Long-Term Care

70% of people turning age 65 can expect to use some form of long-term

care during their lives. There are a number of factors that affect the possibility

that you will need care:

AGE

The older you are, the more likely you will need long-term care.

GENDER

Women outlive men by about five years on average, so they are more likely to live at home alone when they are older.

DISABILITY

Having an accident or chronic illness that causes a disability is another reason for needing long-term care.
Between ages 40 and 50, on average, eight percent of people have a disability that could require long-term care services.
69 percent of people age 90 or more have a disability.

HEALTH STATUS

Chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure make you more likely to need care.
Your family history, such as whether your parents or grandparents had chronic conditions, may increase your likelihood.
Poor diet and exercise habits increase your chances of needing long-term care.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

If you live alone you are more likely to need paid care than if you’re married, or single and living with a partner.

What is Long-Term Care?

Long-term care is a range of services and supports that you may need in order to meet your personal care needs. Most long-term care is not medical care. Rather, it is assistance with the basic personal tasks of everyday life, sometimes called Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as:

Bathing
Dressing
Using the toilet
Transferring (to or from bed or chair)
Caring for incontinence
Eating

Other common long-term care services and supports are assistance with everyday tasks, sometimes called Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). These include: