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 Middletown Historical Society 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 Middletown, DE 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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“I've been with Always Best Care, Vacaville, about a year and a half and I am very pleased with the service. Their Caregivers are very kind and competent helpers. I would recommend this service to anyone and I have recommend this service to several of my friends.”
“Here's what I posted on Google and Facebook: Life would have been a lot harder without Always Best Care in my life, I have COPD and I am on oxygen full time at level 4 so doing daily chores are out question without my caregiver Ricci Anthony who has been taking tremendous care of me for 3 years this August 2022 and I thank God everyday for him. Every time he arrives he immediately says Hi checks in with me to see how I am doing. As well as, every time he departs I thank him for all that he does for me and I tell him I love him Ricci replies in same likeness. Ricci and I are incredible friends, it’s closer to a dad and son relationship. We’re both strong Christian me. As for Chelsea who does Intake and is the Schedules for Always Best Care equally an amazing individual. Don’t let her young age fool you on the contrary she is a powerhouse. She’s highly a professional, she’s industrious, highly intelligent, she’s a great friend and you can always depend on her to be in support for you. Always Best Care is always best care.”
“ABC is absolutely amazing! The staff is very caring and very friendly. always go above and beyond. They have great communication between Clients and Staff.”
“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to trust others yet Always Best Care of Philadelphia did it with ease. We happily recommend them to our family and friends. Bryant and Co. truly care as if it was their own family. God Bless and May all your Staff be safe, they are in my prayers.”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”
“Kathy McClure is a problem solver. She assisted us on Long Term Care Reimbursement and took us thru the process smoothly.”
“Nate and Charlene are the best in their field. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and your company.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”
“Dave and his staff go above and beyond with their care. They all take special interest with their clients. Also a very helpful resource in future planning and current ideas. Trust your parents to these people - they will not let you down.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use them for all your personal needs Senior or younger. They get the job done!!!”
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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.
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 Charles E. Price Memorial 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 1861 Southern Kitchen Bourbon Bar or visit Okolona (Middletown, Delaware), 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 Middletown, DE, 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 Middletown, DE 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 Middletown, DE 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.
New facility expands access to high-quality care, creates jobs and is part of ChristianaCare’s $865 million investment in Delaware over the next three yearsChristianaCare broke ground on Sept. 30 on its new Health Center at Middletown, marking a major milestone in bringing expanded, affordable and exceptional care to families in southern New Castle County and northern Kent County. The center is expected to open in spring 2027.The $92.3 million project reflects a deep investment in the health and vitality of the region a...
ChristianaCare broke ground on Sept. 30 on its new Health Center at Middletown, marking a major milestone in bringing expanded, affordable and exceptional care to families in southern New Castle County and northern Kent County. The center is expected to open in spring 2027.
The $92.3 million project reflects a deep investment in the health and vitality of the region and is part of ChristianaCare’s larger plan, announced in July, to invest more than $865 million in Delaware over the next three years.
The 87,000-square-foot Health Center will rise at 621 Middletown Odessa Rd., next to ChristianaCare’s existing freestanding emergency department. Designed as a modern, multidisciplinary hub, the facility will expand access to comprehensive services and create more than 70 new full-time jobs, boosting both community health and the local economy.
“Today we take an exciting step forward for Delaware, as part of ChristianaCare’s $865 million investment to expand access and strengthen health across our state,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and CEO of ChristianaCare. “This new health center is a promise to Delawareans: that they will have access to exceptional care close to home, delivered with love and excellence.
“More than a building, it represents our vision for healthier communities, our deep commitment to those we serve, and a future where every neighbor can thrive.”
The ChristianaCare Health Center at Middletown will bring together a wide range of services in one convenient location, including:
“We are designing care around people, not around appointments or buildings,” said Pauline Corso, president of Ambulatory Network Continuity and Growth at ChristianaCare. “From easy parking to advanced care coordination, every detail of this new center is aimed at making health care more welcoming, more connected and more human.”
ChristianaCare has been part of the Middletown community since 2009, when it first acquired the land that is now home to the freestanding emergency department. Last year, that facility provided care for more than 32,000 patient visits.
