When planning their next move, perhaps after retirement or a major health event, older adults and their families usually have two big questions: What level of support is available, and what will it cost? To help, Seniors Guide breaks down the most common senior living options – including aging in place and retirement communities, from active living to assisted and nursing care – and offers a look at the average cost of senior living in New Jersey.
In measures of care levels, the average cost of senior living in New Jersey is higher than the U.S. average. Comparing specific states, for example, New Jersey is significantly more expensive than Arkansas but less expensive, in most measures, than the state of Washington. From aging-in-place services to retirement communities and provisions for short-term needs, the cost of senior living in New Jersey varies with local cost of living, especially housing, labor, and service costs.
Aging-in-Place Services
Older adults who choose to age in place often need additional support as their care needs change over time. The cost of senior living in New Jersey depends in part upon each individual’s level of need.
Non-Medical In-Home Care
Home Care aides assist with hygiene, laundry, meals, mobility, transportation, medication reminders, and other non-medical needs. Similarly, companion care provides company and emotional support as well as help with basic chores. Visits may occur several times per week and typically last from 2 to 8 hours.
Cost info: The median hourly cost statewide1 is $38. The median daily cost is $239, which equates to $7,245 per month. In the Vineland area, the average is $176 per day, whereas the same services in metropolitan Trenton average $239 per day. Agency rates often run higher than direct-hire companion care, but agencies offer benefits such as screening and background checks, backup care, and liability protection. Costs vary by location, hours of care, minimum visit requirements, and services provided. Costs increase on weekends, holidays, and evenings.
Medical Home Health Care
Trained home health care professionals offer skilled care such as checking pulse, temperature, and respiration and assist with medical equipment such as ventilators. They visit the home as medically necessary but stay for shorter periods than Home Care aides. More intensive medical care that requires additional medical training will cost more. Similarly, the more time that a patient requires in-home help, the greater the overall cost.
Cost info: Private duty nurses and nursing services charge by the hour. The median hourly cost1 is about $105 per hour. Although that is nearly triple that of a non-medical aide, monthly and annual costs are lower since private duty nurses spend less time with patients. (Some patients may need both home care aides and nurses, depending upon their needs.)
Adult Day Care
Adult day care centers provide supervision and social activities for seniors who are aging in place. Some adult day care facilities provide additional health and therapeutic services for individuals with severe medical problems or dementia. Centers of all levels operate in a structured setting outside of the home during daytime hours, usually only on weekdays. These centers offer companionship and care for the seniors, peace of mind for families, and time for caregivers to attend to other needs.
Cost info: Adult day health care in New Jersey averages1 about $100 per day ($2,167 per month), compared with the national median of $95 per day ($2,058 per month). Costs vary by location, program type, schedule, and level of on-site medical supervision. Many centers allow flexibility in the number days a participant attends each week. Medicaid and long-term care insurance may cover some medical care costs.
Retirement Communities
Seniors looking for a new home will find a range of at options at retirement communities: from an easier lifestyle to new social outlets and activities to a bit more assistance with daily life. Understanding how these communities focus on residents’ needs and this cost of senior living in New Jersey can help older adults and their families make wise decisions.
From aging-in-place services to retirement communities and provisions for short-term needs, the cost of senior living in Maryland varies with local cost of living, especially housing, labor, and service costs.
Active Adult Homes
Homes targeting active adult living are built for zero maintenance and full accessibility in a community rich in activities and opportunities to engage the mind, soul, and body. Some of these communities, notably Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) and Life Plan Communities, have an initial entrance fee, which is intended to secure residents against the financial challenges of long-term medical care.
Cost info: Prices for this type of senior residential living cover a wide range. Properties can range from monthly rental properties to deeded real estate, both of which reflect market prices. Recurring costs can include HOA fees, activity fees, and/or amenity fees. Detached homes typically cost more than condos. Cost is also affected by location, amenities and programs, and dwelling size.
Independent Living Communities
These communities are designed for active and independent retirement-age residents. They offer a range of housing options and amenities, from simple apartment life to lavish resort-style living. They generally include full kitchens to support residents’ independence, but they allow in-home care as needed.
Cost info: Unlike Medicare-certified care settings, independent living communities are usually private-pay housing, so there is no single official statewide average. Costs vary widely by city, community, home size, amenities, meals, transportation, and additional services. Costs are best estimated through local housing data and provider rate sheets.
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments provide seniors with an independent lifestyle while offering a moderate level of help, such as daily assistance with essential necessities and services. They are usually age-restricted.
