Best Assisted Living in Toms River, NJ

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 5 assisted living communities in Toms River, NJ using NJ Dept. of Health (NJDOH) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank assisted living in NJ
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jul 2026
We analyzed
5 homes
Other senior care options in Toms River:

Video Tour: Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Toms River, New Jersey.

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Avg Walk Score: 33/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Toms River, NJ. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 79The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Toms River, NJ. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Assisted Living around Toms River

Info below is compiled from the NJ Dept. of Health (NJDOH), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

Brandywine Toms River
AL
MC
NH
RC
Toms River
120
Facility 120
NJ AVG 125
Rank #236 / 560
Yes
8
Facility 8
NJ AVG 48
Rank #597 / 629
Brandywine Living At Toms RiverMs. Lisa Decicco 77.5% 4
2
Facility 2
NJ AVG 18
Rank #134 / 412
0.5
Facility 0.5
NJ AVG 2.0
Rank #133 / 412
Alcoeur Gardens at Toms River
AL
MC
RESC
RC
Toms River
19
Facility 19
NJ AVG 125
Rank #548 / 560
No
51
Facility 51
NJ AVG 48
Rank #278 / 629
Alcoeur Gardens At Toms RiverMs. Julie Treadway 100.0% 3
8
Facility 8
NJ AVG 18
Rank #214 / 412
2.7
Facility 2.7
NJ AVG 2.0
Rank #289 / 412
Spring Oak at Toms River
AL
IL
MC
RC
Toms River
75
Facility 75
NJ AVG 125
Rank #445 / 560
Yes
40
Facility 40
NJ AVG 48
Rank #360 / 629
Spring Oak Of Toms RiverMichelle Medora 68.0% 4
6
Facility 6
NJ AVG 18
Rank #195 / 412
1.5
Facility 1.5
NJ AVG 2.0
Rank #210 / 412
Spring Oak at Forked River
AL
MC
RC
Lanoka Harbor
-Yes
56
Facility 56
NJ AVG 48
Rank #232 / 629
------
Magnolia Gardens
AL
MC
RC
Toms River
100
Facility 100
NJ AVG 125
Rank #367 / 560
No
11
Facility 11
NJ AVG 48
Rank #578 / 629
-Mr. Robert Lapid 92.0% 6
6
Facility 6
NJ AVG 18
Rank #195 / 412
1.0
Facility 1.0
NJ AVG 2.0
Rank #161 / 412
Overview of Brandywine Toms River

Enjoy a blissful retirement with Brandywine Toms River, an eminent senior living community located in the quiet neighborhood of Old Freehold Road, Toms River, NJ, offering assisted living and memory care. With its bright and welcoming abode, the community strives to provide unmatched comfort and security. A team of compassionate and highly trained professionals delivers top-notch care and assistance around the clock for residents to maintain a worry-free lifestyle.

Reignite passions and discover new interests with enjoyable activities and exciting programs conducted for leisure and wellness. Delight with carefully curated healthy and delicious meals satisfying nutritional needs and tastes. Brandywine Toms River is a haven for seniors looking for solace in their golden years with its scenic campus and wonderful amenities. Moreover, Brandywine Toms River was regarded as US News’ Best Assisted Living and Best Memory Care for its dedication to improving seniors’ quality of life with exceptional service.

Contact Brandywine Toms River

Overview of Alcoeur Gardens at Toms River

Alcoeur Gardens at Toms River is dedicated to seniors in need of support in a home-like environment, particularly those dealing with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This thoughtfully designed community ensures round-the-clock care supervision in a carefully curated setting. Boasting inviting interiors and well-maintained grounds, Alcoeur Gardens opens a comfortable and secure atmosphere that feels more like home than a traditional facility. 
The emphasis is on familiarity, creating an environment that resembles living in an actual home, with safety at the forefront. The residence is equipped with alarms, gates, and secure doors and windows, and the staff is specially trained to cater to the unique needs of residents. Alcoeur Gardens also welcomes respite care, offering an ideal assisted-living option for those with memory impairment. The classic American home design adds to the overall comfort and aesthetics, ensuring a well-maintained space where residents can enjoy good food and find personal peace with the support of the friendly staff.

Contact Alcoeur Gardens at Toms River

Spring Oak at Toms River

2145 Whitesville Rd, Toms River, NJ 08755
Overview of Spring Oak at Toms River

Located on Whitesville Road about six miles from downtown Toms River, New Jersey, Spring Oak at Toms River is a senior living community offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care. The several levels of care in one community allow residents to receive more support as their needs change without relocating. The community is operated by Spring Oak of Toms River, with Michelle Medora serving as the administrator.

The 75-bed community currently has an occupancy rate of about 68%, making it a moderately sized senior living option in the area.

