The elderly and implications of their biopsychosocial needs for health care in Latin America

The elderly population is growing worldwide. In 2017 there were 962 million people over 60 years old, and according to projections for 2050, it is expected to double to 2100 million. Europe in 2017 registered the highest percentage of the population aged 60 or over (25%) compared to the rest of the world. In that same year in Latin America there were 77 million older adults. According to the data, the pace of aging in developing countries is faster than in developed countries. Therefore, Latin America will have less time to adapt to the consequences of population aging, which include dependence on other people, socio-economic impact, and multiple manifestations and consequences of the aging process.1