50 Long-Term Care Statistics: The Real Cost of Aging in 2026

What happens as you age if you require long-term care?

Well, you need to be able to afford your care, for one thing. But planning for retirement, senior insurance, and your older age can be overwhelming. However, long-term care statistics show that planning early is one of the most effective ways to protect your family’s future.

The modern data collected below suggests that long-term care will need to be a consideration for most people, and tax-advantaged permanent life insurance can play a role in covering costs (when structured correctly).  

Whether you consider using empty-nest life insurance or another form to establish coverage, these statistics highlight the long-term implications of getting older (and how life insurance can support your needs).

Statistics on long-term care costs

The financial impact of aging is often higher than expected, especially given rising nursing home and assisted living costs. Here are the key facts to know about long-term care costs:

• The national median rate for a non-medical, in-home caregiver is $35/hr. (CareScout)*
• The national median average for in-home skilled nursing services is $90/hour. (Genworth)
• The median per-visit rate for in-home skilled nursing services is $160. (Genworth)
• The annual cost of in-home care is approximately $80,080. (CareScout)*
• The national median cost for a private nursing home room is $129,575. (CareScout)**
• A semi-private room in a nursing home costs an average of $315/day. (CareScout)**
• The cost of assisted living communities increased 5% in 2025. (CareScout)
• Long-term services and support (LTSS) costs increased by almost 50% between 2019 and 2024. (AARP)

Statistics on long-term care costs by state

The national average doesn't pay the bills when nursing home costs in your state are higher than the rest of the country. While the U.S. median is a helpful starting point, care costs are hyper-local. We’ve broken down the data by state to help you see the real numbers, ensuring you specify enough for the place you call home.

• Mississippi's average cost of care is $150/day, which is the lowest in the U.S. (CareScout)
• Wyoming's average cost of care is $288/day, which is the highest in the U.S. (CareScout)

Long-term care insurance statistics

Long-term care insurance may play a role in how you manage care costs as you age. Think about these key long-term care insurance stats as you consider life insurance as part of a broader retirement strategy.

• 78% of long-term care insurance policies are purchased between the ages of 50 and 69. (AALTCI)
• 40% of policyholders purchase a maximum monthly benefit of less than $4,500. (AALTCI)
• If you wait 10 years (from age 55) to purchase long-term care insurance, the same initial coverage costs increase by 49.9%. (AALTCI)
• More than 47% of people aged 70+ are denied coverage due to health concerns. (AALTCI)
• In 2023, providers paid more than $14 billion in insurance claims. (AALTCI)
• Long-term care insurance covers approximately 7 million people. (AHIP)

Facts about paying for long-term care

Many people assume Medicare will cover the costs of their long-term care needs, but it's not uncommon for it to cover only short-term care. Financing care typically requires a mix of personal savings and insurance vehicles, with a life insurance policy's accelerated death benefit as an option (subject to policy terms and accumulated cash value).

• Medicare does not typically pay for long-term care. (Medicare)
• Families will pay approximately one-third of long-term care costs out of pocket. (DHHS)
• Approximately 14% of individuals will spend more than $100,000 out of pocket on long-term care. (DHHS)
• Family caregiving (or unpaid caregiving) accounted for $1.01 trillion in 2025. (AARP)
• In 2024, family caregiving exceeded federal, state, and local spending ($932 billion). (AARP)
• To qualify for Medicaid-funded nursing home care, individuals often must have assets valued at $2,000 or less. (American Council on Aging)
• Medicare only pays 100% of the cost of nursing home care for the first 20 days of skilled nursing. (American Council on Aging)

(Note that accessing funds from a life insurance policy, whether through an accelerated death benefit, policy loans, or withdrawals, is subject to policy terms and conditions and will reduce the death benefit and cash value. Policy loans accrue interest and may have tax consequences if the policy lapses.)

U.S. long-term care statistics

The landscape of care in the United States is vast and includes various types of facilities. Use these facts to understand long-term care in the U.S.