Cost info: Market-rate senior apartments in New Jersey often cost roughly $2,400 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and from about $2,850 to $2,900 per month for a two-bedroom, depending on location, size, amenities, and whether utilities are included. Rates tend to be higher in North Jersey than Central or South. Some communities also add monthly maintenance fees.
Luxury senior apartment communities can run significantly higher. Income-restricted or subsidized senior apartments may cost much less, typically based on income.
Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities support residents who need help with some daily activities, such as bathing, medication management, transportation to doctor’s appointments, and meal prep. This environment accommodates a degree of independence in a socially enriched environment.
Cost info: The median cost1 of assisted living across New Jersey is $8,710 per month ($104,520 annually). This rate is lower than the United States average, with the nation’s monthly median rate coming in at $6,200 ($74,400 annually). However, prices vary around the state. Residents of Vineland can expect to pay around $6,909 while those in metropolitan Trenton will pay closer to $9,885. Many families pay for assisted living through Social Security, veteran’s benefits, home equity, savings and retirement accounts, and/or a long-term care policy.
Skilled Nursing Care/Nursing Home
Residents at skilled nursing care facilities need additional support. Trained professionals, including registered nurses, provide care to residents, such as hygiene, basic health monitoring, prescription management, and other treatments. Social activities and special events are available to residents.
Cost info: In New Jersey, the average cost1 for a semi-private room in a skilled nursing facility is $420 per day ($12,775 per month, $153,300 per year). Private rooms average $475 per day ($14,448 per month, $173,375 per year). Costs vary across the state. In metropolitan Atlantic City, the average cost of a semi-private room is only $325 per day, while in the Trenton area, a semi-private room averages $418 per day.
Memory Care
Specialized memory care for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s is typically available as an add-on service at assisted living facilities.
Cost info: Memory care can cost 20% to 30% more than assisted living since it requires higher staffing levels, specialized dementia training, enhanced security, and structured activities. Based on New Jersey’s average assisted living cost plus 25%, that would be $358 per day, $10,888 per month. Rates vary by community, location, room type, and level of dementia care required.
Families can choose to care for a loved one with dementia at home. This would typically require 24/7 care, which can be provided by a family member and supplemented by in-home care and adult day health care (see above).
Care for short-term needs
Some services and facilities are designed to meet short-term needs, from rehabilitation after a significant health event to palliative care and hospice care, rather than serving as long-term homes.
Rehabilitation Care
Rehabilitation care offers temporary but round-the-clock services that can be provided at home, in special rehabilitation facilities, or within skilled nursing facilities. It includes therapy and care that allows seniors to regain their strength and abilities after a life-altering event and must be prescribed by a doctor.
Cost info: Short-term rehab after hospitalization can be provided in a skilled nursing facility. In New Jersey, a nursing facility stay costs1 roughly $420 per day for a semi-private room, or about $12,775 per month. Costs vary by location, facility, therapy needs, insurance coverage, and length of stay. Medicare often pays for part of this service.
Palliative Care
Palliative care focuses on bringing comfort and relief from pain, symptoms, stress, side effects, and quality-of-life concerns during a serious illness. It can be provided alongside medical treatments intended to cure the illness of prolong life.
Cost info: Costs vary widely depending upon where the care is provided, who is paying for it, and what treatment is required. Palliative care may be provided in a hospital, clinic, nursing facility, outpatient office, or at home. It is usually billed through Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or the patient’s health plan. Treatment varies, involving different doctors, specialists, medications, therapies, or services.
Hospice Care
Hospice care focuses on improving the quality of life for the terminal patient who can remain at home or receive care in a hospice facility. Hospice care provides emotional and spiritual support to the patient as well as pain management. Services generally include nursing care, physician services, medications related to the terminal illness, medical equipment, supplies, social work, counseling, and short-term respite care.
Cost info: With the appropriate doctor’s certification, hospice care is usually covered by Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, or private insurance, so many patients pay little or nothing for covered hospice services. Families may still have costs for co-pays, room and board in a nursing home or assisted living facility, private-duty caregiving, or services unrelated to the hospice diagnosis.
Additional guidance from local resources
New Jersey Human Services states that an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is designated in each of the counties to develop comprehensive, coordinated systems of community-based services for older adults. The AAAs also serve as Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) agencies ensuring seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers have easy access to information and long term services and supports. Contact the AAA and ADRC from anywhere in the nation at 877-222-3737 or visit nj.gov/humanservices/doas/assistance/county-offices/ for contact information for local offices and links to more information.
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