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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Leland, NC

Home Care Leland, NC

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 Alfred Rehder Tree in Leland, NC 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 Leland, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Leland, NC

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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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TESTIMONIALS

“Alice Sharper is a wonderful helper. She always looks out for my health and she does chores around the house without being asked. She has driven me to multiple appointments. She is always is an up mood. Camille Bialik”

Dan B.
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“I've done the dementia virtual training experiment with a previous employer. The experience with Always Best Care was by far a better experience. Truly a heart felt opportunity to walk in the shoes of someone living with dementia. Thank you ????????”

Angel W.
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“"Virtual Dementia Tour" was awesome - an eye opener in helping to understand.”

Mike M.
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“We moved my mother-in-law in with us fifteen months ago. ABC has been providing excellent care since then. Her current caregivers are Felicia, Katherine, Yolanda and Robin. They all have been professional and easy to work with. I've enclosed a picture from Brownie-Making-Day. Thank you to all for a great job.”

Crystal J.
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“Very promising????”

Gygett U.
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“Ive always been a old soul,being with elderly people helps my mental health and warms my heart. Theve given so much of their lives to their families and they should be comfortable for the remainder of their days. I love ABC because I can set my own hours,and that being said,give more time and love to Mrs. Dina without feeling pressure.”

Lisa B.
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“A good company that cares for both employees and clients.”

katherine V.
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“ABC Wake Forest has been a blessing to me and my family! The compassion ans dedication for my mom was the best. Wonderful caregivers and staff!”

Christina D.
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“Wonderful company! Best services.”

Afton H.
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“Wonderful company!”

Artisha B.
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“Great company !!”

Krystal P.
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“Absolutely love this company”

Devra
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“Great company even better staff”

Loren
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“This is an amazing company and the staff do an amazing job.”

Asia A.
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“Great company”

Ty W.
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“Always Best Care is the most respectful nicest company I’ve work with I love working with them.”

Nikita R.
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“I love Always Best Care, it’s a great company….”

Brandi P.
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“Great company”

Keith A.
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“Always great”

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“Great people ‼️‼️‼️‼️❤️❤️❤️”

kay W.
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“Wonderful services!”

Jimmy S.
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“This is a lovely company and wonderful services.”

Sandra
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“I love being in the atmosphere of ABC ! They’re so energetic and just all around a great place to be with !”

Sha’Niyah R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care Senior Services is an outstanding in-home care agency that truly raises the bar when it comes to senior care. Their team of caregivers are not only skilled and dependable but also genuinely compassionate and committed to the well-being of every individual they serve. If you are looking for a dedicated and trustworthy agency to support aging loved ones, Always Best Care is one I would confidently recommend.”

Alexis F.
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“Great experience, and the best company the staff treat you like human being.”

jhbryant621

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Leland, NC?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Leland, NC

Types of Elderly Care in Leland, NC

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

Personal Care

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

Respite Care Leland, NC
Home Helper

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
 Caregivers Leland, NC
Companionship Services

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 Westgate Nature Park in Leland, NC 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
Home Care Leland, NC
Respite Care

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 Christopher's Steakhouse and Seafood or visit Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, 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.

 In-Home Care Leland, NC

Benefits of Home Care in Leland, NC

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:

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 Leland, NC, 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.

 Elderly Care Leland, NC

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 NC'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.
 Senior Care Leland, NC

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 Leland, NC 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.


Respite Care Leland, NC

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
 Caregivers Leland, NC

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:

  • The Bluefields Memory Care
  • The Brunswick Center at Leland
  • AssistedCare At Home
  • Arbor Landing at Compass Pointe
  • Word of Life Outreach Inc
  • Brunswick Cove Living Center
Home Care Leland, NC

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.

 In-Home Care Leland, NC

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Leland, NC 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.

