The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Newark, DE for 2023

Newark is a college town almost equidistant to Philadelphia and Baltimore. Its population of 30,601 includes 4,160 residents in the 65 and over age group. They’re drawn to the city’s vibrancy, nonexistent taxes, excellent medical facilities and an environment that seems tailor-made for active seniors. Glasgow Park is a popular location for those who like a game of tennis or basketball. Its Tai-Chi in the Park events are also very popular. White Clay Creek State Park is a must for seniors who prefer natural environments, wildlife and hiking. For those who prefer to shop, Aunt Margaret’s Antique Mall is a palace of vintage riches for curious buyers and collectors alike.

Newark’s assisted living communities care for seniors who would otherwise find some daily chores too challenging. They are assured of freshly cooked meals, clean rooms, medication management services and staff available around the clock. Monthly fees are typically $5,550, which is $1,140 per month less than the average citizen of Delaware pays for similar services.

The remainder of this guide discusses assisted living costs in the region and reviews the pros and cons of living in Newark. It also lists some free resources for the city’s seniors.

The Division of Health Care Quality, which is part of the Department of Health and Social Services, regulates assisted living facilities in Delaware. Facilities must apply for a license from the division before they can open their doors to seniors. The division can carry out unannounced inspections, legally force underperforming facilities to comply and revoke licenses from those that fail.

• Sperling’s Best Places compares U.S. cities to a national average of 100 to identify their affordability. Newark scores 104.1, placing it above the national and state averages. At first glance, this makes the city look less attractive, but it makes sense. Delaware is above-average in cost terms, and Newark’s proximity to major cities, such as Philadelphia and Baltimore, serves to make it more attractive and raises prices.
• Newark is safer than average when compared to other cities in the state and the country, but its property crime figures are above average. However, seniors in many assisted living communities can find comfort in knowing their facilities are watched over 24/7 by surveillance cameras and staff is always nearby.
• The medical facilities in Newark are excellent. They include a high number of physicians registered to treat Medicare physicians and the No. 1 medical facility in the state: ChristianaCare Hospitals. Due to its location, Newark’s seniors are also within an hour’s journey of the Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins Hospital, ranked No. 13 and No. 4 in the country.
•  For $2 per day, the Newark Senior Center bus can collect members from their homes, bring them to the center and take them home again. On Fridays, it also takes seniors on trips to local shopping centers.
• Newark has one of the better climates in the state. Its annual snowfall is less than half the U.S. average, and temperatures range between 24 degrees in winter to 87 in summer. The annual rainfall is above-average, but that only enriches the soil that births the city’s profusion of trees, grassland and flora.
• There are several tax advantages to living in Newark. The tax rates for the city, county and state are 0%, which helps seniors hold on to more of their incomes and lowers costs for goods. Additionally, Delaware’s retirees aren’t taxed on their Social Security retirement benefits.

Reviewing figures in the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reveals that Newark’s average monthly fees of $5,550 are significantly below the state average of $6,690, a difference of 18.6 percentage points. However, its fees are also above the national average of $4,300.

Although Newark’s average fees are below the state average, they’re not as low as the fees typically paid in Dover, where seniors are more likely to pay $4,920. When compared to neighboring states, it’s a tale of two halves. In Baltimore, Maryland, fees are $550 per month below Newark, and in Vineland, New Jersey, they’re $973 per month more.

Care costs typically reflect the level of services, which is why adult day care’s average costs of $1,842 are the most affordable. Home care averages at $4,767, and home health care, surprisingly, costs the same, despite including basic medical care. Assisted living is the most affordable type of senior care that includes accommodation, with fees averaging at $5,550. Nursing homes are the most expensive. A typical semiprivate room costs $11,285 per month, and a private room costs $12,498.

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Delaware page.