Aging in Place

Bergen County, New Jersey · Reviewed October 10, 2026

Aging-in-place services for Bergen County residents in 2026

Aging in place can involve more than adapting a home. Meals, transportation, caregiver support, benefits guidance, and help coordinating services can all matter. This guide starts with public Bergen County and New Jersey resources and explains where to ask about eligibility.

Editorial note: This is a resource guide, not a ranking of contractors or a guarantee that a program is accepting applications. Program rules, funding, service areas, and availability can change. Confirm details directly with the agency before making plans.

Start with Bergen County’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection

The Bergen County Division of Senior Services / Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) is a practical first call for older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and professionals. The County says it can help people find aging-in-place and long-term-care options, home modifications and repairs, transportation, caregiver support, nutrition, benefits counseling, Medicare counseling, and care-management referrals.

Call: (201) 336-7400 or 1-877-222-3737
Email: seniors@bergencountynj.gov

The County identifies adults age 60 and older, adults with disabilities age 18 and older, and family caregivers among the people who may contact the Division. Ask the ADRC to help identify services for your town and situation; contacting the County is not a guarantee of program eligibility.

Home repairs and accessibility improvements

Bergen County’s Home Improvement Program (HIP) describes an interest-free loan with no monthly payments for qualified low- to moderate-income Bergen County owner-occupants. Its current program page lists eligible one-family homes and condominium interiors, and states maximum loan amounts of $17,500 for a one-family home or condominium interior and $25,000 for a two-family home. It says repayment is due when the property is sold or its title is transferred.

This is a loan, not a grant. Income, financial status, family size, property type, and the proposed work affect eligibility. The County lists general repairs such as heating, plumbing, electrical, windows, doors, steps, and other improvements; it does not promise that a particular accessibility project will qualify. Before hiring a contractor, ask HIP whether the specific work—such as a safer entry, bathroom changes, or grab bars—is eligible and whether funds are available.

HIP contact: (201) 336-6999 · GetHIP@bergencountynj.gov. Check the County’s HIP page for the current pre-application and requirements.

Meals delivered at home

Bergen County’s Meals on Wheels program provides weekday meal deliveries to eligible residents in its service area. The County page lists requirements including age 60 or older, being homebound, needing help to leave home, being unable to shop for or prepare a nutritious meal without assistance, receiving no more than four hours of in-home assistance during the day, and not receiving Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS). A separate County program serves some adults ages 18–59 with disabilities.

The County lists a suggested donation of $1.25 per meal and says donations are voluntary and service is not denied if someone cannot donate. Call (201) 336-7420 to ask about eligibility, the current service area, and how to apply. If the resident’s town is not listed, ask the ADRC about other local meal options.

In-home help, caregiver support, and wellness

The County’s In-Home Services directory includes care-management screening and referrals, home-health-care locating information, emergency-response systems, telephone reassurance, friendly visitors, and other listings. The County describes care managers as helping homebound people and their caregivers navigate community services and find needed supports. Use the directory as a starting point, then confirm services, qualifications, costs, and availability directly with each provider; directory inclusion is not an endorsement by Bergen County Best.

The County also lists a Wellness Check Program, described as a free automated phone-call service. Call (201) 336-7419 to ask how it works and whether it is appropriate.

For family and other caregivers, Bergen County caregiver-support resources include information on respite programs, education, support groups, and the Dementia Friendly Bergen County initiative. Ask the Division which option fits the situation and whether there are current enrollment or referral steps.

For people at risk of nursing-facility placement, the County directory also describes Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) as a state-funded program that may provide a tailored package of in-home support to eligible residents. Income and resource requirements apply. Contact the ADRC at (201) 336-7400 to ask about assessment and current availability.

Benefits and long-term-care options in New Jersey

NJSave is a State of New Jersey application that screens eligible low-income older adults and people with disabilities for savings programs. Depending on eligibility, programs may help with Medicare premiums, prescription costs, utilities, and other expenses. The State lists the NJSave assistance line at 1-800-792-9745. Bergen County’s ADRC or State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help people with the application.

NJ FamilyCare Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) is a Medicaid program that coordinates long-term services for people who meet clinical and financial eligibility requirements. New Jersey directs adults age 21 and older who do not already have Medicaid to contact their county ADRC or county social-services agency to begin an assessment; current NJ FamilyCare members should contact their managed-care plan. The ADRC can help explain the local starting point, but only the program can determine eligibility.

A useful checklist before you call

• Write down the resident’s Bergen County town and the daily tasks that have become difficult.
• Describe any home-safety concern, such as steps, bathing, or moving between rooms, and ask which agency can assess it.
• Ask about service-area limits, eligibility, fees or loan repayment, wait times, application documents, and language access.
• For a paid home project, get a written scope and estimate, check contractor registration and insurance, and confirm program approval before work begins.
• Do not send Social Security, Medicare, banking, or other sensitive information by ordinary email; use the agency’s verified application process.

Frequently asked questions

Where should a Bergen County family start?

Call the Division of Senior Services / ADRC at (201) 336-7400 or 1-877-222-3737. Explain the kind of help needed and the resident’s town, then ask which office or program handles the next step.

Does Bergen County HIP provide free home modifications?

No. The County describes HIP as an interest-free loan for qualified applicants—not a grant. The program page lists repayment when the property is sold or the title is transferred. Confirm the current terms and whether proposed accessibility work qualifies before proceeding.

Can every Bergen County resident receive Meals on Wheels?

No. The County lists eligibility rules and a limited service area. Call (201) 336-7420 to check the current application criteria and the resident’s municipality.

How can someone find out whether they qualify for NJ FamilyCare MLTSS?

Eligibility includes clinical and financial requirements. Adults age 21 and older who do not already have Medicaid can start by contacting the County ADRC or county social-services agency; people already enrolled should contact their managed-care plan.

Official sources

This guide was checked against the following official County and State pages on October 10, 2026. Program information can change; confirm details with the agency before acting.

• Bergen County Division of Senior Services
• Information and Assistance / ADRC
• In-Home Services directory
• Meals on Wheels
• Caregiver Support Services
• Bergen County Home Improvement Program
• New Jersey NJSave
• New Jersey MLTSS

Bergen County Best is an independent local publication, not a government agency. This guide is informational, not medical, legal, financial, or benefits advice. No paid placement is included in this guide.

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