22 Assisted Living Communities in Morris 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 22 Assisted Living Communities in Morris County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Morris County, NJ

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

Data from the 2018 Genworth Cost of Care study shows that monthly rates for senior care in Morris County fall almost midrange on the New Jersey price spectrum and are about $100 below the state median. Inland areas of the state, including Trenton ($7,230) and Vineland ($6,855), have substantially higher costs for assisted living, while prices are significantly lower in the coastal communities of Atlantic City ($5,100) and Ocean City ($4,800). Monthly assisted living rates in all the surveyed areas of New Jersey are much more expensive than the $4,000 national average.

Note: Specific data for Morris County senior care costs wasn’t available, so data for the metropolitan New York area was used instead.

As it is in most areas of the country, rates for senior care in Morris County span a wide range. At $12,091 per month, nursing home care is by far the most expensive option. It’s more than double the monthly rate for assisted living ($5,916) and over six times the cost of adult day health services, which is the most affordable type of care at $1,950 per month. This tremendous price difference reflects the level of care, the number of hours of service provided and whether care is received in a residential setting. Assisted living is about $1,200 per month more expensive than in-home care, but it’s provided in a residential setting, and the rates typically include room and board. In-home care costs include services only, so a significant portion of those savings are going to be eaten up by day-to-day household operating expenses.

The nationwide Medicaid program provides essential health care services to over 72 million low-income Americans. Funding for the program comes from the federal government and individual states, and each state oversees its own Medicaid plan in accordance with federal regulations.

In New Jersey, the Department of Human Services administers the state Medicaid plan, which primarily provides coverage to parents and their dependent children, pregnant women and those who are blind, disabled and elderly. Eligible residents who are enrolled in the program receive a number of services including:

• Primary and specialist care
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
• Preventive care, such as immunizations
• Diagnostic testing
• Prescription medications
• Long-term care

To enroll in the New Jersey Medicaid program, applicants must be U.S. citizens or qualified aliens and meet the financial requirements for the type of coverage they need:

• For regular Medicaid, individuals must have a monthly income below $1,041 and $4,000 or less in countable assets. Couples must have less than $1,409 in monthly income and no more than $6,000 in countable assets.
• For aged, blind and disabled long-term care coverage, single applicants must earn less than $2,313 per month and have $2,000 or less in assets. Married couples can have up to $4,626 in monthly income and $3,000 in assets.

Income from every source counts toward the Medicaid limit, but some assets are exempt. These include a primary home valued at $878,000 or less, personal belongings, household effects, one car and irrevocable burial trusts.

Morris County seniors can apply for the NJ FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled program online or call (800) 356-1561 for assistance.

FamilyCare Managed Long-Term Services and Supports

The FamilyCare MLTSS program provides eligible seniors with complete medical and long-term care services through state-approved managed care organizations. Disabled adults over age 21 and seniors aged 65 or older who qualify for coverage can receive a variety of benefits including:

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

Morris County seniors currently enrolled in Medicaid can contact their MCO to request an assessment for the MLTSS program. Those not yet enrolled in Medicaid can contact the Morris County Office on Aging Services at (800) 564-4656 to start the assessment and application process.

State Supplemental Payment

Morris County residents eligible for or receiving federal Supplemental Security Income payments may qualify to have an extra cash benefit from the state of New Jersey added to their monthly check. Applicants need to meet these SSI eligibility guidelines to qualify:

• Be aged 65 or older, blind or permanently disabled

• Have $771 or less in monthly income and $2,000 or less in assets if single

• Have $1,157 or less in monthly income and $3,000 or less in assets if married

The amount a person receives is determined by their marital status, living arrangement and income, but the combined monthly SSI and State Supplemental Payment benefit can be as high as $981.05 for a single person and $1,895.36 for a married couple.

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

Congregate Housing Services Program

The New Jersey Congregate Housing Services program helps qualified seniors and disabled adults avoid premature nursing home placement by funding shelter and support services in a group housing facility. To qualify for the CHSP program, Morris County residents must be over age 65 or deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration and need help to continue living independently.  There are no financial limits to qualify for the program, but an income-based sliding scale is used to determine the amount of funding provided, so seniors may need to pay a portion of their monthly housing costs.

Services are only available in congregate housing facilities that have contracted with the state. Once enrolled in the program and living in an approved building, seniors may receive:

• Help completing activities of daily living

• Personal care assistance

• Prepared meals and at least one group meal each day

• Shopping assistance

• Housekeeping and laundry services

Seniors can contact the New Jersey Aging and Disability Resource Connection at (877) 222-3737 to learn about congregate homes in Morris County or apply for CHSP benefits.

The Morris Area Paratransit System provides curb-to-curb rides for county residents aged 60 and older and those with disabilities. Priority is given to rides for medical care, especially radiation, chemotherapy and dialysis appointments. Residents can also get rides to school, work and adult day care. There’s no fee charged, but donations of $1 per round trip are suggested. Morris Area Paratransit System
340 W. Hanover Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 829-8103

The local Veterans Services office can help Morris County senior veterans file for pensions and benefits or make appeals. Veterans can access primary and mental health care, referrals for specialty care and lab services at the Morristown VA Clinic.

Morris County Veterans Services Office
540 W. Hanover Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 285-6866

Morristown VA Clinic
340 W. Hanover Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 539-9791

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