Assisted Living in Paramus, NJ

Assisted Living Costs in Paramus

The 2018 Genworth Cost of Care study assesses the cost of senior care across the nation and reveals that the monthly price of assisted living in Paramus is within $100 of the state average of $6,065 but almost $2,000 higher than the national average ($4,000). Monthly rates vary drastically throughout the remainder of New Jersey, from the higher fees found in Vineland ($6,855) and Trenton ($7,230) to the much lower costs in Atlantic City ($5,100) and Ocean City ($4,800).

Note: Specific senior care cost data wasn’t available for Paramus, so data for the nearest major city, New York, was used instead. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The monthly cost of senior care in Paramus spans a wide range; from a low of $1,950 for adult day health services to a whopping $12,091 for nursing home care. These price differences are largely due to the type and level of care, the setting and whether skilled services are offered.

One of the key aspects to consider when comparing different options is that residential senior care facilities typically include room and board in their rates. With adult day health care and in-home services, including home health aides and homemakers, seniors should plan for additional expenses related to running a household, such as utilities, maintenance, property taxes and food.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Paramus

Medicaid in New Jersey

Medicaid is the national program that provides vital health care coverage to low-income Americans with limited resources. The program is jointly funded by the federal and state governments and operates under federal regulation with administration by each state.

The New Jersey Medicaid plan is administered by the state’s Department of Human Services. The plan provides coverage for those who qualify, including parents and their dependant children, pregnant women and the elderly, blind and disabled. A variety of services are covered, such as doctors visits, hospital care, prescription drugs and long-term care.

To be eligible for coverage, New Jersey residents must be U.S. citizens or qualified aliens and meet certain income and resource guidelines:

• For regular Medicaid, individuals can earn up to $1,041 in monthly income and have total assets of $4,000. Couples can earn up to $1,409 per month and own $6,000 in assets.
• For long-term community-based or nursing home coverage, a single person can earn up to $2,313 in monthly income and have $2,000 in total assets. Married couples applying together are limited to $4,626 in monthly income and $3,000 in assets.

Medicaid counts income from all sources, but various assets are excluded, including personal effects, one vehicle, a principal home valued at less than $878,000, household furnishings and irrevocable burial trusts.

Married couples with just one spouse applying may still qualify if their joint income and assets are over the above limits. Medicaid disregards the income of a non-applicant spouse and permits the transfer of a spousal living allowance of up to $3,160.50 from the applicant’s monthly income. A non-applicant spouse may also retain up to $126,420 in jointly owned assets.

Paramus seniors in need of Medicaid coverage can complete an online application for the NJ FamilyCare Aged, Blind, Disabled program or call (800) 356-1561 for more information and assistance.

FamilyCare Managed Long-Term Services and Supports

New Jersey Medicaid provides long-term care services for eligible elderly, blind and permanently disabled residents through the FamilyCare MLTSS program. The program delivers comprehensive medical and long-term care through a participant’s choice of five managed care organizations serving Bergen County. Services provided for seniors aged 65 and older and adults with disabilities aged 21 and older can include:

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

To apply for MLTSS services, those currently enrolled in the state Medicaid program should contact their MCO to request an assessment. All other Paramus residents can contact the Bergen County Division of Senior Services at (201) 336-7400 to begin the financial and clinical eligibility assessment process.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Congregate Housing Services Program

The state-funded Congregate Housing Services program provides financial assistance to qualified disabled adults and seniors wishing to live in a group-housing setting as an alternative to placement in an institutional skilled-nursing facility. Similar to an assisted living facility, group-housing facilities provide support services and limited care while allowing residents a greater degree of independence. The specific services offered may vary between housing providers, but can include:

• Housekeeping and laundry
• Home health aid caregivers
• Meal preparation and a minimum of one group meal per day
• Shopping assistance
• Help completing activities of daily living

To receive assistance from the CHSP program, Paramus residents must be aged 65 and older or qualify as disabled per the Social Security Administration. They also must be unable to live alone without assistance. The program has no income or asset limitations, but the amount of aid provided is determined by a sliding scale based on income.

Interested seniors can contact the Bergen County Division of Senior Services at (201) 336-7400 to inquire about participating congregate homes in the Paramus area or to apply for CHSP benefits.

State Supplemental Payment

New Jersey residents who qualify for or receive Supplemental Security Income benefits from the federal government are also eligible for a state-funded monthly supplemental benefit. As with the SSI program, eligible individuals must be disabled or aged 65 or older with a monthly income below $771 and assets of less than $2,000. Couples are allowed $1,157 in monthly income and $3,000 in assets. The state SSP benefit is added to a recipient’s monthly SSI payment. While the exact amount depends on an applicant’s income, marital status and living situation, the maximum combined benefit available to New Jersey residents is $981.05 per person and $1,895.36 for married couples.

Paramus residents can apply for SSI and SSP benefits by calling the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

Assisted Living Resources in Paramus

Paramus Senior Activity Center

The Joseph Cipolla Senior Activity Center in Paramus is home to the borough’s two active senior citizens’ clubs. The center hosts an array of programs and activities for residents aged 62 and older. Seniors can take part in a game of billiards, bingo or Mahjong, join a yoga or Zumba class, take in a movie, learn meditation techniques or join a planned group outing or trip.

Joseph Cipolla Senior Activity Center
93 North Farview Ave., Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 265-2100

Senior Legal Assistance

The nonprofit Northeast New Jersey Legal Services provides free civil legal services to qualifying low-income Paramus residents. Elderly and disabled residents can receive assistance solving legal problems related to housing, public benefits, consumer rights, elder justice, taxation and other concerns.

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services – Bergen County Office
190 Moore St., Ste. 100, Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 487-2166

Bergen County Aging and Disability Resource Connection

As the area’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection, the Bergen County Division of Senior Services provides older residents of Paramus with information about a wide array of county, state and federal resources. Some of the invaluable services ADRC provides include counseling on benefit eligibility, long-term care options, tax relief and reverse mortgages, supplying referrals for care management or prescription assistance and helping seniors apply for health insurance and transportation programs.

Bergen County Division of Senior Services
1 Bergen County Plaza, 2nd Fl., Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 336-7400