Skilled Nursing in Lakewood, NJ

Skilled Nursing in Lakewood, New Jersey: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask

Lakewood, New Jersey, is a vibrant community offering a mix of suburban comfort and access to essential healthcare services—making it an appealing location for retirement. Skilled nursing in Lakewood provides older adults with professional, 24-hour medical care and rehabilitation in a safe, supportive setting. New Jersey ranks in the top 25 states for assisted living, highlighting the state’s commitment to maintaining high standards in senior care.

About Skilled Nursing in Lakewood, NJ

In Lakewood, New Jersey, skilled nursing is defined as medically necessary care provided by licensed nurses and healthcare professionals in a supervised facility. This level of care is designed for seniors recovering from illness, surgery, or managing chronic conditions that require continuous medical oversight. Services typically include wound care, IV therapy, medication management, and routine health monitoring, along with assistance with personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, and mobility. Many skilled nursing providers in Lakewood also offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy, supporting recovery and promoting long-term wellness for older adults.

A skilled nursing facility is the building

Skilled nursing facilities offer 24-hour care and medical services, which include intermediate care and rebab and therapeutic care, all provided by licensed nurses and support professionals. Usually, skilled nursing is short-term acute care but may also offer long term care and intermediate care.

SNF, “skilled nursing facility” is the umbrella under which different care levels operate. “Nursing Home” is a common term used when referring to any/all senior living, although the term is a bit outdated.

Skilled nursing: Care that requires the skill of a nurse

Skilled Nursing is for seniors who may have planned surgeries or procedures (knee or hip replacement, etc.) and those individuals with acute or unplanned medical issues (Sepsis, cellulitis, UTI, etc). The oversight of a nurse may be required because care is not predictable and able to be preformed on a set schedule.

Levels of care offered in a skilled nursing facility

It is important to understand the differences between care services.

Rehabilitation and Therapy 

• This is treatment for an injury, illness, or pains with the goal restoring function, including nursing and therapy services.  
• The rehab plan is ordered by a physician. The services are provided by nurses and physical, occupational, and speech therapists.

Intermediate Care Facility (ICF)

• These are nursing facilities most suited for individuals who need 24-hour medical oversight in a well-structured setting. 
• Often times, residents share a room and they are encouraged to bring personal items to create a more home-like environment. 

Long-term Care

• Care provided by different caregivers in different settings. 
• Assists with activities of daily living (ADLs). 
• Care is not scheduled or predictable.

Examples of care provided at a Skilled Nursing Facility include:

• Skilled Nursing offers 24-hour skilled nursing care and medical services administered by licensed nurses and support professionals.  
• This is the highest level of care provided that is not a hospitalization.  
• A physician oversees the care of the individual.
• Trained staff assist with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, feeding, using the bathroom and getting in and out of bed.  
• Physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapy. 
• Regular monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, or blood sugar. 
• IV therapy 
• Wound and post-surgery care. 
• Injected medications.

Considerations when looking for Senior housing in Lakewood, NJ

There are 23 Skilled Nursing facilities in Lakewood, New Jersey. The estimated population of Lakewood is 69,398 with 5.3% of that number being those ages 65 and older. In Lakewood, the summers are warm, humid, and wet; the winters are very cold, snowy, and windy; and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 25°F to 85°F and is rarely below 11°F or above 93°F.

Cities near Lakewood, NJ

• Toms River, NJ – 10 miles south
• Brick Township, NJ – 10 miles east
• Jackson Township, NJ – 11 miles northwest
• Point Pleasant, NJ – 14 miles east
• Freehold, NJ – 19 miles north

Pricing and How to Pay for Skilled Nursing

Paying for senior care depends on several factors. On average, residents can expect to pay $16,014 per Month for Skilled Nursing services. These fees encompass personalized care, engaging activities, and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a fulfilling retirement experience. Keep in mind these costs may fluctuate depending on factors such as location and facility amenities.

Paying for Senior Living and Care will vary depending on a few factors. For instance, the level of care needed; the income and savings of the resident; the state and location of the community; or if the resident is a veteran. In the United States there are over 400 programs that may offer some monetary relief for senior care, but often the majority of costs are covered by private funds and family assistance. These funds come from our Federal, State, and Local Governments. 

