Long term care can be broadly defined as care provided by another party for the benefit of those who are unable to care for themselves. Generally, long term care refers to the personal care and other related services provided on an extended basis to people who need help with certain Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) or who need supervision due to severe cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Care can be provided at home, in the community, in an assisted care facility or in a nursing home.
The need for long term care can happen in an instant or gradually as a person’s health declines. Some of the reasons for receiving long term care include: chronic disease, prolonged illness, injuries sustained as a result of an accident, disability, or cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s Disease that limits a person’s ability to think or reason.