A wide range of consumer directed assistance, services or devices provided over an extended period of time and designed to meet medical, personal and social needs in a variety of settings or locations to enable a person to live as independently as possible.

The phrase long term care has been around for a long time.  For years, many people thought it exclusively meant nursing home care. Today, long term care is defined more broadly.  It includes a variety of care and services over an extended period of time that can be provided in many settings including:

• In your home; 
• At other sites in your community;
• In a managed residential setting; or 
• In an institutional setting.

In fact, your choice of provider care and services can make it possible for you to continue to live at home rather than in a nursing home or other type of residence.  Residential options are sometimes appropriate, however.  It really depends on your needs and circumstances.