Recipients of long-term care

As people age, they are more likely to develop disabilities and need support from family, friends and long-term care (LTC) services. As a result, while LTC services are delivered to younger disabled groups, the majority of LTC recipients are older people. On average across the OECD, more than half of all LTC recipients are aged over 80 and nearly four in five are aged over 65 (). Rising life expectancies mean that older people make up an increasing proportion of the populations of OECD countries. The risk of dementia (see indicator on Dementia prevalence) and other debilitating conditions increases with age, so demand for LTC services is likely to increase – although this effect may be partially offset by improving health in old age. As a result, the average proportion of the population receiving LTC in OECD countries has risen from 1.9% in 2000 to 2.3% in 2013.