Old age and public policies in Latin America: A literature review

We aimed to identify the perspectives on old age in academic production related to public policies for aging in Latin America. We systematically reviewed 82 bibliographic sources published between 2000 and 2020 and analyzed them in light of a critical and feminist perspective employing a qualitative content analysis. Based on our analysis, we characterized old age from the main paradigms related to the design of public policies for the elders in the region: the need-based aid policies, active aging, the rights-based approach, and the gender approach. We also note the need to incorporate an intersectional guideline to public policies for older age that recognizes the heterogeneity in the aging process. Finally, we reflect on the challenge of building locally situated perspectives that address the inequalities that characterize Latin American territories.