Comprehensive Review: Magnolia Gardens - Toms River, NJ

• Facility overview

• Services offered
  • Core services
  • Medical support
  • Specialized care programs
• Amenities and lifestyle
  • Accommodation options
  • Community features
  • Daily activities and programs
• Resident experience and testimonials
  • Satisfaction ratings
  • Testimonials
• Pricing and financial information
  • Base pricing
  • Additional fees
  • Financial assistance
• Comparison with local competitors
• Unique features and recognition
  • Standout attributes
  • Awards and recognition
• Recommendations for prospective residents and families
• Conclusion

Facility overview

Magnolia Gardens is a senior living facility at 1935 Lakewood Road, Toms River, NJ. The Lapid Family owns and operates it, bringing a family-centered approach to daily care and support.

Services offered

Core services

Service type

Description

Key features

Assisted living

24-hour supervision and help with daily activities

Personalized care plans, medication management, assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming

Memory care

Specialized support for residents with cognitive decline

Secure "The Village" unit, dementia-focused care, structured engagement programs

Respite care

Short-term stays so family caregivers can take a break

Flexible scheduling, full access to all facility amenities and services

Medical support

• Nursing staff available 12–16 hours daily
• On-site medication management and health checks
• Nearby hospitals: Monmouth Medical Center–Southern Campus (3.5 miles) and Community Medical Center (4.1 miles)
  • Monmouth Medical Center-Southern Campus (3.5 miles)
  • Community Medical Center (4.1 miles)

Specialized care programs

• Individualized wellness plans, physical therapy coordination, dietary planning, and structured social activities
• Physical therapy coordination
• Dietary management services
• Social engagement initiatives

Amenities and lifestyle

Accommodation options

Room type

Features

Starting price

Studio

Private bathroom, kitchenette

$4,060/month

Private room

Enhanced privacy, personal living space

$4,420/month

One bedroom

Separate bedroom, living area, full bathroom

$4,500/month

Community features

1. Dining: Restaurant-style meals prepared on-site, special dietary options, all-day dining access
   • Restaurant-style dining with professional chef
   • Special dietary accommodations
   • All-day dining options
2. Recreation: Fitness room, wellness center, game room, library, outdoor walking paths
   • Fitness room and wellness center
   • Game room and library
   • Outdoor walking paths
3. Personal services: On-site salon and barber, spa services, laundry service

• On-site salon/barber shop
• Spa services
• Personal laundry service

Daily activities and programs

• Arts and crafts, music programs and live performances, outings to local attractions, educational talks and workshops, fitness classes for older adults, community gatherings
• Music programs and live performances
• Facilitated outings to local attractions
• Educational lectures and workshops
• Fitness classes tailored for seniors
• Social gatherings and community events

Resident experience and testimonials

Satisfaction ratings

Platform

Rating

Number of reviews

Caring.com

4.1/5

9 reviews

A Place for Mom

8/10

20 reviews

SeniorAdvisor.com

4.0/5

20 reviews

Testimonials

"My mother lived there four years as both private pay and Medicaid resident. She loved the staff, they were very attentive and had many recreational activities. She was very happy there and any question or concern was addressed immediately by the staff." – Caring.com review

"As far as value it's quite good. We are more than satisfied. They are caring, exceptionally clean and a well-cared-for facility. Our family member suffers from dementia and cannot recall any of our names and faces but she smiles and responds to her caregivers there." – A Place for Mom review

"The staff was fine and very nice at Magnolia Gardens. Communication with the family was good via phone and email. Mom was in hospice for the last two years and on Medicaid since June, and they kept her in a single room." – SeniorAdvisor.com review

Pricing and financial information

Base pricing

• Monthly costs range from $4,060 to $13,800
• Average monthly cost is $8,148

Additional fees

• Extra charges may apply for specialized care services
• One-time community fee (amount varies by room and services)

Financial assistance

• Accepts Medicaid for qualifying residents
• Veteran benefits may be applicable
• Long-term care insurance accepted

Comparison with local competitors

Facility

Base monthly cost

Overall rating

Key differences

Magnolia Gardens

$4,060–$13,800

8.0/10

Family-operated, specialized memory care, all-day dining

Leisure Park

$3,300+

9.3/10

Recently renovated, independent living option, extensive activities

Mira Vie Toms River

$4,235+

9.5/10

Modern facilities, emphasis on independence, social programs

Spring Oak

$3,125+

9.4/10

Quiet setting, community-focused, multiple care levels

Unique features and recognition

Standout attributes

1. Family ownership: The Lapid Family runs the facility day-to-day, which tends to create a more personalized, home-like environment.
2. Memory care unit: "The Village" is a dedicated, secure space for residents with dementia and cognitive decline.
3. Flexible care transitions: The facility can shift between assisted living, memory care, and respite care as a resident's needs change.
4. All-day dining: Most facilities stick to set meal times; Magnolia Gardens offers flexible dining throughout the day.

Awards and recognition

• Received "Best of Senior Living" and "Best of Senior Living All-Star" designations from A Place for Mom
• Holds a valid New Jersey Department of Health license through January 31, 2026

Recommendations for prospective residents and families

1. Visit in person to see the space and watch how staff and residents interact
2. Eat a meal there to judge the food quality and variety
3. Review care plan options with staff to confirm your specific needs can be met
4. Attend a scheduled activity to see the types of engagement offered
5. Talk with residents and families living there now
6. Go through costs in detail, including possible extra charges for specialized services
7. Ask how the facility handles changing care needs over time

Conclusion

Magnolia Gardens is a family-run assisted living and memory care facility in Toms River. Its ratings are slightly lower than some competitors, but it offers strong memory care, flexible dining, and a range of amenities. Residents tend to be satisfied with the attentiveness of staff.

The facility offers continuity of care as health needs evolve, particularly for residents with dementia. Compare its pricing and service offerings carefully with other local options to find the right fit for your situation and budget.

For seniors and families considering senior living in Toms River, Magnolia Gardens is worth a close look. The personal attention from family ownership and the specialized memory care are genuine strengths.