Abstract
Universal health coverage (UHC) is the condition in which every member of a certain community have access to essential, effective care without financial hardship. Increasing older adults suffering from chronic morbidities and/or social isolation struggle to receive the care they need precisely when they need it most. These patients need care personalization, multidisciplinary integration and professional cooperation more than high-tech biomedical treatment, as plenty of social determinants frequently hamper the effectiveness of each single treatment received. If the health inequalities resulting from suboptimal organization of care can be reduced, taking action becomes a question of social justice. This paper aims to 1) describe some relevant determinants of health that prevent many older adults from receiving the care they need, 2) outline some policies to avoid ageism and minimize rationing.