AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Personal Care Consultation

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TESTIMONIALS

“They provide care for Helen. They need to be better at cleaning the house.”

Jeffrey K.
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“They had consistency. They took the caring way of caring for my husband.”

John O.
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“It has done everything it can. The care has been excellent. I like the fact that I don't need Paulette to come as scheduled and she is very accommodating that way. She is also very reliable and made it easier that she just lives down the street.”

Jill D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I like that my mom looks very good because of the care she is getting. I like that they do what they say they are going to do. They keep their word.”

Richard S.
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“The way that they are, the politeness, and the contact people are very helpful. I like the professionalism, the staff and the people that take care of the elderly, they are very polite and concerned.”

Sheldon E.
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“They work with me on being flexible with hours. I like their flexibility.”

Mary A.
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“They are wonderful with her. Except for when she gets a new aide unexpectedly. I like most of the aides.”

Anonymous_6209
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“The caregiver helps her with everything. They help her with bathing and dressing. They also help with eating and making sure she takes medications. They could work on communication with the families and follow up's with the families about staff.”

Jeffrey K.
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“They have helped me the most by being there to help my mom to do exercises and take her to the bathroom. I like that they are always prompt and helpful to my mother.”

Anonymous_5805
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“They've made my experience with them positive by being very friendly. I'd recommend them more if they had caregivers who would take more initiative in helping around the house.”

Jason L.
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“We have several different aides that come help. I would like them to stop having a increase in pay. They have been able to come when I have called needing emergency help.”

Anonymous_4907
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“They provided the care that my father needed to be able to stay in his house. The quality of substitute aides needs to be improved.”

Lee B.
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“They did everything possible for my Mother. The aid was outstanding.”

Robert F.
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“They have made life easier because I watch out for my grandchildren and they care for her during that time. I like that they come out when they say they will and they let us know if they are running late.”

Elaine R.
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“They make sure that he's safe. I like the owner's response if I ever need anything.”

Angela G.
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“My dad needs companionship, I cannot give it to him. For me what would help would be more cooking. That would be appreciated by my father. I would make sure that they would warm the food and serve it out.”

Shirley A.
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“The aide is exceedingly helpful. I like everything about this agency. The aide is very caring.”

Jan G.
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“Paulette and her team provide the best care, always. They even have a school that trains and certifies caregivers.”

Ruben T.
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“Having more people available when people come in would be good. They weren't really able to help us in our time of need.”

Diane G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“She is difficult to deal with and it can be hard to manage the mood swings. They need to be a little more educated about how to deal with people who have Alzheimer's. They are dependable.”

Debra K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They answer when I call and they help me when I have questions. They review everything. When people can't work they find someone else to cover. The aides are lovely. The woman I deal with is always available. She helps in any what that she can. She is willing to take over.”

Jodi B.
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“I have to work so I can't watch John. It is nice that the caregiver is right there all the time. I like Paulette the owner because she is very prompt. She practically answers call herself.”

Barbara R.
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“They help her with everything. They wash her up, they take her to the bathroom, they dress her. They prepare something for her to eat. They are dependable. They are responsible. They always seem to have a good caregiver for my mom.”

Michele M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I always was able to get good service for my dad with Always Best Care of Flanders, New Jersey. Paulette, the owner, is very professional and helpful.”

Erna
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“The agency was always very good in getting someone to come over even when the regular caregiver could not come.”

Ingrid
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“They take care of my uncle for me. They are reliable. They are respectful. They are very good.”

Joseph C.
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“If I have any questions they come and talk to me and it is convenient and easy to work with. Whenever I call they are very courteous and they answer my question and advise me.”

Martha P.
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“They help with the everyday thing around the house. They take care of personal needs. I like the personal service.”

Harriet B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“It gives me peace of mind because I work full time. They are very in tune to what my mother's needs are.”

Linda D.
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“They come and help him with daily living. They fix his bed and give him food. He can't do those things on his own. They could accommodate better for Spanish-speaking people to come into the home a little more. It is difficult with the language barrier sometimes.”

