Nursing Homes and Senior Care in Delaware

Nursing Homes by City in Delaware

Every Delaware city with a CMS-certified nursing home. Homes in Delaware average 4.3 hours of nursing care per resident per day; the national median is 3.7 hours.

5-Star Nursing Homes in Delaware

Homes with CMS's top overall rating, ordered by inspection rating. See all highest-rated nursing homes in Delaware.

Assisted Living in Delaware

Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ), Delaware Department of Health and Social Services licenses assisted living in Delaware. License types: Assisted Living Facility. Use the state's search to check a community's license and inspection history.

• Delaware assisted living facility search
• Delaware assisted living rules
• Delaware assisted living licensing (Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ), Delaware Department of Health and Social Services)

Memory Care Rules in Delaware

Delaware's term is "Secured Memory Care Unit"; it isn't a separate license, but rules apply to facilities that offer dementia care.

• An assisted living facility that provides dementia care services in a secured memory care unit must develop a staffing plan that meets the scheduled, reasonably foreseeable unscheduled, and evolving needs of each resident in the unit on a 24-hour per day basis, details staffing for activity services in the unit, and prepares the facility to respond to resident emergencies and to emergency, life safety, and disaster situations (16 Del.C. § 1193).
• The Department reviews the facility's staffing plan during each annual inspection to confirm the plan meets the law and that the facility has enough staff to carry it out (16 Del.C. § 1193).
• Within 60 days of hiring, staff who provide direct care to residents receiving dementia care services in a secured memory care unit must complete at least 4 hours of Department-approved dementia care services training; staff who provide nondirect care must complete at least 2 hours (16 Del.C. § 1194).
• Direct care staff in a secured memory care unit must complete at least 4 hours of dementia care services training annually, in addition to the initial training (16 Del.C. § 1194).
• Training topics include communicating with individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, their psychological, social, and physical needs, the benefits of nonpharmacological approaches to treatment, and safety measures including preventing and responding to a resident's unauthorized exit from the secured memory care unit or the facility (16 Del.C. § 1194).
• Temporary staffing agency workers must complete the same 4-hour (direct care) or 2-hour (nondirect care) dementia training before working in a secured memory care unit, and the facility must obtain proof of completion first (16 Del.C. § 1195).
• The Department may impose additional staffing requirements on any assisted living facility due to unsatisfactory outcomes for residents receiving dementia care services in a secured memory care unit (16 Del.C. § 1197).
• The assisted living facility shall develop and adhere to policies and procedures to prevent residents with diagnosed memory impairment from wandering away from safe areas; residents may be permitted to wander safely within the perimeter of a secured unit (16 DE Admin. Code 3225, 5.5).
• An assisted living facility that provides direct healthcare services to persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia shall provide dementia specific training each year to healthcare providers who must participate in continuing education, covering communication, the psychological, social, and physical needs of those persons, and safety measures (16 DE Admin. Code 3225, 5.12).

• Delaware memory care rules

Medicaid Long-Term Care in Delaware

Delaware's Medicaid program is Delaware Medicaid, Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP-Plus). For nursing home Medicaid (2026), the state lists an income limit of 250% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) standard; 2026 SSI Income Standard at 250%: $2,485 (individual), $3,727.50 (couple). Applicants over the limit must establish a Miller Trust. and an asset limit of Assets cannot exceed $2,000 unless they have a spouse.. Residents keep a personal needs allowance of $75.00 of monthly income.

• Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP-Plus): assisted living, in-home care, adult day and respite. A mandatory managed care Medicaid program, under the Diamond State Health Plan section 1115 demonstration waiver, that provides long-term care services and supports for Delaware residents who are elderly or physically disabled. DSHP-Plus benefits listed by DMMA include assisted living care, personal care services, respite care, adult day services, cognitive services, consumer-directed attendant care, home-delivered meals, personal emergency response, home modifications and nursing facility care.

• Delaware Medicaid, Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP-Plus) nursing facility coverage
• Delaware Medicaid long-term care limits

Nursing Home Inspections and Complaints in Delaware

Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ), Delaware Department of Health and Social Services inspects nursing homes in Delaware for CMS. To file a complaint, call 1-877-453-0012 or use the state's complaint page.

• Delaware nursing home inspection lookup
• File a nursing home complaint in Delaware

Delaware Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Delaware Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a free, confidential advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Ombudsmen help with complaints, residents' rights and problems with care. Call 1-855-773-1002.

• Contact the Delaware Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Aging Services and Caregiver Support in Delaware

Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD), Delaware Department of Health and Social Services runs Delaware's aging services, delivered through local Area Agencies on Aging. Family caregivers can get help through Support for Caregivers (Caregiver Resource Centers and the Lifespan Respite Program). Adult day services are licensed or certified by Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ), Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.

• Delaware aging services: Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD), Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
• Caregiver support in Delaware: Support for Caregivers (Caregiver Resource Centers and the Lifespan Respite Program)
• Delaware adult day services

Guides for Your Next Step

See how to choose a nursing home, what memory care is, how Medicaid pays for nursing home care and what Medicare covers. For local help, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Frequently Asked Questions