Long-term care provides a range of services and support for patients with different personal or health care needs. As a person ages, the likelihood of requiring long-term care increases. In fact the
, is estimated to reach 22 percent by 2050, that is one out of five people will be aged 65 or older by 2050. Like other developed countries, with an aging population, the need for long term care will rise dramatically in the U.S. Often,
by family members and friends. In these cases, personal care such as bathing, dressing, and feeding are common. Providing aid in daily living activities is common for unpaid
. Other services such as housework, shopping for groceries, and caring for pets can also be provided by caregivers and are referred to as ‘instrumental activities of daily living’.
Where can long term care take place?
For patients with a serious
disability or health condition, long-term care can also be provided in health care facilities. Those with chronic conditions are also more likely to require care. Facilities can provide services such as adult foster care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes for patients that require more intensive care. Assisted living facilities provide less care than a nursing home and residents generally live within their own apartments or rooms.
Nursing homes tend to provide more medical care for their residents and include nursing care and all-day supervision. Rehabilitation services and mental health care are also commonly provided for long-term care patients.
Cost of long term care
As of 2021, a private room in a nursing home was the
most expensive form of long-term care services in the U.S., costing an average of 108,405 dollars per year, followed by a semi-private room in a nursing home and home health aide services. In that same year
at-home long-term care services in the U.S. cost around 27 U.S. dollars per hour. A stay in an
assisted living facility cost an average of 4,500 dollars per month in 2021. All of these services saw increases in cost. The increasing cost of such services has resulted in only 15 percent of retirees feeling very confident that they will have enough
money to pay for long-term care should they need it.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no
liability for the information given being complete or correct.
Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date
data than referenced in the text.
