The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Union County, NJ for 2024

Union County is a sprawling community with more than 558,000 residents, about 14 percent of whom are age 65 and over. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, nearly 13 percent of seniors who receive Medicaid benefits in Union County have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. 

In New Jersey, including Union County, memory care services are generally provided in assisted living facilities with staff members who have received training in the specialized care of residents with dementia. These facilities are licensed and monitored by the Department of Health and Senior Services. Union County is home to four memory care facilities.   

• In Union County, as in all the state, seniors do not pay state income tax on Social Security benefits. While other types of retirement income are taxed, seniors age 62 and over can claim a sizable deduction to help offset the expense. This may leave more money in the budget toward memory care in Union County.  
  
• Union County's air quality is good, which may benefit seniors with respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses. The American Lung Association gave the county a B for 24-hour particle pollution and a passing score for annual particle pollution. 
  
• Union County's overall crime rate is fairly low, coming in below state and national averages, which may appeal to families seeking local memory care options. On a 100-point scale, with a low score representing less crime, the county's violent crime rate is 12.4 and the property crime rate is 24.4, compared to the national medians of 22.7 and 35.4, respectively.  
  
• Union County is a relatively expensive place to live, with an overall cost of living that is 40 percent higher than the national average and nearly 10 percent higher than the statewide average. Healthcare costs about 5 percent less than in the nation as a whole, however, which may help seniors offset other living expenses.  

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

Memory Care costs in Union County start around $9,049 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 Union 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.

Union 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.