How much does a nursing home cost in Delaware?
The median nursing home cost in Delaware is $15,132 per month for a private room and $14,494 per month for a semi-private room, based on the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey released March 2026. That's roughly $181,588 per year for a private room.
Delaware costs run 28% above the national median, reflecting its small size and proximity to high-cost mid-Atlantic metros.
2026 Delaware senior care costs at a glance
| Care type | Delaware median/month | National median (CareScout 2025) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing home (private) | $15,132 | $10,798 | +40% |
| Nursing home (semi-private) | $14,494 | $9,581 | +51% |
| Memory care (est) | $9,500 | $7,750 | +23% |
| Assisted living | $7,600 | $6,200 | +23% |
| Non-medical caregiver (hourly) | $35 | $35 | +0% |
See your exact spend-down timeline for Delaware
Enter your savings, income, and care type to see how long your money lasts before reaching Delaware Medicaid asset limits.
Open the Delaware calculator →Nursing home costs by Delaware city
Costs vary by metro area within the state. Urban markets typically run 10–25% above state medians, while rural areas can be 10–20% below.
City-level estimates are based on CareScout 2025 metro-area data. Individual facility costs vary 20–40% from these medians depending on amenities, staffing ratios, and room type.
Delaware Medicaid for nursing home care
Delaware Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet both medical eligibility (need for skilled nursing care) and financial eligibility (limited assets and income). Understanding the rules before you need them can save your family hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Delaware Medicaid 2026 asset limits
Individual applicant: $2,000 in countable assets (2026)
Married couple, one spouse applying: Community spouse may keep up to $162,660 under the federal Community Spouse Resource Allowance (2026 maximum), plus the home, one vehicle, and personal belongings
The 5-year look-back period in Delaware
Delaware Medicaid reviews all asset transfers made within 60 months (5 years) of your application date. Gifts to family, property transfers below market value, or large unexplained withdrawals trigger a penalty period that delays Medicaid eligibility — during which you must private-pay.
Delaware's 2026 penalty divisor is approximately $15,132 per month (~$498 per day). A $50,000 transfer that violates the look-back rule would create roughly a 99-day penalty period during which Delaware Medicaid will not cover care costs.
This is why elder law attorneys consistently advise families to begin Medicaid planning at least 5 years before nursing home care is needed.
Find a Delaware elder law attorney
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys maintains a state-by-state directory of certified elder law attorneys.
Find a Delaware attorney →What makes Delaware different
Delaware operates a fully integrated managed long-term-care program called the Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP-Plus) under an 1115 Demonstration Waiver — a structural model unique to Delaware. Unlike most state HCBS waivers, DSHP-Plus is an entitlement with no waitlist for Medicaid-eligible seniors. The program splits into two tracks: the Nursing Facility Program for institutional care, and the Long-Term Care Community Services (LTCCS) Program covering assisted living, adult foster care, and home-based services. Administration divides between two state agencies: the Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance handles financial eligibility, and the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) handles intake for the former Elderly & Disabled Waiver population. Room and board in assisted living remains the family's responsibility.
Sources: state Medicaid agency program documentation and CMS spousal-impoverishment standards. See our methodology page for the broader data sources used across this site.
How Delaware compares to neighboring states
Cost differences across state lines can be substantial. Some families consider relocating for care, particularly if adult children live across a border.