 Elderly Care Leland, NC

Latest News in Leland, NC

Novant Plans For Leland Hospital, Brunswick Expansion

Novant Health announced plans Monday to expand its footprint in Brunswick County, including a new hospital in Leland.Novant has submitted a certificate of need application to build a 20-bed hospital in Leland, according to a news release. This would be the first new hospital in Brunswick County since 2011, when the 74-bed Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center opened in Bolivia.The new hospital, to be called the Novant Health Leland Medical Center, would be located on just over 40 acres near the intersection of Fawnbrook Way an...

Novant Health announced plans Monday to expand its footprint in Brunswick County, including a new hospital in Leland.

Novant has submitted a certificate of need application to build a 20-bed hospital in Leland, according to a news release. This would be the first new hospital in Brunswick County since 2011, when the 74-bed Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center opened in Bolivia.

The new hospital, to be called the Novant Health Leland Medical Center, would be located on just over 40 acres near the intersection of Fawnbrook Way and U.S. 74/76 in Leland, according to a certificate of need application Novant submitted to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services last week.

The land is part of Terrapin, a neighborhood set to hold about 2,800 homes in Leland. Logan Developers Inc. broke ground on the nearly 1,000-acre master-planned community in January.

Development of the two-story, 142,460-square-foot hospital is expected to cost more than $251 million and could accept patients beginning in January 2030, according to the certificate of need application.

The hospital will serve as a new campus of Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, according to the application. Novant plans to relocate 20 licensed acute care beds from Brunswick Medical Center to the new hospital location. Novant also plans to develop five procedure rooms, four of which will be constructed to operating room standards. Four of the acute care beds will be intensive care unit beds.

Novant’s application highlights Brunswick County’s growing population and states that the new hospital aims to bring health care closer to patients.

“Current patient destination data indicate that a significant proportion of Brunswick County residents travel outside the county – most often to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NH New Hanover) – for acute care services,” the application states. “This project is designed to redirect care back into the county, bringing services closer to where patients live.”

The site eyed for the hospital is made up of two parcels. Novant could purchase the larger 37-acre parcel for $350,000 per acre, according to the certificate of need application. The purchase price for an adjacent 5-acre parcel is listed as just over $2 million. Novant is under contract to purchase the land needed for the project, according to spokesperson Julian March.

If the certificate of need is approved, the application states that the site would need to be rezoned for a medical center.

Novant has also submitted a certificate of need application to develop a new freestanding emergency department near U.S. 17 in Carolina Shores. The $24.2 million project would operate under the Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center license and is expected to open in September 2028.

Plans for the emergency department aim to “close a critical gap in emergency medical access for the southern portion of Brunswick County.”

“Currently, this North Carolina region relies solely on two existing hospital-based Emergency Departments (EDs) – one in Bolivia and one in Southport – both of which are a significant and challenging distance from the Carolina Shores area,” the application states. “Due to high population growth and seasonal tourist traffic, particularly along the U.S. 17 corridor, patients face unacceptably long transit times, where delays can range from a half-hour to over an hour.”

Novant also plans to invest in Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, including an expanded MRI space and a new cardiac catheterization lab. The new lab will allow patients to receive interventional cardiology procedures, such as stent placements, without having to travel outside the county, according to the release.

These plans complement ongoing construction for an ambulatory surgery center in the Leland area, which broke ground earlier this year. The center is slated to open in 2026.

“Our strategic efforts are designed to expand access to care close to home to meet the current and future care needs of this community,” Ernie Bovio, president of the Novant Health Coastal Region, stated in the release. “Novant Health has proudly served Brunswick County for nearly 20 years, and we’re excited to continue to add facilities and recruit needed physicians to secure healthcare access throughout the county.”

In the release, Laurie Whalin, president, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and acute care operations for the Novant Health Coastal Region, stated the plans could expand access throughout the county.

“Our existing inpatient and emergency care is concentrated in the middle of the county, so we’re focused on extending care options to better serve population centers throughout the county,” she wrote. “We’re also continuing to explore other opportunities to grow care in this community and throughout the region.”

D Logan of Logan Developers said he's excited about Novant's plans.

He said, "I think it will add great value to the (Terrapin) community and its residents and to the community overall."