“This groundbreaking is a proud moment for our town,” said Ken Branner, mayor of Middletown. “ChristianaCare has been a trusted partner for many years, and this new facility shows a lasting commitment to our residents. It will bring top-quality care closer to home and create good jobs right here in our community.”
Participate in fall fun like corn mazes, hayrides, bonfires, and U-pick produce at these pumpkin patches, farms, and orchards across Delaware.Every fall in Delaware, locals celebrate the season with autumnal festivities like sipping pumpkin spice lattes or hot cider, wearing cozy cardigans and picking the best pumpkins. It has become a tradition across the United States to go apple and pumpkin picking in fall, and there are so many Delaware farms from which to choose.That’s why we found eight top-notch farms and orchards ...
Participate in fall fun like corn mazes, hayrides, bonfires, and U-pick produce at these pumpkin patches, farms, and orchards across Delaware.
Every fall in Delaware, locals celebrate the season with autumnal festivities like sipping pumpkin spice lattes or hot cider, wearing cozy cardigans and picking the best pumpkins. It has become a tradition across the United States to go apple and pumpkin picking in fall, and there are so many Delaware farms from which to choose.
That’s why we found eight top-notch farms and orchards around Delaware that are made for pumpkin and apple picking. So pick one close to you, then get ready to tote home a farm-fresh haul.
This Wilmington farm is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from September 13 through November 9. This small-town farm is the perfect spot for family fall festivities. Ramsey’s Farm has around 50,000 pumpkins for locals on the hunt for the perfect gourd. Plus, enjoy scheduled fall events all season like bonfire nights and goat yoga.
Hours Friday: 1-5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Night Events: Friday and Saturday 6-9 p.m.
Fall Fun Hayrides and cow train Corn maze Spookley Trail (kids’ maze) Barnyard animals (education and feeding) Pumpkin painting Pumpkin picking Produce stand Apple cider donuts and other treats Night events (bonfire, extended evening hayrides, flashlight corn maze)
500 Ramsey Rd., Wilmington | 477-1499
At Mr. Peppers Pumpkin Patch, guests can get lost in its two-acre corn maze or enjoy a scenic hayride through the fields. Open September 21 through October 31, this cute pumpkin patch has brought fall vibes to the First State since 1989 with more than 12 types of pumpkins from which to choose.
Hours Saturday: 10 a.m. – dark Sunday-Friday: noon – dark
Fall Fun Hayrides Corn maze Homemade cider Pumpkin picking Seasonal produce picking
13500 Laurel Rd., Laurel | 245-8616
Fall Fest at Fifer’s is in full swing! From September 20 through November 8, Delawareans can bring their little ones to explore Fifer Orchards’ six-acre Sesame Street-themed corn maze and pick their own pumpkins and other produce. Wagons are not provided by the farm, so don’t forget to bring a cart. Plus, enjoy a delicious lunch at Fifer’s Fresh Eats & the Farm Store. The farm offers soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizza.
Hours Farm Store: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fall Activities: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fall Fun Hayrides Corn maze Homemade cider, cider donuts, and other treats Fall U-Play area Pumpkin picking Seasonal produce picking Saturday extras (live music, baby farm animals, horse rides)
1919 Allabands Mill Rd., Camden Wyoming | 697-2141
Locals can pick their own pumpkins every weekend at Filasky’s Produce and Farm Market. From Saturday, September 20 through the end of October, Delawareans can enjoy wandering through a soybean maze (perfect for kids), taking hayrides around the fields, and snacking on delicious pumpkin donuts made by Beth’s Breads and ice cream from Woodside Farms Creamery. Until early November, guests can enjoy a cool evening with a nighttime hayride and roaring bonfire.
Hours Fall Activities: Weekends, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Farm Market: Open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fall Fun Pumpkin picking Hayrides Soybean maze for kids Local pumpkin donuts and ice cream Nighttime hayride and bonfire
1343 Bunker Hill Rd., Middletown | 378-2754
Parsons Farms in Dagsboro has been farming to bring fresh produce to the Delaware community since 1989. Guests can visit the farm to pick their own pumpkins every weekend in October.
