The 3 Best Memory Care Facilities in Sussex County, NJ for 2023

Sussex County, New Jersey, is located in the northern part of the state and considered to be part of the New York metropolitan area. It's estimated that over 180,000 residents of the state of New Jersey are living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. These conditions are especially prevalent among the 65 and older population. Fifteen percent of Sussex County's population of 144,000 are seniors. From that demographic, 11 percent have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. Sussex County is home to two memory care facilities to treat and house these individuals. 

The New Jersey Department of Health licenses memory care facilities, known as Dementia Care Homes. Regulations for these facilities include specialized care for Alzheimer's patients and focused staff training. 

• New Jersey does not levy state income tax on Social Security benefits. However, withdrawals from IRAs and other retirement accounts are taxed as income. Sussex County residents, as in all of New Jersey, are taxed on a sliding scale based on total annual income. Families budgeting for a loved one's memory care may wish to consider this when removing money from retirement investments. 
  
• The cost of living in Sussex County is roughly 25 percent higher than the national average, measuring 123.5 compared to the baseline of 100. Housing costs, at 120 compared to 100, is the main reason for this high average. Higher housing costs may increase memory care operating costs and the fees that residents pay. Healthcare costs, which are important to seniors in memory care, are slightly lower than the national average. 
  
• Weather in Sussex County means cold winters with lots of snow and lows dropping into the teens. These cold temperatures may be uncomfortable for some seniors. Summers are warm and humid, with highs only climbing into the upper-80s. Seniors sensitive to higher temperatures may enjoy living here. 
  
• Ocean County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia, such as Newton Memorial Hospital and Advocare, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

Memory Care costs in Sussex County start around $0 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,743 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Sussex 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.

Sussex 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.