Respite Care in Delaware: Programs, Vouchers, and Eligibility

You have been handling your parent's bathing, meals, medications, and doctor appointments for months. You are exhausted, your own health is slipping, and you need a break — but leaving them alone is not safe. Delaware has two distinct respite care pathways, and understanding which one you qualify for determines how quickly you can get relief.

The Two Respite Pathways

Delaware separates respite care into two programs with different funding sources, eligibility rules, and one critical restriction that prevents overlap.

1. Lifespan Respite Care Vouchers (Easterseals)

The Delaware Lifespan Respite Care Network is managed by Easterseals under contract with the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD). It provides grant-funded vouchers to unpaid family caregivers of individuals aged 60 and older, or those with Alzheimer's disease.

Vouchers cover:

• In-home respite (an aide comes to your parent's home)
• Out-of-home short-term day programs
• Overnight camp or facility stays

There is no out-of-pocket cost up to the annual voucher cap. Expect a 14 to 30 day wait based on funding availability and application queues.

The critical restriction: Respite vouchers cannot be issued to families who are already receiving respite hours through Medicaid's DSHP-Plus waiver program. The state will not duplicate respite funding across both systems.

2. DSHP-Plus Medicaid Waiver Respite

If your parent is enrolled in the Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP-Plus) managed care program, their Managed Care Organization (MCO) — AmeriHealth Caritas, Delaware First Health, or Highmark Health Options — can authorize respite care hours as part of the overall service plan.

This requires:

• Active DSHP-Plus enrollment (financial and medical eligibility confirmed)
• A care plan that includes respite as an authorized service
• Coordination with the MCO care coordinator

DSHP-Plus respite is more comprehensive but comes with the full Medicaid eligibility requirements: the $2,000 asset limit, the $2,982/month income cap (or a Miller Trust), and the clinical Nursing Facility Level of Care determination.

Which Pathway Fits Your Situation

Choose the Lifespan Respite vouchers if:

• Your parent is not on Medicaid and you are not planning to apply soon
• You need short-term relief (a weekend, a week) while you regroup
• Your parent's care needs are moderate (companionship, basic ADL help, medication reminders)

Use DSHP-Plus waiver respite if:

• Your parent is already enrolled in DSHP-Plus or you are in the application process
• You need ongoing, recurring respite as part of a larger care plan
• Your parent requires skilled oversight or has complex medical needs

If you are currently using Lifespan Respite vouchers and later enroll your parent in DSHP-Plus, you must transition to the waiver-based respite — the voucher program will discontinue coverage to avoid duplication.

Adult Day Programs as Respite

Adult day services provide structured daytime care at licensed facilities across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. Programs include social activities, nursing monitoring, physical exercises, and nutritional support.

Adult day services are covered under DSHP-Plus managed care, but require:

• A clinical assessment and authorization from the MCO coordinator
• A negative TB test and medical history for the participant
• Enrollment lead time of 7 to 14 days

For caregivers not yet on Medicaid, some adult day centers accept private pay or state-funded day program grants.

How to Start

For the Lifespan Respite program, contact Easterseals Delaware directly or reach out through the Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074. For DSHP-Plus respite, speak with your parent's assigned MCO care coordinator.

The Delaware Home Care Guide covers both respite pathways alongside the full DSHP-Plus application process, including how to structure respite within a broader care plan that maximizes authorized hours across all service types.

See more Delaware guides →