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Delaware is an attractive option for seniors looking for a relaxing retirement without moving too far south. The nation’s second-smallest state is close to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York, so older adults can stay close to family living in these larger centers. The state’s small size also means people can enjoy a small-town feel for their golden years, with plenty of festivals encouraging a community feeling. Delaware has just over 973,000 residents, and around 19% are aged 65 and over.
The SeniorScore uses 100 data points across four categories to assess how comfortable a community is for older adults. Delaware’s SeniorScore is 74 overall, slightly higher than the national average of 72. The state’s highest score is in the Finances category, with a score of 69. This reflects the retirement-friendly tax system, which has no state income tax for social security and generous deductions for other retirement incomes. There are also no sales taxes and low property tax rates, which can help stretch senior budgets. The lowest score was 62 for Health & Safety, which is largely due to high crime rates.
This guide has an overview of home care costs in Delaware and also provides information about financial assistance available and other home care resources for seniors.
Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a senior in-home care service provider located in Milton, DE at 28350 Lewes Georgetown Hwy. They offer personal care along with in-home health care to senior clients. They can provide dementia care and ...
Located in New Castle, DE at One Read's Way, Suite 100, Christiana Care Vna-New Castle is a home health care company offering personal care and in-home nursing services. They have been operating in the area since 1966. They provide physical ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a home care service provider located in Wilmington, DE at 1701 Shallcross Ave Ste A. They provide in-home health services along with home care to seniors. They provide various personal services including spiritual companionship, ...
Located at 501 Health Services Dr in Seaford, DE, Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke is a home health care provider offering in-home nursing services along with personal care. For almost 13 years, they have been providing care to clients throughout ...
256 Chapman Road, Suite 102
Newark, DE 19702
Located at 256 Chapman Road, Suite 102 in Newark, Delaware, Heartland Home Health Care and Hospice is a home health care company offering in-home personal care services and in-home nursing care. For nearly 29 years, they have been providing care ...
5239 W Woodmill Drive, Suite 49
Wilmington, DE 19808
Southeastern Home Health Services of Delaware is a senior home care company located in Wilmington, DE at 5239 W Woodmill Drive, Suite 49. They offer in-home health services and also home care services for seniors. For nearly 10 years, ...
1017 Mattlind Way
Milford, DE 19963
Located in Milford, Delaware at 1017 Mattlind Way, Saints Home Healthcare is a home health care provider offering home care services and in-home nursing care. Since 2007, they have been helping seniors in the Milford area. They provide nursing ...
1012 State College Road, Suite 101
Dover, DE 19904
Located at 1012 State College Road, Suite 101 in Dover, Delaware, Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc is an in-home care service provider offering personal care services and in-home medical services. For almost 12 years, they have been helping clients in the ...
1021 Gilpin Avenue, Suite 202
Wilmington, DE 19806
Located at 1021 Gilpin Avenue, Suite 202 in Wilmington, Delaware, Aston Home Health, Inc is a home care provider offering in-home care and also home health care. For nearly 12 years, they have been providing care to seniors in the ...
1409 Foulk Road, Suite 203
Wilmington, DE 19803
Maxim Healthcare Services is a in-home care company located in Wilmington, Delaware at 1409 Foulk Road, Suite 203. They provide in-home care in addition to in-home nursing care for seniors. For nearly 15 years, they have been serving clients ...
21309 Berlin Rd
Georgetown, DE 19947
Located at 21309 Berlin Rd in Georgetown, Delaware, Amedisys Home Health is an in-home care provider offering personal care services as well as in-home health services. For nearly 15 years, they have been helping seniors throughout the Georgetown area. They ...
1675 S State Street, Suite 4c
Dover, DE 19901
Located at 1675 S State Street, Suite 4c in Dover, Delaware, Addus Healthcare, Inc is a home health care provider that offers personal care services along with in-home medical care. For nearly 22 years, they have been serving seniors in ...
665 S Carter Road, Suite 1
Smyrna, DE 19977
Located in Smyrna, Delaware at 665 S Carter Road, Suite 1, Interim Healthcare of Delaware is a home healthcare provider offering personal care services as well as in-home medical care. Since 1987, they have been serving clients throughout the Smyrna ...
560 S Governors Ave
Dover, DE 19904
Bayhealth Home Care is a home health care provider based in Dover, DE at 560 S Governors Ave. They provide in-home nursing and also in-home care for senior clients. Since 1985, they have been serving clients throughout the Dover ...
20232 Ennis Rd
Georgetown, DE 19947
Located at 20232 Ennis Rd in Georgetown, Delaware, Beebe Hospital Home Health is a senior home health care provider offering in-home health services and also in-home care. They have been providing care in the area for nearly 33 years. They ...
