Should I Get Long Term Care?

Best ager with adult daughter at the beach pondering Long Term Care

Not everyone needs long-term care, but it is essential to look at why you may need it in the future and its costs.

Who needs Long Term Care?

Women live longer than men by about five years, so they are more likely to live alone at the end of their lives. With age comes a greater need for long-term care. Having an accident or chronic illness can lead to a need for long-term care. A majority of people over age 90 have a disability. Chronic conditions, poor diet, a lack of exercise, and a family history of chronic illness can increase your likelihood of needing long-term care. If you live alone, you will also be more likely to need assistance later. Consider your situation to help gauge your future needs.

Two-thirds of people who are 65 today have a chance of needing long-term care services. Women who need care will need assistance for 3.7 years on average, and men who need care need services for 2.2 years.

Cost growth concept based on Long Term Care.
The median cost for a private nursing home room was $8,517 per month in 2019.

Consider the Cost of Long-Term Care

Long-term care can be expensive, so most people stay in their homes as long as possible. The help of a caregiver can be vital in these later years to assist in your activities of daily living (ADL). If you do not have a friend or family member willing to serve as your caregiver free of charge, you will need the assistance of a home health aide from a trusted home care agency. These visits will cost upward of $20 per hour, with the median annual cost of $50,000. The median cost for a private nursing home room was $8,517 per month in 2019.

Medicare does not cover long-term care unless you need skilled services or rehabilitative care. Medicaid covers long-term care, but you must meet income, ADL needs, and eligibility requirements. The average annual long-term care insurance premium for a healthy 55-year-old couple was $3,050 in 2020. The average age of people buying long-term care insurance is 60 years old.