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 Old McFaye's Farm 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 Castle Hayne, NC 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.
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with.”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed,”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Always Best Care goes above and beyond to provide great care for you or your”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by”
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team of caregivers who really care about the well fare of their clients. They go above and beyond taking care of my parents and have been very professional and dependable. I would recommend ABC to anyone who needs a reliable and competent care team. Karen Lussi”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart to see the services being rendered to clients. Extra miles taken to make sure every client is well taken care, even in unpleasant weather conditions. The CEO and administrators were out in the snow last week picking up workers who were unsure of driving . I was glad to see this commitment, making sure families could sit back and relax. With no fear, I will recommend Always best to any family who needs awesome care for their love ones.”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office staff are great people, very helpful and always treat everyone with love and respect. Definitively it is a bless to work for this agency.”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time with our father. It all began with a fall, followed by an ER visit, and soon after, my sister and I found ourselves flying to NC to care for him and plan the next steps. Kathryn from Always Best Care was an absolute lifesaver! She guided us seamlessly through the process of finding the perfect independent senior living community for our father. Her extensive industry knowledge helped us navigate the additional health services he required with ease. Kathryn went above and beyond, consistently checking in and patiently responding to countless texts and emails from us. Thanks to her support, our father is now thriving in a supportive environment and is healthier than ever. We can’t imagine how we would have managed this journey without Kathryn’s expertise and compassion. Truly an incredible experience!”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of what someone living with dementia is like. This is such a horrible disease but this helps care givers understand the disease. Thanks so much!!”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things . I didn’t know it was that bad for them and it’s very sad , I will always treat them all with care and love no matter what because there dealing with something that’s really hard to deal with .”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I now know what to do differently when working with my residents. I think A all caregivers should experience this training.”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and caring home health assistance to my mother who was recovering from an unexpected surgery. They were able to assist on incredibly short notice and made a difficult situation for our family much better. Each of their carers was exceptionally professional and attentive, especially Lori and Kylie who were incredible. I felt safe leaving my loved one in their care and appreciated that they went above and beyond to meet our needs. They provided regular updates to me and my family and made my mother feel so well attended, especially as she needed extra mobility and personal care help. I would absolutely not work with any other company, should we ever need home health assistance again. Highly recommend.”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me gain my mobility! They are all super nice and very helpful! Give them your trust, they have mine. If I ever need home help, it'll be through them!”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had to downsize due to an unexpected illness and Always Best Care (ABC) stepped in to make this possible. Kind, compassion, pleasant, friendly, joyful and talented professionals comprise those providing this service. I literally couldn’t have lived for at my assisted living since I had so many hospital visits each week. I didn’t want to go alone to these appointments and this freed my family from needless distress and worry about my wellbeing when they couldn’t be there. I highly recommend ABC since they are an essential component providing excellent and reliable support.”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in law transition into her new home after moving to Raleigh from Winston Salem. She has dialysis 3x a week and they have worked so hard to coordinate a schedule to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sherry continues to amaze me in how she is able to help figure out schedules and provide customer services in a kind and professional manner. We will continue to look to this wonderful service provider as her needs change and feel blessed to have them on site at Atri”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with. He was sincerely concerned about my mom and our family. He is an excellent listener and introduced me to Paige who is equally wonderful. Together they found a great place for my mother in a very short time. Paige was always available to speak on the phone and addressed my questions or concerns. I would recommend using this service for your loved one. Laura B of Raleigh”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed, and things changed constantly. My dad has a chance to live the rest of his life with dignity and my mom has a chance to live a fuller life because of the help we got from Kathryn and this team. They have a great network and valuable knowledge but what observed that makes them invaluable is that they care...and when you are on this situation I found that this is the quality that matters the most. Cannot thank them enough.”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Always Best Care goes above and beyond to provide great care for you or your loved ones. Always Best Care makes it possible to stay in home, and stay as independent as possible. ABC staff are there to assist in keeping you or your loved ones safe, healthy and happy. If you are looking for top quality care, you have found the right place!”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We are very satisfied with his service and professionalism. He took his time and our requirements and found the perfect place. Highly recommend him and Always Best Care!”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by far the best place I've worked our boss and staff are everything.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”
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 Northern Regional 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 Jung's Egg Roll Express or visit Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, 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 Castle Hayne, NC, 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 Castle Hayne, NC 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 Castle Hayne, NC 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.
