Long-Term Care

Overview

Long-term care is a variety of services that includes medical and non-medical care to people who have a chronic illness or disability. Long-term care helps meet health or personal needs. Most long-term care is to assist people with support services such as activities of daily living like dressing, bathing and using the bathroom. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living or in nursing homes. It is important to remember that you may need long-term care at any age, or you may never need long-term care.

By 2020, it is estimated that 12 million Americans over age 65 will need long-term care. Most will be cared for at home; family and friends are the sole caregivers for 70 percent of the elderly. A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that people who reach age 65 will likely have a 40 percent chance of entering a nursing home. About 10 percent of the people who enter a nursing home will stay there five years or more.

Source: MedlinePlus and Medicare.gov

Note: This topic was prepared to help consumers find reliable health resources on the web. This site is not responsible for the information on other sites. The information here — and on all websites — is not intended to be a substitute for care given to you by a health professional.

Recommended Reading

LongTermCare.gov

This website was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care needs. It includes information on understanding, planning and paying for long-term care.

Care Conversations

This website was created by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). Care Conversations provides insight into the care planning process and firsthand accounts of various care experiences. There may be a time when your loved ones will no longer be able to care for themselves independently. Care Conversations focuses on people and the honest discussions needed to plan and prepare for the future.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Larimer County Office on Aging

The ombudsmen at the Larimer County Office on Aging are trained, experienced professionals who serve as advocates for residents of nursing facilities and assisted-living residences.

Choosing Long-Term Care and Other Resources

National Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Resource Center

Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an ombudsman program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system. An ombudsman is an advocate for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, and assisted living. Ombudsmen provide information about how to find a facility and what to do to get quality care. On this site you can find information about Colorado's ombudsman program.

Local Resources

Elder Care Network of Northern Colorado

Find information on this site about the issues and challenges of caring for the elderly, including health, finances, long-term care and funeral services. It also looks at the responsibilities and expectations of caregivers.

Poudre River Public Library District

Search the library collection for books about long-term care, or use the library's health, sciences and technology databases.

Still Looking?

Best Health Sites

This collection of web links, organized by site type, will help you find the health information you're looking for.

Health and Healthcare Statistics

Looking for health and healthcare statistics at the local, state and national level? This collection of web links will help you find the health data you're looking for. Great for researchers, grant writers, students and the curious.