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 Historical Schueman House 1883 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 Toms River, 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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“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 Cattus Island County 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 Villa Amalfi or visit Ocean County Historical Society, 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 Toms River, 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 Toms River, 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 Toms River, 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.
A fast-growing Orthodox Jewish community near the Jersey Shore could soon get its first private religious high school.The Toms River zoning board is scheduled to hear an application Thursday to convert a former senior health facility into a private Orthodox Jewish yeshiva for high school students.New Jersey Home Care Service, the business behind the proposal, is seeking...
A fast-growing Orthodox Jewish community near the Jersey Shore could soon get its first private religious high school.
The Toms River zoning board is scheduled to hear an application Thursday to convert a former senior health facility into a private Orthodox Jewish yeshiva for high school students.
New Jersey Home Care Service, the business behind the proposal, is seeking a variance to open the school on an 8.5-acre property at 105 Sunset Avenue, which is currently zoned for residential use, according to a meeting notice.
The building was formerly home to the now-closed Medex Home Health Center. The property last sold for $2.08 million in February 2024, according to Ocean County tax records.
The developer is also requesting permits to renovate the existing 9,560-square-foot structure and repave the parking lot, according to township documents.
Like other Ocean and Monmouth County towns surrounding Lakewood, Toms River has seen a surge in its Orthodox Jewish population in recent years. The township borders Lakewood to the south, which is home to the fastest-growing Orthodox Jewish community in New Jersey. Many families relocating to Toms River have done so to remain close to established Orthodox communities, schools, synagogues and extended family.
With no private yeshivas currently operating in the township, many Orthodox Jewish students in Toms River rely on district-funded busing to attend religious schools in nearby Lakewood.
Toms River Regional, Brick, Jackson and Howell are among the districts that have seen transportation costs rise as more Orthodox families move into the area. The districts were spending increasing amounts each year to bus students to over 100 private religious schools in Lakewood, according to their budgets.
Last year, the zoning board approved the township’s first two Orthodox synagogues, or shuls, on Stevens Road and Whitesville Road, according to the Asbury Park Press.
That milestone followed years of legal tension over local zoning laws. In 2021, Toms River revised its zoning rules for houses of worship to avoid litigation from the U.S. Department of Justice, which said the town violated federal law by restricting where religious institutions could operate.
The Department of Justice began investigating in 2018 after the township banned houses of worship in three zoning districts in 2009, raised the minimum lot size in 2017 and barred them from locating on “minor collector” roads. Federal officials said the changes disproportionately impacted Orthodox Jewish residents, who often walk to small neighborhood synagogues on the Sabbath and holidays.
More than 1,000 Orthodox Jewish families now live in Toms River, according to the Department of Justice complaint. Before approving its first two Orthodox Jewish synagogues last year, the township already had about 42 houses of worship — including 38 churches, two mosques, one Conservative Jewish synagogue and one Hindu temple.
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TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Municipal Band will play on this summer, with five concerts scheduled for the steps of the Ocean County Library.That's because the band, which is marking its 61st year, is getting additional funding from Ocean County, band director Frank Hughes said.The band of 30 musicians, many of them graduates of the Toms River schools, gather on the steps of the Ocean County Library as part of Ocean County’s Carousel of Music concert series. The concerts are free to the public.The band has...
TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Municipal Band will play on this summer, with five concerts scheduled for the steps of the Ocean County Library.
That's because the band, which is marking its 61st year, is getting additional funding from Ocean County, band director Frank Hughes said.
The band of 30 musicians, many of them graduates of the Toms River schools, gather on the steps of the Ocean County Library as part of Ocean County’s Carousel of Music concert series. The concerts are free to the public.
The band has received funding from Ocean County and from Toms River, Hughes said; it was $3,300 from Ocean County and $10,000 from Toms River in recent years, with the money being used to pay the musicians $60 per performance.
This year Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick wanted the band to perform two additional concerts, during the day at the Toms River Senior Center at no charge; Hughes said that request presented issues because the musicians work full-time day jobs, and offered one as a compromise.
