Why do people need long-term care? There are four basic reasons you may need long-term care. The first is prolonged illness, and the second is injury and disability. In both cases, you may need help temporarily or permanently, depending on the severity of the health condition. The third and fourth reasons are cognitive impairment and the frailties of aging. In these cases, you are more likely to need help permanently. On average, men need long-term care for more than two years, while women need long-term care for nearly four years. Women live about five years longer than men and are more likely to live at home alone when they are older.