Long-term care involves a wide variety of services for people with a prolonged illness, disability or cognitive disorder (such as Alzheimer's disease). Long-term care is not one service, but many different services aimed at providing people with the help they need when a prolonged illness or disability keeps them from being able to care of themselves. It can range from help with day-to-day activities in the home (custodial care such as dressing, preparing meals, bathing, etc.) to more sophisticated services such as skilled nursing care in your home or a nursing facility. Persons with physical illnesses or disabilities often need hands-on-assistance with activities of daily living. Persons with cognitive impairments generally need supervision, protection or verbal reminders to accomplish everyday activities. Skilled care and personal care remain the most common terms used to describe long-term care and the level of care a person may need.

Skilled care is generally needed for medical conditions that require care by skilled medical personnel, such as registered nurses or professional therapists. This care is usually provided 24 hours a day, is ordered by a physician, and involves a treatment plan. Skilled care is generally provided in a nursing home, but may also be provided in other settings such as the patient's home with help from visiting nurses or therapists.

Personal care (also known as custodial care) helps a person perform activities of daily living, which include assistance with bathing, eating, dressing, using the toilet, continence and transferring. It is less intensive or complicated than skilled care and can be provided in many settings, including nursing homes, adult day care centers or at home.