Rodrick also told Hughes he wanted a concert at Ortley Beach, but Hughes said that is unworkable because the sand can damage the instruments.
Rodrick has questioned the $10,000 cost, calling it "a lot of money ... for them to play in one spot," in a statement to the Asbury Park Press.
"The musicians are playing for 15 percent under scale," Hughes said. They do not get paid for rehearsals, which consume several hours before each performance. Hughes does not take a paycheck as director, he said.
The Ocean County Board of Commissioners has doubled its contribution, Hughes said, but that still leaves them about $3,000 short.
"We had to cancel one of the performances," Hughes said, which was the Veterans Day concert at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. "Last year it drew 500 people to the church."
The concerts at the library are set for July 2, July 10, July 31, Aug. 7 and Aug. 14.
Hughes said he has never received a response from Rodrick to his offer of doing one concert at the Senior Center.
After waiting since April, he's moving forward with the county's funding and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to close the gap, which he hopes will allow him to add at least one more concert.
"He never said yes or no," Hughes said.
As New Jersey enters the third day of an excessive heat warning, a group of homeless people have found themselves at the center of an ongoing dispute between non-profits trying to help them and Toms River.The town...
As New Jersey enters the third day of an excessive heat warning, a group of homeless people have found themselves at the center of an ongoing dispute between non-profits trying to help them and Toms River.
The township is the Ocean County seat, drawing in homeless people seeking services. It is also the only county that does not have a homeless shelter, Mayor Dan Rodrick said, resulting in homeless people congregating in public spaces.
And non-profits that try to help the homeless are only making the situation worse, he said.
Last week, Toms River began removing people and their belongings from outside the Ocean County Library and its adjacent parking garage. The library is home to a temporary JBJ Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit, pay-what-you-can restaurant run by Jon Bon Jovi, whose presence is drawing more homeless to the city, the mayor said.
When non-profits delivered cots and ice to homeless people in the parking garage this week, the township issued warnings for people to leave or risk having their belongings confiscated and relocated, Rodrick said.
Township officials are offering to move personal property to the township’s public works building or to private property, according to a notice issued June 24. The homeless individuals were given 48 hours to collect their belongings before the township would step in to remove unclaimed items.
“Taxpayers of Toms River shouldn’t have to foot the bill for the homeless from not only Ocean County but counties beyond here,” said Rodrick. “It’s unfair.”
The Township Council recently approved spending up to $250,000 to provide up to six months of temporary housing to homeless individuals, Rodrick said.
Just Believe, Inc., a nonprofit based in Toms River that assists Ocean County’s homeless populations, delivered 23 cots to the county parking garage this week, said Terrance Turnbach, an attorney for the organization and former township councilman.
Turnbach said photos and comments made on social media have created the misconception that a homeless encampment was being created.
“They’re just being responsive, like many other residents that are showing up there with cases of water and ice,” Turnbach said. “Everyone you really encounter out there is more than appreciative of the community’s response.”
Just Believe is collaborating with other nonprofits to provide homeless populations with relief from the excessive heat, CEO Paul Hulse told NJ Advance Media. Over a dozen cases of water were provided to homeless people sheltering in hotels on Wednesday, he said.
“We’re just trying to make sure people are OK, and they’re not dehydrating or possibly in a state where we find someone in that heat stroke moment or in some kind of despair,” Hulse said.
Just Believe’s headquarters, located on Corporate Circle, an industrial complex off Route 37, is available as a cooling center. The space is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday to Friday. Since last week, at least a dozen people have visited its headquarters to escape the heat.
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Victoria Gladstone may be reached at [email protected].
TOMS RIVER -- An application for the township's first Orthodox Jewish high school is scheduled to be heard June 26 by the zoning board.Shia Weber/NJ Home Care has proposed converting the existing 9,500-square-foot building at 105 Sunset Avenue into a high school. The application needs a use variance as schools are not allowed in the rural residential zone where the 8.5-acre property is located.Toms River lawyer Robert C. Shea is representing Shia Weber/NJ Home Care.Use variances are the most difficult for an application ...
