Brazil implements Padi Brasil program for elderly home care

The Brazilian Ministry of Health has launched the Padi Brasil (Programa de Atenção Domiciliar à Pessoa Idosa), a federal program designed to provide home-based care for elderly citizens aged 60 and older who are homebound.

The program funds multidisciplinary teams—including nurses, physiotherapists, nutritionists, psychologists, social workers, and doctors—to conduct multidimensional assessments of patients. These assessments evaluate medical needs, medication, cognitive health, nutrition, and living conditions to create individualized care plans.

In regions like Mantiqueira, where rural geography and winding roads make accessing urban medical centers difficult, the program provides essential support. Municipalities receive federal incentives ranging from R$ 5,000 to R$ 10,000 monthly per team, along with a one-time implementation payment. Small towns, such as Balbinos, have already been among the first in São Paulo state to be accredited under the program.