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Last updated: May 6, 2026
Bottom line: Delaware does not send older adults to several regional Area Agencies on Aging. The state uses one statewide aging and disability system. Most people should start with the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center, often called the ADRC, at 1-800-223-9074. The ADRC can point you to meals, rides, caregiver support, home care options, benefits help, legal help, and safety services. For a broader list of state help, see the Delaware senior benefits guide.
Fast Delaware starting points
| Need | Start here | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Not sure where to begin | Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074 | Ask for options counseling and local referrals. |
| Meals at home | Home-delivered meals through DSAAPD | Ask how meal screening works in your county. |
| Medicare questions | DMAB at 1-800-336-9500 | Ask for free Medicare counseling. |
| Food, Medicaid, cash, or energy help | ASSIST online or a local DSS office | Ask which benefits you can apply for together. |
| Abuse or neglect | APS at 1-888-APS-4302 or 1-888-277-4302 | Say what you saw, when it happened, and where the person is now. |
Contents
- Fast Delaware starting points
- If you need help today
- How Delaware’s aging system works
- Key Delaware facts for seniors
- What the ADRC can help with
- Meals and food help
- Transportation help
- Caregiver support and respite
- Medicare counseling and fraud help
- Legal help, abuse reporting, and rights
- Home care and long-term care options
- Benefits, bills, and other Delaware help
- Local and county resources
- How to start without wasting time
- Documents and details to keep nearby
- Phone scripts you can use
- Common mistakes to avoid
- If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
- Resumen en español
- FAQ
If you need help today
Call 911 first if someone is in danger, badly hurt, missing, trapped, or needs urgent medical help. If you suspect abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, contact Adult Protective Services right away at 1-888-APS-4302 or 1-888-277-4302.
For aging and disability resource help, call the ADRC contact page number, 1-800-223-9074. The ADRC website says phone or email access is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. DSAAPD office locations list regular weekday office hours, and online requests may still take 1 to 3 business days to be processed.
For a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Delaware also lists mobile crisis numbers: 1-800-652-2929 for New Castle County and 1-800-345-6785 for Kent and Sussex counties.
For rent, food, utility, shelter, or other local crisis help, contact Delaware 211 by dialing 2-1-1. It can be useful when the ADRC is not the only office involved.
How Delaware’s aging system works
In many states, each region has its own Area Agency on Aging. Delaware is different. The Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, often called DSAAPD, is the state aging office and the statewide access point for older adults, adults with physical disabilities, and caregivers. You do not need to guess which county office to call first.
The DSAAPD website lists the ADRC phone number and connects people to aging, disability, caregiver, safety, and long-term care resources. The ADRC is the front door for information and referral. It can also help you think through choices when care at home is getting harder.
Delaware is small, but service needs are not the same everywhere. New Castle County has more urban and suburban services. Kent County has many Dover-area and central Delaware needs. Sussex County has rural areas and beach communities where transportation and caregiver coverage may be harder to arrange.
Key Delaware facts for seniors
Delaware’s older population is large enough that aging services matter statewide. The U.S. Census Bureau lists Delaware’s July 1, 2025 population estimate at 1,059,952 people, with 21.8% age 65 or older. It also lists 59,557 veterans for 2020-2024. These figures from Census QuickFacts help explain why Medicare counseling, caregiver help, transportation, and long-term care planning are common needs.
| State fact | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| About 1 in 5 Delaware residents is 65 or older | Meal programs, home care, rides, and caregiver support can have demand. |
| Delaware has three counties | You call one ADRC number, but services may still be delivered by local partners. |
| Many older adults own homes | Some people need help with taxes, repairs, utility bills, and safe access. |
| Many seniors have Medicare | Free Medicare counseling can help with plan choices, bills, and appeals. |
What the ADRC can help with
The ADRC is not a cash grant office. It is a guide to the right program. The official ADRC services page says help may include information and assistance, options counseling, and service enrollment support. Use that page as a starting source, then call if you need personal help.
