Long-term care is provided for you when you cannot perform some of the daily activities that we all take for granted.  For instance, when we wake up in the morning, we get out of bed, go to the bathroom, take a shower, get dressed, and eat breakfast.  Those functions are considered activities of daily living.  If it is determined by your physician that you need help with two out of six of the activities of daily living, long-term care would be needed.  You may be fine physically, but have difficulty with your short-term memory, or are easily confused.  When you can no longer live safely on your own, long-term care will be provided.