Area Agencies on Aging in Delaware (2026)

Fast Delaware starting points

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 at 1-888-277-4302, also listed as 1-888-APS-4302.

For aging and disability resource help, call the ADRC contact number at 1-800-223-9074. The ADRC lists phone or email access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Office work, referrals, and online requests may still take business time.

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, call 2-1-1 or use Delaware 211. If you need a longer crisis checklist, use our Delaware emergency help guide.

Contents

• How Delaware’s aging system works
• ADRC help
• Senior centers in Delaware
• Meals and food help
• Transportation help
• Caregiver support and respite
• Medicare, legal help, and rights
• Home care and long-term care
• Benefits, bills, and other help
• Start steps
• Documents and phone scripts
• Denied, delayed, or overwhelmed

How Delaware’s aging system works

In many states, each region has its own Area Agency on Aging. Delaware is different. The Delaware DSAAPD, short for the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, is the statewide aging office. It serves older adults, adults with physical disabilities, caregivers, and families who need help finding the right service.

The ADRC is the front door. It can help you sort out the first call, the next form, and the local provider. You do not need to guess which county Area Agency on Aging covers you. You can call one statewide number and then ask who handles your need in New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County.

Delaware is small, but needs still vary by area. New Castle County has more urban and suburban programs. Kent County has many Dover-area services. Sussex County has rural and beach communities where transportation, home care, and caregiver coverage may need more planning.

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. Call when you need help choosing the right path.

Senior centers in Delaware

Many people who land on this page are looking for senior centers in Delaware. That is reasonable. A senior center may be the best first stop for lunch, exercise, trips, classes, benefits help, caregiver information, or local word-of-mouth. A senior center is not the same as the ADRC, but the two can work together.

Start with the ADRC if you are not sure which center serves your ZIP code. Then call the center before you visit. Ask about age rules, membership fees, lunch, transportation, accessibility, and whether the center can help with your exact need. Some centers offer rides only in a small service area. Some lunch programs ask for a donation or have a low meal charge. Some programs require advance sign-up.

The table below includes verified centers and aging-network centers with official or high-trust pages. It is not every center in Delaware. Use the ADRC directory or call 1-800-223-9074 for more local choices.

Reality check: A senior center is not always a benefits office, transportation provider, or home care agency. It may be able to guide you, but each service has its own rules. Call ahead if you need lunch, a ride, a tour, help with a form, or accessible seating.

Meals and food help

Delaware has home-delivered meals for some people who are homebound. DSAAPD says the program is for two main groups: people age 60 or older who are homebound and people with physical disabilities under age 60. The ADRC can screen you and send you to the right meal provider.

What it helps with: Home-delivered meals can help with nutrition and a basic safety check. Some senior centers also serve lunch on site. SNAP, called the Food Supplement Program in Delaware, may help with groceries if you meet program rules.

Who may qualify: A senior who cannot shop or cook safely, has limited help at home, or is homebound may be a good fit for home-delivered meals. SNAP and other food benefits use separate income and household rules.

Where to apply: Call the ADRC at 1-800-223-9074 for meal screening. For grocery benefits, use the Delaware SNAP page or apply through ASSIST. You can also check our senior food programs guide for other food paths.

Reality check: Meals are not full-time home care. They do not replace a caregiver, nurse, or aide. Senior-center lunch rules can also vary by center, age, funding, and schedule.

Transportation help

Transportation can block care, food, and social contact. Older Delawareans may need rides to doctors, dialysis, grocery stores, senior centers, pharmacies, or specialists in another county.

DART First State lists the statewide information line at 1-800-652-3278. The DART contacts page also lists paratransit reservations at 1-800-553-3278 and paratransit eligibility questions through the main DART line.

What it helps with: DART may help with fixed-route bus information, paratransit, reduced fare questions, schedules, and travel training. Some senior centers also run their own limited vans or shopping trips.

Who may qualify: Older adults may be able to use reduced fare options. People whose disability prevents regular bus use may need ADA paratransit certification. Medicaid rides may be handled through a health plan or medical transportation path instead.

Where to apply: Call DART for transit and paratransit questions. Call the ADRC if transportation is part of a wider problem, such as meals, home care, or caregiver stress. Our transportation help guide may help you make a ride checklist.

Reality check: Do not wait until the morning of a doctor visit. Paratransit and medical rides often need advance scheduling, exact pickup details, and paperwork.

Caregiver support and respite

If you care for a spouse, parent, grandparent, friend, or neighbor, the ADRC is a good first call. Delaware’s caregiver page points people to caregiver information, support groups, long-distance caregiving help, and grandparent or relative caregiver resources.

DSAAPD also lists caregiver centers across the state. Some senior centers and multi-service centers also offer caregiver resource rooms, support groups, memory programs, or staff who can help you find the right office.

What it helps with: Caregiver support may include planning help, support groups, respite information, resource centers, and referrals for the person receiving care.

