Study: Nearly 3 in 4 Want In-home Care if Long-Term Care Event Happens

As people live longer, their likelihood of experiencing a long-term care event is increasing – and more than six in 10 (61%) U.S. adults predict that it will happen to them. Should that occur, 74% of Americans say they want to remain in their house and receive in-home care – while just 11% say they would prefer to live in a nursing home.

These are the latest findings from Northwestern Mutual’s 2025 Planning & Progress Study, which examines Americans’ latest attitudes, behaviors and beliefs related to financial planning and financial security.

Long-term care is the assistance provided to someone who has a chronic condition that is progressive in nature, gets worse as time goes on and generally has no cure. Someone who needs long-term care requires help because they are unable to perform at least two activities of daily living, including eating, bathing or showering, getting dressed, using the bathroom and getting in and out of bed or a chair – or they need supervision for a cognitive impairment. Typically, long-term care does not include medical care or treatment of the underlying illness or injury. Read the full report here.