TOMS RIVER -- An application for the township's first Orthodox Jewish high school is scheduled to be heard June 26 by the zoning board.
Shia Weber/NJ Home Care has proposed converting the existing 9,500-square-foot building at 105 Sunset Avenue into a high school. The application needs a use variance as schools are not allowed in the rural residential zone where the 8.5-acre property is located.
Toms River lawyer Robert C. Shea is representing Shia Weber/NJ Home Care.
Use variances are the most difficult for an application to obtain as a developer or property owner must show that the proposed use is "inherently beneficial" to the town in order for such a change in zoning laws to be granted.
A healthcare facility for seniors is located on the property, which is set back from the road at the end of a long driveway. The property was purchased for $2,080,000 in February 2024, according to Ocean County Tax Records.
The property owner paid $26,127 in taxes on the land and building last year.
There are more than 2,000 Orthodox Jewish families in Toms River, and the community continues to grow, Orthodox leaders say. Last year, the zoning board approved the first two Orthodox Jewish synagogues, or shuls, on Stevens Road and on Whitesville Road, in the North Dover section of town.
Before the shuls' approval, Orthodox residents were worshipping in approximately 30 locations, mainly in private homes.
The Township Council agreed to change Toms River's religious zoning after entering into a consent decree with the Justice Department that ended a two-year federal investigation into Toms River's zoning laws regarding houses of worship.
Jean Mikle covers Toms River, Seaside Heights and several other Ocean County towns. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, [email protected]
Toms River gave a group of homeless people 48 hours to remove their belongings. No one has said where they might go. TOMS RIVER, NJ — A group of homeless residents who have been taking shelter at the Toms River municipal parking garage are facing a deadline Thursday morning, as they have been ordered to remove their belongings or have them removed for them.Toms River handed out notices to the group of more than a dozen people who have been taking shelter at the garage, behind town hall and adjacent to the Ocean County L...
TOMS RIVER, NJ — A group of homeless residents who have been taking shelter at the Toms River municipal parking garage are facing a deadline Thursday morning, as they have been ordered to remove their belongings or have them removed for them.
Toms River handed out notices to the group of more than a dozen people who have been taking shelter at the garage, behind town hall and adjacent to the Ocean County Library, on Tuesday ordering them to leave.
The notice is the most recent in a lengthy struggle between township Mayor Daniel Rodrick and groups trying to assist people who have lost their housing for a multitude of reasons, and came as the area has been under an intense heat wave.
On Wednesday night, several of the group of homeless people sat in a corner of the garage, talking and listening to music, surrounded by cases of water and ice brought in to ensure people stayed hydrated in the heat.
As they sat, a steady stream of people came from the library to the parking garage, which had a number of cars and SUVs occupying spots. Some of the passersby paused and looked at the group. Others continued on their way.
"Something needs to be done," one woman said to an Ocean County Sheriff's officer who was on duty nearby, watching over the group. The officer told her he had heard there was something in the works to help, but that he didn't know the details.
"Well I hope you stay safe," the woman said, disdain for the group clear in her voice.
Homelessness in Toms River and Ocean County has become a fierce battle in recent months, with Rodrick on multiple occasions dismissing all of those who are seeking shelter in public places as mentally ill, alcoholics and drug addicts.
Advocates and members of nonprofit organizations that have been trying to assist say that is an unfair stereotype that ignores the reality of so many others who are homeless locally. One man who has spoken at Toms River Township Council meetings has shared that he is sober and trying to look for work. He and a few others are caregivers to a woman in her 80s who has found herself without a home.
Jeffrey Wild, an attorney and a trustee of the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness, says he has been trying to work with Rodrick and township officials to find a reasonable solution to assist the people who are without shelter.
Wild said he was able to get the township to agree to hold belongings that were confiscated a week ago in storage until arrangements can be made to get them back to their rightful owners.
While there are several discussions underway to find a short-term solution to assist the current group that has been staying at the garage, Wild said none of it addresses the real problems, which are more complex.
"The right answer is not to issue summonses," Wild said. "People have a right to shelter and safety. If any municipality doesn't want people staying on public land, give them housing. That's the solution."
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