Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Taking into account the needs of older people
Date: 2008-09-18
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: ESC opinion, European social policy, basic needs, elderly person, welfare

31.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 77/115

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Taking into account the needs of
older people’

(2009/C 77/26)

On 18 February 2008 the Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee,
under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on

Taking into account the needs of older people.

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, which was responsible for preparing the
Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 11 September 2008. The rapporteur was
Ms Heinisch.

At its 447th plenary session, held on 17 and 18 September 2008 (meeting of 18 September), the European
Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 106 votes to 32 with 20 abstentions.

1. Summary and recommendations

1.1 Justification

1.1.1
The demographic changes that are taking place in
Europe are hallmarked by sharp rises in the number of older
people, while overall population numbers are falling (1). The
Council has made a number of statements on ageing. This trend
varies from region to region. The European Union is thus facing
some major social challenges (2). The Commission will adopt a
communication by the end of 2008 offering proposals on how
best to take into account the needs of an ageing population
with support from the Structural Funds.

This

places

special

opinion

emphasis

1.1.2
the
acknowledgement and appreciation of older people, as well as
preventing discrimination against
them and preserving their
dignity. It must be recognised that older people are not a homo-
genous group in terms of ability, financial security or health and
social needs, so that policies and services should reflect that
‘one size fits all’ or age segmentation are not appropriate.

on

Therefore, this opinion touches upon the spectrum of
1.1.3
issues which affect individuals from formal retirement into very
old age. This of course includes — without it being reiterated
on every occasion — men and women, older disabled people
and older people with an immigrant background.

been drawn up on these matters (3). However, the EESC would
stress the importance of the ‘life cycle’ approach to an ageing
society to prevent discrimination and stereotyping and the need
for integrated policies across the generations.

1.1.5
In order for older people to continue to participate in
society and to live a decent life, it is essential that they have
financial security and voluntary access to opportunities for
meaningful activities,
including lifelong learning, employment
and voluntary work and the use of new technologies. In addi-
tion, transport, energy, housing and health care should be avail-
able, affordable and accessible.

1.2 Recommendations

1.2.1
In order to ensure that the growing numbers of older
people living in urban and rural areas have sustainable living
conditions and access to activities at a time of changing circum-
stances, the Committee calls for the following measures:

— regular drafting of national and regional situation reports;

— compiling and disseminating of examples of best prac-

tices of Member States;

— promoting a new image of old age, which acknowledges
the lifelong achievements of older people (including those of
migrants) and respect for old age in politics, business and
society;

1.1.4
This document does not examine the requirements
associated with older workers and dependent, older people
needing care because a large number of proposals have already

(1) See the information report of the Section for Employment, Social
Affairs and Citizenship CES 930/99 final; SEC (2007) 638 Commission
Staff Working Document ‘Europe's Demographic Future: Facts and
Figures’.

(2) See COM(2006) 571 final, 12.10.2006; SEC(2007) 638 final; EPC & EC
‘The impact of ageing on public expenditure’, Special

(DG ECFIN):
Report No 1/2006.

— media campaigns on active ageing;

(3) See, among others, EESC opinion of 16.12.2004 on Strategies for
extending the age of exit from the labour market, rapporteur: Mr Dantin
(OJ C 157, 28.6.2005); EESC opinion of 28.10.2004 on Health care and
long-term care for
the elderly, rapporteur: Mr Braghin (OJ C 120,
20.5.2005); EESC opinion of 26.9.2007 on Patients' rights, rapporteur:
Mr Bouis (OJ C 10, 15.1.2008); EESC opinion of 24.10.2007 on Elder
abuse, rapporteur: Ms Heinisch (OJ C 44, 16.2.2008); EESC opinion of
13.3.2008 on Guaranteeing universal access to long-term care and the finan-
cial sustainability of long-term care systems for older people, rapporteur:
Ms Klasnic (OJ C 204, 9.8.2008).

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— measures should be taken, particularly with regard to
services of general
the supply of
goods and services, financing, housing, health care services,
the organisation of the end of life and participation in social
life.

infrastructure,

interest,

group: Member

Parliament,
States,
Target
Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social
Committee.

