Short answer: Families in Delaware County can access non-medical home care through private pay or the PA Medicaid Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver. You can hire a professional caregiver or get paid to care for a relative.

Home care services available in Delaware County

New Century Home Care offers non-medical assistance to help your loved one live safely at home. Our caregivers provide everyday senior care, including help with bathing, dressing, toileting, and meal preparation. We also offer companion care, homemaker services, and mobility assistance.

If your relative has specific needs, we provide specialized support for conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke recovery. Home care aides provide non-skilled support, meaning they do not perform nursing tasks like wound care or injections.

Medicaid home care in Delaware County: step by step

The Pennsylvania Medicaid Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver pays for Personal Assistance Services. Eligible adults 21 and older can apply by following these steps.

1. Call the Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) at 1-877-550-4227 to start the process.
2. The IEB sends a Physician Certification form to your doctor. Your doctor marks the form to show if you are Nursing Facility Clinically Eligible (NFCE) and returns it within five business days.
3. An IEB representative visits you within seven business days to help with the Medicaid financial application.
4. An assessor from the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) visits within 10 business days to complete the Functional Eligibility Determination (FED).
5. The Delaware County Assistance Office (CAO) reviews your income and resources to confirm financial eligibility.

Once approved, you choose between three CHC health plans: Keystone First CHC (AmeriHealth Caritas), Pennsylvania Health & Wellness or UPMC Community HealthChoices. New Century works with Keystone First CHC. You can learn more about how to apply for Medicaid home care to prepare for your assessments.

Ready to set up services in Delaware County? Call 215-974-0000 or fill out our online form, selecting “I am a client” and then “I need services.”

Getting paid to care for a relative in Delaware County

The CHC waiver allows family members to receive pay for providing Personal Assistance Services. You can get paid to care for a family member by working through a licensed agency like New Century Home Care or by using the participant-directed option known as Services My Way.

Medicaid rules exclude certain people from being paid caregivers. The CHC waiver will not pay the waiver participant’s spouse, legal guardian, power of attorney, or representative payee.

Local help for caregivers in Delaware County

Delaware County offers resources to support unpaid family caregivers. The Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) runs the PA Caregiver Support Program. This program provides education, planning help, and reimbursement of caregiving expenses up to $600 a month. You can contact COSA at 1510 Chester Pike, Suite 250, in Eddystone, or call 610-490-1300.

If you suspect elder abuse, Delaware County has an after-hours reporting line at 610-622-9284. For families dealing with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter serves the region and offers a 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Private pay costs

If you do not qualify for Medicaid, you will pay for home care out of pocket. The 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey reports the Pennsylvania statewide median for a non-medical caregiver is $34 per hour.

At this rate, 44 hours of care per week costs an estimated $6,483 per month. You can review the statewide home care costs to help plan your budget.

How New Century serves Delaware County from Philadelphia

New Century Home Care is a licensed home care agency based in Philadelphia. We supply caregivers to homes across our five-county service area, which includes Delaware, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Our aides work directly in the client’s residence.

We hire caregivers who live locally in Delaware County. Pennsylvania law allows us to conduct two-way video interviews before hiring. Before starting work, every caregiver must pass a criminal history check and complete a tuberculosis screening.

Contact New Century Home Care to find a caregiver or to apply for a caregiver job. Call 215-974-0000 or use our online contact form. Our office staff speak English, Russian, and Ukrainian.

Frequently asked questions

Do you provide home care in Delaware County?

Yes, New Century Home Care provides non-medical home care services throughout Delaware County, PA. Our caregivers work in your home, and we manage scheduling and support from our Philadelphia office.

Who does the Medicaid assessment in Delaware County?

The Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) conducts the Functional Eligibility Determination (FED) for the Community HealthChoices waiver. An assessor visits your home to evaluate your daily living needs.

Where is the County Assistance Office for Delaware County?

The Delaware County Assistance Office has a location at 701 Crosby Street, Suite A, Chester, PA 19013, and a Darby district office at 845 Main Street, Darby, PA 19023. You can also call the suburban customer service line at 1-877-395-8930.

How much does home care cost per hour in PA?

The 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey reports a Pennsylvania statewide median of $34 per hour for non-medical home care. Costs vary by agency and the specific services required.

Can I get paid to care for my parent in Delaware County?

Yes. If your parent qualifies for the Community HealthChoices waiver, you can be paid to provide Personal Assistance Services. You can work through a licensed agency or the participant-directed option; the waiver won’t pay the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee or POA.