It is estimated that almost 70% of people over the age of 65 will require Long-Term Care at some point in their lives.* You may need assistance because of the normal aging process or you may have a condition such as Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, diabetes, multiple sclerosis or another disease that limits your ability to care for yourself. A person who is 65 today will, on average, need 3 years of Long Term-Care at some point in his life. About 20% of those who need Long-Term Care will need care for five years or longer.*
Long-Term Care is the care provided to assist a person with the basic activities of daily living, such as:
Bathing
Dressing
Using the toilet
Moving to or from a bed or chair (also called transferring)
Incontinence
Eating
Long-Term Care may be provided in the home or it may be provided in a nursing home or other facility. Care provided in the home may be provided by:
- A homemaker or companion who can provide assistance with cooking, cleaning or running errands.
- A home-health aide who may provide assistance with personal care, such as dressing, bathing or moving in and out of bed.
- A nurse who may provide more skilled medical care, such as administering medications.
Long-Term Care may also be provided in a facility, such as:
- An assisted living facility: allows you to continue to live independently, but provides some on-site assistance with daily care.
- An adult day care facility: you may continue to live in your own home, but go to an adult care facility during the day for social and therapeutic activities.
- A skilled nursing facility: if you are unable to live on your own at home, a skilled nursing facility provides more skilled medical care, therapy and rehabilitation.
* Source: National Clearinghouse on Long Term Care Information