Uruguay’s Long-Stay Senior Care Facilities: An Updated Overview (March 2026)

The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) of Uruguay has released an updated list of qualified and certified long-stay establishments for seniors (Elepem) as of January 2026. This report details the current availability of these facilities across the country, highlighting improvements and ongoing challenges in providing care for the elderly population.

Current Landscape of Elepem Facilities

According to the MSP, there are currently 202 residential areas enabled in 15 of Uruguay’s departments. These facilities collectively offer 5,019 places for seniors requiring long-term care. The authorization process for Elepem facilities involves three stages: obtaining a registration certificate from the MSP, a social certificate from the Ministry of Social Development and a final qualification certificate, also granted by the MSP.

Departmental Distribution and Accessibility

The distribution of Elepem facilities varies significantly across Uruguay. Montevideo currently has the highest concentration of residences, with 160 facilities as of January 2026, a decrease from 172 in the previous year. Other departments with Elepem facilities include San José de Mayo (2 facilities), Ecilda Paullier (1), Libertad (1), and Playa Pascual (1), totaling 172 places.

Notably, four departments – Rivera, Rocha, Tacuarembó, and Thirty Three – currently lack any authorized or certified Elepem facilities. However, the situation has improved compared to the previous year, when five departments had no authorized centers. Artigas now has one facility located in Baltasar Brum, a positive development since January 2026.

Several departments have limited access, with only one long-stay facility for seniors enabled in Artigas, Cerro Largo, Durazno, Flores, Lavalleja, Paysandú, and Río Negro.

Changes in Capacity

Despite the increase in the number of authorized facilities, the total number of available places has decreased. In 2024, there were 5,601 places available, even as in 2025, the number dropped to 5,019, representing a decrease of 10.4% according to the Public Health portfolio.

Ministerial Leadership

The current Minister of Public Health is Cristina Lustemberg, who assumed the position on March 1, 2025. The Ministry of Public Health was originally created on September 5, 1933, by president Gabriel Terra, merging the “National Hygiene Council” and “National Public Assistance.”

Looking Ahead

The Ministry of Public Health continues to work towards improving access to quality long-term care for seniors across Uruguay. Ongoing efforts focus on expanding the number of certified facilities and ensuring adequate capacity to meet the growing needs of the aging population. Further updates and detailed information can be found on the Ministry of Public Health’s website.