Who may qualify: Caregivers may be spouses, adult children, relatives, friends, or unpaid helpers. Some services focus on caregivers of older adults. Others focus on 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. For paid-caregiver questions, see our family caregiver pay guide.

Reality check: Respite care is helpful, but it may not be immediate. Ask what is available now, what has a wait, and what backup plan you should use if the caregiver gets sick.

Medicare, legal help, and rights

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.

What it helps with: DMAB can help with plan choices, drug plans, confusing bills, Medicare Savings Programs, and health insurance questions. It does not sell plans.

Where to apply: Contact DMAB directly. The ADRC may also point you there if your main issue is Medicare. For cost help, see our Medicare Savings Programs guide.

Legal help is separate. Delaware’s legal services page says aging legal services may help older persons with matters such as powers of attorney, advance directives, consumer issues, housing, and benefits. Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. also has elder legal help for Delaware residents age 60 and older.

Reality check: Legal aid cannot take every case. If there is a court date, eviction notice, benefit deadline, nursing home discharge date, or appeal deadline, call right away and keep the paper.

Home care and long-term care

The ADRC can help you sort out care at home, care after a hospital stay, nursing home questions, and community-based supports. Delaware’s long-term care Medicaid path is connected to Diamond State Health Plan Plus, often called DSHP-Plus. Medicaid payment rules can depend on other coverage, medical need, and financial eligibility.

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.

Who may qualify: Long-term care Medicaid usually depends on financial rules and medical need. Do not rely on rough income guesses. Ask Delaware Medicaid, ASSIST, or the ADRC which application path fits your case.

Where to apply: Use 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. If you need disability-specific help, our Delaware disability help guide may give more local paths.

Benefits, bills, and other help

Many older adults call the ADRC for one problem, then find out they need several programs. Delaware uses ASSIST for many health and social service applications, including Medicaid, Food Supplement Program benefits, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary help, LIHEAP, cash assistance, and long-term care.

If you need help using the portal, our Delaware ASSIST guide explains what the portal can and cannot do. If your issue is rent, public housing, or housing stability, our Delaware housing help guide can help you check housing offices and local programs.

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 rules can change by season and funding.

If you own your home, also check whether tax relief, repair help, or safety programs apply. See our property tax relief guide. If the household includes an older veteran or surviving spouse, our Delaware veteran benefits guide may also help.

How to start without wasting time

1. Write down the main problem. Use one sentence, such as “My mother needs meals and rides after a hospital stay.”
2. Call the ADRC first. Say your county, ZIP code, age, disability status if any, and the most urgent need.
3. Ask what happens next. Ask whether you need a referral, application, assessment, proof documents, or a provider callback.
4. Ask who owns the case. Write down the office, provider, phone number, and person’s name.
5. Set a follow-up date. If you do not hear back, call again with your notes.
6. Call the center directly. For senior-center needs, ask about membership, lunch, rides, schedule, accessibility, and what to bring on your first visit.

Documents and phone scripts

Calling the ADRC

“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?”

Calling a senior center

“Hello, I am looking for a senior center near [town or ZIP code]. Can you tell me your age rules, membership fee, lunch options, transportation area, and whether I need to sign up before visiting?”

Asking about 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?”

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?”

Reality checks and common mistakes

• Do not assume the ADRC pays bills. The ADRC guides and refers. Benefit programs have their own rules.
• Do not wait until a crisis is worse. Call early for meals, rides, caregiver help, or home care planning.
• Do not assume every senior center has the same services. Lunch, rides, fees, classes, and hours vary by center.
• Do not miss mail from Medicaid or SNAP. Renewal letters and proof requests can stop benefits if ignored.
• Do not use only national websites. Delaware benefits often start through ASSIST, DSS, DSAAPD, or local providers.
• Do not call without notes. Keep a call log with the date, name, phone number, and next step.

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. Do not throw away letters about Medicaid, SNAP, housing, Medicare, LIHEAP, legal notices, or senior-center transportation rules.

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.

If equipment is the issue, a reuse program or local loan closet may help while you wait. Our medical equipment help guide lists Delaware options to check.

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, centros para personas mayores o referencias locales.

Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para reportar abuso, negligencia o explotación financiera de un adulto vulnerable, llame al 1-888-277-4302. 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.

FAQ

Does Delaware have more than one Area Agency on Aging?

No. 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.

How do I find senior centers in Delaware?

Use the ADRC senior center directory, call the ADRC at 1-800-223-9074, or call a verified center directly. Ask about age rules, membership fees, lunch, transportation, accessibility, and schedules before you visit.

Can a senior center help with meals or transportation?

Sometimes. Some Delaware senior centers offer lunch, grocery trips, center transportation, or Meals on Wheels coordination. Services vary by center, location, funding, and eligibility rules.

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.

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.

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 1-888-277-4302.