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Does Delaware Pay For In-Home Care?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Delaware does pay for a portion of in-home care. While Medicaid doesn’t pay for in-home costs for Delaware seniors, the state delivers community-based long-term care services through a Medicaid sub-program known as the Long-Term Care Community Services Program (LTCCS). Applicants at risk of being placed in a nursing home if they don’t receive home services can access assistance for in-home care under the LTCCS program.
How Are In-Home Care Services Provided in Delaware?
Seniors in Delaware have access to a range of senior care services, including home health and in-home care. Both of these services enable seniors to live in their own homes for as long as possible, but they differ in the type of support offered. Home health care offers medical care provided by a licensed professional, such as a registered nurse, physical therapist, or physician. In-home care provides seniors with non-clinical services and assistance with activities of daily living. The Long-Term Care Community Services Program (LTCCS) is a sub-program of the Diamond State Health Plan (DSHP-Plus), a Delaware Medicaid-managed long-term care program.
DSHP-Plus provides a full range of services to low-income Delaware seniors, including assisted living, nursing home care and a selection of community and home supports that allow elderly state residents to live at home for longer. Delaware home care services available under the LTCCS program include home modifications, adult day care, specialized medical equipment, housekeeping services and personal care assistance. Personal care assistance provides a range of services, such as bathing, dressing, mobility, toileting and eating. Program participants can choose to have their benefits provided by a state-supplied licensed caregiver or to hire a caregiver of their choice. This can include spouses, friends and other family members.
How to Qualify for In-Home Care in Delaware.
To qualify for the LTCCS program in Delaware, applicants must first qualify for Medicaid. To be eligible for home and community-based services, applicants must show they are at risk of being placed in a nursing home if they don’t receive the support and services provided by DSHP-Plus.
The qualification process also takes into account the applicant’s monthly income and any countable assets, such as cash, vacation homes or stocks. Applicants must also have a proven medical need for Medicaid’s long-term care program.