Reviewed by Leslie Fuller, LMSW, CDP Leslie Fuller, a Licensed Master Social Worker and Certified Dementia Practitioner, is the owner of Inspired Senior Care.
Most people will require some type of long-term care support, housing, or services in their lifetime. Physical and cognitive impairments, as well as general aging, will make this type of care necessary. You may wonder, “What percentage of Americans will need long-term care?” While the level and intensity of long-term care needed varies from person to person, the Administration on Aging estimates that at least 70% of people who are 65 today will require care in some context. The likelihood of needing long-term care increases with age. As the number of people in the U.S. over the age of 65 increases, so will the demand for these services.
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Take our free care quizAccording to our research team’s analysis of the latest available data, the following can be determined:
Read further for breakdowns on age groups and other demographics.
Long-term care facilities include nursing homes , assisted living communities , and skilled nursing facilities. Each of these care types offers unique amenities and services.
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) provide the highest level of medical care of any long-term care facility. This care is executed by registered nurses under the supervision of doctors. It’s fairly equivalent to the level of nursing care a patient would receive in a hospital, but in a more comfortable, residential setting. SNFs often also offer rehabilitation services, physical and occupational therapy, and post-surgical care.
The goal of SNFs is to provide transitional care — in other words, they’re designed for short- and mid-length stays of several months rather than the duration of a resident’s lifetime. It’s important to note that this is different from transitional home care . In some situations, short stays in SNFs may be covered by Medicare .
Nursing homes also offer round-the-clock medical care and are generally staffed by licensed practical nurses and nurse aides under the supervision of a limited staff of doctors or registered nurses. While nursing homes offer medication management, wound care, and assistance with medical needs, they focus primarily on residential, custodial care and help with activities of daily living (ADLs).
While some nursing home residents stay only for short-term rehabilitation, others reside there for the duration of their lifetime.
Assisted living communities, unlike nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities, aren’t designed to provide comprehensive medical care. Assisted living residents are generally active but often need assistance with some ADLs, like dressing and bathing. They enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle where meals , activities , and housekeeping services are provided, and they generally live in private rooms or apartments with access to community amenities. Some assisted living communities may have memory care wings or secured memory care units for those who have memory loss challenges. It’s important to ask about staff-to-resident ratios in assisted living , especially if your loved one has a higher need level.
Home health care agencies can also provide long-term care. This care takes place in a senior’s home and includes both ADL assistance and medical services, depending on a patient’s needs.
Hospice care is prescribed by doctors when a patient is expected to live for six or fewer months from the time of admission. Some agencies who provide data sets, like the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), include hospice care under the umbrella of long-term care, while others, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), do not.
Most long-term care facilities are either assisted living communities or nursing homes. According to the NCHS, long-term care in the U.S. is offered by the following:
