Jewish Assisted Living and Senior Care

A 2024 Guide to Jewish Senior Living

Matthew Jones Matthew Jones Writer and Editor

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Where are all the Jewish nursing homes near me? Is there Jewish assisted living in my area? If you find yourself asking these questions, you are not alone. Religion plays a vital role in the lives of millions of Americans. People of all ages want to live in a home or community that allows them to worship freely and congregate with like-minded individuals. For this reason, many Jewish seniors look for assisted living centers and senior care facilities that are specifically oriented to their belief system and lifestyle.

In today’s guide, we will discuss how Jewish senior care facilities differ from traditional senior living centers, who operates these facilities, the costs, and general tips for finding the best Jewish senior care near you. But first, it is important to understand what is meant by “Jewish senior care.” So, let’s get started!

What Is Jewish Senior Care?

What Is Jewish Senior Care

For many people, Judaism can expand beyond religion. Jewish identity is far more complex and cannot be simplified to just the doctrines and beliefs of the Jewish faith. More specifically, many Jewish people see their faith and identity as a way of life; it’s something that has an impact on their day-to-day activities, interactions, and relationships. As a result, Jewish-based senior care facilities are becoming an increasingly popular option for Jewish retirees to get the faith-based care they need.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? Roughly 2.4 percent of the U.S. population identifies as Jewish. That’s more than 7.6 million people!1

Jewish senior care facilities understand these nuances and allow residents to practice their faith and enjoy a sense of community with other Jewish seniors. The mission of many Jewish senior living centers is to carry on the heritage of the Jewish religion. This includes some of the most important Jewish values, including the significance of a meaningful life, showing compassion, freedom of choice, and living with dignity.

In addition to independent and assisted living facilities, Jewish seniors can also find at-home care and services. These at-home services provide medical care, frozen kosher meals, and Shabbat dinners to older adults who may need them. The goal is to allow seniors to continue living their lives in the Jewish tradition, even when they have reached an age where they need help with daily tasks.

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How Is Jewish Senior Living Different Than Traditional Senior Living?

Since Judaism is a way of life for many people, Jewish senior care facilities try to integrate Jewish faith, practices, and experiences into their programs. First, many offer transportation to local synagogues for those who want to get out of their home to worship. For those who can’t get out of the house, the facility can schedule a rabbi to visit and worship with residents. Often, the staff at these facilities will coordinate religious studies during the week so residents can practice their faith every day, not just on special occasions or certain days of the week.

It is also important to note that while Jewish senior living centers cater to people of the Jewish religion, they welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds. In fact, most Jewish senior care communities offer nondenominational services for various religious convictions. However, this varies from one provider to another.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? A Jewish retirement home or senior living center is not all about religion. You can practice any faith and still be welcome with open arms by nearly any Jewish senior care provider!

Many Jewish people also follow specific dietary restrictions that are factored in at these facilities. Jewish care spaces offer kosher foods, so seniors can maintain the diets they traditionally eat at home. Some assisted living facilities even advertise a kosher-only kitchen.

Lastly, there is a concerted effort to bring religious music and customs into the lives of residents. Depending on where the community is located, some Jewish senior care centers partner with local Jewish schools and provide regular performances for residents. Not only does this help build a sense of community, it also provides Jewish-centered events for residents to enjoy.

Who Operates These Care Centers?

As with most faith-based senior care facilities, Jewish senior care centers are typically run by a nonprofit organization and a board of directors. This means that all profits are returned to the facility to help pay for resident care. The organization and board of directors ensure that the mission of the facility is carried out and residents are cared for properly. Rabbis may also attend meetings with the board of directors at some facilities to help guide the organization’s management.

It is rare for a Jewish senior center to be run by or have high-level executives outside of the Jewish faith. This ensures that the interests of Jewish residents are considered from the top executives down to the orderlies and administrative assistants. In fact, many Jewish senior care centers are established by Jewish entrepreneurs and organizations that want to provide a safe space for Jewish elders and retirees.

How Much Does Jewish Senior Housing Cost?

