Home Care in New Jersey
New Jersey is located in the Northeast's mid-Atlantic region. It has a population of 8.8 million, of which 16.6% are seniors. The state is popular with seniors thanks to its expansive coastline and beautiful beaches. New Jersey is one of the few states to fully experience all four seasons, giving active seniors who appreciate the great outdoors many opportunities to explore national and state parks.
New Jersey has a SeniorScore of 72, equal to the national average. The SeniorScore indicates how desirable a state is for seniors to live in, based on metrics such as the climate, access to health care, the cost of living, public safety and recreation options. The state scored 74 for Health and Safety. Residents have an average life expectancy of 80.3, 1.7 years longer than the national average. It also scores highly for General Quality of Life due to the generally mild weather.
This guide examines the cost of home care and related services in New Jersey, the financial assistance available to pay for home care services and the free home care resources that seniors can make use of to allow them to remain in their homes for longer during their retirement.
Top Home Care Agencies in New Jersey
Located at 162 East Washington Ave in Washington, New Jersey, Warren County Public Health Nursing Agency is a senior home health care company offering personal home care as well as in-home health services. Since 1967, they have been helping customers ...
Located within the Hiltonia area of Trenton, New Jersey, Greenwood House is a 137 room senior care community. The facility is in a generally wealthier area, with a median household income of $78,490. It has a medium-density ...
Home Health Services of Hackensack is a home healthcare provider based in Hackensack, New Jersey at 21 Main Street, Suite 252. They offer personal home care services and also home health care for senior clients. They have been in ...
Located in Morristown, NJ at 175 South St, Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey is a senior home healthcare service provider offering home health care and also personal care. Since 1966, they have been serving seniors in the Morristown ...
Located in Lakewood, NJ at 1970 Swarthmore Ave Ste 2, Home Instead Senior Care is a senior home healthcare company that offers home care in addition to in-home nursing services. They provide various medical services such as care for wounds, ...
Located in Fort Lee, NJ at 2125 Center Ave Ste 111, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a home care service provider that offers in-home medical services and also personal care services. They offer First Aid / CPR and Alzheimer's ...
Located at 15 Essex Road, Suite #301 in Paramus, New Jersey, Valley Home Care is a senior home health care provider offering in-home health services and also in-home care. They have been providing care in the area for nearly 52 ...
Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a senior home healthcare company based in Ramsey, NJ at 17 S Franklin Tpke Ste 3. They offer in-home health services and also personal home care services for senior clientele. They provide various ...
Located at 415 Amwell Rd Ste 207 in Hillsborough, New Jersey, Visiting Angels is a home health care company that offers personal home care and also in-home health care. They provide CPR and memory care. Additionally, they provide a ...
Located in Westwood, NJ at 400 Old Hook Rd Suite G6, Bergen Care Home Health is a senior home healthcare provider offering in-home personal care services as well as in-home nursing services. For almost 32 years, they have been providing ...
Bayada Home Health Care, Inc is a home health care provider based in Jersey City, New Jersey at 299 Grand St. They offer in-home health care in addition to personal care to senior clientele. They have been in operation ...
Located in Trenton, NJ at 2360 Route 60 Ste 160, Comfort Keepers is a senior home care service provider that offers in-home nursing services and in-home personal care. They can provide various medical services such as speech therapy, memory care, ...
Comfort Keepers is a senior home healthcare provider based in Westwood, New Jersey at 120 Washington Ave. They provide in-home care in addition to in-home medical care to senior clients. They offer various medical services such as licensed nurses, ...
Located at 300 Harper Dr in Moorestown, NJ, Moorestown Visiting Nurse Association is a senior home care service provider offering personal care and home healthcare. They have been providing care in Moorestown for nearly 52 years. They can provide different ...
Located in Bayonne, NJ at 325 Broadway, Bayonne Visiting Nurse Association is a home healthcare provider that offers personal care services and also home health services. For almost 52 years, they have been serving customers throughout the Bayonne area. They ...
Located at 171 Jersey St in Trenton, New Jersey, Vna Home Care of Mercer County is a home health care company offering in-home personal care services and in-home nursing care. For nearly 52 years, they have been providing care to ...
Located at 564 Lakehurst Rd Ste 3 in Toms River, NJ, Comfort Keepers is a home health care company offering home care services as well as in-home medical care. They can provide multiple medical services including blood pressure management, dementia ...
Home Helpers is a senior home care service provider located in Ventnor City, NJ at 6601 Ventnor Ave. They provide in-home medical services as well as home care for senior clients. They provide multiple personal services like companionship, help ...
Located at 1101 Wheaton Ave in Millville, New Jersey, Bayada Home Health Care is a home healthcare service provider offering in-home medical services in addition to personal care. For nearly 21 years, they have been providing care to seniors in ...
Located in Hoboken, NJ at 50 Harrison St Ste 218, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a home health care provider that offers in-home medical care and home care services. They offer various personal services like help with reading, shopping ...
The Cost of Home Care in New Jersey
The Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2019 lists the average cost of home care in New Jersey as $4,767 per month. These services provide assistance with the activities of daily living, companionship and other nonmedical services. Home health care services, which also include basic medical care, are similarly priced. Fees in New Jersey are slightly higher than the national averages of $4,290 for home care and $4,385 for home health care.
