It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Old McFaye's Farm 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 Castle Hayne, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with.”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed,”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many”
“Watching your parents age is an emotional experience. My mother has suffered from emphysema since”
“Other Navigation through the process of finding a Memory Care Facility for my husband. The Owner.”
“Phenomenal services providing peace of mind during difficult times when your elderly loved ones need”
“I could not be happier with this service. I schedule care in 15 minute or”
“I Love Always Best Care, we have an amazing team and I am lucky to”
“I am a past client of this provider Staff helped guide and navigate options for my”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of what someone living with dementia is like. This is such a horrible disease but this helps care givers understand the disease. Thanks so much!!”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things . I didn’t know it was that bad for them and it’s very sad , I will always treat them all with care and love no matter what because there dealing with something that’s really hard to deal with .”
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“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I now know what to do differently when working with my residents. I think A all caregivers should experience this training.”
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“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and caring home health assistance to my mother who was recovering from an unexpected surgery. They were able to assist on incredibly short notice and made a difficult situation for our family much better. Each of their carers was exceptionally professional and attentive, especially Lori and Kylie who were incredible. I felt safe leaving my loved one in their care and appreciated that they went above and beyond to meet our needs. They provided regular updates to me and my family and made my mother feel so well attended, especially as she needed extra mobility and personal care help. I would absolutely not work with any other company, should we ever need home health assistance again. Highly recommend.”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me gain my mobility! They are all super nice and very helpful! Give them your trust, they have mine. If I ever need home help, it'll be through them!”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had to downsize due to an unexpected illness and Always Best Care (ABC) stepped in to make this possible. Kind, compassion, pleasant, friendly, joyful and talented professionals comprise those providing this service. I literally couldn’t have lived for at my assisted living since I had so many hospital visits each week. I didn’t want to go alone to these appointments and this freed my family from needless distress and worry about my wellbeing when they couldn’t be there. I highly recommend ABC since they are an essential component providing excellent and reliable support.”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in law transition into her new home after moving to Raleigh from Winston Salem. She has dialysis 3x a week and they have worked so hard to coordinate a schedule to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sherry continues to amaze me in how she is able to help figure out schedules and provide customer services in a kind and professional manner. We will continue to look to this wonderful service provider as her needs change and feel blessed to have them on site at Atri”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with. He was sincerely concerned about my mom and our family. He is an excellent listener and introduced me to Paige who is equally wonderful. Together they found a great place for my mother in a very short time. Paige was always available to speak on the phone and addressed my questions or concerns. I would recommend using this service for your loved one. Laura B of Raleigh”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed, and things changed constantly. My dad has a chance to live the rest of his life with dignity and my mom has a chance to live a fuller life because of the help we got from Kathryn and this team. They have a great network and valuable knowledge but what observed that makes them invaluable is that they care...and when you are on this situation I found that this is the quality that matters the most. Cannot thank them enough.”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We are very satisfied with his service and professionalism. He took his time and our requirements and found the perfect place. Highly recommend him and Always Best Care!”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many options it was confusing for me! Shawn and his team sent me several places to review and then accompanied me to visit independent living facilities. I appreciate the resources and information provided. Shawn, thank you for being focused on our family's needs and sharing your expertise. Your compassion and patience is so very appreciated!”
“Watching your parents age is an emotional experience. My mother has suffered from emphysema since the early 2000s and was diagnosed with dementia in 2018. We've worked with many companies to provide care for her and companionship. Since 2020, as my mother has significantly declined, we've had to make the decision to move her into a facility. For the past three years, Always Best, and more specifically Nancy Newcomer, has provided consistent and quality care for our family. Nancy is always on time, caring, and reliable. We've experienced companies with high turnover and feel blessed to have had Nancy's support for three years. She doesn’t do this solely for a paycheck but also checks on my dad on her days off and genuinely cares. I'd highly recommend this company to help care for your aging loved ones.”
“Other Navigation through the process of finding a Memory Care Facility for my husband. The Owner. Met with my daughter and me. We included my husband. Right away we could hear see and feel this man's compassionate heart. He cared for his own aging family members and can relate. He personally called to check in with us despite the fact that we needed a facility and not home care. Taking it one step further he went on tours with us and we discussed pros and cons without his bias of one over another. Once our loved one was placed this gentleman continued advising at our initiation of calls. He never failed to call back. Highly recommend this man.”
“Phenomenal services providing peace of mind during difficult times when your elderly loved ones need you the most. Highly recommend!”
“I could not be happier with this service. I schedule care in 15 minute or 30 minute visits for 6 visits a day. They make sure that my 96 year old mother takes her meds, walks to meals, they deliver her meals when she is too tired to walk, they water her plants, bathe her, they will help in anyway to provide the best care. Shawn Cothran, the owner, made a personal visit to her room to make sure she had all that she needs. The caregivers; Vera, Jackie, Toni, Elizabeth and many others could not be better. I highly recommend this service.”
