Home Care in Delaware

The average starting cost of home care in Delaware is $33 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in Delaware are Senior Helpers of Dover, DE, Home Instead - Wyoming, DE or Silver Lining Home Healthcare of Wilmington, DE.

Home care can help seniors in Delaware remain independent while receiving assistance with daily activities in the comfort of their own homes. Families in communities such as Newark, Middletown, and Dover often seek dependable caregivers who can provide personalized support, companionship, and peace of mind while helping their loved ones maintain their routines.

When researching care options, it’s important to understand the difference between home care and home health care. Home care focuses on nonmedical services, such as personal care, companionship, meal preparation, and household assistance, while home health care includes medical services delivered by licensed health care professionals. Although some providers offer both, A Place for Mom’s network consists of nonmedical home care agencies. A Place for Mom has partnered with 18 home care agencies to help seniors and families find the right fit.

Home care in Delaware typically costs $33 per hour, which is just above the national average of $32.^[01]

Monthly costs vary depending on how many hours of care your loved one needs. The following costs are determined based on the average hourly rate in Delaware.

• Part-time care (20 hours/week): $2,846 per month
• Full-time care (44 hours/week): $6,261 per month

Several factors can affect home care costs in Delaware, including:

• Specialized care needs
• Overnight, weekend, or holiday care
• 24-hour or live-in support
• Caregiver experience and certifications
• Location within Delaware

In Delaware, families often pay for home care using a mix of private funds and public programs. While non-medical home care is usually paid out of pocket, certain programs can help cover costs depending on eligibility.

Private pay options

Common options for private pay include:

• Social Security benefits
• Retirement accounts or savings
• Reverse mortgage
• Life insurance conversion
• Long-term care insurance

VA benefits

Eligible veterans and their surviving spouses may be able to use benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help pay for care at home. In addition to the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides supplemental monthly payments to qualifying veterans who need assistance with daily activities,^[02] veterans enrolled in VA health care may have access to services such as:^{[03,04,05,06,07]}

• Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care
• Home-Based Primary Care
• Skilled Home Health Care
• Hospice Care
• Home Respite Care

For additional information about eligibility and available services, visit VA.gov or contact the Delaware Department of Veterans Services.

Delaware Medicaid

Medicaid is an insurance plan designed for low-income individuals and families, co-funded by the federal and state governments. Delaware’s Medicaid plan makes the Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP-Plus) available to all eligible residents. The plan covers the cost of many home care services, including:^[08]

• Homemaker services
• Home delivered meals
• Help with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Respite care
• Adult day care

The DSHP-Plus plan is an entitlement, so all seniors who meet eligibility requirements will receive services.

Medicare

Medicare generally won’t cover nonmedical home care, such as bathing, grooming, and medication management. However, it may cover these services when provided in conjunction with medically necessary home health care services provided by licensed medical professionals.^[09]

Delaware regulates both home health agencies and nonmedical home care providers to help protect consumers. These regulations ensure agencies meet standards for safety, training, and quality of care.

Does Delaware require home care agencies to have a license?

Yes. In Delaware, nonmedical home care agencies, also called personal assistance services agencies, must be licensed through the Division of Health Care Quality. This also applies to home health agencies.^[10,11]

Does Delaware conduct inspections of home care agencies?

Yes. Delaware’s Department of Community Health conducts regular inspections of home care agencies, which may be announced or unannounced.^[10] These inspections help ensure agencies comply with state regulations and maintain quality standards.

How to check licensing and inspection reports for home care agencies in Delaware

Delaware doesn’t make licensing information or inspection reports for home care agencies available online, but you can ask an agency directly for them. Licensed agencies must meet requirements related to:^[10]

• Staff qualifications
• Safety protocols
• Care standards

Some agencies may also seek voluntary accreditation from organizations like The Joint Commission, which can indicate a higher level of quality.^[12]

What are hiring practices for home care agencies in Delaware?

Delaware requires agencies to follow hiring and training practices, including:^[10,11,13]

• Background screenings for caregivers
• Verification of qualifications and certifications
• Initial training and ongoing education requirements

These standards help ensure caregivers are qualified to provide safe, effective support.

Choosing the right home care agency is one of the most important steps in helping your loved one remain safe, comfortable, and supported at home. As you compare providers, consider the following tips:

• Verify licensing. Confirm that the agency is licensed in Delaware. A Place for Mom verifies licensing for agencies in our network twice each year to help families make informed decisions.
• Read reviews and testimonials. Look for consistent feedback about caregiver dependability, communication, and quality of care.
• Ask about caregiver training. Learn how caregivers are onboarded, supervised, and kept up to date through ongoing education.
• Request detailed pricing information. Ask about hourly rates, minimum service requirements, and additional fees for overnight, weekend, or holiday care.
• Review available services. Make sure the agency can provide the level of support your loved one needs now and in the future.
• Meet potential caregivers. A strong personality match can help your loved one feel more comfortable and build trust with their caregiver.

Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency