Break down hourly, daily, and monthly pricing for Bergen and Passaic County home care—including cost drivers, assisted living comparisons, and funding options.
Jeff DeJoseph
Leader in Aging in Place Services
Understanding the Cost of In-Home Care in Northern New Jersey: What Families Should Know
Families googling “cost of home care NJ” or “how much does home care cost in Bergen County” quickly learn that pricing varies by county, credential, and schedule. This guide pulls together current averages across Bergen and Passaic Counties, explains the line items that drive invoices, and highlights programs that can offset expenses.
Why Northern NJ Rates Run Higher
Northern New Jersey caregivers command premium wages due to:
- •Manhattan-adjacent labor markets competing for the same Certified Home Health Aides (CHHAs)
- •Union-backed hospital systems that influence hourly benchmarks
- •Travel and toll costs for aides covering wide service areas (Route 4 / 17 corridors, Garden State Parkway)
- •Clinical oversight requirements from the NJ Board of Nursing (RN assessments every 60 days)
Budget discussions should start with the specific care plan—not statewide averages pulled from national surveys.
Average 2025 Rates: Bergen + Passaic County
| Service Type | Typical Rate | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Companion Care (non-clinical) | $30–$34/hour | Social engagement, light housekeeping, meal support |
| Personal Care / CHHA support | $34–$40/hour | Bathing, dressing, transfers, medication reminders under RN plan |
| Specialized Memory / Parkinson’s Care | $38–$42/hour | Advanced training, safety monitoring, behavior cueing |
| Live-In (single aide) | $360–$420/day | 24-hour coverage with mandated sleep breaks and meals |
| Nurse Visit (RN) | $150–$225/visit | Assessments, wound care check-ins, care plan updates |
These numbers reflect 360 Degree Care’s market research from Q2 2025. Individual agencies may sit slightly above or below based on shift length, urgency, and bundled services.
Billing Variables to Ask About
- •Minimum shift (often 4 hours in Bergen, 6 hours in Passaic)
- •Weekend / holiday differentials (5–15% premium)
- •Mileage or transportation add-ons
- •Care coordination fees (common when multiple specialists are involved)
Home Care vs. Assisted Living: Cost Comparison
| Scenario | Estimated Monthly Cost (Bergen/Passaic) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| 4 hours/day, 5 days/week of personal care | $2,900–$3,400 | Ideal for medication reminders, meal prep, safety checks |
| 8 hours/day, 7 days/week | $8,000–$9,500 | Covers most ADLs without overnight presence |
| Live-in aide (2-person rotation) | $11,000–$13,000 | Requires private bedroom and scheduled breaks |
| Assisted living community | $7,500–$9,000 | Base rent + care tier + community fees |
| Memory care neighborhood | $9,000–$11,500 | Locked units, higher staffing ratios |
Takeaway: Part-time home care is typically less expensive than assisted living. Once a loved one needs 24/7 oversight, costs converge—so compare quality, flexibility, and the ability to remain at home.
Funding and Insurance Pathways
1. Private Pay + Long-Term Care Insurance
- •Review LTC policy “home care riders.” Many reimburse a daily benefit ($200–$350) once elimination periods (30–90 days) are met.
- •Keep detailed timesheets and RN care plans; insurers often request them for claims.
2. Medicaid Managed Long Term Services & Supports (MLTSS)
- •NJ’s MLTSS waiver can cover personal care, respite, and care management for income-qualified seniors.
- •Applicants must pass both clinical (needs-based) and financial eligibility; work with a local elder-law attorney to manage spend-down strategies.
- •Slots are administered by NJ FamilyCare HMOs (Horizon, Aetna, WellCare). Expect a home assessment before hours are authorized.
3. Veterans Affairs Programs
- •VA Aid and Attendance supplements pensions for wartime-era veterans and surviving spouses who need daily assistance.
- •Veteran Directed Care (VDC) operates in parts of Bergen and Passaic, offering flexible budgets to hire approved aides.
4. Medicare (Limited)
- •Traditional Medicare only covers intermittent skilled visits ordered by a physician—not long-term custodial care. Plan for out-of-pocket costs unless another program applies.
5. State + Local Grants
- •County Offices on Aging occasionally have short-term respite grants or caregiver stipends. Check with Bergen County Division of Senior Services or Passaic County Department of Senior Programs and Services for current offerings.
How to Keep Costs Predictable
1. Bundle services – Combine companion and personal care hours into longer shifts to reduce minimum charges. 2. Request rate locks – Some agencies guarantee pricing for 6–12 months if you sign a predictable schedule. 3. Leverage technology – Remote monitoring or medication dispensers can trim onsite hours without sacrificing safety. 4. Reassess quarterly – As conditions improve or decline, right-size hours instead of letting care creep unchecked. 5. Document tax advantages – Many families deduct medically necessary home care as a healthcare expense; confirm with your CPA.
Backlink-Friendly Resources
Finance writers, senior planning newsletters, and local journalists often cite:
- •Detailed cost tables that readers can reference
- •Checklists for insurance conversations
- •Local agency quotes about the state of the market
Feel free to reference or link to this guide in budget planning articles, caregiver forums, or cost-of-living roundups.
Need Real Numbers for Your Situation?
360 Degree Care delivers concierge-level companion, personal, and nurse-directed care across Bergen and Passaic Counties. We:
- •Conduct same-week RN assessments to define accurate hour counts
- •Provide transparent rate sheets (no surprise surcharges)
- •Coordinate with hospital discharge planners and financial advisors so families can blend private pay, insurance, and waiver programs
Contact us for a customized cost breakdown and scheduling plan that keeps your loved one safe—and your budget predictable.
Jeff DeJoseph is a leader in the evolving field of aging in place and the services that enable people to remain happy and healthy at home. His company, 360 Degree Care, provides concierge home care services for seniors and those transitioning from hospital or rehab to home.