November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month, an opportunity to think about a topic many families may not fully consider until they’re faced with it: What happens when someone you love needs ongoing help with everyday life?
For families caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, that question can become especially important. Dementia is progressive, which means the amount and type of support a person needs can change over time.
And millions of families are already navigating that reality. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. In 2025, unpaid caregivers provided more than 19 billion hours of care.
While living at home may work today, your loved one’s needs may look very different in the future. Understanding the different types of long-term care now can help you and your family prepare for what’s ahead.
What Is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care encompasses a range of medical and non-medical services for people who need ongoing assistance because of a chronic illness or disability. Much of this care centers on activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and using the bathroom.
For someone living with dementia, the appropriate level of care depends on their health, abilities and safety needs. Support may be provided at home, in the community or in a residential setting.
Here are some of the options families may encounter.
Care at Home
Many people with dementia can continue living at home, particularly in earlier stages, with support from family members, friends or paid caregivers. Home care may include help with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing and eating, as well as supervision to help keep the person safe.
It’s important, however, to distinguish this type of everyday assistance from home health care. Home health care typically involves licensed medical professionals and requires a doctor’s order.
The right combination of support depends on the person’s individual needs and how those needs change.
Adult Day Centers
Adult day centers can provide a safe, supervised environment for someone with dementia while allowing family caregivers time to work, run errands, rest or take care of other responsibilities.
Programs vary, but adult day centers may offer social activities, meals, exercise, personal care and some health services. Transportation may also be available.
For families hoping to keep a loved one at home, adult day services can be one component of a broader care plan.
Assisted Living and Memory Care
When living independently becomes more difficult, assisted living may provide additional support.
Assisted living generally combines housing, meals, supportive services and health care. But services vary, and not every assisted living community offers care specifically designed for people with dementia.
Some residential communities offer specialized memory care units for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. These programs are designed around the particular needs of people experiencing memory loss and cognitive changes.
When comparing communities, families should ask specifically what dementia-related services are available rather than assuming every assisted living community provides the same level of memory support.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
For some families, a continuing care retirement community may be another option. These communities provide multiple levels of care in one location, allowing residents to move between levels as their needs change.
That can be worth considering when planning for a condition like dementia, where care needs can change over time.
Nursing Home Care
A nursing home may become appropriate when someone can no longer live safely at home or requires more extensive care.
Nursing homes provide around-the-clock care and long-term medical treatment. Some also have dedicated Alzheimer’s or memory care units.
Because services, staffing and dementia expertise can vary from one facility to another, families should closely evaluate what each community provides.
Respite Care and Care Management
Long-term care planning isn’t only about where your loved one lives. It’s also about finding support for the people providing that care.
Respite care provides temporary care for someone with dementia, giving a family caregiver an opportunity to take a break. Respite services may be one option for families managing dementia care at home.
Families may also turn to a geriatric care manager. These professionals can help identify care needs and connect families with appropriate services.
Don’t Overlook the Financial Side of Long-Term Care
Determining what type of care your loved one needs is only part of the planning process. Families also need to consider how that care will be paid for.
One common misconception is that Medicare will cover most long-term care expenses. Medicare states that it does not pay for most long-term care, including non-medical assistance with activities of daily living. Medicaid may help eligible individuals with long-term care costs, although eligibility requirements vary by state. Private long-term care insurance is another potential source of coverage.
The financial impact can be significant. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates the lifetime cost of care for someone with dementia at more than $400,000, with 70% of that cost borne by family caregivers through unpaid care and out-of-pocket expenses.
That’s one reason long-term care planning shouldn’t start only when care is immediately needed.
Related: Breaking Down Long-Term Care Costs: What to Expect and How They’re Changing
How to Start Planning for Future Care
There is no single long-term care solution that’s right for every person with dementia. Instead, families can periodically reassess needs as circumstances change.
Consider questions such as:
- How much supervision does your loved one currently need?
- Can they safely complete everyday activities such as bathing, dressing and eating?
- Are there other health conditions to consider?
- Who is currently providing care, and is that arrangement sustainable?
- Could the home need modifications or additional support?
- What care options are available locally?
- What might different types of care cost?
- What financial resources or insurance coverage are available?
- How could care needs change in the future?
Your loved one’s health care provider can be an important starting point for discussing changing medical and care needs. Families can also explore community services and professional resources that specialize in dementia support.
Long-Term Care Planning Starts Before You Need Care
Caring for a loved one with dementia can bring difficult decisions, and there may not always be an obvious answer. But families don’t have to wait until their loved one’s current care arrangement no longer works to start thinking about what’s next.
Long-Term Care Awareness Month is a reminder to start the conversation now. Learning about potential care needs, understanding available services and thinking about how those services could fit into your family’s plan can help you prepare for the road ahead.
A Bankers Life insurance agent can help you understand long-term care insurance options and consider how preparing for future care expenses may fit into your retirement strategy.
Want more? Check out our blog, Preserving Wealth and Dignity: Long-Term Care Planning for Seniors
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