Assisted Living in Delaware
SeniorAdvice’s Guide to Assisted Living in Delaware
Delaware is a place that attracts a lot of seniors looking to relax during their retirement years. Approximately 18.7% of residents in the state are over the age of 65, based on July 2019 data from the U.S. Census. The median fee for assisted living facilities in Delaware is $6,035 per month, which is higher than the average for such facilities across the United States. The state has a low cost of living and is home to some beautiful state parks. There are 59 assisted living facilities in Delaware, giving seniors a breadth of choice in terms of care providers, amenities and the type of care they receive.
Learn more about the options that Delaware offers to seniors, including the cost of assisted living and the financial aid that are available to seniors who are planning to retire there.
SeniorAdvice’s Guide to Assisted Living in Delaware
Delaware has a SeniorScore of 74%. This is above the national average SeniorScore of 72%. The SeniorScore is based on several metrics, including health and safety, the cost of living, access to health care services, leisure opportunities and the overall quality of life that seniors can expect in each state.
SeniorScore™ for Delaware
The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.
SeniorScore™ Overview
62
Health & Safety
66
Recreation & Leisure
69
Finances
64
General Quality of Life
64
Delaware scores well across several categories, including rating of 69 for finances thanks to its low sales tax and property taxes. The state has a mild climate, with an average annual temperature of 55.3 degrees Fahrenheit and only moderate rainfall. The average life expectancy in Delaware is 78.4, which is close to the national average of 78.6.
Delaware scores 66 in the Recreation and Leisure category. There are 860 places of worship in the state, along with an average number of state parks. There are just 36 golf courses, however, and since only 18.7% of the population is over the age of 65, there may be limited social opportunities catering to seniors.
SeniorScore™ for Delaware
The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.74
Delaware scores well across several categories, including rating of 69 for finances thanks to its low sales tax and property taxes. The state has a mild climate, with an average annual temperature of 55.3 degrees Fahrenheit and only moderate rainfall. The average life expectancy in Delaware is 78.4, which is close to the national average of 78.6.
Delaware scores 66 in the Recreation and Leisure category. There are 860 places of worship in the state, along with an average number of state parks. There are just 36 golf courses, however, and since only 18.7% of the population is over the age of 65, there may be limited social opportunities catering to seniors.
Top Assisted Living Facilities in Delaware
Cadia Rehabilitation Pike Creek
3540 Three Little Bakers Blvd
Wilmington, DE 19808
Cadia Rehabilitation Pike Creek is a 130 room nursing care facility. It is situated near the North Star neighborhood of Wilmington, Delaware. With a median per-household income of $71,470, the community is in a mostly middle income area. …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
Cadia Rehabilitation Silverside
3322 Silverside Rd
Wilmington, DE 19810
Cadia Rehabilitation Silverside is a 120 unit nursing home facility. It is located at 3322 Silverside Rd in Wilmington, Delaware. The surrounding area has a dense population, with roughly 26,000 residents in the 19810 zip code. It …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
1080 Silver Lake Blvd
Dover, DE 19904
Located at 1080 Silver Lake Blvd in Dover, Delaware, Silver Lake Center is a 120 bed senior community. The community is in a mostly middle class area, with a median per-household income of $53,203. With approximately 35,000 people …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
2723 Shipley Rd
Wilmington, DE 19810
Located at 2723 Shipley Rd in Wilmington, Delaware, Shipley Manor is an 82 bed senior care facility. With an average household income of $83,287, the facility is in a largely affluent area. It is densely populated, with approximately …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
1912 Marsh Rd
Wilmington, DE 19810
Forwood Manor is a 72 bed senior housing facility. It is located at 1912 Marsh Rd in Wilmington, Delaware. With around 26,000 individuals living in the zip code of 19810, the neighboring area is heavily populated. It …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
Manorcare Health Services – Wilmington
700 Foulk Rd
Wilmington, DE 19803
Manorcare Health Services – Wilmington is a 138 bed nursing home facility situated in Wilmington, Delaware. The community is in a largely upper class area, with an average per-household income of $96,953. It is heavily populated, with roughly …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
704 River Rd
Wilmington, DE 19809
