-traditional students we serve,” said Montalbano. “We are thrilled to provide resources for the students of MCCC to bootstrap themselves into a better future.”

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Montalbano has been a hospital administrator for over 40 years, most recently serving as the vice president and project executive for Einstein Healthcare Network. In that capacity, he was part of the leadership team that helped build the new Einstein greenfield hospital and campus in East Norriton.

Cross is an Adult Certified Nurse Practitioner who currently works for Abington Medical Plaza. She previously taught at University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing for 17 years.

Montalbano and Cross have been involved in multiple charitable endeavors, including Impact 100, Habitat for Humanity and healthcare mission trips to Haiti.

Futures Rising, the MCCC Foundation’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, exceeded its $9 million goal to raise a total of $10,526,000 over two years. In addition to establishing 82 new student scholarships, the campaign provided support for key student success initiatives and arts programming, among other areas of need.

Temple Sinai Players to Perform Beauty and the Beast

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Arts & EntertainmentDresher theater troupe to stage Disney's beloved classic musical.Community ContributorTemple Sinai Players, a community theater group based in Dresher, will be performing the stage musical “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,” which was the first Disney title to be adapted into a Broadway mu...

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Dresher theater troupe to stage Disney's beloved classic musical.

Community Contributor

Temple Sinai Players, a community theater group based in Dresher, will be performing the stage musical “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,” which was the first Disney title to be adapted into a Broadway musical. The acting troupe has been putting on shows for over 60 years with recent performances that include “MARY POPPINS,” “OLIVER,” “PETER PAN,” “SHREK THE MUSICAL” and most recently “OKLAHOMA” and “BYE BYE BIRDIE.”

Set in late 18th century France, this classic fairy tale is the story of Belle (Tracey Roffman), a beautiful, intelligent young woman who feels out of place from her village and is being courted by Gaston (Chris O’Donnell), a boorish, self-centered hunter. Belle soon discovers her father, Maurice (Jason Goldberg), has been imprisoned by a Beast (Andrew Rifkin) who is actually a prince that was cursed by an enchantress (Sara Leakey) along with his loyalty servants Mrs. Potts (Lainie Cottrell), her son Chip (Molly Harrington / Taryn O’Donnell / Emmi Roffman / Marley Steiner), Cogsworth (Josh Stein), Lumiere (Mark Harrington), Babette (Melissa Steiner) and Madame de la Grande Bouche (Joanne Shanzer) all of whom have been transformed into household objects. Their only hope to become human again is for the Beast to learn to love and be loved in return. However, it seems hopeless since time is quickly running out which will cause the curse to become permanent.

Based on the smash hit 1991 Disney animated movie and the 2017 live action version, “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” was the first story to be adapted into a Broadway musical by Disney Theatrical Productions. The fairy tale was originally written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont.

The Broadway production originally ran in the Palace Theatre for 13 years from April 18, 1994 to July 29, 2007, with music composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. The show features some of Disney’s most memorable and beloved songs, including “Belle,” “Gaston” and “Be Our Guest.”

The Temple Sinai Players’ production is co-produced by Tracey Roffman, who also plays Belle, and Jeff Workman who also plays the town bookseller. Roffman explained why this show was a special one for the theatre troupe to perform, saying, “This show is such a cherished tale with beloved characters and incredible music that deeply connects with audiences.”

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Workman also talked about the production, explaining, “In recent years our focus has been on more traditionally classic shows like “OKLAHOMA” and “BYE BYE BIRDIE.” However, we wanted to transition back to a Disney production like “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” which is a truly fun experience for audiences of all ages."

The show is directed by Aimee Miller, with musical direction by Diane Reckner, choreography by Lauren McGinnis and stage management by Jeff Workman. Set design is by Murrie and Chaya Gayman. The cast features performers of all ages from around the region.

Show performances will take place on Wednesday, February 26 (7:30 pm), Thursday, February 27 (7:30 pm), Saturday, February 29 (7:30 pm) and Sunday, March 1 (2:00 pm) in the Temple Sinai theatre located at 1401 Limekiln Pike in Dresher Pa. Tickets are currently available at the TSP Online Box Office.

Restaurant Review: Dresher's Umami Umami

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Business & TechThis restaurant has friendly management and standout service.Neighbor|Updated Tue, May 31, 2011 at 3:30 pm ETThe Japanese word “umami” means “delicious savory taste.” In my imagination, I can see owners Mr. and Mrs. Myung Kim and their daughter, sweetly vivacious manager Ci...

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

This restaurant has friendly management and standout service.

Neighbor

|Updated Tue, May 31, 2011 at 3:30 pm ET

The Japanese word “umami” means “delicious savory taste.” In my imagination, I can see owners Mr. and Mrs. Myung Kim and their daughter, sweetly vivacious manager Cindy Kim, sitting together during the early planning stages of creating their new Japanese restaurant and choosing this most desirable name for it.

