Long-Term Care at the
Highest Skill Level

Long-term care provides around-the-clock support for people who need help with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, and those who need ongoing skilled nursing care. This form of care is delivered in a long-term care community, where residents enjoy safe and homelike apartments with access to help whenever it’s needed.

Long-term care offers more extensive support and supervision than assisted living. The right fit for a person depends on the amount of assistance they require with activities of daily living or with health needs. These two levels of living may exist alongside each other in a community that offers a continuum of care, offering a seamless transition for residents whose need for assistance increases with time.

While “nursing home” is a common term for a long-term care community, this term typically brings to mind a traditional, clinical environment focused strictly on medical supervision. A long-term care community blends professional nursing with personal care and social programs designed to enhance a resident's overall quality of life in a homelike setting.

All WesleyLife communities provide access to key on-site amenities, including:

• Home and lawn maintenance
• Gathering spaces
• Dining venues
• Wellness centers

Some additional amenities you may find include:

• Aquatic centers
• Yoga studios
• Recreation and game rooms
• Libraries
• Guest suites for friends and family
• Art studios
• Woodworking shops
• Salons and barbershops
• Outdoor patios and gardens
• Walking paths
• Cafés and coffee shops
• On-site banking
• General stores

The cost of long-term care depends on the community and the level of care provided. As of 2025, the monthly average for long-term care in Iowa was $10,038 for a private room and $9,277 for a semi-private room. In terms of daily rates, WesleyLife long-term care communities start as low as $341 per day. Keep in mind that the cost of long-term care is comprehensive, replacing many living expenses, including housing costs and meals.

While Medicare offers some coverage for short-term, rehabilitative stays (typically up to 100 days), it doesn’t cover costs associated with a permanent placement in a long-term care community. Depending on their state’s income and asset requirements, some individuals may qualify for assistance with long-term care costs through Medicaid.

Long-term care insurance (LTCI) is a specialized form of coverage designed to help pay for costs that Medicare and traditional health insurance don’t cover. Policyholders pay regular premiums, and if they eventually require support, such as in-home care or a move to an assisted living or long-term care community, they file a claim to receive reimbursement up to the policy’s daily limits. Policies come with terms and conditions that specify certain benefit triggers (e.g., the inability to perform basic tasks, such as bathing or dressing) and waiting periods before coverage begins.

Even with careful financial planning, many families remain anxious about the uncertainties of the future, particularly rising health care costs. We alleviate these concerns through the WesleyLife Promise: our assurance that if a resident outlives their financial resources through no fault of their own, they won’t be asked to leave their home with us. They’ll continue to receive the same high-quality care.

For individuals who require ongoing assistance with activities of daily living and health needs, long-term care can offer the ideal level of support within a safe and homelike setting. Here are some primary indicators that a person may benefit from a transition to long-term care:

• Increasing medical needs, necessitating 24/7 access to skilled nursing care
• Frequent falls or mobility issues that call for help getting around
• Difficulty with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene
• Challenges managing prescriptions and medication dosages
• Burnout among family caregivers who are struggling to meet their loved one’s needs

Ultimately, if the current support system is falling short of meeting a person’s needs, it may be time to explore long-term care.