“I Love Always Best Care, we have an amazing team and I am lucky to be surrounded by such caring hearts.”
“I am a past client of this provider Staff helped guide and navigate options for my mother. We found a new home for her and the extra attention she is now receiving has given both the family and her comfort and peace of mind. It is a challenging transition and the help was invaluable. Many thanks!”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by far the best place I've worked our boss and staff are everything.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Northern Regional Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Jung's Egg Roll Express or visit Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Castle Hayne, 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.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Castle Hayne, 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.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Castle Hayne, 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.
Published: Dec. 30, 2024 at 4:18 PM PST|CASTLE HAYNE, N.C. (WECT) - Sledge Forest, a 4,000-acre untouched natural area in Castle Hayne could soon look a little different.A Charlotte-based company, Copper Builders, aims to clear some of the land to make space for thousands of new homes, but some residents said they aren’t too happy about it.With no current plans to expand Castle Hayne Road, residents said they fear that adding 4,000 more housing units will create more problems for the already congested one-lane road...
Published: Dec. 30, 2024 at 4:18 PM PST|
CASTLE HAYNE, N.C. (WECT) - Sledge Forest, a 4,000-acre untouched natural area in Castle Hayne could soon look a little different.
A Charlotte-based company, Copper Builders, aims to clear some of the land to make space for thousands of new homes, but some residents said they aren’t too happy about it.
With no current plans to expand Castle Hayne Road, residents said they fear that adding 4,000 more housing units will create more problems for the already congested one-lane road traffic.
“I like neighbors, but I don’t want 4,000 neighbors,” said Marion Kreh, a Castle Hayne resident. “That’s one of the reasons I moved here from Wilmington; it just got too congested”
Kreh and neighbor Kayne Darrell said they’re blindsided by the decision to build over 4,000 houses on one of the largest pieces of untouched land in New Hanover County.
Motivated to take action, Darrell started the “Save Sledge Forest” petition, gathering over five thousand signatures thus far.
But Darrell said it’s about more than just “saving the trees.”
“There are 350-year-old Cypress trees, a vast array of biodiversity, plants and animals that are found there,” said Darrell. “Developing it to put 4,000 homes and a golf course and mini horse farm is not the best use of this land.”
The proposed Hilton Bluffs housing development will sit next to 3,000 acres of protected wetlands and will impact people, too.
“We’re talking about the building of infrastructure like roads, stormwater management, utilities,” said Isabelle Shepherd, executive director of Alliance for Cape Fear Trees. “All of that would encroach on that floodplain forest and threaten its delicate ecology.”
It’s that word, floodplain, that’s just another reason people here are concerned.
“I’ve talked to neighbors in my neighborhood that were like: ‘Do we need to get flood insurance now?’,” said Darrell. “We never needed it before, but if they’re going to clear-cut 1,000 acres to put in 4,000 homes, we might need to get flood insurance.”
And they might need more help to ensure Sledge Forest stays the same in 2025.
We reached out to Copper Builders about the new housing development, but they declined to comment.
Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.
If you took a drive along Sidbury Road in New Hanover County 25 years ago, you’d have seen miles of trees with a few homes scattered among them.When Cape Fear Community College’s North Campus opened there in 2002, it almost seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Then came Interstate 140 in 2005.For years, this area of northern New Hanover County – bounded by Sidbury Road, Holly Shelter Road and U.S. 421 -- has been considered by industrial and residential developers as lacking adequate infrastructure.Bu...
If you took a drive along Sidbury Road in New Hanover County 25 years ago, you’d have seen miles of trees with a few homes scattered among them.
When Cape Fear Community College’s North Campus opened there in 2002, it almost seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Then came Interstate 140 in 2005.
For years, this area of northern New Hanover County – bounded by Sidbury Road, Holly Shelter Road and U.S. 421 -- has been considered by industrial and residential developers as lacking adequate infrastructure.
But as the county prepares to expand water and sewer access and national homebuilders are clearing land for hundreds of new homes, many know it won’t be long before growth in what’s been dubbed New Hanover County’s “last frontier” catches up to the rest of the area.
For Renee Callahan, the owner of Myer’s Attic Decor and More in Castle Hayne, the signs are there.
“I bet I see six log trucks a week go by,” she said.
Those crews are clearing land for large residential building projects underway.
For instance, hundreds of housing units are planned near Sidbury Station, a single-family neighborhood near Cape Fear Community College's North Campus. Just down the road, land is being cleared for the Avenue One subdivision, which will be across from Southeast Area Technical High School.
The new developments will bring thousands of townhomes, single-family homes, and duplexes to the 5000 and 6000 blocks of Sidbury Road.
Meanwhile, nonprofit developers are working to address the need for more affordable housing in the county. These developments include Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity’s Haven Place and New Beginning Christian Church’s housing project intended for those in the workforce.
Haven Place will consist of 35 new single-family units for families earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income, while the New Beginning Christian Church development will offer 128 units for those who make between $31,000 and $74,000 annually.
