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 Gatehouse and Visitor Center 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 Seaside Park, 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.
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“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.”
“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.”
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“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 Lake Avenue Playground and Beach 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 Berkeley Cut Steakhouse or visit Cedar Bridge Tavern Historic Site, 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 Seaside Park, 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 Seaside Park, 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 Seaside Park, 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.
Seaside Park’s municipal baseball field will see its next round of improvements this year, with the borough council having approved a contract for grading to alleviate the ponding of water on the field, as well as the construction of a new backstop near home plate.The governing body voted unanimously to award a contract to the low bidder, Down to Earth Landscaping, for $176,146. The borough recently obtained a $75,000 grant from the state which will defray some of the costs associated with the project.Late last year, the ...
Seaside Park’s municipal baseball field will see its next round of improvements this year, with the borough council having approved a contract for grading to alleviate the ponding of water on the field, as well as the construction of a new backstop near home plate.
The governing body voted unanimously to award a contract to the low bidder, Down to Earth Landscaping, for $176,146. The borough recently obtained a $75,000 grant from the state which will defray some of the costs associated with the project.
Late last year, the borough contracted with T&M Engineering to design a plan for the improvements of Moe Levine Field and Park, which spans the area between 13th and 14th avenues between Barnegat and Bayview avenues. The plan is a scaled-down version of a more expensive plan that had been under consideration if outside funding sources had materialized. The initial plan included piping underneath the field and more wide-ranging improvements, however the new plan is more affordable and is expected to eliminate the flooding that has occasionally rendered the field unavailable for games. Seaside Park hopes to continue attracting college summer leagues to play in town, a tradition that has seen several Major League Baseball players make a stop locally on their journey to the big leagues.
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The plans call for a resurfacing of the field, an underground drainage retention basin, new base paths and a new backstop, among a few other aesthetic upgrades. The field will also be re-sodded and graded.
“It’s a slight elevation, and allowing that runoff into the outfield area and some underground,” Mayor John Peterson said previously. “The project will have a positive impact on the drainage that was coming off the whole site onto 13th Avenue. That was another area affected, so it helps there considerably.”
Peterson said there is an “outside chance” the project may be able to be scheduled for completion before spring, however it is more likely that much of the work will be completed after the season so the field will still be usable this spring and summer.
Seaside Park officials are moving forward with a plan to utilize an underground pump system, as well as a new means of clearing storm drains, in its long quest to control flooding on the bayside.The borough council last week passed a resolution partnering with Ocean County on a multi-phase project that will tackle stormwater and flooding issues on Bayview Avenue in the southern portion of the borough. The project will center in one of the well-known trouble spots for flooding – the area between 11th and 14th avenues.The f...
Seaside Park officials are moving forward with a plan to utilize an underground pump system, as well as a new means of clearing storm drains, in its long quest to control flooding on the bayside.
The borough council last week passed a resolution partnering with Ocean County on a multi-phase project that will tackle stormwater and flooding issues on Bayview Avenue in the southern portion of the borough. The project will center in one of the well-known trouble spots for flooding – the area between 11th and 14th avenues.
The first phase of the plan, which will begin soon once contracts are awarded, will include the installation of new stormwater pipes in the southern portion of Bayview Avenue. Those pipes will be pre-fit for the future installation of an electric pump system that will actively pump water into Barnegat Bay rather than have it backwash onto the streets. The plan is to install the pipes before the roadway is paved by Ocean County in the coming months so the street does not have to be reopened.
“What’s getting installed definitely is the piping, because it’s planning ahead for the day that the pump will be installed,” said Mayor John Peterson. “The pipes hooking into the pump station will already be in place when that phase is ready to go.”
The project, contracts for which have not yet been awarded, will include new storm drains.
“The new storm drains would be for potentially pumping the water into the bay as opposed to having it gravity-fed into the bay,” explained Councilman Marty Wilk. “There would be a micro-pump installed somewhere in the proximity of 14th Avenue, and the time to put these pipes in is before the road is paved.”
Peterson said the road paving project would commence “well before the summer season” and be ready for the increase in traffic.
