What is Long Term Care?
Long-term care is the assistance individuals need when they are unable to care for themselves and need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) – bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, continence (control of bodily functions), and eating – or they have severe cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease. The need for long-term care can result from an accident, chronic illness or short-term disability, or from advance age. Long term care can include a broad range of services, provided in any setting outside a hospital. It might be help with simple daily tasks like bathing or dressing. It might include skilled care in your own home, an assisted living facility, some other community resources, or a nursing facility.
Who Needs Long Term Care?
- In the year 2002 about seven million men and women over age 65 needed long-term care. (HIAA, “A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance”, 2002)
- By 2005, the number will increase to nine million. (HIAA, “A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance”, 2002)
- By 2020, 12 million older Americans will need long-term health care. (HIAA, “A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance”, 2002)
- Family and friends are the sole caregivers for 70% of elderly people and most will cared for at home. (HIAA, “A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance”, 2002)
- People age 65 or older face at least a 40% lifetime risk of entering a nursing home. 10% will stay more than five years. (HIAA, “A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance”, 2002)
- 22% of people over age 85 are in a nursing home. (HIAA, “A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance”, 2002)
- Women, because they outlive men, face a 50% greater likelihood of entering a nursing home after age 65. (HIAA, “A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance”, 2002)
