What is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care refers to housing and medical care in the three types of nursing home facilities, independent, assisted living, and skilled nursing.

Who is likely to need long-term care?
75 percent of Americans aged 65 and older will require long-term care in 15 years.(1)

How long is the average stay in a nursing home?
2.7 years(2)

What is the cost of a nursing home?
A year in a nursing home is estimated to cost $46,000.(3)

Are long-term care costs going up?
Yes, costs are rising by 6% annually which is twice the current inflation rate.(4)

But, doesn't Medicare pay for long-term care?
No, Medicare pays only 8% of current long-term care costs (only skilled care and after hospitalization). 73% of Americans believe that Medicare is the primary funding source for long-term care costs.(5)

What about Medicaid?

47% of all long-term care costs are paid by Medicaid, and 38% are paid out-of-pocket. But, Medicaid is only available for the indigent.(6)

1. Tribune Media Services, Feb 1997
2. Marion Merrill Dow Study, 1993
3. American College of CLU & ChFC, 1996
4. American College of CLU & ChFC, 1996
5. Health Care Financing Review, Fall 1996, National Council on Aging: Hancock Survey, 1997
6. Health Care Financing Review, Fall 1996