Articles

Supporting Family Caregivers in Colombia: Recognition, Respite, Wellbeing and Economic Participation
Family caregivers sustain much of Colombia's everyday support for older people, adults with disabilities and relatives with long-term health needs, often at considerable personal and economic cost. This article examines how national care policy, time-use evidence, Bogotรก's Care System and emerging territorial approaches can strengthen caregiver recognition, respite and wellbeing. It explores practical service pathways, financing responsibilities, employment participation and the governance needed to turn public commitments into accessible support for families. Read more...
Training Colombia's Care Workforce: Competency Standards, SENA and Professional Development
Developing Colombia's care workforce requires training systems that recognize different occupations, protect professional boundaries and translate learning into safe, consistent support. This article examines SENA, national competency frameworks, health-sector qualifications and the challenges of preparing caregivers across residential, home-based and community settings. It explores how providers, territorial authorities and educational institutions can strengthen practical assessment, supervision and career development while addressing unequal access to training and the financial realities of care delivery. Read more...
Recruiting and Retaining Care Workers in Colombia: Pay, Working Conditions and Employment Stability
Recruiting and retaining care workers in Colombia involves more than expanding training opportunities. Employment informality, uneven pay, demanding schedules, geographic inequalities and fragmented care financing all influence whether workers can build sustainable careers. This article examines the employment conditions shaping Colombia's paid care workforce, the responsibilities of providers and public institutions, and practical approaches to improving workforce stability while protecting care quality, continuity and the rights of people receiving support. Read more...
Recruiting and Retaining Colombia's Care Workforce: Employment Conditions, Regional Inequalities and Service Continuity
Colombia's ability to expand reliable care services depends not only on training more workers but also on attracting and retaining them in sustainable employment. This article examines how pay, contractual stability, travel, supervision, occupational wellbeing and regional labor markets influence workforce continuity across healthcare, home support and community services. It explores practical recruitment and retention strategies, funding responsibilities and governance measures that connect workforce stability with better outcomes for people receiving care. Read more...
Professionalizing Care Work in Colombia: Training, Recognition and Sustainable Employment Pathways
Colombia's ambitions for a more sustainable care system depend on recognizing the skills, responsibilities and working conditions of the people who provide care. This article examines how professional training, labor protections, competency development and employment pathways can strengthen paid care work without overlooking unpaid family caregivers. It explores Colombia's health and social protection institutions, territorial inequalities, funding constraints and practical opportunities to build a more capable, respected and sustainable care workforce. Read more...
Colombia's Care Workforce: Who Provides Care, How Is It Organized and What Needs to Change?
Colombia's care workforce extends far beyond hospitals and formal care organizations, encompassing healthcare professionals, community workers, residential care staff, paid domestic caregivers and millions of hours of unpaid family support. As population aging and care needs evolve, the challenge is to develop a workforce that is skilled, fairly supported and accountable without overlooking territorial inequalities or the contribution of families. This article examines Colombia's workforce structure, funding, governance, practical service delivery and priorities for sustainable reform. Read more...