Milton and Hattie Kutz Home is a 90 room senior community. It is located at 704 River Rd in Wilmington, Delaware. The surrounding area has a medium-density population, with around 15,000 residents in the zip code of 19809. …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
1212 Foulk Rd
Wilmington, DE 19803
Located at 1212 Foulk Rd in Wilmington, Delaware, Foulk Manor North is a 40 room senior community. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with around 22,000 residents in the 19803 zip code. It is a mostly wealthier area, …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
100 Delaware Veteran’s Dr
Milford, DE 19963
Delaware Veterans Home is located at 100 Delaware Veteran’s Dr in Milford, Delaware. It is a 150 unit senior community. The neighboring area has a medium-density population, with around 20,000 people residing in the 19963 zip code. …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
4031 Kennett Pike
Greenville, DE 19807
Located at 4031 Kennett Pike in Greenville, Delaware, Stonegates is a 49 unit senior housing community. The community is in a primarily well-to-do area, with an average household income of $133,475. With about 8,000 people residing in the …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
700 Marvel Rd
Milford, DE 19963
Milford Center is a 136 room senior housing facility located in Milford, Delaware. The neighboring area has an average population density, with around 20,000 poeple living in the zip code of 19963. It is a predominantly middle income …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
726 Loveville Rd
Hockessin, DE 19707
Cokesbury Village is located at 726 Loveville Rd in Hockessin, Delaware. It is a 45 bed senior care facility. The facility is in a mostly upper class area, with a median household income of $114,869. It has …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
810 South Broom St
Wilmington, DE 19805
Hillside Center is a 106 unit senior housing community. It is located at 810 South Broom St in Wilmington, Delaware. The facility is in a primarily middle class area, with a median family income of $46,000. It …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
255 Possum Park Rd
Newark, DE 19711
Millcroft is located at 255 Possum Park Rd in Newark, Delaware. It is a 110 unit senior housing community. The community is in a generally upscale area, with a median household income of $77,476. It is heavily …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
4830 Kennett Pike
Wilmington, DE 19807
Located at 4830 Kennett Pike in Wilmington, Delaware, Country House is a 60 room senior community. With approximately 8,000 individuals living in the 19807 zip code, the neighboring area has a medium-density population. It is a primarily well-to-do …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
4949 Ogletown-stanton Rd
Newark, DE 19713
Churchman Village is located at 4949 Ogletown-stanton Rd in Newark, Delaware. It is a 101 bed senior housing community. The facility is in a generally middle class area, with an average household income of $54,836. With about …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
1001 Middleford Rd
Seaford, DE 19973
Manor House is a 60 room senior housing community. It is located at 1001 Middleford Rd in Seaford, Delaware. With a median per-family income of $45,439, the facility is in a generally middle income area. It is …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
1100 Norman Eskridge Hwy
Seaford, DE 19973
Seaford Center is a 124 room senior care community. It is located at 1100 Norman Eskridge Hwy in Seaford, Delaware. The facility is in a primarily middle income area, with an average family income of $45,439. With …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
2200 West 4th St
Wilmington, DE 19805
Located at 2200 West 4th St, The Lorelton is a senior community serving Wilmington, Delaware. With around 42,000 residents in the 19805 zip code, the encompassing area is heavily populated. It is a mostly middle income area, with …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
Harrison Senior Living of Georgetown
110 W North St
Georgetown, DE 19947
Located at 110 W North St in Georgetown, Delaware, Harrison Senior Living of Georgetown is a 139 bed senior community. The facility is in a generally middle income area, with an average household income of $46,488. It has …GET PRICING INFOSEE DETAILS
The Cost of Assisted Living in Delaware
The median fee for assisted living in Delaware is $6,035 per month. This is far more than the national average of $4,051. The cost may vary from city to city within the state. Pricing in Delaware is higher than in some neighboring states. Pennsylvania is significantly less expensive, with assisted living prices averaging $3,913. Maryland and Virginia are somewhat more expensive than the national average, at $4,300 and $4,800, respectively. Meanwhile, fees in New Jersey are slightly higher than they are in Delaware at $6,400.