European

— establishment of an additional Expert Group on Old Age
within the framework of the European Commission's expert
group on demographic issues (4);

— establishment of a European Alliance for an active life in
old age along the lines of
the European Alliance for
Families (5), which among other things organises workshops
and conferences;

— establishment of a European Centre for Age Research to
process, collate and exchange information, to ascertain a
need for more extensive research and to promote research in
this area;

— incorporation of an interdisciplinary focus on older people
in the 8th research framework

with its own budget
programme;

— creation of a European internet portal providing the
public with information from all directorates-general on
initiatives relating to old age;

— creation of local, regional and national internet portals

along the lines of the European internet portal;

— support for a Demography Fund (6) as part of the Struc-
tural Funds to provide financial compensation for regions
which are taking active steps to deal with demographic
change (e.g. active family policy);

— inclusion of new priorities in the Lifelong Learning
Programme to train support workers to assist with the tran-
sition between various stages of life.

2. General observations

2.1
This exploratory opinion focuses on the need for action
in European regions. A redistribution of available resources is
necessary in all countries (7), which will increase the burden on
citizens living in urban and rural areas. At the same time, local
to
infrastructure will be
adapt (8).
Innovative and integrated approaches are especially
needed to ensure that regions and communes are able to
respond to demographic changes.

faced with significant demands

3. The areas in need of action

Several fundamental requirements have to be met in order to
ensure that older people have a secure, healthy and active life.
These relate to the following areas:

3.1 Services of general interest

Services of general interest are an essential means of
3.1.1
ensuring respect for human dignity and they safeguard the indi-
vidual's right to comprehensive protection of his or her basic
rights. They enable citizens to exercise their rights in practice. In
concrete terms, these services affect, among other things, spatial
planning and the environment (9), especially municipal
infra-
structures. Shrinking population numbers, especially in rural
areas (10), mean that for economic reasons essential services will
in future no longer be available or affordable, will be completely
abolished or will be unable to meet new requirements. This is a
question of providing basic services and ensuring that the whole
population has access to them, while specifically taking account
of
requirements of older people and those
needing care. This concerns:

the particular

— energy supplies, in particular electricity, gas and heating;

— water management, waste management and prevention;

— safety and cleanliness of public spaces;

Target group: EU council presidencies, European Parliament,
European Commission.

— public services administration.

In order to achieve this, an approach to sustainable
1.2.2
management must be pursued which is also capable of contri-
buting to the implementation of
the Lisbon Strategy for
economic growth and jobs.

(4) Commission decision 2007/397/EC.
(5) See http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/families/index_en.html.
(6) See point 4.5.2 of EESC opinion of 13.12.2007 on the Fourth Cohesion

Report, rapporteur: Mr Derrunine (OJ C 120, 16.5.2008).

(7) See EESC opinions of 14.3.2007 on the Economic and budgetary impact of
ageing populations, rapporteur: Ms Florio (OJ C 161, 13.7.2007) and
EESC opinion of 15.9.2004 on Research needs in the area of demographic
change, rapporteur: Ms Heinisch (OJ C 74, 23.3.2005).

(8) See EESC opinion of 14.2.2008 on An independent evaluation of services

of general interest, rapporteur: Mr Hencks (OJ C 162, 25.6.2008).

(9) See EESC opinions of 18.1.2007 on Structural Policy/Cohesion in the EU,
rapporteur: Mr Derrunie (OJ C 93, 27.4.2007) and of 25.4.2007 on
the Territorial Agenda, rapporteur: Mr Pariza (OJ C 168, 20.7.2007).
(10) For instance, rural areas in France, Spain and Portugal, eastern
Germany, some Eastern European regions and outlying rural regions
in Sweden and Finland; see ‘The Spatial Effects of Demographic Trends
and Migration’, ESPON project 1.1.4, Final report 2002.

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3.1.2 Transpor t

infrastr uctures

and the

supply of

goods and ser vices to cover ever yday needs

Independence and mobility are key requirements for quality of
life and activity in old age (11) (12). For this the following are
necessary:

— shops that can be easily reached offering unfettered access
and selling affordable goods for everyday needs as well as
accessibility of key places such as the post office, the bank,
pharmacy, cemetery, and public buildings and facilities, espe-
cially those of local and regional authorities which enable
older people to participate in society, such as local authority
offices, citizens' advice bureaux, etc.;

— availability, accessibility and affordability of

(local) public

transport;

— transport, especially in areas with low population density;

and/or remote regions with low population density as a result
of a further decline in the population coupled with the fact that
many of the doctors still practising are themselves ageing. There
is an urgent need to further develop comprehensive medical
care, with good regional coverage. This entails (including protec-
tion of the rights of the older people as patients (14)):

— medical, especially geriatric care and rehabilitation by
doctors and service providers trained in gerontology and
geriatrics;

— out-patient care services and basic assistance through

outreach services;

— palliative care and psychological support services to families;

— availability and accessibility of public spaces (footpaths,

places to sit, street lighting, transport safety, etc.).