By doubling the name, they clearly hoped that it would bring a double measure of good taste and good luck. Umami Umami opened in April in the long-closed Dresher Inn.

And by choosing to make sushi the major focus of the menu, given the public's current resounding love of it, they are already a large step-up in achieving their hoped-for namesake.

Indeed, more than 80 percent of the menu is devoted to the now familiar forms of sushi: sushi appetizers, nigiri sushi, sashimi, traditional maki rolls, and a great variety of “house special” maki rolls, sushi samplers and combinations.

After my recent dinner visit, I would stay with Umami's sushi offerings. I was much more impressed and satisfied with our sushi choices than with the hot entree we had. But having only shared one hot large dinner plate, this judgment may be unfair and unbalanced.

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We had ordered a “kitchen hibachi” entree with beef ($21). I anticipated being served a couple of medium-size juicy filet steaks, char-grilled over an open-flame hibachi. (Perhaps I should have questioned our server more carefully before ordering it.) Instead, I was disappointed to receive a pile of bite-size chunks of pan-fried or wok-tossed pieces of undistinguished beef.

My LDC (Lovely Dining Companion) and I both agreed it needed something and added some soy sauce from our sushi dishes. It was served with a very good Japanese fried rice of very small light grains with egg, carrot, green bean, corn and peas, and a tasty side of assorted veggies.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

After being seated in the upstairs main dining room (The sushi bar and a few tables are on the ground level.), and expressing an interest in sake, Japan's fermented rice alcoholic beverage, Cindy suggested we try their sake sampling flight ($11), which included three 3-ounce servings in a beautiful serving tree of tapered cobalt blue glasses.

The three were Momokawa's pearl sake (complex), ruby (light) and raspberry (fruity sweet), which we delightedly sipped throughout our dinner. (Momokawa also makes an Asian pear sake, a little less sweet than the raspberry, which I like very much.)

Having picked a sampler trio of sake, we tried the Umami sushi sampler special of the day ($22). Before long, a large, rectangular, white porcelain plate was placed before us bearing three mouth-watering house special maki rolls.

In the center was the “tower,” a literal tower of spicy salmon and spicy tuna, atop a layer of snow crab meat and a layer of avocado, festooned with "masago" and "tobiko" (red and black fish roe). Alongside the “tower” was a zesty “ninja” roll of spicy tuna, cucumber, "oshinko" (pickle), jalapeno and spicy sauce. Best of all was the “red dragon” roll, with tempura shrimp and avocado inside, and spicy tuna, crab, scallion and bonito flakes outside—a real winner!

If ordered separately, these house special rolls would cost about $17 each.

We also had a seaweed salad ($5), which was bright green, very fresh and refreshing.

For an outstanding Japanese dessert, try the chilled confection known as “moshi.” We had the 3-piece moshi combination of green tea and red bean ice cream, and mango sorbet; each was encased in a soft rice noodle cocoon.

The menu almost entirely comprises Japanese cuisine, but the Kims included two signature standbys of their native Korean cuisine: bimbim bap and bulgogi dishes.

The pricing of the house special rolls, sushi lover's specials, and many of the entrees seemed slightly higher than average, but in general worth the extra $3 or $4.

To contact Mitch Davis, email him at [email protected] .

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Overall rating: mmm (out of 5 m’s)

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The Main Course at Umami Umami (at the old Dresher Inn)Location: 1708 Limekiln Pike (Route 152), DresherPhone: 215-542-6993Website: www.umamidresher.comCuisine: Japanese, and a few Korean favoritesHours: Lunch, Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; dinner, daily from 4:30 to 10 p.m.Prices: Appetizers, soups and salads, $5 to $15; sushi rolls, $5 to $18; nigiri sushi, sashimi, $6 to $25; Large plates, $12 to $28.Ambiance:: Spare of décor, clean, no noise dampeningReservations: Accepted, but not necessaryCredit cards: Major acceptedAlcoholic beverages: Beer, wine, sake (BYO Mondays)

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A Toll Bros. founder sees business bargains amid global troubles

Bruce E. Toll, co-founder in 1967 of Fortune 500 homebuilder Toll Bros., has long since diversified his fortune from the Fort Washington-based firm. His firm BET Investments Inc. has bet on health care, medical, information technology and telecom companies. And in ...

Bruce E. Toll, co-founder in 1967 of Fortune 500 homebuilder Toll Bros., has long since diversified his fortune from the Fort Washington-based firm. His firm BET Investments Inc. has bet on health care, medical, information technology and telecom companies. And in Pennsylvania he owns coal fields and auto dealers and is building hundreds of suburban apartments.

His grandfather emigrated from Ukraine in 1906. Toll says Russia’s two-month-old war on that sovereign country, along with U.S. price and interest rate inflation, has changed the investing map. His answers to The Inquirer’s questions have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Q: What changed this year?

