The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) presented yesterday the study “Public Policies on Long-Term Care: Experiences to Improve the Quality of Life of Older Persons in Situations of Dependency and of Caregivers,” prepared by the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE) – ECLAC’s Population Division.

The document examines policies, programmes, and international experiences with the aim of guiding the development of services that guarantee the rights of older persons and caregivers—both paid and unpaid—in Brazil. It also outlines the potential, challenges, and relevance of implementing such services at the federal, regional, and municipal levels.

The study was officially presented by Simone Cecchini, Director of CELADE, to Laís Wendel Abramo, Brazil’s National Secretary of Care, during a meeting held at ECLAC headquarters in Santiago, Chile. Following the presentation, the Secretary outlined the principal advances, opportunities, and challenges in implementing Brazil’s National Care Policy.

The report was prepared by Simone Cecchini, Yaël Paes, research assistant and consultant Muriel Abad, as part of the technical assistance provided to the National Secretariat for Care and Family Policy of Brazil’s Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and the Fight Against Hunger.

The authors propose a typology of long-term care policies based on four fundamental dimensions:

• the well-being and autonomy of older persons in situations of dependency; 
• the comprehensive well-being of caregivers; 
• decent work, recognition, certification, and training in care work; 
• information and the promotion of cultural change. 

The study also sets out guidelines for developing a relevant and efficient programme offering, aligned with Brazil’s National Care Plan. It underscores the need to consolidate comprehensive and integrated public care systems that support families and caregivers—primarily women— while encouraging greater participation by communities and the private sector.

In December 2024, Brazil’s Federal Senate unanimously approved Law No. 15.069, establishing the National Care Policy. This law recognizes care as both a right and essential work for sustaining those who require support and assistance, as well as for the economy and society as a whole. Among the target population of this policy are people aged 60 and over who require support and care to carry out basic and instrumental activities of daily life.  This population group is growing rapidly and, along with the greater likelihood of experiencing dependency situations associated with increased longevity, contributes to a sustained increase in the demand for long-term care.