Delaware: $6,035
United States Average: $4,051
Maryland: $4,300
Pennsylvania: $3,913
New Jersey: $6,400
Virginia: $4,800
The Cost of Assisted Living in Delaware’s Top Cities
Prices for assisted living facilities vary depending on the location. The Genworth Cost of Care Survey provides information about the average cost of living across Delaware and in Dover. The cost of assisted living care in Dover is slightly higher than the statewide average, at $6,180. Seniors should obtain quotes from assisted living facilities across the state to see how prices compare for similarly sized and equipped facilities.
Dover: $6,180
Salisbury, MD: $5250
Philadelphia, PA: $4,875
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Delaware
Seniors have several choices for care arrangements in Delaware. Assisted living is a popular choice for those who need day-to-day care but are generally mobile and wish to remain an active part of the community. Those who require less care and who would prefer to stay in their own homes could choose adult day health care services, which are less than one-third of the cost of assisted living, at $1,797 per month. Homemaker services and home health aides are also relatively affordable, at $4,671 per month. Nursing home care costs more because of the more intensive medical care that the nursing staff offers. A semiprivate room in a typical nursing facility in Delaware costs approximately $10.897 per month.
The average monthly fees for senior care in Delaware are:
Assisted Living: $6,035
In-Home Care: $4,671
Home Health Care: $4,671
Adult Day Care: $1,797
Nursing Home Care: $10,897
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Delaware
Medicaid
Phone Number: (866) 843-7212
Website: https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma/
In Delaware, Medicaid can be used to cover part of the cost of assisted living for eligible seniors. To use Medicaid in this way, the senior must live in a Medicaid-registered assisted living facility and meet the earnings and assets requirements. This sets Delaware apart from many other states, where assisted living is covered under the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver instead of the main Medicaid program. Eligible seniors can use their Medicaid cover for adult day care, personal care or assisted living.
The income limits for Medicaid are set at 250% of the current Federal Benefit Rate standard. There are asset limitations as well; however, certain assets such as a family home and car are excluded.
Diamond State Health Plan – Plus
Phone Number: (800) 560-3372
Website: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma/dshpplus.html
The Diamond State Health Plan – Plus is a managed long-term care program that most people who are eligible for Medicaid in Delaware are enrolled in as a part of their Medicaid claim. There are two subprograms relating to long-term care for seniors, and the Long Term Care Community Services program is the one that would apply to most assisted living residents.
While the Diamond State Health Plan – Plus is a managed program, it does allow for some consumer direction. Program members can choose who they wish to use for attendant care, for example. As of July 2014, DSHPP superseded older programs such as the Delaware Amended Elderly and Disabled Waiver. Residents who were receiving benefits through that waiver will continue to receive assistance under the new program.
Delaware Options Counseling
Phone Number: (800) 223-9074
Website: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dsaapd/caregivers_assistance.html
The Delaware Options Counseling program is run by the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center. It helps people choose the best long-term care services for their needs and preferences by explaining the options that are open to them and how they may match their needs. It helps seniors to enroll in the services or programs that they wish to use and provides assistance with filling out applications and understanding eligibility criteria.
The program is open to all older persons or adults with disabilities in Delaware and is not means-tested. Staff can meet with individuals and their loved ones in hospitals, long-term care facilities, homes or other settings depending on the individual’s preferences.
Delaware Assisted Living Rules and Regulations
The Division of Long-Term Care Residents Protection licenses and certifies Medicaid-enrolled assisted living facilities in Delaware and also handles abuse complaints. Assisted living facilities are bound by strict rules and are investigated regularly to ensure that they are operating in compliance with the regulations.
