In-Home Care in Delaware

Delaware may be one of the smallest states in the country, but it’s also home to a large senior population. As of July 2021, nearly 195,000 of the state’s just over 1 million residents were aged 65 and over. Besides the miles of coastline, one of the main attractions for seniors retiring in Delaware is the state’s senior-friendly tax policies. Seniors can enjoy tax-free shopping, low property taxes and a state income tax exemption on the first $12,500 of retirement pay. Delaware is also home to several fine hospitals, including the ChristianaCare Hospital and Beebe Healthcare – Lewes.

Delaware offers a variety of senior care options, including in-home and home health care. Both of these care options allow seniors to remain in their homes longer. The difference is that in-home care provides non-clinical services, while home health care does offer medical care provided by a licensed professional, such as an RN, physician or physical therapist. In Delaware, the average cost for both in-home and home health care is $5,339 per month.

This guide provides more information regarding in-home care costs and Medicaid and Medicare coverage. It also provides a list of free and low-cost resources for seniors.

In-home care costs in Delaware are slightly higher than the national average and costs in most of its nearby states. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, average in-home care costs in Delaware are $382 higher per month than the national average of $4,957. Average monthly in-home care costs in Delaware are also more expensive than in the following neighboring states, Virginia at $4,767 per month, Pennsylvania at $4,957 and Maryland at $5,148 per month. The state’s average monthly in-home care costs are exactly the same as those in New York at $5,339 and $190 cheaper per month than in New Jersey at $5,529 per month.

Average in-home care costs in various cities in Delaware and neighboring states vary based on location. In-home care costs in Dover are $5,339 and are, on average, $190 cheaper per month than the average costs in the New Jersey cities of Ocean City at $5,529 and Atlantic City at $5,529 per month. Dover’s average in-home costs per month are just $10 higher than the average costs in Philadelphia at $5,329. Additionally, Dover’s average in-home care costs are $382 higher than several nearby cities in Maryland, including Baltimore at $4,957 and Salisbury at $4,957 per month.

At $5,339 per month, In-home care and home health care costs are among the state’s most affordable senior care options. Only adult day health care services at $1,661 are less expensive. On average, assisted living costs are $5,995 per month, or $656 more expensive per month than in-home care. Nursing home care is $12,273 per month, which on average is $6,934 more expensive per month.

Medicaid in Delaware doesn’t directly cover in-home care costs for seniors. However, the state does offer a Medicaid waiver program, called Home and Community-Based Services, designed to help seniors remain living in their homes longer. This waivers program may cover some costs associated with in-home care.

The fastest and easiest way to apply for Medicaid benefits in the state of Delaware is to use the state’s online portal Delaware ASSIST. This portal takes seniors step-by-step through the application to make the process as easy as possible. Seniors can also apply for benefits in person by visiting their local Division of Social Services or they can call (866) 843-7212 to request an application by mail.

What Information You Will Need

Before starting the application process, seniors should gather all required information, including:

• State-issued driver’s license or ID card
• Date of birth for all applicants
• Social security numbers for all applicants
• Proof all income for all applicants

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.