Nursing Homes in New Jersey

The Garden State is home to more than 8.8 million residents, including nearly 1.5 million senior citizens aged 65 or older. New Jersey has a lot to offer retirees, with its metropolitan attractions, beautiful beaches and diverse natural areas. Unfortunately, long-term care costs are well above the national average. Residents in the state’s 361 nursing homes pay $11,254 per month for a semiprivate room on average, and private accommodations cost approximately $600 more.

According to Genworth Financial, New Jersey is one of the 10 most expensive states for nursing home care. This affects more than 42,400 nursing home residents statewide as well as families who want to ensure that their loved ones have access to medically supervised care. For many individuals, nursing homes provide an intermediate option between in-home care and assisted living or hospitalization when round-the-clock monitoring is required. If you’re considering nursing home care for a loved one, this guide features information about average costs, financial assistance programs and free resources available across New Jersey.

At $11,254 per month, average nursing home rates in New Jersey are 45% higher than the U.S. median of $7,756. Despite this significant cost premium, prices are competitive when compared to neighboring states in the Northeast. In Pennsylvania, seniors pay $1,216 less per month. However, in New York and Delaware, average prices exceed $12,300, and nursing homes in Connecticut charge $1,670 more per month, which makes it 15% more expensive than New Jersey and 67% higher than the national average.

The average cost of skilled nursing facilities across New Jersey is $11,254 per month, although rates are slightly lower in the state’s largest cities. Atlantic City clocks in at a wallet-friendly $9,277 per month, which is almost $2,000 lower than the state median. In Ocean City, average rates creep up to $10,555, followed by Trenton at $10,783. While seniors in Vineland pay slightly more, at $10,950 per month, local rates are still $300 below the state median. Skilled nursing in New Jersey is also more affordable than other major cities in the Northeast, including New York and Philadelphia.

Skilled nursing facilities serve individuals who need around-the-clock care and intensive assistance with daily activities. Due to the level of staff required, nursing homes in New Jersey cost $4,600 more per month than assisted living facilities that cater to seniors who are in good health and living independently. Families may also consider residential care from a home health agency, or they may enroll their relative in a community-based adult day program that offers recreational activities and supervision. The cost of these services is $4,957 and $1,901 per month, respectively. However, seniors may also have other living expenses, and these options don’t include around-the-clock care.

More than 2 million New Jersey residents are enrolled in Medicaid, an increase of almost 54% since the state expanded the program’s eligibility back in 2014. If a senior requires nursing home care following a hospital stay, the Medicaid program will cover all of the cost of that care for the first 20 days of a patient’s stay, and part of the cost for up to 100 days. After this, however, seniors are required to cover the cost of care themselves.

New Jersey has 362 nursing home facilities, of which the majority accept Medicare. These facilities collectively house more than 41,000 patients. These facilities provide seniors with 24-hour skilled nursing care, helping seniors maintain a high quality of life and delaying full-time hospital placement. Nursing home fees in New Jersey are higher than the national average. Fortunately, there are programs to support seniors who require skilled nursing care. NJ Medicaid includes the Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports program which offers expanded eligibility for seniors who require a greater degree of care.

There are several ways to apply for Medicaid in New Jersey. Seniors can start the application process over the phone by calling (800) 701-0710. Alternatively, they can complete a printed application form, visit their local welfare agency, or complete the process online. Applicants will need to provide proof of eligibility, and it’s a good idea to have the required documentation on hand before applying. Incomplete applications or ones with missing documentation may be rejected or take longer to process.

Information You Will Need:

• Proof of citizenship (for applicants born outside of the USA)
• Proof of age (e.g. birth certificate, passport or driving license)
• Proof of income (e.g. 1099s)
• Bank statements
• Proof of pension income
• VA Discharge papers (for veterans)
• Car registration titles and insurance documentation
• Property deeds for the family home
• Deeds for other owned properties
• Copies of any current power of attorney
• Life insurance documents

The above is not an exhaustive list and seniors may be asked to provide additional documentation. If you cannot provide some of the documentation on this list, contact your local welfare agency for advice and a list of alternative options.