What is long-term care?

Long-term care involves a variety of services designed to meet a person's health or personal care needs during a short or long period of time. These services help people live as independently and safely as possible when they can no longer perform many everyday activities on their own.
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Doesn't Medicare cover most long-term care costs?

No. Contrary to what many people think, Medicare does not cover most long-term care costs. It does pay for some part-time services for people who are home bound and for short-term skilled nursing care, but it does not cover ongoing personal care at home, like help with bathing. It may cover part of the first 100 days in a nursing home.
 
What types of services does long-term care provide?

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Long-Term Care can include:
 

• home-based services -- home health care, homemaker services, friendly visitor/companion services, and emergency response systems

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• community-based services -- adult day service programs, senior centers, transportation services, meals programs, and respite care

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• facility-based care -- adult foster care, board and care homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities

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Why do people need long-term care?

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People often need long-term care when they have a serious, ongoing health condition or disability. The need for long-term care can arise suddenly, such as after a heart attack or stroke. Most often, however, it usually develops gradually, as people get older and frailer or as an illness or disability gets worse.

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What is the most common type of long-term care?

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The most common type of long-term care is personal care -- help with everyday activities, also called "activities of daily living." These activities include bathing, dressing, grooming, using the toilet, eating, and moving around -- for example, getting out of bed and into a chair.

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How long does long-term care last?

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Long-term care can last a short time or a long time. Short-term care lasts several weeks or a few months while someone is recovering from a sudden illness or injury. For example, a person may get short-term rehabilitation therapy at a nursing facility after hip surgery, then go home.  Long-term care can also be ongoing, as with someone who is severely disabled from a stroke or who has Alzheimer's disease. Many people can remain at home if they have help from family and friends or paid services. But some people move permanently to a nursing home or other type of facility if their needs can no longer be met at home.

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How common is the need for long-term care among older people?

About 70 percent of people over age 65 need some type of long-term care during their lifetime. More than 40 percent need care in a nursing home for some period of time.