The Best Memory Care Communities in Somerset County, NJ

Somerset County, New Jersey, is one of the oldest counties in the nation with a rich history dating back to the late 1600s and is considered part of the New York metro area. The population of this county is 333,000, 48,000 of whom are seniors aged 65 and older, a group with a higher instance of memory impairments such as Alzheimer's disease. Out of those 48,000 seniors, 11% have been diagnosed with dementia. To house and care for these residents, Somerset County is home to eight memory care facilities. 

The state of New Jersey refers to memory care facilities as Dementia Care Homes (DCHs) and licenses and regulates them through the state's Department of Health. These requirements include different levels of care for residents depending on the severity of their memory care condition. 

• Social Security income is not taxed by the state of New Jersey, although withdrawals from an IRA or other accounts are taxed on a sliding scale. Families budgeting for a loved one's memory care may want to take this into account. 
  
• Weather in Somerset County means cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. July highs reach into the 80s, while lows in January dip into the teens. Seniors in memory care with health conditions aggravated by cold weather may be uncomfortable here, although those sensitive to high heat may enjoy the milder spring and summer. 
  
• Somerset County's cost of living is 152, compared to the national average of 100. While healthcare costs and groceries, both important to seniors in memory care, are right in line with the average, housing is more than double the country's average, coming at 212. This may mean that DCHs have higher operating costs which translate into higher fees for residents, something families on a budget may need to consider. 
  
• Somerset County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia, such as RWJ University Hospital Somerset, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

Note: Data reported on this page was updated in 2019 and based on the latest 2018 figures. 

Memory Care costs in Somerset County start around $8,980 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Somerset County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in New Jersey page.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in New Jersey page.

Somerset County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in New Jersey are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in New Jersey page for more information about these laws.