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PAHO Outlines Framework for Regional Eldercare Reform

A new policy brief calls for improved long-term care systems as the population of older adults in the Americas continues to grow.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Eldercare

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The Pan American Health Organization and Inter-American Development Bank have released a framework aimed at improving eldercare governance and financing across the Americas. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should governments provide more public funding for long-term elder care instead of relying on families?

The Pan American Health Organization and the Inter-American Development Bank released a joint policy brief detailing strategies for the governance and financing of long-term care. This guidance comes as nations across the Americas work to address the rising needs of an aging population.

Why it matters

Fragmented services and inadequate funding often prevent nations from meeting the needs of older citizens, forcing informal caregivers to fill significant gaps in support. Providing formal systems is essential as the demographic shift toward an older population accelerates.

Only 15 of 35 PAHO member states currently operate formal, publicly funded long-term care systems. Furthermore, just seven responding countries provide legal recognition and support entitlements for informal caregivers.

The players

Pan American Health Organization

This specialized international health agency works to improve health and living standards across the countries of the Americas.

Inter-American Development Bank

This institution provides financial and technical support to promote economic and social development throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

The details

The report highlights the necessity of shared governance structures, such as those implemented in Uruguay, to coordinate services across government ministries. It emphasizes that informal care represents an economic value ranging from 0.8 to 4.9 percent of GDP across surveyed nations.

Timeline

  1. Uruguay established its National Integrated Care System in 2015.

  2. Sixty-one percent of countries included long-term care in national policies by 2020.

  3. A UN survey revealed 88 percent of countries had long-term care policies by 2025.

  4. The policy brief was released around the October 29, 2026, International Day of Care and Support.

  5. Projected population estimates indicate 306 million people in the Americas will be aged 60 or older by 2050.

Culture Shift

This policy brief follows the strategic objectives set by the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing midterm review. It signals a move away from fragmented, informal support toward standardized, nationalized systems for aging populations.

Readers may see changes in how their local government coordinates social services and elder support programs based on these regional framework recommendations. These shifts could eventually lead to new standardized assessments for determining care needs and eligibility for public assistance.

The takeaway

Nations are increasingly recognizing the necessity of formalizing long-term care through national legislation and coordinated governance. Families should stay informed about potential shifts in care eligibility standards as these systemic updates are adopted.

Further reading

Learn more about the evolving strategies for supporting aging populations at the Eldercare section.

Live Poll

Should governments provide more public funding for long-term elder care instead of relying on families?