Long-term care is simply a type of disability.  Instead of limiting the ability to work and earn a living, a long-term care disability limits your ability to take care of yourself.

An "occupational" disability cuts income.  A long-term care disability adds significantly to expenses - forcing a reallocation of income, lifestyle compromises and eventually the loss of assets that support everything financially.

Long-term care is a "functional" disability that is most likely to occur when we live a long life, but could happen at any age due to an accident or severe illness.  Long-term care is generally measured one of two ways:

• - Supervision for a mental limitation - a "cognitive impairment" - like Alzheimer's, dementia or as a result of a stroke or head injury.  OR
• - Assistance with physical activities called "Activities of Daily Living" or "ADLs" - Bathing, dressing, transferring (getting in/out of a bed or chair), eating, toileting or continence.  Assistance could be as simple as stand-by, supervisory assistance to make sure you're safe.

This is called "custodial" care.  Long-term care is not acute or rehabilitative care, which is known as skilled care.

Statistics show that at least 6.4 million people aged 65 or older need long-term care, with one in two over age 65 requiring care. At least half of the population who are 65+ will need help with Activities of Daily Living.*

*Planning for Long-Term Care, United Seniors Health Council, Washington, D.C., McGraw-Hill, NY, 2002

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