Companion Care in South Toms River, NJ for Seniors

Local figures

Companion Care in South Toms River, NJ: the local picture

289

residents 65 or older (7.8% of South Toms River)

17%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (30% in Ocean County)

26%

of residents 5+ speak a language other than English at home

3.2%

of households have no vehicle (6.0% in Ocean County)

About 48 residents of South Toms River aged 65 or older live alone, 17% of older residents in households (30% in Ocean County). They are the people companion care is usually for: mostly independent, but on their own for long stretches of the day.

3.2% of South Toms River households have no vehicle (6.0% in Ocean County). A companion who drives can turn a week at home into appointments, shopping and visits.

Of the 289 South Toms River residents aged 65 or older, 19 are 85 or older (6.6%). Before the first visit with someone in that oldest group, ask the family about hearing, eyesight, walking and any memory changes, so the visit is planned around them.

161 South Toms River households headed by someone 65 or older own their home and 13 rent. A companion visiting a house may also help with mail, light chores and keeping an eye on things; in an apartment building, ask whether visitors sign in.

About 21 older South Toms River residents (7.3%) live below the poverty line (8.3% in Ocean County). For them, Medicaid home and community-based services or the local Area Agency on Aging may cover some companion or homemaker hours, depending on the state program; private pay is not the only route.

About 26% of South Toms River residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Spanish (794), Tagalog (33), other languages (33). 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.

South Toms River compared with Ocean County and New Jersey

Census figure	South Toms River	Ocean County	New Jersey
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	17%	30%	27%
Residents 65 or older	7.8%	23%	17%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	26%	13%	33%
Households with no vehicle	3.2%	6.0%	11%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.3%	8.3%	9.7%
Residents 65+ with a disability	27%	31%	30%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$79,500	$62,752	—

Older residents in towns around South Toms River

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Beachwood, NJ	0.8 mi	2,182	17%
Holiday City South, NJ	1.9 mi	2,808	32%
Toms River, NJ	4.0 mi	18,961	30%
Holiday City-Berkeley, NJ	4.2 mi	8,958	42%
Pine Lake Park, NJ	5.1 mi	1,290	29%
Pine Ridge at Crestwood, NJ	5.8 mi	1,762	33%

Hospitals near South Toms River (for rides to appointments)

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Community Medical Center	Toms River, NJ	4.3 mi	1 of 5	(732) 557-8000
Monmouth Medical Center-Southern Campus	Lakewood, NJ	10 mi	3 of 5	(732) 363-1900
Ocean Medical Center	Brick, NJ	11 mi	4 of 5	(732) 840-2200

Straight-line miles from the center of South Toms River. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

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 South Toms River

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 23% of the $6,625 monthly median income of South Toms River 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 South Toms River: common questions

How many seniors live alone in South Toms River?

About 48 residents aged 65 or older, 17% of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024) (30% in Ocean County).

How much does companion care cost in South Toms River?

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 23% of the $6,625 monthly median income of South Toms River 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 South Toms River?

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.

More near South Toms River

More senior care near South Toms River

Companion Care in nearby cities

Other care in South Toms River

More for South Toms River families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); 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.

Companion Care for Seniors in South Toms River, NJ