Abstract

Chile is experiencing a period of accelerated population aging. It is predicted that by 2050, older adults will constitute more than one-third of the population. This increased aging population brings challenges related to loneliness, access to health services, and network management. This article reviews the main health benefits, programs, and networks that healthcare professionals can implement within Primary Health Care to benefit older adults. A narrative review of the literature focused on the benefits, health support networks, and programs available for this age group was conducted. Among the main programs reviewed are home care for severely dependent individuals, home hospitalization, preventive medical screening for older adults, more self-sufficient older adults, and complementary nutrition for older adults, and the national immunization program. These programs are complemented by explicit health guarantees specific to older adults, the law of preferential care for the older adults, and other benefits available through municipal and government channels. Knowledge of these programs and benefits for older adults is vitally important for the healthcare team working in family health centers, since for many older adults, healthcare professionals and students are the primary source of health information for their patients. Promoting and disseminating the use of these relevant programs and health benefits is a key step toward making Chile better prepared for the health challenges of aging through teamwork with a network perspective.

Keywords

primary health care, mayors, support networks, social determinants of health, community networks