At what age do most people need long-term care?

Asked by: Moriah Conn V  |  Last update: October 12, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (52 votes)

Someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services and supports in their remaining years. Women need care longer (3.7 years) than men (2.2 years) One-third of today's 65 year-olds may never need long-term care support, but 20 percent will need it for longer than 5 years.

What is the best age to get LTC?

The best age to buy LTC insurance is generally middle-50's to early 60's. Early enough to where the premiums are still reasonable, and young enough to where health issues won't result in a declined application.

Who would most likely need long-term care insurance?

According to the Department of Health and Human Services research, 51% of women aged 65 and over will need paid long-term care. Meanwhile, 39% of men who are 65-plus will need such care. That differential helps explain why long-term-care insurance is typically more expensive for women than men.

Will 70% of Americans need long-term care?

Americans are living longer these days—and the longer we live, the more likely it is we'll need some extra help. Whether it's due to a disability, a chronic illness, or other challenges, a person turning 65 today has a nearly 70% chance of needing long-term care in the years they have left.

What age does long-term care start?

Long-term care (LTC) insurance is coverage that provides nursing-home care, home-health care, and personal or adult day care for people age 65 or older or with a chronic or disabling condition that needs constant supervision.

At what age do most people need long-term care?

28 related questions found

What percentage of seniors need long-term care?

Roughly 70% of people age 65 and older will need some type of long-term care during their lifetime.

What is the biggest drawback of long-term care insurance?

One of the biggest drawbacks of getting long-term care insurance is the risk of losing all the premiums you have paid over the years. If you end up not needing long-term care services, you won't be eligible for coverage. This means the money you've spent for coverage goes down the drain.

What is the average life expectancy in long-term care?

From 1999, life expectancy in LTC increased until 2006 for women (1.91; 1.87–1.94 years) and 2008 for men (0.94; 0.91–0.98 years). Thereafter, life expectancy in LTC declined rather steadily, reaching 1.45 (1.42–1.48) years for women and 0.78 (0.76–0.80) years for men in 2018.

At what age do most seniors need care?

Most seniors need assisted living between the ages of 75 and 84, and the average age of an assisted living resident is 87. This is generally when seniors begin needing more help with activities of daily living.

What are the odds of going into a nursing home?

The likelihood of spending some time in a nursing home is relatively high (around 40 percent of 65 year olds spend some time in a nursing home prior to death) (Liu 1994; Murtaugh et al.

What percentage of people actually use their long-term care insurance?

If you purchase that type of coverage, your lifetime chance of using policy benefits will fall somewhere between 35% and 50% -- because most people buy this coverage and use it to get care in their own home.

Who is a good candidate for long-term care?

In order to maximize insurability and any potential health rate discounts, we recommend a target age range between 45 and 65.

At what age are you no longer covered under your parent's health insurance?

If you're covered by a parent's job-based plan, your coverage usually ends when you turn 26. But check with the employer or plan. Some states and plans have different rules. If you're on a parent's Marketplace plan, you can remain covered through December 31 of the year you turn 26 (or the age permitted in your state).

What is the average age in LTC?

New LTCi Policies: Ages of Buyers of New LTC Insurance

Most buyers are between ages 50 and 69. After 69 it becomes harder to health qualify for new coverage. Not impossible but it really is important then to work with a knowledgeable LTC insurance specialist.

Does Medicare pay for long-term care?

Long-term care

Long-term supports and services can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living, or in nursing homes. Individuals may need long-term supports and services at any age. Medicare and most health insurance plans don't pay for long-term care.

Is there an age limit for LTC?

If you have a qualifying need, it pays benefits. Traditional LTC policies are available between ages 18 and 79.

What is the hardest age to take care of?

A recent study suggests age 8 is the hardest to parent — with 6 and 7 not far behind. A recent study suggests the pre-tween phase could ...

What is the biggest priority to most seniors?

10 Things Seniors Value Most in Retirement
  • Routine. ...
  • Food. ...
  • Community. ...
  • Respect. ...
  • Exercise. ...
  • Comfort. ...
  • Financial Security. ...
  • Independence. Most of us value our independence and want to maintain self-reliance as long as possible.

What percent of people end up in long-term care?

70% of adults aged 65 years and older will require long-term care at some point. The average length of stay in long-term care is 3.2 years. Just over 20% of residents will require care for 5 years or longer. Americans spend $475.1 billion annually on long-term care.

What are the odds of needing long-term care by age?

Basic Needs

Here are some statistics (all are "on average") you should consider: Someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services and supports in their remaining years. Women need care longer (3.7 years) than men (2.2 years)

What is the leading cause of death in long-term care?

Conclusion: The single most common cause of death occurring within the nursing home was Alzheimer's, with most dying appropriately on hospice care. This is markedly different from the general population, where the most common causes of death are cardiac, pulmonary, renal, malignancies, infections, and accidents.

What is the most common life span?

In 2022, U.S. life expectancy at birth showed a significant gender disparity: men had an average life expectancy of 74.8 years, while women could expect to live to 80.2 years.

At what net worth do I not need long-term care insurance?

Your net worth

If your net worth is less than $500,000, then forgo LTC insurance, as you will likely qualify for Medicaid or some other sort of assistance. If your net worth is over $2 million, the conventional wisdom is to self-insure your long-term care needs.

Why would someone be denied long-term care insurance?

When it comes to getting long-term care insurance, your current health matters. In fact, one of the biggest reasons people are denied long-term care insurance is because they have a pre-existing medical condition or disability that makes it more likely they'll require care sooner.

Do you pay LTC premiums forever?

Buying LTC insurance is part of a planning process for life and retirement. You need enough income to pay the premiums for the rest of your life regardless of premium increases or life changes, such as the death of your spouse.