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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 43 nursing homes in DE using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in DE
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the DE Dept. of Health & Social Services (DHSS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This TableAL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
RC (Respite Care):
Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break.
IL (Independent Living):
Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
PC (Palliative Care):
Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Delaware average is: 49.2% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each nursing home is ranked against every other DE nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 43 on this page. See how we rank facilities
Overview of Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Regal Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is Hockessin’s premier subacute and skilled nursing facility that aims to change the meaning of recovery for seniors. The CCRC understands that aging can be daunting, much more so with a disability or condition. The exceptional level of care delivered by their patient-friendly staff is an approach to offering the best care possible for their residents. Regal Heights is where residents feel comfortable and secure in a nurturing environment.
Specializing in short-term rehabilitation and long-term nursing care, The community provides essential service that includes 24-hour nursing care, stimulating activities, engaging social activities and programs; therapy services that include speech, occupational, and physical, orthopedic care, wound care, and memory care training that include specialized programs designed to fit the individual’s unique needs.
Overview of Coral Springs Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
Coral Springs Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center is a top-tier skilled nursing facility prioritizing residents’ independence. With licensed care professionals who specialize in personalized therapy, they offer exceptional care to those recovering from hospital visits or in need of ongoing medical support. Nestled in the heart of Wilmington, Coral Springs goes above and beyond to provide comprehensive care.
In addition to their skilled nursing staff, they also offer dental, podiatry, audiology, diagnostic, and x-ray services. Their social services team is also available to help residents maintain a fulfilling lifestyle. At Coral Springs, every resident is treated with dignity and respect. Their dedicated staff works tirelessly to ensure that each resident receives the highest care and attention, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking top-quality nursing and rehabilitation services.
Serving older adults in Milford, Delaware, Milford Center provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation services within a 136-bed community operated by Genesis De Holdings LLC. The community is overseen by Administrator John Byrd and Director of Nursing Beth Poehouseman and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents.
Rehabilitation and clinical care are central to daily operations. Moreover, physical, occupational, and speech therapy are available on-site. Additional services also include wound care, pain management, dementia support, and colostomy care, along with physicians, nurse practitioners, and medical directors who contribute to residents’ care and are available on call when needed.
The community supports both short-term recovery and longer-term care needs, with residents staying an average of 125 days. Nursing services average approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes per resident each day, including care provided by registered nurses and other licensed staff. Occupancy remains around 65% across the community’s licensed beds.
Situated in a somewhat walkable part of Milford, the area offers access to a limited number of nearby destinations on foot.
Overview of New Castle Health & Rehabilitation Center
New Castle Health & Rehabilitation Center is a nursing home that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of families who place their trust in its care. With a person-centered approach, this center is wholeheartedly committed to supporting the wellness goals of seniors, ensuring they receive the highest standard of care. Offering skilled nursing services, senior rehabilitation, and long-term care, each aspect is thoughtfully customized to cater to the unique needs of every individual resident.
Beyond providing exceptional care, this home in Delaware also offers a plethora of opportunities for new experiences and skill development, empowering seniors to embrace life to the fullest. Families can rest assured that their loved ones are in reliable and caring hands, making this center a place they can truly count on for providing compassionate and top-tier care to the seniors who call it home.
Overview of Pinnacle Rehabilitation & Health Center
Pinnacle Rehabilitation & Health Center offers nursing home and nursing care, skilled nursing, memory care, hospice care, palliative care, and respite care in Smyrna, DE. Nursing and skilled nursing provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision. Hospice and palliative care address comfort and symptom needs, and respite care provides a short-term stay.
The home has 151 beds, a size that accommodates more residents and staff and usually supports more programming than a smaller community. Occupancy is 91%, meaning most of the beds are currently filled.
Total nurse staffing is 3 hours 43 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated per resident. Pinnacle accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay; Medicare covers short-term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long-term residence, Medicaid can help when savings may not cover a long stay, and private pay means paying directly. Respite care may be a good fit for a family caregiver who needs short-term support while traveling or recovering.
In the picturesque Georgetown, Delaware, Harrison House of Georgetown stands as a beacon of advanced therapeutic services catering to the needs of residents from eastern Connecticut to western New York. Evoking the tranquility of a farmhouse along the Eastern shore, this senior living community provides a serene backdrop for residents on their journey to regaining functionality. With 24-hour skilled nursing care, an on-site physician, and a dedicated Medical Director, Harrison House of Georgetown places the well-being and rehabilitation of its residents at the forefront of its commitment. Harrison House of Georgetown has been a bastion of 24-hour care for over three decades, overseen by licensed skilled nurses and compassionate caregivers. The private and semi-private rooms, recently revitalized, offer views of landscaped grounds or meticulously designed gardens, providing a rejuvenating environment for residents.
