What is Long Term Care? A Simple Explanation for Kids & Beginners

Part 1: What is Long Term Care, Types of Long Term Care

Part 2: Who Needs Long Term Care, How to Plan for Long Term Care

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Introduction to Long Term Care for Kids and Teens

This video explains the concept of long term care in a simple, concise way for kids and beginners. It could be used by kids & teens to learn about long term care, or used as a money & personal finance resource by parents and teachers as part of a Financial Literacy course or K-12 curriculum.

Suitable for students from grade levels:

• Kindergarten
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School

The topics covered are:

• What is long term care
• What are the types of long term care
• Who needs long term care
• How to plan for long term care

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What is long term care?

Long-term care refers to services that help people meet their health or personal care needs when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own – including bathing, dressing, and eating.

This could be for people who are recovering from a major accident or those suffering from prolonged illness, cognitive disorders, or disabilities.

Unlike regular medical care, long term care is usually done for an extended period of time, sometimes for the rest of someone’s life, and can be quite expensive.

What are the types of long term care?

There are several types of long-term care that cater to people with different needs.

Home care is where services are provided in your own home.

This includes help with household chores like cleaning, laundry, and bill payment, as well as daily activities like bathing, eating, taking medicines, and physical therapy – which are called “activities of daily living” (ADL).

While home care is often provided by family members or friends, it can also be provided by paid caregivers. It is best suited for people who have a significant level of independence but require assistance with specific tasks.

Community facilities – like an adult day care or senior center – provide social interaction and support services to seniors, sometimes for free.

Here, participants can socialize through various planned activities, and receive support for needs similar to home care.

This is best for people who require supervision during the day and want more socialization.

Assisted living facilities are communities with private or shared apartments designed for seniors who are still somewhat independent, but require more support for preparing meals, housekeeping, social activities, personal care, and various other needs.

Nursing homes are the most intensive and expensive option.

They offer 24 hour supervision and are meant for people who need the most assistance due to health conditions or disabilities.

Who needs long term care?

People who deal with sudden medical events – like a heart attack, a terrible accident or major surgery – can require long term care facilities at a younger age.

But statistics show that around 70% of people 65 and older will need long term care services due to aging – although the exact time it’ll be necessary is different for every person, and is dependent on their lifestyle, health, disabilities, illnesses, and chronic conditions.

How do I plan for long term care?

Depending on what type of long term care you will need and for how long, it can get very expensive and potentially wipe out your retirement savings.

But having a plan can make a significant difference to the quality of your life and your loved ones’. That’s why it’s crucial to start planning for it well before you need it – in other words, when you’re younger and healthier. 

Do some research on the long term care facilities in your area and how much they cost, so you can get a rough idea of what you might need to pay in the future.

There are multiple options to pay for long term care, like your retirement savings, government programs like Medicaid, long term care insurance, or hybrid policies that act as life insurance or long term care insurance depending on the situation.

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Podcast: Long Term Care

Part 1: What is Long Term Care, Types of Long Term Care