Long-Term Care by the Numbers
Understanding long-term care trends, costs, and care needs can help families plan with greater confidence and avoid making important decisions during a crisis.
These statistics offer valuable insight into where care is commonly provided, how care needs may change over time, and why early planning can make a meaningful difference for both seniors and their families.
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Numbers help families prepare
Care needs, costs, and timing can vary, but understanding the larger picture can make planning feel more manageable.
Who May Need Care?
Long-term care is a normal part of aging for many older adults. Support needs can develop gradually over time or appear suddenly after an illness, injury, hospitalization, or change in memory and cognitive health.
Care may involve help with daily activities, medical support, supervision, safety, or simply additional assistance that allows someone to live more comfortably and independently.
Understanding how common long-term care needs are can help families plan earlier, explore options with less stress, and avoid making rushed decisions during a crisis.
Age 65 and Older
Nearly 70% of adults who reach age 65 will need some form of long-term care support during their lifetime, and about 1 in 5 older adults will require support for more than five years.
This makes early planning important, even before care feels immediately necessary.
Alzheimer’s Disease
More than 6 million Americans age 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and the number is expected to continue rising as the population continues to age.
Families may need to consider safety, supervision, memory support, and long-term daily care needs.
Paid Care Services
Millions of older adults rely on paid long-term care services, including assisted living and skilled nursing support.
These services provide support, supervision, and care based on individual needs.
Senior Care Housing
Most senior care is provided in homes and community-based settings rather than institutional facilities.
Many older adults receive support while remaining connected to familiar routines and communities.
Long-Term Care Costs Can Vary Widely.
Long-term care costs vary based on location, level of care, included services, and whether support is provided at home or in a residential setting.
In 2024, national median costs ranged from approximately $26,000 annually for adult day health services to more than $120,000 for private nursing home care. Assisted living, home health care, and other in-home support services also continued to rise in cost across many areas of the country.
Why Planning Matters
Understanding future care costs earlier can help families compare options, prepare financially, and make more informed decisions before care needs become urgent.
Specialized Memory Support Continues to Grow
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease often require additional supervision, safety planning, structure, and specialized support services.
Dementia in Care Settings
- Approximately 42% of residents in residential care communities live with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
- Nearly half of nursing home residents are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
- Many assisted living communities now offer dedicated memory care programs and specialized dementia support.
What This Means for Families
Planning for long-term care is not only a financial decision — it is also about preserving choice, dignity, safety, and peace of mind for both older adults and the people who care about them.
Starting conversations earlier gives families more time to explore care options, compare services, understand costs, and make thoughtful decisions without the pressure of a medical crisis.
Whether support eventually involves home health care, assisted living, residential care homes, memory care, skilled nursing, or hospice services, understanding the larger picture can help families move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Learn More About Long-Term Care Services
Every care journey is unique. Explore different types of long-term care and find the level of support that best fits your loved one’s needs.
