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How Many People Need Long Term Care In The U.S.? Plus Over 93 Long Term Care Stats!

Did you know that there is a 70% chance that someone turning age 65 today will need some type of long-term care services? This number isn’t good considering that the average stay in a long term care facility is between 2 and 3 years. 

In Addition, there have been over 150,000 coronavirus deaths linked to long term care facilities.   Join us in discovering how many people need long-term care in the U.S, what's the average long term care stay, plus over 101+ long term care statistics! 

Top Long Term Care Statistics

  • There are 53 million unpaid family caregivers in the United States.
  • Unpaid caregivers have an estimated dollar value of $470 Billion.
  • Less than 2.5% of Americans have a long-term care insurance policy.
  • Over 39% of all COVID-19-related deaths occurred in long-term-care facilities.
  • There is a 70% chance that someone turning 65 today will need long term care.
  • Around 45% of People under the age of 65 need long-term care.
  • Women need about 3.7 years of long term care on average.
  • On Average, men need about 2.2 years of long term care.
  • The average cost of long-term care is over $100,000 per year.
  • There have been over 150,000 COVID-19 related deaths in long-term care facilities.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Top Long Term Care Statistics
Probability Of Needing Long Term Care 
How Many People Need Long Term Care In The United States?
What's LTC (Long Term Care)?
Who Needs Long Term Care?
Do People Under 65 Need Long Term Care?  
Long-Term Care & The Coronavirus (COVID-19)
How Has Covid-19 Affected Long Term Care Facilities?
Long Term Care Caregiver Death Statistics In America
U.S. Average Long-Term Care Stay Statistics
What Is The Average Length Of Stay In A Long Term Care Facility?
(LTC) Caregiver Statistics For The United States
How Many Unpaid Caregivers Are There In The U.S.?
Average Cost Of Long Term Care & LTC Facilities
What Is The Average Cost Of Long Term Care?
Average Cost Of Long Term Care Coverage By State?
How Much Does Long-Term Care Cost Per Month?
What Is The Average Daily Cost Of Long Term Care?  
Elderly & Long Term Care Insurance Statistics
What Is The Average Cost Of Long Term Care Insurance?  
How Much Is Long Term Care Insurance For A 65 Year Old?
Average Cost Of Long Term Care Insurance By Age
Taking Action
Concluding Thoughts

Probability Of Needing Long Term Care 

How Many People Need Long Term Care In The United States?

As of 2021, if you are turning age 65, there is a 70% chance you will need some type of long-term care. Of that, about 48% of people turning 65 will need some kind of paid long-term care in their lifetime. It’s expected that around 19 million Americans will be over age 85 by 2050, which means even more people will need long-term care in the U.S.


Key Statistics:

  • If you are turning age 65, there is a 70% chance you will need some type of long-term care.
  • A third of today’s 65 year old's might never need long-term care.
  • Some 48% of people turning 65 today will need some form of paid long-term care in their lifetime.
  • About 24% of people turning 65 will require paid long term care for more than 2 years.
  • 8% of people between the ages of 65 to 74 needed long term care in 2018.
  • In 2018 17% of people ages 75-84 needed long-term care.
  • 42% of people over the age of 85 needed long term care in 2018
  • Around 47% of men age 65 and older will need long-term care during their lifetime.
  • 58% of women age 65 and older will need long-term care during their lifetime.

What's LTC (Long Term Care)?

Long-term care is made up of a few different services that help people live independently depending on their needs when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own. Unpaid family members and friends provide a majority of long-term care, but it can also be done in a nursing home or adult day care facility. 

Who Needs Long Term Care?

People who can’t complete most of their daily living activities such as bathing, using the restroom, getting themselves around, or having a severe ongoing health condition or disability may need long term care. The older you get, the higher the chance you need long term care.

Key Statistics:

  • There is a 68% chance that you will become disabled in at least two activities of daily living if you are age 65 or older.
  • It’s projected that in 2030 there will be 71.5 million adults that are 65 or older.
  • By 2040 the number of adults with disabilities will increase to 21 Million.
  • About 42% of adults 65 and older reported an issue with at least 1 activity of daily living.
  • Around 5% of people aged 65 or older had difficulty with 3 to 4 activities of daily living (ADLs)
  • Some 3% of elderly adults age 65 or older had difficulty with up to 6 ADLs
  • There is a 68% chance that you will become disabled in at least two activities of daily living if you are age 65 or older.
  • By 2050, some 27 million people will be using paid long-term care services regardless of the setting based on population growth.
  • In 1999 40% of the older population with long-term care needs were poor or had incomes below 150% of the federal poverty level.

