Life can be a lottery, and where you end up can partially come down to luck, good or bad. 

Considering long-term care is part of those grown-up decisions you make, for yourself and for loved ones. Here are a few numbers to think about. 

And remember, these are averages or means or medians. They include many, many people. You are an individual and your mileage varies. 

All figures apply only to the U.S.

Number of adults aged 65 and over, 2024: 62 million/18 percent of the population

Number of people in nursing homes, 2020: 1.3 million

Number of people in assisted living, 2024: Over 1 million

Percentage of nursing home residents, by age, 2017: 18-64, 17 percent; 65-84, 45 percent; 85 and up, 39 percent.

According to a joint report by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and the Urban Institute: 

“Although only 16 percent of adults ages 65 and older had severe LTSS [Long Term Support Services] needs in 2014 and only 8 percent received paid LTSS care, the lifetime risk of ever needing and receiving LTSS is much higher.”

Lifetime risk by percent, of total adults who survive to age 65, of severe long term support services needed: 70 

“Many older people with severe LTSS needs rely exclusively on family and unpaid caregivers,” the report added.

Percent of adults who receive more than two years of paid LTSS care: 24

Percent who spend more than two years in a nursing home: 15

“Lengthy spells of severe LTSS needs and paid care are much more common among older adults with few financial resources than their wealthier counterparts,” the report stated.

What’s what

Assisted living: “Assisted living is a type of long-term care in which adults, mostly older than 75 years, receive help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing or toileting. Meal and laundry services are usually available as well as social activities.” (statista.com)

Nursing homes: “Nursing homes… provide a wide range of health and personal care services. Their services focus more on medical care than most assisted living facilities or board and care homes. Services offered in a nursing home typically include nursing care, 24-hour supervision, three meals a day and assistance with everyday activities.” (nia.nih.gov)

Sources: Centers for Disease Control, www.pewresearch.org, www.statista.com, www.nia.nih.gov and especially www.aspe.hhs.gov/reports/what-lifetime-risk-needing-receiving-long-term-services-supports-0.