Religion does not affect the cost of senior care. The level of care and type of room are often the deciding factors when it comes to cost. For example, a private room at an assisted living facility will cost more than a double room. Specialized care for ailments, such as Alzheimer’s disease, also factors into the cost, as specialized care is often more expensive.

The type of facility also determines what type of insurance is accepted. Medicare is often accepted for skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, but not for assisted living. Depending on state regulations, Medicaid may also be accepted. Some seniors can qualify for veterans’ benefits, which may apply to the cost of care. However, the cost of assisted living facilities is not typically covered by any insurance and is therefore an out-of-pocket expense.2

Did You Know?

Did You Know? Generally speaking, the more “hands-on” help you require, the higher the cost will be for your senior care, regardless of the provider. Be sure to consider these extra costs when devising a budget for your retirement living.

You may want to research the average cost of senior care in your state or region to better understand the cost of Jewish senior housing. That said, you can find the average national costs for various types of senior care and living facilities in the table below. Since special care for Jewish traditions does not significantly affect the price, you can estimate that your costs will be similar to most senior care facilities, with some variations based on where you live and the facility you choose.

Type of care or housing Average nationwide cost3
Adult day care $1,847 per month
Assisted living $4,917 per month
In-home care from a home health aide $5,625 per month
Nursing home care (semiprivate room) $8,641 per month
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Tips for Finding Jewish Senior Living and Communities

Tips For Finding Jewish Senior Living

If you’re looking for a Jewish senior living center or community in your area, make sure to find a high-quality, reputable provider. Fortunately, there are various organizations and online resources to support your search. We have compiled a few of the best places to help you find Jewish senior living centers or communities that can meet your needs.

  • The Association of Jewish Aging Services: AJAS is a nonprofit organization that has its foundation in Jewish values and supports aging populations in Jewish communities.
  • Jewish Family & Children’s Services: This group offers humanitarian and community support to children, families, and seniors from all walks of life. The organization has local offices all over the country, so be sure to search for the nearest branch for additional help.
  • Jewish Care Guide: This free guide is specifically designed to help Jewish families find senior living options for their loved ones.

You can also conduct your own Google search to find a Jewish nursing home or senior living near you. For example, if you’re looking for Jewish assisted living in New Jersey, you can head to Google.com and type in “Jewish assisted living in New Jersey” in the search bar. From there, look through the search results of local Jewish assisted living communities to learn more.

Many facilities have websites with photos of the community, information about housing and services offered, and contact information. If you find a community that interests you, simply give them a call and schedule a tour. Seeing the community for yourself is the best way to decide if it will be the right fit for you or your loved one!

Where Can I Find Jewish Senior Living?

Using the tips above, we have compiled a list of some Jewish senior living centers throughout the country. While this is not a comprehensive list of every Jewish senior care facility, it does cover centers across various regions, so you can get a better idea of what Jewish senior care looks like and the services offered. It’s important to note that the largest number of Jewish citizens live in New York (13 percent) and Florida (8.6 percent), so we have given special attention to these two states.4 In any case, if you’re asking yourself, “Where can I find a Jewish assisted living near me,” this list will help get your search started out on the right foot:

Citations
  1. Pew Research. (2021). The size of the U.S. Jewish population.

  2. National Institute on Aging. (2022). Paying for Care.

  3. Genworth. (2022). Cost of Care Survey.

  4. Brandeis University. (2013). American Jewish Population Estimates: 2012.

Written By:
Matthew Jones
Writer and Editor
Matthew is a freelance writer who has written on a wide range of topics, from personal finance to nutrition. Over the past three years, Matthew has worked extensively on articles and guides for seniors related to Medicare, insurance, and finance…. Learn More About Matthew Jones
Reviewed By:
Matthew Clem
Expert
Matt graduated from Bellarmine University’s School of Nursing and Clinical Sciences in 2011 and began his career in Louisville, Kentucky, as a registered nurse. He quickly realized his passion for the senior population, focusing on the long-term care of chronically… Learn More About Matthew Clem
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