Jewish Assisted Living and 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.

Jewish senior care facilities understand these nuances and allow residents to practice their faith and enjoy community with other Jewish seniors. The mission of many Jewish senior living centers is to carry on the heritage of the Jewish religion. It includes some of the most important Jewish values, including the significance of having 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.

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 leave 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.

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. Most Jewish senior care communities offer nondenominational services for various religious convictions. However, this varies from one provider to another.

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, but it also offers 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. In other words, 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 room type are often the deciding factors for 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. Medicaid may also be accepted, depending on state regulations. 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

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.

Tips for Finding Jewish Senior Living and Communities

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 meet your needs.

• The Association of Jewish Aging Services: AJAS is a nonprofit organization with a 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 countrywide, so 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 “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. Call and schedule a tour if you see a community that interests you. Seeing the community for yourself is the best way to decide if it will be ideal 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. Notably, 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 on the right foot:

• Jewish Senior Life (Rochester, New York)
• Signature Senior Living (New York City, New York)
• Hebrew Home at Riverdale (Riverdale, New York)
• The Self Help Home (Chicago, Illinois)
• Rose Blumkin Jewish Home (Omaha, Nebraska)
• The Jewish Home Family Assisted Living (River Vale, New Jersey)
• Los Angeles Jewish Home (Los Angeles, California)
• Sinai Residences (Boca Raton, Florida)
• Miami Jewish Health (Miami, Florida)
• Weinberg Village (Tampa, Florida)
• Seven Acres (Houston, Texas)