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 Dey Mansion Washington's Headquarters in Wayne, NJ 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 Wayne, 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.
“Elisabeth Johnson, is wonderful. And does a great job with senior care!!”
“I cannot say enough good things about Always Best Care Services. From the moment I”
“Liz and her team are the consumate professionals when it comes to providing quality care”
“Liz…. Is simply the Best ! Her professionalism is amazing …”
“Liz is beyond TOP NOTCH at what she does, and the services she provides. We”
“When Always Best Care was referred to us by a friend, we didn’t quite know”
“Excellent service, Always Best Care takes care well of your loved one. They are professionals”
“If you are looking for the right team to help you provide in-home care for”
“Liz and her staff are hands down the best!!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services and CEO Liz Johnson, provide compassionate and qualified care for”
“Always Best Care provides the highest level of in home care for your loved ones.”
“Excellent company! They care deeply for each person they work with and I highly recommend”
“You will always get the best care and service. Liz is so compassionate and”
“When my special needs son broke his femur we called Liz for help. Although”
“Always best care have been a good company,and they always check on the workers,and make”
“I was referred to Always Best Care by a close friend when I was searching”
“Quick and reliable assistance from the skilled team at Always Best Care played a major”
“We found Anna through Always Best Care to take care of my ailing mother-in-law. She”
“After my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, we looked at all of the different companies”
“Nicky provided ten months of excellent care to my 82 years old mother who had”
“I would like to offer my thanks to Always Best Care for providing what I”
“Your approach and calming demeanor are truly a gift and personal calling! You have helped”
“Great Agency! Esoma The Coordinator is the best in the field! So caring”
“I am a current client of this provider My ninety year old grandfather was diagnosed with”
“It has been a delightful experience to work with Always Best Care. Over the last”
“I really liked the caregiver who came to help my mom during her recovery from”
“I would like to offer my thanks to Always Best Care for providing what I”
“I am a current client of this provider I would like to offer my thanks to”
“Elisabeth Johnson, is wonderful. And does a great job with senior care!!”
“I cannot say enough good things about Always Best Care Services. From the moment I first reached out to them, it felt like I was working with family. The owner is incredibly kind, compassionate, and genuinely cares about her clients. She goes above and beyond to ensure that everything runs smoothly, and it's clear that her heart is in the work she does. The caregivers are top-notch – professional, caring, and incredibly loving. It's rare to find a team that treats your loved ones with the level of respect and warmth that Always Best Care does. I've used other home health care services in the past, but nothing compares to the peace of mind and quality of care I’ve received from this team. The caregivers don’t just provide services; they build meaningful relationships with the people they care for, making them feel like a part of their extended family. I honestly believe they are better than having family help, because they bring so much professionalism, expertise, and heart into everything they do. I trust them completely and would recommend Always Best Care to anyone in need of high-quality home health care. They are simply the best in the business. Dennis Bonagura”
“Liz and her team are the consumate professionals when it comes to providing quality care for our seniors. They provide compassionate and competent care without forgetting about empathy and dignity for those entrusted in their care. Providing exceptional care...and then some...isn't what they do, it's simply who they are. Thank you, Liz, for providing such exceptional leadership to your team!”
“Liz…. Is simply the Best ! Her professionalism is amazing …”
“Liz is beyond TOP NOTCH at what she does, and the services she provides. We had a difficult family situation, and she handled it with grace, and provided my family with service, and advice above and beyond what I expected to receive!!! Thank you!!!”
“When Always Best Care was referred to us by a friend, we didn’t quite know what to expect. Meeting the charming and charismatic Liz the owner and her smiling staff at the agency however put our hearts and minds at ease although we were in the middle of the pandemic. They are down-to-earth caring, compassionate and professional and our aunt could not ask for anything more. I truly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Excellent service, Always Best Care takes care well of your loved one. They are professionals and certified which makes them on top of everything. Just call Liz Johnson and she will help and goes above and beyond. I would highly recommend them.”
“If you are looking for the right team to help you provide in-home care for your loved one, Always Best Care should be your first call. Liz and her team are trustworthy, caring, and compassionate. They go above and beyond for their clients and their families! They are truly exceptional!”
