Cost of Delaware Assisted Living Facilities

The average cost of assisted living in Delaware is $3,200 per month

The range of costs is from $2,500 to $4,300 per month

This data is based on 12 of the larger facilities within the state and may not represent all facilities within the state. Additional fees may apply.

More info on Assisted Living Costs

Delaware Assisted Living Information

Assisted Living Facilities is the official definition Delaware uses for an Assisted living facility. It is a combination of housing, supportive services, supervision, personalized assistance, and health care used to respond to the needs of those needing help with day to day living activities. For facilities that offer specific care for individuals with memory impairment, there is a disclosure statement.

Delaware Assisted Living Facility Scope of Care

Assisted living in Delaware is designed to offer living arrangements to those who are medically stable and do not require skilled nursing care and supervision. Any person requiring intermittent nursing care for a short period of time may live in an assisted living facility. There are certain conditions prohibiting a resident from being in an assisted living facility regardless of whether care is provided by employees or an outside agency. A resident can contract with a home health agency for services with approval of the facility's director. A licensed hospice care provider can provide care for a resident. It is required that the hospice program provide written assurance that in conjunction with care provided by the assisted living facility, the care of the resident will not place other residents at risk.

Delaware Assisted Living Admission Requirements

An assisted living facility is prohibited from admitting, providing services to, or Allowing care to individuals who meet any of the following conditions: Require care by a nurse for intermittent of limited periods of time, require skilled monitoring, testing, or aggressive medication adjustments or treatments where there legitimate potential of an acute episode unless there is a registered nurse to give proper care; require monitoring of a chronic medical condition not stabilized with available medications or treatments; bedridden for over 14 days; have stage III or IV skin ulcers; require a ventilator; require treatment for a disease or condition requiring more than contact isolation; have a tracheotomy for less than six months; have an unstable PEG tube; require an intravenous or central line with certain exceptions; Wander in a manner that the assisted living facility would not be able to provide supervision or security arrangements; Show behaviors that present a threat to the health or safety of themselves or others; and are socially inappropriate that the facility would not be able to manage the behavior - after documented efforts for no more than 60 days. The provisions above do not apply to residents under the care of hospice as long as the hospice program submits written assurance that the resident's needs will be met without putting other residents at risk.

Delaware Assisted Living Care Plan Requirements

In Delaware, a resident assessment form is required. Assisted living facilities must develop, implement, and adhere to a documented, ongoing quality assurance program including an internal monitoring procedure to track performance and measure resident satisfaction. At least semi-annually every facility must survey residents to gauge their satisfaction with services provided. These surveys must be kept for two years available for review during inspections. Documentation addressing actions taken as a result of the surveys should be kept for one year.

Delaware Assisted Living Medication Management Requirements

Facilities in Delaware must comply with the Nurse Practice Act regarding medications. Residents can have assistance with self-medication by care providers who have completed the 'Assistance with Self-Administration of Medication' (AWSAM) training course. It is required that facilities keep records on file for employees who have completed the course, and must complete and submit an annual report to the Board of Nursing. Administration of medication can be performed by an RN or a licensed practical nurse only. The facility must establish and comply with written medication policies that obtaining, storing, and administering medication. A quarterly pharmacy review is also required.

Delaware Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Facility Requirements of Assisted Living Facilities for the State of Delaware are; resident kitchens must be available in the resident’s living unit or in an area accessible to every resident. For new construction and conversions of facilities with more than 10 beds, there must be a minimum of 100 square feet of floor space for residents in a private bedroom, and at least 80 square feet for residents sharing a bedroom. A maximum of two residents is allowed per resident unit. Bathing facilities must be available in an individual living unit or in an area readily accessible to every resident. If bathroom facilities are shared there must be a minimum of one commode, sink, and tub/shower for every four residents.

Delaware Assisted Living Staffing Requirements

In Delaware, every facility must have a director responsible for daily operations. Facilities licensed for 25 beds or more are required to have a full-time nursing home administrator. Facilities licensed for five to 24 beds must have a part-time nursing home administrator on duty at least 20 hours each week. The director of a facility for four beds or less must be on site a minimum of eight hours a week. Facilities must have a Director of Nursing who is an RN. Facilities licensed for 25 or more beds must have a full time DON; facilities licensed for five to 24 beds must have a part-time DON on site a minimum of 20 hours a week; and a DON of a facility for four beds or less must be on site at least eight hours a week. Resident assistants must be at least 18 years old. One staff person must be on site 24 hours each day, and must be qualified to administer or assist with self-administration of medication, have knowledge of emergency procedures, basic first aid, CPR, and the Heimlich Maneuver. Overall staffing must be sufficient in number, and staff must be appropriately trained, certified, or licensed to meet the needs of the residents and to comply with state laws and regulations. The nursing home administrator must maintain certification, for facilities with four beds or fewer, requirements for the director of the facility and for the on-site manager are reduced. On-site house managers of facilities with four beds or fewer must receive a minimum of 12 hours in-service education annually. Resident assistants must receive at least 12 hours of in-service education annually. The Board of Nursing Home Examiners approves continuing education programs for assisted living facilities.

Delaware Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Medicaid home and community-based services are covered by a waiver for assisted living services.

Delaware Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Long Term Care Residents Protection