33 Assisted Living Communities in New Castle County, Delaware

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $5,418 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 33 Assisted Living Communities in New Castle County and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $5,418
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $10,768
• In-home care: $4,004
• Adult day health services: $1,300

The average cost of assisted living in New Castle County, as stated in Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, is $5,418 per month. This is just slightly over the state ($5,350) and significantly higher than the national ($4,000) averages. Compared to surrounding areas, New Castle County’s assisted living costs are over $1,000 per month higher than those in Baltimore, MD, nearly even with Salisbury, MD, and over $1,000 per month lower than Vineland Area, NJ.

Note: Genworth’s study does not provide senior care cost data for New Castle County, so the writers used data for the closest city, Dover. 

In New Castle County, the cost of senior care varies widely depending on the type of care provided. At $1,300 per month on average, the costs of adult day health care is significantly lower than in-home health services. The 24 hour intensive care provided in a nursing home is approximately twice as expensive ($10,768 for a semiprivate room) as the more intermediate level of care provided in an assisted living facility ($5,418). The cost of home health care averages over $1,000 per month less than assisted living, but unlike assisted living, in-home health services don’t include room, board and other related living expenses. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $5,418

• Homemaker services: $4,004

• Home health aide: $4,576

• Adult day health: $1,300

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $10,768

Delaware’s Medicaid is a health insurance program that provides health care coverage and services to eligible low-income individuals across the state. The overall program is named the Diamond State Health Plan (DSHP), and an amended plan called the Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP Plus) is specifically focused on long-term care for seniors living at home, an assisted living facility, an adult foster care home or a nursing home.

DSHP-Plus includes the Long Term Care Community Services (LTCCS) Program, also known as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), which provides seniors with financial assistance to help pay for personal care and medical services in their place of residence.

Benefits of DSHP Plus includes physical and occupational therapy, chore services, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, home modifications, home-delivered meals and community transition services. Through services, the program aims to meet all of participants’ medical and non-medical needs, excluding financial assistance toward room and board outside of a nursing home.

To qualify for Medicaid or the LTCCS program in Delaware, residents must be age 65 or older or have a disability. Additionally, annual household income must be less than 250 percent of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is $1,927.50 for an individual or $2,892.50 for a couple per month. Countable asset limits also exist, and can total no more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a married couple. If only one member of a married couple is applying, the asset limit for the non-applicant spouse (also known as the community spouse) is half of the couples’ joint assets up to $126,420. Certain items, such as an applicant’s place of residence, personal belongings and an automobile, are excluded when calculating countable assets.

Individuals can apply online for Delaware Medicaid, or for information or to request an application in the mail, please call (866) 843-7212. Residents can also apply in person at their local Division of Social Services (DSS) office.

Saint Francis LIFE Services

For residents of New Castle County, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), called LIFE, is under the umbrella of Saint Francis Healthcare. It’s available to seniors age 55 and older who require nursing home level care but are able to live at home or in an assisted living facility. Seniors will work with individuals from the LIFE care team to create a personalized care plan and receive services from established LIFE providers at one of the PACE centers.

LIFE services include a day program with meals and activities, primary and specialty medical care, social work services, prescribed and over-the-counter medications, home-delivered meals and personal care services.

To receive services at no charge, seniors must qualify for Medicaid, and those who do not qualify for Medicaid can still enroll by paying a monthly fee. To apply, interested seniors must schedule a meeting and in-home assessment with an enrollment specialist, and can do so by calling (800) 232-5460.

Optional State Supplementation

Delaware and the Social Security Administration provide an optional state supplement (OSS) to those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and who are seniors, blind or disabled and live in assisted living or an adult care facility. The OSS amount is $140 per month for individuals and $448 for married couples, and the combined federal and state supplementation is $814 for individuals and $1,459 for couples.

Income and asset restrictions exist for those wishing to receive SSI, and include a monthly income limit of $771 for individuals and $1,157 for married couples. Assets must be no more than $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for married couples, not including one’s home, burial plot or vehicle. To apply for SSI, seniors can call (800) 772-1213 or complete an application online.

General Assistance

Delaware has a state-funded program called General Assistance that provides cash assistance to low-income residents who are not eligible for other federally funded programs. To qualify for this program, seniors must be 55 or older and have no other source of income. Interested residents should talk with a Division of Social Services (DSS) case manager to find out if they are eligible, complete an application for social services through Delaware Assist or call (800) 223-9074.

New Castle County’s Area Agency on Aging provides a range of services to support individuals with disabilities, seniors and caregivers. Services or programs can include adult day services, adult protective services, respite care, and information and assistance on connecting to aging-related community resources. The Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD)
Main Administration Building, First Floor Annex
1901 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720
(800) 223-9074

Veterans living in New Castle County have access to local veterans offices, a five star medical center and other resources that exist to help with benefits assistance and counseling. 

Wilmington VA Medical Center
1601 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 994-2511 

Wilmington Regional Benefit Office
1601 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 994-2511

Delaware Veterans Home
100 Delaware Veterans Boulevard, Milford, DE  19963
(302) 424-6000

Wilmington Vet Center
2710 Centerville Road, Suite 103, Wilmington, DE 19808
(302) 994-1660

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.