Javier V.
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“They helped her out the most by being here to make sure was safe. They were dependable.”

Dennis T.
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“I was able to get a good night's sleep and the caregiver was wonderful with my dad. He was very nice and became part of the family for that week. They could improve on their price.”

Giavanni B.
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“They have helped because it makes it so that I don't have to do everything. They could pay the aides more.”

Tammy B.
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“The caregiver we have is very well-trained. They have compassionate care.”

Alan D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They send me nice people, and they give me a peace of mind. I like the owner.”

Anonymous_1680
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TESTIMONIALS

“Paulette was here for a ten hour stretch when I took a trip to New York. We've only used them twice so far, but we've been very pleased. They're able to fit my schedule into their schedule.”

Ron G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I couldn't get through the day without them, they take care of all of her needs when I am gone. The girls that come over are great and take good care of my mother-in-law.”

Joan H.
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“I can't walk, and I am in perpetual care. They respond flexibly to requirements.”

Philip S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They mostly gave her morning care. I have a herniated disc, so that helped. They walked her to the living and made sure she was clean before they left. They were always prompt and took good care of my mother. If they noticed anything out of the ordinary, they let me know.”

Barbara B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“He's more alert and active. He looks forward to seeing the caregiver every day. The caregiver is excellent and very attentive to my dad and my aunt.”

Penny P.
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“She seemed to like the caregivers. One of the caregivers decided to quit and the second caregiver worked for us for a few days and then she quit. The owner herself gave excellent service. The owners seem to be very conscientious about the kind of service that is provided.”

James W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Knowing I had someone there to take care of her was a big impact and very helpful. I didn't have to be there 24/7. I was still worried because of the few times they didn't get there. They cancelled a few times without letting me know until it was too late and they couldn't get a replacement.”

Connie C.
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“Their reliability has helped the most. They take care of my loved one very well. They have been always been reliable.”

Judith A.
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“My family and I were very pleased with the care provided to my Mother in Law during her last days by Always Best Care. The Care Givers were terrific. They took a very difficult situation and made it much better.”

John E.
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“I am extremely pleased with the care provided by Always Best Care to my husband. Their caregivers were very professional in every aspect of the care. They were compassionate, punctual, and treated my husband and all other family members with respect. They made his passing easier than expected. Thanks again!”

Pam W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“For almost two years, we have been using Always Best Care’s In-Home Care services to aid in my father's care needs. I live around an hour away from his place and can’t see my dad every day. But I am glad that someone reliable is there to take care of him.”

Erin B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“With Always Best Care, I had peace of mind that my dad was cared by someone professional and experienced. I was assured that all his need and demands were fulfilled on time. Thanks to the entire team!”

David R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“It is very reassuring to know that my mother is being cared for by someone who is so compassionate and understands her needs. She was diagnosed with dementia last year and had almost lost interest in everything. Thanks to the wonderful caregivers of Always Best Care, she is once again smiling and laughing like before.”

Kevin T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care did an outstanding job helping me through the process of understanding all their care options. I appreciate everything they've done and continue to do and I highly recommend them to all.”

Connie M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you Always Best Care for sending Joanna to care for my father post his double knee replacement surgery. Due to my frequent business trips, I wasn’t able to provide him the care he needed. I am glad I found Joanna who is extremely cordial and know her duties well.”

f D.
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“Because of the good care that my parents are receiving, they are able to stay at a nicer facility with a lower level of care. Always Best Care makes up the difference in care. I have referred my friends numerous times because of the office staff.”

Peggy F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is one of the best home care organization whose services I have ever received. Before hiring ABC, I went to so many other institutions but was not satisfied with any of their services. But ABC’s whole staff welcomed me and discussed a detailed plan with me for my mother’s recovery. Thank God. My mother is in safe hands now! Thank you Always Best Care!”

Santiago T.
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“It is very reassuring to know that my mother is being cared for by someone who is so compassionate and understands her needs. She was diagnosed with dementia last year and had almost lost interest in everything. Thanks to the wonderful caregivers of Always Best Care, she is once again smiling and laughing like before.”