Scope of CareAssisted living facilities are not intended for those who require constant medical care, but rather for those who need some support with the activities of daily living. ALF residents can generally live independently, but care services and basic medical care is available when it is needed.Care Plan RequirementsSeniors should be assessed to determine the level of care that they need and be monitored regularly to ensure that their care plan is still appropriate.Medication Management RequirementsAssisted living facilities are required to have one staff member present at all times who can administer medication. For aides to help residents with self-medication, they must complete the state’s Assistance with Self-Administration of Medication program and also be trained in first aid and CPR.Staff Screening RequirementsStaff must pass a federal background check performed by the Delaware Bureau of Investigations. Facilities are also expected to perform regular drug testing on employees.Staff Training RequirementsStaff is required to receive orientation training and a minimum of 12 hours of training per year on fire safety, emergency procedures, assessments, psychosocial needs, health processes, basic food service, infection control, abuse reporting, resident rights and other issues relating to residents’ needs.Medicaid CoverageMedicaid can be used to pay for certain types of senior care in Delaware.Reporting AbuseThe Long-Term Care Ombudsman receives complaints about assisted living facilities. The ombudsman can be contacted at (800) 223-9074.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Delaware
Aging and Disability Resource Center
The Aging and Disability Resource Center in Delaware aims to be a one-stop access point for support for seniors and their families. It connects seniors and their caregivers with relevant resources in the state and helps individuals decide which care services are the most suitable for them. The Center can provide advice and assistance with housing, health care, financial planning, access to support groups, advocacy and other services.
Contact: Call (800) 223-9074 for more information.
Absalom Jones Senior Center
The Absalom Jones Senior Center in New Castle County runs a variety of programs and services for seniors. The Center’s professional staff can offer information and referrals on topics relating to housing, homemaker services, Medicare, financial assistance that may be available to seniors and a variety of other issues. Membership to the Senior Center is free of charge to residents.
Contact: Call (302) 995-7636 for more information.
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services provides pro bono legal services to indigent residents of Delaware. Seniors can receive legal advice and services relating to family law, financial planning, housing, elder abuse, government benefits issues and other legal matters. To be eligible for free legal services, seniors must reside in the state and meet federal poverty income standards. The organization doesn’t deal with initial benefits applications; however, if a senior has a complaint against an assisted living facility or needs legal advice about benefits, the DVLS may be able to help.
Contact: Call (302) 478-8680 for more information.
Delaware Agencies
Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities
Website: https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dsaapd/
The Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities provides information for seniors, caregivers and family members. It helps seniors to connect with state-run services and provides access to support, benefits advice and information about laws and regulations. Information is available in English and Spanish. The Division serves as a useful contact point for those seeking information about state policies and programs relating to senior care, as well as for those wishing to raise concerns about care facilities.
Area Agencies on Aging in Delaware
The Area Agencies on Aging are managed by the DHSS and the DSAAPD. The agencies provide information about services available in the local area and may also run some programs such as meal plans, mobility programs, counseling and advice services, and respite care. Some supplemental services may also be offered by AAAs, although provisions vary between individual agencies. In most cases, the AAAs offer signposting to services that are run by other organizations in each area.
Veterans Affairs Offices in Delaware
The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs was set up in 1987 to help veterans. It oversees a number of programs and services, including the Delaware Office of Veterans Services. Several Veterans Affairs offices across the state offer advice to former service people about the benefits, pensions and other financial aid and services that may be available to them.
Many seniors who have served may be able to take advantage of the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension. This benefit can be used to pay for the cost of assisted living facilities. There’s a means-tested element to this pension, and income and asset limits vary depending on whether the applicant is married or single. Contact the OVS for advice about eligibility for the Veterans A&A Pension and other benefits that are offered in Delaware.
Social Security Offices in Delaware
The Social Security Administration has offices in Dover, Lewes and New Castle, ensuring that residents of Delaware don’t have to travel a long way to get the services they require. The SSA manages the payment of state and federal benefits and programs. Seniors who would like to know if they are eligible for social security benefits can contact their nearest office for an eligibility assessment and to request help completing any application forms. Call the Social Security Administration on its toll-free number to speak to a social security representative and request assistance with SSI and benefits.
