Some people find themselves in need of help with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting or continence and/or transferring (getting out of a chair or out of bed). These six actions are called Activities of Daily Living or ADLs. In general, if you can't do two or more of these activities, or if you have a cognitive impairment, you are said to need "long-term care."
Long-term care isn't a very helpful name for this type of situation because, for one thing, it might not last for a long time. Some people who need ADL services might need them only for a few months or less.
Long term care is not just provided by a nursing home exclusively. It can be, but it can also be provided in an adult day care center, an assisted living facility, or at a home.