“Liz and her staff are hands down the best!!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services and CEO Liz Johnson, provide compassionate and qualified care for seniors and patients recovering from surgery. Liz has a heart for families who need to make those tough choices and is a knowledgeable resource for those in need. She addresses questions and concerns with advice and solutions based on her professional acumen and life experience. I would recommend Liz wholeheartedly. Make her your first call when you need support for a loved one!”
“Always Best Care provides the highest level of in home care for your loved ones. I have used this agency to provide in home care for several family members and loved ones. Their aides provide compassionate care and have allowed my family members to age in their home with dignity and grace. Highly recommend !!!”
“Excellent company! They care deeply for each person they work with and I highly recommend them. Very reliable and quick to respond. The owner is just amazing!”
“You will always get the best care and service. Liz is so compassionate and attentive and treats everyone as if they were family. I highly recommend!”
“When my special needs son broke his femur we called Liz for help. Although she specializes in Senior Care, we knew her company would take great care of our pre-teen. We can never thank Liz and her company enough for the kindness and great care they provided not just for our son, but for our entire family! What a relief it was to know he was being well cared for with such kindness and compassion. I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services.”
“Always best care have been a good company,and they always check on the workers,and make everything so easy for me,I never have bad experience wit them,I like my supervisor Mrs Leslie and the Coordinator Esoma bcos they always check on us wit my client and confirm if everything is working so good wit us,please all I want to say to them,is to keep the good work contine,may the company continues to be bless wit good people and so caring about the Aides....thank you so very much”
“I was referred to Always Best Care by a close friend when I was searching for an assisted living community for my parents. I found the staff extremely professional and helpful right from our first meeting. What I appreciate the most is their prompt service and flexibility. Since I have my job in another city, I wasn’t able to take care of my parents and eventually had to make the difficult decision to move them to assisted living. Thanks to Always Best Care for speeding up the whole process according to my schedule. Highly Recommended!”
“Quick and reliable assistance from the skilled team at Always Best Care played a major in my father’s recovery from osteoporosis. The assigned caregiver was extremely patient and supportive. He helped my father with all sorts of exercises. I strongly recommend Always Best Care for the well being of your beloved elders.”
“We found Anna through Always Best Care to take care of my ailing mother-in-law. She is honest, reliable, and goes out of her way to help my mother-in-law with her daily chores. I never have to worry that she wouldn’t show up on time or would find excuses for not doing some tasks. She is also very funny and keeps us laughing all day long. We are really happy with the services offered by Always Best Care. The attentiveness and quick response of their staff has made things quite easy for us. We know that they are there to address our needs no matter what time of the day we call them. They genuinely care about the health and well-being of their clients. And that’s what makes them so much better than other agencies.”
“After my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, we looked at all of the different companies in the marketplace. We received great care from our caregiver and really appreciated the patient approach they took with my dad. With much gratitude to the team at Always Best Care!”
“Nicky provided ten months of excellent care to my 82 years old mother who had dementia. She was caring in every possible way which was exactly what the family wanted for her. She passed away last month, but peacefully and with dignity. Thank you so much Always Best Care for the amazing service.”
“I would like to offer my thanks to Always Best Care for providing what I believe is a top-class service. They have amazing caregivers who took care of my mother-in-law post her heart surgery. She was back to her normal routine faster than we thought. It wouldn’t have been possible without the care and support of their caregivers.”
“Your approach and calming demeanor are truly a gift and personal calling! You have helped more than you will ever realize”
“Great Agency! Esoma The Coordinator is the best in the field! So caring about the Aides! Thanks again!”
“I am a current client of this provider My ninety year old grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few months ago. Without the in home care provided by Always Best Care, I do not know how we would have managed everything. I am grateful for the dedicated service they have provided to us.”
“It has been a delightful experience to work with Always Best Care. Over the last three years, I have had a few caregivers come in to care for my mother who has Alzheimer’s. When she was diagnosed with the condition, I had little hope of her getting back to her normal self again. She had almost stopped smiling. But after I had the wonderful caregivers to care for her, I saw a great improvement in her health. She seems not only healthier, but happier too. Thank you Always Best Care.”
