Assisted Living in Bridgewater, NJ

Assisted Living Costs in Bridgewater

The 2018 Genworth Cost of Care study reveals that assisted living in Bridgewater costs $7,230 per month, which is over $3,200 more costly than the national average ($4,000), almost $1,200 above the state median rate of $6,065 and over $2,100 more than the average monthly price in Atlantic City ($5,100). As the most expensive area in New Jersey, the rate in Bridgewater is more than $2,400 higher than the price in Ocean City, which has the state’s lowest assisted living cost at $4,800 per month.

Note: Data for senior care costs wasn’t available for Bridgewater, so data for nearby Trenton was used instead. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The monthly cost of senior care in Bridgewater varies drastically, from a low of $1,842 per month for adult day health services provided in a group setting to $10,342 for round-the-clock skilled nursing and other specialized care services provided in a nursing home.

Assisted living averages $7,230 per month and includes housekeeping services, personal care assistance, meals and housing. In-home care provided by home health aides and homemakers costs an average of $4,576 per month but only represents the hours of care services delivered. Expenses normally covered by room and board in residential facilities, such as utilities, maintenance, food and property taxes, remain the responsibility of the senior homeowner in addition to the rate for care services. These added costs can significantly narrow the price gap between in-home and assisted living care.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Bridgewater

Medicaid in New Jersey

Medicaid is a national program that delivers basic health care to over 65 million Americans who can’t afford to pay for health insurance. The program is jointly funded and regulated by the federal government and administered by each state.

In New Jersey, the program is called NJ FamilyCare and is overseen by the Department of Human Services. It serves the health care needs of more than 1.5 million state residents, including families with dependent children, expectant mothers, senior citizens and those who are blind or disabled. Residents who qualify receive a number of health care benefits, such as:

• Doctor and specialist visits
• Hospital services
• Emergency room treatment
• X-rays, lab tests and preventive screenings
• Dental services
• Prescription medications
• Long-term care in a nursing home

Qualifying for New Jersey Medicaid for Long-Term Care

To qualify for coverage for long-term care, Bridgewater residents must be American citizens or legal immigrants and aged 65 or older or blind or disabled. Applicants must be assessed as needing a nursing home level of care and eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits or meet the following NJ FamilyCare financial guidelines:

• Single applicants are allowed a maximum monthly income of $2,313 and no more than $2,000 in countable assets.
• Married couples applying together may have $4,626 in monthly income and $3,000 in combined countable assets.

All sources of income count toward the limits but some assets are automatically disregarded, such as household and personal effects, burial trusts, an owner-occupied home worth up to $878,000 and one automobile.

Seniors who meet the eligibility requirements for NJ FamilyCare long-term care coverage may qualify if:

• They’re eligible for the Medically Needy Segment spend-down program due to high medical bills. It lets individuals with countable monthly income that’s over $367 put the funds toward allowable care and medical bills to reach the qualification threshold for a six-month period.
• They establish a Qualified Income Trust for depositing over-the-limit income. Funds put into the trust don’t count toward the Medicaid eligibility limit, and they can only be removed to pay for approved medical and care expenses.

Residents of Bridgewater can apply for NJ FamilyCare coverage online or call the Medical Assistance Customer Center serving Somerset County at (856) 614-2870 for information or assistance.

FamilyCare Managed Long-Term Services and Supports

Bridgewater seniors aged 65 or older and disabled adults aged 21 or older who are Medicaid-eligible and in need of long-term care can enroll in the FamilyCare Managed Long-Term Services and Supports program. This comprehensive Medicaid waiver program has no enrollment cap, so all eligible residents receive services. Once enrolled, applicants have a choice of managed care organizations that provide full medical services, and also:

• Case management
• Community residential services
• Assisted living care
• Nursing home care
• Mental health and addiction services
• Respite care
• Personal emergency response systems

To request an assessment for the Managed Long-Term Services and Supports program, seniors already enrolled in NJ FamilyCare should contact their managed care organization.

To apply for Medicaid and the MLTSS program, seniors can contact the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services at (908) 704-6346.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

State Supplemental Payment

Bridgewater residents who meet the income and asset requirements for Supplemental Security Income benefits may also be eligible for an increased monthly cash payment from the state of New Jersey.

To qualify, seniors aged 65 or older and adults with disabilities must have a monthly income of $771 or less per person ($1,157 for couples) and no more than $2,000 in assets ($3,000 for couples).

The amount of the monthly State Supplemental Payment depends on an applicant’s living arrangement, income and marital status. The maximum available combined SSI and SSP benefit is $981.05 for individuals and $1,895.36 for couples.

To learn more or apply for SSI and NJ SSP benefits, interested seniors can contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Congregate Housing Services Program

Seniors and disabled adults with limited income who are at risk of nursing home placement if they don’t receive aid may qualify for the New Jersey Congregate Housing Services program. This assistance program helps cover the cost of shelter in state-contracted congregate housing facilities as well as support services, such as:

• Help with personal care
• Meal preparation and at least one family-style meal each day
• Shopping assistance
• Laundry and housekeeping services

To qualify, Bridgewater residents must be aged 65 or older, or younger and deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration, and need help to remain living independently. Although there are no income or asset caps, benefits are provided using a sliding scale based on an applicant’s monthly income.

To learn more about the Congregate Housing Services program or apply, Bridgewater seniors can call the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services at (908) 704-6346.

Assisted Living Resources in Bridgewater

Legal Assistance

Bridgewater residents aged 60 and over who need help with a civil legal matter but have limited income may qualify for free assistance from Legal Services of Northwest Jersey. This nonprofit agency provides eligible elderly individuals with advice and representation on various noncriminal legal issues as well as assistance with the preparation of legal documents, such as wills and powers of attorney.

Legal Services of Northwest Jersey
90 E. Main St., 3rd Fl., Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 231-0840

Assistance for Veterans

Senior veterans and their families can receive help filing applications for VA and state benefits at the Somerset County Veterans Services office.

Those in need of medical services can visit the Piscataway VA clinic to access primary care, lab tests, diabetic eye screenings and referrals for specialty care at the VA Medical Center in East Orange.

Somerset County Veterans Services
27 Warren St., Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 704-6329

Piscataway VA Clinic
14 Wills Way, Bldg. 5, Piscataway, NJ 08854
(732) 981-8193

Senior Center

Bridgewater Township offers a wealth of life-enriching programs for older residents at the local senior citizens center. Area seniors can enjoy nutritious congregate lunches, socialize over card and board games; join Pilates, aerobics or tai chi classes; or take computer, photography and cooking lessons.

There are nutrition and wellness classes; seminars on topics, such as financial planning and safe driving; monthly movie nights; and group outings to restaurants, flea markets and plays.

Bridgewater Senior Citizens Center
876 E. Main St., Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 203-6101