Report warns of growing Caribbean demand for long-term care

WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are urging countries across the Americas to strengthen long-term care systems, warning that fragmented services and inadequate public financing are leaving families to shoulder much of the burden of caring for people who need ongoing assistance.

A joint policy brief by the two organisations 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.

“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.