In-Home Care in New Jersey

The Garden State is home to nearly 9 million people, and 1.5 million of these residents are aged 65 and older. As citizens of the second-most densely populated state in the country, seniors in New Jersey benefit from a wealth of resources, including world-class health care and home support services. Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally ranked in Cardiology and Heart Surgery and Morristown Medical Center is nationally ranked in Orthopedics.

There are two types of home care available to seniors in New Jersey: in-home care and home health care. In-home care is a non-clinical service that can help seniors with their daily activities, such as housekeeping, meal preparation, grooming and dressing. It costs an average of $5,529 per month. Home health care is a medical service provided by a trained professional, such as a licensed nurse or therapist. Due to the clinical aspect of care, it costs a bit more ($5,710) per month than in-home care.

You can learn more about the costs of home care in New Jersey by digging deeper into this guide. You’ll also find links to resources in your community that can make care more affordable or improve life at home in various ways.

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey for 2020, seniors in the Garden State pay an average of $5,529 per month for home care. Nationally, families pay an average of $4,957, which is about $600 less. New Jersey’s home care costs are higher than nearby states, but not by a wide margin. In Delaware and New York, the median price for care is $5,339. The cost of home care in Pennsylvania ($4,957) matches the average cost for the nation. Maryland is a bit more expensive than the national average at $5,148.

There is about an $800 difference between the most expensive and least expensive cities for home care in New Jersey. Atlantic City, Ocean City and Newark, a part of the NYC area, have the same median price of $5,529 per month. The most affordable city for home care in the state is Vineland, with a monthly average of $4,767. Trenton has an average rate of $5,148.

When families in New Jersey hire caregivers for 40 hours per week, the average cost for in-home care is $5,529 per month, and the average cost for home health care is $5,710 per month. Adult day health care is significantly less expensive but may not be adequate for every family’s needs. Assisted living facilities in New Jersey have a median price of $6,495. Nursing homes are the most expensive type of senior care in New Jersey because of the high level of medical care they offer. The average rate for a semiprivate room is $11,254.

Yes, Medicaid in New Jersey may cover the cost of home care services provided under the NJ FamilyCare managed care program. These services are referred to as Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS), and they include home-delivered meals, respite, mental health services, home and vehicle modifications, community residential services and care management.

There are also two Medicaid waivers that may cover the cost of care at home for seniors who want to hire help outside the NJ FamilyCare network: I Choose Home and the New Jersey Personal Preference Program (PPP).

To apply for an NJ Family Care plan that provides Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports, the state encourages seniors to use the online application system. If you prefer to apply over the phone, you can speak with a Health Benefits Coordinator by calling (800) 701-0710. You can also visit NJ FamilyCare regional offices that are located throughout the state.

What Information You Will Need

The Department of Human Services will decide whether you receive Medicaid benefits by evaluating your personal information, including:

• Social Security Number
• Proof of age, such as a driver’s license or passport
• Bank statements and tax records
• Deeds, trusts and records of other assets
• Policy numbers from other insurance coverage
• Information about other household members

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.