Long-term care is a variety of services
that includes medical and non-medical care to
people who have a chronic illness or disability. Long-term care helps meet
health or personal needs. Most long-term care is to assist people with support
services such as activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, and using
the bathroom. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in
assisted living or in nursing homes. It is important to remember that you may
need long-term care at any age.
You may never need long-term care. This year, about nine million men and
women over the age of 65 will need long-term care. By 2020, 12 million older Americans will need
long-term care. Most will be cared for at home; family and friends are the
sole caregivers for 70 percent of the elderly. A study by the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services says that people who reach age 65
will likely have a 40 percent chance of entering a nursing home. About 10
percent of the people who enter a nursing home will stay there five years or
more.