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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 Elkins Park, PA

Home Care Elkins Park, 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 Lynnewood Hall 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 Elkins Park, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

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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 Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, PA

Types of Elderly Care in Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, 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 Richard Wall 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 Elkins Park, 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 Le Onde Ristorante BYOB or visit Richard Wall House Museum, 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 Elkins Park, PA

Benefits of Home Care in Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, 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:

  • Elkins Crest Health & Rehabilitation Center
  • Orth Home Care
  • Senior Helpers Greater Philadelphia
  • Oak Assisted Living Community
  • Parkview at Cheltenham
  • Hopkins Center
Home Care Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, PA

Latest News in Elkins Park, PA

Cheltenham Twp. introduces compromise proposal to address aging libraries, pools and community centers

From Delco to Chesco and Montco to Bucks, what about life in Philly’s suburbs do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know!Cheltenham Township on Tuesday night unveiled a revised facilities plan, merging two opposing concepts to ad...

From Delco to Chesco and Montco to Bucks, what about life in Philly’s suburbs do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

Cheltenham Township on Tuesday night unveiled a revised facilities plan, merging two opposing concepts to address its aging buildings, community centers, libraries and pools.

“The team has now developed a hybrid vision that optimizes and centralizes certain functions while maintaining community services that continue to honor a sense of place in our individual neighborhoods,” said Matthew Areman, president of the Cheltenham Township Board of Commissioners.

Like many historic townships, Cheltenham has long struggled to maintain its community assets, resulting in buildings falling short of safety codes, delayed pool openings and unsafe libraries in the winter.

“Because of past neglect, the urgency to address every one of our facilities became so increasingly dire this board determined it had no choice but to act,” Areman said during the virtual meeting.

How the township decides to move forward, renovate or consolidate has become a growing point of contention in Cheltenham.

Over the last few months, the township’s contractors — KCBA Architects, Re:Vision and Snyder Hoffman Associates — have been incorporating community feedback into their exploration of fixing the township’s dilapidated facilities. Areman described it as a “pivot.”

The new plan, referred to as Concept E, offers hybrid centralization. This proposal calls for the unification of primary library services at Wall Park, the retention of the soccer field, the reconstruction of Glenside and Conklin pools, as well as the redevelopment of its three community centers, La Mott, Rowland and Glenside.

“The other thing that we’ve been looking at is we’ve been doing some minor adjustments on the Breyer site of the municipal campus to pick up some additional efficiencies and think about flexibility for partnerships in the community,” said Drew Lavine, a partner architect with Re:Vision.

In this plan, the current public works building, the Elkins Park Library, the historic Shovel Shop and the Cheltenham Center for the Arts would all eventually be divested. Everything else would largely be renovated where it stands or partially incorporated at one of the centralized campuses on the Breyer Estate or Wall Park.

“It is a hybrid scheme because we’re still doing some centralization, but we’re also doing some stuff in the actual neighborhoods in the community,” Lavine said.

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Urban Planning

What to do with aging facilities? Cheltenham Township has a multimillion dollar problem to solve

Township officials are weighing four potential plans to address aging buildings and infrastructure. Residents have varying opinions on the undertaking.

2 months ago

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Contractors first debuted a 206-page facilities study in October 2023, presenting four proposals for township officials to consider. Three of the proposals called for the consolidation of the community assets into two campuses, which sparked a debate amongst residents.

Those who favor maintaining the status quo and renovating the dilapidated infrastructure believe it allows Cheltenham to remain a walkable and sustainable community. Supporters of consolidation welcome the idea of bigger, centralized facilities.

Concept E was designed with this discourse in mind.

“The goal here is to preserve our communities, our programming and our township character,” Lavine said.

Judging by the public comments on Zoom, the new hybrid plan appeared to mostly please residents on both sides of the spectrum. Gerry Brown, with La Mott Citizens United, began her public comment with a “woo-hoo.”

Other community members said they felt as if the board responded well to the heated questions it received during previous meetings.

“I think this hybrid plan seems to be much more in line [with] what the residents wanted from our last meeting, so I’m actually amazed that you listened so well, and that this plan reflects it,” resident Doug Karan said while requesting more pickleball courts at the potential Wall Park campus.

Skeptics of the previous proposal, including former school board member Bill England, told the board that they liked Concept E’s community-centered approach, especially its focus on La Mott.

