Access to palliative care for ageing population is subject to socio-demographic characteristics

Purpose This study aims to address the importance of providing access to palliative care for ageing population, the barriers that prevent it and the implications of socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, economic status and living area, as well as current global efforts to ensure palliative care for ageing population. Design/methodology/approach It is a non-systematic literature review based opinion paper written to address influence of socio-demographic determinants on access to palliative care among ageing population. Findings Palliative care remains an essential yet inequitably distributed resource for ageing populations worldwide, with access significantly influenced by socio-demographic characteristics. While the global ageing population continues to grow, marginalized groups – including ethnic minorities, low-income seniors and rural residents – face disproportionate challenges in obtaining timely and appropriate palliative services. While, in many countries, older patients and their caregivers may not have equal access along with indirect discrimination to access palliative care compared to younger patients. Subsequently, access to palliative care for ageing population is hampered by a range of socio-demographic factors, resulting in disparities in service availability and utilization. However, debate persists on the role of age in accessing palliative care, suggesting a lack of understanding of how socio-demographic factors influence ageing individuals’ opportunities to access palliative care. Originality/value The findings and discussion of this paper noted the influences of socio-demographic attributes on the access to palliative care for ageing population that lies under United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: good health and well-being and SDG-10: reducing inequalities. In addition, it concludes with evidence-based recommendations for creating more equitable palliative care systems, emphasizing the need for standardized needs assessments, anti-discrimination protocols in health-care settings and improved integration of palliative services with primary care for aging populations.