Senior Living in Highlands, New Jersey

Senior living in Highlands

Monmouth County stretches from the quiet horse farms out west to the salty rim of the Atlantic. Highlands sits right at the northern maritime edge of the county, tucked along Sandy Hook Bay where the Shrewsbury River empties toward the ocean. It is a historic borough of about 4,600 residents, shaped by steep hills, working docks, and sweeping water views.

Life here moves to a coastal rhythm. Bay Avenue runs through the flat lower village near the marinas, while residential lanes climb up Mount Mitchill and the coastal bluffs toward the Navesink Twin Lights. Most families travel along Route 36 to run errands or cross the bridge into Sea Bright. New York City commuters catch the Seastreak ferry right off Shore Drive. For older residents who have spent decades around the water, staying connected to this breezy, close-knit corner of Monmouth County matters deeply.

Growing older in Highlands

Aging in Highlands has a distinct character. Many homes in town are older bungalows, multi-level cottages, or waterfront houses perched on steep grades. While the views are spectacular, these properties often feature narrow staircases, elevated porches, and hilly driveways that become difficult to manage when mobility declines.

Driving is essential for grocery shopping or medical appointments outside the borough. When an aging parent stops driving, getting up and down the bluffs can leave them isolated quickly. Adult children often live nearby in Middletown, Atlantic Highlands, or Red Bank, helping with errands on weekends. But when daily maintenance, medication schedules, or personal care become too much, families start exploring care settings that remove the burdens of home upkeep while keeping seniors close to the bay.

Care options in and around Highlands

Finding the right care depends on how much daily support your loved one needs:

• Independent living: Designed for active seniors who want to skip mowing lawns, shoveling winter snow, or climbing steep stairs. Residents live in private apartments with communal meals, social events, and scheduled outings. Read more about independent living for self-sufficient older adults.
• Assisted living: For seniors who need regular help with bathing, dressing, managing medications, or walking safely. Staff members are available around the clock, giving adult children peace of mind. Learn about assisted living options near the coast.
• Memory care: Secure, structured environments tailored for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. These programs offer cueing, specialized daily routines, and secure outdoor spaces to prevent wandering. Explore memory care services designed for cognitive support.
• Skilled nursing: Clinical care for seniors recovering from surgery, stroke, or severe illness, as well as long-term bed-bound care under 24-hour nursing supervision.
• Home care services: Professional caregivers come directly to the house in Highlands to assist with personal hygiene, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and companionship.

Because Highlands is geographically small and bounded by steep bluffs and the bay, there are no licensed assisted living or memory care facilities directly within the borough limits. However, families in Highlands do not have to move far.

Neighbouring towns across northern Monmouth County offer several well-regarded options. You will find full-service assisted living residences, dedicated memory care wings, and active retirement communities just minutes away along Route 35 and Route 36 in Middletown, Red Bank, and Holmdel. These nearby communities keep residents connected to their familiar doctors, churches, and family routines. You can search senior communities to explore verified options around the area.

Local resources that make a difference

Families in Highlands can tap into several public and county supports:

• Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services: The primary county office connects older adults with benefits counseling, caregiver support programs, and home-delivered meals.
• Monmouth County SCAT (Specialized Community Area Transportation): Provides shared-ride, curb-to-curb transportation for seniors heading to doctor appointments, dialysis, and shopping centers across the county.
• Henry Hudson Regional community programs and local churches: Places like Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Miller Street provide a strong social and spiritual anchor for longtime borough elders.
• Riverview Medical Center: Located just up the river in Red Bank, this Hackensack Meridian Health hospital serves as the primary medical and emergency facility for Highlands residents.
• Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook: A passive county park on the bluffs, home to the Monmouth County September 11th Memorial, offering gentle walking paths and benches looking out over Sandy Hook.

What senior living costs around here

Costs in northern Monmouth County reflect its coastal location and proximity to the New York metro area.

Independent living generally runs between $3,200 and $5,500 per month, depending on apartment size and amenities included. Assisted living typically starts around $5,800 and can reach $9,200 monthly, with total fees varying based on the level of physical care required. Memory care carries higher staffing ratios and secure programming, usually ranging from $7,200 to $10,500 per month. In-home care aides across the area generally bill between $28 and $38 per hour.

Getting started in Highlands

Deciding on senior living can feel overwhelming, especially when sorting through options across the bridge or down the highway. Life Senior Placement provides free, personalized guidance to help your family evaluate nearby communities and home care providers.

Call us at (862) 398-2006 to talk through your loved one's needs, budget, and location preferences with someone who knows Monmouth County.

What assisted living costs around here

$9,450 a month

That is the North and Central New Jersey median for assisted living. New Jersey is the 5th most expensive state in the country for assisted living.

That market area includes Monmouth County.

Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, published March 2026. Figures verified September 2026.

What care costs around Highlands

• Independent Living$3,200 – $5,500 a month
• Assisted Living$5,800 – $9,200 a month
• Memory Care$7,200 – $10,500 a month
• Home Care$28 – $38 an hour

Broad local ranges, not quotes. Call (862) 398-2006 and we will price real options for you.

Official local resources

• Borough of Highlands
• Monmouth County Division on Aging

Latest in Highlands

Questions families in Highlands ask