“I really liked the caregiver who came to help my mom during her recovery from a major surgery. She took great care of her and ensured a quick recovery. A hearty thanks to Always Best Care.”
“I would like to offer my thanks to Always Best Care for providing what I believe is a top-class service. They have amazing caregivers who took care of my mother-in-law post her heart surgery. She was back to her normal routine faster than we thought. It wouldn’t have been possible without the care and support of their caregivers.”
“I am a current client of this provider I would like to offer my thanks to Always Best Care for providing what I believe is a top-class service. They have amazing caregivers who took care of my mother-in-law post her heart surgery. She was back to her normal routine faster than we thought. It wouldn’t have been possible without the care and support of their caregivers.”
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 High Mountain Park Preserve in Wayne, NJ 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 Novelli or visit The Wayne Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
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 Wayne, 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 Wayne, 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 Wayne, 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.
“New stores opening up?”That was the excited question of one Wayne, NJ, resident on Facebook after photos surfaced on a community corner page showing construction taking place at a local strip mall.The town’s Preakness Shopping Center used to be host of several businesses adored by residents: a Macy’s, a small movie theater, and beloved family-run diner.Sadly, in the years leading up to COVID-19, a majority of the retailers moved out without being replaced, with the Macy’s functioning as a v...
“New stores opening up?”
That was the excited question of one Wayne, NJ, resident on Facebook after photos surfaced on a community corner page showing construction taking place at a local strip mall.
The town’s Preakness Shopping Center used to be host of several businesses adored by residents: a Macy’s, a small movie theater, and beloved family-run diner.
Sadly, in the years leading up to COVID-19, a majority of the retailers moved out without being replaced, with the Macy’s functioning as a vaccination center during the pandemic and a Spirit Halloween moving in seasonally to fill in the glaring gaps in the storefronts.
But to the surprise and delight of residents, a stretch of the mall was refreshed and reformed almost overnight on Oct. 1, bringing new life to a space that’s been sitting in limbo for years.
And while the construction didn’t turn out to be the 200 or so apartments that’s been the talk of the town for years, for some, the replacement was even better:
A movie set.
Turns out, a production crew is preparing to shoot “Miami Vice ’85” in Wayne in the coming weeks.
The Universal film will feature Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan in the leading roles of the fan-favorite NBC series being brought to the big screen. Production is already in progress, with the film’s set release date of May 19, 2028.
Residents of Wayne, which was voted one of the hottest ZIP codes in 2025, saw crews bring in tall, fake palm trees into the lot, as well as several abandoned shopfronts completely converted into set pieces straight out of a Hollywood backlot.
Now, there’s façades for a handful of time-centric stores, like a men’s clothing boutique and a VCR repair shop, sitting alongside a modern-day—and operational—CVS.
And that's not all. Just a few days later, another movie was spotted filming in town. was photographed filming her new movie, "The Housemaid's Secret," at William Paterson University in Wayne on Oct. 6. The film is a sequel to Paul Feig’s "The Housemaid" and will find Brittany Snow and Kirsten Dunst as Sweeney's co-stars.
And this is likely just the beginning of big movies coming to town—not just for Wayne, but the state as a whole.
Last year, Netflix made a nearly $1 billion investment to transform a previously shuttered 292-acre former U.S. Army base in Fort Monmouth, NJ, into its East Coast production hub.
Though the new Netflix Studios won't be completed until 2028, several huge projects have segued to filming in locations across the Garden State since then, and the prospect of the entertainment industry making New Jersey its new home is having an impact on real estate.
"As someone who has lived, worked, and raised a family here in Monmouth County for many years, I can tell you firsthand that there’s already been an uptick in interest since the Netflix Studios announcement,", a broker with Christie's International Real Estate Group and director of sales for The Atlantic Club Residences, a posh new luxury development in Long Branch, NJ, previously shared with Realtor.com®.
Case in point: In May, NJ.com reported that a five-bedroom residence in Little Silver, NJ, was sold for $2.6 million—a whopping $500,000, or 24%, above its $2.1 million asking price.
Back in Wayne, the recent filming is putting the spotlight back on a very desirable area just outside of New York City.
“The filming is putting Wayne on the map, for sure,” says Shawn Anen, a local Wayne real estate agent who has serviced residents for over 20 years. “It's drawing attention to it, and I’m a big believer that this kind of attention is a good thing.”
