16.2% of the population in Chile are older people and life expectancy is 79.5 years, which is the highest in South America. However, the healthy life expectancy is only 69.7 years, remaining on average 9.8 years lived with morbidities which are a public health challenge. Compared to the general population, older people in Chile had less income, less education, less access to technology, increased numbers living alone, and higher gender inequalities. Regarding their health conditions, a higher number of chronic diseases and also higher rates of functional dependence were observed. A growing number of initiatives by the civil society, governmental institutions, academia, and private institutions aim to improve the quality of life in older populations. Their impact is limited because they lack an integrated care system, leading to duplication of services and difficulties to access services. However, some intersectoral strategies have been developed since 2018, such as the “Programa Adulto Mejor” (“Better Adult Program”), which is based on three main pillars: more friendly cities, closer basic services, and healthier lifestyles. Regarding mental health, a working group was formed in 2019 by the National Service for Older People, the Ministry of Health, and representatives from universities and foundations. Its objective has been to assess existing mental health resources: health promotion, prevention, treatment, intersectoral articulation, and training (for older people, professionals, and/or the community). The results of this investigation were delivered in November 2020 and will be addressed in this chapter.

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Geriatric Mental Health Care in Chile: Psychosocial Aspects

  • Roberto Sunkel,
  • Enzo Rozas-Serri,
  • Adrian P. Mundt

摘要

16.2% of the population in Chile are older people and life expectancy is 79.5 years, which is the highest in South America. However, the healthy life expectancy is only 69.7 years, remaining on average 9.8 years lived with morbidities which are a public health challenge. Compared to the general population, older people in Chile had less income, less education, less access to technology, increased numbers living alone, and higher gender inequalities. Regarding their health conditions, a higher number of chronic diseases and also higher rates of functional dependence were observed. A growing number of initiatives by the civil society, governmental institutions, academia, and private institutions aim to improve the quality of life in older populations. Their impact is limited because they lack an integrated care system, leading to duplication of services and difficulties to access services. However, some intersectoral strategies have been developed since 2018, such as the “Programa Adulto Mejor” (“Better Adult Program”), which is based on three main pillars: more friendly cities, closer basic services, and healthier lifestyles. Regarding mental health, a working group was formed in 2019 by the National Service for Older People, the Ministry of Health, and representatives from universities and foundations. Its objective has been to assess existing mental health resources: health promotion, prevention, treatment, intersectoral articulation, and training (for older people, professionals, and/or the community). The results of this investigation were delivered in November 2020 and will be addressed in this chapter.