With just over 100,000 senior citizens, Delaware has a small total population of seniors but an average percentage population of seniors. Delaware also has an average cost of living index, 103 compared to 100 for the country. Delaware is unique in the fact that housing is inexpensive with a cost of living index of 91 while groceries (111), utilities (129) and health care (115) are high. The result, in general, is that retiring in Delaware is an expensive proposition and you may also find that assisted living in

Delaware is also expensive. Although most seniors prefer to stay very close to their friends and family, an assisted living facility in a larger city like Delaware city, Dover, Harrington, Lewes, Milford, New Castle, Newark or Wilmington may a better option. Senior Living in these areas offer more outside activities and may also offer better local health care. Larger cities typically have a better support base for specialty services like cancer treatment and rehabilitation that can be important to seniors in an nursing homes and assistant living facilities. They also typically have better emergency care. Larger cities also tend to have a larger selection of assisted-living facilities with a more staff and more amenities than smaller independently operated senior living communities. 

Delaware Assisted Living Facility Government Over Sight

The Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Long-Term Care Residents Protection performs annual inspection of all Delaware assisted living facilities. To contact the Division of Long-Term Care Residents Protection and request a copy of inspection reports, call 302-577-6661. This number is also used to check on complaints and to make complaints against Delaware assisted living facilities. Be prepared to give them specific information about an incident, personnel and other key information. We request that you also submit a review on this site to help other Delaware residents select an assisted living facility. You Delaware Ombudsman is another critical resource for assisted living facility problems. Contact Victor at:

• Victor Orija, State Long Term Care Ombudsman
• Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities
  1901 North Dupont Highway, Main Admin. Bldg. Annex, New Castle, DE 19720
• dhss.delaware.gov/dsaapd/
• Phone: (302)255-9390 Fax: (302)255-4445

This directory includes 186assisted living options for Delaware. Use the "Advance Search" to find the nearest 40 senior services based on your desired location or select a city and then choose a tab to see different types of senior care including nursing homes, Alzheimer's care centers, CCRCs, independent living, in-home and hospice care.

Delaware Assisted Living Facility Selection

Typically there are a handful of factors to consider when selecting an assisted living facility. Proximity to friends and family is usually the number one factor. Use our Find-A-Facility tool (upper right) to find assisted living facilities by proximity to your home.The cost of the facility is usually the second factor. After this the amenity and standard of living are usually the next factors. Larger facilities may offer a less personal service but may have a full-time activities director who can make life in an assistant living facility much more interesting and enjoyable. Large or small, it is important to talk to the staff and residents before making a decision. Try to avoid a facility where the main activity is watching TV.