And while local residents are excited about the prospect of seeing an Oscar winner around town, they’re equally excited to see a parcel of land that has become an “eyesore,” as Anen calls it, be put to good use.
Especially when, by now, the Preakness Shopping Center was meant to be transformed into a “beautiful downtown,” according to Anen.
The Wayne Township Council had signed off on a deal with the owner of the shopping center in 2020 for construction of 244 apartments at the strip mall.
The project would have demolished the Macy's as well an abandoned IHOP that has been sitting idle since a fire tore through in 2002 to build a four-story complex and a seven-deck parking garage.
However, when Anen spoke to Wayne’s mayor, Christopher Vergano, just over a year ago, the mayor revealed why that project never got off the ground.
“Interest rates went up,” Vergano told Anen in their interview. “To get any building materials, prices went up crazy.
“Does it look terrible? Absolutely. Do we wish we had something else there? Yes.”
Now, two years later, “something else” has presented itself in the form of this film set, putting a spotlight on the town at a time when buyer interest in the area continues to be on the rise.
Anen says Wayne is a “very strong market” that’s actually starting to balance out a bit for sellers and buyers alike.
Anen has seen inventory “essentially double” in the past six months due to the amount of new construction on the market, and he maintains that it’s a “strong seller's market,” with prices leveling off, but still in a high range.
So, could Wayne go the way of Fort Monmouth? Maybe, maybe not—but as fake palm trees take root where stalled apartments could not, Wayne can still enjoy its close-up.
Dina Sartore-Bodo is the senior advice editor at Realtor.com covering real estate news, personal finance trends, and interior design. She previously served as the managing editor at HollywoodLife.com, the executive editor at PerezHilton.com, and the managing editor at The Hollywood Gossip. Her work has also appeared on MSN, Yahoo News, and BlogHer. She is a proud graduate of Emerson College in Boston and is originally from New Jersey.
WAYNE, NJ – Mayor Christopher Vergano, who sits on the Planning Baord criticized the look and condition of the closed Sunoco station at 570 Route 46 East during a recent board meeting. They voted 9–0 to grant applicant Ender Holdings LLC a one-year extension of its existing approval, but that there were remaining approval paperwork had to be completed before construction on a new gas station could begin.Attorney Michael Rubin, representing Ender Holdings, said he understood that board members had been concerned about the p...
WAYNE, NJ – Mayor Christopher Vergano, who sits on the Planning Baord criticized the look and condition of the closed Sunoco station at 570 Route 46 East during a recent board meeting. They voted 9–0 to grant applicant Ender Holdings LLC a one-year extension of its existing approval, but that there were remaining approval paperwork had to be completed before construction on a new gas station could begin.
Attorney Michael Rubin, representing Ender Holdings, said he understood that board members had been concerned about the property’s appearance at an earlier meeting.
“I said it looked like crap,” Vergano said. “Those were my words.”
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Rubin said he “wouldn't use that word.”
“I think it's a very good word,” answered the mayorIt's right on Route 46. You can't miss it. There's a tank sitting out there. Nothing has been done. And now in the last two weeks since we withheld the approval of continuing this mess, all of a sudden we have movement. So Mr. Rubin. I hope you're correct with the one year, but it still looks terrible. Like you can cut the grass. And you can move things around. it's a mess.
Tayfun Ender, of Ender Holdings, LLC acknowledged the mayor’s criticism.
“I agree with Mr. Vergano,” Ender said. “The property was looking like crap very recently.”
He explained that a landscaper hired to maintain the property had not done the work. Ender said he had since removed dumped rubbish and addressed the landscaping. He had been working with the township’s Code Enforcement Department since early August, he added.
Rubin initially requested a two-year extension but reduced that request to one year, saying some of the required paperwork had been completed in recent weeks. He wanted permission to get the tanks underground while the remaining easement documents were finalized.
“I've been trying for the longest time to get the tanks in the ground, and I've been stymied,” Rubin said. “All along, Mr. Kok has said we need all the conformance items, all the easements and whatnot.”
Ender said he was waiting for the township’s final approvals to install the tanks and develop the property.
