Independent living in Union County, NJ

Who independent living in Union County fits

It fits a parent who manages daily life but is tired of a house, stairs, driving or eating alone. Most communities include some meals, housekeeping, transportation and a calendar of activities. Personal care is not included, though many residents add a few hours of home care later.

Union County families often split care between a parent's home in Westfield or Summit and their own home nearby. Flexible schedules that cover mornings and evenings are the usual starting point.

Where families look

Families ask us about communities and senior apartments in and around Westfield, Summit, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Elizabeth, Union and New Providence. Being close to family and to doctors at Overlook Medical Center, Trinitas Regional Medical Center and nearby Robert Wood Johnson Rahway usually decides the shortlist.

How we help

We sit with you first, then send private-pay independent living options in writing, with what each includes and what costs extra. You visit on your own schedule and decide. You don't pay. There's no fee.

If help at home would let your parent stay put a while longer, compare home care in Union County and assisted living in Union County.

Questions to ask on a visit

• What is included in the monthly fee: meals, housekeeping, transportation, utilities?
• Is there an entrance fee or community fee, and is any of it refundable?
• Can residents bring in a private aide later, and is there assisted living on the same campus?
• How are rent increases handled each year?

Union County: what the official New Jersey list shows

The New Jersey license file lists 46 senior care settings in Union County: 9 assisted living settings, 3 personal care homes, 11 adult day centers and 23 nursing homes. They are spread across 18 towns.

The towns with the most licensed listings are Elizabeth (8), Mountainside (5), Cranford (4), Plainfield (4), Linden (3), New Providence (3).

Independent living is not a licensed care type, so it is not in this file. If care needs grow, these licensed settings are where a move usually goes next, so it helps to know which are nearby.

Licensed names in Union County

• Amber Court of Elizabeth, llc, Elizabeth
• Arbor Terrace Mountainside, Mountainside
• Brandywine Living at Summit, Summit
• Brighton Gardens of Mountainside, Mountainside
• Center for Hope Hospice inc, Scotch Plains
• Continuing Care at Lantern Hill, New Providence
• Mira Vie at Fanwood, Fanwood
• Sunrise Assisted Living of Westfield, Westfield
• Sunrise of Summit, Summit
• Aristacare at Parkside, Linden
• Atria Cranford, Cranford
• Birchwood Square at Cranford, Cranford

New Jersey names come from NJ DOH All_LTC.xlsx dated August 21, 2026. We list names only. We do not rank, rate, or publish prices or openings. See every licensed listing or search the state directly.

Related pages

• Independent living in New Jersey
• Home care in Union County
• Tour checklist
• Free Senior Care Starter Kit

Frequently asked questions

How much does independent living cost in Union County?

It depends on the community, apartment size and what is included. Ask each community for its written fee schedule. We do not publish community prices.

Is independent living the same as assisted living?

No. Independent living is housing and services without daily hands-on care. Assisted living adds help with bathing, dressing and medications.

Do families pay you?

You don't pay. There's no fee. A licensed agency may pay us a referral fee after a successful private-pay start of care. We do not take a fee on Medicaid funded care.