When you hear the phrase “long-term care,” your first thought may be of visiting an older relative at a skilled nursing facility. But long-term care encompasses much more than just skilled nursing. 

In fact, there are three main levels of long-term care that are covered by most long-term care insurance plans.

1. Skilled Care

Skilled care is the highest level of long-term care, for people who require full-time supervision by a medical professional. This may include physical therapy, wound care, intravenous injections, catheter care, and more. 

Because it involves around-the-clock supervision, either in a skilled nursing facility or at the patient’s home, this is also the most expensive form of long-term-care.

2. Intermediate Care

Intermediate care may involve many of the same procedures as skilled care, but it’s reserved for individuals who don’t need full-time supervision. While still expensive, it is not as costly as full-time skilled care.

3. Custodial Care

For many people, long-term care is not medical care, but rather assistance with basic tasks, or custodial care.

Custodial care may involve assistance completing personal tasks, called Activities of Daily Living. These tasks may include bathing, dressing, using the toilet, getting in and out of bed, incontinence care, and feeding.

Additionally, some people require assistance with everyday tasks, called Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. These could include housework, grocery shopping, laundry, taking medication, pet care, meal preparation and clean up, and using the telephone. 

Custodial care will vary in cost depending on the amount of time a caregiver is spending with the patient. It is typically not covered by Medicare, which is why long-term care insurance is so important.