Long Term Care Planning Month – Oct. 1, 2026

Long Term Care Planning Month
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ElderlyFinancialLifestyle
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United States
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Every October
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Long Term Care Planning Month dedicates the entire month of October to highlighting the importance of preparing for future care needs. Take this time to educate yourself on options, discuss plans with family, and consult financial advisors to ensure peace of mind.

Want to sponsor Long Term Care Planning Month? Learn how

Expected Long Term Care Planning Month Deals

Long Term Care Planning Month in October focuses on providing educational resources and access to expert advice rather than commercial deals. Organizations like AARP and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) offer free webinars, planning guides, and online tools. Insurance providers such as Genworth Financial and Mutual of Omaha often host informational sessions to explain policy options and benefits. Financial advisors may offer discounted consultations or workshops to help families understand the costs and funding strategies for long-term care. Look for community events and online campaigns from advocacy groups promoting early planning. We will update this page with confirmed live resources as October approaches.

Platform Guide for Long Term Care Planning Month

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #LongTermCarePlanning. Share insights on financial planning and elder care best practices.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #LongTermCarePlanningMonth. Create a community group for local discussions and resource sharing.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #LongTermCarePlanning. Share vital statistics and links to government resources on long-term care.

Social Media Tips for Long Term Care Planning Month

Individuals

Start conversations with family members about future care preferences and financial realities. Research different long-term care options, from in-home assistance to assisted living facilities.

Creators

Produce informative content breaking down complex long-term care concepts into understandable segments. Interview financial planners or elder care specialists to offer expert advice.

Brands

Host free educational webinars or workshops on long-term care planning. Partner with non-profits to distribute resources and offer pro-bono consultations to underserved communities.

Organizations & Brands for Long Term Care Planning Month

  1. AARP

    Founded in 1958, AARP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. AARP provides extensive resources, advocacy, and information on long-term care planning, insurance, and caregiving support.

  2. Genworth Financial

    Genworth Financial, established in 1871, is a leading provider of long-term care insurance in the United States. The company offers various insurance products designed to help individuals and families cover the costs associated with long-term care services.

  3. American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI)

    The AALTCI is a national organization that provides information, education, and advocacy for consumers and professionals regarding long-term care insurance. Founded in 1998, it helps individuals understand their options and find suitable coverage.

  4. National Council on Aging (NCOA)

    Established in 1950, the NCOA is a respected national leader working to improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are struggling. They offer tools and resources to help seniors and their families plan for health, finances, and long-term care.

  5. Mutual of Omaha

    Founded in 1909, Mutual of Omaha is a Fortune 500 mutual insurance company. It offers a range of financial products and services, including long-term care insurance, designed to help protect individuals and families from the rising costs of extended care.

  6. Transamerica

    With roots dating back to 1904, Transamerica is a major financial services company offering life insurance, retirement plans, and investment solutions. They also provide long-term care insurance products to help clients prepare for future health and care expenses.

  7. New York Life

    Founded in 1845, New York Life is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States. It offers a comprehensive suite of financial products, including long-term care solutions, to help individuals protect their assets and ensure access to quality care.

Long Term Care Planning Month Hero

Maggie Kuhn

Maggie Kuhn (1905-1995) was an American activist best known for founding the Gray Panthers movement in 1970. After being forced into retirement at age 65, she became a fierce advocate for elder rights, fighting against ageism and for social justice for older adults. Her work brought national attention to issues facing seniors, including healthcare access and dignified care, significantly influencing the discourse around long-term care and aging with respect.

History of Long Term Care Planning Month

Long-term care plans have existed since the late 1970s. But it wasn’t until the early 1990s that the concept caught on, even though there weren’t many insurance companies offering many options for long-term care insurance.

Long-term care is non-medical, referring to the personal care and services required by the elderly for accomplishing routine activities to have a quality of life. Services include personal grooming, dressing, bathing, eating, and other physical activities. Accommodation is also part of long-term care that may or may not include the aid of skilled nurses.