Seaside Park will also vie for a state grant that officials plan to use for the purchase of a vacuum truck capable of cleaning storm sewers and lines. The truck would be owned by the borough and available for use whenever necessary. The truck could also be used in a dual-purpose role as a street sweeper with appropriate attachments. Seaside Park was designated by the state as a municipality in need of assistance with flood control, thus making funds available should be the grant application be accepted. The designations, however, are prone to change every year.
“We have to act on the possibility of getting this right away because this [program] ends in July,” said Wilk.
Seaside Park will seek as much as $2 million in grant funding for anti-flooding equipment, the maximum allotted by Trenton.
Seaside Heights may become the first Jersey Shore municipality in decades outside of Atlantic City to see the construction of a major hotel and event space, along with adjacent townhomes and amenities – all across the street from the Atlantic Ocean.First floated in 2023, Boston-based developer William Caulder will formally propose the grand hotel to be built at the corner of Ocean Terrace and Lincoln Avenue at a planning board meeting next month. Caulder and several of his representatives traveled to New Jersey to present the id...
Seaside Heights may become the first Jersey Shore municipality in decades outside of Atlantic City to see the construction of a major hotel and event space, along with adjacent townhomes and amenities – all across the street from the Atlantic Ocean.
First floated in 2023, Boston-based developer William Caulder will formally propose the grand hotel to be built at the corner of Ocean Terrace and Lincoln Avenue at a planning board meeting next month. Caulder and several of his representatives traveled to New Jersey to present the idea in public for the first time earlier this week at the board’s work session, where hearings are less formal and prospective developers can discuss concerns with board members before a formal presentation and vote.
The development will include more than the 135 room hotel that has been envisioned. The 102 foot-tall story building, which will stand ten stories high, will also include a 270 seat restaurant, 30 seat bar, and a 350 seat event venue that can be used for purposes ranging from weddings to corporate conferences and civic events. A slew of amenities is included in the proposal, including a rooftop pool deck, and the total redevelopment plan for the property will include the construction of 55 condominium units.
“We’ve been working on this for two years come April,” Caulder told board members. “We’re excited to be in the final stretch … I think this is going to be an exciting project. There is definitely a need.”
Many of Seaside Heights’ small motels have been demolished after falling into disrepair and attracting troublesome guests. The vast majority will be replaced with upscale housing – a boon to the borough, but eliminating options for summertime guests. The new hotel would not only fill the seasonal niche, but would also become attractive for wedding parties and other formal events that generate a need for accommodations, its developers believe.
The new hotel would be built where the Surfside, Glendale and Dry Dock motels stood.
The hotel rooms will be located in the eastern portion of the building, closest to the ocean, and the 55 condominium units will be located to the west. The hotel will feature a rooftop pool and spa, space for retail, and the aforementioned restaurant which will be mated to a 30-seat hotel bar. The pool deck will be located outdoors above the enclosed parking deck.
Project Engineer Brian Murphy said the building was designed with extra attention provided to exterior aesthetics and smooth functionality given its prominent location and positioning beside other homes and businesses. A wave-like design atop the structure will double as a shield for mechanical equipment placed on the roof and ensure there is no light pollution.
“Even our loading docks are completely enclosed, our trash room is at the back of the loading dock, and everything will be out of sight and out of mind,” said Murphy. “It gives a better look to the property.”
The project will, ironically, add parking to the borough rather than eliminate spaces. The building’s configuration will remove four parking stalls from Ocean Terrace where a circular entrance will be added, but four stalls will be added to sides of the building. An underground garage will have two entrances and go beyond the 218 spaces required under the borough’s zoning ordinance with a total of 303 spaces, including 21 electric vehicle charging stations that will be interspersed throughout the parking area for easy access.
“If you have a guest over, you’ll have a place for them to park,” Murphy said. “We’re a little ‘overparked,’ but you certainly don’t want to be under-parked around here, so this will be a good thing for us and the town, too.”
“The lighting within the garage is totally enclosed, so there will not be spillage onto the adjacent properties,” he added.
