The United States is approaching a period when the need for elder care is expected to increase significantly. The aging population is not uniform, however. While many people between 65 and 84 can still live independently, the likelihood of needing help with daily activities rises considerably with age.
This distinction matters for families preparing for long-term care. The growing population of adults in their 80s and 90s could place additional pressure on caregivers, care providers, public programs and family finances. Preparing for potential shortfalls requires looking beyond whether someone has retirement savings and considering how care will be provided.
Many older adults remain independent well into retirement. The likelihood of needing substantial assistance rises sharply later in life, particularly after age 85.
Demographic trends make this increasingly important. The large baby boomer generation has driven rapid growth among people in their 60s and 70s. As the oldest members of that generation reach their mid-80s, the population most likely to need significant assistance will also grow.
Families should therefore consider long-term care as a possibility in the future even when an older relative is currently healthy and independent.
Someone who needs little or no assistance at 70 may have very different needs at 85 or 90. Cognitive decline, mobility problems, chronic illness and difficulty performing everyday activities can all change the type of support a person requires.
Planning based only on current health can, therefore, leave families unprepared for later needs. A long-term care plan should account for the possibility that circumstances may change substantially over several years.
When paid care is unavailable or unaffordable, family members often become the fallback source of assistance.
That may involve providing care directly, coordinating services, paying for additional help, or changing a parent's living arrangements. These responsibilities can affect an adult child's employment, retirement savings, household finances and the ability to care for other family members.
The consequences can extend across generations. An adult child who reduces work hours or leaves employment to provide care may lose income and retirement contributions while also taking on additional expenses.
Medicaid can play an important role in helping eligible individuals pay for certain long-term care services. However, coverage varies by care type, eligibility requirements and state rules.
Families should not assume that every service needed at home will necessarily be covered. Nursing home care and home-based assistance can be treated differently, and changes in public funding may also affect the availability of certain services.
A realistic care plan should consider personal savings, retirement income, insurance, public benefits, family assistance and the expected cost of different care options.
Understanding these resources in advance gives families more time to identify potential gaps. It can also make it easier to determine whether changes to an estate plan or financial strategy are appropriate.
Waiting until a parent needs immediate assistance can leave families with difficult choices and limited time.
Proactive planning lets individuals consider where they would prefer to receive care, who they want involved in decisions and how available resources could be used. It also provides an opportunity to establish Powers of Attorney and healthcare documents before incapacity makes those decisions more difficult.
Medicaid planning may also require advance consideration because certain transfers and financial transactions can affect eligibility. Also, there could be an opportunity to protect assets if you seek the advice of an elder law attorney. Understand the applicable rules before making major decisions.
Long-term care planning should account for more than the needs of the person who may eventually require assistance.
A spouse may need resources to continue living independently. Children may have their own retirement and financial obligations. Other relatives may be willing to help but unable to provide substantial care without affecting their employment or household.
A plan that relies entirely on family members should, therefore, be evaluated realistically. Discussing expectations in advance can help families identify responsibilities before a crisis forces those decisions.
Estate planning and long-term care planning frequently overlap.
Financial Powers of Attorney can establish who may manage financial affairs during incapacity. Healthcare Powers of Attorney and Living Wills can communicate medical preferences and identify who should participate in healthcare decisions. Trusts, beneficiary designations and property ownership can also affect how assets are managed during life and distributed afterward.
Review these documents together, rather than as isolated pieces of a plan. The objective is to create a coordinated strategy that addresses both potential care needs and the person's broader financial and family goals.
The growing older population may make access to affordable care more difficult for many families. Even if government programs and private services remain available, demand could put additional pressure on caregivers and resources.
Families cannot predict exactly what care an older relative will eventually need. They can, however, prepare for several possibilities. Reviewing finances, understanding potential public benefits, discussing family responsibilities and keeping estate planning documents current can provide greater flexibility when circumstances change.
Planning early gives families more time to make deliberate decisions rather than respond after options have narrowed.
Reference: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College (Oct. 23, 2025) "The Coming Elder Care Challenge: More People Are Beginning to Notice"
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