As Brazil transitions into an aging society, its population is at an increased risk of chronic illness, multimorbidity, cognitive impairment, and disability. This demographic shift poses a significant challenge for older adults vulnerable to living with disabilities and needing support, which may result in unmet needs. To better understand this issue, this study aims to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of older Brazilian adults who experience limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and identify any unmet needs. The study also aims to describe the care providers and the funding sources for this care and to examine the consequences of unmet needs on this population. Using the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging with a sample of 9,882 adults aged 50 or older, the study’s findings revealed that people with ADL limitations represented 9.9% of the population, and 12.8% of this group had unmet needs. Living alone or with people other than a child or partner predicted unmet needs in this group. The prevalence of IADL limitations was 18.6 %, and among this group, 8.2% had unmet needs. Being underweight and with three or more chronic conditions predicted unmet needs in this group. Met needs also increase with age. Unmet needs have physical, psychological, and social consequences. In particular, the unmet ADL needs were related to social isolation, and those with unmet IADL were less likely to visit a doctor. Most of the care for older Brazilians is provided by family members; unpaid family members, usually married women with no specific training, provide care in Brazil, but this may be inadequate with changing families. Paid care increases with age, having private health insurance, living alone, and urban residence. Results from our study provide strong motivation for policy changes that support caregivers, paid workers, and long-term formal care services. The development of integrated health care services, including paid home and community-based care services, is needed in building Brazil’s long-term care system.