This page is designed to help Delaware residents understand assisted living and home care costs in their state. It investigates payment options throughout the state, and provides insight into programs that offer assistance with financing for residential or facility care.
The best method of searching for the most appropriate assistance for your situation is to use our Resource Locator Tool. By answering a few questions, it will search for a comprehensive set of programs available at the national level. These program options will complement what is available here at the state-specific level.
Delaware Eldercare Costs for 2024
Assisted Living / Memory Care
According to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in Delaware is $7,425 / month. Alzheimer’s or Memory Care (in assisted living, not nursing homes) costs 20% to 30% more than regular assisted living. This means this type of care costs approximately $1,850 more per month.
Home Care
Per the 2023 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average hourly rate for home care in Delaware is $24. Home health care (as opposed to non-medical home care) averages $30 per hour.
Delaware Medicaid Financial Assistance Programs
Medicaid Programs & Waivers for the Elderly
Medicaid in the state of Delaware will pay for nursing home care for low-income elderly and frail individuals, as well as limited personal care in the home. In 2014, Delaware did away with the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (Elderly and Disabled) Waiver system in favor of a statewide, managed long-term-care Medicaid program. This program is called the Diamond State Health Plan-Plus (DSHP-Plus).
Despite being a managed care model, the program continues to allow for consumer direction of certain services, such as attendant care, and covers some medical and personal care services in assisted living facilities and adult foster care.
Via DSHP-Plus, seniors receive a number of benefits, such as adult day care, personal care, home modifications, personal emergency response systems, and hospice care. Nursing home care is also available via DSHP-Plus.
Medicaid Eligibility
Income
The state of Delaware requires that in order to qualify for Medicaid as a disabled or elderly person, one must be a resident at least 65 years of age, or under 65 but disabled. As of 2024, the income limits are set at $2,358 for single persons. For married couples in which both spouses are applying for services, each applicant is allowed $2,358. (The income limits are set at 250% of the current Social Security Income / Federal Benefit Rate standard).
For married applicants who have non-applicant spouses, potentially up to $3,853.50 / month in income can be transferred to their non-applicant spouse. This is called a monthly maintenance needs allowance and is intended to prevent the non-applicant spouse from having too little income on which to live.
Assets
Assets for a single individual cannot exceed $2,000, and assets for married couples with both spouses as applicants are limited to $3,000. Some assets are considered exempt, such as the home in which the elderly person resides (up to a home equity interest of $713,000), household items, personal belongings, and a single vehicle.
Married couples with a single applicant have different limits. As of 2024, non-applicant spouses can retain up to $154,140 in assets. This rule is also in effect to prevent non-applicant spouses from becoming impoverished and is known as the community spouse resource allowance.
Delaware Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
The state of Delaware offers two non-Medicaid assistance programs, both of which provide financial assistance to keep disabled and elderly residents from having to leave their homes and to move into more costly skilled nursing facilities. Click on the programs below to get more information on specific benefits and eligibility guidelines.
Via these programs, seniors are supervised during daytime hours, while also receiving non-medical care. Medical care is also provided via the Alzheimer’s Day Treatment Program. These programs are open to both non-Medicaid and Medicaid recipients.
Previously called the Caregiver Assistance, Respite, Education (CARE) Delaware Program, the Delaware Assistance for Caregivers Program is intended to support caregivers by offering respite care, support groups, and skills training.
PACE Programs in Delaware
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a joint initiative between Medicare and Medicaid to help seniors get the care and services they need in the community rather than transitioning to a nursing home for care. Because Medicaid differs in each state, PACE eligibility varies between states.
Delaware PACE offers integrated long-term care. Through PACE services, older adults can access services such as specialty doctor care, meal delivery, transportation help and in-home care to help them remain at home. PACE eligibility requirements include:
- Age 55 and older
- Live in the PACE provider service area
- Meet medical requirements for nursing home level care based on the Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance
- Be able to live safely in the community with the right support
How To Get Started With PACE in Delaware
To find out more about eligibility for PACE in Delaware, sign up for services or learn what services are included, visit Delaware’s Medicaid & Medical Assistance website. Families can also use the PACE provider below to get the information they need.
Other Financial Options for Care
There are additional financial options for care aside from the programs available from the state. The Resource Locator Tool can help locate different federal and non-profit options available to Delaware residents. If those seeking assistance are elderly veterans, there are also programs available to help them, as well as tax credits, loan options, and home modification assistance. Search here at no charge to find the most suitable program based on your circumstances.
Finding Affordable Care in Delaware
Our organization provides free services to help families with the process of matching specific care needs with providers in the right price range and in the desired geographic location. In a small state like Delaware that does not have much price variability throughout the state, it is important for families to consider care in neighboring states (should they be considering assisted living as an option).
Our partnered service also allows families to check care costs at multiple locations in multiple states. Get started here.
Top Cities for Senior Care in Delaware
For more information about the costs and resources available in Delaware cities, click on the links below.
Top Cities for Memory Care
Top Cities for Assisted Living
