What is Long Term Care?

Long-term care is the medical and social services term for helping people who develop disabilties or chronic care needs resulting from conditions such as:

	Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) Parkinson's and Other Central Nervous System Conditions Stroke Broken Hips and Related Injuries (Osteoporosis, joint replacement, etc.)

LTC is the care people need when they are unable to perform the activities of independent living such as bathing, dressing, toileting, continence, eating. Additionally, LTC may be needed if the person requires care and supervision due to a severe cognitive impairment (memory loss, dementia, etc.). Long term health care services may be brief with full recovery, or they can continue for years.

While it is not a subject many want to consider, long term care insurance is as much a financial issue as an emotional one. With the rising costs of health care coupled with a longer life expectancy the risk of LTC continues to increase. Without proper planning many families face financial devastation.