— advice and information on patient

rights and support

options;

3.1.3 Housing

The current housing supply may not meet the needs of an
ageing population in Europe with the emphasis on continued
independence in their own home. The design and standards for
new-build housing need to take into account
the loss of
physical, sensory or mental abilities and to use energy and tech-
nologically efficient systems (e.g. Ambient Assisted Living)
to
enable continued independence. Such an approach would also
be advantageous across the generations.

The authorities in Member States responsible for meeting
housing needs should ensure that there are services in place to
assist in adapting current houses as well as promoting new
concepts in housing design and community living,
including
appropriate financial and legal measures.

3.1.4 Health ser vices

Reliable health care located close to home and geared to older
people's requirements becomes increasingly important as people
get older (13). Such health care is seriously under threat in rural

(11) See EESC opinion of 29.5.2008 on the Green paper: Towards a new
culture for urban mobility, rapporteur: Mr Hernández Bataller, co-rappor-
teur: Mr Barbadillo López (OJ C 224, 30.8.2008), the opinion of AGE
— the European Platform of Older People — on this Green Paper
(COM 2007) 551 final); http://ec.europa.eu/transport/clean/green_pa-
per_urban_transport/index_en.htm); or Mollenkopf et al. (Eds.)(2005).
‘Enhancing mobility in later life — Personal coping, environmental
resources, and technical support’. Amsterdam: IOS Press.

(12) Examples of additional measures to preserve independence exist in
France (Hautes Corbières; CG VAL de Marne; France — conference
speech ANDASS), in Germany (examples Berlin and Frankfurt/Main),
UK (Newcastle).

(13) See, for example, the DG SANCO publication on ‘Healthy Ageing:

keystone for a sustainable Europe’
(http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_information/indicators/docs/healthy_a-
geing_en.pdf).

— advice and information services and facilities and incentives
for prevention (enabling people to learn about healthy diet,
physical exercise, preventing falls, and healthy lifestyles asso-
ciated with special bonuses);

— technical assistance resources and support systems without
replacing human assistance (see section on access to ICT);

— promotion or creation of

social
support systems, including citizens' advice bureaux, self-help
groups, groups for family carers and neighbourhood help
arrangements.

formal and informal

Tried and tested models for such support systems already exist
in various Member States (15).

3.2 Arrangements for emergencies and a dignified end to life

3.2.1 Emergencies

Precautions must be taken so that older people who are not
able to help themselves can be offered timely assistance in the
event of an emergency, such as a flood, prolonged heatwave or
disaster.

(14) Cf. EESC opinions 1447/2004; 1465/2007; 1256/2007; and

501/2008, footnote 3.

(15) Preventive work in Jyväskylä — Finland.ppt; France: Poitiers.pdf;
Strasbourg.pdf; Le Guide de l'Aidant Familial (the family carer guide).

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3.2.2 End of life

The way in which people die is a controversial issue and subject
to different rules in the various Member States (active and
passive euthanasia). Legal certainty must be ensured here so that
older people's wishes can be taken into consideration even in
the event of progressive cognitive problems, such as cases invol-
ving use of life-prolonging measures. Advance directives may be
one solution, but the especially vulnerable must be protected.
Palliative medicine and the hospice movement play an impor-
tant role here. In short, dignity to the last must be the guiding
principle.

In a Union in which 25 % of the population is aged 60 or over,
a framework needs to be put in place to encourage the Member
law measures providing the legal
States to enact national
security needed to enable people to prepare for the end of their
lives in a composed way.

— in this connection the EESC notes the work being carried
out by the Commission in the context of the renewed social
agenda, and by the European social partners as regards
reconciliation of professional and private life;

— contributing to cross-generational activities (18);

— people's own initiatives and civic commitment generally;

and

— promoting the construction of multi-generational housing.

3.3.2 Integration and par ticipation through mean-

ingful activities

The EESC would therefore encourage a debate amongst the
Member States on the potential of developing a framework
around end of life issues which might lead to the development
of legal measures in the Member States.