Leland bans land-clearing burns following days of smoky skies

Leland residents who wanted an end to land-clearing burning got their wish on Oct. 20.Following recent land clearing for a future shopping center site, Leland officials adopted an ordinance that immediately stopped land clearing open burning. Despite the effort to help, some residents left with feelings of disgust.The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality describes open burning as controlled outdoor fires. These fires range from small residential yard fires to burn debris, to commercial land-clearing fires that pav...

Leland residents who wanted an end to land-clearing burning got their wish on Oct. 20.

Following recent land clearing for a future shopping center site, Leland officials adopted an ordinance that immediately stopped land clearing open burning. Despite the effort to help, some residents left with feelings of disgust.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality describes open burning as controlled outdoor fires. These fires range from small residential yard fires to burn debris, to commercial land-clearing fires that pave the way for construction and land development, the NCDEQ website states.

Motorists driving through Leland and Brunswick Forest residents noticed smoky air in mid-October as fire burned debris along U.S. 17 across from Brunswick Forest's commercial area.

The land-clearing fires were at the Leland Village shopping center site, formerly called Savannah Branch Town Center. The burned forest floor will eventually be home to Publix, Marshalls, Ulta Beauty and more.

Leland Town Council called a special meeting on Oct. 20 to discuss open burning after many residents shared concerns about public health risks from the outdoor flames. The meeting did not include public comments.

What is a burn ban, and who enacts them? | MyReporter

Is open burning for land clearing allowed?

Under North Carolina law, open burning of leaves, branches and some plant growth is allowed but there are limits and rules to what can be burned outdoors, and when, per the NCDEQ website. For example, yard waste and commercial land clearing burning are only allowed from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and burning trash and non-vegetative materials is prohibited.

"In addition to the state open burning rules, you may also be subjected to local ordinances, local burn bans or permitting requirements from the N.C. Forest Service," the NCDEQ website states.

Leland officials change open burning rules for town

Town council members on Oct. 20 unanimously adopted an ordinance immediately prohibiting land clearing burning within town limits. Prior to the new ordinance, open burning of natural vegetative debris was allowed within Leland if burn permits were obtained.

Leland Town Manager David Hollis described the proposed ordinance to the crowded room but did not read it in its entirety. In addition, no copy of the ordinance was released before the meeting.

Land clearing burning causes "significant risks to public health, safety and welfare," the ordinance states. Smoke from open burning for land clearing purposes can create emotional and physical distress for people with health condition, and dangerous conditions for motorists by impeding road visibility, per the ordinance.

Developers are encouraged to dispose of land clearing debris by transporting it to a permitted solid waste facility or chipping and mulching, or composting facility.

The ordinance states it was crafted to protect air quality, reduce potential fire hazards and wildfires, and improve public health.

Residents blame board members and election pressure

Residents Brian Gudely, Gary Ostby and Shaunda Blake said they believe the ordinance adoption was fueled by election pressure, not residential outcry for change. All three residents expressed frustrations with council members' delayed actions and the town not publicizing the proposed ordinance prior to its adoption.

"You go outside and you can't even breathe," said Gudely, noting he moved to the area to escape wildfires.

Ostby said land clearing burning was an issue 13 years ago, when he moved to Brunswick Forest, and that he feels "disgust" about the issue not being addressed sooner.

Blake and Ostby claim they had no idea the town was crafting a new land clearing burning ordinance and question why the town did not take action when similar complaints were brought up about a year ago.

"This problem has existed as long as these major developers have existed. So, this is not new, it's age old... They could have done what they just did tonight a year ago," Ostby said.

Both Gudely and Ostby said they believe they are not represented by existing town council and hope to see a new board.

"The problems that we are having as a town are very specific to not focusing on the needs of the residents,'" Ostby said.

Development has significantly changed Leland in recent years, said Ostby, noting many residents are unhappy with what Leland has become and blame a developer-supported local government.

"It was just a nice area," Ostby said. "That's not what you have today. What you have is density, and density brings all kinds of issues."

