Jewish Home Assisted Living — the Kaplen Family Senior Residence — is a state-recognized assisted living community in River Vale, NJ, serving families throughout Bergen County with 24/7 nursing care, specialized memory care, on-site rehabilitation, and Glatt Kosher dining on 5.5 landscaped acres. As part of Jewish Home Family, ranked #1 in New Jersey by Newsweek [1], our assisted living community combines the innovation of the Green House model with a warm, elder-directed environment where residents maintain independence, dignity, and purpose.
Bergen County is home to more than 220,000 adults aged 60 and older [2], and the demand for high-quality assisted living continues to grow. Jewish Home Assisted Living has earned Advanced Standing status from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services — a distinction granted to only a select group of assisted living communities reflecting outstanding quality and consistency of service. Our community is open to all seniors regardless of race, religion, or national origin.
On this page: Why Choose Jewish Home Assisted Living | Services & Care | Memory Care | Living Spaces & Amenities | The Green House Model | Rehab Hotel | How to Choose Assisted Living in Bergen County | FAQs
Why Do Families Choose Jewish Home Assisted Living in Bergen County?
Jewish Home Assisted Living stands apart from other assisted living facilities in Bergen County, NJ, because of its commitment to a holistic, elder-directed philosophy of care. Rather than fitting residents into a one-size-fits-all program, our team develops individualized care plans guided by five core principles: independence, choice, privacy, individuality, and dignity.
As Bergen County’s first and only Glatt Kosher assisted living facility, we offer a culinary experience that honors tradition while delighting residents with country club-style dining. Weekly Shabbat dinners and High Holiday services create a rhythm of meaning and connection — and residents of all faiths participate and feel at home.
What makes our Bergen County assisted living community unique:
- Advanced Standing recognition from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services for outstanding quality and consistency of service
- Ranked #1 in New Jersey and among the Top 150 Nationwide by Newsweek [1]
- 24-hour on-site registered nurses providing continuous medical oversight
- Full continuum of care — from assisted living and memory care to rehabilitation, respite care, and hospice — so residents can age in place
- Green House model for memory care, offering a home-like environment backed by peer-reviewed research [3]
- Non-sectarian community welcoming seniors of all backgrounds
- 5.5 acres of landscaped grounds with walking paths, outdoor wellness equipment, and a park-like setting
- On-site rehabilitation including physical, occupational, and speech therapy available 24/7
What Services Does Bergen County Assisted Living at Jewish Home Family Include?
Jewish Home Assisted Living provides a comprehensive suite of care services designed to support seniors at every stage. All services are delivered by trained professionals in a warm, community-centered environment at our River Vale, NJ campus — centrally located for families throughout Bergen County.
Clinical Care & Nursing
Our clinical team provides round-the-clock medical support, ensuring residents receive attentive, responsive care at all hours. Services include 24/7 on-site registered nurses, medication management by licensed professionals, coordination with personal physicians and specialists, and regular health assessments and wellness monitoring. New Jersey law (N.J.A.C. 8:36) requires assisted living residences to have a registered nurse available on staff or on call 24 hours a day [4] — Jewish Home Assisted Living exceeds this standard by maintaining on-site nursing coverage at all times.
Rehabilitation Therapies
Residents have access to on-site physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy without leaving the community. Our rehabilitation team works with each resident to maintain mobility, strength, and functional independence. These services are available for both ongoing maintenance therapy and post-acute recovery.
Dining & Nutrition
Our Glatt Kosher culinary program offers three gourmet meals daily, prepared fresh and served in elegant dining settings. Country club-style dining and Shabbat dinners bring residents together for meaningful social connection around the table. Menu planning accommodates individual dietary needs and medical requirements.
Daily Living & Wellness Support
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) — including bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility — is provided with respect for each resident’s independence and preferences. Additional support includes weekly laundry services, weekly personal shopping, local transportation for doctor visits and community events, full-time social workers, cable and internet access, beauty and barber shop services, and a specialized PA-FM listening system for residents with hearing impairments.
