Long-term care can mean a number of different services. Typically, both medically and non-medically related services qualify as long-term. This care helps those in need who may be suffering from a disability or a chronic illness. Daily activities such as dressing and bathing can be difficult for many people. Long-term care helps these people to live their daily lives by providing aides and other services. Long-term care can be provided in a number of facilities. Many long-term care patients get the help that they need at home. Others may be in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Long-term care is not only for the elderly. People of any age may need long-term care services for a variety of reasons. Those who do need long-term care, on whatever level, may wonder about how to pay for these services. You can pay for care in many ways. Medicare typically does not pay for these types of services. Of course, Medicare does generally pay for medically necessary home health services and many skilled nursing facilities. It does not however, pay for services that are referred to as custodial care. This is when someone needs assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing and other daily tasks. This is considered non-skilled care and Medicare does not pick up the bill for these services. There are some Medicare Advantage plans that will help with coverage for these types of services, but you should check your policy carefully to ensure that you are covered for long-term care in this realm. For those who receive Medicare along with Medicaid, you may find that long-term care payment is much easier to find. Medicaid does often pay for elderly people who have lower than average incomes to be admitted into nursing homes. In many states, Medicaid also pays for long-term care at home through the help of home-health aides and other resources. If you have Medicaid, be sure to check with your representative to learn about whether or not you are covered for long-term care should you need it. No matter how you pay for it, either with Medicare, Medicaid or privately, long-term care should be chosen very carefully. You should make plans for your long-term care even if you never need it. Make sure that you spend some time researching the options that are available in your area. You may have family that can help to take care of you should the need arise. If not, then you should be prepared with whatever choices you have. It is very important to make your decision before you actually need these services. It helps to take the stress off your family as well as yourself if you plan ahead. You can find much information about the long-term care facilities and services that are available in your area by contacting your local Medicare representative or your local Department of Human Services. Long-term care is one of those things that most people prefer not to think about, but one of the most important decisions that you may make in your lifetime.