New Castle, Delaware

Respite Care in New Castle, DE

A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in New Castle for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A smiling caregiver with her arm around an older woman in a bright room at home
Local figures

Respite Care in New Castle, DE: the local picture

1,279
residents 65 or older (23% of New Castle)
62%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
39%
of residents 65+ report a disability (31% in New Castle County)
10
Medicare-certified hospices serve New Castle ZIP codes

Most older adults in New Castle live with someone: 62% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 500 New Castle residents aged 65 or older report a disability (39%) (31% in New Castle County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving New Castle ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

New Castle compared with New Castle County and Delaware

Census figureNew CastleNew Castle CountyDelaware
Residents 65+ with a disability39%31%30%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone38%28%25%
Residents 65 or older23%17%21%
Residents 85 or older2.3%1.9%2.0%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)11%7.8%7.6%
Households with no vehicle9.3%7.5%6.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$54,020$68,907—

Older residents in towns around New Castle

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Wilmington Manor, DE1.5 mi1,60232%
Pennsville, NJ3.8 mi2,23125%
Wilmington, DE4.9 mi11,08336%
Elsmere, DE5.0 mi77437%
Carneys Point, NJ5.8 mi1,71938%
Penns Grove, NJ6.5 mi43739%

Hospices serving New Castle

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Compassionate Care HospiceNewport, DE4.2 mi(302) 993-9090
Bayada HospiceWilmington, DE5.1 mi(302) 351-3633
Delaware Hospice - North DivisionNewark, DE7.5 mi(302) 478-5707
Christianacare Accentcare Hosp & Palliative CareNewark, DE7.9 mi(302) 533-3800
Heartland HospiceNewark, DE7.9 mi(302) 737-7080

Nursing homes near New Castle (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
New Castle Health And Rehabilitation CenterNew Castle, DE4.0 mi2 of 5120(302) 328-2580
Complete Care At Hillside LLCWilmington, DE4.7 mi4 of 5106(302) 652-1181
Autumn Lake Healthcare At SouthgateCarneys Point, NJ5.3 mi2 of 5152(856) 299-8900
Excelcare At Newark LLCNewark, DE5.4 mi2 of 5101(302) 998-6900

Straight-line miles from the center of New Castle. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

  • Taking over the usual routine while you are away
  • Meals, medication reminders and personal care
  • Company and activities
  • Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip
Cost

What respite care costs in New Castle

At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 32% of the $4,502 monthly median income of New Castle households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Respite Care in New Castle: common questions

Which hospices serve New Castle?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for New Castle ZIP codes, including Compassionate Care Hospice, Bayada Hospice, Delaware Hospice - North Division.

How much does respite care cost in New Castle?

At the Delaware median aide wage of $16.50 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,430 a month in wages, which is 32% of the $4,502 monthly median income of New Castle households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Delaware's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve New Castle. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Delaware.

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Find respite care in New Castle

Posting is free and takes about ten minutes. Caregivers near New Castle can see it as soon as it is live.

Create your free family account

Looking for caregiving work instead? Create a free caregiver profile.

A woman on a sofa at home reviewing caregiver profiles on a laptop