South America Geriatric care service Market Outlook, 2030

With Brazil and Argentina becoming major players, South America's market for geriatric care has grown steadily over the last few decades. In the beginning, these nations' formal elderly care services were few, and the majority of the care was given by extended families. By the late 20th century, though, increased urbanization, shifting family structures, and advancements in public healthcare resulted in more organized frameworks for the care of the elderly. The increasing awareness of South America as a key region in the global geriatric care landscape, particularly as its aging population increases significantly, is reflected in this change worldwide.

The urgent need for specialized geriatric care services has arisen from the rise in life expectancy throughout South America, notably in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Healthcare systems must place an increasing emphasis on chronic disease management, mobility support, and mental health care designed for the elderly as life expectancy rises. These services are essential to meeting the needs of aging communities and ensuring that older individuals retain their dignity and living standards. Since the mid-20th century, South American governments have implemented social security and pension schemes, such as Brazil's National Policy for the Elderly (1994).

These efforts laid the groundwork for organized senior care, particularly for low-income elderly people who rely on government services. In reality, geriatric care encompasses a wide range of medical, psychological, and social services tailored to the requirements of the elderly. Geriatric care in rural South America is frequently provided by public clinics and community health professionals, while urban areas have more specialized clinics and private-sector practitioners. This gap between urban and rural areas continues to be a problem.

Particularly, Brazil has made considerable strides in digital health technologies. With the support of national telehealth programs, telemedicine platforms are now providing geriatric consultations to underserved areas. By bridging access gaps among Brazil's varied aging population, startups like Laura and Memed are enhancing telemedicine's role in home-based healthcare, elderly counseling, and chronic disease monitoring.

According to the research report, "South America Geriatric Care Market Outlook, 2030," the South America Geriatric Care market is anticipated to add to more than USD 20 Million by 2025-30. The aging population in major economies like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, coupled with greater public understanding of healthcare and changing political landscapes, is the main cause of this expansion. The industry is shifting away from informal, family-run elder care and toward more organized, professionalized services. Recent initiatives have expedited the modernization of South America's senior care industry.

In particular, Brazil's collaboration with international healthcare technology companies has aided the integration of telehealth services, smart home medical monitoring, and remote geriatric consultations. Argentina has also established public-private partnerships to improve elderly care facilities with digital technologies and employee training initiatives.

Rede D'Or São Luiz in Brazil, which provides high-end elder care services and specialized clinics for seniors, and the Grupo Sancor Seguros in Argentina, which offers customized healthcare packages for the elderly, are two notable geriatric care providers in the area. These athletes offer a combination of medical monitoring, rehabilitation, psychological help, and residential care.

The development of retirement communities is becoming a major potential for development in South America. The need for gated, well-equipped retirement communities increases as middle-class affluence increases in nations like Brazil and Uruguay. These communities address the social isolation problems that many seniors experience in urban areas by providing safety, companionship, and convenient access to medical treatment.

The safety and quality of geriatric treatment services in Brazil is greatly regulated by ANVISA Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. ANVISA's strict regulations governing facility hygiene, medication management, and the credentials of healthcare professionals ensure that the care of the elderly adheres to national health standards. These regulatory frameworks offer families peace of mind when entrusting the care of their elderly loved ones to institutional care providers.

Market Drivers

• Expanding Senior Population:The population of South America is aging at a rapid pace, particularly in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Due to increased access to healthcare and higher life expectancy, the percentage of people over 65 is rising. The need for organized geriatric care, such as home care, nursing homes, and specialized medical services, is growing as a result of this demographic change. As family structures change and less informal care is available, this demand is exacerbated by urbanization. Chronic illnesses in older people require even more healthcare as life expectancy increases.
• Government Healthcare Programs:Governments in nations like Brazil and Argentina have implemented initiatives aimed at the wellbeing of the elderly, such as subsidized healthcare and specialized insurance plans. Increasingly popular public-private partnerships are promoting infrastructure development for daycare facilities and retirement homes. The integration of elderly care programs into comprehensive health strategies is becoming more and more emphasized in national healthcare frameworks. Furthermore, training, capacity building, and infrastructure centered on the elderly have all benefited from World Bank-backed programs and international partnerships.

