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Where Will You Be When You Get Older? Are You Prepared?

Where Will You Be When You Get Older? Are You Prepared?: Cover Image

About This Article

Do you want to age in place in your home? Prepare family and finances for the consequences of aging. Long-Term Care Insurance gives you the choice of care, including in-home care. Own a solution that keeps you in control and gives loved ones the time to be family instead of caregivers.

Updated April 3rd, 2026
6 Min Read
 James  Kelly
James Kelly

LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.

You build your life around your home. It’s where your routines live, where your memories take shape, and where you feel most like yourself. Yet, if you’re like many people in your 40s, 50s, or early 60s, planning for what happens later—when health changes—can feel easy to put off.

That hesitation is understandable. Aging often feels distant until it isn’t. But as of April 2026, the reality is clear: living longer brings a greater likelihood of needing help with daily activities, whether from illness, injury, or simple frailty.

Pause for a moment and look ahead.
Where will you live as you age?
Who will help you if you need assistance?
And how will you pay for that care without placing pressure on your family?

Aging in Place Remains the Top Choice

The desire to stay at home is not just emotional—it’s overwhelmingly consistent across research.

According to AARP, about 76% of adults age 50 and older want to remain in their homes and communities as they age. That preference has held steady in recent surveys through 2025 and into 2026.

Why?

  • Comfort and familiarity
  • Independence and control
  • Stronger connection to community
  • Better mental and emotional well-being

At the same time, there’s a growing awareness gap. While most people want to age in place, far fewer believe it will actually happen without proper planning.

 

Stay in their home. Ages 18-49: 53%. Age 50+: 76%.

Majority of Care Provided at Home

Most long-term care in the United States doesn’t happen in a facility—it happens at home. According to the National Care Planning Council, roughly 70 percent or more of long-term care is delivered at home, much of it provided by unpaid family members. That reality has only intensified in recent years as more people choose to age in place.

Today, the scale of family caregiving is unprecedented. More than 63 million Americans now provide unpaid care, often stepping in as spouses, adult children, or close relatives. While this care is given with love, the physical, emotional, and financial toll can be significant. The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) reveals that nearly 8 million Americans currently benefit from home health care services, while only 1.8 million reside in nursing homes at the time of the publication of that report. The trend is expected to continue.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) most recent data, 10.2 percent of nursing home residents are under the age of 65. This means the United States has approximately 1.4 million nursing home residents under age 65.

There are several reasons why someone under 65 might require a nursing home. Some common reasons include:

  • A serious or long-term illness or disability
  • A traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury
  • A developmental disability
  • A mental illness
  • Substance abuse
  • The death of a spouse or caregiver
  • Financial difficulties

According to the American Association of Long-Term Care Insurance Companies (AALTCI), about 15% of those receiving long-term care insurance benefits are under the age of 65. This number has increased in recent years as more people purchase Long-Term Care Insurance at younger ages. 

Care Needs Grow Over Time

Care often begins with simple, non-skilled help at home, including:

  • Meal preparation
  • Transportation
  • Light housekeeping
  • Medication reminders

But care rarely stays at that level.

As health declines, the need for hands-on assistance increases:

  • Bathing and dressing
  • Mobility and transfers
  • Incontinence care
  • Supervision for cognitive impairment, including dementia

At this stage, caregiving becomes more demanding—and in many cases, beyond what family members can safely provide.

LTC Insurance is Paying Benefits for Care at Home

Do you want to age in place in your home? Prepare family and finances for the consequences of aging. Long-Term Care Insurance gives you the choice of care, including in-home care. Own a solution that keeps you in control and gives loved ones the time to be family instead of caregivers.

  • Just over 51 percent of Long-Term Care Insurance claims start at home. Only 23 percent of LTC Insurance claims start in a nursing home. Interestingly enough, 43 percent of these claims ended with care at home. The data suggests people with Long-Term Care Insurance are better able to stay in their own homes.  

long term care insurance claims paid for home care

Home care services are more cost-effective than nursing homes, except for those needing round-the-clock attention. For such individuals, assisted living, memory care, or nursing home facilities may be more suitable alternatives. Nevertheless, if family members cannot provide care (often the case over extended periods), the question arises: How can one finance the potential care needed in the future?

Cost of Care is Expensive and Going Up

The LTC News Cost of Care Calculator says the national average nursing home cost in 2026 is $129,888 a year for a private room, a little less for a semi-private room. 

The base cost of an assisted living facility averages $60,060 a year nationally. Home care providers average $68,076 a year based on a 44-hour week.

Increasing demand for long-term health care with increasing labor costs will keep the cost rising sharply in the years ahead. The costs do vary depending on where you live and the type of care you require.

For example, in Corpus Christi, Texas, in-home care (based on a 44 hour week) averages about $4,473 a month today, but in 25 years, that cost is expected to run about $8,940 a month - Texas Long-Term Care Resources.

Compare Corpus Christi, Texas, with Champaign, Illinois, where in-home care averages about $5,334 a month today. In 25 years, that same care will run about $10,700 a month - Illinois Long-Term Care Resources.

While preparing for future long-term health care, it's crucial to recognize that it encompasses both financial and familial aspects. Adequate cash flow is necessary to cover your preferred care option, and it's essential to have access to quality services that enable your family to focus on being a loving support system.

Including affordable Long-Term Care Insurance in your retirement plan can offer guaranteed tax-free benefits, which can be utilized for the kind of care you desire, including the in-home care that most people prefer. This approach helps maintain control and independence while preventing overdependence on family and friends.

