title: [Elderly population of Puerto Rico: Implications for health services].
abstract: This article presents an overview of the major sociodemographic health characteristics and patterns of health services utilization of older Puerto Rican adults. Comparisons between men and women are established. The elderly present and impoverished sector, have lower educational status and suffer from more chronic illnesses than the rest of the population. Women fare lower than men in terms of these variables. Implications of the challenge that the aged represent for health service delivery in Puerto Rico are discussed centered upon the fact that most elderly reside in the community and their families constitute their principal source of support.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanchez Ayendez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carnivali
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009679:Nuclear Family; D011647:Puerto Rico; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
vernacular_title: La poblacion de edad avanzada de Puerto Rico: Implicaciones para los servicios de salud.