Introduction:

To achieve better quality of life in an aging population, different situations are real dilemmas and challenges.

Objective:

To explain the most important ethical-social challenges associated with the aging process.

Methods:

A bibliographic review about dilemmas and challenges of aging was carried out. Google Scholar was used as a search engine for scientific information, together with literature from different databases, such as PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane, SciElo, using a historical-logical and analysis-synthesis approach. The keywords used were Envejecimiento [aging], Calidad de Vida [quality of life], Dilemas [dilemmas] and Desafíos [challenges].

Conclusions:

Double burden of diseases, increased risk of deficiency, care provision, feminization, ethical aspects and iniquities, the economy and, finally, the creation of a new paradigm are the main challenges that physicians face in caring for people undergoing the aging process. The art of communicating with people who live longer and longer with illness, disability and dependence on the care from others defines one of the great dilemmas that primary health care professionals face in order to guarantee them an optimal quality of life.

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