Data Hub
The Statistics
What the data say about who needs long-term care, for how long, who provides it, and what it has cost over time. Every figure on this page carries an inline citation.
Likelihood of Needing Care
The most widely cited estimate comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / Administration for Community Living (HHS/ACL). Note that estimates vary by study methodology; where sources differ, the range is shown.
| Metric | Estimate | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will need some LTC after age 65 | ~70% | Includes both paid and unpaid care | HHS/ACL, 2020 |
| Will need paid care (home health aide or facility) | ~48% | Subset of the 70% who use paid services | HHS/ACL, 2020 |
| Will need nursing home care at some point | ~35% | HHS/ACL, 2020 | |
| Will need care for 5 or more years | ~20% | HHS/ACL, 2020 | |
| Will need no long-term care | ~30% | A meaningful share of people will not need LTC | HHS/ACL, 2020 |
How Long Care Typically Lasts
Duration varies enormously. The averages mask a wide distribution: many people need care for only a few months, while a significant minority need it for many years.
| Segment | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average duration — women | 3.7 years | HHS/ACL, 2020 |
| Average duration — men | 2.2 years | HHS/ACL, 2020 |
| Average duration — all | ~3 years | HHS/ACL, 2020 |
| Need care less than 1 year | ~17% | HHS/ACL, 2020 |
| Need care 1–2 years | ~22% | HHS/ACL, 2020 |
| Need care 2–5 years | ~23% | HHS/ACL, 2020 |
| Need care 5+ years | ~20% | HHS/ACL, 2020 |
Distribution of care duration (% of people turning 65)
Source: HHS/ACL, 2020
Who Provides Care Today
The majority of long-term care in the United States is provided by unpaid family members and friends — a fact that is often overlooked in financial planning discussions.
| Category | Figure | Context | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unpaid family/friend caregivers | ~53 million Americans | Provide unpaid care to an adult or child with special needs | NAC / AARP, 2020 |
| Economic value of unpaid care | $470 billion/year | Estimated annual value of unpaid caregiving in the U.S. | AARP Public Policy Institute, 2019 |
| Medicaid — largest payer of paid LTC | ~62% of nursing home residents | Share of nursing home residents whose care is paid by Medicaid | KFF, 2023 |
| Medicare — limited LTC coverage | Skilled care only, up to 100 days | Medicare does not cover custodial (non-medical) long-term care | Medicare.gov |
| Private LTC insurance | ~7.5 million policies in force | Estimated number of Americans with standalone LTC insurance | NAIC, 2022 |
Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
Dementia — most commonly Alzheimer's disease — is a major driver of long-term care need. People with dementia typically require care for longer durations and at higher intensity than people with physical disabilities alone.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Americans living with Alzheimer's disease | 6.9 million (age 65+) | Alzheimer's Association, 2024 |
| Projected Alzheimer's cases by 2050 | ~13 million | Alzheimer's Association, 2024 |
| Average years lived with Alzheimer's after diagnosis | 4–8 years (range: 2–20) | Alzheimer's Association, 2024 |
| Total cost of dementia care in the U.S. (2024) | $360 billion | Alzheimer's Association, 2024 |
| Share of nursing home residents with dementia | ~48% | CDC / NCHS, 2022 |
How Costs Have Grown Over Time
Long-term care costs have risen faster than general inflation in most years. The Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey has tracked median costs annually since 2004, providing the most comprehensive longitudinal dataset available.
| Year | Home Care/hr | Assisted Living/mo | Nursing Home/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | $17/hr | $2,524/mo | $4,654/mo |
| 2010 | $19/hr | $3,131/mo | $6,235/mo |
| 2015 | $20/hr | $3,600/mo | $7,300/mo |
| 2020 | $24/hr | $4,300/mo | $8,517/mo |
| 2023 | $30/hr | $5,350/mo | $9,733/mo |
Source: Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey, 2023. National medians.
Nursing home median monthly cost — national
Source: Genworth/CareScout, 2023
Educational resource only. This site is educational only and is not financial, tax, legal, or insurance advice. Last updated: October 2026.