FAQ
Long-term care provides ongoing assistance to people who need help with everyday activities because of aging, illness, injury, or disability. Care can be provided at home, in an assisted living community, or in a nursing home, depending on the person's needs.
Long-term care may be needed by anyone who cannot safely or independently manage certain daily activities. While the need for care often increases with age, younger people can also require long-term care following an accident, serious illness, or disability.
Long-term care can include assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring and continence. It can also include supervision for cognitive impairment and skilled nursing services when medically necessary.
Care can be provided in several settings, including a person's own home, an assisted living facility, an adult day-care center, or a nursing home. The appropriate setting depends on the individual's health, safety, personal preferences, and level of assistance required.
Traditional health insurance generally covers medical treatment rather than ongoing assistance with daily living. Medicare also has limited coverage for long-term care and generally does not pay for extended custodial care. Coverage depends on the type of service and the individual's circumstances.
Medicare may cover certain short-term skilled nursing or rehabilitation services when specific requirements are met. It generally does not pay for long-term custodial nursing home care when a person primarily needs help with activities of daily living.
The cost varies significantly depending on the type of care, location, amount of care required, and whether care is provided at home or in a residential facility. Because long-term care can become a significant financial expense, it is important to consider potential costs as part of a broader financial plan.
It is generally better to plan before care is needed. Planning ahead gives you more time to consider your preferred type of care, estimate potential costs, review available insurance or financial resources, and discuss your wishes with family members.
Long-term care insurance is designed to help pay for eligible long-term care services. Depending on the policy, benefits may cover care received at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home. Policies differ considerably in their coverage, eligibility requirements, benefit amounts, and exclusions.
Long-term care may be paid for through personal savings and investments, long-term care insurance, certain government programs when eligibility requirements are met, or assistance from family members. The available options depend on your financial situation, health needs, location, and the type of care required.