Long-Term Care Facility
What is a long-term care facility?
Long-term care facilities provide both medical and personal support services to patients who are unable to live independently. The type of care that these facilities provide differs from short-term care in that it is administered for an extended period of time (typically 12 months or more) and does not have a defined outcome like treatment for an acute disease, illness, or injury.
Long-term care can be provided in a variety of settings—including a patient’s home. Some of the most common long-term care facility types include:
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living facilities (ALFs)
- Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
- Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)
Why are long-term care facilities important for healthcare?
Long-term care facilities provide critical daily support to patients who might not have the resources or ability to care for themselves.
The majority of patients in long-term care facilities are elderly, and many of them suffer from chronic conditions that might impact their mobility, mental capacity, or ability to perform daily tasks. Long-term care facilities provide a safe, supportive environment for patients to live and receive necessary care.