Market Challenges

• Insufficient Skilled Labor Force:There continues to be a severe shortage of skilled geriatric healthcare professionals in the area, including caregivers, physiotherapists, and nurses. A lot of healthcare establishments don't have designated geriatric units or qualified staff. This deficit reduces the quality of services, particularly in rural areas. The funding for training programs is either inadequate or inconsistent. Elder care facilities will have difficulty meeting growing demand if there isn't a large investment made in skill development.
• Economic Disparities:In several South American countries, high levels of income inequality limit the availability of high-quality geriatric care for lower-income groups. While wealthy families may afford top-tier services, the majority of seniors are entirely dependent on the restricted resources of the public health system. In nations with healthcare budget limits or high inflation, this gap is especially noticeable. As a result, there are discrepancies in healthcare outcomes for older people among different socioeconomic groups.

Market Trends

• Increasing Telemedicine:The use of telehealth and telemedicine is growing in South America, offering digital health records, medication monitoring, and remote consultations for older patients. In order to cater to the demands of the elderly, Brazilian and Argentinian startups are launching mobile platforms and home-based diagnostic kits. Particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, older people have become far more open to virtual care.
• Growth of Retirement Towns:In cities like São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo, assisted living facilities and retirement communities are growing. The appeal of these communities stems from their combination of healthcare services with lifestyle amenities like wellness centers and recreational activities, which provides both social interaction and access to medical care. Demand is particularly high among middle- and upper-income individuals seeking independence with medical security.

Due to rising urbanization and the need for daytime elderly care as more family members join the workforce, adult day care is the fastest-growing service in South America's geriatric care market.

Changes in family dynamics and rising urbanization are the main factors behind the expansion of the adult day care industry in the South American geriatric care sector. Elderly people in cities are frequently without full-time carers in their homes during business hours as conventional multigenerational homes are replaced by smaller nuclear families. Adult day care facilities provide a structured response to the increasing participation of women in the workforce and the proliferation of dual-income households in nations like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.

These facilities strike a balance between independence and professional care by offering social interaction, medical supervision, and physical activity throughout the day while allowing seniors to go home in the evenings. Furthermore, the increased recognition of mental health needs in aging populations has boosted the demand for day programs that combat social isolation. Many elderly people in South America experience loneliness, particularly in city dwellings that are far from the support of their extended family. Adult day care facilities address this by promoting community interaction, recreational activities, and therapeutic programs that promote mental health.

These facilities give families peace of mind by having trained personnel on hand during the day to treat chronic illnesses like diabetes or dementia, while caregivers are still involved when the center is closed. The value of these services has also been acknowledged by governments and non-governmental organizations. Municipalities in major cities have begun to support public or subsidized adult day care programs, particularly for low-income populations. In contrast, private suppliers are growing in wealthier areas, providing high-quality services catered to unique medical requirements.

Their appeal is increased by technological integration, such as health monitoring systems and digital reporting to families. The elderly population in South America is increasing along with urbanization and changes in the modern workforce. As a result, adult day care is becoming the most adaptable and fastest expanding care model in the region's geriatric care environment.

Due to the scarcity of public healthcare infrastructure and the increased need for individualized, high-quality geriatric care services, private service providers are the most prevalent and fastest expanding sector in South America's geriatric care market.

Private service providers are now the largest and fastest-growing sector of the geriatric care industry in South America. The inadequacy of public healthcare systems in meeting the specific and growing demands of the aging community is mostly to blame for this tendency. Although Brazil and Argentina are among the few South American nations that support public healthcare initiatives, these programs frequently suffer from financial limitations, understaffing, and protracted wait times, particularly in specialized geriatric care. As a result, families are turning to private providers to guarantee that their aging loved ones receive timely, dependable, and complete care.

