Long-Term Care Insurance
The purpose of long-term care is to provide the help you need to perform activities of daily living—such as bathing and dressing yourself. Or, you may need supervision because of dementia or another form of cognitive impairment. In addition to this custodial care, some people also need skilled nursing services due to serious illness. You can receive long-term care in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or in your own home.
The need for long-term care can arise at any time, regardless of your age. Older people use the most longterm care, but younger and middle-aged people sometimes need long-term care as well. You may need long-term care because of a chronic illness or disability that leaves you unable to care for yourself for an extended period of time. Long-term care can be very expensive. On average, a year in a semiprivate room in a nursing home costs about $58,000 (estimated annual cost in 2005). In some parts of the country, it may cost much more.
