How many ADLs must a person typically be unable to perform to qualify for LTC benefits?

How many ADLs must a person typically be unable to perform to qualify for LTC benefits?

• A. two
• B. one
• C. three
• D. four

Answer: (A)

The standard trigger for long-term care benefits is a person’s inability to perform a certain number of basic daily tasks, known as activities of daily living (ADLs). The six basic ADLs are bathing, dressing, transferring (moving from bed to chair), toileting, continence, and eating. When someone can’t perform two or more of these without help, that level of dependence signals a clear, ongoing need for care and is the typical threshold used to qualify for LTC benefits. Some plans may require three ADLs or consider cognitive impairment in addition to ADL limits, but two is the common benchmark.

The standard trigger for long-term care benefits is a person’s inability to perform a certain number of basic daily tasks, known as activities of daily living (ADLs). The six basic ADLs are bathing, dressing, transferring (moving from bed to chair), toileting, continence, and eating. When someone can’t perform two or more of these without help, that level of dependence signals a clear, ongoing need for care and is the typical threshold used to qualify for LTC benefits. Some plans may require three ADLs or consider cognitive impairment in addition to ADL limits, but two is the common benchmark.