AGE Calls for EU Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse and Ensure Quality Long Term Care for the Elderly

Age-Platform

March 28, 2008

Europe 

At a conference organised by the European Commission on “Protecting the dignity of older persons – the prevention of elder abuse and neglect” on Monday 17 March 2008, AGE called on Commissioner Špidla and the Member States to adopt an EU Strategy to prevent elder abuse and promote quality long term care services for the elderly. 

“A year ago, Commissioner Špidla, you promised AGE General Assembly to do something to prevent elder abuse and you have kept your promise. On behalf of AGE members I would like to thank you, but the work is not over, it is only starting”, said Anne-Sophie Parent, Director of AGE at the closing panel of the conference. 

The high level of participants and the presence of several ministers at the conference on elder abuse confirmed what the recent Eurobarometer showed, i.e. that elder abuse is a serious concern for a majority of citizens across the EU and the EU should take action. 

“We recommend to the Commission to use the discussion paper presented to the conference and turn each of the proposed actions into a real commitment. The Commission should propose to launch a European Strategy to combat elder abuse and ensure quality care for the elderly”, added Parent. This would link perfectly with what Minister Larsson of Sweden proposed on behalf of the next Presidency trio. 

AGE feels that the issue of quality elder care and the fight against elder abuse should be an integral part of the renewed Social Agenda and should be addressed in the framework of EU Demography cycle. 

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