Selecting Long-Term Care Placement for Family Members

Long-term care (LTC) consists of a variety of services, which include medical and nonmedical care to people who have chronic illness or physical or mental disability. Long-term care helps meet health and/or personal needs. Personal needs primarily include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). ADLs are routine tasks of life, usually considered to include eating, bathing, dressing, getting into and out of bed or a chair, and using the toilet. IADLs are additional activities necessary for independence such as preparing meals, managing medications, and shopping for groceries. Long-term care also may include skilled and therapeutic care to treat and manage chronic conditions. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living facilities, or ...