Private providers in the area have taken advantage of this gap by providing high-end amenities, specialized personnel, individualized elder care programs, and cutting-edge medical technology appropriate for long-term care. Many of these institutions provide individualized services, such as specialized nursing, physiotherapy, memory care for dementia patients, and nutrition programs tailored to the needs of seniors. Furthermore, private care providers frequently implement creative approaches, such as telemedicine follow-ups paired with at-home nursing, which enable older patients to get excellent medical treatment in a familiar setting.

The increased willingness to pay for private senior care has been fueled by the expanding upper middle class in metropolitan regions and a greater awareness of health issues among families. In affluent communities, privately run retirement communities that provide integrated healthcare and lifestyle services have also gained popularity. This potential has been recognized by international healthcare investors, leading to more investment and collaborations with regional stakeholders in order to extend geriatric facilities throughout the area. The integration of technology is yet another factor driving expansion.

Electronic health records, remote diagnostics, and AI-driven care planning are becoming more and more commonplace in private geriatric care services. Private service providers continue to be at the forefront of addressing South America's geriatric care needs, maintaining their status as the biggest and fastest-growing sector, as these capabilities keep improving.

Due to rising middle-class affluence, gaps in government financing, and increasing demand for comprehensive elderly care coverage, private insurance is the fastest-growing payment source in South America's geriatric care market.

Due mostly to shifts in demographics and economics throughout South America, private insurance has become the fastest-growing payment source in the geriatric care industry. There is increased awareness of the long-term financial consequences of elderly care as populations in nations like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile age quickly. Although they exist, public healthcare systems are frequently overburdened, underfunded, or inadequate to offer specialized geriatric care, particularly in areas like dementia memory care, in-home nursing, or specialized physiotherapy. As a result, families are increasingly looking for alternative financial strategies to pay for these sophisticated care services.

The adoption of private insurance products targeted at the needs of the elderly has been boosted by increasing incomes among the middle class in South America. The region's insurers have started to provide targeted plans that cover home-based healthcare for seniors, chronic disease management, and long-term disability care. These plans are preferred by urban families because they offer more freedom and access to superior services than government schemes. Furthermore, the COVID-19 outbreak raised public knowledge of healthcare vulnerabilities and emphasized the significance of private insurance in ensuring quick, dependable access to care in times of need. The need for insurance policies covering aging family members increased as a result.

Acknowledging this change, insurance firms have begun to collaborate with telehealth companies, private hospitals, and elderly care facilities to provide policyholders with complete coverage. The integration of technology is also a critical factor. The proliferation of digital platforms for insurance enrollment, claims processing, and care coordination has made private insurance more accessible, which has led more families to embrace it. Private insurance is predicted to continue to be the fastest-growing payment source for elderly treatment in South America, in line with both healthcare demands and financial planning priorities, as life expectancy increases and public systems struggle to keep up.

Due to rising life expectancy and an increasing demand for specialized, intensive healthcare assistance for the oldest members of the population, the 86+ age group is the fastest-growing sector of South America's geriatric care industry.

Driven by major demographic and healthcare changes, the 86+ (intensive care) age group is now the fastest-growing segment of the geriatric care market in South America. Improved healthcare infrastructure, better nutrition, and advancements in chronic disease management have all contributed to increased life expectancy in major countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Consequently, a greater proportion of the older population now lives into their late 80s and beyond, generating an unparalleled demand for specialized and intensive care services that address the specific requirements of this group.

People over 86 years of age frequently need sophisticated, ongoing care that goes beyond routine medical supervision, which is in contrast to the younger senior community. This population often experiences a number of chronic diseases, including advanced cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and mobility problems, necessitating specialized nursing, physical therapy, and palliative care services. As a result, both public and private healthcare systems are increasingly concentrating their resources on geriatric facilities, memory care units, and home-based intensive care options for this aging demographic. The increase in this sector has been fueled by changes in family dynamics brought about by cultural change.

In the past, extended family structures provided care for the elderly in South America, but nowadays, as more families become nuclear, urbanized, and employed full-time, professional geriatric care for the oldest-old has become not only a need but an expectation. To satisfy the needs of the 86+ age group, the private sector is growing its services to include specialized long-term care facilities and at-home medical assistance.

