What health problem is most likely to lead to admission into long-term care?

Dementia is the health problem most likely to lead to admission into long-term care because it significantly impacts an individual's cognitive function, memory, and ability to perform daily activities independently. As dementia progresses, the individual often requires increasing levels of assistance with both basic self-care and complex decision-making. Family caregivers may find it challenging to provide the necessary support due to the emotional and physical demands of caring for someone with dementia, ultimately leading to the decision to seek long-term care services.

Chronic respiratory issues, heart disease, and arthritis can certainly contribute to decreased quality of life and the need for some level of assistance, but they typically do not affect cognitive abilities to the extent that dementia does. This cognitive decline makes it harder for patients to stay in their homes safely and manage their care, positioning dementia as a primary driver for long-term care admissions.