It is important to take your time when exploring payment and coverage options.

Private pay – YES:

• Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
• Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
• Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicare -MAYBE:

Medicare will TYPICALLY cover Skilled Nursing (SNF) care ONLY under these factors: 

• People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
• Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
• The person has Medicare Part A, and has available days left in their benefit period. The person has a qualified hospital stay. (3 consecutive midnights or more) 
• The individual must enter SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital. 
• The person’s doctor has ordered inpatient services at a skilled nursing facility. 
• The individual must need and receive the skilled care daily. The care provided must be care that the person can only receive in a SNF. 
• The person needs skilled services because of an ongoing condition or a new condition that started while in a SNF for treatment of an ongoing condition. 
• The skilled services must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of the condition.  
• You must receive the care in a Medicare certified SNF.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

Medicaid can be a payer source if the patient needs both care and has a financial hardship based on the individual state criteria. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government; and national guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines. Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program. Each state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.

• Skilled nursing falls under Medicaid’s Nursing Facility Services. 
• People who are eligible for Medicaid must meet the state criteria for skilled nursing care. 
• The state of residency must abide by federal law and regulations when setting their skilled nursing care requirements.  
• The patient meets the state guidelines for income and asset limits.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.For a clearer understanding on coverage contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care services at some point, so naturally, buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

• Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
• Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

• There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
• A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
• If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Lakewood, NJ

• Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
  Address: 600 River Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  Phone: (732) 363-1900
• CHEMED Health Center
  Address: 1771 Madison Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701
  Phone: (732) 364-6666
• Ocean Medical Center
  Address: 425 Jack Martin Boulevard, Brick, NJ 08724
  Phone: (732) 840-2200
• Community Medical Center
  Address: 99 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755
  Phone: (732) 557-8000
• Jersey Shore University Medical Center
  Address: 1945 Route 33, Neptune, NJ 07753
  Phone: (732) 775-5500

Questions to ask a skilled nursing facility

• Is the facility licensed?
• Has the facility’s license ever been revoked?
• Is the facility Medicare/Medicaid certified?
• What types of insurance is accepted?
• Are all specific medical needs able to be met?
• What services are offered?
• What is the rate for basic care?
• Are any reviews available to be seen by the public?
• Are protocols in place to ensure healthy, balanced meals?
• What if an individual has specific dietary restrictions, can they be met at the facility?

Additional questions and inquiries to ask skilled nursing facilities

• What should a new resident (patient) bring with them?
• What is the difference between skilled nursing and assisted living?
• What happens in case of an emergency?
• Can the family pet visit the resident?
• What is the level of privacy?
• What are the available social activities?
• What is the hours for family visits?
• Can patients request special meals for dietary needs?
• Are skilled nursing facilities connected to hospitals?
• How big are the rooms?
• What are the training requirements of skilled nurses?

Resources and Links

New Jersey Division of Aging Services The Division of Aging Services (DoAS) administers a number of federal and state-funded programs that make it easier for older adults to live in the community as long as possible with independence, dignity and choice.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) The State Health Insurance Assistance Program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services which contracts with each of New Jerseys 21 Area Agencies on Aging to oversee SHIP activities at the local level. Some counties have specific sites where counselors are available on given days of the week at given times. Other counties provide locations for counselors to meet with clients as needed. A toll-free line is staffed by trained staff. Administrative staff and local programs conduct many outreach and educational events.

South Jersey Legal Services, Inc. South Jersey Legal Services, Inc. (SJLS) is a non-profit organization created to provide quality legal representation and advocacy to low-income individuals in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem Counties.

New Jersey Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman The New Jersey Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (NJLTCO) is part of a national resident-focused, person-centered advocacy program. NJLTCO is an independent advocate for individuals receiving long-term care. Representatives of the Office work with individual residents to help them address challenges they face; in addition, NJLTCO seeks opportunities to bring about change on local, state, and federal levels and by advocating for policy and legislative initiatives and participating in activities that support the Office’s core mission to advance the rights, the dignity and the self-determination of individuals living in long-term care.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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