Long-term care (LTC) provides a range of services and supports you may need to meet your personal care needs. LTC will assist you in the basic personal tasks of everyday life, also known as Activities of Daily Living (ALDs), including:
1. Bathing
2. Dressing
3. Eating
4. Transferring (to bed or chair)
5. Toileting
6. Mobility
LTC services and supports can also assist with everyday tasks known as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) including:
1. Housework
2. Managing money
3. Taking medication
4. Shopping for groceries or clothes
5. Using the telephone
6. Caring for pets
Where do I receive care?
Most long-term care is provided at home. This could include home care services such as an unpaid caregiver who may be a family member or friend, a nurse, home health aide, or therapist who comes to the home. Additionally, there are community support services such as adult day care centers and transportation services. If support is needed outside of the home, there are a variety of facility-based programs such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities which can offer up to 24-hour supervision.
Who Pays for Long-Term Care?
Most long-term care is paid for by the people receiving the care or by their families. Medicare only pays for long- term care if you require skilled services or rehabilitative care for a short period of time. Medicare Part A will cover up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility. The first 20 days are fully covered, and the next 80 days require a daily deductible. Medicaid will pay for the largest share of long-term care services, but your income must be below a certain level and minimum state eligibility requirements must be met.
Lastly, employer-sponsored, or private health insurance, including health insurance plans, cover only the same kinds of limited services as Medicare. A general guideline says you should not spend more than 7% of your annual income on long-term care insurance. You should determine whether you can afford to pay the premiums for the next 15, 20, or 25 years. Will you be able to afford the premiums if they increase 30%, 40%, 50%, or more? To learn more about long-term care, visit LongTermCare.gov.