Hours Pumpkin Picking: Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Farm Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fall Fun Goat Mountain (feed and pet the farm animals) Apple and pumpkin picking Country store Ice cream shop
30381 Armory Rd., Dagsboro | 732-3336
Middletown has numerous things to offer the local community, but one of the best is Thousand Acre Farm. This farm operates as a rustic wedding venue, but, from Labor Day through October, guests can pick from more than nine different types of apples. This family-owned and -operated wedding venue has an orchard with dwarf trees—smaller trees that are closer to the ground—that allow for easy picking. Plus, enjoy a gorgeous sunflower field at the beginning of the fall season.
Hours As a wedding venue, Thousand Acre Farm requires you to schedule a time to go apple picking. You can schedule a time
260 S. Reddy Point Rd., Middletown | 445-8880
Coleman’s may specialize in Christmas trees and holiday fun, but you can enjoy fall activities during October, too! The pumpkin patch is open weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting on September 27. Call to schedule a bonfire and soak in all the autumn vibes. The 330-acre Middletown farm has been operated by the Coleman family since 1932.
550 Silver Run Rd., Middletown | 378-8949
Driving through the center of Middletown on Main Street (Route 299) can be congested and slow now, but motorists will soon face another obstacle.The railroad crossing on West Main Street will be closed for repairs starting at 5 a.m. July 31 with the project estimated to last 11 days until Aug. 10. The crossing will be closed 24 hours a day during construction.According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, the project includes railroad crossing safety improvements at Main Street between Peterson Road and Wood Street....
Driving through the center of Middletown on Main Street (Route 299) can be congested and slow now, but motorists will soon face another obstacle.
The railroad crossing on West Main Street will be closed for repairs starting at 5 a.m. July 31 with the project estimated to last 11 days until Aug. 10. The crossing will be closed 24 hours a day during construction.
According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, the project includes railroad crossing safety improvements at Main Street between Peterson Road and Wood Street.
The Delmarva Central Railroad Company and subcontractors will replace the existing railroad crossing surface, install new railroad warning signals, modify sidewalks and pave the approaches to the crossing.
Detours will be posted.
The detour for through traffic traveling west on Main Street toward Broad Street will be to turn right (north) on Broad and travel past the Middletown Square shopping center with Planet Fitness and Mid-County Lanes, past Cedar Lane Road to the stoplight, then turn left (south) on Middletown-Warwick Road and back toward the stores along Middletown-Warwick Road and West Main Street like Food Lion or Main Street Liquors west of the railroad tracks.
Traffic heading west on Main Street from the Appoquinimink Library area will be able to cross Broad Street to get to West Main Street businesses, but before the railroad tracks, drivers will have to turn left onto South Scott Street or right onto Wood Street.
Blank & blue: After nearly 2 years, 'attractions' signs remain empty on I-95. Here's whyFor drivers traveling east wanting to go to through downtown Middletown, the suggested detour is to stay north on Middletown-Warwick Road past the intersection of West Main Street/Bunker Hill Road, go past Target and Burger King and turn right (south) on Broad Street to get back to Main Street.
Traffic from Middletown-Warwick Road turning east on Main Street will be able to continue along Main Street past Bruster’s Ice Cream, Manhattan Bagel and the Valero gas station to near the railroad tracks but then will have to turn right onto Haveg Road or left onto Peterson Road.
Neighborhood under construction near Middletown with more than 600 homesDan Menefee is owner of Great Cars used car lot, which has been in the same spot on West Main Street at Wood Street near the railroad tracks since 1989.
“I haven’t lost a lot of sleep over it, but it will affect our business,” Menefee said. “I know when they did the streetscape project, it shut us down for a couple weeks. It was tough.”
He’s hoping technology will make up for any loss of walk-in traffic. The railroad track closing coincides with the launch of a redesigned Great Cars website.
“It’s going to be awesome. We’re going to have 40 to 60 photos of each car, almost like a virtual tour,” Menefee said. “If people can’t get to us in person, they can see our entire inventory online.”
Menefee said his business will survive the temporary disruption. Customers on the east side of the tracks can still travel on Main Street to Great Cars at Wood Street, then take Wood Street to Lake Street to Broad Street, he said. From the west, customers can take the detour on Middletown-Warwick Road to Broad Street.
“We have a lot of local customers who have traded with us over the years who say they won’t go anywhere else,” he said. “We’re a small, family business and we’ve built a good reputation through the years. We treat our customers like family.”
The Middletown website shows the Delaware Department of Transportation notice about the project and the detour route.
“The downtown businesses will be open during this closure and parking on Main Street will be open,” the town's website reported.
The DART bus stop for bus route 302 on Green Street east of Broad Street will be closed during the project. Other nearby stops are on the north and south sides of East Main Street near Catherine Street.
Middletown public information officer Kristen Krenzer referred other questions about the project to the Delaware Department of Transportation, which has posted this phone number for more information: 302-760-2080.
Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate, development and business news. Reach him at [email protected].
Construction has begun on a neighborhood with 663 homes north of Middletown by a well-known Delaware builder.Schell Brothers is preparing the site for the Monarch development at 540 Ratledge Road near Lorewood Grove Road, with easy access to Routes 1, 13, 301 and 896 in the Appoquinimink School District. Homes are planned on both sides of Ratledge Road.While most of the company’s neighborhoods are near the beaches in Sussex County, Schell Brothers developed the Parkside neighborhood on Cedar Lane Road in Middletown....
Construction has begun on a neighborhood with 663 homes north of Middletown by a well-known Delaware builder.
Schell Brothers is preparing the site for the Monarch development at 540 Ratledge Road near Lorewood Grove Road, with easy access to Routes 1, 13, 301 and 896 in the Appoquinimink School District. Homes are planned on both sides of Ratledge Road.
While most of the company’s neighborhoods are near the beaches in Sussex County, Schell Brothers developed the Parkside neighborhood on Cedar Lane Road in Middletown.
The company is known for donating to nonprofits, volunteering for community service projects and opening Schellville Christmas village during the holidays in Rehoboth with free admission. Schell Brothers also builds homes in Richmond, Virginia; Nashville, Tennessee; and Boise, Idaho.
At the Monarch neighborhood, construction on homes is scheduled to start in late summer or early fall.
Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.“We’re planning to welcome our first homeowners by the end of the first quarter 2026,” said Alyssa Titus, director of marketing for Schell Brothers.
Titus said the company would be announcing prices in several weeks.
The property is 546 acres with more than 60 acres of open space plus a 3-mile walking trail.
Most lot sizes are a quarter-acre to a third-of-an-acre.
Customers can choose the size of their home, from about 1,500 to about 7,500 square feet.
Titus said a variety of customers attended the groundbreaking on June 6 or have asked about Monarch, from retired couples looking to downsize, to young families, to those looking for a multigenerational home where they can care for aging parents.
“We think we’re filling a niche that’s not widely available,” Titus said. “We’re not a custom builder. We’re a production builder, but we offer thousands of custom choices from flooring, to cabinets, counters, backsplashes, fixtures and handles.”
Titus said a customer works with an experienced designer to decide on all the choices so the customer knows the cost up front. Schell Brothers has online tools with all the options, as well as a design studio where customers can see and touch different materials.
Bayberry Town Center makes long-awaited progress on Weis Markets. Here are the detailsIn addition to the walking trail, amenities at Monarch include a resort-style clubhouse with fitness center and golf simulator, a pool, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts and a basketball court.
“The pool will be incredible,” Titus said. “There will be a splash pad for kids and we’re going to bring in palm trees to give it that tropical feel.”
For the walking trail, the company is inviting local artists to apply for the “Butterfly Bench Project,” to bring color, culture and character to the trailside, Titus said.
Artists can apply on the Schell Brothers website starting in mid-July. Each artist whose bench decoration design is selected will receive a $500 stipend or scholarship to cover supplies and work.
“We love supporting and collaborating with people in the local community,” Titus said.
Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate, development and business news. Reach him at [email protected].
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