Although long-term care(LTC) system is included in the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan in this country, physical therapists rarely provide services to patients at their homes or in LTC institutes. This is mainly the direct result of the non-reimbursement policy of the NHI and the shortage of physical therapists for LTC. The purpose of this article is to review and elucidate the need and benefits of physical therapy in LTC and hope to encourage more therapists to become involved in LTC. In 1990, approximately 55000 Taiwanese elderly had severe health problem and were unable to enjoy independent living. Eighty-eight percent of them live at home. Regardless of age gruops, approximately 40% of these home nursing care recipients are stroke victims. Studies reported that care providers and nurses expressed a need for physical therapy involvement in home health care. In a survey of institutional residents, functional limitations resulted from multiple joint range limitations, pain, and weakness were reported. These problems are indications for physical therapy. Thus there is a need for physical therapy intervention for home-bound and institutionalized patients Both home and institutional physical therapy involvement have been shown to be beneficial to the patients. Home physical therapy may decrease the length of hospital stay, improve motor function, and improve patient compliance to home exercises due to the awareness and participation of the family members. Physical therapy services provided in LTC institutions may increase the possibility of successful return of patients to their homes, decrease their dependence on wheel chairs or assistive devices. Furthermore, a higher therapist/patient ratio tends to enhance patient's funtional performance and decreases the cost for each nursing home bed per year.