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A - Z Browse

- Basic Needs   - Understanding Long-Term Care
  - What is Long-Term Care?
  - Long-Term Care Pathfinder
  - Who Needs Care?
  - How Much Care Will You Need?
  - Who Will Provide Your Care?
  - Where Can You Receive Care?
  - Finding Local Services
  - Who is in Charge? Radio PSAs
- Costs & Who Pays   - Overview
  - Who Pays for Long-Term Care?
  - Costs of Care
  - What is Covered by Health & Disability Insurance?
  - What is Long-Term Care Insurance?
  - Paying Privately
- Medicare, Medicaid & More   - Overview
  - Medicare
  - Medicaid
  - Veterans Affairs Benefits
  - Other State Programs
- Housing   - Where You Live Matters
  - Staying in Your Home
  - Living in a Facility
- Legal Steps   - How to Decide
  - Advance Care Plan Considerations
  - Will I Need a Lawyer?
  - Legal Steps for Medical Well-being
  - Legal Steps for Financial Well-being

Welcome to

LongTermCare.gov

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            -  LTC Home 
            -  Basic Needs 
            -                   What is Long-Term Care?              

# What is Long-Term Care?

## Basic Needs

                    -  Understanding Long-Term Care 
                    -  What is Long-Term Care? 
                    -  Long-Term Care Pathfinder                        -  Planning Ahead Before Age 50 
                      -  Planning Ahead Between the Ages of 51 and 64 
                      -  Planning Ahead After Age 65 
                      -  Planning for Dementia 
                      -  Planning for LGBT Adults 
                      -  Already Receiving Long-Term Care 
                    -  Who Needs Care? 
                    -  How Much Care Will You Need? 
                    -  Who Will Provide Your Care? 
                    -  Where Can You Receive Care? 
                    -  Finding Local Services 
                    -  Who is in Charge? Radio PSAs 

Long-term care is a **range of services and supports** you may need to meet your personal care needs. Most long-term care is not medical care, but rather assistance with the basic personal tasks of everyday life, sometimes called **Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)**, such as: 
                  - Bathing
                  - Dressing
                  - Using the toilet
                  - Transferring  (to or from bed or chair)
                  - Caring for  incontinence
                  - Eating

Other common long-term care services and supports are **assistance with everyday tasks**, sometimes called **Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)**including:
                  - Housework
                  - Managing money
                  - Taking medication
                  - Preparing and cleaning up after meals
                  - Shopping for groceries or clothes
                  - Using the telephone or other communication devices
                  - Caring for pets
                  - Responding to emergency alerts such as fire alarms

## **BRIGHT IDEA**Location matters.

Consider where you live and whether some of these tasks could be made easier by modifying your home. You can learn more in our **housing considerations** section.

## Explore Topics

### Support to Caregivers

### Post-Injury Support

### LTC Ombudsman

*Last modified on 02/18/2020*

## Related Links

Long-Term Care Ombudsman

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