The Cost of Home Care in New Jersey Compared to Nearby States
Home care fees in New Jersey are higher than in most areas of the United States and most neighboring states. Costs for home care services are similar in Delaware, which is $96 lower per month for home care and the same for home health care. Home care agencies in Pennsylvania and Connecticut are less expensive than in New Jersey. In New York, the cost of home care is the same as in New Jersey, but home health care is more costly.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
New Jersey | $4,767 | $4,767 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Delaware | $4,671 | $4,761 |
Pennsylvania | $4,385 | $4,481 |
Connecticut | $4,195 | $4,576 |
New York | $4,767 | $4,957 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in New Jersey
In addition to home health care and home care, seniors in New Jersey also have the options of adult day care services, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Adult day care is the most affordable option, at $1,842 for care provided in a group setting. Assisted living facilities that provide room and board plus help with the activities of daily living are more expensive than in-home care options, at $6,400 per month. Nursing home care is the most costly, at $10,646 per month for skilled nursing care.
- In-Home Care: $4,767
- Home Health Care: $4,767
- Adult Day Care: $1,842
- Assisted Living Facility: $6,400
- Nursing Home Care: $10,646
The Cost of Home Care in New Jersey's Top Cities
Home care fees vary across the state of New Jersey. Prices in Trenton and Atlantic City are closest to the statewide average, at $4,671 per month. Trenton is the most expensive city for home health care, at $4,957 per month. The two most affordable cities are Vineland and Ocean City, with monthly home care costs of $3,623 and $3,813, respectively.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
New Jersey | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Trenton | $4,671 | $4,957 |
Vineland | $3,623 | $4,195 |
Ocean City | $3,813 | $4,040 |
Atlantic City | $4,671 | $4,671 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in New Jersey
Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports
The Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports Waiver is an eligibility-based waiver open to those who meet the functional ability and financial requirements and receive Medicaid. This waiver provides eligible seniors with access to a variety of supportive services, including meal delivery, personal assistance and home modifications. There's no waiting list for this waiver and no limit to the number of people who can be enrolled.
Contact Information
To learn more about the waiver and how to apply, seniors can call (877) 222-3737.
Personal Preference Program
The Personal Preference Program is a Medicaid waiver operated under the "cash and counseling" model, allowing seniors to choose their own care providers and self-direct their care. The program is open to those who receive NJ FamilyCare Plan A and qualify for the Personal Care Assistant services benefit. Seniors who are unable to direct their own care have the option of nominating a representative to make choices for them. The program is open to Medicaid-eligible seniors who require assistance with the activities of daily living and meet income and asset limits.
Contact Information
To learn more about the waiver, seniors can call the Division of Disability Services at (888) 285-3036.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
New Jersey Home Care Rules and Regulations
The New Jersey Board of Nursing oversees licensing for homemaker-home health aides and skilled nurses. It has strict requirements for aide training, the duties they may carry out themselves and the duties that must be supervised by a licensed medical professional.
Scope of Care | Homemaker-home health aides provide personal care and homemaking services. Aides may assist with the activities of daily living, prepare and serve meals, run errands and provide other day-to-day assistance. Homemaker-home health aides cannot offer medical services unless under the supervision of a registered professional nurse. |
Care Plan Requirements | Medical care can only be provided by registered professional nurses following a plan of care agreed upon by medical professionals. Community health nursing may include visits to assess, plan for and provide nursing services in coordination with the patient's key health professionals |
Medication Management Requirements | Homemaker-home health aides aren't permitted to administer medication but may assist a patient with self-medication. Registered professional nurses may administer medication prescribed by a medical professional in accordance with the patient's plan of care. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Home care agencies must ensure that all employees who have contact with patients in the home pass a criminal background check, training course and competency testing. |
Staff Training Requirements | The Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide training program includes instruction in the role of assistive personnel in a variety of care settings, their scope of practice, legal responsibilities and ethical considerations. Training includes infection control, maintaining a safe physical and emotional environment for patients, hygiene, anatomy, dietary considerations and training in the care of patients with a variety of common conditions. Homemaker-home health aides and registered professional nurses are both required to pass competency tests and engage in continuing professional development. |
Medicaid Coverage | New Jersey seniors who are eligible for Medicaid may hire CHHAs via the MLTSS or PPA waivers. |
Reporting Abuse | Reports of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of seniors can be made to the New Jersey Division of Aging Services Adult Protective Services at the county's APS office. Urgent out-of-hours reports should be directed to the local police. |
Free Home Care Resources in New Jersey
Seniors in New Jersey have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The LIHEAP helps low-income residents of New Jersey cover their heating and cooling bills. It also makes provisions for emergency fuel assistance and heating systems via the Home Energy Assistance Program. The program is open to residents of all ages who meet the income requirements.
Contact Information
For more information or to find details of the nearest application agency, seniors should call (800) 510-3102.
Senior Citizens and Disabled Property Tax Deduction
The Senior Citizens and Disabled Property Tax Deduction is open to those aged 65 and older or who are living with a disability and have been residents of New Jersey for at least one year. The program gives eligible residents a deduction on their property tax bill, with the amount currently set at $250.
Contact Information
Residents can apply for the deduction by completing the PTD Form and filing it with a local assessor or tax collector.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
The Aging and Disability Resource Centers provide local seniors with information and resources. The Centers connect seniors with local programs and service providers and answer questions about care services, benefits, employment and health insurance. Advice is available free of charge to seniors and their caregivers.
Contact Information
For details of the nearest ADRC, interested parties should call (877) 222-3737.
Disability Rights New Jersey
Disability Rights New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that supports individuals living with disabilities and their families. It provides information about assistive technologies for seniors who require home modifications to continue living independently in their homes. The organization also has a limited number of assisted devices for loan and affordable finance options to help seniors spread the cost of purchasing devices.
Contact Information
For information about DRNJ's services, seniors can call (800) 922-7233.
Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides advice and services to former military servicemen and women and their surviving spouses. It offers information about the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, pensions, medical care and other support available to veterans. VA offices across the state help veterans access the care they need at all stages of their lives, and there's no charge for the services.
Contact Information
Veterans can find the nearest Vet Center by calling (877) 927-8387.
Other Cities in New Jersey