It is impossible to rely on the go-to sources of income or insurance plan for a comfortable life later. Previous generations relied on their retirement savings, pensions, social security, and other benefits plans for support. Times have changed, and many monetary benefits no longer exist for covering long-term care. Problems now affect adults who are not under the senior citizen bracket living from paycheck to paycheck.

Savings plans require that you start early. The sooner you begin, the more effective it will be. It is not too late to start, and this is what this month aims for.

Long Term Care Planning Month timeline

1965
Lifesaving Initiatives

President Lyndon B. Johnson establishes the Medicare and Medicaid programs on July 30.

1970s
An Early Concept

The concept of long-term care insurance is established.

1980s
New Options

Additional options for long-term care emerge.

1990s
A Must-Have

Long-term care insurance becomes a hot commodity.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Long Term Care Planning Month

Local businesses, particularly financial advisors, elder care services, and human resources departments, can play a pivotal role during Long Term Care Planning Month. Financial planning firms can host free workshops on funding long-term care, while elder care providers can offer consultations on available services. HR departments can provide employees with resources on benefits and planning tools, fostering a culture of proactive preparation for future care needs.

Long Term Care Planning Month FAQs

When is Long Term Care Planning Month?

Long Term Care Planning Month runs throughout October 2026, dedicating the entire month to raising awareness about the critical need for future care planning. It’s an ideal time for families to engage in essential discussions.

How many Americans will need long-term care?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 70% of people turning 65 will need some type of long-term care services in their lifetime. This highlights the widespread need for planning.

What is the average cost of long-term care?

The cost of long-term care varies significantly by location and type of service, but it can be substantial. For example, the national median cost for a private room in a nursing home was over $100,000 per year in 2023.

What types of services does long-term care include?

Long-term care encompasses a range of services designed to help people live independently when they can no longer perform daily activities on their own. This includes assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, and managing medication, often provided in homes, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes.

How to Observe Long Term Care Planning Month

  1. Visit with family and make a plan

    If you don’t have a long-term care plan, you are not alone. But now is a great time to start. Gather your family and discuss everyone’s needs, then select a savings plan that’s best suited to your family.

  2. Explore options and discover what is available to you

    Discover the long-term care plans available. Take advice from experts, see which plans align with your family’s needs, and start as soon as possible.

  3. Use the #LongTermCarePlanningMonth hashtag

    If you didn’t know about this, chances are many others don’t either. Share your knowledge about Long-Term Care Planning Month on social media and let others know that they need to act now.

5 Facts About Long-Term Care Planning You Should Know

  1. You are likely to need it

    An estimated 8.3 million people living in the U.S. require some form of long-term care.

  2. Medicare or Medicaid are not enough

    They’ve limited periods for covering hospice care, home health services, or stays at nursing facilities.

  3. An increased demand

    Aging baby boomers will impact long-term care services in the next two decades.

  4. The younger you start, the better

    Long-term care insurance will greatly ease the financial burden on you and your family.

  5. You may need to liquidate your assets

    Generally, to be eligible for Medicaid, an individual needs to have only $2,000 in countable assets.

Why Long Term Care Planning Month is Important

  1. It gives us a head start

    Long-Term Care Planning Month provides a head start to plan for the upcoming caretaking costs in the future. It is important to be prepared, otherwise, the financial costs will be extremely difficult to maintain.

  2. It ensures better care for seniors

    Investing in long-term care insurance plans is not only better for financial stability, but also ensures that senior citizens get the care and due diligence that they need.

  3. The month creates awareness

    Long-Term Care Planning Month creates awareness among adults and senior citizens, and encourages them to look into long-term care plans. There are many packages available, and the month-long observance serves as a way to inform and educate people about this.

Long Term Care Planning Month dates

Year Date Day
2026 October 1 Thursday
2027 October 1 Friday
2028 October 1 Sunday
2029 October 1 Monday
2030 October 1 Tuesday