| Service area | What it may help with | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Information and referral | Finding meal sites, rides, benefits, caregiver help, and local agencies. | A referral is not the same as approval. You may still need to apply. |
| Options counseling | Sorting out care at home, moving from a hospital, or comparing long-term care choices. | Have health, income, and insurance details ready before you call. |
| Caregiver support | Support groups, resource centers, respite options, and planning help. | Respite help can depend on funding, need, and local provider availability. |
| Safety and rights | Abuse reporting, ombudsman referrals, legal help, and Medicare fraud concerns. | Call 911 for immediate danger. Do not wait for a routine callback. |
Meals and food help
Delaware has home-delivered meals for some people who are homebound. DSAAPD says the program provides nutritionally balanced hot meals during the day, and some people may also receive cold bagged meals for later. The Meals FAQ says DSAAPD-funded home-delivered meals are for two groups: people age 60 or older who are homebound and people with physical disabilities under age 60.
Who may qualify: A senior who cannot shop or cook safely, has limited help at home, or is homebound may be a good fit. The ADRC can screen you and send you to the right meal provider.
Where to apply: Call the ADRC at 1-800-223-9074. If you also need grocery benefits, use the Delaware SNAP page for Food Supplement Program information, then apply through ASSIST or a Division of Social Services office. For more general food options, see our guide to food programs for seniors.
Reality check: Home-delivered meals are not the same as full-time home care. They may help with nutrition and a safety check, but they do not replace a caregiver, nurse, or aide.
Transportation help
Transportation can be one of the biggest barriers for older Delawareans, especially for medical appointments, grocery trips, dialysis, senior centers, and long-distance specialist visits. Delaware’s DSAAPD transportation information points people to the ADRC, DART First State, and other resources.
DART First State handles fixed-route bus information, reduced fare questions, and paratransit contacts. The DART contacts page lists the statewide information line at 1-800-652-3278 and paratransit reservations at 1-800-553-3278.
Who may qualify: Older adults may qualify for reduced fares. People whose disability keeps them from using regular buses may need ADA paratransit certification. Some medical rides may be handled through Medicaid or a health plan instead.
Reality check: Do not wait until the morning of a doctor visit. Paratransit and medical rides often need advance scheduling, paperwork, and exact pickup details.
Caregiver support and respite
If you care for a spouse, parent, grandparent, friend, or neighbor, the ADRC can be a good first call. Delaware’s caregiver page lists caregiver information, support groups, long-distance caregiving, caregiving links, and grandparent or relative caregiver resources.
DSAAPD also supports eight caregiver resource centers across the state. These caregiver centers can be access points for information on caregiving topics. The centers may have part-time staff, so call ahead before you visit.
Who may qualify: Caregivers may be spouses, adult children, relatives, or unpaid helpers. Some programs focus on caregivers of older adults. Others support grandparents or relatives raising children.
Where to apply: Call the ADRC and ask for caregiver support. If the person you care for may need Medicaid long-term care services, ask for options counseling and the correct Medicaid path.
Reality check: Respite care is helpful, but it is not always immediate. Ask what is available now, what has a wait, and what backup plan you should use if the caregiver gets sick.
Medicare counseling and fraud help
For Medicare questions, Delaware has free counseling through the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau. DMAB says it helps people with Medicare, including people under 65 who have Medicare, with Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, Part D, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance, billing problems, and low-income assistance. Call 1-800-336-9500 or 302-674-7364.
Who may qualify: Anyone with Medicare questions can ask for counseling. This includes people turning 65, people already enrolled, caregivers helping a parent, and people confused by bills or plan mail.
Where to apply: Contact DMAB directly. The ADRC may also point you there if your main issue is Medicare or health insurance.
Reality check: DMAB counselors do not sell plans. Bring your Medicare card, prescription list, doctor list, plan notices, and any bills you do not understand.
For a deeper local benefits path, GrantsForSeniors.org also has a guide to Medicare Savings Programs in Delaware.
Legal help, abuse reporting, and rights
Delaware’s aging legal services can help older adults with some civil legal problems. The DSAAPD legal services page says the program assists older persons with issues such as powers of attorney, advance directives, consumer matters, housing, and benefits. The state lists eligibility as Delaware residents age 60 or older, with priority for people in greatest social and economic need.
Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. says its elder legal help is for Delaware residents age 60 and older and includes matters such as powers of attorney, fraud, nursing home discharge, housing problems, and public benefits.
Who may qualify: Many elder legal services focus on people age 60 or older. Some services may also have income, case type, or county rules.
Where to apply: Start with the ADRC for a referral, or contact CLASI directly if you already know you need elder legal help.
Reality check: Legal aid cannot take every case. If there is a court date, eviction notice, benefit deadline, or discharge date, call as soon as you receive the paper.
Home care and long-term care options
The ADRC can help you sort out care at home, care after a hospital stay, nursing home questions, and community-based supports. Delaware’s Medicaid long-term care program is connected to Diamond State Health Plan Plus, often called DSHP-Plus. The state says DSHP-Plus is an integrated long-term care initiative connected to Delaware Medicaid and DSAAPD.
What it may help with: Depending on eligibility and plan rules, long-term services may include help at home, personal care, adult day services, home-delivered meals, nursing facility care, or other support. The exact service plan depends on medical need, Medicaid rules, and plan approval.
Who may qualify: Long-term care Medicaid usually depends on financial rules and a medical need for a nursing facility level of care or similar support. Do not rely on rough income guesses. Ask Delaware Medicaid or the ADRC which application path fits your case.
Where to apply: Use Delaware ASSIST, a Division of Social Services office, or a Medicaid contact. If you are leaving a hospital or nursing home, ask the discharge planner to connect you to the ADRC before you go home.
Reality check: Approval can take paperwork. Bank statements, income proof, life insurance details, property records, and medical records may be needed. Keep copies of everything you send.
Benefits, bills, and other Delaware help
Many older adults call the ADRC for one problem, then find out they need several programs. For online benefits, Delaware uses ASSIST. It can be used to apply for health and social service programs, including Medicaid, Food Supplement Program benefits, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary help, LIHEAP, cash assistance, and long-term care.
If your issue is housing or rent, the statewide aging office may point you to community resources, but housing programs may be handled by other agencies. Our Delaware housing help guide can help you check rental, public housing, and local housing paths.
If your issue is energy, Delaware’s LIHEAP page lists heating, crisis, cooling, and weatherization information. Crisis help may be available when a household has a shutoff notice, very low fuel, or past-due utility bills, but each program has rules. Our broader guide to utility bill help may also help you make a call list.
If you own your home, also check whether local tax, repair, or safety programs apply. This site has a separate Delaware guide to property tax relief.
Local and county resources
Because Delaware has one statewide aging access point, county pages often send people back to the ADRC. That is normal. Still, local pages can help you find senior centers, county programs, and nearby contacts.
| Area | Local place to check | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| New Castle County | New Castle services for county programs | Senior activities, safety programs, and local resources. |
| Kent County | Call the ADRC first | Dover-area referrals, transportation, meals, and benefits paths. |
| Sussex County | Sussex resources for county links | Local aging resources, beach-area and rural referrals. |
| Any county | DSAAPD publications for state guides | Printed guides, Spanish forms, rights materials, and caregiver resources. |
Senior centers can also be a practical first stop for meals, activities, and local word-of-mouth. See our Delaware senior centers guide for more local places to check.
How to start without wasting time
- Write down the problem first. Use one sentence, such as “My mother needs meals and rides after a hospital stay.”
- Call the ADRC. Say your county, age, disability status if any, and the most urgent need.
- Ask for the next step. Ask whether you need a referral, application, assessment, or proof documents.
- Ask who owns the case. Get the name of the office or provider that will call you next.
- Set a follow-up date. If you do not hear back, call again with your notes.
You can also use our senior help tools to make a simple checklist before you call.