“I appreciate this plan, this revised vision,” England said. “It’s wonderful to know that the many comments, the emails, etc., were taken into consideration as this vision has evolved.”

Mary Kay Moran, director of the Cheltenham Township Library System, said the consolidation aligns with the organization’s strategic vision and will benefit the community.

“We need to consolidate CTLS into one location,” Moran said. “Having said that, we also recognize the tradition of walkable neighborhood library services throughout the township, and this plan would allow us to offer specific high-demand library services in small satellite locations in existing township buildings. So this dovetails and aligns very nicely with the library system’s strategic planning.”

Julie Haywood, board president of the Cheltenham Township Library System, voiced her support for the plan, highlighting the work to develop the existing Glenside Library into a satellite location, but raised some concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the future of the Cheltenham Center for the Arts.

Several other community members echoed similar concerns.

“It’s a very highly utilized building,” resident Liane Sher said. “It covers all age groups [and offers a] wide variety of types of art. I think it would really be sad to lose all the projects and types of classes and broad expansive art available to everybody that’s there.”

Sher said she understood the building is in poor shape, but that it is a fixture in Cheltenham’s artistic community.

Areman said that while divesting is the likely option, that doesn’t necessarily mean selling it to the highest bidder. He insinuated that there are other avenues forward, such as gifting the property to an entity.

“From a programming point of view, [the] arts in Cheltenham is important, so there’s not an intention to lose anything. But that particular property is in a tough shape, so that is the basis for the recommendation,” Areman said.

From a desire for more collaboration with the school district to concerns that Cheltenham Village has been forgotten, residents still have overarching questions regarding the future of the township’s facilities.

The community will have more time to digest its options and provide feedback.

“While we are not going to be voting tonight, we do need to move this process along,” Areman said. “So I expect that this vision or some modified version of it will be presented for debate and vote in the near future, likely at our next month’s legislative meeting in April.”

Regardless of which option the township ultimately chooses, the massive undertaking’s price tag is expected to hover around $100 million. Areman said the township is pursuing all avenues for additional funding resources.

With the help of U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean’s office, the township has already secured a $3.8 million federal grant for the project.

“Additional funding sources for community projects, alternative energy and trails are on the radar,” Areman said. “More will be sought once this concept sort of is adopted or a concept like this is adopted and the goal again is to obtain as much funding as possible, whether it’s through grants, strategic partnerships, creative financing — get as much funding as possible before we go either to the bond market or to our taxpayers for funding options.”

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Fast ForwardChurch moves to cover Philadelphia monument to a Nazi military formation — temporarily

Courtesy of Lev GolinkinThe Ukrainian Catholic Church in Philadelphia announced plans to temporarily cover a controversial monument to a Nazi military formation whose existence in a suburban cemetery was reported by the Forward last month.The monument, located in St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, is in the shape of a large cross bearing t...

Courtesy of Lev Golinkin

The Ukrainian Catholic Church in Philadelphia announced plans to temporarily cover a controversial monument to a Nazi military formation whose existence in a suburban cemetery was reported by the Forward last month.

The monument, located in St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, is in the shape of a large cross bearing the divisional insignia of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS — the combat branch of the Nazi Party that participated in the slaughter of Jews during the Holocaust. SS Galichina, as the division is commonly called, carried out massacres including burning alive hundreds of Polish villagers in 1944.

The Forward was the first news outlet to draw attention to the monument’s existence and history, as part of a three-year effort documenting more than 1,600 statues, streets and other memorials around the world that honor Nazis and Nazi collaborators. It was previously noted in a May tweet by Moss Robeson, a researcher of Ukraine’s far-right; the Philadelphia Inquirer, local TV stations and other publications followed the Forward’s article, and the American Jewish Committee and other groups put pressure on the church to remove the monument.

The Inquirer reported Tuesday afternoon that the church planned to cover the monument. “Given the current attention surrounding the monument, the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia said in a Facebook post, the cross will be covered “while our discussions ensue with the community in order to prevent vandalism and with the goal of conducting an objective dialogue with sensitivity to all concerned.”

Jason Holtzman, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, said Tuesday that a meeting between the archeparchy and local Jewish organizations is scheduled for later this month. “I think this is a great first step,” Holtzman said of the decision to cover the monument. “We hope that through a fruitful dialogue they will be willing to go even further and remove the monument.”

