Delaware’s Aging Boom Puts Adult Caregivers at the Center of Difficult Decisions

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Adult Caregivers play an increasingly important role as the senior population grows in Delaware.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Delaware is graying at a historic pace, and with that change comes an emotional and complicated challenge for thousands of adult children: deciding how best to care for an aging parent.

“Caregivers are not just making one decision,” said Lynn Paxson, owner of Oasis Care Senior Advisors and an expert in senior living options. “They’re juggling medical choices, financial pressures, housing questions, and quality-of-life concerns — not only for their parents, but often for themselves and other family members. It can be an incredibly complex time for adult children.”

In New Castle County alone, the number of residents age 85 and older is projected to more than double in just three decades. Projections from Delaware Health and Social Services show the population 60 and older will grow by more than 110% by 2030, while the 75-plus population will increase by nearly the same margin. These shifts are reshaping healthcare, transportation, and housing — and pressing families into decisions they never imagined facing so soon.

The caregiving load is already widespread. Roughly 1 in 5 U.S. households are involved in caregiving, and about 40% of those caregivers support someone aged 75 or older. With more than 48,000 Delaware residents already in that age group, that translates into an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 Delaware households providing care for an elderly parent or relative in 2025.

The Numbers Behind the Trend

Year	Age 60+	% Change Since 2000	Age 75+	% Change	Age 85+	% Change
2000	77,233	—	27,605	—	6,591	—
2020	133,137	+72.4%	39,924	+44.7%	12,649	+91.9%
2025	150,778	+95.2%	48,794	+76.6%	13,504	+104.9%
2030	162,805	+110.8%	58,727	+112.7%	16,385	+148.6%

The data points to one clear reality: more Delaware families than ever will soon be making senior care decisions, often under pressure and without easy answers.

Housing as One Piece of the Puzzle

The state’s senior housing market reflects this demographic shift. Larger communities such as Harmony at Hockessin and Harmony at Glasgow offer a traditional model, with independent living, assisted living and memory care under one roof. They provide predictability, but some families say the scale can feel impersonal.

Smaller settings, meanwhile, emphasize intimacy and individualized care. In North Wilmington, Broad Spectrum is a three-resident home operated by a veteran nurse who treats each resident as family. Middletown has The Village at Mount Hope Assisted Living, founded by a local nurse practitioner, offering a warm, neighborhood feel. Also in Middletown, Serenity Gardens surrounds residents with fields, trees and lake views, creating a connection to nature.

Each model has strengths, but neither is a perfect fit for every family. Choosing requires balancing cost, care philosophy, medical needs, and personality — not to mention anticipating what services might be needed in the future.

“Families often feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options,” Paxson added. “Every month, it seems there are new facilities opening, which is wonderful because it means more choices, but it also makes finding the right fit more complicated. What works beautifully for one family may not work at all for another.”

The Bigger Picture

Housing is just one of many complex decisions that come with aging. Healthcare systems must expand geriatric and memory care. Transportation services will need to grow for non-driving seniors. Even community programs — from libraries to parks — are adapting to ensure older adults remain engaged and active.

For caregivers, all these moving parts converge at once. They must manage finances, preserve dignity, and ensure safety, all while handling their own work and family obligations. The weight of these choices is immense.

Looking Ahead

As Delaware’s aging population continues to grow, the options for senior living will multiply. But with choice comes complexity. Families are urged to plan ahead, ask tough questions, and involve their parents in the process. For the state’s adult children, this is not just about selecting a residence — it’s about reshaping what it means to age with dignity in Delaware.

Milford LIVE will begin a series of stories to help readers in Sussex County better understand the issues, the options, and the resources available to caregivers and adult children of Delaware’s aging population.