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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TESTIMONIALS

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

John O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

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

Jan G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

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

Joseph C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

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

Dennis T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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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.”

Jamie N.
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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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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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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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TESTIMONIALS

“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 Netcong, NJ

How does In-home Senior Care in Netcong, 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 Netcong, 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 Netcong, 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 Netcong, 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 Netcong, 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 Netcong,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 Netcong, 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 Netcong, NJ

Ron’s Landmark Celebrates 45 Years in Netcong

any folks in the North Jersey area are familiar with Ron’s Landmark in Netcong. The restaurant is now celebrating 45 years of business, after first opening in 1978 as a pizza and brew spot. In fact, the Raphael family continues to own and operate the business to this day.Though originally a pizza and brew restaurant, Ron’s Landmark is now a full-service Italian restaurant with a full bar. The cozy Italian eatery with classic decor can seat 75 diners and serves classic, approachable Italian American fare. They cook each dis...

any folks in the North Jersey area are familiar with Ron’s Landmark in Netcong. The restaurant is now celebrating 45 years of business, after first opening in 1978 as a pizza and brew spot. In fact, the Raphael family continues to own and operate the business to this day.

Though originally a pizza and brew restaurant, Ron’s Landmark is now a full-service Italian restaurant with a full bar. The cozy Italian eatery with classic decor can seat 75 diners and serves classic, approachable Italian American fare. They cook each dish to order using only the freshest ingredients available, and are open for both lunch and dinner.

More from Best of NJ

45 years later, Ron’s Landmark embodies the old adage, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. With this in mind, their most popular dishes are Italian classics such as chicken/veal/eggplant Parmesan. Other menu highlights include chicken francaise, penne vodka, pizza, calamari, and antipasto salad. (Antipasto salad at this spot means lettuce, vegetables, and meats under a layer of mozzarella cheese). In particular, Owner Ron Raphael’s favorite menu item is the Chicken Saltimbocca. This is chicken with a layer of prosciutto, spinach, and provolone in a brown sauce over pasta.

In addition to traditional Italian lunch and dinner entrees, Ron’s Landmark serves a variety of desserts. Some of their fan-favorite options include a cannoli trio, tiramisu, cheesecake, and chocolate brownie (with optional ice cream scoop). Meanwhile, their drink menu features Irish coffee, Mexican coffee, whiskey coffee, Jamaican coffee, and “Café ala Ron”. The latter mixes Amaretto with Baileys and coffee liquor. In addition, their full-service bar has six beers on tap and a special, rotating seasonal drink menu.

Besides hosting guests at their restaurant, Ron’s Landmark is also the catering partner for The Pond at Triplebrook in Blairstown. 2023 marks their fifth year as the in-house caterer for the wedding venue

Visit Ron’s Landmark at 85 Main St (Route 46) in Netcong. Look for them online to learn more.

Find the Latest Restaurants Open in New Jersey.

Do you accept Reservations?

Yes, they accept reservations.

Are there Gluten-free options?

Yes, they have gluten-free options.

Are there Vegetarian options?

Ron’s Landmark offers vegetarian options yes.

Do you offer Takeout?

They do offer takeout, yes.

Can you offer Delivery?

No, they do not offer delivery.

Do you have a Liquor license?

Yes, they have a liquor license and serve alcohol.

Is there a Kids’ menu?

They have a kids’ menu, yes.

All Photos: © Arielle Bookspan

Volunteer fire captain charged with uploading child pornography at N.J. firehouse

A volunteer fire captain has been charged with uploading child pornography while at a firehouse in Netcong, officials said.James T. Hess, 49, of Roxbury is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child by possessing and distributing child pornography materials, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office said Tuesday.Hess, a volunteer fire captain in Netcong, uploaded and viewed pornographic materials on Kik, a ch...

A volunteer fire captain has been charged with uploading child pornography while at a firehouse in Netcong, officials said.

James T. Hess, 49, of Roxbury is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child by possessing and distributing child pornography materials, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office said Tuesday.

