long-term care (LTC)

A system of providing social, personal, and health care services over a sustained period to people who in some way suffer from functional impairment, including a limited ability to perform the activities of daily living (ADL) such as dressing, eating, bathing, using the toilet, cooking, shopping, or taking medicine. LTC services are required mostly by older people, adults with developmental disabilities, people with mental illness, and people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is provided by professionals, family members, and volunteers under public or private auspices in nursing homes, boarding houses, assisted-living centers, day care centers, and community-based facilities. In addition to health care and case management services, LTC services include transportation, escort, homemaker services, night sitting, recreation, home health services, home meals, and ombudsperson services. See also longterm longterm care (LTLTC).