Safe Financial Online Transactions in the Third Age (Faith): final take-aways
After two years of work, the EU-funded Faith project aimed to increase digital inclusion in older age is coming to an end. The findings and training materials were presented during the final event of the project, in which AGE has been involved. Our world is increasingly digital. Yet, it also precludes a consistent share of […]
Care, minimum income, rights of older persons: The year ends with several milestones for AGE
Credit: Beth Jnr on Unsplash The end of the year is often associated with warmth, togetherness and solidarity. Some recent developments, including our Annual Conference and some EU council decisions, have confirmed this trend, looking at how to improve the quality of care and support inclusion in older age. AGE Annual Conference ‘A Europe that […]
‘Equality Package’: stronger equality bodies to fight discrimination across the EU
On 7th December 2022 the European Commission published two proposals for new Directives on standards to strengthen national equality bodies, as part of its ‘Equality Package’. All Member states have the obligation of establishing national equality bodies. However, national standards are currently very diverse and not always aligned with EU guidelines. The aim of the […]
Roma people’s access to health and long-term care in the spotlight
The annual conference of the European Roma Grassroot Organisations Network (ERGO Network) presented its research on access of Roma people to health and long-term care, based on feedback of ERGO members in six EU countries. The results show widespread exclusion and discrimination regarding health and care. AGE was invited to contribute to the discussions. ERGO’s […]
EU retirement week – Inflation reminds the importance of statutory social protection
As inflation is cutting into older persons’ budgets, the issue of adequacy of pension is highly relevant. This was the theme of a recent joint event in which we called for a broader approach to investment in ageing and greater support for statutory social protection. As part of the European Retirement Week, we co-organised an […]
EU Council adopts Recommendation on Access to Affordable, High-Quality Long-Term Care
Central piece of the European Commission’s EU Care Strategy, the Council recommendation on access to affordable high-quality long-term care was adopted on 8 December 2022 by the European Council. While this piece of legislation is not binding (it is not a Directive), it does set out an ambitious framework for progress on the many challenges […]
How can we empower older persons in care and on global level? Report from AGE Annual Conference
Together with the Czech Presidency of the EU Council, we held our online Annual Conference ‘A Europe that Cares is a Europe that Empowers’ on 18 November 2022. The event articulated around the EU Care Strategy, but also looking beyond the EU towards global policies on ageing and human rights. Policymakers, older persons’ representatives, service […]
An EU harmonised number for senior helplines?
Credit: Yogendra Singh on Unsplash Ahead of the meeting of the EU Council of Ministers in the field of social affairs (the EPSCO Council) that took place last 8 December, AGE had been calling on the ministers to support a proposal by the Czech minister for social affairs, which was not on the official agenda […]
EU NAVIGATE project: AGE supports patient navigators for older people with cancer and their families
AGE Platform Europe participates in a new research project that aims to provide patient navigators to older people with cancer and their families. Coordinated by the End-of-Life Care Research Group of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), EU NAVIGATE will adapt Canada’s existing and successfully-tested NavCARE intervention to 6 EU countries (Belgium, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, […]
The World Medical Association calls for ending age discrimination in health care
Last October, the World Medical Association (WMA) adopted a declaration on discrimination against older people in healthcare settings. The declaration calls for a holistic approach in care that promotes the human rights, health and dignity of all individuals, including older people. The association notes that older people face all kinds of discrimination, in particular in […]
Digitalisation of services: ensuring equal access to all, including older people of today and tomorrow
For some time now, digitalisation has been part of our daily lives, bringing hopes of economic, ecological and social progress. However, the speed and scale of its development raises questions of inclusion and human rights. In this Special Briefing, we look at some current and future challenges.
FIT FOR LIFE AWARDS 2023
Every year, the Fit for Life Foundation awards grants of EUR 100,000 each to 3 to 4 non-profit organizations or social enterprises that are pioneering projects to promote healthy ageing around the world. This multi-year support enables Laureates to steadily scale up their programs, while building public awareness of the importance of healthy aging for […]
Dreamlike Neighbourhood: Older people connect in their communities
The final event of the EU-funded project Dreamlike Neighbourhood presented the outcome of the project aimed at supporting older people to connect to their community. As a partner in this project, AGE Platform Europe co-organised the event. “Once you hear the stories of someone, that person is no longer a stranger”. This could be the […]
Council of Europe calls for recognising healthy environment as a human right
A quality environment plays an important role in ensuring a life of dignity and well-being, in which the fundamental right to freedom, equality and good living conditions are respected. The Council of Europe calls on its 46 member states “to actively consider recognising, at national level, the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, […]
International Older People’s Day shed light on older women’s resilience and contribution
This year’s theme of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons 2022 addressed the ‘Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World’, with a focus on older women. This special focus recalls the key role played by older women in making our societies resilient, especially in the care sector. A role that is unfortunately […]
Focus on the older adult’s individual needs: the added value of e-Vita
“I think the (project) findings will be useful for other people working in robotics and AI.”(…) “Everybody is different… I think it’s quite valuable in that way to have company to remind you to do things that you would otherwise have forgotten.” Former AGE President Elizabeth Mestheneos is a sociologist and strong profile in the […]
Good mental health is essential for well-being in old age
Mental health problems affect physical health, emotional and social well-being, and overall quality of life. Supporting mental health is an essential part of the healthy ageing process.
The European Care Strategy has come a long way. What does it change?
Published after one year of work and consultation, the new European Care Strategy sets out for the first time an EU vision on long-term care. Will it live up to expectations or remain an empty shell?
