Delaware assisted living facilities and personal care communities

Assisted Living Communities in Delaware

Under state law, Delaware defines an assisted living home as a licensed entity providing a combination of the services as follows: housing, supportive services, supervision, personal care services, and healthcare specified for those who need help with daily living activities.

Currently, there are 3,225 licensed senior care communities operating in Delaware.

Assisted Living Homes in Delaware – Cost Comparison

City	Monthly Minimum	Monthly Maximum	Monthly Median
Dover	$5,299	$5,850	$5,533

The average cost of assisted living in the state of Delaware is $5,745 per month, which is much higher than the national average costs for assisted living or personal care homes. Encompassing only a small portion of the eastern seaboard, Delaware’s assisted living costs are higher than its larger state neighbors like Pennsylvania and Maryland. On the contrary, prices vary greatly depending on the area inside of Delaware.

For more information about assisted living costs in Delaware, check out Genworth’s 2015 Cost of Care Survey.

Recreation & Attractions in Delaware

With the close proximity of three large bodies of water, Delaware offers a myriad of outdoor and beach activities. Famous beaches such as Rehoboth Beach and the Delaware Seashore Park, offer sun and sand to enjoy at one’s leisure and convenience. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry and the Riverfront at Wilmington combine the beautiful natural environment with modern enjoyment. Stimulating and fascinating indoor recreation is offered by the various museums in Delaware such as the Hagley Museum and Library and the Winterthur Museum. One of Delaware’s most exciting attractions is the Dover International speedway.

Delaware’s Climate, Geography, & Culture

Delaware may be small, but it is America’s first state and offers many historic highlights. Visitors to the state enjoy the major colonial feel of coastal towns like Lewes and New Castle. The residents are typically laid-back and friendly.

At the foot of three major bodies of water, Delaware experiences lessened temperature extremes during the year. Although, Delaware does experience the typical four seasons as most of the continental U.S. The average temperature for the state is approximately between 54 and 58 degrees Fahrenheit. During the summer you can expect daily average highs in the 80-degree range, while winter will bring average daily temperatures around 45 degrees. Situated on the Atlantic seaboard, Delaware receives about 45 inches of precipitation yearly.

Delaware’s Assisted Living Homes Regulations & Laws

Assisted living homes are regulated by a state-to-state basis. Every state has a publicly accessible legal document outlining the regulations, licensing, operation and other rules for assisted living. Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services: Division of Long Term Residents Protection holds jurisdiction over licensed assisted senior care homes. The official document outlining regulations for assisted living homes as defined by the Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services: Division of Long Term Residents Protection is available online. To obtain records concerning inspections, violations, citations and other public records on individual assisted senior homes can be found through Delaware's Licensed and Certified Long Term Care Facilities.

Crime & Safety in Delaware

As with any long-term care option, it is a good idea to be aware of the safety of your nursing home’s location. A safe and positive environment can make rehabilitation or routine daily care all the more effective. Check out some of Delaware’s safest cities to start your search:

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Resdents
Clayton	2.61	12.4
Ocean View	0.48	16.46
Elsmere	3.56	20.25
Newak	3.17	22,70

(Source: safewise.com)

Payment Options for Delaware Assisted Living Homes

Diamond State Health Plan Plus

For those looking for financial assistance, Delaware offers the Diamond State Health Plan Plus program through Delaware Medicaid. This program aids low-income elderly residents with monetary help when paying for an assisted living residence or personal care services. It also allows those eligible to self-direct services such as choosing personal care outside of the assisted care home.

Assisted Living Family Loans

Alternate payment options are available. Families can apply for an assisted living family loan to pay for services including personal care. This provides temporary or long-term financial assistance when paying for assisted senior care. The program allows multiple people to contribute to payment

Senior & Elderly Rights for Assisted Living Communities in Delaware

While residing in the home, a resident retains constitutional civil rights, rights of privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. The resident also retains the right to personal possessions, autonomy over personal finances, bodily autonomy, and power of attorney. The resident has a right to be informed of the process to file a complaint of unsatisfactory living situations, abuse, neglect and the like. Under Delaware state law, the specific resident rights provided within a Delaware’s assisted living communities are the same as the defined rights of all patients in Delaware with the inclusion of a room, lock enabled door and privacy. The complete list of Delaware’s patient rights is available online for your review.

Delaware Assisted Living Homes: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Assisted living homes in Delaware are required to provide any type of heath services that are ordered by an attending physician, as well as keep all medical information confidential, accurate, and complete. Records are to be kept for a minimum of 7 years following death or discharge of a patient.

Residents have access to their medical records and can request a copy of all or a portion of their medical records. All requested health records should be available no later than 30 days after the request. They can also request a copy of some or all of the information at a cost not to exceed the community standard for photocopies.