It is difficult to predict how much or what type of care any one person might need.  On average, someone age 65 today will need some long-term care services for three years.  Service and support needs vary from one person to the next and often change over time. Women need care for longer (on average 3.7 years) than do men (on average 2.2 years).  While about one-third of today's 65-year-olds may never need long-term care services, 20 percent of them will need care for more than five years.

If you need long-term care, you may need one or more of the following:

• Care or assistance with activities of daily living in your home from an unpaid caregiver who can be a family member or friend; 
• Services at your home from a nurse, home health/home care aide, therapist, or homemaker;
• Care in the community; and/or
• Care in any of a variety of long-term facilities. 

Generally, services provided by caregivers who are family or friends are unpaid.  This is sometimes called informal care.  Paid services are sometimes referred to as formal services.  Paid services often supplement the services provided by family and friends.