1070 Justison St
Wilmington, DE 19801
Located in Wilmington, DE at 1070 Justison St, St Francis Home Care is a home healthcare provider that offers personal care services and also home health services. For almost 33 years, they have been serving customers throughout the Wilmington area. ...
750 Shipyard Drive, Suite 100
Wilmington, DE 19801
Located in Wilmington, DE at 750 Shipyard Drive, Suite 100, Bayada Home Health Care, Inc is a senior home healthcare service provider offering home health care and also personal care. Since 1985, they have been serving seniors in the Wilmington ...
201 Ruthar Drive, Ste 5, Forum 2000
Newark, DE 19711
Located in Newark, DE at 201 Ruthar Drive, Ste 5, Forum 2000, Neuro Care Consultants is a senior home healthcare company offering home health services as well as personal home care. Since 1984, they have been providing care to clients ...
64 Reads Way
New Castle, DE 19720
Generations Home Care, Inc is a home health care provider based in New Castle, DE at 64 Reads Way. They provide in-home care and home health services to seniors. Since 1983, they have been providing care to seniors throughout ...
205 E Market St
Georgetown, DE 19947
Located at 205 E Market St in Georgetown, Delaware, Generations Home Care, Inc is a home health care provider that offers personal care as well as in-home medical care. For nearly 36 years, they have been serving seniors throughout the ...
The Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey shows that home care in Delaware is less affordable than in many parts of the country. In-home care, which covers nonmedical services such as personal care and assistance with activities of daily living, costs an average of $4,671 per month. This is $381 more than the national average of $4,290. Home health care in Delaware also averages $4,671, compared to the U.S. average of $4,385. This type of care includes medical care such as skilled nursing.
Compared to most of its neighboring states and the United States as a whole, Delaware is an expensive state for home-based care. Both home care and home health care cost an average of $4,671, and New Jersey is the only nearby state with more expensive care, at a cost of $4,767 for both types. Maryland is slightly less expensive, with seniors there paying $4,481 for home care and $4,576 for home health care. In Pennsylvania, the cost comes to $4,385 for in-home care and $4,481 for home health care. Virginia has the most affordable care of Delaware's neighbors, with seniors paying just $4,195 for home care and $4,382 for home health care.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Delaware | $4,671 | $4,671 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Maryland | $4,481 | $4,576 |
New Jersey | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Pennsylvania | $4,385 | $4,481 |
Virginia | $4,195 | $4,382 |
Home care is not the only care option available to seniors in Delaware. Some older adults may find that adult day care, assisted living or nursing home care is a better option. The most economical option is adult day care, which costs $1,797 per month and provides daily services at a community-based center to adults living in their own home. Assisted living provides room and board, meals and personal care, and costs almost $1,400 more than home care, at $6,035. Nursing home care is the least affordable option, with a cost of $10,897 for a semiprivate room.
The cost of home care in Delaware’s top cities is very similar. In the state’s capital of Dover, the price is $4,767 per month for both types of care, around $100 more than the cost in Wilmington, which equals the state average of $4,671. Cities in nearby states offer more affordable care, with seniors in Salisbury, Maryland, paying $4,385 for home care and $4,458 for home health care. Costs in Vineland, New Jersey, are lower still, with an average of $3,623 for home care and $4,195 for home health care.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Delaware | $4,671 | $4,671 |
Wilmington | $4,671 | $4,671 |
Dover | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Salisbury, MD | $4,385 | $4,458 |
Vineland, NJ | $3,623 | $4,195 |
Delaware’s Diamond State Health Plan Plus provides integrated long-term care for Medicaid recipients. It provides a full range of services to low-income seniors in the state, from home care and community support, through assisted living and nursing home care. Older adults living in their homes can access case management, chore services, personal care and home health services. Some services can be consumer-directed, and certain family members can be hired to provide these services, including spouses and adult children. Applicants must require a nursing home level of care and meet the financial eligibility criteria for Medicaid.
Contact Information
Seniors can apply for the program by contacting the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance at their local office or at (302) 571-4900 or (866) 843-7212.
Delaware Assistance for Caregivers Program can provide in-home care to older adults who have a caregiver. The program’s main purpose is to provide training, support and referrals to caregivers, but it also provides free respite care, which can be scheduled on a weekly basis. This care can be provided in the senior’s home, the home of the caregiver or in an adult day care environment. Eligible seniors must be aged 60 or above and live at home, rather than a residential care facility, and have a primary caregiver. There’s no specific financial eligibility criteria for participants, but the program has limited funds, so priority is given to those with lower incomes. In addition, the caregiver seeking respite must not be a paid caregiver. Participants in the program do not have to live with or be related to their primary caregiver.
