Home Care In Columbus, NJ

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Old Beechwold Historic District 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 Columbus, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

Home Care Services

Home Care in Columbus, NJ
The Always Best Care Difference
Types of In-home Care in Columbus, NJ
Benefits of Home Care in Columbus, NJ
Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors
Affordable Care Plans
Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers
Assisted Living Referral Services
Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

Service Areas

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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Test for Lizeth C.

“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He”

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“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”

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Test for Jacqueline B.

“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides.”

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“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she”

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“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had”

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“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The”

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Test for Matthew T.

“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up”

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Test for Debbie T.

“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They”

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“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and”

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Test for Janet R.

“You have been outstanding in caregiving and concern for us both. We cannot thank you”

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Test for Con S.

“Gimbert and Carmen Fernandez are very knowledgeable in the area of elder care services and”

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Test for Joel R.

“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care”

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“Your service was just what I needed. I would not hesitate to use your services”

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“Mai was wonderful in every way. She gave great care to my father and also”

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Test for Elliot H.

“ALWAYS BEST CARE, Princeton Junction is the place to call if you need help in”

ALWAYS BEST CARE, Princeton Junction is the place to call if you need help in caring for a loved one. We have a brother and his significant other who were living independently and when visiting them realized they had not been eating or keeping their home clean. Since we knew of Always Best Care and heard of their excellent reputation we contacted them. They immediately stepped in and assisted us in knowing what steps we needed to take. After taking both our brother and his significant other to the doctors and learning that they had the beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease, we met with Carmen who helped us set up a plan. She suggested that we start with a few days a week of in home care so that we would know that they were eating. She provided us with excellent aids that not only helped prepare meals, but also interacted with our family members to encourage socialization. These few days increased to five days a week which left us with Saturday and Sunday to monitor their eating. While this was taking place, Carmen helped us find an Assisted Living Community where they could move. We visited several in the area and decided on one after consulting with Carmen. She and Gimbert were always available to take our calls if we had any questions. They helped us with finding someone to clean out the house and assisted us in relocating our bother and his significant other to their new home. We have recommended Always Best Care to several of our neighbors who have needed assistance with caring for loved ones. Carmen is on top of any situation that needs attention. Whether a person needs an aid for a week, a month or indefinitely she arranges the right person for the client’s needs. Always Best Care, Carmen and Gimbert, cared for our family members as if they were their own family. We would not have been able to care for our family members as well as the aids from Always Best Care.Hopefully we will not need the services of Always Best Care again, but if we do we know that they will be there to help us.

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Test for Kimberly J.

“It was a pleasure meeting Carmen! I appreciate the time she spent with me -”

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Test for Joel R.

“My wife and I are eternally grateful to Always Best Care for the wonderful care”

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Test for Peter S.

“Angela was a very thorough, compassionate, and kind aide.”

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“We very much appreciate your flexibility, attention, and care”

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Lizeth C.

Taylor B.

Jacqueline B.

Manuel T.

Kevin J.

Eric S.

Matthew T.

Debbie T.

Francena R.

Janet R.

Con S.

Joel R.

Kathie D.

Arthur

Elliot H.

Kimberly J.

Joel R.

Peter S.

Sonia T.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Columbus, NJ?

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.

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Types of Elderly Care in Columbus, NJ

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal 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:

Eating
Mobility Issues
Incontinence

Bathing
Dressing
Grooming

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Home Helper Services

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:

Medication Reminders
Meal Preparation
Pet Care
Prescription Refills

Morning Wake-Up
Walking
Reading

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Companionship Services

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 Goodale Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

Grocery Shopping
Transportation to Appointments
Nutritional Assistance
Conversation

Planning Outings
Completing Errands
Transportation to Community
Events and Social Outings

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Respite Care Services

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 Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, Columbus or visit Thurber House, 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.

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Benefits of Home Care in Columbus, NJ

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:

Age in Place

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.

Peace of Mind

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.

Socialization

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.

Personalized Care Plan

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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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 - 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.

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

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 Columbus, 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.

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your NJ's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 Columbus, 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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:

Housekeeping
Laundry
Recreational Activities
Social Outings
Emergency Medical Response
Medication Monitoring
Family Visitation
Personal Care

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:

Cherry Blossom Senior Living
The Woodlands of Columbus
Danbury Columbus
Mayfair Village Retirement Center
Wesley Glen
The Villas at St. Therese - Assisted Living

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.

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 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 Columbus, 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.