Do People Under 65 Need Long Term Care?  

Yes, about 45% of people under the age of 65 will need some type of long-term care even though, according to a recent MassMutual study, only 38% of people under 65 think they will need long-term care. However, the fastest growing long term care population over the last 10 years have been people aged 31-64.

Key Statistics:

  • Around 45% of people under the age of 65 need long-term care.
  • According to a study conducted by MassMutual, only 38% of people under the age of 65 think they will need long-term care.
  • A MassMutual study found that consumers in their 30s are more likely to have had at least one family member need chronic care.
  • In the past 10 years, adults ages 31 - 64 have been the fastest-growing population in long-term care facilities.
  • A recent study found that 42% of people between the ages of 30 - 40 years old were interested in long-term care protection.
  • Only 36% of people aged 41 years old to 50 years old are interested in long-term care protection.
  • 26% of older adults aged 51 years old to 60 years old are interested in long term care protection.

Sources:

Health Affairs | Medicare.gov | Morning Star | NIANIH | PA LTC | MassMutual |

Long-Term Care & The Coronavirus (COVID-19)

How Has Covid-19 Affected Long Term Care Facilities?

As of January 2021, over 39% of all COVID-19 related deaths in America have come from 150,000 residents and staff at long term care facilities. There have also been over 782,000 coronavirus related cases at long term care facilities. These numbers worsen when you consider that less than 1% of the population lives in a long term care facility. 

Key Statistics:

  • There have been over 150,000 COVID-19 related deaths in long-term care facilities.
  • More than 39% of all COVID-19-related deaths are from people in long-term-care facilities.
  • Over 782,000 coronavirus related cases have been documented in long term care facilities.
  • Less than 1% of the U.S. population lives in a long-term care facility.
  • In North Dakota, 79% of covid-19 related deaths are of people who live in long-term-care facilities.
  • Alaska has the lowest number of coronavirus deaths at 3%:
  • People aged 75 to 84 have a 220% higher chance of dying from COVID 19 than people age 18-29.
  • People over the age of 85 have a 630% higher chance of dying from COVID-19 than people ages 18-29.

Long Term Care Caregiver Death Statistics In America

American caregivers have a 63% higher mortality rate than non-caregivers, and the coronavirus has caused the death of over 1,300 long term care staff members as of January 2021. 

Key Statistics:

  • Over 1,340 long term care staff members have passed away due to COVID-19.

Sources:

Morning Star | Georgia DCH | Next Avenue | KFF |

U.S. Average Long-Term Care Stay Statistics

What Is The Average Length Of Stay In A Long Term Care Facility?

Women need about 3.7 years of long term care, and men need about 2.2 years of long term care. The average length of stay in a long term care facility is 1 to 3 years, and long term care, in general, will usually last for about 2 years for someone over the age of 65. Around 20% of today’s 65 year old's will need long term care for over 5 years.

Key Statistics:

  • 20% of today’s 65 year olds will need long term care for over 5 years
  • Women need about 3.7 years of long term care on average.
  • 80 years old is the average age of admission for women in long-term care (LTC) facilities.
  • On Average, men need about 2.2 years of long term care.
  • 14% of the U.S. population will need long-term care for more than 5 years.
  • Only 19% of people receiving long-term care will need it for 1 to 2 years.
  • Some 21% of people currently receiving long-term care will need it for 2 to 5 years.
  • Around 13% of people getting long term care will need it for more than 5 years.
  • Around 48% of people currently receiving long term care will need it less than a year.

Sources:

Morning Star | My Life Site | Quizlet | Nerd Wallet

(LTC) Caregiver Statistics For The United States

How Many Unpaid Caregivers Are There In The U.S.?

As of 2020, there are 53 million unpaid caregivers in the United States; this represents about 21% of the entire adult population. It is estimated that the dollar value of unpaid caregivers is around $470 Billion. Also, approximately 82% of caregivers care for one other adult.  

