Long-term care (LTC) is a variety of services that help meet both the medical and non-medical needs of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods. These services can be provided formally or informally. Formal LTC services are typically provided by facilities that offer living accommodation for people who require around-the-clock supervised care, including professional health services, personal care, and services such as meals, laundry, and housekeeping. These facilities may go under various names, such as nursing home, personal care facility, residential continuing care facility, etc., and are operated by different providers. Informal LTC services, on the other hand, are provided by family members, friends, or other unpaid caregivers.

LTC services include medical and non-medical care provided to people who are unable to perform basic activities of daily living such as dressing or bathing. Examples of LTC services include:

• Someone to monitor your health or help you take medication
• Someone to help you bathe, dress or use the bathroom
• Someone to prepare or deliver meals
• Someone to help you clean or maintain your home
• Someone to drive you to doctor appointments
• Someone to provide a break (also called respite care) for caregivers

In Canada, facility-based long-term care is not publicly insured under the Canada Health Act in the same way as hospital and physician services. Funding for LTC facilities is governed by.