What Is Long-Term Care?

Long-term care (LTC) refers to a range of services and support for people who need help with everyday activities over an extended period — typically due to aging, chronic illness, disability, or cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease.

Unlike traditional medical care that focuses on treating illness, long-term care is about assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs):

•       Bathing and personal hygiene

•       Dressing

•       Eating

•       Transferring (moving in and out of bed or a chair)

•       Continence management

•       Toileting

Most people receive long-term care in one of three settings: their own home with in-home care aides, an assisted living facility, or a skilled nursing facility (nursing home).