A recently shared video on Facebook exposes the dilapidated and neglected condition of the Elderly Home "Lidia Doce" in Bayamo, the capital of Granma province. The footage reveals an abandoned building slowly being dismantled.
"It's now a forgotten place, vacated, falling apart, and each day looks worse than the last. They are taking it apart bit by bit; who knows what its fate will be, but hopefully, it will have a brighter future," comments the video creator, known as "Robertico y su gozadera."
The 30-second video visually captures what statistics have long shown: the collapse of Cuba's social support system for its most vulnerable citizens.
The Aging Population Crisis in Cuba
Cuba stands as the most aged nation in Latin America, with 25.7% of its population over 60 years old by the end of 2024, totaling over two million individuals. Yet, the government only has 156 elderly homes and 12,697 beds nationwide, leaving 51 municipalities completely without senior care facilities.
The situation is dire enough that in March 2026, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security acknowledged that "there are no resources to support vulnerable individuals."
Widespread Institutional Neglect
An ASIC survey involving 506 retirees across five provinces revealed that 98.8% feel abandoned by institutions, and 99% state their pensions are insufficient for basic needs such as food, housing, and medicine.
Old age in Cuba is marked by poverty and neglect, with the minimum pension raised to 4,000 Cuban pesos in August 2025, equating to less than 10 dollars at the informal exchange rate.
The Impact of Mass Migration
Massive emigration exacerbates the situation: since 2020, over 1.4 million Cubans have left the island, leaving 17.4% of elderly adults without close family support. Approximately 15% of seniors live alone, and about 89% of those over 70 face high risks of isolation, according to the Center for Coexistence Studies.
Foreign media have also highlighted the abandonment of the elderly in Cuba, where provinces accumulate dependent seniors with no institutional or familial support network.
The Legacy of Lidia Esther Doce Sánchez
The elderly home is named after Lidia Esther Doce Sánchez, a revolutionary heroine born in Holguín in 1916 and murdered in Havana on September 17, 1958, after being captured by Batista forces. She served as a crucial messenger between the Sierra Maestra and the urban clandestine leadership, transporting messages, medicines, and supplies for Che Guevara's column.
That a facility bearing her name is now in ruins and being dismantled embodies, for many Cubans, the current state of the regime's social promises.
The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory documented that 96.4% of retirees believe elderly homes lack adequate infrastructure, staff, and care, a sentiment visibly confirmed by the deterioration of the Lidia Doce Home.
Frequently Asked Questions about Elderly Care in Cuba
What is the current state of elderly care facilities in Cuba?
Elderly care facilities in Cuba are in critical condition, with many lacking the necessary infrastructure and resources to adequately support the aging population.
How does the aging population impact Cuba's social systems?
Cuba's aging population places significant strain on its social systems, which are currently unable to provide adequate support and resources for the elderly.
What are the effects of mass emigration on Cuban seniors?
Mass emigration has left many Cuban seniors without family support, increasing their risk of isolation and neglect.