Contact Information
People interested in the program should contact the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center at (800) 223-9074.
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
In Delaware, in-home care is provided by personal assistance services agencies (PASAs) and home health care is provided by skilled home health agencies (HHAs). These agencies are both regulated by the Delaware Health and Social Services, Office of Health Facilities Licensing and Certification (OHFLC). Agencies are required to adhere to laws and regulations designed to ensure seniors receive a high quality of care, and the OHFLC conducts periodic scheduled and unannounced inspections to ensure compliance.
Scope of Care | PASAs can provide services that don’t require the judgment and skills of a licensed health professional. This limits the services to those of a nonmedical nature, such as companionship or assisting with activities of daily living. HHAs can offer both medical and nonmedical services. They must provide at least two home care services to clients and one must be either licensed nursing services or home health aide services. |
Care Plan Requirements | PASAs must have a written service plan for each client that details the scope, frequency and duration of services. It is developed in consultation with the consumer and is revised at least every 90 days. HHAs must have a home health aide care plan developed by a nurse or professional therapist. It specifies the tasks that are to be performed and the scope, duration and frequency of services. It must be reviewed as often as required but at least every 60 days. |
Medication Management Requirements | PASAs can provide medication reminders. Direct care workers that have completed department training can also administer prescription and non-prescription medications that are authorized by a responsible caregiver, who is the primary caretaker of the customer. HHAs can administer medication that’s been prescribed by a licensed practitioner and assist with self-administration. Both PASAs and HHAs must keep records of medications that have been administered. |
Staff Screening Requirements | All people applying for a position in a home health agency must pass a criminal background check, including fingerprinting. They must also submit to drug testing and pass a health test, which includes a tuberculosis test. |
Staff Training Requirements | PASA employees that work directly with clients must complete orientation and pass a competency test before providing care to consumers. This test must be passed annually to continue working with consumers. Home health aides working for HHAs must complete at least 75 hours of training prior to beginning work that covers topics including nutrition, infection control and verbal and nonverbal communication skills. They must also attend at least 12 hours of staff development activities annually. |
Medicaid Coverage | Delaware seniors who are recipients of the Diamond State Health Plan Plus may have medical and nonmedical home care services covered through the plan. |
Reporting Abuse | Reports of suspected or verified abuse, neglect or exploitation should be submitted to Adult Protective Services at (800) 223-9074. |
Seniors in Delaware have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
The Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) provides referrals to services and resources available in Delaware. It provides options counseling, which can help seniors and their families understand options and decide which services best meet their needs. The ADRC can also help seniors enroll in services and programs.
Contact Information
The ADRC can be contacted by calling (800) 223-9074.
The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB) has trained counselors available to provide free health insurance advice for people with Medicare. Assistance can be provided with Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long-term care insurance and other types of health insurance. Counselors also help with billing problems and prescription savings.
Contact Information
Seniors can arrange a counseling session at a convenient location by calling (800) 336-9500 or (302) 674-7364.
Delaware has two meal programs available for seniors. The Home Delivered Meals Program is available to homebound people aged 60 and over, or homebound adults with disabilities. Hot meals are delivered during the day and cold, bagged meals may be delivered for people to eat in the evening. The state also has a Congregate Meals Program that provides meals to people aged 60 and over and their spouses in group settings, such as a senior center. Nutrition counseling and education is also provided as part of the program.
Contact Information
These programs are administered at the county level. Seniors in New Castle County can contact City Fare at (302) 421-3734. The contact in Kent County is Modern Maturity Center at (302) 734-1200. Seniors in Sussex County can call Cheer at (302) 515-3040 for home-delivered and congregate meals, or Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth at (302) 645-7449 for home-delivered meals.
Senior veterans can reach out to the Delaware Office of Veteran’s Services for assistance in accessing services and benefits. Veteran service officers (VSOs) can provide information about a range of benefits, including health care, pensions, housing and transportation.
Contact Information
Seniors can find contact information for their local VSO on the Office of Veteran’s Services website.
The Delaware Prescription Assistance Program (DPAP) helps older adults pay for prescriptions. It’s available to people who have no prescription insurance except Medicare Part D and meet additional financial eligibility requirements. The program provides money towards Medicare Part D premiums and medically necessary prescription drugs, with seniors paying a co-payment for medications.
Contact Information
Seniors can get further information by contacting (844) 245-9580. The application form is also available online.
The Senior School Property Tax Relief program is available to homeowners aged 65 or over. It provides a tax credit of 50%, up to $400, against regular school property taxes. Applicants must have been residents of Delaware for a certain length of time, which differs depending on when they moved to the state. The credit is only available for primary residences.
Contact Information
The application form is available online. Seniors can obtain further information by contacting the Department of Finance in their county.
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