He added: “There should be no memorial that glorifies a Nazi SS unit in Philadelphia or anywhere in the entire world.”

The Federation initially learned of the monument’s existence last month, after the Forward began inquiring about it. The Philadelphia-area branches of the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committe, both of whom also denounced the memorial, are expected to attend the meeting with the archeparchy.

As the Forward reported Aug. 28, the monument in Elkins Park is one of two honoring SS Galichina — renamed the 1st Ukrainian Division of the Ukrainian National Army shortly before the end of World War II — that were hiding in plain site in the United States. The other is on the side of a Ukrainian credit union building in Warren, Michigan, a city of 140,000 people near Detroit.

Marches and monuments honoring SS Galichina in other nations including Canada have been condemned by Jewish organizations and the governments of Ukraine, Germany and Israel.

Alleged closure of Marco Polo Ristorante & Bar in Elkins Park investigated by The Inquirer

On Thursday, September 14, Glenside Local picked up a post from a seasoned staff member of Marco Polo Ristorante & Bar in Elkins Park which claimed that the restaurant is closing for good.The Philadelphia Inquirer highlighted the alleged closure on Wednesday, September 20 in an article which included the staff member’s post. A reporter spoke with co-owner Tony Duva, who...

On Thursday, September 14, Glenside Local picked up a post from a seasoned staff member of Marco Polo Ristorante & Bar in Elkins Park which claimed that the restaurant is closing for good.

The Philadelphia Inquirer highlighted the alleged closure on Wednesday, September 20 in an article which included the staff member’s post. A reporter spoke with co-owner Tony Duva, who said that the restaurant’s future is still uncertain.

However, Maria Romano, a Realtor, told the same reporter that the lease has ended and the property is up for grabs. The advertisement can be found below:

Marketing-BrochureFlyerDownload

From The Inquirer’s article:

Marco Polo in Elkins Park Square (Old York Road and Church Roads) has been closed since June 18 by smoke and water damage after a fire in its shopping center. The landmark Italian restaurant seems to be gone forever, though management has been silent since posting a statement in June that the closing is temporary. Last week, a reputed “longtime former employee” posted on the Elkins Park Happenings Facebook group what appeared to be a farewell, sparking anguish from customers. I called Tony Duva, who with his family has owned Marco Polo for 18 of its 28 years. He said that they were still awaiting a resolution from the insurance company and that nothing has been resolved about the future. However, Maria Romano, a Realtor with Delphi Property Group, said the lease is up and she is offering the space. Quick now: What was the restaurant in Marco Polo’s space before Chef Lo opened it in 1995? Read down for the answer.

The restaurant has been listed as “Temporarily closed” on Google since June after a fire in Elkins Park Plaza caused damage to the building at 8080 Old York Road. A notice was posted to Marco Polo’s website shortly after the incident.

The answer to The Inquirer’s question: Before it was Marco Polo, it was Gullifty’s, related to the Bryn Mawr restaurant.

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.

Marco Polo Ristorante & Bar in Elkins Park allegedly closed for good

After more than two decades of business in Elkins Park, Marco Polo Ristorante & Bar has allegedly closed for good.The restaurant has been listed as “Temporarily closed” on Google since June after a fire in Elkins Park Plaza caused damage to the building at 8080 Old York Road. A notice was posted to ...

After more than two decades of business in Elkins Park, Marco Polo Ristorante & Bar has allegedly closed for good.

The restaurant has been listed as “Temporarily closed” on Google since June after a fire in Elkins Park Plaza caused damage to the building at 8080 Old York Road. A notice was posted to Marco Polo’s website shortly after the incident:

On August 6, the restaurant’s Facebook page posted an image which reads “Temporarily closed for repairs” with the following caption:

Update:First and foremost, we sincerely appreciate everyone’s support and patronage! We have submitted everything to insurance and are presently waiting on approvals before we can begin putting our beloved restaurant back together so that we can reopen as soon as possible. Please stay tuned for updates on this Facebook page, as we will keep everyone in the loop that way as soon as there is anything new to report. Also, there is some confusion regarding the phone system – the power is off for safety reasons, so we are unable to access the phone system to update our voicemail. Thanks for your patience and we look forward to seeing you all soon!

On Thursday, September 14, an employee posted in a Facebook group that the owners have decided to permanently close for reasons that allegedly were not made clear to staff.