Hess, a volunteer fire captain in Netcong, uploaded and viewed pornographic materials on Kik, a chat app, at the firehouse, authorities said. He also allegedly viewed child sex abuse materials on a cell phone.

The prosecutor’s office said it began investigating after authorities were tipped off about the video files by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Hess was arrested Dec. 21 and released the next day following a court appearance. He was released under several conditions, including monitoring and limited internet use.

He works for the New Jersey Firemen’s Home in Boonton, which provides long term care and residential health care services for firefighters. Hess has been suspended without pay, according to John Veras, the facility’s superintendent.

Veras declined to say how long Hess has worked at the firemen’s home or offer additional comment.

No one answered the phone at the Netcong Volunteer Fire Company on Tuesday morning.

Hess’ next court date is a pre-indictment conference scheduled for Jan. 31, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office said.

He is represented by a public defender, whose office couldn’t immediately be reached Tuesday.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force of the Sex Crimes/ Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.

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Suspended Netcong VFW moves to dissolve. State office says 'not so fast'

Suspended by the state office, locked out of their building and out of money, members of Morris County's oldest Veterans of Foreign Wars post voted on Tuesday to consider dissolution and the surrender of their charter.But not so fast, said state officials, who informed Netcong Post 2347 that its suspension last week preclu...

Suspended by the state office, locked out of their building and out of money, members of Morris County's oldest Veterans of Foreign Wars post voted on Tuesday to consider dissolution and the surrender of their charter.

But not so fast, said state officials, who informed Netcong Post 2347 that its suspension last week precludes any actions − including a decision for their post to stand down.

"They can't do that," said VFW state Adjutant Ken Hagemann. "They are under the control of the state department commandeer through the administrative committee. They can't do anything. They can't even hold the meeting they held yesterday."

But post Commander Martin Bischoff said that with his members locked out of their deteriorating building and without a canteen license, which allows the post to sell liquor, he sees no way to continue.

"Suspending us and closing our canteen choked our last trickle of income," said Bischoff, a retired Army colonel. "My poor post, after 70 years what a way to go out, by our own guns."

Hagemann was more upbeat about the possibilities to revive Netcong and other posts suspended this month for administrative and other infractions by the state VFW office. Denville Post 2519 and Woodbridge Post 4410 quickly resolved their largely administrative issues and are no longer under suspension. But 10 others remain shuttered and under state control with their futures in limbo.

Hagemann said the state office will send a letter to Netcong members informing them their meeting "was unauthorized and any action taken there is null and void."

"We're going to try and revitalize the post," Hagemann said. "We want to make these posts successful. We don't want to close them down."

Suspended:12 New Jersey VFW posts placed under suspension by state office

Hagemann said he met Tuesday with a Camden County post that had not met since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

"A lot of members transferred out because they weren't doing much," he said. "But a few people showed up who want to keep it going. We're going to help them move forward."

Hagemann said the state office did grant Netcong an operating exception to allow hall rentals in hopes of generating income. But Bischoff said rentals are not currently practical after a neighboring business prohibited VFW parking in its lot, which the hall had used for decades.

Bischoff said Netcong is down to about 62 members, but many are older veterans, some of whom live in Florida and rarely participate.

"I'm one of the younger guys, and I'm 60, which [the state] beats us up about," he said. "It's hard right now attracting new members."

"It hurts to see a VFW Post close in my legislative district," said state Assemblyman Brian Bergen, a West Point graduate who serves as commander of the Denville post. "As their Assemblyman and their VFW District 10 junior vice commander, I will actively support the members of Post 2347 in finding a new post to call home."

Bischoff said he called a special meeting to vote on the dissolution on Aug. 23. Hagemann said the state office will schedule its own meeting with members.

If Bischoff will not cooperate, "he'll have to be moved aside," Hagemann said.

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.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com

Twitter: @wwesthoven

Following last week’s report about the New Jersey VFW office suspending chapters statewide for various infractions, the struggling Netcong chapter, Morris County’s oldest, unanimously votes to begin dissolution.

