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 Historic Portland Place 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 Middletown, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago”
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”
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 Poricy Park Nature Center 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 Oak & Reed or visit William Murray House, 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.
Request More Information
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 Middletown, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Middletown, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Middletown, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ — The Atlantic Highlands farmers' market, a cherished community event, reopens for the summer season this Friday, May 30.The farmers' market will be open every Friday this summer, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Held in Veterans Park at 111 First Avenue. The market will have an exciting array of new and returning vendors this summer.Whether you are a longtime AH resident or a visitor, the market is an ideal Friday stop. The market will showcase a wide variety of fresh produce, artisanal goods and unique offe...
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ — The Atlantic Highlands farmers' market, a cherished community event, reopens for the summer season this Friday, May 30.
The farmers' market will be open every Friday this summer, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Held in Veterans Park at 111 First Avenue. The market will have an exciting array of new and returning vendors this summer.
Whether you are a longtime AH resident or a visitor, the market is an ideal Friday stop. The market will showcase a wide variety of fresh produce, artisanal goods and unique offerings that cater to all tastes and preferences. Locally-grown fruits and vegetables, handcrafted jewelry, homemade baked goods and organic skincare products will all be for sale.
The market is put on by the Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce, and specifically run by Jenn Perkel of HearHere Events. Perkel is an experienced market manager, and she said she's worked hard to create an "enhanced" shopping experience for residents this summer.
“We are thrilled to bring a revitalized energy to the Atlantic Highlands farmers' market,” said Perkel. “The Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to creating a welcoming and engaging environment where community members can connect, support local businesses and enjoy the best that our region has to offer."
For more information and updates about the Atlantic Highlands Farmers Market, follow the Atlantic Highlands Chamber on social media or visit https://www.ahchamber.org/farm... And if you or someone you know is interested in becoming a vendor at the Atlantic Highlands Farmers Market, please reach out to the Market Manager at [email protected] or visit the vendor application page at www.hearhereevents.com
"Let's pass on an unconscionable 10.1 percent tax increase on 100 percent of the taxpayers simply to quiet down the parents of 5 percent."Updated Tue, Apr 29, 2025 at 8:41 pm ETMIDDLETOWN, NJ — The following is an opinion piece written by Anthony P. Mercantante, Middletown Township administrator. He asked Patch to publish it in response to the Middletown school board considering ...
Updated Tue, Apr 29, 2025 at 8:41 pm ET
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The following is an opinion piece written by Anthony P. Mercantante, Middletown Township administrator. He asked Patch to publish it in response to the Middletown school board considering a possible 10.09 percent increase to the school tax levy:
Opinion: Whatever Happened to Looking Out for the Greater Good?
The recent action by a majority of the Middletown School Board seems to be sanctifying a troubling trend in society whereby making a small group of loud and angry people happy becomes a priority, even if it means bad news for the vast majority who may not be quite as loud.
Until recent years, society has generally emphasized that we should all seek to do the greatest good for the greatest number. Overall societal benefit should be our collective goal, but now the Middletown Board of Education, not unlike much of society, has taken the easier way out with their heads in the sand: Let’s just pass on an unconscionable 10.1 percent tax increase on 100 percent of the taxpayers simply to quiet down the parents of 5 percent of the students in the district.
All the while, refusing to look at the real issue, even though they’ve known about it for more than 10 years.
The number of school children has been plummeting in Middletown for decades. It is a nationwide trend, and it’s not expected to change any time soon. The trend will continue no matter how much taxes are increased, so why pour money into old and crumbling buildings with fewer and fewer students in them each year? How is that a wise decision? Does it make any financial or common sense?
Of course it doesn’t. One thing is certain though, those board members who voted for this option can afford it. But what about those in the community who cannot, and it could be a breaking point? Who is looking out for their interests?
It would appear to be no one — well, at least not a majority of the Middletown Board of Education so far.
MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — Whether you homeschool, are looking for ways for a Scout troop or religious group to volunteer, or just want to get outside with your children and teens, there are lots of upcoming opportunities this spring:Volunteer marsh planting with American Littoral Society, Shark River Island, Neptune1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 12Help them plant dune grass at the northwestern corner of Shark River Island, to reduce erosion. ...
MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — Whether you homeschool, are looking for ways for a Scout troop or religious group to volunteer, or just want to get outside with your children and teens, there are lots of upcoming opportunities this spring:
Volunteer marsh planting with American Littoral Society, Shark River Island, Neptune
1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 12
Help them plant dune grass at the northwestern corner of Shark River Island, to reduce erosion. Find more info and must RSVP on their website.
Seashore Open House, Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch
1-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 15
This event features hands-on activities that will entertain and educate you and your family about the shore and the sea. Park System naturalists will be there to chat about the small aquatic animals on display. Admission and parking are free.
Earth Day Explorers, Sandy Hook
10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 22
Join American Littoral Society for a fun and interactive nature walk that will take children ages 5-12 on an exploration of the wonders of spring that can be found on Sandy Hook! Together, we’ll search for budding plants, returning birds and buzzing insects. Register on their website.
"Birds, Blooms and Biodiversity" nature walk, Sandy Hook
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Friday, April 25
Join American Littoral Society for a guided walk exploring spring bird migration, dune ecology and seasonal changes along the Jersey Shore. Ideal for adults and teens ages 14 and up. Register on their website.
Point Pleasant Earth Day Celebration, Point Pleasant
Noon - 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26
Come celebrate Earth Day at Riverfront Park in Point Pleasant borough. There will be activities for kids and families. Get more info on Facebook.
"Christmas in Spring" Volunteer Day, Point Pleasant
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27
Volunteers needed! Join us for an annual maintenance on our living shoreline project at Slade Dale Sanctuary in Point Pleasant, NJ. We will be adding recycled Christmas trees collected over the winter to the branchbox breakwaters in Beaverdam Creek. Please RSVP through their website.
Homeschool Family Fun Day, Sandy Hook
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 14
Homeschool students ages 5 and up will have the opportunity to connect with other families while discovering Sandy Hook’s unique marine environment. Find more info and RSVP on their website.
More:
Everything Planned This April In Monmouth County Parks
Middlesex County Offers The Following Volunteer Opportunities This Spring
"There is no way chemo is going to completely remove all the cancer. The transplant is really my only choice," said Heather Candrilli.Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff|Updated Sat, May 17, 2025 at 9:58 am ETCory and Heather Candrilli, with their sons, ages 5 and 2. (GoFundMe/used with permission)(GoFundMe/used with permission)Candrilli on the beach in Middletown with her sons. (GoFundMe/used with perm...
Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff
|Updated Sat, May 17, 2025 at 9:58 am ET
Cory and Heather Candrilli, with their sons, ages 5 and 2. (GoFundMe/used with permission)
(GoFundMe/used with permission)
Candrilli on the beach in Middletown with her sons. (GoFundMe/used with permission)
The family prior to her cancer diagnosis. (GoFundMe/used with permission)
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A 36-year-old woman who lives in the Belford section of Middletown is currently battling stage 4 colon cancer.
The young woman is Heather Candrilli, and she is the mother of two young children, a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old, both boys. Her oldest son goes to Bayview Elementary.
Candrilli was diagnosed in May 2024, and she is currently going through weekly chemotherapy treatments. However, in order to survive she needs a liver transplant. So far, 47 people applied to donate a portion of their liver to her, and one of the first people who signed up was her sister. However, none of them fit as a perfect match.
"Two people are currently being evaluated right now," Candrilli said this week.
She was blunt: "There is no way chemo is going to completely remove all the cancer. The transplant is really my only choice."
Candrilli also shared how she discovered she had cancer, and why it was discovered at such a serious, stage-4 level:
"The symptoms started after my second child was born. I just felt bloated all the time. I was fatigued. I was bleeding (when she used the bathroom). I would eat something and I would immediately look six months pregnant," she said. "At first, I just blamed it all on post-partum. But it was still going on when my son was 2."
