19 Assisted Living Communities in Passaic County, New Jersey

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $5,916 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 19 Assisted Living Communities in Passaic County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Passaic County, NJ

• Assisted Living: $5,916
• Nursing Home Care: $12,091
• In-home Care: $4,576
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,950

The 2018 Genworth Cost of Care shows that monthly assisted living costs are expensive throughout New Jersey compared to the national average of $4,000. The average in Passaic County is almost $2,000 higher at $5,916, which is only about $100 below the state average of $6,025. Prices are somewhat more affordable in Atlantic City ($5,100) and Ocean City ($4,800) but substantially more expensive in Vineland ($6,855) and Trenton, which has the state’s highest assisted living cost at $7,230.

Note: Data for senior care costs in Passaic County wasn’t available, so data for the New York City area was used instead.

Senior care costs in Passaic County vary drastically depending on the type of care and whether residential services are provided. Adult day health services that only offer daytime care in a group center are the least costly option. The most expensive is nursing home care because it offers round-the-clock skilled nursing services. Assisted living averages about $1,200 more per month than homemaker and home health aide services. Once general household expenses are added to in-home care rates, the true price difference may be negligible because assisted living fees typically include room and board.

The nationwide Medicaid program provides low-income Americans with essential health care services. The jointly funded program operates according to federal guidelines and is administered by individual states.

The NJ FamilyCare Medicaid program is overseen by the Department of Human Services. It attends to over 1.5 million state residents, including pregnant women, parents with dependent children and the aged, blind or disabled. Those who qualify for the program receive a wide range of health benefits, such as:

• Doctor and specialist visits
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
• Home health care
• Immunizations, screenings and other preventive care
• X-rays and lab tests
• Prescription drug coverage
• Nursing home care

To qualify for NJ FamilyCare coverage, Passaic County residents must be U.S. citizens or qualified aliens and meet specific income and asset limits based on age and functional ability. Seniors aged 65 and over and disabled adults aged 21 and over can qualify if they:

• Have $2,313 or less in monthly income if single or $4,626 if married and both spouses are applying
• Own $2,000 or less in assets if single or $3,000 if married and applying together

Income from all sources counts toward the limits. While most assets are considered, a few are exempt, such as a primary home worth up to $858,000, household and personal effects, a single vehicle and a burial trust.

Those who exceed the income limits may qualify through the Medically Needy program, which requires that a certain amount of monthly income is spent on qualified medical bills to reach the necessary coverage threshold.

Married couples who are over the income and asset limits may be eligible for additional exemptions if only one spouse is applying. Medicaid rules allow a non-applicant spouse to keep up to $3,160.50 of an applicant’s monthly income and $126,420 in jointly owned assets.

Passaic County residents can apply for the NJ FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled program online. Those who need help applying can call (800) 701-0710 or visit the nearest Passaic County Social Services office.

FamilyCare Managed Long-Term Services and Supports

Elderly, blind and disabled residents who meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid coverage and are assessed as needing a nursing-facility level of care can qualify for the FamilyCare MLTSS program. Those enrolled receive comprehensive medical and long-term care services through one of five Medicaid-approved managed care organizations. Services provided through the program include:

• Full Medicaid health care benefits
• Case management
• Assisted living
• Respite care
• Community residential services
• Personal emergency response systems
• Nursing home care
• Addiction and mental health services

Those already enrolled in NJ FamilyCare can contact their MCO to request an assessment for the MLTSS program. Other Passaic County residents can contact the Aging and Disability Resource Connection at (877) 222-3737 to schedule the financial and medical assessments required to apply.

State Supplemental Payment

Passaic County residents eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits through the Social Security Administration can receive a supplemental amount from the state of New Jersey in their monthly check. To qualify for both SSI and SSP benefits, applicants must:

• Be aged 65 and older or disabled

• Have a maximum income of $771 per month and assets of no more than $2,000 if single

• Have a monthly income of $1,157 or less and no more than $3,000 in assets as a couple

The combined monthly benefit amount varies depending on an applicant’s living arrangement, marital status and income, but single New Jersey recipients can receive up to $981.05, while couples can expect up to $1,895.36.

To apply for SSI and SSP benefits, Passaic County residents can contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

Congregate Housing Services Program

New Jersey’s Congregate Housing Services program provides financial support to help low-income seniors and disabled adults continue to live independently and prevent their admission into a nursing home. The program helps pay the cost of accommodations in congregate housing facilities along with support services, such as:

• Service coordination

• Assistance with personal care, such as bathing and dressing

• A minimum of one nutritious family-style meal per day

• Laundry and housekeeping services

• Linen changes

To qualify for CHSP benefits, applicants must be aged 65 or older or meet the SSA’s disability standards and be unable to live independently without some assistance. They must live in or plan to move to a state-approved, participating congregate housing facility. The program has no set income limit, but enrollees may have to contribute to the cost of their shelter and support based on income and the amount of assistance received.

For information about congregate homes in Passaic County, interested seniors and disabled adults should contact the County Office on Aging at (973) 569-4060. For details on how to apply for CHSP benefits, contact the New Jersey Aging and Disability Resource Connection at (877) 222-3737.

The VA clinic in Paterson provides area veterans with primary care, mental health services, lab services and referrals for specialty care at the East Orange and Lyons VA Medical Centers. The Passaic County Veterans Services office helps veterans and their families complete and file applications for VA entitlements, compensation, survivor’s benefits and pensions. The office also arranges transportation to medical appointments.

Paterson VA Outpatient Clinic
11 Getty Ave., DePaul Center, Building 275, Paterson, NJ 07503
(973) 247-1666

Passaic County Veterans Services Office
930 Riverview Dr., Suite 200, Totowa, NJ 07512
(973) 569-4090 

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.