What Is Long-Term Care, and Who Needs It?
Long-term care is ongoing help with everyday activities (like bathing, dressing, eating, or getting around) for people who can’t fully manage on their own because of age, illness, injury, or cognitive decline. It’s usually provided at home, and someone turning 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing some form of it.
What counts as long-term care?
Long-term care includes help with activities of daily living:
Bathing
Dressing
Eating
Using the bathroom
Continence
Moving from a bed to a chair
It also includes help with tasks like managing medications, preparing meals, handling finances, and getting to appointments. (LongTermCare.gov)
Where does long-term care happen?
Most long-term care is provided at home. It can also happen in adult day care, assisted living, or a nursing home. (LongTermCare.gov)
Who provides long-term care?
Much of it comes from family and friends, usually unpaid. Paid care comes from home care aides, agencies, and facility staff.
Who needs long-term care?
Someone turning 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services and supports. (LongTermCare.gov) Needs can come from aging, a chronic illness, an injury, or cognitive decline, and they can last a few months or many years.
Isn’t long-term care just a nursing home?
Many people picture a nursing home when they hear “long-term care.” Most care actually happens at home, and planning ahead can make it more likely you’ll get care where you want it.
How do people plan for it?
Staying Power is a licensed insurance agency that helps people plan to age at home, starting with how they’ll pay for care.
Start with how it would be paid for. See Does Medicare Cover Long-Term Care?, How Much Does Long-Term Care Cost?, and How Does Long-Term Care Insurance Work?, or answer a few questions to see what care costs and how to fund it.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between long-term care and health care?
Health care treats illness or injury. Long-term care helps with everyday activities over an extended period. Health insurance and Medicare generally don’t cover long-term custodial care.
Is long-term care only for older adults?
No. Needs can arise at any age from illness or injury, though the likelihood increases with age.
How do I find local long-term care services?
The Eldercare Locator connects you with your local Area Agency on Aging.