This sector's expansion is being further hastened by government measures targeted at the welfare of the elderly, along with increased involvement from the private sector. Due to the increasing prevalence of advanced-stage geriatric conditions and the lack of adequate family-based care systems, the 86+ (intensive care) group is likely to remain the fastest-growing sector in South America's geriatric care market.

The aging population and the increasing diagnosis rates of neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's and dementias are the largest and fastest-growing applications in South America's geriatric care industry.

Alzheimer's disease and associated dementias account for the biggest and fastest expanding application area in the geriatric care industry in South America. The demographic aging of major nations like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, where increased life expectancy has resulted in a higher percentage of the population reaching ages where neurodegenerative illnesses are more common, is the main cause of this trend. As aging is the biggest risk factor for dementia, the growing elderly population naturally leads to a proportionate increase in the incidence of cognitive problems. The diagnosis rates have increased due to increased knowledge among healthcare professionals and families about the signs of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

In the past, a lot of instances went undiagnosed or were explained by "normal aging," but this story is shifting as a result of educational initiatives and improved availability of diagnostic instruments. Consequently, more people are entering formal care systems, which is leading to the fast development of specialized services like memory care units, specialized dementia wards, and at-home cognitive support care. The cultural dynamics of South America support this rise.

The demands of caring for older relatives with Alzheimer's or dementia at home, which frequently include wandering, aggressiveness, memory loss, and complex personal care needs, are becoming more and more difficult for untrained family caregivers to handle, even if families have historically provided this care. As a result, there is a growing need for expert, specialized facilities that can treat neurodegenerative diseases. In response to this need, private geriatric care businesses have introduced memory care services and have focused on training healthcare professionals in dementia care.

Governments in the area are also beginning to give priority to the mental health of the elderly as part of their public health programs. These variables along with technology aids like wearable tracking gadgets and cognitive therapy programs make Alzheimer's disease and other dementias the primary focus of South America's geriatric care industry, both in terms of size and potential for expansion.

Its significant aging population and government-sponsored public healthcare programs geared toward the elderly, Brazil dominates the South American geriatric care business.

Due to its demographic dominance, progressive healthcare legislation, and growing network of eldercare facilities, Brazil leads the South American market for geriatric care. Brazil, the most populous nation in the area, has a quickly aging population, with millions of people reaching the age of 60 and over annually. This demographic shift has resulted in a large and increasing demand for comprehensive geriatric care services in both urban and rural settings. The Brazilian government's active engagement through initiatives like the National Health Policy for the Elderly (Política Nacional de Saúde da Pessoa Idosa - PNSPI) is a defining feature of the country's leadership.

Within the larger public healthcare system (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS), these programs concentrate on promoting health, preventing diseases, and providing specialized medical treatment to the elderly. The integration of geriatric care into Brazil's public health regulations gives a structural foundation that promotes market expansion, accessibility, and service excellence. Furthermore, there has been a growth in private sector involvement in Brazil, notably in big cities like Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and São Paulo, where specialized clinics for chronic and neurodegenerative illnesses, homecare providers, and private elderly care homes have increased.

The market has been further supported by the rising number of private insurance policies covering eldercare services. Brazil is becoming a pioneer in the technological advancements in geriatric care. Brazil is at the forefront of the South American market for geriatric care due to a combination of factors, including the development of telehealth platforms, wearable monitoring equipment, and mobile applications suited to the health management of the elderly by a number of local businesses, as well as regulatory frameworks such as ANVISA (Brazil's Health Regulatory Agency) that guarantee the safety and efficacy of products and services designed for older populations.

Considered in this report

• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report

• Geriatric Care Service Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Service

• Home care
• Adult day care
• Institutional care

By Age Group

• 65-75 (early care)
• 76-85 (mid-to-heavy care)
• 86+ (intensive care)

By Application

• High blood pressure
• Alzheimer's/dementias
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Other applications

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases.

After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to this industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.