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To help you best plan for your long-term care, after age 65, we've pulled together a list of important things you should know and can do now to help you prepare for later.

Things You Should Know

  • Medicare only pays for long-term care if you require skilled services or rehabilitative care and Medicare does not pay for non-skilled assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), which make up the majority of long-term care services. Read the section on Medicare for more information.
  • There are many different ways to receive care and many different settings in which to receive it. To learn more about different care setting, see the Where You Can Receive Care section of the site.
  • You may be able to receive care from providers and/or local programs in your community. Learn more about local options by visiting the Finding Services page.
  • The need for long-term care often follows a fall. By learning to prevent a fall, you may delay your need for long-term care and even prolong your time at home. Find tips on Falls Prevention.
  • Being close to children or other family is often important when long-term care services are needed.
  • By obtaining an Advanced Care Directive you can inform your family or loved ones about how to make important health decisions for you, should you no longerbe able to make those decisions for yourself. Consult the Advance Care Plan Considerations page for more information.
  • While insurance may not be possible there are other options such as a reverse mortgage, or savings. Refer to the Costs & How to Pay section for further information on age-appropriate options.
  • Modifying your home may allow you to stay there longer, as you age. Refer to the Staying in Your Home page for ideas.
  • If you plan on moving to a facility consider the different types of facilities, their associated costs, amenities, and locations. See the Living in a Facility section for more information.

Things You Can Do


Last modified on 02/18/2020