Puerto Rico has advanced its long-term care and healthy aging agenda through the implementation of a Ten-Year Healthy Aging Plan, supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The initiative focuses on improving care systems for older adults and addressing the challenges of a rapidly aging population.
The effort is being implemented with technical assistance from the Pan American Health Organization and was highlighted during the 8th Annual Healthy Aging Conference organized by Puerto Rico’s Department of Health in collaboration with international partners.
Puerto Rico is among the territories in the Americas with one of the highest proportions of older adults, with nearly 30% of its population aged 60 or above. This demographic shift is placing increased pressure on health systems and social services, prompting reforms aimed at strengthening long-term care, improving access to services, and promoting independent living for older persons.
Health officials emphasized the need to transition toward integrated, person-centered care models that combine home-based services, community support, and institutional care. These approaches are aligned with PAHO’s long-term care policy framework and broader regional strategies for aging populations.
A key component of the plan is support for informal caregivers, who play a central role in delivering day-to-day care. Data presented at the conference show that a significant share of caregivers are women and older adults themselves, highlighting the need for training, support systems, and recognition of unpaid care work.
PAHO representatives stressed that strengthening long-term care systems is essential to ensuring dignity and quality of life for older adults while preparing health systems for continued demographic change across the region.
The initiative is part of the broader Decade of Healthy Aging 2021–2030, with PAHO continuing to provide technical guidance to help Puerto Rico expand community-based programs, build workforce capacity, and improve coordination across health and social services systems.
Overall, the strategy reflects a regional shift toward proactive aging policies that prioritize prevention, autonomy, and integrated care models in response to rapidly aging populations.
