Many Americans underestimate how likely they are to need long-term care, and what it might cost. With lifespans increasing and costs rising, preparing today can prevent financial strain and tough decisions later.

What Is Long-Term Care?

Long-term care (LTC) refers to services that help people who can’t fully care for themselves due to age, illness, or disability. This includes assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and moving safely. The goal of LTC is to help individuals maintain independence and quality of life as they age.

Learn more about Inszone’s Long-term Care Insurance here.

Who Will Need It?

Roughly 70% of adults turning 65 will need some form of long-term care during their lifetime.
Nearly 48% of adults will pay for LTC services at some point (ASPE, 2019).
About 20% of adults age 65+ will require long-term care for longer than five years.
Adults with chronic conditions like heart disease or dementia are significantly more likely to require LTC.

Where Care Happens

Long-term care is delivered in a variety of settings, each with different levels of support:

Board & care homes

Small residential facilities offering meals and daily personal care, but limited medical services.

Assisted living facilities

Communities that provide help with daily activities and some medication management.

Skilled nursing facilities

Nursing homes offering 24/7 medical care, meals, and rehabilitation services.

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)

Offer independent living, assisted living, and nursing care in one campus.

Home-based care (“aging in place”)

Care delivered at home by family members, caregivers, or health aides.

Learn: The importance of home care insurance

Adult day care centers

Provide daytime supervision, meals, and activities for older adults needing part-time support. (National Center for Health Statistics, 2024)

The Cost of Long-Term Care

Long-term care is expensive, and costs continue to climb:

A private nursing home room now averages $127,750 annually.
A semi-private nursing home room averages $111,325 annually.
Assisted living facilities cost about $70,800 per year.
A home health aide averages $77,792 annually.
Adult day care can cost $26,000 annually (Genworth Cost of Care Survey, 2024).

Nearly 1 in 5 adults turning 65 will face more than $200,000 in long-term care expenses over their lifetime.

Read: financial planning and insurance: how to build a stronger safety net?

How People Pay for LTC

Medicare

Covers short-term skilled care after hospitalization, but not long-term custodial care (Medicare.gov, 2025).

Learn more about Inszone’s Medicare Plans in our website.

Medicaid

Provides LTC coverage for low-income individuals but requires meeting strict eligibility rules (KFF, 2024).

Private pay

Families cover nearly half of LTC costs out of pocket.

LTC insurance

Designed to help with these costs, but only about 3–4% of Americans age 50+ carry a policy (KFF Health News, 2023).

In 2021, total LTC spending in the U.S. exceeded $467 billion, with 71% paid by public programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

Get your Long-term care insurance quote for free!

Why Planning Matters

With a 70% chance of needing LTC and costs exceeding $100,000 annually in many cases, planning early is crucial. Without preparation, families often face:

Rapidly depleted savings.
Limited access to quality care.
Stressful decisions for loved ones.

Planning ahead ensures more flexibility, better choices, and financial protection.

Next Steps

Evaluate your finances: Know your assets, savings, and projected expenses.
Research care settings: Understand the differences between home care, assisted living, and nursing facilities.
Review existing coverage: Know what Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance actually cover.
Consider LTC insurance: Buying early often means lower premiums and better options.
Document care preferences: Ensure advance directives and care wishes are clear to your loved ones.

Bottom Line: Long-term care isn’t a remote possibility, it’s a reality for most Americans. At Inszone Insurance Services, we help you explore long-term care insurance and planning options to protect both your financial security and your peace of mind.

Sources and Further Reading

Juan Cruz

VP – Marketing & Development

Juan Cruz is the Vice President of Marketing and Development at Inszone Insurance Services. He joined the company in 2016, bringing with him over seven years of experience in direct response marketing. Juan holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies with a minor in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

At Inszone, Juan oversees all aspects of marketing, focusing on building a consistent brand identity and creating successful direct response campaigns. His expertise has helped multiple companies enhance their digital presence, grow lead generation efforts, and strengthen their brand visibility.

A passionate traveler, Juan has visited 25 countries and is an avid scuba diver and bike rider. He believes in working hard to enjoy life to the fullest.

[email protected]

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Long-Term Care Statistics 2025: What You Should Know