Understanding Long-Term Care

Take charge of your future by making decisions now about your home, health and finances

Long-Term Care: It’s More Than Insurance

The best time to plan for long-term care (LTC) is long before you need it. AARP has the expert advice and tools you need. Find out what you need to know.

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What is Long-Term Care?

Making a long-term care plan is more than just buying insurance or updating a will.

It’s about mapping your own course and living life as you want.

It’s considering what you’ll need to live independently for as long as possible and includes thinking about your home and community, your health and finances, and even your medical wishes.

Don’t leave these important life decisions to someone else. Small steps now will secure a safer, happier future.

Get Started

What Age to Start Planning

What Medicare and Medicaid Cover

How to Lead Hard Family Conversations

Take a Step: Complete Your Advance Directive

11 Housing Choices for Older Adults

Think Ahead: Understand Your Care Options

Aging Solo? Build Your Care Team

Take a Step: Do Some Home Improvement

Does Medicare Pay for Long-Term Care?

What If You Can’t Afford Long-Term Care?

Decide if LTC Insurance Is Right for You

Take a Step: Learn the Cost of Care in Your Area

HOW-TO GUIDES

An older woman stretches an exercise band with the help of a female healthcare worker.

1:45

What You Should Know About Long-Term Care Insurance

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2:01

Planning Your Advance Health Care Directives

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3:46

How to Make Your Front Door Easier to Open

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In-Depth Webinars

How to Plan for Medicare While You’re Still Working

a woman sitting at a laptop and looking through bills looking stressed

Surprising Out-Of-Pocket Costs for Caregivers

Declutter and Downsizing: Organizing Your Documents

AARP Membership

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Health & Wellness

Walgreens Pharmacy

Savings through AARP® Prescription Discounts provided by Optum Rx®

Learn More

See more Health & Wellness offers >

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MEMBERS ONLY

Shopping & Groceries

Walmart+

$20 off a Walmart+ annual membership

Learn More

See more Shopping & Groceries offers >

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