Therapeutic Activities & Programming
Our vibrant daily programming keeps residents physically active, intellectually stimulated, and socially connected. Activities include yoga, Tai Chi, book clubs, concerts, lectures, art classes, intergenerational programs, and satellite programming in partnership with the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. A dedicated activities team ensures every day brings opportunities for engagement, growth, and enjoyment.
Does Jewish Home Assisted Living Offer Memory Care in Bergen County, NJ?
Yes. Memory Lane at Jewish Home Assisted Living is a specialized, secured memory care unit designed for individuals with mild to moderate dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The program provides 24 private studios in a warm, home-like setting with direct access to a park-like outdoor area — giving residents the security they need while preserving freedom of movement and connection to nature.
Memory Lane residents receive hands-on assistance with daily living activities and medication management, gourmet meals with table service in a communal dining setting, and engaging activities led by a dedicated professional seven days a week. The environment is designed to reduce confusion and agitation while promoting comfort, familiarity, and meaningful interaction.
For residents with more advanced dementia, Jewish Home Family also offers Green House homes at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh — a skilled nursing facility on 16 acres in nearby Rockleigh, NJ, featuring 136 private long-term care rooms. This continuum of care means families can find the right level of memory support within the Jewish Home Family network as needs evolve, without having to start over with a new provider.
New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 8:36, Subchapter 19) establishes specific standards for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia programs in assisted living, including requirements for specially trained staff, secure environments, and individualized care plans [4]. Jewish Home Assisted Living meets and exceeds these regulatory requirements through its dedicated Memory Lane program.
What Types of Living Spaces Are Available at This Bergen County Assisted Living Facility?
Jewish Home Assisted Living offers multiple apartment configurations to match each resident’s needs and preferences. The two-story community is designed to feel like home while providing easy access to all support services and shared amenities.
Assisted Living Apartments
The general assisted living area features studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with updated kitchenettes. Private living spaces give residents a sense of home, while communal areas — including a gym, library, internet café, theatre, and outdoor patio — encourage social interaction and daily engagement.
Memory Lane Studios
Memory Lane offers 24 private studios within a secured, real-home environment. The unit includes shared communal living and dining areas, a dedicated activities space, and direct access to an enclosed outdoor area. The design balances safety with the warmth and comfort of a residential setting.
Campus Amenities
The 5.5-acre campus includes an on-site gym and boxing studio (for programs like Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s), outdoor wellness equipment, walking paths through landscaped grounds, an on-site wellness center, accessible common areas including theatre and library spaces, and concierge services.
What Is the Green House Model of Care at Jewish Home Family?
Jewish Home Family is built on the Green House model — an evidence-based approach to elder care that replaces institutional settings with small, self-contained homes designed to feel like real residences. Developed in 2003 by Dr. William Thomas and backed by funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Green House model has expanded to nearly 400 homes in 35 states [3].
Research published in Health Services Research found that the Green House model is associated with improvements across all seven domains of quality of life: privacy, dignity, meaningful activities, relationships, autonomy, food enjoyment, and individuality [3]. A University of Minnesota study presented to the U.S. Congress found that Green House residents maintained their ability to perform daily functions longer than residents in traditional facilities [5]. Additional research has documented lower depression rates, higher family satisfaction, and approximately 23-31 more minutes of daily direct care time per resident compared to traditional nursing homes [6].
At Jewish Home Family, the Green House model shapes everything from the layout of memory care homes to the way staff interact with residents. Care partners (staff) develop close, personal relationships with each elder, and residents have meaningful input into their daily schedules, meals, and activities. This approach aligns with New Jersey’s own statutory definition of assisted living, which emphasizes that care should promote “resident self-direction and participation in decisions that emphasize independence, individuality, privacy, dignity, and homelike surroundings” [4].
What Is the Rehab Hotel at Jewish Home Assisted Living?