The development group will also replace the water line along Lincoln Avenue from Ocean Terrace to the Boulevard, installing a modern main.
“We’re trying to feed the hotel and facility year-round,” said Murphy.
Caulder is a well-known developer based in Boston whose company, 6M Development, has been responsible for major undertakings up and down the Boston-to-Washington D.C. corridor. Notably, his company has received approval to build a five-story, 134-room boutique hotel on Boston’s north end, a major housing development on a pier at the Boston Navy Yard site, as well as the mixed-use Seville Boston Harbor complex which incorporates housing and retail uses along the city’s Meridian Street corridor.
Caulder praised the borough staff and residents for their interest in the project and help developing a plan that would satisfy the redevelopment plan for the site.
“It’s been a breath of fresh air to deal with a town like this,” he said. “Where I come from, it is very difficult to get a lot of things approved, and I thank you for your work on this.”
It is expected that the proposal, which is located within a designated redevelopment area, will be formally presented to board members and the public at the Feb. 24, 2025 meeting of the Seaside Heights planning board. If approval is granted, the project will require a state permit under New Jersey’s Coastal Areas Facilities Review Act, and will take some time to complete given its size.
“If we have everything approved, we’re roughly six to eight months from obtaining a building permit,” Caulder said, estimating an 18 month construction period. “It depends how we stage the project, but the good thing is that we have a small parking lot across the street that will take some of the pressure off,” he said.
Between a severe skin condition, freezing temperatures and getting stuck on a floating piece of ice in Barnegat Bay, Ziggy the fox has had a rough go of it lately. But things are starting to look up.The two-year-old red fox began her recovery earlier this week at Bayshore Veterinary Hospital in Holmdel, according to Mei-An Raicer, doctor of veterinary medicine. The fox is being treated for mange - a severe skin condition caused by mites - among other things, Raicer said.About two and a half months ago, a Seaside Park resident s...
Between a severe skin condition, freezing temperatures and getting stuck on a floating piece of ice in Barnegat Bay, Ziggy the fox has had a rough go of it lately. But things are starting to look up.
The two-year-old red fox began her recovery earlier this week at Bayshore Veterinary Hospital in Holmdel, according to Mei-An Raicer, doctor of veterinary medicine. The fox is being treated for mange - a severe skin condition caused by mites - among other things, Raicer said.
About two and a half months ago, a Seaside Park resident set up a feeding station for Ziggy, who kept breaking out of the traps set for her, Raicer said. Then, the jet ski dock that she and two other foxes were sleeping on broke loose and drifted out into the bay.
Raicer said she's not sure what happened to the other two, but Ziggy ended up by herself on the dock. Then, she was on a floating piece of ice.
Police and firefighters attempted to go to Ziggy in boats but couldn't reach her because of how much ice there was, Raicer said. At nighttime, a drone rescue team tried using thermal technology, but couldn't find her.
Hopes of finding Ziggy fell.
But eventually, the ice she was on drifted to a larger piece that allowed Ziggy to walk to shore, Raicer said. She was then trapped by the Seaside Park resident before being transported to the veterinary hospital on Monday, she said.
The fox was fairly dehydrated, malnourished and the mange made her skin very infected and crusted, according to Raicer. She's already eating, taking fluids, antibiotics and pain medications.
As a vet, Raicer is allowed to triage, perform surgery and prescribe the medication, but she can only have the animal in her care for a finite period of time.
"Now that I feel safe that she's going to make it, she'll go to [rehabilitation]," she said.
That's where Karen Cooper, New Jersey Home Wildlife Rehabilitator, comes in. She's the only fox rehabilitator across several counties in New Jersey, she said.
Ziggy will probably stay in a smaller hospital cage or enclosure for a little while, then she'll be in a pen while she grows her fur back before being released back to Seaside Heights, Cooper said.
"Adult foxes have to go home where they came from by law," Cooper said.
Cooper said foxes are usually very docile when they first get them in, until they start to feel better, then they're a little feisty.
While Ziggy is looking at a few months until she makes a full recovery, her outlook is promising.
"There are so many people who have been so emotionally invested in her," Raicer said. "It's awesome."
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