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.LOCALWilmington StarNewsA controversial Castle Hayne project is slated to become the largest New Hanover housing development in recent history.Hilton Bluffs, a proposed residential develop...
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LOCAL
Wilmington StarNews
A controversial Castle Hayne project is slated to become the largest New Hanover housing development in recent history.
Hilton Bluffs, a proposed residential development in Sledge Forest, has drawn criticism on a variety of fronts including environmental and traffic impacts. Over 250 residents attended a community meeting hosted by developer Copper Builders on Feb. 11 at the Aloft hotel in downtown Wilmington to ask questions and voice concerns about the project. The meeting room was at maximum capacity, while more residents waited outside after being denied entry.
The development would completely transform Castle Hayne, more than doubling the population of the unincorporated area. One point of contention between residents and the developer is the project’s performance zoning which allows it to include 4,000 acres in density calculations while only building on a quarter of the property. At the meeting, Southern Environmental Law Center senior attorney Julie Youngman described the use of the zoning as a loophole.
“You may be planning to meet the letter of the law,” Youngman said. “This development absolutely violates the spirit of the zoning.”
Developments the size of Hilton Bluffs are few and far between in New Hanover, the state’s second smallest county by land area. The site covers 3.25% of the county’s land and proposes more units than any development in recent history. The county is one of the most densely populated in the state and continues to see sustained growth.
With concerns surrounding the size of Hilton Bluffs, here’s how the development stacks up against some of the biggest recent projects and proposals in New Hanover.
The sprawling, master-planned community of Riverlights has completely transformed River Road over the past decade. Located along a three-mile stretch of the Cape Fear River, the collection of neighborhoods spans 1,400 acres.
Developed by Brookfield Properties, the community is still growing. Riverlights will have approximately 3,000 homes once complete, according to the company’s website. River House, an amenity that will include a community pool, playground, event space and pickleball courts is scheduled to be completed this summer. A retail space called 7Bridge will also host a variety of new businesses.
Similar to Castle Hayne, Riverlights was initially located within an unincorporated part of New Hanover. Developers previously petitioned for the tract to be annexed into the city of Wilmington in 2009.
Five miles from Sledge Forest, land has been cleared for Avenue One. The subdivision on Sidbury Road is slated to bring 1,462 units, including townhomes and single-family homes. The site is located in the 5100 block of Sidbury Road near Interstate 40. The project is still under review, according to the county’s website.
Developed by Mungo Homes, Avenue One encompasses 158 acres and also uses performance zoning. The site has a trip generation potential of 6,159 daily trips, according to a traffic impact analysis. An analysis for Hilton Bluffs is still in progress, but preliminary reviews show that the site could generate over 27,000 daily trips.
Further east on Sidbury Road, the Sidbury 187 & Gore Performance Residential Subdivision could bring 1,751 units to the growing area. The development is proposed to connect to Sidbury Station, a community that includes build-to-rent homes.
Site plans for the 700-acre development at Sidbury 187 include 868 single-family lots, 298 townhomes, and 144 duplex units. D.R. Horton, who also built the homes in Sidbury Station, is the planned builder for the project. A full build-out is expected by 2032.
The site has a trip generation potential of 14,093 daily trips, according to a traffic impact analysis. Sidbury Road currently has an annual average daily traffic volume of 7,600.
In a letter to the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, Copper Builders responded to the criticism the project has received from residents. While the project is considered by-right and does not need to go before the board for rezoning, the developer wrote the letter to clarify misconceptions about the project. The letter states that arguments against the development are “designed to invoke fear and encourage some sort of regulation over this private property in the interest of promoting those advocates’ personal agendas.”
In the letter, the developer reiterates the project is considered low-density, citing plans for one home per acre on the property. The letter states the density is strategically clustered to protect sensitive environmental areas, including wetlands.
The letter also states that Copper Builders will be required to improve the surrounding road network at their expense as part of the approval process for the development. At the community meeting, Copper Builders founder Wade Miller said that the company would add lanes that would accommodate even more cars than the ones added by the project.
“There’s no room,” a resident in the crowd shouted.
Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover and Brunswick counties for the StarNews. Reach him at [email protected].
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.LOCALWilmington StarNews0:001:11Concern about overdevelopment is nothing new in New Hanover County, but recent plans for a major housing community in Castle Hayne have drawn opposi...
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LOCAL
Wilmington StarNews
Concern about overdevelopment is nothing new in New Hanover County, but recent plans for a major housing community in Castle Hayne have drawn opposition for many reasons, one being that it’s proposed for the last expanse of old growth forest in the area.
The kicker, Castle Hayne resident Kayne Darrell said, and why she and fellow organizers Andy Wood and Marion Kreh have been educating the public, is because there’s no requirement for public input or review by the county’s planning board or the commissioners. This is because the development is considered “by-right,” meaning the project already has the zoning it needs to continue to the technical review process.
The "Save Sledge Forest" movement has garnered massive support from the community, with over 3,000 people backing a petition to protect the forest and advocate for public input. Darrell said more than 250 people came out to a town hall recently to learn about the development and the risks it poses.
The developer, Copper Builders, LLC, is proposing a 4,000-home development on approximately 4,000 acres of land located down Sledge Road, which is next to General Electric’s plant in Castle Hayne, according to site plans. The thousands of homes would take up nearly 1,000 acres of the property as wetlands cover the rest of the tract. Spread throughout the property, the developer has also proposed a golf course, miles of trails and a mini horse ranch.
The property is currently owned by SJM Hilton, LLC, which has ties to the original landowner W.F. Sledge. Sledge was a Whiteville resident retired from the lumber industry and was one of the top owners of undeveloped land in New Hanover County, according to a 1980s report from the StarNews.
Copper Builders, LLC is based out of Charlotte and Raleigh, and according to their website, homes they build typically fall between $700,000 and $2 million. The StarNews reached out for comment, but did not receive one in time for publication.
The Save Sledge Forest group has raised multiple concerns, the most obvious being the destruction of 1,000 acres of irreplaceable old growth forest that would likely have to be clearcut to fit 4,000 homes.
According to group organizers and local environmental experts, the forest is home to a biodiverse community of plants and animals, some of which include pine trees as old as 350 years and cypress older than 500 years.
“We moved up here for a reason,” Darrell said, explaining why she and most people in the community moved to the Castle Hayne area. “We don’t want this to look like Ogden and Market Street.”
Another concern is that the development would disturb the remaining 3,000 acres of wetlands on the site, causing major impacts from flooding as the area is already located in a floodplain. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, coastal wetlands act as nature’s giant sponges, as one acre of wetlands can store as much as 1.5 million gallons of floodwater.
Being near GE, Darrell said the group also has concerns that a contained hazardous waste site could be a threat if it is disturbed. The Environmental Protection Agency lists the GE property as a Superfund site, which means the site previously had hazardous waste dumped on it, but has since been contained.
“We do not want to disparage GE. They are doing everything that is required of them to contain this,” but she said that she fears that having that many homes close by could be potentially dangerous.
There’s also concern that the area doesn’t have the proper infrastructure for the project as Castle Hayne Road faces congestion, and its widening project remains unfunded. The group is also concerned that the area’s schools, hospital and emergency services cannot handle 4,000 more families.
As of now, the development only has one access, which is Sledge Road. Darrell said she’s concerned about the developer creating access from other quiet cul-de-sac roads that back up to the property.
“It’s twice the size of Landfall ... which has three accesses,” Darrell said.
Many left comments on the petition, citing their reasons for wanting to protect the forest from development.
“Our wetlands are not just scenic; they are essential. They reduce flooding, protect water quality, and serve as vital habitats for countless species,” one supporter wrote. “Overdevelopment has already wreaked havoc here ... It’s short-sighted, irresponsible, and results in irreversible damage.”
Darrell said she realizes that the county commissioners’ hands are tied, but she wants community members to reach out to make sure they are aware of the concerns.
“To me, to circumvent this public input process, is unconscionable ... it not only affects the character and integrity of these quiet neighborhoods,” Darrell said, “the health and safety is at risk with the traffic issues.”
Darrell said nobody is asking the landowners to just give the land to the public, but she said there are conservation groups that have taken a strong interest in the property. She also said that she feels like the community would also offer up money to save it or that the New Hanover Community Endowment could be an option.
