If you are caring for an aging parent or spouse in Fair Lawn, you are not alone. Bergen County has one of the largest senior populations in New Jersey, and there is a surprisingly rich network of support for older adults and family caregivers.
The challenge is usually not “Is there help” but “Where do I start”.
This guide pulls the most important resources into one place so families in Fair Lawn can quickly find real, local help.
Applause Home Care: In Home Support Right In Fair Lawn
Applause Home Care is a locally owned, non franchise home care agency based in Fair Lawn that provides non medical home care for older adults and individuals with disabilities, mobility challenges, or chronic illness.
Key points for families:
Location: 23 00 NJ 208, Suite 1 2, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Services typically include:
Personal care: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting
Companion care and safety supervision
Help with meals, light housekeeping and errands
Support after a hospital or rehab stay
Care partnering approach: They emphasize “care partnering”, which means the client remains as independent and involved as possible while caregivers support daily life.
How this fits with other resources in this guide:
County and borough programs can help with meals, transportation, benefits, and caregiver education.
Applause Home Care can be the “eyes and ears” in the home, coordinate with these programs, and provide the day to day hands on support that keeps a loved one safe at home.
Government And County Wide Aging Services
Bergen County Division of Senior Services / Area Agency on Aging
Bergen County’s main hub for senior services is the
Bergen County Division of Senior Services in Hackensack. It is the officially designated Area Agency on Aging and lead agency for the county’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection.
What they help with:
Information and referrals for almost any senior service in the county
Help navigating long term care options and aging in place supports
Assistance with housing, home modifications, and benefits
Connections to transportation, meal programs, caregiver support, and more.
Contact
Phone: 201-336-7400 (listed as the county aging services contact for Bergen)
If you feel overwhelmed and do not know where to start, this is often the best first phone call after talking with your loved one’s doctor and Applause Home Care.
New Jersey Division of Aging Services – County Offices on Aging
At the state level, the New Jersey Division of Aging Services maintains a list of County Offices on Aging, including Bergen County’s contact information.
Confirms address and phone number for Bergen County Division of Senior Services
This state directory is useful if your loved one has family in multiple New Jersey counties or may move in the future.
Borough Of Fair Lawn Senior Services
Fair Lawn Senior Center
The Fair Lawn Senior Center is one of the most important local hubs for older adults and their caregivers. It is a borough run center that offers social, educational, and wellness programs.
Location: 11 05 Gardiner Road, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Phone: 201-796-1191
Who it serves: Adults 60 and older from Fair Lawn and the surrounding area, plus family members who may need guidance.
Typical offerings:
Exercise classes, health screenings, and wellness programs
Education on Medicare, safety, and aging issues
Social events, clubs, games, and cultural activities
A nutrition program that may include congregate meals.
The Senior Center is located near the library and Borough Hall and is accessible by free public transportation in Fair Lawn, which makes it easier for older adults who no longer drive.
Helpful tip: Ask staff about any caregiver education or support groups that may be offered locally or through partner organizations.
Fair Lawn Senior Citizen Services & Transportation
The borough’s Senior Citizen Services page outlines transportation options and other practical help for older adults.
Key transportation supports:
Bergen County Transportation
Rides within Bergen County for seniors and residents with disabilities
Phone: 201 336 7400 or 201 368 5955 for van information.
Fair Lawn Mini Bus
Free, very popular local minibus for seniors
Used for shopping, appointments, and trips
When fully booked, the borough lists alternative options like Access Link and GoGoGrandparent.
Access Link (NJ Transit)
Paratransit service for people who cannot use local fixed route buses
Phone: 800 955 2321, option 1
GoGoGrandparent
A service that helps older adults use Uber or Lyft by phone rather than an app
Phone: 1 855 464 6872
The community site FairLawnForAllAges.org also lists transportation resources such as EZ Ride / Ryde4Life and private arm in arm services for medical and social appointments.
Nutrition, Meals, And Food Support
Good nutrition can be the difference between staying at home safely and repeated hospital visits. Bergen County and local agencies offer several options.
Bergen County Meals on Wheels
The Bergen County Meals on Wheels program delivers hot or frozen meals to eligible homebound seniors and adults with disabilities.
Phone: 201 336 7420
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Who is served:
Adults 60 plus who are largely homebound
Spouses or caregivers of eligible seniors
Adults 18 to 59 with disabilities who live alone and cannot prepare meals
Meals are usually delivered daily or several times per week and can be paired with in home care from Applause Home Care to ensure safe heating, plating, and hydration.
Meals on Wheels North Jersey
Meals on Wheels North Jersey is a nonprofit that provides nutritious meals and a daily visit to homebound neighbors in Bergen County.
Volunteers deliver a two meal package that can be tailored to dietary needs.
This is a good option if a loved one needs both food and regular social contact, especially when family members live further away.
Kosher Meals On Wheels And Jewish Community Support
For Jewish seniors, the local Jewish community offers additional resources:
Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey (JFCS)
Older Adult Services include Kosher Meals on Wheels, care management, counseling, and caregiver support, often in partnership with the county’s ADRC.
Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey
Helps fund programs for seniors, including Kosher Meals on Wheels and other supportive services.Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey
Caregiver Support, Memory Care, And Dementia Resources
Families caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia often need education, emotional support, and respite.
Bergen County Caregiver Support Services
The Bergen County Division of Senior Services – Caregiver Support Services program connects caregivers to:
Respite care options
Caregiver education and workshops
Support groups and counseling referrals
It also highlights regional dementia resources, including the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter.
Alzheimer’s New Jersey
Alzheimer’s New Jersey is a statewide nonprofit dedicated solely to New Jersey families:
Provides a helpline at 1 888 280 6055
Offers caregiver education, respite care and wellness programs, family support groups, and safety resources
Support groups may meet in Bergen County or virtually, which can be very convenient for Fair Lawn caregivers.
Alzheimer’s Association – Greater New Jersey Chapter
The Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter also serves Bergen County:
24 7 Helpline: 800 272 3900
Offers education programs, support groups, care consultation, and community events.
Caregivers can safely combine:
Regular hands on support at home from Applause Home Care
Emotional and educational support through Alzheimer’s New Jersey or the Alzheimer’s Association
Respite and financial guidance through Bergen County Caregiver Support Services
Counseling, Mental Health, And Social Work Services
Caring for an older adult is emotionally and practically demanding. These agencies can support both seniors and family caregivers.
Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey
As noted above, JFCS of Northern New Jersey offers a broad Older Adult Services program:
Licensed social workers who provide in home mental health services and case management
Caregiver support, counseling, and help connecting to community resources
Friendly visitor and shopper programs for isolated seniors
Website: JFCS NNJ – Older Adult Services
Other Faith Based And Community Counseling
Many houses of worship in Fair Lawn and nearby towns offer:
Pastoral counseling
Friendly visitor programs
Volunteer help with rides or meals
Since these change over time, it is wise to ask the Bergen County Division of Senior Services or the Fair Lawn Senior Center staff for the most current local options.
Hospitals, Rehabilitation, And Medical Care Near Fair Lawn
While Applause Home Care focuses on non medical home care, families in Fair Lawn often coordinate with local hospitals and medical providers.
The Valley Hospital / Valley Health System
The Valley Hospital is a major acute care hospital that serves Fair Lawn and other Bergen County communities. The hospital recently opened a new campus in Paramus and is part of Valley Health System.
Services include:
Emergency care
Inpatient and outpatient services
Numerous specialty clinics and Valley Medical Group practices throughout the area
Location details and directions are available on the Valley Health System website: Valley Health – Locations.
After a hospital stay, many families in Fair Lawn partner with:
The hospital discharge planning team
Bergen County Division of Senior Services
Applause Home Care for step down support at home
That combination can reduce the risk of readmission and help a loved one regain strength safely.
How To Use These Resources Together
It helps to think in layers rather than “either or”:
In home support
Applause Home Care provides daily hands on help, safety oversight, companionship, and support with personal care and household tasks.
Government and nonprofit coordination
Bergen County Division of Senior Services and the NJ Division of Aging Services can help you understand benefits, financial assistance, and long term care options.
Local community connections
Fair Lawn Senior Center, borough transportation programs, and FairLawnForAllAges.org connect your loved one to social, educational, and wellness activities and help with transportation and meals.
Specialized help when needed
Dementia support through Alzheimer’s New Jersey or the Alzheimer’s Association
Mental health and case management through JFCS and similar agencies
Medical care through Valley Hospital and local physicians
First Steps For Fair Lawn Families
If you are not sure where to begin, you can follow this simple sequence:
Talk with Applause Home Care, Call 201-326-8051
Describe your loved one’s daily challenges, safety concerns, and goals for remaining at home.
Explore an in home care plan that can bridge the gap between what family can do and what is needed day to day.
Call Bergen County Division of Senior Services (201 336 7400)
Ask to speak with Information and Assistance staff about your situation.
Request screening for programs such as Meals on Wheels, transportation, and caregiver support.Bergen County, NJ – Official Website+2Bergen County, NJ – Official Website+2
Register or visit the Fair Lawn Senior Center
Get on their mailing list or email list for events, programs, and meal offerings.Fair Lawn for All Ages+1
Add dementia or caregiver specific supports if needed
Call Alzheimer’s New Jersey or the Alzheimer’s Association Helpline to ask about local groups, education, and respite options.Alzheimer’s New Jersey+2Alzheimer’s Association+2
Build a written care plan
List who does what: family, Applause Home Care caregivers, county programs, and medical providers.
Share this plan with everyone involved so your loved one receives consistent support.
When families in Fair Lawn understand how these pieces fit together, caring for an older adult becomes more manageable. Applause Home Care can be your day to day partner in the home, while the borough of Fair Lawn, Bergen County, and New Jersey agencies surround you with services, education, and practical support.
Call us today 201-326-8051
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