Buena, New Jersey

Companion Care for Seniors in Buena, NJ

Conversation, outings, meals together and a steady, friendly presence for an older adult who lives alone or spends long days by themselves. Post what you need in Buena for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A smiling caregiver with her arm around an older woman in a bright room at home
Local figures

Companion Care in Buena, NJ: the local picture

850
residents 65 or older (19% of Buena)
43%
of residents 65+ in households live alone (29% in Atlantic County)
33%
of residents 5+ speak a language other than English at home
6.5%
of households have no vehicle (11% in Atlantic County)

About 363 residents of Buena aged 65 or older live alone, 43% of older residents in households (29% in Atlantic County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

6.5% of Buena households have no vehicle (11% in Atlantic County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

About 33% of Buena residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Spanish (941), other Indo-European languages (301), Russian, Polish or other Slavic languages (61). If the person you care for is more at ease in one of these languages, say so in your posting; many caregivers list the languages they speak.

Buena compared with Atlantic County and New Jersey

Census figureBuenaAtlantic CountyNew Jersey
Residents 65+ in households who live alone43%29%27%
Residents 65 or older19%20%17%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home33%26%33%
Households with no vehicle6.5%11%11%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)12%11%9.7%
Residents 65+ with a disability51%33%30%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$29,830$61,931—

Older residents in towns around Buena

TownDistanceResidents 65+Live alone (65+)
Vineland, NJ5.2 mi10,20026%
Williamstown, NJ11 mi2,51935%
Millville, NJ11 mi5,56138%
Clayton, NJ12 mi1,86114%
Hammonton, NJ13 mi3,28825%
Mays Landing, NJ14 mi1,52419%
What it covers

What a companion caregiver can help with

  • Conversation, cards, puzzles and shared hobbies
  • Walks and outings to the park, library or senior center
  • Company at meals, and help preparing them
  • Rides or escort to appointments, church and visits
Cost

What companion care costs in Buena

At the New Jersey median aide wage of $17.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,545 a month in wages, which is 62% of the $2,486 monthly median income of Buena households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a companion caregiver

Isolation is a health risk, not only a mood. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that nearly one in four Americans aged 65 and older living in the community is socially isolated, and linked isolation to higher risks of dementia, heart disease and early death (2020 report).

Questions worth asking: What do you enjoy doing with the people you care for? Are you comfortable driving, and is your car insured for passengers? How do you handle a client who does not want company at first? More in our companion care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Companion Care in Buena: common questions

How many seniors live alone in Buena?

About 363 residents aged 65 or older, 43% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (29% in Atlantic County).

How much does companion care cost in Buena?

At the New Jersey median aide wage of $17.83 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,545 a month in wages, which is 62% of the $2,486 monthly median income of Buena households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. New Jersey's minimum wage is $15.92 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

What does a companion caregiver do in Buena?

A companion keeps an older adult company and helps around the visit: conversation, activities, walks, meals, errands, rides and reminders. It suits someone who is mostly independent but lonely, or a family that wants someone to check in on weekdays.

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

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