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Eighth grader from Union City wins 2023 Knights of Columbus NJ State Spelling Bee

Eighth grader Rose Kalupahana from St. Francis Academy in Union City became champion of the 2023 Knights of Columbus New Jersey State Spelling Bee after defeating 10 other state finalists in a competition at Brick Township’s Church of the Epiphany in April.For her victory, Rose Kalupahana received a commemorative plaque after besting three other public and private school students from within the Archdiocese of Newark’s four counties — Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union — as well as seven teens from schools in the...

For her victory, Rose Kalupahana received a commemorative plaque after besting three other public and private school students from within the Archdiocese of Newark’s four counties — Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union — as well as seven teens from schools in the Camden and Metuchen dioceses.

Kalupahana previously earned her spot in the state finals after placing in the top four of the archdiocesan spelling bee, which was held at Immaculate Conception Church in Secaucus in March. All Knights of Columbus contests are open to both private and public school children.

“It feels great to be the Knights of Columbus state champion speller,” said Rose. “My mindset was to win, and I went home with a great title and award, and I thank God for this. I have won thanks to my family, my school — St. Francis Academy — my friends, and most importantly, God.”

The Knights of Columbus spelling bees have had public and private school eighth graders within the Archdiocese competing since 2005, where they first compete at the school level before advancing to the Archdiocesan and state rounds.

Besides Rose, this year’s archdiocesan state finalists were Edbert Aquino of the Academy of Our Lady of Grace in Fairview, Jayden Papasavas of Corpus Christi School in Hasbrouck Heights, and Ian Soto of Veteran’s Middle School in North Arlington.

The Archdiocese of Newark serves around 1.3 million Catholics throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties, with 212 parishes, 73 Catholic schools, as well as missions and ministries. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, leads the Archdiocese with four auxiliary bishops.

For more information about St. Francis Academy in Union City and the Archdiocese of Newark’s 72 other Catholic schools, visit https://catholicschoolsnj.org.

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Eighth grader from Union City wins 2023 Knights of Columbus NJ State Spelling Bee

For more information about St. Francis Academy in Union City and the Archdiocese of Newark’s 72 other Catholic schools, visit https://catholicschoolsnj.org.

Goodbye Columbus, Hello Tubman: Statue Marks New Age In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Farewell Christopher Columbus, hello Harriet Tubman.On Thursday, Newark officials and community members gathered in Harriet Tubman Park at the intersection of Washington and Broad Streets – formerly known as Washington Park – for the unveiling of a massive new monument to the legendary abolitionist.Brick City native Queen Latifah was among those in attendance at the unveiling, which drew enth...

NEWARK, NJ — Farewell Christopher Columbus, hello Harriet Tubman.

On Thursday, Newark officials and community members gathered in Harriet Tubman Park at the intersection of Washington and Broad Streets – formerly known as Washington Park – for the unveiling of a massive new monument to the legendary abolitionist.

Brick City native Queen Latifah was among those in attendance at the unveiling, which drew enthusiastic praise for the monument’s designer, Nina Cooke John (watch the video below). Other luminaries present at the highly anticipated event included Michele Jones Galvin – Harriet Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece.

The statue honors Tubman, who escaped slavery in Maryland, returned to bring her family to freedom, and became one of the most iconic conductors on the Underground Railroad. The monument also includes an audio experience narrated by Latifah and crafted by Audible, which has a headquarters in the city.

Want to see how it was made? Watch some videos here.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"In a country where the overwhelming majority of monuments are testaments to white males, Newark has chosen to erect a monument to a Black woman who was barely five feet tall, but had the visage and power of a giant,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

Council President LaMonica McIver said the tribute is long overdue.

"This is something we all can and should be proud of," she said.

The new tribute to Tubman stands on the site of a statue of Christopher Columbus that was removed by the city in 2020. That statue was donated to the city as a gift from the Italian American community in 1927. Read More: Newark Removes Columbus Monument From Washington Park

“In keeping with the movement to remove symbols of oppression and white supremacy, we have decided to remove the statue,” Baraka said at the time. “We took it down with city work crews in a safe and orderly manner, to avoid the potential danger of people taking it upon themselves to topple it.”

“The removal of this statue should not be perceived as an insult to the Italian American community,” Baraka added. “It is a statement against the barbarism, enslavement and oppression that this explorer represents.”

The decision to remove the statue has inspired its own wave of artistic interpretations, including a massive public mural on Treat Place, which depicts a young, Black girl standing in front of its base. Read More: Public Art In Newark Tells Powerful Stories About Social Justice

Newark isn’t the only municipality in Essex County to bid farewell to a Columbus monument in the recent past.

In 2019, former West Orange Mayor Robert Parisi announced that the township was removing a monument to Christopher Columbus from a local intersection because it is "divisive" and a "symbol of hate and oppression." Parisi said the decision was made after speaking to local residents and the organization that installed it and maintained it over the years. A pair of petitions — one demanding its removal and another urging its preservation — each garnered hundreds of signatures. Read More: West Orange To Remove Columbus Monument Amid Fierce Debate

While many Essex County residents have enthusiastically supported removing Columbus monuments from their towns, others have been just as staunchly opposed.

