Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.
According to a 2018 study published by the National Institutes of Health, the median survival time for new nursing home residents was 2.2 years. This statistic provides important context for understanding what is the average lifespan in a nursing home and why the numbers can be misleading.
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, a significant portion of older adults will need long-term care services at some point. The duration of stay, or **how long do people live in long-term care facilities**, is a complex question with no single answer, as it depends on many individual and situational factors.
Over 41 million Americans provide unpaid care for an adult age 50 or older, with the vast majority being family members. Understanding who are the majority of people providing long-term care for dependent elderly is crucial for recognizing this vital, yet often hidden, workforce.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average length of stay in a skilled nursing facility is about 485 days, or just over a year. Understanding **how long does a person last in a nursing home** requires exploring a wide range of factors beyond just the average, as individual circumstances vary greatly.
While the average age of nursing home residents is around 81 years old, national statistics reveal that the population is highly diverse. A significant portion is over 85, yet a notable percentage of residents are under 65, challenging common assumptions about who receives this type of care and addressing the question of how old are most residents of nursing homes?.
According to the Administration on Aging, an estimated 70% of adults aged 65 and older will require long-term care at some point in their lives, with some needing placement in a nursing home. The decision to move into a nursing home is influenced by a combination of demographic, health, social, and financial factors that increase the likelihood of needing skilled, round-the-clock care.
According to a 2025 report, the overall average nursing home stay is approximately 485 days, or just over a year. This figure can be misleading, however, as the duration is highly dependent on whether the stay is for short-term rehabilitation or long-term custodial care, and is also influenced by personal health and demographics.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a person turning 65 today has an almost 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care (LTC) services in their remaining years. A person's specific situation, however, can lead to a duration vastly different from the average, making it essential to understand the variables at play when asking, **How long do most people need LTC?**
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over one-third of all nursing home residents are aged 85 and older. This reflects a strong correlation between advanced age and the need for a higher level of care, making those in the oldest age brackets the group most likely to be in nursing homes.
Millions of Americans require and receive long-term care services, revealing a complex picture of where and how seniors and others with disabilities receive support. This diverse care landscape includes millions residing in institutional settings, supplemented by a growing population receiving in-home and community-based services. In this article, we explore the answer to the question: **How many people live in long-term care in the US?**
