The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Ocean County, NJ for 2024

Ocean County runs along the New Jersey shore with Toms River as the County Seat. The state of New Jersey estimates over 180,000 of its residents have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, which are particularly common in the 65 and older demographic. Ocean County has a population of 590,000, 22 percent of whom are age 65 and older. Out of that group, 12 percent are estimated to have a form of dementia. To treat and house these people, there are 13 memory care facilities in Ocean County. 

Dementia Care Homes, the official name for memory care facilities in Ocean County and the rest of the state, are licensed and regulated by the New Jersey Department of Health. Each facility must provide specialized levels of care for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. 

• Although Social Security benefits are exempt from state income tax in New Jersey, withdrawals from IRAs and other retirement accounts are taxed as income with tax percentages based on the annual income from all sources. Ocean County families budgeting for a loved one's memory care may wish to consider this. 
  
• The cost of living in Ocean County is higher than the national average, at 114 compared to a baseline of 100. Housing costs of 146 compared to 100 are the main reason. Those families on a tight budget may find this affects their selection. Healthcare is very important to those 65 and older, and it's lower than the national average at 96 compared to 100. 
  
• Weather in Ocean County means cold winters with lots of snow and lows dropping into the 20s and teens. These cold temperatures may be uncomfortable for some seniors. Summers are warm, humid and mild, with highs reaching the upper-80s. There is some risk for tropical storms along the Jersey Shore, which families looking for memory care may want to consider. 
  
• Ocean County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia, such as Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean Medical Center and Community Medical Center, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

Memory Care costs in Ocean County start around $6,958 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 Ocean 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.

Ocean 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.