Long-term care is the personal care and other related services provided on an extended basis to people who need help with activities of daily living or who need supervision due to a severe cognitive impairment. This type of care is considered skilled care, non-skilled care, or custodial care. It is NOT acute or rehabilitative care, which is known as skilled care.

When you need long-term care you usually need help with your activities of daily living. These are items such as bathing, dressing, toileting, continence, eating, and transferring. Or, you may be able to do all of your activities of daily living but still need care and supervision due to a severe cognitive impairment (memory loss, dementia, etc.). You may be able to dress yourself, but you may not remember to take your medications.

Statistics show that at least 6.4 million people aged 65 or older need long-term care, with one in two over age 65 requiring care. At least half of the population who are 65+ will need help with Activities of Daily Living.* Such care is provided when someone can no longer independently carry out essential everyday activities like eating, bathing, dressing, etc. Most people think of long-term care as something needed by older people, but accident or illness can strike someone of any age. When it does, they too may find themselves in need of assistance. *Planning for Long-Term Care United Seniors Health Council, Washington, D.C., McGraw-Hill, NY, 2002

 

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