Key Statistics:

  • The number of unpaid family caregivers in the United States is 53 million.
  • Unpaid caregivers have an estimated dollar value of $470 Billion.
  • The average age of a care recipient is about 69 years.
  • The average age of a caregiver is 49 years.
  • Spousal caregivers are usually around 62 years old.
  • 34% of all caregivers are 65 or older.
  • Females represent 75% of all caregivers.
  • In 2015 about 43.5 million caregivers were providing unpaid care to an adult or child.
  • Over 34 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in 2015.
  • Around 82% of caregivers care for one other adult.
  • Some 15% of caregivers care for up to 2 adults.
  • About 3% of caregivers care for 3 or more adults.
  • More than 40 million caregivers give care to people aged 18+ who have a disability or illness.
  • In 2015 about 9% of caregivers self-identified as LGBTQ.
  • About 30% of people aged 65 or older will rely on family-provided long-term care for two years or more.
  • Unpaid caregivers who also have a job are doing about 34.7 hours of unpaid care work per week.
  • Around 70% of caregivers have suffered work-related problems due to their caregiving duties.
  • 44% of caregivers don’t report their caregiving responsibilities to their supervisor.

Sources:

My Life Site | Caregiver.org |

Average Cost Of Long Term Care & LTC Facilities

What Is The Average Cost Of Long Term Care?

The average cost of long term care is over $100,000, depending on the type of care needed. If you need care in a long-term care facility, you would be looking at around $225 per day ($6,824 per month) for a semi-private room or $253 per day ($7,698) per month for a private room in a nursing home. 

Average Cost Of Long Term Care Coverage By State?

Below we cover the average cost of long term care coverage over a 3 year time period, by state.  The most expensive states for long term care coverage over 3 years is Alaska with costs reaching some $1,090,888, followed by Connecticut ($494,394), Hawaii ($491,655), Massachusetts($459,900), and New York ($438,822) while the most affordable states for LTC coverage are Oklahoma with ($190,530), Louisiana ($199,509), Missouri ($199,563), Kansas ($211,137), and Arkansas ($215,496).

STATE

3 YEAR COST OF LONG TERM CARE

Alabama

$239,805

Alaska

$1,090,884

Arizona

$284,700

Arkansas

$215,496

California

$353,412

Colorado

$323,988

Connecticut

$494,394

Delaware

$394,200

District Of Columbia

$383,250

Florida

$326,310

Georgia

$243,639

Hawaii

$491,655

Idaho

$289,629

Illinois

$243,090

Indiana

$296,745

Iowa

$233,235

Kansas

$211,137

Kentucky

$273,750

Louisiana

$199,509

Maine

$363,540

Maryland

$348,210

Massachusetts

$459,900

Michigan

$328,500

Minnesota

$366,780

Mississippi

$255,135

Missouri

$199,563

Montana

$263,151

Nebraska

$261,573

Nevada

$333,429

New Hampshire

$399,675

New Jersey

$427,050

New Mexico

$274,299

New York

$438,822

North Carolina

$277,584

North Dakota

$420,831

Ohio

$284,700

Oklahoma

$190,530

Oregon

$359,160

Pennsylvania

$364,089

Rhode Island

$350,400

South Carolina

$256,515

South Dakota

$254,589

Tennessee

$246,375

Texas

$235,425

Utah

$273,750

Vermont

$356,424

Virginia

$306,600

Washington

$349,854

West Virginia

$398,580

Wisconsin

$336,438

Wyoming

$271,560

Key Statistics:

  • The average cost of long-term care is over $100,000, depending on the type of care needed.
  • The long-term care expenses in America were $137 billion in 2000.
  • By 2015 the long term care expenses were $208 billion in the U.S.
  • Around 13% of people who are 65 today will have a long-term care expense of up to $50,000 during their lifetime.
  • Some 11% of people who are 65 today will have a long-term care expense of up to $150,000 during their lifetime.
  • About 4% of people who are 65 today will have a long-term care expense of up to $250,000 during their lifetime.
  • Just 9% of people who are 65 today will have a long-term care expense of over $250,000 during their lifetime.
  • The annual cost for adult daycare was $19,500 for five days per week in 2019
  • In 2019 the median annual cost for an assisted-living facility was $48,612.
  • A home health aide working 44 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, cost $52,624 in 2019.

How Much Does Long-Term Care Cost Per Month?