From the employee’s Facebook post:

***** I am not an owner of Marco Polo. I am just a long time employee !!*****To our beloved patrons that quickly became family,First and foremost we want to thank each and everyone one of you that have supported us throughout our entire journey at our home , Marco Polo. You have been there for us through the loss of a few co-workers, Covid-19 and even to this day with the recent fire in the complex, you all have offered support financially and emotionally.Not only was Marco Polo our home but it was your home too. We have shared many laughs over cocktails and meals and had the pleasure of meeting your families. We have hosted many of your special occasions from baby showers ,bar mitzvahs, birthdays, anniversaries and life celebrations. We the staff as well as you all have became a family lending shoulders to cry on, an ear to listen and shared many laughs over the years and it’s truly something we will never forget. Saying goodbye to Marco Polo yesterday was unimaginably hard as we sat around and shared some of our favorite Marco stories we had many laughs and many tears and we can’t thank you all enough for those memories and stories we will cherish forever. We have heard many conflicting reasons as to why Marco has come to an end after this fire from people that work in and for the complex and from the owners and while we are unsure the REAL reason, we want to be more transparent with the community than they have been with us. We all want to point fingers and place blame for our livelihood being striped from us so tragically but we know that will not bring Marco back. So with this message and final picture of some of your adored Marco staff we want to wish you all well and this is not goodbye but more of a see you around. Thank you for supporting us in the good and bad times. May Marco live on through our stories forever. We love you guys!

We have attempted to contact the restaurant by phone, email, and Facebook. We will be in touch with more information as it becomes available.

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Photo: Marco Polo’s Facebook page

Pope Francis appoints Elkins Park pastor an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia

Father Efren V. Esmilla, pastor of Saint James the Great parish in Elkins Park, was recently appointed an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia by Pope Francis.An auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned by the Holy See to assist a resident bishop or archbishop in the pastoral care and administration of a diocese. Auxiliary bishops help administer the sacraments, especially confirmation, and often represent the resident bishop at various types of fu...

Father Efren V. Esmilla, pastor of Saint James the Great parish in Elkins Park, was recently appointed an auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia by Pope Francis.

An auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned by the Holy See to assist a resident bishop or archbishop in the pastoral care and administration of a diocese. Auxiliary bishops help administer the sacraments, especially confirmation, and often represent the resident bishop at various types of functions.

Father Esmilla is also a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and has been with St. James’ parish since 2020.

“I am greatly humbled and honored to be chosen by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,” Esmilla said during his appointment on Friday, December 8. “My great hope is that our beloved Archdiocese of Philadelphia will continue to grow spiritually and to grow in the number of souls as we all strive to be better missionary disciples for Jesus Christ in the world around us.”

Esmilla earned a bachelor’s degree from San Beda College in Manila in 1984 and later a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Pennsylvania. A native of the Philippines, he speaks English, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino, Latin, and Portuguese.

From the U.S. Conference of Catholics Bishops’ announcement:

Father Esmilla was born June 18, 1962, in Nagcarlan, Laguna in the Philippines. He has a bachelor’s degree from San Beda College in San Miguel, Manila, Philippines (1984) and a master of divinity from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (1992). Father Esmilla was ordained to the priesthood on May 15, 1993.Bishop-elect Esmilla’s assignments after ordination include: parochial vicar at Saint John Chrysostom parish in Wallingford (1993-2001), Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in Philadelphia (2001-2003), Saint Martha parish in Philadelphia (2005-2006); pastor of Our Lady of Hope parish in Philadelphia (2006-2020); assistant director for pastoral formation (2003-2004) and director of the spirituality year (2004-2005) at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Other diocesan assignments include serving as chaplain for the Filipino diocesan apostolate (2005 to present); spiritual director of the Legion of Mary (2001 to present); and membership in the archdiocesan continuing formation committee for priests (2001-2004, and 2005-2008), council of priests (2005-2008, and 2017-2020), college of consultors (2006-2011), priest personnel board (2017-2022), and president of the presbyteral council (2021). Since 2020, he has served as pastor of Saint Martin of Tours parish in Philadelphia, while also serving since 2021 as pastor of Saint James parish in Elkins Park. Bishop-elect Esmilla speaks English, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino, Latin, and Portuguese.

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Photo: CatholicPhilly.com

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