"Again, we're not asking them to give us anything. We're just wondering 'what kind of legacy do you really want to leave?'
"We, the citizens of this community are the ones that are going to be left with those negative impacts and the consequences, not the out-of-town developer, not the out-of-town family who's selling us out to the out-of-town developer," Darrell said. "We're going to be left with the aftermath."
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Concern about rapid development isn’t a new concern along the Carolina coast, but the fears of hundreds of New Hanover County community members boiled over Tuesday night during a meeting with a developer looking to build 4,000 homes in Castle Hayne.Charlotte-based Copper Builders hosted a public meeting inside the Aloft Hotel in downtown Wilmington, hoping to address concerns and answer questions related to ...
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Concern about rapid development isn’t a new concern along the Carolina coast, but the fears of hundreds of New Hanover County community members boiled over Tuesday night during a meeting with a developer looking to build 4,000 homes in Castle Hayne.
Charlotte-based Copper Builders hosted a public meeting inside the Aloft Hotel in downtown Wilmington, hoping to address concerns and answer questions related to their proposal, which would clear part of Sledge Forest. Over 250 people squeezed into a hotel conference room, while more were denied because of capacity limits.
For nearly two hours, the company’s founder and attorney listened to concerns and questions from members of the community – who provided overwhelmingly negative feedback to the project, which is still in the early stages.
Among the concerns expressed included more traffic and flooding in the surrounding area, the impact on natural resources and wildlife, and the impact that toxic plumes from a nearby GE hazardous waste site could have on health.
“Sledge Forest is an irreplaceable natural treasure, and if it’s developed – once it’s gone – we are never going to be able to get it back,” said Kimberly Rushton, a Castle Hayne resident in attendance.
Heading into the meeting, Rushton said she was concerned about the lack of transparency from the developer since the proposal. Copper Builders said at the meeting they were under no obligation to hold the meeting, but made clear they plan to push ahead with the proposal with the feedback in mind.
The company’s founder, Wade Miller, declined to add further comment after the meeting.
Multiple times during the meeting, Copper Builders’ attorney Sam Frank threatened to end the discussions if there was too much disturbance. Frank was interrupted by emotional members of the audience throughout the meeting, including one point where a man stood up to call him – and the rest of the company’s leadership in attendance – “punks” for moving forward with the development.
Miller told the audience that safety is a major priority moving forward, and Copper Builders is studying the environmental condition of the property.
In a lengthy email sent to New Hanover County Commissioners on Feb. 3 – and linked in full below – Miller said they’re hoping to deliver “much needed residential homes (for) this area of the county.” In the email, which he wrote to clarify misconceptions about the project, he said some of the advocacy efforts by the public included generalizations and “misstatements of fact and law.”
“This project reflects a commitment to creating a thriving community that aligns with the needs of current and future residents while respecting the natural beauty of New Hanover County,” Miller wrote.
County Manager Chris Coudriet addressed Miller’s letter in an email to county leadership last week. Coudriet said staff feel the overview of the plan is “directionally accurate” and addressed the idea of the county taking ownership of a piece of the land for a county park. Coudriet wrote the developer seemed willing to sell 35 acres for a public park, but county leadership was reluctant to commit to ownership and maintenance. He said doing so would place a “significant burden” on the county to oversee misuse, illegal dumping and squatting.
Coudriet wrote the county has encouraged Copper Builders to engage with conservation groups, and that the county is interested in preserving as much of the property as possible.
A major source of criticism at the meeting is the impact the development could have on surrounding wetlands and trees. While Copper Builders said it plans to conserve roughly ¾ of the 4,000-acre property, community members still expressed concern about the potential negative impact there could be on natural resources and wildlife.
“It makes you pause and wonder why somebody would be so feckless in their decisions for development when considering not just the human communities, but the biological and ecological communities that are impacted by these choices,” said Robin Wood, a New Hanover County resident who was in attendance.
The project still has a ways to go; the developer said it’ll be years before homes are ready to be sold, and they’re continuing to accept feedback from community members.
Copper Builders sent the following open letter to those who attended the meeting:
Open Letter on Hilton Bluffs 2-12-25 by Nicholas Aziz on Scribd
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