What is a long-term care facility?

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Long-term care facilities are places that provide ongoing supervision and assistance for people who can’t live independently because of chronic illness or disability. They offer medical care—like medication management, wound care, or rehabilitative services—along with help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and meals, available around the clock. This is different from an acute-care hospital that treats emergencies and short-term illnesses, or a setting that only houses people waiting for surgery, which is temporary. It’s also not home-based services without on-site care, since long-term care facilities provide continuous on-site support. Examples include skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, designed for longer-term stay and daily support.