The Costs of Long Term Care for Those with Cognitive Impairments in England

Abstract

This paper examines the nature of long-term care for older adults with cognitive impairments in England1. Long-term care (LTC), which in England is commonly referred to as adult social care, is care that supports daily activities of living for older and disabled individuals to enhance their quality of life. This includes care services ranging from nursing home stays to home-based assistance with tasks like washing, dressing, and eating. For older people with cognitive impairment, such as dementia for example, there may be additional specialized care and support that is necessary. This paper shows that the high care needs of older individuals is largely attributable to those with cognitive impairments: approximately half of the total care costs of the age 65+ population in England are attributable to the 8.5% of individuals with cognitive limitations.