The campus boasts conveniences to streamline daily tasks, including a barber and beauty salon, restaurant-style dining, a private guest dining room, religious services, and transportation services. Whether requiring short-term or long-term skilled nursing care, Harrison House of Georgetown ensures residents receive superior attention and care from a highly-trained staff. The on-site rehab gym, featuring an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) suite, empowers residents for a triumphant return home by practicing essential daily activities such as dressing, self-feeding, laundry, meal preparation, and bathing. Collaborating closely with each resident, occupational therapists instill confidence and comfort in performing these vital skills. The impeccably maintained gardens and expansive porch area beckon residents and their families to unwind on comfortable rocking chairs. In the recently renovated services area, a dedicated team of tenured skilled nurses and therapists tirelessly collaborate to guide each individual toward achieving and sustaining their highest level of independence.
Overview of Polaris Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center
Administered by Brenda Decker, Polaris Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center offers nursing home care, skilled nursing, and respite care in Milford, DE. Residents receive nursing care with licensed nurses on-site, along with staff available 24-hours. The community also provides respite care for older adults whose primary caregiver needs time away, allowing them to stay temporarily.
Additionally, subacute care and rehabilitation services are offered to support recovery after an acute medical event. The ventilator unit also serves residents who require ventilator care. Fine dining is also available on site, so residents can have meals within the community, while salon, beautician, and barber services provide access to grooming without leaving. Moreover, an outdoor patio gives residents a designated place to spend time outside, and religious services are available on site.
With 100 beds, the community is currently at 89% occupancy and provides a total nurse staffing of 3 hours and 37 minutes per resident per day. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are also accepted, giving families several listed ways to cover care.
Encore at Parkside occupies 255 Possum Park Rd in Newark, Delaware, a somewhat walkable spot with a Walk Score of 35. It is a small community, with 28 beds across nursing home, assisted living, and independent living, and it has been open for about a year. New facilities have newer infrastructure; they also have shorter track records, which is a relevant fact when choosing a care setting.
Occupancy sits at 72%, meaning 20 of the 28 beds are filled. The average stay runs 97 days, a little over three months. Both figures together suggest this is predominantly a short-stay, post-acute facility rather than a place where most residents put down long-term roots.
Staffing holds up on paper. Total nursing care comes to 5 hours and 6 minutes per resident per day, with registered nurses accounting for about 52 minutes of that. Those are the numbers as reported.
Payment covers Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, which lines up well with a facility oriented toward shorter rehab stays where Medicare is the typical primary payer.
At 28 beds with three levels of care and a short-stay profile, Encore at Parkside is best suited for adults stepping down from a hospital stay who need structured nursing support in a small setting, and potentially longer-term placement depending on how their needs evolve.
Overview of Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill
Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill is for those who seek a home that is considered the “last resort” in such a case. The center provides graceful living for short-term or long-term residents. Delaware Hospital is a community focused on creating an efficient and accessible approach to nursing its residents.
The nursing center allows participants of Medicare and Medicaid to receive quality care. In a 205-bed facility, residents receive various services to help them get by through daily living, such as ADLs, rehabilitation, specialized programs, and specific meals served daily.
Offering skilled nursing, post-acute rehabilitation, and specialized care across multiple service lines, Churchman Village is a 101-bed nursing home in Newark, Delaware. It welcomes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, offering families flexible coverage routes. The facility specializes in post-operative, post-illness, and post-injury rehabilitation, alongside memory care for occupants with dementia and palliative and hospice services for those approaching end-of-life care.
Staffing support is central to Churchman Village’s model. Daily nursing care totals 3 hours 43 minutes per resident, with registered nurses spending 42 minutes per day, nurse aides 2 hours 4 minutes, and LPNs/LVNs contributing 57 minutes. This diligent support is complemented by on-site physical therapy to aid recovery and mobility. The home maintains an on-site gym equipped with ultrasound and diathermy, letting residents pursue customized rehabilitation plans without leaving the building. Beyond clinical care, Churchman Village maintains cutting-edge security systems and organizes social activities and events to promote connection and engagement. The three-story building has strong local demand running at 89.6 percent occupancy. Its Newark location is in a somewhat walkable neighborhood where some nearby services are reachable on foot, though most visits involve a short drive. The average stay of 73 days reflects a population mixing short-term post-acute occupants with those on longer rehabilitation stays.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.
How we're paid:If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Avg Overall CMS Rating:3.3/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Delaware. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating:4.0/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Delaware. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating:2.8/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Delaware. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Delaware
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Delaware?
Assisted living in Delaware is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.
Does Delaware Medicaid cover nursing home care?
Yes — Delaware Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.
How many nursing homes are listed on this page?
This page features 43 nursing homes in Delaware. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right nursing home in Delaware?
Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Delaware, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.
What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Delaware?
Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
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