Jamie N.
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“From what I received as a feedback from my parents the staff is very friendly, the food is good , and they have made some good friends there.”

sana K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I had two different caregivers and they each worked a week. I was not strong enough to provide the care that was needed. I didn't want to restrict him, so I had help to allow him to get up whenever he wanted. I had to work, go to the store, and do my laundry.”

Ginny M.
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“Our caregiver is excellent but I don't think they get enough support from the office. The services give me peace of mind knowing my loved one is being cared for properly.”

Anonymous
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TESTIMONIALS

“My only problem with the agency is that my caregivers call out every other week, so I don't have someone for two weeks. Since I had a stroke and I had to go on disability, I had to give up my car, so they drive places for me.”

Loretta R.
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“Always Best Care was involved with the JACC Program, and now they aren't. My last caregiver was wonderful, so it'd be good if they were all like that. The caregiver I had was wonderful and did an excellent job.”

Shirley C.
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“From what I received as a feedback from my parents the staff is very friendly, the food is good , and they have made some good friends there. - Sana Kniess”

Sana K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“From what I received as a feedback from my parents the staff is very friendly, the food is good , and they have made some good friends there.”

Sana K.
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“Always Best Care is a good company. They provided quality care for me. I had a caregiver that was excellent through Always Best Care. She was perfect for what I needed, and she definitely improved my life.”

Dario D.
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“Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful. - Leta J.”

Leta J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I truly believe that without the help of Always Best Care, keeping my mother at home alone would have not been possible. Their caregivers take care of my mother exactly the way I would have if I was home. They help my mother with her bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, walking, and more. When my mother falls asleep, they take care of chores like dusting and vacuuming. When they are with my mother, I never feel worried. In such a short span of time, they have become a part of our family. Always Best Care has definitely surpassed my expectations. I highly recommend their services.”

Dean J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very good senior care service. Very dedicated and competent people, I am happy I have the pleasure of knowing and working with them. I recommend their home care service in Flanders.”

Korry S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The people from Always Best Care are very accurate, very concerned and very caring people. They listen to my needs and concerns as well as my mother's wants. Then they offer the exact person I need for my mother's care. This is the first time that I had somebody who is the owner and a nurse that shows up unexpectedly to check out that everything is doing well and that I think is wonderful. I recommend them to everybody.”

Debbie39
 In-Home Care Budd Lake, NJ

How does In-home Senior Care in Budd Lake, NJ work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's 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 ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Budd Lake, NJ

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

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, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Budd Lake, 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.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

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.

Independence
Independence

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 an assisted living community. 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.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

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 to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be 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 in Budd Lake, NJ 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.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

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:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Budd Lake, NJ

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

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 Budd Lake,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.

 Caregivers Budd Lake, NJ

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced 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:

An assessment of your senior loved one

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An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

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Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

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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.

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.

Latest News in Budd Lake, NJ

Budd Lake Teen Named PATH Intl. Youth Equestrian of the Year

Adopted from Mariupol, Ukraine, Vika Christian has overcome physical and emotional challenges to claim top honor from international equestrian organization.When Vika Christian was 5, she and her mother were watching a horse show on television. The winner was introduced as “the greatest equestrian in the world,” prompting Vika to burst into tears. “But I’m the greatest equestrian!” declared the youngster, who had started therapeutic riding lessons to address physical and emotional challenges after...

Adopted from Mariupol, Ukraine, Vika Christian has overcome physical and emotional challenges to claim top honor from international equestrian organization.

When Vika Christian was 5, she and her mother were watching a horse show on television. The winner was introduced as “the greatest equestrian in the world,” prompting Vika to burst into tears. “But I’m the greatest equestrian!” declared the youngster, who had started therapeutic riding lessons to address physical and emotional challenges after her recent adoption from Mariupol, Ukraine.

