50 Long-Term Care Statistics

November 16, 2023

Discover eye-opening long-term care statistics. Stay informed and plan for the future.

Top 10 Key Long-Term Care Statistics

  1. Around 70% of people over age 65 will require some form of long-term care in their lifetime.
  2. Women make up the majority of long-term care recipients (about 66%).
  3. In 2020, the average cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home was $7,756 per month.
  4. Family caregivers provide an estimated 90% of long-term care in the United States.
  5. Nearly 50% of all Americans turning 65 will require long-term care support at some point.
  6. About 20% of people who require long-term care need it for five years or more.
  7. Dementia is the most common reason for needing long-term care, accounting for 47.5% of all long-term care services.
  8. Only about 13% of adults have long-term care insurance.
  9. The number of adults aged 65 and older is expected to double by 2060, reaching 98 million.
  10. Chronic illnesses (such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis) often lead to the need for long-term care.

Long-Term Care Statistics by Demographics

  • Around 70% of people over age 65 will require some form of long-term care in their lifetime.
  • Women make up the majority of long-term care recipients (about 66%).
  • In 2020, the average cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home was $7,756 per month.
  • Family caregivers provide an estimated 90% of long-term care in the United States.
  • Nearly 50% of all Americans turning 65 will require long-term care support at some point.
  • About 20% of people who require long-term care need it for five years or more.
  • The number of adults aged 65 and older is expected to double by 2060, reaching 98 million.

Long-Term Care Statistics by Chronic Disease

  • Dementia is the most common reason for needing long-term care, accounting for 47.5% of all long-term care services.
  • Approximately 70% of individuals residing in long-term care facilities have some form of cognitive impairment, with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia being the leading causes.
  • It is estimated that around 10% of individuals with Parkinson's Disease ultimately require long-term care services.
  • Approximately 30% of stroke survivors require long-term care for rehabilitation and ongoing support.
  • While the exact percentage of cancer patients requiring long-term care varies, it is estimated to be around 20%.
  • Approximately15%of individuals in long-term care have heart disease.
  • While the percentage of individuals with diabetes in long-term care facilities varies, it is estimated to be around 10%.
  • It is estimated that 30% of individuals with arthritis require long-term care assistance.
  • Approximately 20% of individuals with COPD require long-term care
  • It is estimated that around 5% of individuals with MS ultimately require long-term care services.

Understanding the long-term care statistics associated with these chronic diseases is essential for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and individuals planning for their future care needs. By recognizing the prevalence of these conditions and their impact on long-term care, appropriate strategies can be developed to provide the necessary support and resources.

Long-Term Care Funding and Insurance

  • Only about 13% of adults have long-term care insurance.
  • Home health care is the fastest-growing sector in long-term care, with an estimated 1.4 million jobs in 2020.
  • The average length of a nursing home stay is 835 days (or about 2.3 years).
  • Private health insurance and Medicare do not typically cover long-term care.
  • In 2020, the median annual cost of an assisted living facility was $51,600.
  • The average annual cost of adult day services is $19,500.
  • In 2020, the median annual cost of long-term care insurance for a 55-year-old was $2,050.
  • In 2020, the median annual cost of long-term care insurance for a 65-year-old was $2,700.
  • In 2020, the median annual cost of long-term care insurance for a 75-year-old was $4,240.
  • In 2020, the average length of a hospital stay for a Medicare patient was 4.6 days.
  • In 2020, the average cost of a hospital stay for a Medicare patient was $13,767.
  • In 2020, the average cost of a hospital stay for a non-Medicare patient was $23,000.
  • In 2020, the median annual cost of adult day services was $19,500.

Long-Term Care Statistics by Economic Factor

  • In 2019, there were about 1.3 million residents in nursing homes in the United States.
  • About 40% of nursing home residents have some form of cognitive impairment.
  • By 2040, it is estimated that one in four Americans will be over the age of 65.
  • The number of older adults living alone is expected to increase by 40% in the next decade.
  • In 2020, there were about 53,000 residential care communities in the United States.
  • The majority of long-term care residents are aged 85 and older.
  • The number of older adults who require long-term care is projected to increase to 27 million by 2050.
  • About 7.7 million Americans are long-distance caregivers.
  • In 2019, there were over 4,000 adult day service centers in the United States.
  • In 2019, there were about 1.3 million home health aides in the United States.
  • Nearly 80% of long-term care in the United States is provided by unpaid caregivers.

Long-Term Care Statistics by Healthcare Expenditure

  • In 2020, the average daily rate for a private room in a nursing home was $290.
  • In 2020, the average daily rate for a semi-private room in a nursing home was $255.
  • In 2020, the median annual cost of a home health aide was $54,912.
  • In 2020, the median annual cost of a homemaker was $52,624.
  • In 2020, the median annual cost of an assisted living facility was $51,600.
  • In 2020, the median annual cost of a nursing home was $105,850.
  • In 2019, about 18% of home health care agencies had deficiencies related to quality of care.
  • In 2018, about 15% of nursing homes had deficiencies related to quality of care.

Long-Term Care Statistics by Wages

  • In 2020, the median hourly wage for registered nurses in the United States was $35.24.
  • In 2020, the median hourly wage for licensed practical nurses in the United States was $23.31.
  • In 2020, the median hourly wage for occupational therapy assistants in the United States was $30.44.
  • In 2020, the median hourly wage for physical therapy assistants in the United States was $28.76.
  • In 2020, the median hourly wage for speech-language pathologists in the United States was $41.57.
  • In 2020, the median hourly wage for social workers in the United States was $31.03.
  • The median hourly wage for home health aides in 2020 was $13.93.
  • In 2020, the median hourly wage for nursing assistants was $14.25.
  • In 2020, the median hourly wage for personal care aides was $12.57.

Conclusion

As the statistics show, long-term care is a significant concern for many individuals and their families. With the aging population and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, it is more important than ever to plan for future care needs. The cost of long-term care can be financially devastating without proper planning and support, making it essential to explore funding options such as insurance or government assistance programs.

Additionally, the quality of care in long-term care facilities remains a concern, highlighting the need for continued efforts to improve staffing levels and training programs for healthcare professionals. By understanding the key long-term care statistics highlighted in this article, individuals can make informed decisions about their future healthcare needs and advocate for better policies to support those in need of long-term care services.

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