• More than 1.2 million people currently reside in U.S. nursing homes. (KFF)
• There are 63 million family caregivers in the U.S. (AARP)
• 59 million Americans provide long-term care to an adult in the U.S. (CAPC)
• 55% of caregivers handle medical or complex tasks despite lacking proper training. (CAPC)
• 64% of family caregivers report high levels of emotional stress. (CAPC)
• 70% of caregivers under age 65 are also working. (CAPC)
• Of the U.S.'s caregivers, only two million are paid for all their work. (AARP)

Long-term care facility statistics

The type of residential care you choose impacts both the level of independence you maintain and the cost. Check out these long-term care facility statistics to better understand the landscape.

• There are just over 1 million U.S. seniors residing in assisted living nationwide. (AHCA, NCAL)
• In the U.S., there are approximately 32,231 assisted living communities. (AHCL, NCAL)
• Communities typically have an average of 37 licensed beds. (AHCL, NCAL)
• 43% of U.S. communities are small, with only 4 to 10 units. (AHCL, NCAL)
• The West accounts for 40.8% of long-term care communities. (AHCL, NCAL)
• 18% of long-term care communities offer wings specifically for patients with dementia and Alzheimer's. (AHCL, NCAL)
• Approximately 62% of long-term care patients require assistance with three or more daily living activities. (AHCL, NCAL)

Long-term care demographics statistics

Understanding the data behind who needs (or will need) care is the first step in planning for the future. These statistics reveal the growth in long-term care needs and the financial planning tools you may need to consider.

• More than 50% of long-term care residents are age 85 or older. (CDC)
• By 2065, the population of individuals with significant disabilities is expected to grow to 14.7 million. (DHHS)
• Women generally need care for a longer period (3.6 years) compared to men (2.5 years). (DHHS)
• Low-income seniors are more likely to require nursing home care, making up 29% of the population. (DHHS)
• The population of Americans aged 65+ is expected to reach around 95 million by 2060. (Grandview Research)
• About 70% of individuals who reach age 65 will eventually need long-term care. (ACL)

Long-term care health statistics

Most people assume long-term care is only for the very end of life, but the reality is often tied to chronic and pre-existing conditions or sudden health changes that require specialized support over several years. Understanding the specific health drivers behind these needs may play a role in how you specify your coverage today.

• High blood pressure is the most common chronic condition among long-term care patients (55%). (CDC)
• Only 14% of patients in long-term care had never been diagnosed with the 10 most common chronic conditions. (CDC)
• Approximately 20% of adults will have a long-term care disability for more than five years. (DHHS)
• More than 42% of long-term care patients have Alzheimer's or dementia-related conditions. (NCHS, CDC)
• Memory-related conditions are the leading causes of long-term care admissions. (NCHS, CDC)
• Among residential care patients, 71% require assistance walking. (AHCL, NCAL)
• 93% of older adults have at least one chronic condition. (CDC)

What is long-term care?

Long-term care is paid or unpaid care that provides a range of services to meet a person's health or personal care needs. Long-term care may help patients live independently and safely, even when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own.

This type of care is offered in many different settings, including:

How to prepare for long-term care

Whether you opt for in-home care or need full-time medical assistance, choosing a financial strategy, creating a plan, and knowing how to pay for long-term care is crucial for caring for yourself as you age. To get started:

1. Have a financial plan: Work with a professional to understand your assets and how future costs may impact them.
2. Choose your care type: Consider whether you prefer aging at home or in a community setting.
3. Know your benefits: Research what Medicare and private insurance may cover.
4. Determine your payment options: Determine whether a traditional retirement or insurance policy will cover costs, or if you'll need to budget for out-of-pocket expenses.
5. Consider insurance: Look into a tax-advantaged life insurance policy that may help cover long-term care costs while providing a death benefit for your family.
6. Build a care plan: Document your medical preferences and legal directives early.
7. Discuss with your family: Share your wishes with your loved ones to avoid confusion later.

Fund long-term care with Amplify

Preparing for the future doesn't have to be stressful, and understanding these long-term care statistics is the first step toward building a more secure future.

By considering the best IUL policy options, you can put in place a flexible life insurance policy that provides a death benefit for your family and may serve as a potential source of funds for care.

Consider an IUL policy with Amplify today to find a solution that ages as gracefully as you do.