The current monthly median national cost for a home health aide would run you some $4,576 per month. An assisted living facility is going to run you about $4,300 per month. Lastly, a nursing home’s monthly costs are about $7,756 per month for a semi-private room and $8,821 for a private room.

Key Statistics:

  • The average cost of homemaker services is around $4,481 per month.
  • A home health aide will run you some $4,576 per month.
  • An adult daycare could cost you about $1,603 per month.
  • It will run you some $4,300 per month for an assisted living facility.
  • Getting a semi-private room at a nursing home will run you some $7,756 per month.
  • A private room at a nursing home facility could run you $8,821 per month.

What Is The Average Daily Cost Of Long Term Care?  

The current daily median national cost for a home health aide would run you some $147 per day. Adult daycare is going to run you about $74 per day. Lastly, a nursing home’s daily costs are about $255 per day for a semi-private room and $290 per day for a private room.

Key Statistics:

  • The average cost of homemaker services is around $147 per day.
  • A home health aide will run you some $150 per day.
  • An adult daycare could cost you about $74 per day.
  • It will run you some $141 per day for an assisted living facility.
  • To get a semi-private room at a nursing home will run you some $255 per day.
  • A private room at a nursing home facility could run you $290 per day.

Sources:

Genworth | Morning Star | Trusted Choice |

Elderly & Long Term Care Insurance Statistics

What Is The Average Cost Of Long Term Care Insurance?  

According to recent industry research, the average cost of long-term care insurance is $2,700 per year. While there are some discounts for couples, most Americans can’t afford the cost of a LTC policy. It’s probably why the average age of someone purchasing a long-term care policy is 58 years old, and only about 8.1 million Americans even have a policy.

Key Statistics:

  • The average cost of long term care insurance is $2,700 per year.
  • Some 8.1 million Americans are covered with long-term care insurance.
  • The average age of someone buying a long-term care insurance policy is 58
  • Almost half of all long term care insurance policies were purchased by people between 55 and 64.
  • Women purchase some 54% of long term care policies.
  • Only 18% of single people purchase long term care policies.
  • Around 21% of new long-term care policies are sold through the workplace.
  • In 2019 there were about 54,563 individual long-term-care insurance policies sold.
  • In 2018 64% of long-term-care claims were paid to women.

How Much Is Long Term Care Insurance For A 65 Year Old?

Long-term care insurance for a 65 year old couple would cost around $7,000 per year; like all insurance, the younger you get the coverage, the lower your premiums will be. For example, a 55 year old couple would only be looking at about $2,500 per year for long-term care insurance.

Average Cost Of Long Term Care Insurance By Age

Insured

Annual Premium (Average)

Single Man - Age of 55

$1,700

Single Woman - Age of 55

$2,675

A Couple - Both Age of 55 

$3,050

Single Man - Perfect Health - Age of 65

$1,400

Single Male - Average Health - Age of 65

$2,100

Single Woman - Perfect Health - Age of 65

$2,100

Single Woman - Average Health - Age of 65

$3,100

Sources:

AARP | Morning Star | Dave Ramsey | The Balance | Nerd Wallet | Insurance Business Mag | Policy Genius |   

Taking Action

Concluding Thoughts

Things aren’t getting any easier for the long term care industry, and by 2050 more Americans are expected to need long term care than ever before.  We have to figure out a way to make long-term care better for current residents and make long-term care insurance more affordable for everyone.

I must say that I am shocked at how many nursing home deaths COVID-19 is responsible for, and I hope we can get a better handle on the situation for both the staff and residents.

Sources: 

Georgia DCH | Sixty And Me | Quizlet | AARP | Caregiver.org | Dave Ramsey | Genworth | Health Affairs | Insurance Business Mag | KFF | Medicare.gov | Morning Star| My Life Site | Nerd Wallet | Next Avenue | NIANIH | Policy Genius | The Balance | PA LTC | MassMutual |

EXPERT EDITOR & REVIEWER

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Sa El

Licensed & Certified Insurance Agent

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Sa El is the Founder of Simply Insurance and a licensed Insurance Agent with over 15 years of experience in the industry.  He specializes in Life & Health Insurance and is certified in Long Term Care Insurance in the state of Georgia. a licensed real estate agent in the state of Georgia (License #382602), an entrepreneur, insurance educator, and freelance writer.