La OPS observa el Día Internacional de los Cuidados y el Apoyo, llamando a apoyar a las personas dependientes y a los cuidadores – OPS/OMS

Washington, DC, October 29, 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) joins the celebration of the International Day of Care and Support this October 29 to remember the importance of care at all stages of life and to urge the implementation of policies that not only support dependent people, but also strengthen the care workforce.

As global populations age and demand for aged care intensifies, it is essential to recognise, value and support care work through comprehensive policies that benefit both formal and informal care workers.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, around 14.4% of the population aged 65 or over is dependent on care. This reality underscores the need for a renewed approach to ensure that all individuals have access to the care necessary to live with dignity. However, many caregivers, predominantly women, face significant challenges: low wages, limited benefits, and an unpaid workload that negatively impacts their health and well-being.

The PAHO Directing Council this month approved the Policy on Long-Term Care, which guides Member States in building sustainable capacities that promote equity and support for care-dependent populations. This policy not only seeks to address the growing demand for care, but also to highlight the crucial contribution of unpaid carers.

“The growing demand for long-term care represents a significant challenge for health and social protection systems in the Americas region,” commented James Fitzgerald, Director of Health Systems and Services at PAHO. “This policy provides a strategic framework to ensure that countries are prepared to meet these needs,” he added.

With life expectancy increasing, the number of people requiring long-term care is constantly rising. It is estimated that more than 8 million older people in the region currently need care, and this number could triple by 2050. The new policy calls on countries to invest in person-centred formal care services and support informal caregivers, whose work is essential, but often unrecognized.

he International Day of Care and SupportEstablished in 2023 by the United Nations General Assembly, it also serves as a call to action to invest in a resilient and inclusive care economy. In addition, it is presented as a complement to the Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030), which is the main UN strategy to build a society for all ages.

PAHO calls on governments and all stakeholders to implement policies that not only support dependent people but also strengthen the care workforce. “By prioritizing investment in long-term care, we can reduce dependence on unpaid family care and improve the quality of life for dependent people and their families,” Fitzgerald noted.