“Since it sounds like it's our problem, could you please explain?” Vergano asked Township Planner Christopher Kok.
Kok said the easements had been reviewed and were acceptable. The township still needed signed copies, followed by Township Council authorization to execute the documents. He said the approval resolution required full compliance before permits or construction could proceed.
Rubin challenged that position. He said he could find no ordinance, resolution or provision in the state’s Municipal Land Use Law requiring every approval condition to be satisfied before work could begin. The easement documents concerned sidewalks and road widening, he said, and should not prevent the tanks from being installed.
“Well, that's not the way we work, Mr. Rubin, and you know that,” Vergano said. “It's the only leverage we have over people that leave their property the way this has been for years.”
Vergano said the township needed to ensure applicants followed through on what they agreed to during their hearings.
Ender said his engineer had been working with the township and that he had been trying to get construction underway. Rubin said the last memo he received indicated that the easements’ legal descriptions had not yet been approved by the township surveyor.
Kok said the descriptions were acceptable and that an updated memo would be sent.
The council could act at its first meeting in October, Kok said, with recording potentially taking another month.
“Then it's going to be November, and it'll be too late for him to do any construction this year,” Vergano said.
But, in the end, Vergano moved the motion to extend the expiration one year, and the Planning Board approved this unanimously.
Jon "Ferris" Meredith is an award-winning journalist whose coverage of local news has earned his site the designation of Wayne Township's Official Online News Source for the Town Council and Board of Education.
Are you a business interested in reaching our large, local audience? Contact Ferris: [email protected]
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Some TAPinto Wayne Articles are created with AI assistance and finalized by TAPinto Wayne editors to ensure accuracy.
WAYNE, NJ — Resident Jim Freeswick raised Wayne’s Fourth Round affordable housing obligation during public comments during this past Township Council meeting. The matter has been the topic of several closed executive sessions by the council and administration over the past few months, as "objectors' to the township's published housing plan are asking the courts to add two more projects to the township's plan.These two developments could add up to 750 more residential units, including 190 affordable units, to the towns...
WAYNE, NJ — Resident Jim Freeswick raised Wayne’s Fourth Round affordable housing obligation during public comments during this past Township Council meeting. The matter has been the topic of several closed executive sessions by the council and administration over the past few months, as "objectors' to the township's published housing plan are asking the courts to add two more projects to the township's plan.
These two developments could add up to 750 more residential units, including 190 affordable units, to the township’s plan.
The development meant for William Paterson University’s property at 1600 Valley Road and a 55+ housing development at 1982 Hamburg Turnpike. The WPU property is also part of a separate dispute over a deed restriction affecting Wayne’s planned 113-unit, 100% affordable development at 1805 Valley Road.
Retired Superior Court Judge Mark A. Troncone, serving as a court-appointed special adjudicator, recommended including the two developers’ projects in Wayne’s housing plan, according to a report by northjersey.com. Troncone considered them realistic opportunities to provide housing, while questioning the feasibility of some properties the township had relied upon.
The report identified concerns about the lack of progress on the Preakness Shopping Center’s redevelopment and the availability of North Jersey Country Club for housing. The adjudicators recommended removing the country club from the plan, citing information that the club did not intend to sell its property.
Wayne challenged the recommendation. As TAPinto reported in September, Brian Chewcaskie, an attorney representing the township in the housing case, called it “legally and factually flawed” in an August 28 filing and requested a case-management conference to present the township’s objections.
Both developers’ proposals have changed since TAPinto reported on their challenges last November.
Toll Brothers’ proposal for 1600 Valley Road now calls for 300 residential units, including 100 affordable units. This would include 250 townhouses, 50 of them affordable, and the conversion of an existing five-story office building into 50 affordable rental apartments.
Their earlier proposal called for 350 homes: 280 townhouses and 70 affordable apartments. The revised configuration would provide 50 fewer homes overall but 30 more affordable units.
At 1982 Hamburg Turnpike, March Associates Construction is proposing 450 senior rental units, including 90 affordable units. The Zoning Board of Adjustment previously denied an application for 285 homes for residents ages 55 and older, with a 20% affordable set-aside.
