General Information

The Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (DHCI) is considered a "facility of last resort." It provides nursing care to persons who cannot be served in a community setting or in a private nursing facility.

Admission Criteria

In order to be considered for admission, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant has no other viable options for care in a community setting or in a private nursing facility. (The applicant’s refusal of other viable options does not satisfy this condition.)
• The applicant is determined to have a medical level of care (LOC) that requires nursing home care, and it has been determined that a long term care facility is an appropriate setting to meet his/her needs.
• The applicant needs admission within ninety (90) days of the application.
• The applicant is determined to not have adequate resources to afford placement in a community setting or in private nursing facility.
• The applicant has completed an eligibility interview with the financial section of the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA).
• The applicant and/or caregiver or legal guardian has toured the facility for which admission is being requested.

Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities' (DSAAPD) long term care admissions policy can be found here.  

Screening Process

The following is a brief summary of the screening process:

• An individual, family member, or service professional (for example a hospital social worker) must contact the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) to initiate a request for admission to DHCI.
• An ADRC staff member collects basic information about the person who is applying for admission.
• The ADRC sends the information to the DSAAPD Care Transitions Unit (CTU) for review.
• The CTU collects additional information and conducts a further review.
• What happens next depends on the individual's circumstances and needs. (He or she could receive case management or options counseling services, for example, for help with locating community-based care.) In all cases, the primary goal of the screening process is to identify alternatives to placement in DHCI. 
• The CTU assists with placement at DHCI for the small number of individuals who meet the screening criteria and for whom no other viable alternatives are identified. ​ 

Exceptions

Exceptions to the admissions criteria and/or screening process may be made in cases of emergency, for example, for cases being handled by the Adult Protective Services Program. In such cases, CTU staff members assess the needs of individuals following admission and assist in the development of appropriate discharge/transition plans.

Contact

For more information about DHCI admissions, please contact the Delaware ADRC.