The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in New Castle County, DE for 2024

New Castle County, which is situated along the Delaware River, is home to about 560,000 residents, roughly 15 percent of whom are aged 65 and over. In this county, it's projected that about 11 percent of seniors who receive Medicare benefits are living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. These seniors and their caregivers are served by the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. 

New Castle County has seven memory care facilities, including five in Wilmington and two in Newark. In this county, memory care services are provided in assisted living facilities that specialize in serving residents who have dementia. 

• New Castle County's overall cost of living is about 2 percent higher than the state average and 12 percent higher than the national average, which may drive up the cost of memory care services. Healthcare expenses are about 8 percent higher than the national average and on par with the state average, which is helpful for families on a fixed income.
• New Castle County's climate is similar to that of both the state and the nation as a whole, with year-round temperatures ranging between 25 degrees and 86 degrees. The region receives just 13 inches of annual snowfall, which is about half the national average and may make winter travel easier on those visiting loved ones in local memory care facilities. 
• New Castle County's air quality is relatively poor, with the county receiving an F for ozone pollution and a D for short-term particle pollution from the American Lung Association. These types of pollution may adversely affect the health of seniors who have respiratory conditions or cardiovascular disease.
• In Delaware, Social Security income is not taxed at the state level, and all other types of retirement income are only partially taxed. This may leave more money in the budget for memory care expenses in New Castle County. 

Memory Care costs in New Castle County start around $5,599 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in New Castle County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in Delaware page.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Delaware page.

New Castle County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Delaware are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Delaware page for more information about these laws.