What is Long Term Care

You may already be aware of what long term care is, whether it's through personal experience caregiving for a loved one who needs daily assistance, or knowing a family member or friend who requires more support as they age. As you learn more about long term care, consider the possibility that you may need this type of care in the future and learn how you can start planning for it today. The need for long term care can happen to anyone at any time. It can be because of an extended illness such as cancer, a disabling event such as a stroke, a chronic disease such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's, or a permanently disabling automobile or sporting accident.

When you think about “long-term care”, you may think about care in a nursing home. But long- term care includes an ever-changing array of services aimed at helping people compensate for limitations in their ability to live independently. Long-term care should meet your medical needs, as well as your social, financial and housing needs.  Long term care is care that you need if you can no longer perform everyday tasks by yourself due to chronic illness, injury, disability, or the aging process. It isn't care that is intended to cure you; it's ongoing care that you might need for the rest of your life. This means you may need help with activities of daily living ADLs ( bathing, dressing, continence, eating, toileting, and transferring )  Long term care also includes the supervision you might need due to a severe cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer's disease). In many cases, however, people need long term care due to aging. As we live longer, into our 80s, 90s, and even beyond, health conditions that we've managed successfully for years may become worse. We may lose our ability to function independently on a day-to-day basis, resulting in the need for assistance.

Because long term care is not typically covered by health or other types of insurance, it is most often provided at home by adult children, other family members, and friends. Even though family members may be the first to step in and want to help a loved one in need, being a caregiver for someone who requires ongoing assistance can be a time-consuming commitment that demands significant hours from multiple people. It may not be a direct cost for you, but it can come at a significant financial, physical, and emotional cost to the caregiver.

Where and by Whom Can Services Be Provided

• Home Health Care: Receive care in your own home, including nursing care, home health aide and homemaker services, social services, and occupational, physical, respiratory, and speech therapy.
   
• Home Health Aide: Receive care in your own home from a certified, trained health-care worker who provides assistance with personal care and light household duties.
   
• Nursing Home: Receive care in a licensed residential facility that provides 24-hour room and board, skilled nursing care, and personal care services. Nursing homes also provide medical care, therapy, and other health related services.
   
• Adult Day Care Center: Receive care in a community setting that provides social activities and personal care services for adults who need care or supervision during the day. Adult day care centers are another option to help you stay in your own home and can provide much needed relief to a family caregiver.
   
• Assisted Living Facility: Receive care in a residential facility that provides room and board and 24-hour health and personal care services. This is a great care option when you're unable to manage at home, but do not need the level of skilled care provided in a nursing home.

Who Pays for Long Term Care

At present, most long-term care is paid for from:

1) An individual’s own resources
2) His or her family’s resources
3) Medicaid the federal-state government program designed to cover the health care costs of a mostly indigent population.

In general to qualify for Medicaid your household income must generally be at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is approximately $20,782 annually for an individual in 2025. Contrary to popular belief, traditional health insurance and Medicare usually provide little or no coverage for long-term care. 

Medicare generally does not pay for long-term care (custodial care). It only covers short-term, skilled nursing facility stays or rehabilitation after a hospital visit. Medicare covers 100% of the first 20 days of a qualified stay, with partial coverage (requiring a high daily coinsurance) for days 21–100, and nothing after. 

Benefits of Planning for Long-Term Care

1. You Can Be Assured of Receiving the Level of Care You Need.
One of the main benefits of having long-term care preparations in place is that you can be assured of receiving the level of care you need and where you want it. This is especially important if you have a chronic illness or disability that requires ongoing care. For example, if you have Alzheimer’s disease, you will eventually need full-time care. Long-term care preparations can help ensure that you receive the level of care you need when the time comes and where you want to receive it. It can also be helpful to have long-term care preparations in place if you are nearing the end of your life. This can help to ensure that your wishes are carried out and that you receive the level of care you want and can age with dignity. Otherwise you are at the mercy of the state. 

2. You Can Reduce the Burden on Your Family.
Another benefit of having long-term care preparations in place is that you can reduce the burden on your family. Families often find themselves assuming primary caregiving roles, dedicating their time and energy to look after their aging loved ones. While this is an act of love and devotion, it can also be incredibly physically and emotionally taxing, leading to feelings of exhaustion and burnout. This is especially important if you have a spouse or children. No one wants to think about their loved ones having to care for them, but it is a reality for many people. Having long-term care preparations in place can help reduce the burden on your family by ensuring they do not have to make all of the decisions about your care. It can also be helpful to have long-term care preparations in place so that your family knows what you want. This can help to avoid disagreements and provide peace of mind for everyone involved.

3. You Can Preserve Your Assets.
If you have people you love and want to leave a legacy a plan will preserve your assets from the state you live in. Having long-term care preparations in place can help to ensure that you do not spend all of your savings on long-term care costs. It can also help to ensure that you are able to receive the level of care you need and where you want it without depleteing all of your assets.

Ask yourself a simple question: Would you rather pay for your care from your principal or interest from your principal?

Everyone deserves the care they need as they age. Long-term care can help someone stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. A long-term care plan provides many benefits and can be invaluable in protecting your assets and providing for your future care needs. If you have not already done so, consider putting a long-term care plan in place today. This way, you can be prepared for whatever the future may bring.