A decade later, Vika’s proclamation has come true: PATH Intl. recently named her its Youth Equestrian of the Year. The international organization leads the advancement of professional equine-assisted services to support more than 53,000 special needs individuals, including nearly 6,000 veterans, through a variety of equine-assisted services.

The teen from Budd Lake, NJ, rides with Centenary University’s TRAC (Therapeutic Riding At Centenary) program at the University’s Equestrian Center in Washington Township, NJ. Centenary’s accredited adaptive riding program has provided children and adults with equestrian experiences that can result in physical, social-emotional, and cognitive benefits, while enhancing goals such as balance, strength, and sensory integration. Centenary is a higher education member of PATH Intl.

Karen Brittle, assistant professor of equine studies and director of TRAC, said, “Anyone who has ever asked how therapeutic riding benefits participants needs to watch Vika interact with horses and ride. Her joy, skill, and sense of accomplishment radiate. The connection, focus, discipline, goal-setting, and physical strength gained by working on riding skills have transferred to support broader life goals.”

Vika was born with septo-optic dysplasia, which has left her legally blind. She also copes daily with reactive attachment disorder, a common condition in children institutionalized at a young age that makes it difficult to trust others. Recalling her first day at the barn, Vika said, “I was very little and very scared of everything. I just came to America and didn’t know how to talk well and couldn’t see well. There were people I didn’t know, and the horses were big. When I get scared, I do things that people think are naughty, but they aren’t. I am just scared.

“My teacher, Octavia Brown, put me on a horse named Lucy. I was loud and yelled and pulled on the reins and wasn’t gentle at all. Lucy kept me safe, even though I wasn’t being nice to her. When I noticed this, I trusted her and she became my first best friend. I could talk to her and she listened to me. Now, I am proud to win this award from PATH Intl., while people in Ukraine win the war.”

Slowly, Vika learned to trust her TRAC instructors, opening the door for her to interact with other riders, attend camps, and compete at horse shows. Eventually, she started to make friends at the barn and at school. When things became overwhelming, Vika would turn to her first friend, Lucy, pouring out her heart to the horse, who offered nonjudgmental support.

Kayla Thau, a TRAC instructor and 2021 Centenary University graduate, noted how deeply Vika cares about the well-being of the horses, as well as her progress in the ring: “It has been inspiring to observe her growth as an equestrian and related increase in self-confidence. Every goal that Vika has not only influences her riding and horse skills, but also her life outside of the arena. It is an honor as an instructor to be able to help propel those goals into motion and watch the unbridled joy as she wins a blue ribbon in the show ring.”

Vika has set many ambitious goals for the future, including someday attending Centenary University to pursue a career working with horses. Vika’s mother, Nancy Christian, said her daughter still faces emotional and academic challenges, but has an extremely competitive nature and is laser-focused on success: “Riding has been key to Vika’s success in everything she’s done. She has taken this recognition from PATH Intl. very seriously; with this award comes the responsibility that she is now a role model for others. I’m just completely overwhelmed with how far she’s come.”

For Vika, the years of training, blue ribbons at horse shows, and now an international award have resulted in the recognition that success comes down to trusting both yourself and others. In her acceptance speech, she said, “I am proud to accept this award, but PATH Intl. has given me more than an award. It has taught me trust—how to trust my horse, people, and myself.”

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Fundraiser started for Budd Lake family that 'lost everything' in house fire

The Mount Olive community is rallying to raise money for a Budd Lake family that "lost everything" in a house fire late Sunday night, Mayor Rob Greenbaum posted.As of Tuesday morning, more than $20,000 had been pledged to a GoFundMe page for the Lloyd family, who lost their house and possessions in the two-alarm blaze ...

The Mount Olive community is rallying to raise money for a Budd Lake family that "lost everything" in a house fire late Sunday night, Mayor Rob Greenbaum posted.

As of Tuesday morning, more than $20,000 had been pledged to a GoFundMe page for the Lloyd family, who lost their house and possessions in the two-alarm blaze on Bridle Lane.

