Políticas públicas de cuidados a mayores dependientes en América Latina: Financiamiento, equidad y modelos[Public policies for care for dependent older adults in Latin America: Financing, equity and models]

Latin America ages. It does so very quickly, in unhealthy conditions and with low-income levels. In the coming decades, the number of older people who will not be able to perform their daily life activities on their own will increase rapidly. This phenomenon has already been faced by rich countries over the past three decades. But unlike them, the region does not have the resources or social protection systems of these countries. Thinking and planning health policies associated with this phenomenon should be a priority of Latin American governments. This communication discusses the main work carried out on the subject: the diagnosis of the region, current policy trends, pilot programs in Chile and the National Care System of Uruguay.