Anne-Sophie Parent, director of AGE, commented that “This is excellent news that the next Presidencies are committed to act to improve the lives of older people. A Eurobarometer survey in March confirmed that almost half (47%) of the EU citizens consider poor treatment and abuse of older people a serious issue. AGE would now like to know from the Commission how they will support the EU Presidency to launch actions to improve the quality of long term care and prevent elder abuse.”
This was announced during a debate “Mainstreaming Healthy Ageing in the Renewed Social Agenda” at the European Parliament on 14 October 2008 organised by Claude Moraes MEP and Lambert Van Nistelrooij MEP, co-presidents of the Intergroup on Ageing, with the support of AGE and EPHA. The debate addressed the series of initiatives within the renewed Social Agenda Package on promoting longer and healthier lives.
The first session of the debate “Healthy Ageing”, chaired by Claude Moraes, addressed the broad range of components of healthy lifestyles, including nutrition, physical exercise, injury prevention as well as the adequate use of medicines and the provision of high-quality information to patients.
The second session on “Quality of health services and the fight against elder abuse” chaired by Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP, considered what could be done at EU level to promote the quality and financial sustainability of health care services, and addressed in particular the issue of elder abuse in domestic, institutional and community settings.
“The debate was an important opportunity for the European Parliament to reflect together with the European Commission, the future Presidencies and relevant stakeholders on what the European Union could do more to promote healthier and longer lives.” informed Claude Moraes MEP.
“It is now time for the Commission and the Member States to address the issues we raised during the debate and come up with concrete actions to better meet the real needs of the ageing population.” commented Lambert Van Nistelrooij MEP.
Please click here to read the special edition in the European Parliament Magazine (page 57 to 65)
Last Updated on Friday, 29 January 2010 12:21