The VFW has around 1.5 million members, a drop of a million from 1992. The average age is 67, with 400,000 members over 80. The largest organization of veterans' clubs, the American Legion, has two million members, down from 3.3 million in 1946.

America’s largest and oldest war veterans’ organization began its new membership year earlier this month with almost 1.165 million members, a million less than its peak in 1992, yet significant nonetheless, according to VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence, who attributes the growth to the organization being more visible on the national scene as well as in more than 6,000 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories, and 11 foreign countries.

Netcong redevelopment: Moving company razed for 126 apartments

A construction project representing a major component of Netcong's redevelopment plan is underway at the southern tip of Forge Pond, where borough officials and developers broke ground last week on 126 units of housing.The Bank Street complex, built on the site of the former Quirk Moving and Storage Company, will place new residents within walking distance of the Netcong train station.About 10 percent of those residents will occupy units classified as low- or moderate-income housing, which will count toward Netco...

A construction project representing a major component of Netcong's redevelopment plan is underway at the southern tip of Forge Pond, where borough officials and developers broke ground last week on 126 units of housing.

The Bank Street complex, built on the site of the former Quirk Moving and Storage Company, will place new residents within walking distance of the Netcong train station.

About 10 percent of those residents will occupy units classified as low- or moderate-income housing, which will count toward Netcong's court-mandated affordable-housing obligations.

Township Administrator Ralph Blakeslee said the 4.8-acre property was a primary focus of a borough redevelopment plan dating back to 2008.

Developers interested in a previous transit village proposal became aware of the Quirk property, Blakeslee said, "started a dialogue with Mrs. Quirk, and that became the center of our attention in terms of economic development."

The project is a joint venture involving Circle Squared Alternative Investments, CrownPoint Group and The Hampshire Companies. When completed, the development will consist of four four-story buildings totaling 180,000 square feet of space, with parking garages on the first floor.

The buildings will include a paved terrace overlooking the Musconetcong River, a two-story great room with a kitchen area for entertaining, a business center, a billiards parlor and a fitness room.

“We see tremendous opportunity in the Morris County multifamily market," said Jon Hanson, chairman of The Hampshire Companies.

Blakeslee said some residents raised concerns during the approval process about increased traffic or increased student enrollment in the borough's single-school district.

"Traffic is something we will probably have to deal with, but we don't think it's going to be significant because it is being built right," he said. "These are being built right next to the train station. The kind of residents who will be attracted here are people who use trains to commute. That's the whole idea of having a transit-oriented development."

"The majority [of units] are one- and two-bedroom, so I don't think it will have a significant impact on the school," Blakeslee added.

The redevelopment plan also stipulates a minimum setback of 25 feet from Furnace Pond.

Kickoff time:Boonton launches Morris County high school football season with resounding victory

11,000 members:Madison YMCA breaks ground on $16M expansion project

William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; [email protected].

Winning the game Netcong-based AdMagic helps independent game designers bring their ideas to market

Home>News>Winning the game Netcong-based AdMagic helps independent game designers bring their ideas to marketListen to this articleWhen Shari Spiro gets a business call, she lights up and turns on. It’s all business, sure. But she clearly loves what she does.Spiro said that, on her best days, she’s a dream maker. Her company, AdMagic in Netcong, helps ...

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Winning the game Netcong-based AdMagic helps independent game designers bring their ideas to market

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When Shari Spiro gets a business call, she lights up and turns on. It’s all business, sure. But she clearly loves what she does.

Spiro said that, on her best days, she’s a dream maker. Her company, AdMagic in Netcong, helps tabletop game designers take their ideas and bring them to life, either through publishing or helping them get into retail outlets.

“The best phone call I made yesterday was to one of my designers,” she said. “I said, ‘Your game is going into the Barnes & Noble.’

“That was one of the best phone calls I’d had in a long time because he basically said, ‘Thank you for making my dream come true.’”

But that wasn’t always the case. Spiro started AdMagic in 1997 as an advertising and promotional firm.

“We started out in ad specialties and did that for a number of years,” she said.

One day in 2003, some custom cards came across Spiro’s desk and, taken by the design possibilities, she decided to start printing custom playing cards.

