Demographic trends regarding the issue of aging underscore the fact th
at both current situations and future trends directly concerns all of
us. Aging is the reality for the future world. The pace at which demog
raphic transition develops varies among countries and regions of the w
orld, but most of the developed and developing countries will be chall
enged by increasing numbers of dependent individuals. This is particul
arly critical in the less-developed countries where older populations
will increase substantially faster. It is expected that by the year 20
00, Latin America and the Caribbean will have 41 million elderly, 7.2%
of the total population. By 2025 this percentage will increase to 10.
8%. The stunning growth of the elderly demands special attention of po
licy and decision-makers. The total dependency ratio will decrease in
the Americas between 1980 and 2025 due to a marked decrease in the fer
tility rate, whereas old age dependency ratios will show a marked incr
ease in all countries except Haiti and Surinam. Most of the elderly po
pulations, predominantly women, are living in urban centers. This fact
is one of the most important characteristic of the socioeconomic pict
ure in Latin American and Caribbean countries: urbanization with pover
ty. Women are bearing mainly the burden. It is obvious that, from a cu
ltural perspective, the social impact of aging populations is a comple
x issue. The wide range of possible future programs will be the result
of differences and similarities in social values, relationships, and
dynamics within each society. It is important to recognize that since
modern industrialized societies live in a culture emphasizing competit
ion for economic wealth, that values economic over social productivity
, and where inequities based on class, gender, and race are accepted,
that these are the issues influencing the parameters of aging populati
ons. Social policy development for the elderly needs to be critically
examined in order for society to adapt to aging as well as for older p
opulations to adapt to a charging society. The major political challen
ge is the need for redistributive policies. Developing countries must
add new priorities to their scarce resources, for social programs for
elderly, while still having to deal with the problems of their younger
populations. Women issues are extremely important in considering soci
al policies for elderly population. Feminization of poverty and ill-he
alth during old age is a result of exacerbate risks for women across t
he life course. Appropriate care and support for this vulnerable group
is a priority. Today's realities and future perspectives tell the con
sequences of not responding soon enough to social debt reflected in th
e elderly, their suffering, disease and disability, will probably beco
me unaffordable.