2006 State Report > Our Health > Long-Term Care
Our Health: Long-Term Care
Long-term care can be broadly defined as personal care and assistance that an individual might receive on a long-term basis because of a disability or chronic illness that limits his or her ability to function. It includes not only nursing home care, but also the services received while living in many other settings, including private homes and assisted living facilities.
People's lives are changed in unpredictable ways when they or their family members need long-term assistance with everyday activities. Individuals with disabilities are often surprised to learn that they are largely on their own in finding, arranging, and paying for such services, which are rarely considered to be "medically necessary" by health insurers.
While long-term care has had a stereotypically negative image in the past, the reality is changing. New technologies, new living environments, and new ways of "staying in charge" are helping people with disabilities to maintain their independence. We as a society are recognizing that environmental factors play critical roles in either facilitating or undermining the ability to remain independent.