Freeswick also discussed a possible reduction in the Hamburg Turnpike proposal. He said Troncone agreed with fellow adjudicator Christine Nazzaro-Cofone that the site could reasonably accommodate 375 or 400 units, yielding 75 or 80 affordable units.
Those alternatives, combined with Toll Brothers’ proposal, would total 675 to 700 homes, including 175 to 180 affordable units.
The objections followed the Planning Board’s adoption of Wayne’s Fourth Round housing plan on June 30, 2025. TAPinto’s November 18 article identified four objectors: Toll Brothers, the Hamburg Turnpike developer, the owner of the De Mattheis property on Ratzer Road and the Fair Share Housing Center.
At that time, Township Planner Chris Kok said the objections would move into mediation and that he could not predict which properties would be added. He described Fair Share’s filing largely as a request for documentation.
The dispute over the WPU property has also involved the township’s own affordable housing project.
As TAPinto previously reported, a deed restriction blocked Wayne’s planned 113-unit, 100% affordable development at 1805 Valley Road. Mayor Chris Vergano accused WPU of withholding consent to remove the restriction in order to pressure Wayne into supporting the development at 1600 Valley Road. WPU President Richard Helldobler denied linking the projects and said he “was open to a conversation.”
The council adopted Ordinance No. 58 in September, authorizing negotiations and possible eminent-domain proceedings to acquire the rights needed to remove the restriction.
The two properties also appeared in the developers’ affordable housing challenge. As TAPinto previously reported, the filing seeking inclusion of 1600 Valley Road questioned whether Wayne would realize the affordable housing credits it expected from 1805 Valley Road. WPU was not named as a party to that challenge. The filing did not establish that WPU conditioned its consent at 1805 Valley Road on approval of the other project.
Superior Court Judge Darren J. Del Sardo is responsible for considering the adjudicators’ recommendation. TAPinto’s September 6 article reported that, as of court entries reviewed through September 4, he had not entered an order adopting, rejecting or modifying it. Freeswick told the council he was unaware of a subsequent decision.
The recommendation concerns which developments should be included in Wayne’s housing plan. It does not constitute approval of WPU’s proposed property sale or development approval for 1600 Valley Road.
Jon "Ferris" Meredith is an award-winning journalist whose coverage of local news has earned his site the designation of Wayne Township's Official Online News Source for the Town Council and Board of Education.
Are you a business interested in reaching our large, local audience? Contact Ferris: [email protected]
Celebrating something special? Showcase your anniversary, birthday, graduation, and MORE on . It's Free!
Some TAPinto Wayne Articles are created with AI assistance and finalized by TAPinto Wayne editors to ensure accuracy.
WAYNE, NJ – Wayne Hills head football coach Wayne Demikoff was watching Fair Lawn film when TAPinto Wayne interviewed him. The Patriots are coming off a 34–13 win at Ramapo, their seventh victory in eight games, and have a short week to prepare for Thursday’s regular-season finale.Looking back at Friday’s win, Demikoff first talked about the defense. Hills kept Ramapo scoreless in the first half of the game, and only gave up two scores in “junk time,” after the game was pretty much decided.Of...
WAYNE, NJ – Wayne Hills head football coach Wayne Demikoff was watching Fair Lawn film when TAPinto Wayne interviewed him. The Patriots are coming off a 34–13 win at Ramapo, their seventh victory in eight games, and have a short week to prepare for Thursday’s regular-season finale.
Looking back at Friday’s win, Demikoff first talked about the defense. Hills kept Ramapo scoreless in the first half of the game, and only gave up two scores in “junk time,” after the game was pretty much decided.
Offensively, the Patriots scored on its first possession and then got the ball right back on a muffed kickoff recovery and scored again.
Hills Senior Quarterback, James “8 the Great” Wolf had opened the scoring with a 48-yard touchdown pass to Chase Canning. On the ensuing kickoff, the Patriots' Kicker Matt May sent a short squib kick toward Ramapo.
In dry conditions, these kicks can be tricky to handle, but in the rainy, windy conditions on Friday night, the strategic use of the squib kick became obvious. The ball splashed and bounced off a Ramapo player and…
“We had a kid run down and fall on it,” Demikoff said. “And that helped us.”
