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Milford is a small city in central Delaware that’s roughly half an hour’s south of state capital Dover and just 10 minutes west of the Delaware Bay. According to U.S. Census estimates, Milford is home to approximately 11,173 people, with 23.3% of them at least 65 years of age. Delaware is one of only two East Coast states with no sales tax, and it also has no inheritance or estate taxes, making the state a popular location for retirement among fiscally minded seniors.
Many aging adults who find themselves increasingly wanting or needing help with basic tasks around their homes may decide that moving into an assisted living community fits their lifestyle. Assisted living homes provide day-to-day personal support while also creating a social environment for residents. In Milford, the average monthly cost of assisted living is $6,073, which is within 1% of the statewide average.
The following guide looks at some financial considerations for those living in Milford, including a comparison of its assisted living costs with other cities in bordering states. There’s also a short list of key local resources serving the needs of seniors in the area.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Delaware. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2021, assisted living care in Milford costs an average of $6,073 a month.
Milford’s monthly cost is within $100 of Delaware’s average, which is $5,995. However, it’s also roughly $1,500 more expensive than the national average, which is a comparatively low $4,500.
Due to Delaware’s small size, Genworth only reports cost data from one of its cities. Most cities in neighboring states have cheaper assisted living costs. For example, in Maryland, Baltimore residents pay an average of $4,750 a month for assisted living, while those in Salisbury pay $4,980. In Pennsylvania, seniors can expect to see an average price of $5,685 near Philadelphia and $5,550 in Lancaster. Those who live in New Jersey’s capital of Trenton see exceptionally high average costs of $8,145 a month.
Note: Data for Milford was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Dover, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Delaware.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| Milford Senior Center | (302) 422-3385 | This meeting place for Milford’s older population doubles as a convenient connection to local transportation. In addition to providing door-to-door pickups and dropoffs for events, the MSC offers rides from its grounds to medical and personal appointments in the area. The building features a fitness center as well. |
| University of Delaware Over-60 Tuition-Free Degree Program | (302) 831-8843 | Delaware residents aged 60 and up can take advantage of this program to earn a degree without having to pay normal tuition or fees. A high school diploma or GED is required. While there’s no University of Delaware campus in Milford, the college makes many of its courses available online. |
| Community Legal Aid Society Elder Law Program | (302) 856-0038 | This pro bono law firm can help Delaware seniors with legal issues pertaining to benefits, advance directives, debt collection and residency in shared communities, such as assisted living homes and nursing homes. All Delaware residents who are at least 60 years old are eligible. |
| Milford Public Library | (302) 422-8996 | Milford’s local library has regular free events and programs aimed at area adults and seniors. Fitness classes, book clubs, computer classes and knitting circles are all held on-site. Seniors can also make appointments with social workers who can help them understand issues relating to long-term care and Medicaid. |
| Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative | (302) 739-6885 | This organization has two physical locations in Delaware, including one in Milford. It provides short-term loans of safety, mobility, communication and other assistive devices. DATI also runs an AT Exchange that allows people with disabilities to purchase gently used assistive devices at wholesale prices. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Milford area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
