Cindy Paola Parra Santacruz* and Claudia Liliana Buitrago Martin

Servicio de Medicina Del Dolor Y Cuidados Paliativos, Fundación Universitaria De Ciencias De La Salud FUCS, Bogota, Colombia

*Corresponding Author: Cindy Paola Parra Santacruz, Servicio de Medicina Del Dolor Y Cuidados Paliativos, Fundación Universitaria De Ciencias De La Salud FUCS, Bogota, Colombia.

Received: August 30, 2024; Published: September 26, 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Palliative care for the elderly is of great importance due to the high prevalence of geriatric syndromes and conditions. In Latin America, there is a context of social vulnerability, characterized by limited access to healthcare services, restricted availability of medications, and social phenomena such as forced displacement, victimization due to armed conflict, poverty, and migration. These factors hinder comprehensive access to palliative care for the elderly.

Objectives and Methodology: This paper aims to provide a perspective or reflective review of the challenges associated with geriatric palliative care in Latin America and the need for a multidisciplinary and governmental approach. A literature review was conducted to develop a reflective perspective.

Final Reflection and Conclusions: Barriers to palliative care for the elderly in conditions of poverty and social vulnerability include economic instability, challenges in maintaining health system membership, difficulties with institutional care, and limited family and community support. Among ethnic and indigenous groups, there is a highlighted need for holistic care and an approach that incorporates cultural awareness and linguistic competence. For elderly migrants, the emphasis is on the necessity of integration policies that involve the family and the host community in palliative care. As potential solutions, the paper suggests strengthening local and multisectoral capacities, improving the accessibility of geriatric palliative care and hospice facilities, and adopting a person-centered palliative care approach that includes the elderly, their families, and the community

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Citation

Citation: Cindy Paola Parra Santacruz and Claudia Liliana Buitrago Martin. “Geriatric Palliative Care in Latin America with A Social Approach”.Acta Scientific Medical Sciences 8.10 (2024): 119-123.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2024 Cindy Paola Parra Santacruz and Claudia Liliana Buitrago Martin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.