Both paid employment and voluntary work can help people to
integrate and become involved in society. There is therefore a
need for action in both areas if people are to remain socially
active for as long as possible:

3.3 Social integration and participation in society

Social integration and participation in society are basic human
needs which concern various aspects of older people's lives. The
these include family and friends, gainful
most important of
employment, voluntary work and meaningful activities as well
as lifelong education and participation in cultural and social life.

3.3.1 Social integration via family and fr iends

Older people's social environment is changing dramatically (16).
The number of older people living alone is rising. In cities, this
proportion is sometimes 50 % of households. As a consequence,
social policy and/or organisational measures are needed as well
as technical innovations for:

— supporting family and non-family networks, by means of
appropriate measures to improve the work-life balance of
those caring for older people (17);

(16) See EESC opinion of 15.9.2004 on Research needs in the area of demo-
graphic change, rapporteur: Ms Heinisch (OJ C 74, 23.3.2005); also
EESC opinion of 16.12.2004 on Relations between the generations,
rapporteur: Mr Bloch-Lainé (OJ C 157, 28.6.2005), EESC opinion of
rapporteur:
family and demographic
14.3.2007 on The
Mr Buffetaut (OJ C 161, 13.7.2007); EESC opinion of 11.7.2007 on
The role of the social partners in reconciling working, family and private life,
rapporteur: Mr Clever (OJ C 256, 27.10.2007), and EESC opinion of
13.12.2007 on Promoting solidarity between the generations, rapporteur:
Mr Jahier (OJ C 120, 16.5.2008).

change,

(17) See the activities of the Flemish association VVSG (Flemish association
Ageing VVSG-Vergrijzing-GRV-2006.pdf) and the Swedish Associa-
tion of Local Authorities and Regions (Sweden — care for the elderly
in Sweden today.pdf).

3.3.2.1 Participation through paid employment

In order to make this type of participation through work
possible for people wishing to follow this course after retire-
ment (for the target group see point 1.1.3), whether for financial
reasons or for professional
fulfilment, changes such as the
following could be made:

— in accordance with the Employment Equality Directive (19),
strengthening the ability of individuals to make the transi-
tion from work to retirement more flexible, with appro-
priate adjustment of pension and tax systems as part of a
jobs strategy covering all generations of adults (20), and
securing compliance with the principle of equal pay. In prin-
ciple, age limits in the Member States should only refer to
the right to stop working, and not be construed as a ban on
voluntary continuation of employment;

— gearing jobs and the working environment to older people,
by reducing the physical demands and improving health,
safety and working time patterns and arrangements;

— applying and, if necessary, adapting techniques for making

working procedures easier and more ergonomic;

(18) See the model programme of the German Federal Ministry for the
family, seniors, women and young people Generationsübergreifende
Freiwilligendienste (inter-generational volunteer services).

(19) Directive 2000/78/EC.
(20) The example of Finland shows how positive incentives (instead of
financial losses) and flexible age limits (between 63 and 68) enable
people to organise their retirement according to their individual needs
or to continue working.

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— dealing with potential obstacles and promoting new forms
of contract relating to the transition period between pre and
post-retirement life, and offering legal security, to ensure
that they do not create new forms of insecurity;

— cultural change in business geared towards a comprehensive
jobs strategy which specifically promotes individual skills
regardless of age (21).

3.3.2.2 Participation through voluntary commitments

and

meaningful activities

In order to make more effective use of older peoples' potential,
and at the same time to provide them with meaningful activities
that match their various skills, it will be necessary to:

— compile and safeguard knowledge acquired through experi-
social behaviour and

ence,
including knowledge about
special handicraft and artistic skills;

— promote innovative forms of knowledge transfer, including

support for other generations (22);

— facilitate a flexible transition between employment and
retirement or enable older people to engage in a mix of paid
and voluntary work without any financial
loss and on a
voluntary basis;

— support voluntary activities in an honorary capacity (23)
through further education and involvement in local and
supra-regional projects;

— general further education opportunities (24) throughout life
levels (from readily-accessible options to university

at all
education);

— quality assessment and quality assurance of training courses;

— EU-wide recognition of qualifications (25), skills and compe-
tences obtained also in old age in order to facilitate cross-
border mobility (26), and appreciation of knowledge acquired
through informal channels;

— training courses to help people prepare for retirement;

— training of support workers to help older people prepare for

a new stage in their lives (27);

— studies directed at all generations, not divided along age

lines (mutual give and take);

— training courses to promote inter-generational involvement

(e.g. services provided by grandparents);

— training in basic financial and legal matters (28) (to protect
the interests of older people, especially with regard to
Internet commerce);

— training courses on new information and communications

technologies;

— availability and accessibility of

information (newspapers,

radio, TV, Internet);

— variety of sport opportunities to suit different abilities and

interests;

— leisure activities and tourism (29) taking into account specific

cultural needs (30).