In quick succession, Hills was up two scores, giving them momentum early in the game.
Demikoff also credited the balance of the offense. The Patriots were running and throwing effectively, while defensive stops supplied good field position.
Wolf threw three touchdown passes in the first half: two to Canning, from 48 and 18 yards, and a 13-yarder to Chernoh St. Paul. Ethan “EZ Money” Zacharski scored on runs of 11 and one yard. Matthew May made four extra points.
Hills led 20–0 after the first quarter and 34–0 at halftime.
Canning finished with four catches for 77 yards. NJ.com’s box score credited Adam Zarzor and Evan Rapoport with fumble recoveries and Shaun George with a sack.
The game was, essentially, over at the half. Ramapo’s Joey Gorga scored both Raiders touchdowns after halftime, on runs of 12 and three yards, as Ramapo fell to 4–3.
The win came a week after Hills beat crosstown rival Wayne Valley 42–7. Asked what was keeping his players focused, Demikoff brought up the emotion of that rivalry game and the need to move on afterward.
“They came in Saturday morning, I could see it in their face,” he said of the morning after the Valley win. “They were past it.”
That carried into Monday’s practice. The coaches didn't have to do much to redirect the players toward the Ramapo game, he said.
Demikoff singled out the offensive and defensive lines as players who often receive too little credit, considering how much winning depends on their success..
“I thought they played really, really well,” he said of Friday’s performance and their season as a qhole
The offensive line included Kenny Williams, Johnny Krause, Vinnie Romano, Tony Puppo and Tom Bartlett.
Next up for Hills is Fair Lawn, away on Thursday, Oct. 22. Demikoff said he has stressed staying with the current opponent, particularly with one fewer day to prepare this week
“So, you know, I told them we have to be locked in focused,” he said.
Asked about playoff positioning and a possible home game, Demikoff joked about needing “somebody from NASA” to figure out the calculations. He said he leaves those details alone until the team is told where it will play. His immediate concern is Fair Lawn.
He also credited his assistants: offensive coordinator Anthony Vigorito, defensive coordinator Mike Kelly, along with Gabe Dellechiaie and Brian Pengitore.
“These guys really work hard at the special teams every single day,” he said of Dellechiaie and Pentigore.
He spoke about the importance of being balanced and succeeding in all three phases of the game (offense, defense and special teams) at this point in the season, and credited the coaches with having the players prepared.
Hills has made the playoffs no matter what happens on Thursday, but finishing strong will only help their chances in playoff seedings.
Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey are happy to congratulate Girl Scout Julia DelGrandefrom Harrington Park for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award for their project: Astounding Advances to the OLV CCD Program.DelGrande wanted to create a more welcoming, engaging, and creative environment for students in her church’s CCD classes. To achieve this, she developed a variety of interactive activities designed to help students build a personal connection with their faith....
Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey are happy to congratulate Girl Scout Julia DelGrandefrom Harrington Park for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award for their project: Astounding Advances to the OLV CCD Program.
DelGrande wanted to create a more welcoming, engaging, and creative environment for students in her church’s CCD classes. To achieve this, she developed a variety of interactive activities designed to help students build a personal connection with their faith. One of her favorite activities was creating a prayer garden on the church grounds, where students decorated rocks and planted flowers to transform the space into a peaceful place for reflection and prayer.
“By improving the physical environment and the educational materials present, my aim is to create the classroom as an environment in which children feel secure, enthusiastic, and encouraged to learn their faith,” said DelGrande.
Gold Award Girl Scouts become innovative problem-solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally.
As they take action to transform their communities, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they’re the leaders our world needs. The 2026 Gold Award Girl Scout class identified issues in their communities, took action, and found or created solutions to earn their Gold Awards, addressing real-life problems such as environmental sustainability, racial justice, mental and physical well-being, and gender inequality.
For more information about Girl Scouts Highest Awards
About Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey: Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.
Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey serves girls ages 5–18 in Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and northern Warren counties, bringing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to more than 18,000 girls and 10,000 adult members. Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for every girl and her family and offering financial assistance to enable participation in its program and camps. To learn more about Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey or to volunteer, donate, or join, visit www.gsnnj.org or call (973) 248-8200, and follow GSNNJ on social media.
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