About Retirement Living in New Jersey

If you are a New Jersey senior citizen about to determine which retirement living facility is appropriate for you, it is important to first consider several factors. First, it is important to consider what type of retirement community you prefer. Second, ask yourself: Are you a free spirit with a great appreciation for community or do you have specific medical needs that require daily care? Regardless of the answer, there is a retirement living facility in New Jersey that is right for you. You can even look to the Web to compile a list of retirement communities in New Jersey in your area of choice. Most sites even provide contact information so you can speak with the community director and arrange a tour of the property and grounds.

Considerations

From the resident population to the type of retirement community, retirement living options in New Jersey vary. Retirees can choose an independent living facility like The Shores At Wesley Manor in Ocean City, PineRidge of Montclair in Montclair, or Cresskill Sunrise Community in Cresskill. These facilities, and others like them, offer senior residents autonomy with some assistance for difficult to manage activities.
Retirees can choose a home care facility like Adult Daycare Center Inc in Basking Ridge, Be Kind Health Care Services Inc in West Orange, or Booker Cancer Center at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. These facilities, and others like them, offer full time in-home assistance; residents receive in-home care while at the retirement facility.
Retirees can also choose an assisted living facility like Acorn Glen in Princeton, Abbey Woods At Delbarton in Morristown or Ad ROV R Specialties in Wayne. These facilities, and other like them, offer assistance with personal grooming and daily activities such as bathing and dressing. All of these facilities have on-site medical staff available to residents and some are affiliated with hospitals in the area for faster care.

Features

When selecting a retirement living facility in New Jersey consider the following: Do you lead an active lifestyle with little to no required assistance? If so, you may benefit from an independent living facility. Do you require daily medical assistance such as physical training or rehabilitation? If so, you may benefit from an assisted living or rehabilitation facility. Do you suffer from a cognitive disorder or illness such as Alzheimer's and require more specific and regulated care and treatment? If so, you may benefit from a Alzheimer's care facility. Choose a facility that is most appropriate for your lifestyle requirements with the ability to provide the medical assistance required for your needs on a daily basis. Check out the Resource section for a complete list of retirement communities in New Jersey.

Identification

Consider a retirement living facility in New Jersey like Sunrise Senior Living, Masonic Home of New Jersey or The Clare Estate. All three are listed on the Retirement Homes website under the New Jersey Retirement Living section. Sunrise Senior Living has over 400 senior living communities worldwide with over 52,000 residents among its U.S. and international locations. The New Jersey facility offers care in the following areas: Active lifestyle, independent living, congregate living, assisted living, continuing care, nursing care, Alzheimer's care, and rehabilitation care.
The Masonic Home of New Jersey was founded by the Masonic Fraternity and is open to the public. The Masonic Home of New Jersey offers care in the following areas: Active lifestyle, independent living, congregate living, assisted living, continuing care, nursing care, Alzheimer's care, and rehabilitation care.
The Clare Estate is a luxurious senior residential community that sits on a 10 acre estate. Housed between historic buildings, sweeping gardens and lawns, the facility offers independent living, assisted living, and enhanced living services.

Theories/Speculation

According to the Top Retirement website, Princeton is one of the best retirement communities in New Jersey for active retirees over age 50. According to the site, other high ranking retirement communities include Manahawkin, a great location for retirees looking for a quiet environ; Ocean City, a great location for retirees looking to participate in the beach culture of the town; and Cape May, a Victorian city located at the southernmost tip of New Jersey. Other noted towns include: Toms River, Madison, Red Bank, and Montclair.
As a general rule, a town is considered retiree friendly if it offers safe and affordable retirement communities, provides cultural and sporting events at all fitness levels, is located in a scenic area with a good climate (e.g. summers are not too hot and winters are not too cold) and offers its senior citizens above the national average tax breaks and other incentives.

Expert Insight

Unlike Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee, New Jersey does not participate in a certified retirement community program. Although varied in purpose, the general objective of the programs exercised by these states is to provide seniors with the following amenities: State and local tax incentives; Senior living housing opportunities at reduced costs; Health care services; Transportation services; Community enrichment programs; Recreation and sports events.
New Jersey may not have a formal retirement community incentive plan, but it does offer state tax incentives that make New Jersey an attractive place to live during retirement. These include tax breaks for pension and military pay and property tax relief programs geared specifically for seniors. New Jersey provides a tax rebate program on property taxes for seniors earning $250,000 in income annually. As with the tax breaks, income will determine eligibility.
Seniors with an annual income in excess of $500,000 may be subject to an income tax rate of 8.97 percent. Some seniors with an annual income of at least $20,000 may be subject to an income tax of 1.4 percent. These are only estimates and will vary based on income and location. For example, Newark has the nation's highest income tax rate with 11.9 percent.
The New Jersey state sales tax is 7 percent.

Warning

Always check and/or inspect the following areas before signing a contract: community grounds, residence facilities, community areas, dining halls, recreational services, nursing staff and community director, and surrounding area.

Resources

• Retirement Homes
• Hyatt Classic
• Top Retirements