So far, though, much of the major development involves two national homebuilders -- Clayton Properties Group and D.R. Horton.
That’s at least partly because those homebuilders are more likely to be able to afford the large tracts of land, said Cindee Wolf, who’s been working as a land development consultant since the 1990s.
Burrows Smith, a local developer who brought the River Bluffs development to Castle Hayne, agreed, adding that it can be harder for local developers to get financing from banks and that big corporate developers can self-finance.
Castle Hayne:How did this unincorporated area in New Hanover get a 'fortress' name?
With the expansion of water and sewer will come the opportunity for even more growth in the area.
The “Last Frontier Project,” which was created to fill the infrastructure gaps in northern New Hanover County, is expected to cost $39.6 million. It will bring clean and safe water to existing homes that have wells, while also paving the way for future development.
New water mains will be installed on Holly Shelter Road near Castle Hayne, North College Road near Castle Hayne, and Blue Clay Road. Sewer force mains will also be installed on Holly Shelter Road, Sidbury Road, Greenview West Area and Greenview East Area.
Water and sewer are expected to be available to the northern area of the county as early as December 2025.
The project has sparked concern from some residents because of the expense associated with hooking up to the public water and sewer system. Some have said that their well water is fine the way it is, while some have said that their water has been undrinkable for years.
The concern is something Commissioner Rob Zapple said he understands. But the change is needed because the Castle Hayne aquifer suffers from PFAS contamination, which has affected some wells, he said.
“Water is going to be coming to you,” Zapple said, speaking to those who want to keep their wells, “I hope you’ll allow the extension for you and your children and future generations.”
More:How Castle Hayne has evolved from dirt roads to $1 million homes
With more and more homes coming to the area, some say more commercial development is needed as well.
Callahan, the owner of Myer’s Attic Decor and More, said that while she appreciates the quaintness of Castle Hayne, the area needs more restaurants and medical offices.
Others have agreed, saying they’d like to see more options for dining out, and not just more fast food restaurants.
A new project that Smith has been working on, Moore’s Crossing, proposes a mix of residential and commercial space that might address those needs as it would allow for grocery and other retail. The development would be on land at the intersection of Chair Road and Castle Hayne Road near the Castle Hayne Road and I-140 interchange.
The area is also attracting industrial development, including the New Hanover County-owned Blue Clay Business Park.
When it comes to smaller business parks popping up in northern New Hanover, Wolf said that it’s usually local business owners who want a new space to continue their business operations, while also making the most of their land and allowing other businesses to rent out space.
PHOTOS:Tinga Nursery in Castle Hayne has been family owned since 1913
Still, there are those residents who have concerns about what’s ahead.
For example, Kayne Darrell said her family moved to Castle Hayne because of its rural feel.
“Our backyard looks out on a small lake with all kinds of wildlife visitors. I have no problem driving a little further for ‘conveniences’ to live where I do,” Darrell said. “Progress is possible without ruining the character of our small piece of paradise.”
She said she feels that calling the area the “last frontier” is a myopic view of nothing but land waiting to be developed when the northern part of the county contains the last vestiges of old growth forest, connected wildlife corridors, tree canopies and natural flora and fauna.
“We need a better vision and a new plan that promotes sustainable development, protects our wildlife habitats, our neighborhoods and our quality of place,” Darrell responded to the StarNews in a forum for northern New Hanover County.
One concern northern New Hanover County residents and other residents throughout the county have shared is clear cutting when it comes to new developments being built.
Smith, who is a native of New Hanover County and brought the River Bluffs development to northern New Hanover County around a decade ago, said that the “old way of developing” is dying out.
This way of developing, he said, can be seen in older neighborhoods throughout the county such as Landfall, Porters Neck and along Masonboro Loop Road. Developers would cut in a road and leave the trees to be cut down on a lot-by-lot basis when homes are built.
Although he acknowledged that any time a home is built there is a piece of nature that is gone, he said that developers can try to build among trees and replace them so that nature can adapt, which is what he has done in River Bluffs.
“I’ve always thought preserving the trees was beneficial in a lot of ways,” Smith said. “I mean, it really makes the neighborhood look so much better ... the folks seem to have a better attitude.”
Still, some New Hanover County community members still feel that developers are doing damage and have come before the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners to express their concerns about losing trees. Other groups have a strong social media presence, one of those being Keep Trees NC-Wilmington.
One post asked in response to the Moore’s Crossing development, “Do Castle Hayne and New Hanover County residents want more traffic and to lose their rural way of life? Could this developer be mindful of the community, keep green buffers on the property and not build to maximum density?” In general, residents responded with disappointment about the direction of development coming to the area.
But growth continues to come to New Hanover County, even as developers and community members are at odds over how to handle it. Smith said that because water and sewer are the “backbones” for developers, he expects the “last frontier” to be more urban-looking in the next 20 years.
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