I’m in shock over what’s going on in Ukraine. I can’t believe we have such a blatant war. On TV it looks like Vietnam did, when I was a kid. I never thought I’d see it in Europe.

The war in Ukraine [unavoidably] has created a lot of opportunities to start new businesses, because all the businesses in Ukraine are ruined. Volkswagen’s chairman was in the news; he was saying they got a lot of parts from Ukraine, they have to find someplace else to get them.

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And now Russia can’t export hard coal or soft coal. Well, you know I own a large anthracite coal mine in the Tamaqua area. Prices have escalated because of the shortage of coal.

Q: After all those campaigns against fossil fuel, demand for your coal is up?

Yes. Anthracite is hard coal; it is used by steel manufacturers. They are our biggest customers. And now, with the Build America infrastructure program, they’ll need a lot of steel.

All those old bridges have to be widened. We have some bridges that need improvements up here in the Jenkintown area. The state is deciding which are going to be improved now that the federal government is giving away $600 or $700 billion. Even that won’t get everything done.

You know, Pennsylvania is one of the worst places for highways and bridges. So many of them haven’t been touched in 50 years. I used to go down Broad Street in Philadelphia and turn on Cayuga to get on Roosevelt Boulevard, then the Schuylkill Expressway, to get into the city. Well, in 2019, they said they were closing Cayuga, to replace utilities. I called the mayor. He told me it will take four years. I told him, for the fun of it, I don’t think Hoover Dam took four years.

» READ MORE: Hundreds of Philly-area bridges are slowly deteriorating. Should travelers be worried?

So I started turning on Hunting Park Avenue. But now they’ve been digging up Hunting Park. So I have to go all the way down Broad Street to get into town. It seems crazy, all this to put a pipe in.

Q: Will rising interest rates slow construction?

A: Interest rates have been so low, for so long, it’s been really easy to be in the real estate business. I’ve gotten loans on properties last year at rates I’d have said you were crazy. Two 35-year loans for less than 2.5% interest, from HUD. For multifamily developments, apartments.

When I went in business in 1968, mortgage rates were just going up to 6%, from 5.5%. We thought it was the end of the world. Compared to that, interest rates are still remarkably low.

But now inflation is coming. Rents have been increasing.

» READ MORE: Bruce Toll gets offers every day to invest. He sees promise in cutting-edge biotech | Industry Icons

Q: Won’t that cut demand for new apartments?

We’re building a lot more apartments. We finished four or five communities in the last three years. Everything is getting leased 100%. We have no vacancies at the Promenade, that’s 400 apartments up at Dreshertown and Welsh Roads, we built that a year and a half ago. You know how, in King of Prussia, they have added all those apartments near the shopping center? These apartments are right above the shopping.

We’re getting ready to build more in Montgomery and Delaware and Bucks Counties. We’ll open at Granite Run before the end of the year. We’re building in Lower Moreland, on a piece of ground I’ve owned for years on Philmont Avenue. And I just bought the half of the Prudential campus I didn’t already own at Welsh Road near the turnpike a couple of weeks ago.

Anybody who’s built anything in the last 10 years in Montgomery County is filled up. My biggest fear is, with shipping as it is, I won’t be able to get all the electronics — dishwashers and ovens, the ones I want. The lumber is there, but it’s expensive.

Q: Who’s moving to all these apartments?

A good portion of people 55 and over who decided to downsize from their house. And a lot of young married people. I’m amazed at all the young people.

People are staying in their apartments longer. A lot of young people are working from home, so we put WiFi throughout the buildings. I think some are never moving to houses.

Q: Is that by choice? Or are a lot of Americans priced out of the market, not sharing in the prosperity?

It is the economics. Some people don’t have the down payment, even if they can afford the monthly mortgage payment. It’s tougher [to get approved for a home loan] than 15 years ago, before (the Great Recession]. Which to me is a good thing. We were giving away mortgages to unqualified people [and speculative investors].

Q: You don’t do much in the city of Philadelphia; why not?

That’s true. When I was president at Toll Bros., we bought the land at 26th and Bainbridge [former Naval Home, now townhomes and apartments] from the federal government. The company, where I am no longer involved, is still doing a few buildings in Center City.

But I’ve mostly avoided that. I was raised in Elkins Park. Dad told me horror stories about Philadelphia government.

Q: Are the youngest Tolls attracted to business?

I have 11 grandchildren. One graduated from Wharton last year, one is graduating from Wharton this year, one is still at Wharton. My granddaughter who’s at Wharton brought five [classmates] to Passover dinner this year, and every one of them had a job already lined up. Mostly not in Philadelphia.

You can see this is a great time to become employed. All the young people I know are having no problem getting a job, so long as they have learned something they can put to work.

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