What is Long-Term Care?

Long-term care is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of services, supports, and systems designed to help people who have disabilities or chronic health conditions. It is not just for the elderly, but for anyone of any age who needs help taking care of themselves over an extended period of time due to disability, severe mental illness, or chronic illness. It is a holistic approach that aims to meet the physical, medical, and emotional needs of people who cannot fully care for themselves.

Long-term care is: 

• Generally not medical care  

• Typically focus on assistance with the basic personal tasks of everyday life (ADLs)  

1. Bathing 

2. Dressing 

3. Using the toilet 

4. Transferring (to or from bed or chair) 

5. Caring for incontinence 

6. Eating 

• It can also include assistance with tasks such as  

1. Housework 

2. Managing money 

3. Taking medication 

4. Shopping 

The need for long-term care: 

• Can arise suddenly such as after  

1. A heart attack  

2. A stroke 

• Can develop gradually 

1. As people get older and frailer  

2.  As an illness or disability gets worse.  

Factors that determines the need for long-term care:  

• Age

• Chronic illness 

• Disability 

• Severe mental illness 

• Sudden health change or an accident 

Community services in long-term care: 

• Adult day service programs 

• Meal programs (like Meals-on-Wheels) 

• Senior centers 

• Transportation services

Facility-based long-term care services:

• Board and care homes 

• Assisted living facilities 

• Nursing homes 

• Continuing care retirement communities 

• Some facilities have only housing and housekeeping 

• Many also provide personal care and medical services