Page Reviewed / Updated – Oct. 23, 2022

*At the time of this writing, it is believed the Generations’ Community Living Program is no longer active, as no current information on this program could be found. This page is maintained for historical purposes.

Program Description

The Delaware Generations’ Community Living Program is a foster care program for the elderly that enables seniors to continue to live independently in the community in a homelike environment, rather than require institutionalization (in a nursing home). This program is perhaps best thought of as a less expensive alternative to assisted living. Assisted living in Delaware can be prohibitively expensive for many residents.

Foster homes provide eligible applicants with room and board, supervision, assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), such as mobility, bathing, and toiletry, and assistance with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), such as laundry, meals, and shopping, in a clean, safe environment.

While this is a predominantly private pay program, Generations Home Care, a private non-profit agency, does receive some funding from the state in the form of grants. Program participants pay a monthly out-of-pocket fee of approximately $2,500. Compare this to the average cost of assisted living in Delaware, which is approximately $5,400 per month in 2019, and the program seems very reasonable.

Eligibility Guidelines

There are eligibility criteria for both individuals seeking adult foster care and for those who wish to be a sponsor and to provide a foster home.

Individuals
All applicants must be residents of Delaware. While it is not a requirement that they currently reside in New Castle County, the adult foster home they elect to live in must be in that county.

Candidates must be at least sixty years of age and be able to pay the fee of approximately $2,500 per month, which includes incidentals.

Applicants must be unable to live independently, yet require minimal assistance. To determine candidates’ level of function, a social worker will visit the applicant and do an assessment. A person may have trouble with walking, may require dialysis and need transportation for treatment, may require medication reminders, as well as require assistance with daily activities. However, a person with later stage Alzheimer’s would not be eligible for this program, as they would require too high a level of assistance. Delaware also offers a program that may be suitable for those who are in the later stages of dementia: Alzheimer’s Day Treatment.

Foster Home Providers
To be a foster home provider, the homeowner’s residence must have a bedroom available on the first floor. The foster care provider must undergo state and federal background checks, a credit check, and have someone available around the clock to be with the care recipient. The home must also pass an inspection, which is conducted by a social worker. Things that are considered during an inspection include if the home has proper exits, dangerous rugs to slip on, smoke detectors, is the bathroom equipped with grip bars, etc. If a foster home only houses one foster adult, they do not need to be licensed by the state, but homes with two or more residents must be licensed.

Benefits and Services

  • Room and Board
  • Medication Reminders
  • Transportation
  • Assistance with IADLs
  • Assistance with ADLs
  • Meals / Nutrition Management
  • Companionship
  • Errand Assistance
  • Respite Care (as long as 3 months)
  • Emergency Respite Care (as long as 1 month)

In addition, foster care providers are trained specifically to handle the needs of elderly and disabled individuals.

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How to Apply / Learn More

To learn more about the Delaware Generations’ Community Living Program Foster Care program, click here.

To apply, contact Generations Home Care at 302-276-1466. Please note, at the time of this writing there was only one adult foster care home in this program, which had a care recipient. It is unclear whether this program will continue once the current adult foster care sponsor and care recipient part ways.