Residents can take part in social events and activities while receiving assistance with activities of daily living when needed. Staff also provide companionship, which can help residents adjust to community living. Spring Oak at Toms River welcomes pets, allowing residents to keep a companion animal after moving in.

The area has a Walk Score of 40, which is somewhat walkable. A few nearby errands can be completed on foot, but most trips require a car. This can be a good fit for families who do not mind driving to appointments and outings while still having a few nearby places within walking distance.

State inspections conducted by the New Jersey Department of Health’s Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing unit have mainly focused on administrative records, staffing requirements, recordkeeping, security procedures, and medication management. Families considering the home may want to ask how these areas are managed daily.

Contact Spring Oak at Toms River

Overview of Spring Oak at Forked River

At 601 US Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey, Spring Oak at Forked River operates a three-story assisted living and memory care community welcoming residents age 55 and older. The facility permits pets, enabling residents to maintain the companionship of their animals throughout their living experience.

As a private-pay community, Spring Oak is not CMS-certified for Medicare or Medicaid, though residents may access New Jersey’s public programs including Medicaid MLTSS, the Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) program, or VA Aid and Attendance benefits for eligible veterans and their spouses. This structure offers flexibility for families managing long-term care financing through multiple pathways.

The community delivers comprehensive assisted living care alongside memory care services specifically designed for residents navigating cognitive changes. The facility’s care model emphasizes individualized attention, with staff trained to honor each resident’s preferences and maintain their sense of self.

Apartment-style residential units are designed to feel homelike rather than institutional. Programming throughout the community prioritizes cognitive stimulation and social engagement, recognizing that meaningful activities and connections support emotional and mental wellbeing in senior living. Staff organize opportunities for residents to participate in mentally enriching pursuits and build relationships with peers.

The setting presents moderate walkability (Walk Score 56), with nearby amenities accessible on foot and some services requiring transportation. The facility sits 1.1 miles from Lanoka Harbor’s city center, embedded within the Forked River area’s natural landscape. Ocean Health Initiatives hospital is approximately 7.33 miles away, providing access to emergency and specialty medical care. The location balances proximity to healthcare infrastructure with access to the area’s outdoor environment and community resources.

This residential community is oriented toward older adults seeking memory care or assisted living in a personalized, pet-friendly environment that prioritizes cognitive wellness and interpersonal connection.

Contact Spring Oak at Forked River

Overview of Magnolia Gardens

Magnolia Gardens, a family-owned assisted living residence in Toms River’s suburban setting, serves 92 residents across 100 licensed beds, operating 15% above New Jersey’s baseline occupancy rate. Mr. Robert Lapid administers the community, which accepts both Medicaid and Medicare and maintains 24-hour staffing with physician presence. The facility has expanded steadily, from 48 residents in March 2021 to current near-full capacity, reflecting consistent market demand for its model. Located 10.9 miles from downtown Toms River at 1935 Lakewood Road, the neighborhood carries a Walk Score of 11, meaning residents and families depend entirely on cars for errands and activities.

Care encompasses assisted living with professional staff, a specialized Serenity Place memory care track, respite services, and rehabilitation. Medical infrastructure includes nursing services, a computerized medication management system, and daily medication monitoring. Three meals and snacks arrive daily; a central whirlpool bath, weekly housekeeping and laundry, wheelchair-accessible transportation, beauty and barber services, and emergency response systems round out amenities. Private and semi-private room options are available.

State inspection data spanning seven surveys from 2021 through November 2025 reveals controlled deficiency patterns. Six total citations across five years translate to 1.2 per year (67% below state average) and 0.9 per inspection (55% below average). Only 2 of 7 inspections produced deficiencies, yielding a 29% deficiency rate; vastly better than New Jersey’s 244% average.

Themes are clustered in three areas: documentation and facility maintenance (2021), housekeeping staff training during COVID-19 (July 2024), and dining service compliance including menu posting and continuous snack access (August 2024). The November 2025 inspection documented zero deficiencies, indicating resolution of prior issues.

Neither fines nor license suspensions appear in the record.

Magnolia Gardens fits families seeking assisted living with memory care capacity in a suburban New Jersey location demonstrating sustained occupancy strength and favorable compliance trajectory.

Contact Magnolia Gardens

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Toms River, NJ

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in New Jersey?

Assisted living in New Jersey supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in New Jersey?

Assisted living in New Jersey is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does New Jersey Medicaid cover assisted living?

New Jersey Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for assisted living, but most states (including New Jersey) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living combines private or semi-private apartments with help on activities of daily living (meals, bathing, dressing, medication management) and a social calendar — for residents who need some support but do not need 24/7 medical care.

How many assisted living facilities are listed on this page?

This page features 5 assisted living facilities in Toms River, NJ. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right assisted living facility in Toms River, NJ?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Toms River, NJ, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting assisted living facilities in Toms River, NJ?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.