How Long Term Care Insurance Can Help You Age at Home
Long Term Care
Living at home while you age requires careful planning.
Staying in your own home as you get older is called “aging in place,” a trend that has gained significant momentum in recent years, especially for those who own their homes and value their independence.
Some people may be more comfortable living in senior living communities such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as many as 90% of those age 65 and older would prefer to live in their own homes and maintain their independence as long as possible.1
Long Term Care Insurance Provides Options
There are many ways to pay for care when you need it and where you’d like to receive it.
If you plan to age at home, it’s important to think about how you’ll pay for the help you will need. The national annual cost of home care is $51,480 for six hours of help for five days a week, and these costs will only continue to rise with inflation.3
Long Term Care (LTC) insurance can make it easier to age in place by covering costs that make it possible for you to stay in your home. Here are a few ways LTC insurance can help:
Personal care. This can be the most expensive aspect of aging in place. You may eventually need help with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, dressing, transferring) for just a few hours a day—or round the clock. Many LTC policies can help cover the costs of home health aides.
Family caregivers. Many caregivers face financial setbacks due to their caregiving responsibilities. If you plan to rely on family members for care, some LTC policies pay informal family caregivers, so your loved ones may be able to earn a wage while providing you care.
Home renovations. If you develop conditions that require modifications to your home, LTC insurance can help cover costs keep your home accessible and safe with the likes of ramps, stair elevators, or shower handles.
Day programs. LTC insurance can help cover costs for adult day programs, which provide a break for caregivers. Some adult day programs are primarily social, while others provide limited health services.
The best time to think about how to age in place is before you need care. Planning ahead allows you to make important decisions while you are still in control. If you plan to age at home and don’t have LTC insurance, now may be the time to evaluate your options.
1The Value of Aging in Place. USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. gero.usc.edu/about/our-field/the-value-of-aging-in-place, Retrieved April 7, 2026.
2Most older adults who live at home want to age in place, but they aren’t entirely confident they’ll get to. Pew Research Center. February 26, 2026.
3Long Term Care Costs. The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program. www.ltcfeds.gov/long-term-care/costs, Retrieved April 7, 2026.
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