PAHO, IDB urge countries to strengthen long-term care systems
Key Points(5)
- A joint policy brief by the two organizations projects that 306 million people in the Americas, or more than one in four residents, will be aged 60 or older by 2050, increasing demand for long-term care services.
- “As the population ages, countries will need to expand services that help people maintain their autonomy, functional ability and quality of life, while supporting those who provide care,” the report stated.
- Released ahead of the International Day of Care and Support on Oct.
- 29, the publication identifies fragmented health and social services and insufficient financing as major barriers to providing coordinated, affordable care.
- PAHO said 88% of countries that responded to the 2025 midterm review of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing reported including long-term care in national legislation, policies or plans, up from 61% in 2020.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are urging countries across the Americas to strengthen their long-term care systems, warning that fragmented services and inadequate public financing are leaving families to shoulder much of the responsibility for caring for people who require ongoing assistance.
A joint policy brief by the two organizations projects that 306 million people in the Americas, or more than one in four residents, will be aged 60 or older by 2050, increasing demand for long-term care services.
“As the population ages, countries will need to expand services that help people maintain their autonomy, functional ability and quality of life, while supporting those who provide care,” the report stated.
Released ahead of the International Day of Care and Support on Oct. 29, the publication identifies fragmented health and social services and insufficient financing as major barriers to providing coordinated, affordable care.
PAHO said 88% of countries that responded to the 2025 midterm review of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing reported including long-term care in national legislation, policies or plans, up from 61% in 2020.
However, only 15 of PAHO's 35 member states reported having a formal, publicly funded long-term care system. Of the 27 countries that responded to a separate question, only seven reported legally recognizing informal caregivers and providing them with an entitlement to support.
“Investing in long-term care is not simply an expenditure,” said PAHO Deputy Director Mary Lou Valdez, adding that such investment can support families, strengthen the health workforce and advance universal health coverage.
The brief noted that families often fill gaps in formal services through unpaid caregiving or direct payments. The economic value of informal long-term care is estimated at between 0.8% and 4.9% of annual gross domestic product.
It calls for closer coordination between health and social protection services, including shared assessments and care plans, clearly defined responsibilities, quality standards and sustainable financing.
Uruguay's National Integrated Care System, established in 2015, is cited as an example of an integrated approach. The system brings together government ministries, local authorities and civil society organizations to coordinate care policies, services and financing. It also uses standardized assessments to determine care needs and eligibility for support, with financing and co-payments linked to income.
PAHO said its Regional Policy on Long-Term Care 2025-2034 promotes better coordination, financing and quality of care through primary health care and community-based services, while supporting caregivers and helping people maintain their functional abilities.
The organizations are scheduled to hold a high-level dialogue on Oct. 29 to discuss how countries, including those in the Caribbean, can make long-term care more accessible, equitable and sustainable.
