Quality Long-Term Care Enhances Quality of Life for Older Adults, But Rising Costs Highlight Urgent Need for Planning

Quality long-term care can help older adults maintain independence, improve safety, and enhance overall quality of life. Yet rising care costs, combined with Medicare's limited coverage for extended care, leave many families financially vulnerable.

Quality long-term care services significantly improve the quality of life for older adults by providing essential support with daily activities, promoting independence, and reducing caregiver burden. However, Matt McCann, a leading expert on long-term care planning, says the escalating costs of care present a major financial challenge for many families.

McCann says that while most people will need help at some point, few are ready as expenses continue to rise, it is critical for individuals to understand the limitations of traditional health insurance and Medicare and to explore proactive solutions such as Long-Term Care Insurance.

According to the LTC News Cost of Care Calculator, national median costs for long-term care services in 2026 are substantial and vary by type of care:  

• Home Healthcare: $185 per day / $5,673 per month / $67,532 per year  
• Adult Day Care: $61 per day / $1,930 per month / $22,997 per year
• Assisted Living: $162 per day / $5,005 per month / $59,591 per year, plus surcharges that add around $2,000 on top of the base cost.  
• Memory Care: $188 per day / $5,723 per month / $68,676 per year, plus surcharges that can add up to another $3,000 a month.
• Nursing Home (private room equivalent base): $353 per day / $10,824 per month / $128,834 per year

These figures reflect base costs and can increase further depending on location, level of care needed, and additional services. Costs have risen notably in recent years due to factors like labor shortages, inflation, and growing demand.

"Quality long-term care truly transforms lives by allowing older adults to maintain dignity, receive personalized support, and enjoy meaningful daily experiences—whether at home or in an assisted living community." — Matt McCann, CLTC.

McCann adds that the financial reality is sobering. Most extended care occurs at home or in assisted living settings, yet families are often unprepared for the out-of-pocket expenses.

"Too many families mistakenly assume that Medicare or standard health insurance covers long-term care. It doesn't. Aside from short-term skilled care, the financial burden rests entirely on the family. You will either pay for your future care out of pocket, or drain your hard-earned assets to do so. All too often, adult children are forced to step in as primary caregivers,leaving them overwhelmed, untrained, and unprepared for such a massive responsibility." — Matt McCann, CLTC.

Medicare provides limited coverage only for short-term skilled nursing care (typically up to 100 days under specific conditions following a hospital stay) but explicitly excludes custodial care—the assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility that defines most long-term care.

McCann says that since health insurance and Medicare won't pay for most long-term care outside of short-term skilled services it leaves families facing potentially devastating costs that can quickly erode retirement savings. That's why Long-Term Care Insurance has become a cornerstone of comprehensive retirement planning.

While asset protection is crucial, preserving your quality of life and mitigating the emotional impact on your family are equally important.

When an older adult begins to struggle with activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing, dressing, or managing medications, or requires supervision due to cognitive decline, overall quality of life often takes a dramatic hit. Without proper support, daily routines become source points for anxiety, frustration, and physical danger.

McCann says that in his experience he has seen that quality long-term care services, whether delivered comfortably at home or within a dedicated care facility, step in to replace that daily friction with structure, safety, and dignity.

"Most older adults don't want someone to take over their lives. They simply want enough help to continue living life as independently as possible. The right caregiver provides support where it's needed while respecting personal routines, preferences, and choices. When an older adult no longer has to worry about falling in the shower, struggling with daily chores, or facing each day alone, they can focus less on getting through the day and more on enjoying it." — Matt McCann, CLTC.

This professional support ensures proper nutrition, strict medication adherence, and physical safety, which collectively stabilize health outcomes and prevent the traumatic hospitalizations that often accelerate decline.

McCann says that access to quality extended care goes beyond physical safety, quality long-term care addresses the profound emotional and social needs that are frequently neglected when a senior isolates at home.

Professional long-term care brings consistent, meaningful human interaction, whether through the dedicated companionship of an in-home aide or the vibrant social scheduling of a residential community. Furthermore, McCann notes that it completely transforms family dynamics.

"When trained professionals handle the intense, hands-on physical demands of caregiving, adult children are no longer overwhelmed by the exhausting logistics of care. They are finally free to step back into their rightful roles as daughters and sons, allowing families to focus on quality time and meaningful connections rather than burnout and stress." — Matt McCann, CLTC.

Long-Term Care Insurance offers a tailored, affordable solution. Modern policies are highly customizable ("self-designed") to fit individual needs, budgets, and preferences. Benefits can cover care at home, in assisted living, memory care, or nursing facilities. McCann says that premiums are very affordable depending on age and health at the time of purchase, often far lower for younger, healthier applicants who lock in rates early.

"By addressing the future costs and burdens of aging and declining health proactively, you can focus on enjoying your retirement rather than worrying about how to pay for care," McCann said

Most people aquire Long-Term Care Insurance as part of a comprehensive retirement plan, often between the ages of 47 and 67. Premiums vary dramatically between insurance companies.

Looking For Quality Caregivers for a Loved One Now?

Quality long-term care improves a perosn's lifestyle and quality of life. Finding the right caregiver or long-term care facility is essential.

Matt McCann recommends two free resources that can simplify the process and help reduce stress during a difficult time:

LTC News Caregiver Directory

The LTC News Caregiver Directory helps simplify your search for quality care for a loved one. With free access to more than 80,000 providers nationwide, you can enter your ZIP code and compare home care agencies, adult day care centers, assisted living communities, memory care facilities, and nursing homes near you.

Free Long-Term Care Insurance Claim Assistance

When a loved one needs care, the last thing you want to worry about is complicated insurance paperwork. If your loved one has Long-Term Care Insurance, LTC News partners with  Amada Senior Care to provide free, no-obligation claims assistance. Dedicated specialists can help you navigate the claims process, explain benefits, coordinate services, and handle much of the paperwork so you can focus on your loved one instead of administrative details. Their support can help you access benefits more quickly and make the transition to care less stressful — File a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim.

About Matt McCann, CLTC

Matt McCann, CLTC, is a leading national long-term care planning expert dedicated to helping families secure their futures. He has been helping people plan for the future costs and burdens of aging since 1998.

Representing the nation's top insurance providers, Matt is licensed i all 50 states and the District of Columba. He offers a modern, zero-pressure approach to planning, using interactive screen-sharing and phone consultations to deliver a convenient, transparent, and educational experience from the comfort of home.

You can get free and accurate quotes from all the top companies — plus professional recommendations — by visiting Free and Accurate LTC Insurance Quotes.

Media Availability

McCann is a frequent media guest and speaker on issues related to aging, caregiving, retirement planning, health, and long-term care.

Contact McCann through his website for information.