"Her fatigue got to a very bad, a very serious level," said her husband, Cory Candrilli. "At 4 or 5 p.m. every night she would just crawl to the couch, turn the lights off and doze off. I would come home and she would be too tired to get off the couch."
By this point, both husband and wife were alarmed. She made an appointment to see a gastroenterologist who gave her an endoscopy, and checked her for all the usual suspects: Celiac disease, Crohn’s and diverticulitis. When they discussed a colonoscopy, she was told health insurers considered her too young, at 35, to be covered and she would have to pay $500 out of pocket.
"I did it, because I wanted to figure out what was going on," she said. "But I ended up having an ultrasound first and that's when they discovered all these lesions on my liver. That made them immediately suspect cancer, so they moved up the colonoscopy."
The colonoscopy detected a mass growing on her colon. It was May 2024 that she got the diagnosis: The colon cancer had grown to stage 4 and spread to her liver.
"I got hooked up with an amazing oncologist at RWJ Barnabas Medical Center in Long Branch and he wanted to fight this aggressively, start me on chemo right away. My first round of chemo was last June, actually on my son's fifth birthday," she said. "In a way, I was lucky because colon cancer usually does spread and luckily for me, it only spread to my liver. For a lot of people by the time it gets to stage 4, it's in their lungs, their ovaries, their uterus."
"While my numbers have been very good after the chemo, there is no 'end date' for when the chemo treatments can stop. I need to keep getting them until I get a liver transplant. That's my only possibility for a cure."
She gets the chemo weekly on Fridays at a fusion center in Long Branch. While the nurses "are great," the chemo makes her nauseous and tired. She also has to wear a pump all weekend to keep the chemo going. It takes her the entire weekend to recover, said her husband, who said he makes sure he can be home from his job in the NJ film industry to help with the kids while she rests.
Right now, Candrilli just stays positive and thinks about surviving.
"I look at these kids every day. I can't picture not being with them. We're gonna do everything we need to do."
Candrilli also has a message she wants to stress to busy, working parents: "At the end of the day, if you don't feel right, please go to a doctor and have it checked. You can think it's a stomachache; you can say you're just tired or chalk it up to any of the plethora of things happening in our daily lives. But don't neglect yourself. I think that's the biggest problem with our age group and our demographic: We are moms, dads, so busy with the kids, school, work. We don't take time off for ourselves."
Also, New York lawmakers who know her story (the couple used to live in Staten Island before they moved to Middletown) are advancing a bill to get colonoscopies covered for patients starting at age 35. The bill is currently being reviewed by the NY state Senate Insurance Committee.
Here is a GoFundMe launched for Candrilli and her family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sup...
And if you are interested in becoming a liver donor, here is her page: https://openredcap.nyumc.org/a...
And if you're interested in learning more about how to advocate for colon cancer screenings to be covered by insurers at a younger age: https://fightcolorectalcancer....
A similar story: Middletown Woman Diagnosed With Brain Tumor 1 Month After Baby's Birth (2023)
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Middletown|Local EventSat, Apr 5, 2025 at 11:00 AMArbor Terrace Middletown, 1800 NJ-35, Middletown Township, NJ, 07748Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 5th. The fun will begin promptly at 11:00 am. Bring your family and friends for ...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Middletown|Local Event
Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 5th. The fun will begin promptly at 11:00 am. Bring your family and friends for an afternoon of joy! RSVP by 4/1 to [email protected] or call (732) 957-0083. We look forward to seeing you there.
Local Event
May14
Wednesday, 8:00 amMiddletown, NJ
Local Event
May14
Wednesday, 1:00 pmMiddletown, NJ
Featured Event
May14
Wednesday, 6:00 pmMiddletown, NJ
Local Event
May15
Thursday, 10:00 amMiddletown, NJ
Local Event
May16
Friday, 10:30 amMiddletown, NJ
Local Event
May16
Friday, 8:00 pmMiddletown, NJ
732-483-4611
