Respite Care in Forked River, NJ for Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Forked River, NJ: the local picture

1,315

residents 65 or older (25% of Forked River)

65%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in Ocean County)

16

Medicare-certified hospices serve Forked River ZIP codes

Most older adults in Forked River live with someone: 65% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 393 Forked River residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (31% in Ocean County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 16 hospices serving Forked River ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Forked River compared with Ocean County and New Jersey

Census figure	Forked River	Ocean County	New Jersey
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	31%	30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	30%	27%
Residents 65 or older	25%	23%	17%
Residents 85 or older	4.4%	3.1%	2.1%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	14%	8.3%	9.7%
Households with no vehicle	2.4%	6.0%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$71,667	$62,752	—

Older residents in towns around Forked River

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Barnegat, NJ	5.4 mi	593	12%
Beachwood, NJ	7.2 mi	2,182	22%
Ocean Acres, NJ	7.9 mi	3,300	29%
South Toms River, NJ	7.9 mi	289	27%
Holiday City South, NJ	9.4 mi	2,808	34%
Holiday City-Berkeley, NJ	11 mi	8,958	39%

Hospices serving Forked River

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Vna Of Central Jersey Home Care & Hospice	Toms River, NJ	11 mi	(732) 818-6800
Holisticare Hospice Of New Jersey, LLC	Toms River, NJ	12 mi	(844) 254-4400
Affinity Care Of NJ, LLC	Brick, NJ	15 mi	(732) 800-9494
Embracing Hospice Care Of New Jersey	Wall, NJ	24 mi	(732) 974-2545
Hackensack Meridian Hospice	Neptune, NJ	27 mi	(732) 751-3750

Nursing homes near Forked River (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Tallwoods Care Center	Bayville, NJ	4.7 mi	3 of 5	180	(732) 237-2220
Crystal Lake Healthcare And Rehabilitation	Bayville, NJ	4.8 mi	not rated	235	(732) 269-0500
Barnegat Rehabilitation And Nursing Center	Barnegat, NJ	5.7 mi	2 of 5	115	(609) 698-1400
Manahawkin Health And Rehabilitation Center	Manahawkin, NJ	9.7 mi	1 of 5	120	(609) 597-8500

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

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care costs in Forked 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 26% of the $5,972 monthly median income of Forked 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 respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

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

Questions

Respite Care in Forked River: common questions

Which hospices serve Forked River?

Medicare lists 16 hospices for Forked River ZIP codes, including Vna Of Central Jersey Home Care & Hospice, Holisticare Hospice Of New Jersey, LLC, Affinity Care Of NJ, LLC.

How much does respite care cost in Forked 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 26% of the $5,972 monthly median income of Forked 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).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Forked River. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers New Jersey.

More near Forked River

More senior care near Forked River

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Forked River

More for Forked River families

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.

Respite Care in Forked River, NJ