— open up institutions to enable older people to carry out

more voluntary work without replacing paid jobs.

3.5 Older people as consumers

3.4 Education and moves to keep people involved in society

Key prerequisites for older people participating in society and
being actively involved are education and lifelong learning and
involvement in projects geared to the needs of older people. To
this end, the range of activities on offer at local, regional and
supra-regional level should be adjusted accordingly:

— lifelong training to maintain the skills of older workers. Busi-
nesses should facilitate and support relevant measures here.
At the same time, incentives must be put in place (e.g. tax
incentives);

(21) See Naegele, G. & Walker, A. (2006): ‘A guide to good practice in age
management. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living
and Working Conditions’, Dublin.

(22) For example, the ESF finances a project in the UK providing former
managers aged over 50 with the opportunity to advise and mentor
younger colleagues and postgraduates in over 200 SMEs.
(23) See EESC opinion of 13.12.2006 on Voluntary activity:

its role in
European society and its impact, rapporteur: Ms Koller (OJ C 325,
30.12.2006).

Older people have a variety of needs, relating both to the provi-
sion of everyday goods (see 3.2.1) and durable consumer goods,
and to technical help and assistance (see 3.6) as well as services
of all kinds, which should open up new job prospects for
younger people.

(24) Cf. EESC opinion of 9.2.2005 on the Integrated action programme in the
field of lifelong learning, rapporteur: Mr Koryfidis (OJ C 221, 8.9.2005);
EESC opinion of 18.5.2006 on Key competences for lifelong learning,
rapporteur: Ms Herczog (OJ C 195, 18.8.2006); EESC opinion of
30.5.2007 on the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning,
rapporteur: Mr Rodriguez (OJ C 175, 27.7.2007); and EESC opinion
of 13.3.2008 on Adult learning, rapporteur: Ms Heinisch (OJ C 204,
9.8.2008).

(25) Without prejudice to Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of

professional qualifications.

(26) In connection with practical training or volunteering for older people,

for example.

(27) The project Transition — Ausbildung zum/zur Übergangsbegleiter/in für
frühkindliche Bildungsprozesse (Transition — training as transition
expert in early childhood education), which is part of the Socrates
Grundtvig 1.1 programme, could provide a model here
(http://www.elternverein-bw.de).
(28) See Communication on financial

education, COM(2007)808,

18.12.2007, p. 7.

(29) Cf. the project Travelagents

(www.travelagentsproject.org).

(30) Cf. the project AAMEE
(http://www.aamee.eu/).

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To this end, the following is required:

— a general product design along the lines of

‘Universal
Design’ and ‘Design for All’ (31) with readable and compre-
hensible instructions;

— prevention of discrimination on grounds of age and
in particular

disability concerning the access to services,
financial services (32);

— enforcement of consumer rights also for older people;

— the profile of retirement migrants has changed over the
years. Many find themselves with fewer retirement resources
and may have health and social care needs for which current
health and welfare systems make little provision. Retirement
migrants fall between the gap of national entitlements being
no longer covered by their home country's policy and not
covered by the host country. There needs to be a greater
understanding and debate about this issue across the EU to
effect change, for which the European level is relevant and
beneficial for citizens.

3.6 Access to information and communication technologies (ICT)

As regards housing, health, participation in society and educa-
tion, as well as access to e-government, the use of new technol-
ogies is increasingly becoming the key to living an independent,
active life in old age. The same is true of services of general
interest aimed at older people themselves and of
related
economic development activities at regional and supraregional
level (33). Key to this are:

— moves to work at a very early stage of development on soft-
ware to ensure maximum accessibility and on hardware to
ensure optimum use of the functions of machines by people
who are not (or are no longer) familiar with them;

— available and accessible information and communication
including Ambient Assisted Living systems,

technologies,

(31) See the European Design for All e-Accessibility Network

(EDeAN; http://www.edean.org/).

(32) Issuing small loans might be a useful way of providing older people
with the basis for independent activity should they retire or become
unemployed.

