I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Hackensack, NJ

Located just 12 miles from Manhattan and offering spectacular views of the New York City skyline, Hackensack is a vibrant, culturally diverse city that’s filled with unique neighborhoods and character. Hackensack is home to just over 46,000 people, and 14.3% of Hackensack’s residents are seniors aged 65 and older.

If you’re looking for a place to retire that offers easy access to world-class entertainment, health care and shopping, chances are good that Hackensack fits the bill. The city’s historic downtown district has undergone extensive redevelopment over the past few years and is a great place to discover your next favorite cafe, gallery or boutique. There are also plenty of fun places to visit in Bergen County, including numerous parks, historic sites, nature centers and dinner theaters.

You’ll also be pleased to know that you won’t need to leave Hackensack to access world-class health care services. The Hackensack University Medical Center is a modern teaching hospital with a 24/7 emergency and trauma care center, cancer center and stroke and cardiovascular care clinic as well as a comprehensive home health care program.

II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Hackensack, NJ

In Hackensack, you can expect to pay an average of $4,957 per month for 44 hours of weekly home care. The median rate for home health care, which includes some skilled intermittent nursing, is also $4,957 per month.

The average home care rate in Hackensack works out to $1,144 per week or $26 per hour. Keep in mind that you may not need 44 hours of support per week to continue living in your home, so your actual home care costs may be less than the averages listed on the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

Hackensack’s home care and home health care rates match New Jersey’s statewide average of $4,957 for both types of care. In Trenton, seniors pay an average of $4,910 for home care and $4,957 for home health care services, while in Ocean City, either type of care costs around $4,362 per month. Rates for in-home care are significantly lower in Vineland where the monthly median is $3,718 for home care and $3,956 for home health care.

The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options

Hackensack’s home care and home health care rates are $1,034 less than the average cost of assisted living care in the area, which is $5,991 per month. Adult day care is the least-expensive senior care service at a median cost of $1,950 per month, while around-the-clock skilled nursing is the most costly with rates for a semiprivate nursing home room running around $11,771 per month.

Note: Data for Hackensack was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, New York, was used instead.

III. How to Find Home Care in Hackensack, NJ

Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Hackensack, NJ.

An infographic giving steps to finding a home care provider

Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.

IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Hackensack, NJ

Bergen County Meals on Wheels

What You Should Know

Meals on Wheels is a low-cost nutritional support program that provides housebound seniors with either a hot home-delivered meal each weekday or a weekly supply of heat-and-serve frozen meals. Participants are asked to make a voluntary per-meal donation of $1.25 to help cover program costs.

In addition to dropping off the meals, volunteer drivers take a moment to conduct a brief wellness check on each participant. Drivers cannot leave deliveries without making contact with the recipient, and Meals on Wheels staff may request police assistance if program participants cannot be reached.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for Meals on Wheels in Bergen County, you must be a senior aged 60 or older or be the spouse of a housebound senior who is aged 60 or older. You must also be unable to leave your home without assistance or have difficulty preparing your own healthy meals.

You can request Meals on Wheels service even if you have support from a home care provider or family caregiver as long as your caregiver provides no more than four hours of assistance daily during daytime hours. Meals on Wheels isn’t available to seniors who are currently enrolled in the Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports program.

How to Get Started

If you’re interested in Meals on Wheels, you’ll be asked to complete a brief in-home assessment to verify your eligibility and to see if you qualify for additional help through other programs. Once approved, you’ll be reassessed by your Meals on Wheels case manager every six months.

For more information, call the Meals on Wheels office at (201) 336-7420.

Bergen County Home Improvement Program 

What You Should Know

The Bergen County Home Improvement Program provides interest-free, no-fee home improvement loans of up to $17,500 to help low- and moderate-income homeowners complete safety-critical home repairs and improvements. The loan must be paid in full when the homeowner sells their home or makes changes to the home ownership title.

Money from HIP loans can be used towards specific home improvement projects, including repairs to heating, electrical, plumbing and roofing systems. Program participants may also be able to use the funds to fix exterior siding, upgrade their windows and doors and repair sidewalks and steps.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for HIP funding, you must own and occupy your own home in Bergen County. Income limits apply, and these limits are adjusted annually.

How to Get Started

To learn more about HIP loans, the current income limits and the application process, call the HIP office at (201) 336-6999.

Senior Source

What You Should Know

Senior Source is a registered nonprofit organization that offers a range of social, educational and wellness programs for Hackensack seniors. Headquartered at the Shops at Riverside, Senior Source offers daily free activities, including a coffee club, organized games and crafting workshops.

Senior Source also hosts regular educational sessions like Senior TechTime, which pairs seniors with tech-savvy high school students who help older adults learn how to use smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices. From time to time, Senior Source receives donated tickets to local theaters and special events that the organization distributes to local seniors.

Who Is Eligible?

All Hackensack seniors are welcome to drop by the Senior Source lounge during operating hours to participate in any programs or workshops offered by the organization.

How to Get Started

For up-to-date operating hours and program information, call Senior Source at (201) 342-0962.

Bergen County Wellness Check Program

What You Should Know

The Bergen County Division of Senior Services runs the Bergen County Wellness Check Program. This telephone-based program provides participants with a free daily phone call during specific daytime hours. The calls are made through an automated dialer, and when program participants pick up the phone, they need to press 1 to verify that they are safe and well. If program participants don’t answer the call from the Wellness Check Program or if the participant’s phone line is busy after four minutes, the system automatically notifies the senior’s emergency contacts.

Who Is Eligible?

As a Hackensack senior, you’re eligible for enrollment in the Wellness Check Program. This free service may be ideal if you live on your own and don’t have a caregiver, family member or neighbor to check on you every day.

How to Get Started

To learn more about the Wellness Check Program, call the Bergen County Division of Senior Services at (201) 336-7400.

Access Link ADA Paratransit

What You Should Know

NJ Transit’s ADA paratransit program, Access Link, is a low-cost, shared-ride transportation service for individuals who cannot use the regular public bus system due to disability. Access Link provides curb-to-curb rides within three-quarters of a mile of all NJ Transit routes. Rides must be reserved in advance, and the vehicles can accommodate mobility devices up to 30 inches wide.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify as an Access Link rider, you must have a temporary or permanent disability that restricts your ability to use the local fixed-route bus system. Your qualifying disability needs to be verified during an in-person Transportation Assessment conducted by NJ Transit. Rides to and from the assessment center are complimentary.

How to Get Started

To learn more about the Access Link service and the application process, call (973) 491-4224, ext. 1.