Choice? Do You Want Choice?

Having a choice is essential, and obtaining a Long-Term Care (LTC) policy can grant you that flexibility. So, when is the best time to purchase a policy?

Ideally, you should consider buying LTC Insurance in your 40s or 50s. Since these policies require medical underwriting, being in relatively good health is important. 

Keep in mind that each insurance company has its own set of underwriting rules. Therefore, consulting an experienced LTC Insurance specialist can be invaluable in helping you navigate the various options.

Contrary to popular belief, Long-Term Care Insurance policies are affordable for most people, especially if purchased in their 40s and 50s. These policies can be tailored to your needs, and premium costs can vary significantly—sometimes by over 100%—between companies for the same coverage.

Get Accurate Quotes with Professional Recommendations

All too frequently, families consult a general insurance agent or financial advisor and receive "a quote" from a single insurance company with a specific policy design. While some companies may offer expensive policies, it's essential not to assume this represents the entire spectrum of available options. In fact, many people discover that when they work with a specialist, they can find very affordable coverage. 

Long-Term Care Insurance is customizable, and a knowledgeable specialist representing the major top-rated insurance companies can help you find affordable alternatives based on your age, health, and other factors. A specialist will provide you with accurate quotes from all the top insurance companies and provide you with their recommendations.

You can locate a qualified and trusted specialist but be sure they are really specialists. Ask the individual how many people they have personally helped obtain Long-Term Care Insurance. Top specialists have helped thousands of clients nationwide. Ask them how many claims they have helped process. Also, ask if they fully understand the underwriting of each top company and know the importance of federal regulations, tax incentives, and the Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program

Most likely, the specialist you find will not be local as there are not many specialists nationwide. That is ok since most planning is now done remotely using technology and the telephone.

Today's Long-Term Care Insurance policies are more rate-stable, with many states implementing rate-stability regulations. Additionally, today's premiums are priced according to the persistent low-interest-rate environment.

Partnership LTC Insurance Offers Additional Asset Protection

Partnership LTC Insurance might just be one of the best-kept secrets in retirement planning. Those fortunate enough to reside in one of the states offering Partnership Long-Term Care Insurance can benefit from dollar-for-dollar asset protection. 

You will be able to legally shelter part of your estate even if you exhaust all your insurance benefits. No matter what happens to you, you will never lose everything you have earned during your lifetime that you eventually want to go to your children and grandchildren. 

As you age, it's important to remember that your health and body will change, and you may experience cognitive decline. Many of these changes could necessitate assistance with daily activities or supervision due to dementia.

By planning ahead for the future expenses and challenges of aging, you can protect your income and assets while alleviating the stress and burden on your loved ones. Take the initiative to secure peace of mind, knowing that your preferences will be honored as you grow older. Find a suitable policy and prepare for a successful and comfortable retirement, ideally in your own home. 

Most people obtain coverage in their 40s and 50s as part of their retirement plans. There are very few employer plans that are affordable and meet federal guidelines. This is another reason to find a specialist to help you in your research. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Long-Term Care and Aging at Home

What percentage of long-term care is provided at home?

Most long-term care in the United States is delivered at home. Estimates from the National Care Planning Council indicate that 70% or more of care occurs at home, often provided by unpaid family members.

How many Americans are providing unpaid caregiving?

More than 63 million Americans provide unpaid care to a loved one, a significant increase in recent years. These caregivers are often spouses or adult children and may face emotional, physical, and financial strain.

Do most people want to age in place?

Yes. According to AARP, about 75% to 76% of adults age 50+ want to remain in their homes as they age. However, many are unsure if that will be possible without proper planning.

What types of care are included in long-term care at home?

Home-based long-term care can include both non-skilled and skilled services, such as:

  • Help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating)
  • Meal preparation and housekeeping
  • Medication reminders
  • Mobility assistance and transfers
  • Supervision for dementia or cognitive decline

As needs increase, professional caregivers may be required.

Is long-term care only needed by older adults?

No. While aging increases the likelihood, long-term care is needed by people of all ages due to illness, injury, or disability. Data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shows that a portion of nursing home residents are under age 65.

How much does long-term care cost in 2026?

Costs vary by location and type of care, but according to the LTC News Cost of Care Calculator:

  • Nursing home (private room): about $129,888 per year
  • Assisted living: about $60,060 per year
  • Home care (44 hours/week): about $68,076 per year

Costs are expected to continue rising due to increased demand and labor shortages.

Does Medicare cover long-term care at home?

No. Medicare and most health insurance plans only cover short-term skilled care, such as rehabilitation after hospitalization. They do not cover ongoing help with daily living activities, which is the primary need in long-term care.

How does Long-Term Care Insurance help with home care?

Long-Term Care Insurance provides tax-free benefits that can be used to pay for care at home, assisted living, or nursing facilities. Data shows that:

  • Over 50% of claims begin with care at home
  • Many policyholders remain at home longer due to access to paid care

This allows families to maintain independence while reducing caregiver burden.

When is the best time to buy Long-Term Care Insurance?

Most people purchase Long-Term Care Insurance in their 40s or 50s. Buying earlier:

  • Improves eligibility (based on health underwriting)
  • Lowers premium costs
  • Expands available options

Waiting too long can result in higher costs or being declined coverage.

Why is planning for long-term care important?

Planning ahead helps you:

  • Maintain control over where you receive care
  • Protect retirement savings and assets
  • Reduce the burden on family caregivers
  • Access higher-quality care options

Without a plan, care decisions are often made during a crisis, limiting your choices.