“I started in custom playing cards because I liked them,” said Spiro, whose business cards are printed on the back of playing cards. “They came across one day, I looked at them and said, ‘A rectangle: That’s really easy.’

“You can print anything on a rectangle.”

Then, in 2011, AdMagic had a new client ask it to print a new card game they had been developing. It was a small run, just enough to fulfill orders the game designers had received on Kickstarter as they were trying to fund further development.

“We ran the Kickstarter run for them where I was lucky if I made $50,” she said.

That game was Cards Against Humanity. In two years, it would be well on its way to slicing out its own comfortable spot in the cultural zeitgeist.

“(Cards Against Humanity) is our flagship client,” she said. “We promote them and also fulfill some of the roles of a publisher, but they’ve really created their own culture.”

The company operates in two arms: one as AdMagic, and the other as its publishing wing, called Breaking Games.

“We bring games to shows and move stuff into retail, but it’s basically ‘indie,’” she said. “On our publishing side, which is Breaking Games, some games we do from scratch where a designer will come to us with an idea, we build the art, we test the mechanics, publish it, put it in stores and test it at conventions.

Biz in Brief
Company: AdMagic
Founder: Shari Spiro
Headquarters: Netcong
Employees: 13
One more thing: Aside from being passionate about games, Shari Spiro is also a musician who plays bass, keyboards and sings.

“Other games will come to us already made and we’ll take them to different levels by working with those people. We have a very much custom model based on both manufacturing and publishing.”

The manufacturing aspect of the business is still the largest revenue driver. It’s brought the company major growth, but the sudden demand for Cards Against Humanity, the drive that started it all, presented some real challenges for Spiro and her then four-person company.

“That first year and a half was spent just trying to keep Cards Against Humanity in production,” she said. “But it was like stepping into where I should’ve been from the beginning; it was like going home.”

Then, sitting in the audience for a panel of the designers of Cards Against Humanity, Spiro had an “a-ha!” moment: This is where she was supposed to be.

The company spent the next 18 months working to keep up with the demand for Cards Against Humanity, but one fact was clear: AdMagic was now a gaming company.

“It completely changed my path because I fell in love with games,” she said. “I went and saw one of (Cards Against Humanity’s) panels and I was laughing because they’re so funny.

“I just thought, ‘Oh, my God: This is my job now.’ This is the greatest job in the world.”

Array

Bull—-!
Shari Spiro loves a good challenge. The founder and CEO of AdMagic is passionate about her love for games and is always looking to help her clients bring new and exciting products to market.
This last Black Friday, that included “Bull—-” for Cards Against Humanity.
“It actually has (expletive) in it,” she said. “You could buy bull—- for $6 that, by the way, probably costs $7. They didn’t make any money, but they got a tremendous amount of publicity.”
The custom box included genuine bull excrement from Texas that was specially dried under UV lights.
As for Spiro’s role in taking her client’s idea and helping to make it a logistical reality?
“I did everything,” she said.

AdMagic’s products are now in major retailers across the country and continuing to spread.

“We have Cards Against Humanity going back into Target this year, along with five or six other games, and we’ll be in Barnes & Noble this year,” she said. “There’s a lot of exciting stuff going on.”

The company has distribution in Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom and Australia, as well as the United States.

“That came from traveling all over the world,” she said. “We basically just threw ourselves into it and said, ‘OK, let’s try it.’”

The company also recently purchased Print & Play in Vancouver, Washington. That new wing of the company does small runs of specialized manufacturing for the company’s Kickstarter campaigns.

“We do the prototypes and small game runs in Washington,” she said. “Designers can use it if they have an idea and want to print a prototype.”

And the company just expanded to a new warehouse space in Stanhope, the next town over.

“We have our own warehouse now, which is pretty big,” she said.

But, with all this expansion, Spiro doesn’t plan on leaving the state anytime soon. In fact, the new warehouse was purchased specifically because it was within walking distance to the company’s current location.

“I grew up in New Jersey,” she said. “I love New Jersey, and I’m not planning on leaving.”

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