Chile faces growing concerns over elder abuse and care gaps
Academic Sergio Wehinger of the University of Talca warned that elder abuse remains widespread and under‑reported in Chile, with psychological abuse being the most common form. Studies by SENAMA and CEPAL show a three‑fold surge in abuse reports during the early Covid‑19 pandemic. The Chilean Ministry of Public announced a 25 % rise in abandonment cases between 2023 and 2025, rising from 620 to 775 reports, most incidents occurring at home and 83 % of alleged perpetrators being the victims’ children. Vaccination coverage for people aged 60 and over in the Viña del Mar‑Quillota‑Petorca health region is only 58 %, far below the national 85 % target. In Mexico, researchers at UAEMéx highlighted the demographic shift toward an older population and urged stronger pension systems and health services. Argentina’s National University of Cuyo opened registration for a new program that allows people over 25 without a secondary diploma to apply for university admission, provided they have work experience, with applications closing 31 July. In Spain, Grupo Serviall noted that one in five Spaniards is over 65 and that a large share of the population lacks basic preventive health habits, raising concerns for insurers as life expectancy rises.
Entities: Chile · Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL) · Grupo Serviall · Ministry of Public (Paraguay) · Sergio Wehinger · Servicio Nacional del Adulto Mayor (SENAMA) · UNCuyo · Universidad de Talca
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 5 SOURCES] During the early Covid‑19 pandemic, SENAMA recorded more than a threefold increase in elder‑abuse cases and consultations. (Sergio Wehinger, University of Talca citing SENAMA data)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 96 % of elder‑abuse cases in Paraguay occur inside the home, and 83 % of alleged perpetrators are the victims’ children. (Paraguayan Ministry of Public data)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mexico faces demographic ageing that requires strengthening pension coverage and health services. (Alfonso Mejía Modesto, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In the Viña del Mar‑Quillota‑Petorca health region, vaccination coverage among adults 60+ is 58 %, below the national 85 % target. (Diego Encalada, epidemiologist, Servicio de Salud Viña del Mar‑Quillota‑Petorca)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] UNCuyo in Argentina will accept registrations for adults over 25 without a secondary diploma until 31 July, requiring work experience. (Universidad Nacional de Cuyo announcement)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Elder abuse in Chile is under‑reported, with psychological abuse the most common form. (Sergio Wehinger, University of Talca)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Chile's Ministry of Public reported a 25 % rise in abandonment cases of older adults from 2023 to 2025, increasing from 620 to 775 reports. (Public Ministry of Paraguay (report cited in article))
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Grupo Serviall reports that one in five Spaniards is over 65 and many lack basic preventive health habits, raising concerns for insurers. (Jordi Vidal, Grupo Serviall)