"Thankfully everyone is safe including their fur babies but they have lost everything, including a car," Emily Lloyd wrote, referring to her brother-in-law, John Lloyd, his partner, Marie Gonzalez, and their three children, ages 5 to 19.

Lloyd said her brother-in-law believes the fire may have started in the garage.

"He heard a noise and had gone downstairs to check it out around midnight," Emily Lloyd said. "He and my nieces went down there, and when they opened the garage door, it was all smoke. They tried to put it out and it was just too much."

John Lloyd then turned his focus to evacuation.

"He did get everybody out safely, including the dog," Emily Lloyd said. "The firefighters found the cat and gave the cat oxygen. Everyone is with us, but they lost everything."

The Budd Lake and Flanders fire departments responded to the scene just before midnight, along with mutual-aid companies in the area, the fire marshal's office posted.

Structure razed:Early morning fire destroys Mount Olive Longhorn Steakhouse

Post-election:'I don't feel safe': North Jersey residents report bias in their communities

"The fire was knocked down within a half-hour, but crews remained on scene for three hours hitting hot spots and overhaul," the post read. "All residents and responders were safe."

"A big shout-out to all the first responders for their effort on the [Bridle] Lane structure fire last night," Mayor Rob Greenbaum posted on his Facebook page. "All people and pets escaped a major structure fire without major injury."

Greenbaum also posted a link to the GoFundMe page.

"The family is left without anything," Greenbaum posted. "Any help which you can add and help the family move forward is greatly appreciated. Mount Olive strong."

Emily Lloyd said the family is currently staying with relatives.

"I think they're just taking it day-by-day, trying to figure out where to go," she said. "Everything is still very new."

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Algae spike sets off 'blue-level' alert at Budd Lake in Mount Olive

Budd Lake Beach in Mount Olive, closed for much of last summer due to high levels of harmful algal blooms, has been placed under a "blue-level" watch for the same reason by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.A blue-level watch on DEP's six-tier alert table, put into effect this year, allows swimming but advises visitors ...

Budd Lake Beach in Mount Olive, closed for much of last summer due to high levels of harmful algal blooms, has been placed under a "blue-level" watch for the same reason by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

A blue-level watch on DEP's six-tier alert table, put into effect this year, allows swimming but advises visitors not to ingest the water or eat fish caught in the lake, and urges caution during and after contact with the water.

Spikes in HAB levels in the summer of 2019 forced the effective closure of many popular recreation lakes in New Jersey, including Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake. The closures crippled hundreds of businesses dependent on tourist traffic and set off controversies about whether the lower threshold levels of HAB contamination in New Jersey, compared with other states, were too strict.

The new tier system the DEP instituted for 2020 lets lakes allow swimming at higher HAB counts than last year, when a reading of more than 20,000 cyanobacteria cells/ML would result in advisories not to swim or contact the water in any manner.

This year, readings between 20,000 cells/ML and 80,000 cells/ML activate a blue-level alert, provided no other known toxins or public health thresholds have been detected. A reading over 80,000 cells/ML, or threshold-level detection of certain cyanotoxins, triggers an orange-level alert that includes closure of public beaches.

Budd Lake was closed in early August 2019 when the cell count at the beach was 91,750 cells/ml, and it remained closed through the end of the season.

Samples taken from Budd Lake last week showed cyanobacteria levels of 72,125 cells/ML and a microcystin level of 0.4 ug/L, well below the orange-level threshold of 3 ug/L. "Ug" refers to micrograms.

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“We are heading into Labor Day weekend, but our lakes are still getting worse," said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Last year at this time there were 28 lakes closed, and this year we’re already at 32. We may see more lakes closed than last year, especially if we have a warm September. DEP needs to take strong action to protect our lakes and their watersheds. Otherwise, our lakes could end up dying.”

The 374-acre lake and beach, bordered on the south by Route 46, is a public park operated by the Mount Olive Recreation Department but is not operated as a public recreational bathing facility. It opened this year on June 19 with revised rules related to the coronavirus pandemic, including requirements to wear masks and practice social distancing.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

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