The Rehab Hotel at Jewish Home Assisted Living provides short-term nursing and rehabilitation services for individuals recovering from illness or surgery who need additional time and intensive therapy before returning home. This program bridges the gap between an inpatient rehabilitation stay and full independence, offering hotel-like amenities in a supportive clinical environment.
Rehab Hotel services include 24/7 nursing care and medication management, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, fine dining Glatt Kosher meals, cable television and internet access, assistance with activities of daily living, daily activities and entertainment, and local transportation for follow-up doctor appointments. One key advantage is continuity of care: residents who transition from the Rehab Hotel back home can continue outpatient therapy with the same rehabilitation team. For information and availability, call (201) 666-2370.
How Do You Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility in Bergen County, NJ?
Choosing assisted living in Bergen County is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Bergen County’s Division of Senior Services serves as the designated Area Agency on Aging for the county’s 220,000+ older adults [2] and can help connect families with resources and planning support. When evaluating assisted living facilities in Bergen County, NJ, consider these key factors:
Licensing and Regulatory Standing
New Jersey’s Department of Health regulates all assisted living residences under N.J.A.C. 8:36, which sets standards for staffing, resident rights, pharmaceutical services, dining, physical plant requirements, and specialized dementia programs [4]. Ask whether a community has achieved Advanced Standing — a designation reflecting exceptional quality — and review any publicly available inspection results. Jewish Home Assisted Living holds Advanced Standing status from the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services.
Continuum of Care
Look for communities that offer multiple levels of care so your loved one can age in place. Jewish Home Family provides a complete continuum: assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, respite care, and hospice — all within the same organizational network.
Staff-to-Resident Ratios and Qualifications
New Jersey requires at least one awake personal care assistant and one additional staff member at all times, with a registered nurse available 24 hours a day [4]. Communities that exceed these minimums — like Jewish Home Assisted Living with its 24-hour on-site RN coverage — provide an additional layer of safety and responsiveness.
Specialized Programming
If your loved one has Parkinson’s disease, dementia, or other specific conditions, look for communities with dedicated programs and trained staff. Jewish Home Family offers the Harold Krieger Center for Parkinson’s (featuring Rock Steady Boxing, therapeutic movement, and LSVT/Big and Loud therapy), Memory Lane for dementia care, and a comprehensive rehabilitation center with warm water therapy pools.
Culture, Values, and Community Fit
The best assisted living community is one where your loved one feels at home. Visit in person, attend a meal, observe how staff interact with residents, and ask about daily programming. Jewish Home Assisted Living welcomes prospective residents and families to tour the campus and experience the community firsthand.
Schedule a Tour of Bergen County’s Premier Assisted Living Community
Finding the right assisted living community in Bergen County starts with a conversation. Contact Jewish Home Assisted Living to schedule a personal tour of the Kaplen Family Senior Residence, meet our care team, and learn how we can support your loved one’s health, independence, and quality of life.
Jewish Home Assisted Living — Kaplen Family Senior Residence
685 Westwood Avenue, River Vale, NJ 07675
Phone: (201) 666-2370
Website: jewishhomefamily.org/jewish-home-assisted-living
Jewish Home Family also operates the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility at 10 Link Drive, Rockleigh, NJ 07647 — phone (201) 784-1414 — offering long-term care, the Charles P. Berkowitz Center for Rehabilitation Excellence, and the SeniorHaven elder abuse prevention program.
Frequently Asked Questions About Assisted Living in Bergen County, NJ
What assisted living services does Jewish Home Family offer in Bergen County, NJ?
Jewish Home Assisted Living, the Kaplen Family Senior Residence in River Vale, NJ, provides 24/7 nursing care, medication management, memory care for mild to moderate dementia (Memory Lane), physical/occupational/speech therapy, respite care, hospice care, Glatt Kosher dining, therapeutic activities, and a full continuum of supportive services. The community holds Advanced Standing from the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services and is open to all seniors regardless of race, religion, or nationality.
Where is Jewish Home Assisted Living located in Bergen County?