Big chain convenience store submits plans for more Wilmington-area locations

Violation fees of land clearing open burning

The NCDEQ website states the North Carolina Division of Air Quality enforces state open burning regulations and that law violators can be fined up to $25,000.

In Leland, violating the new ordinance results in a class 3 misdemeanor and $500 per day, per violation fine, Hollis said. The fire chief could also order civil citations that add an additional $500 per day, per violation fee if the order is not addressed within 24 hours, per the ordinance.

Council member Veronica Carter said staff has worked to make the ordinance "as tough and as permanent as possible."

Despite residents wishing the fines to be higher, Hollis said state law restricts the town to a $500 maximum for violating the land clearing burning ordinance.

Are residents still allowed to burn debris?

Residents are still allowed to burn yard debris, have camp a fire or use fire for personal heating or cooking within the state fire prevention code, Hollis said. Fires used for forestry management, fire fighting training, agriculture and wildlife management purposes are also not impacted by the adopted ordinance, Hollis said.

More burning questions and discussions

The town will host an open burning workshop at 3 p.m. on Nov. 10 in the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way. Presentations on current regulations, enforcement and applicability in Leland and a public comment period will be included in the workshop, per a town of Leland news release.

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Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at.

Several new restaurants are opening soon in Leland. Here's the latest.

(This story has been updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)New restaurants and fast-food places are inching closer to grand openings in northern Brunswick County.Several chain restaurants have announced they are coming to the town of Leland in the past year, many of which are working their way toward opening day. As September begins and construction sites finish up, some anticipated projects could take longer than expected.With some restaurants already undergoing site work and other project...

(This story has been updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)

New restaurants and fast-food places are inching closer to grand openings in northern Brunswick County.

Several chain restaurants have announced they are coming to the town of Leland in the past year, many of which are working their way toward opening day. As September begins and construction sites finish up, some anticipated projects could take longer than expected.

With some restaurants already undergoing site work and other projects still under review by the town of Leland, how much longer must residents wait until new food options are available?

Here's an update on four popular food spots coming to Leland.

McAlister's Deli has little ways to go

McAlister's Deli is setting up shop at 1109 New Pointe Boulevard in Leland. This will be the company's 28th location in the state and second in the Wilmington area.

The new deli will be in an already-built retail space, next to The Fuzzy Peach Frozen Yogurt Bar.

McAlister’s Deli received a building permit in March and interior work on the deli has been going on for a few months now, Leland Communications Manager Jessica Jewell previously said. Interior work, like the kitchen hood system, is not yet completed as of Sept. 3, Jewell said.

McAlister's Area Supervisor Barry Brewton said staff training will start Sept. 22, noting the restaurant will open approximately one week after training.

Little Caesars coming in hot and ready

With the former GameStop located in the Shoppes at Westgate shopping center gone, Leland's first Little Caesars pizza restaurant is taking its place.

The new restaurant will be take-out only, as stated in a project document obtained by StarNews.

The Little Caesars renovations in the commercial space began in April after the project was approved.

Patrick O'Connell, owner of the new Little Caesars, said residents can plan to see a grand opening the first week of October.

In August 2025, the business received several permit approvals. However, there is still some work that needs to be done before opening day.

Panda Express crawls toward completion

Panda Express submitted site plans for a restaurant to the town of Leland in late July 2024. The 2,700-square-foot Chinese fast food restaurant will be located in Leland Town Center, near the intersection of Gateway Boulevard and Ocean Gate Plaza.

In March 2025, Panda Express was issued a building permit with an end date of Sept. 13. As of Sept. 3, the building is still under construction.

Texas Roadhouse in review

Texas Roadhouse is slated to open in 2026 at Leland Town Center, according to a news release from C&S Commercial Properties in January 2025.

A sketch plan for the 7,926-square-foot restaurant has been submitted and is currently under review by town staff, Jewell said. The draft plan places the restaurant near the roundabout at Gateway Boulevard and Tradeway Drive in Leland. Draft plans include 152 parking spaces.

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Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at .

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