Some members of the local Italian community have pushed back against the movement to replace his statues, insisting that Columbus is a hero deserving of respect. Read More: Tributes To Columbus In Essex County: 'A Great American Holiday'

But to many people, including the designer of Newark’s newest monument, seeing Tubman’s face in the park instead of Columbus will be a welcome change.

“As a woman, a Black woman, and mother of three girls, I am delighted to bring my memorial for Harriet Tubman to life in Newark,” Cooke John said in 2021 after city officials announced her design, “Shadow of a Face,” had been chosen.

“My design creates a welcoming space for people to connect with Tubman as well as interact and reflect on their own liberation from whatever weight they might be carrying,” she said. “This is a monument for the community and by the community.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to [email protected]. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.

Happy Columbus Day: These are the most Italian towns in New Jersey

Happy Columbus Day!Christopher Columbus is often seen as a pioneering explorer of the New World but the national holiday was created in 1934 as part of an effort to celebrate Italian-American heritage.A lot has changed. Today, Columbus is falling out of favor as someone who should be celebrated. In New York City, at a time when the mayor was an Italian-American, police had to ...

Happy Columbus Day!

Christopher Columbus is often seen as a pioneering explorer of the New World but the national holiday was created in 1934 as part of an effort to celebrate Italian-American heritage.

A lot has changed. Today, Columbus is falling out of favor as someone who should be celebrated. In New York City, at a time when the mayor was an Italian-American, police had to stand guard at the famous statue in Columbus Circle to ward off vandals dead set on plastering the Columbus monument in red paint.

What hasn't changed is that the Garden State remains home to many Italian-Americans.

New Jersey has more than 1.45 million residents of Italian ancestry, according to U.S. Census data.

Below is a list of the 22 municipalities with more than 10,000 residents of Italian ancestry.

Further down is a list of the 10 towns with the highest percentage of Italian-Americans.

The figures are 2015 estimates by the American Community Survey.

Greatest total of Italian-Americans

Toms RiverPopulation: 91,239 / Italian-Americans: 29,778

BrickPopulation: 75,072 / Italian-Americans: 23,782

MiddletownPopulation: 66,522 / Italian-Americans: 22,145

Hamilton - MercerPopulation: 88,464 / Italian-Americans: 20,559

JacksonPopulation: 54,856 / Italian-Americans: 17,202

Washington Twp - GloucesterPopulation: 48,559 / Italian-Americans: 17,138

Gloucester TwpPopulation: 64,634 / Italian-Americans: 17,004

HowellPopulation: 51,075 / Italian-Americans: 14,960

WaynePopulation: 54,717 / Italian-Americans: 14,810

Old BridgePopulation: 65,375 / Italian-Americans: 14,203

WoodbridgePopulation: 99,585 / Italian-Americans: 13,503

Jersey CityPopulation: 247,597 / Italian-Americans: 12,840

BerkeleyPopulation: 41,255 / Italian-Americans: 12,802

VinelandPopulation: 60,724 / Italian-Americans: 12,404

ManalapanPopulation: 38,872 / Italian-Americans: 12,390

HobokenPopulation: 50,005 / Italian-Americans: 12,214

ManchesterPopulation: 43,070 / Italian-Americans: 11,414

Evesham TwpPopulation: 45,538 / Italian-Americans: 10,801

FreeholdPopulation: 36,184 / Italian-Americans: 10,453

BayonnePopulation: 63,024 / Italian-Americans: 10,183

NutleyPopulation: 28,370 / Italian-Americans: 10,159

Monroe Twp – GloucesterPopulation: 36,129 / Italian-Americans: 10,013

Greatest percentage of Italian-Americans

Fairfield Twp - EssexPopulation: 7,466 / Italian-Americans: 3,942 — 52.8%

Wood-Ridge Population: 7,626 / Italian-Americans: 3,520 — 46.2%

Ocean GatePopulation: 2,011 / Italian-Americans: 880 — 43.8%

LavallettePopulation: 1,875 / Italian-Americans: 821 — 43.8%

HammontonPopulation: 14,791 / Italian-Americans: 6,425 — 43.4%

Newfield Population: 1,553 / Italian-Americans: 655 — 42.2%

Cedar GrovePopulation: 12,411 / Italian-Americans: 5,040 — 40.6%

East Hanover Population: 11,157 / Italian-Americans: 4,526 — 40.6%

EmersonPopulation: 7,401 / Italian-Americans: 2,828 — 38.2%