Documents and details to keep nearby
| Have this ready | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Name, date of birth, address, phone, and county | Most programs need to confirm identity and service area. |
| Medicare, Medicaid, and health plan cards | Insurance affects counseling, rides, home care, and bills. |
| Doctor names and recent hospital papers | Useful for home care, meals, discharge planning, and safety needs. |
| Monthly income and main expenses | Needed for SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, rent help, and legal aid screening. |
| Problem papers | Bring shutoff notices, benefit letters, bills, lease papers, or denial notices. |
Phone scripts you can use
Calling the ADRC for the first time
“Hello, my name is [name]. I live in [county and ZIP code]. I am calling for [myself/my parent/my spouse]. The main problem is [meals, rides, home care, caregiver stress, benefits, safety]. Can you tell me what program to start with and whether I need an assessment?”
Asking about home-delivered meals
“I am calling about home-delivered meals. The person is [age], lives in [county], and has trouble shopping or cooking because [reason]. What screening is needed, and who will contact us next?”
Asking for caregiver support
“I am caring for [person]. I need help with respite, support groups, and a backup plan. Can you connect me with caregiver support and tell me what is available in my county?”
Calling about Medicare
“I need free Medicare counseling. I have questions about [plan choice, drug plan, bill, denial, Medicare Savings Program]. What should I bring to the appointment?”
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until a crisis is worse. Call early for meals, rides, caregiver help, or home care planning.
- Assuming the ADRC pays bills. The ADRC refers and guides. Benefit programs have their own rules.
- Using only national websites. Delaware benefits often start through ASSIST, DSS, DSAAPD, or local providers.
- Missing mail from Medicaid or SNAP. Renewal letters and proof requests can stop benefits if ignored.
- Calling without notes. Keep a call log with date, name, phone number, and next step.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If a program says no, ask for the reason in writing. Ask whether you can appeal, reapply, submit missing proof, or try another program. If the issue involves Medicaid, SNAP, housing, Medicare, or a legal notice, do not throw the letter away.
Call the ADRC again and say, “I was denied or delayed. Can you help me understand the next step?” For legal deadlines, ask about elder legal services. For Medicare bills or plan problems, contact DMAB. For urgent food, shelter, or utility issues, call Delaware 211 and ask for same-day local options.
Other GrantsForSeniors.org pages may also help with related needs, including guides to family caregiver pay and medical equipment reuse for more options.
Resumen en español
Delaware usa un sistema estatal para ayuda de adultos mayores y personas con discapacidades. Llame al Delaware ADRC al 1-800-223-9074 si necesita comida a domicilio, transporte, ayuda para cuidadores, servicios en casa, consejería de Medicare, ayuda legal o referencias locales. Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para reportar abuso, negligencia o explotación financiera de un adulto vulnerable, llame al 1-888-APS-4302 o 1-888-277-4302.
Para una crisis de salud mental, llame o mande texto al 988. Para comida, renta, servicios públicos o refugio, marque 2-1-1. La oficina estatal también tiene información en español y publicaciones en español. Pregunte siempre qué documentos necesita, quién le llamará después y cuándo debe volver a llamar si no recibe respuesta.
FAQ
Does Delaware have more than one Area Agency on Aging?
Delaware uses one statewide aging and disability system. Most people should start with the Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074 instead of looking for a separate county Area Agency on Aging.
Is the Delaware ADRC only for people over 60?
No. The ADRC serves older Delawareans, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and people looking for help for someone else. Some programs have age, disability, income, or care-need rules.
Can the ADRC help me get paid as a caregiver?
The ADRC can explain caregiver supports and long-term care options. Getting paid as a caregiver depends on program rules, Medicaid status, care needs, and whether the program allows family caregivers.
Can I get meals delivered to my home?
Maybe. Delaware home-delivered meals are for people who meet program rules, often because they are homebound or have a disability. Call the ADRC and ask for a meal screening.
Who should I call for Medicare plan help?
Call the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau at 1-800-336-9500 or 302-674-7364. It provides free Medicare counseling and does not sell plans.
What should I do if I think an older adult is being abused?
Call 911 if there is immediate danger. If you suspect abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, call Adult Protective Services at 1-888-APS-4302 or 1-888-277-4302.
About this guide
We check this guide against official government, local agency, and trusted nonprofit sources. GrantsForSeniors.org is independent and is not a government agency.
Program rules, funding, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply.
See something wrong or outdated? Email info@grantsforseniors.org.
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