Jewish Home Assisted Living is located at 685 Westwood Avenue, River Vale, NJ 07675, in western Bergen County. The community sits on 5.5 landscaped acres and is easily accessible from towns throughout Bergen County, including Westwood, Hillsdale, Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, Montvale, and Hackensack. Contact admissions at (201) 666-2370.
Does Jewish Home Assisted Living accept non-Jewish residents?
Yes. Jewish Home Assisted Living is a non-sectarian community open to all seniors regardless of race, religion, or national origin. While the community honors Jewish traditions such as weekly Shabbat dinners, Glatt Kosher dining, and holiday observances, residents of all backgrounds are welcome and actively participate in programming and community life.
What is the Green House model of care used at Jewish Home Family?
The Green House model replaces institutional nursing home environments with small, self-contained homes where elders have private rooms and shared communal living spaces. Developed in 2003 and supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this model has been shown through peer-reviewed research to improve outcomes across all seven quality-of-life domains — including privacy, dignity, autonomy, and food enjoyment [3]. Jewish Home Family applies this model to its memory care programming and overall care philosophy.
Does Jewish Home Assisted Living offer memory care in Bergen County?
Yes. Memory Lane is a specialized, secured unit within Jewish Home Assisted Living designed for individuals with mild to moderate dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. It provides 24 private studios, a park-like outdoor area, hands-on daily living assistance, gourmet meals with table service, and engaging activities led by dedicated professionals seven days a week. For advanced dementia, Jewish Home Family also offers Green House homes at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh.
What types of living spaces are available at Jewish Home Assisted Living?
The community offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with updated kitchenettes in the general assisted living area. Memory Lane provides 24 private studios in a secured setting. The Rehab Hotel offers short-term recovery suites with hotel-like amenities for individuals recovering from illness or surgery.
Is short-term or respite care available at this Bergen County assisted living facility?
Yes. Jewish Home Assisted Living offers both respite care (short-term stays for seniors whose primary caregivers need temporary relief) and the Rehab Hotel (short-term post-acute recovery with intensive rehabilitation). Both programs include access to all campus amenities and clinical services.
What rehabilitation services are available on-site?
Jewish Home Assisted Living provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy on-site, available 24 hours a day. The broader Jewish Home Family network includes the Charles P. Berkowitz Center for Rehabilitation Excellence at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, featuring warm water therapy pools, a driving assessment program, and a full inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation program.
References
- Newsweek. “America’s Best Nursing Homes 2026.” Jewish Home Family ranked #1 in New Jersey and among the Top 150 Nationwide. https://jewishhomefamily.org/the-jewish-home-family-ranked-1-in-new-jersey-top-150-nationwide/
- Bergen County Division of Senior Services. Bergen County, NJ. Established 1966 under the Older Americans Act; serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Bergen County’s 220,000+ older adults. https://bergencountynj.gov/division-of-senior-services/
- Zimmerman S, Bowers BJ, Cohen LW, et al. “The Green House Model of Nursing Home Care in Design and Implementation.” Health Services Research. 2016;51 Suppl 1:352-377. National Institutes of Health (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5338211/
- New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 8, Chapter 36. “Standards for Licensure of Assisted Living Residences, Comprehensive Personal Care Homes, and Assisted Living Programs.” N.J.A.C. 8:36. https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/title-8/chapter-36
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). “Residential Care/Assisted Living Compendium: New Jersey.” https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/private/pdf/110551/15alcom-NJ.pdf
- The Green House Project. Research findings on quality-of-life improvements, direct care time, and clinical outcomes. Referenced via Otterbein SeniorLife and AARP Public Policy Institute publications. https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2024/04/green-houses-a-communal-approach-to-elder-care/
Published: February 15, 2026 | Last Updated: February 15, 2026
Jewish Home Family has been redefining elder care in Bergen County, NJ, for generations. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, we raise essential funds through the Jewish Home Foundation to sustain innovative care programs for older adults and their families. Donate today to support compassionate senior care in our community.