(33) See EESC opinion of 29.5.2008 on Older people — new ICT, rapporteur:
Ms Darmanin (OJ C 224, 30.8.2008); EU Parliament Report
RR\39694EN.doc, PE396.494v03-00; Malanowski, N., Özcivelek, R.
and Cabrera, M.: ‘Active Ageing and Independent Living Services: The
Role of Information and Communication Technology’. JRC Scientific
and Technical Report, EUR 2346 EN — 2008.

technologies for e-learning, e-health, e-care and e-rehabilita-
tion. Technologies can help without substituting personal
contact (34);

— simpler access and use of relevant technical equipment and
networks given the growing complexity of systems and
adjustment to the specific needs of older people (e.g. sight
problems, problems with sense of touch);

— considering the needs of older users and measures to boost

interest in using such tools;

— involving all stakeholders and respecting ethical and legal
points of view especially when it comes to the use of elec-
tronic monitoring systems in cases of dementia;

— accompanying measures such as integrated advisory, installa-
tion and maintenance services, as well as social services;

— considering the knock-on effects of social change and the

new experiences and interests of the next generations.

3.7 Financial security

It is important to urge the Member States to create the condi-
tions for the security and dignity of older people, whether they
are contributing to the life of society or not, throughout their
retirement.

Structural changes, the current reform of pension and social
systems and rising living costs coupled with falling purchasing
power mean that the proportion of people at risk of poverty in
old age is increasing.
It is predominantly older woman and
those with a history of long-term unemployment who are living
in poverty in certain Member States.

In order to ensure the long-term viability of social protection
systems, the Member States must encourage people still in work
to make use of collective or individual pension arrangements,
and ensure that private operators active in this area are solvent.
They must also guarantee a minimum level of income for all,
enabling every older person to lead a decent life, whatever his
or her personal circumstances.

(34) See the Action Plan on ‘Information and Communication Technolo-
gies and Ageing’ (COM(2007) 332 final), the Ambient Assisted Living
Joint Research Programme (http://www.aal-europe.eu/), the research
activities of the 7th framework programme for research and techno-
logical development (2007-2013) (http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/
index_en.cfm). and ‘Seniorwatch 2 — Assessment of the Senior
Market for ICT, Progress and Developments’
(http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/einclusion/
research/ageing/index_en.htm).

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4. Specific comments and recommendations

4.2 Measures at European level

The Committee calls for measures to be taken both within
Member States and at European level
to create a solidly-
grounded basis for the restructuring and innovation strategies
needed:

4.2.1
Establishment of an additional Expert Group on
Old Age within the framework of the European Commission's
expert group on demographic issues.

4.1 Measures within Member States

4.1.1 Compilation of national and regional situation

repor ts

What is needed first and foremost is a precise analysis of the
regional situations. The Committee urges the Commission to
compile regular situation reports on the individual Member
States accordingly, including information on the activity poten-
tial of older people.

4.1.2 Preparation and provision of infor mation

The Committee believes it is vital that relevant information,
knowledge and experience including previous research findings
as well as newly acquired knowledge be made available to
specialist committees, stakeholders and older people themselves.
In particular, there should be better communication of research
findings between the worlds of research, politics and users
(older people and their representatives).

4.2.2
Establishment of a European Alliance for an active
life in old age along the lines of the European Alliance for
Families (36) with the goal of providing incentives for leading an
active life in old age through the exchange of experience among
Member States and promoting cooperation and mutual learning
in the European Union. This alliance would be well-placed to
organise European conferences and workshops.

4.2.3 Establishment of a European Centre for Age

Research

Situation and experience reports will show which aspects and
features require further research (37). Findings from
regional
earlier research framework programmes and statistical data also
need to be put together and disseminated more widely and
incorporated into policy and practice (38). A European Centre
for Age Research along the lines of the US National Institute on
Ageing would be a particularly appropriate means of consoli-
dating, integrating and further developing bodies of statistical
and other relevant information already available

4.1.3 Processing and collating exper ience to date in

the Member States

4.2.4 Incor poration of an interdisciplinar y focus on
older people in the 8th research framework
programme

The Committee calls for regional best practice to be collated,
compared and assessed to see whether it ties in with other areas
and is transferable to other regions. The aim is to compile a list
of Best Practices to be made available to others (35).

The incorporation of an interdisciplinary focus on older people
in the 8th research framework programme would bring together
research activities.

4.1.4 Promoting a new image of old age

In an ageing society people can no longer be viewed as ‘inactive’
as soon as they stop work. A rethink at all
levels (politics,
economy, society) is required here. Countries and regions are
particularly well-placed to undertake regular campaigns on
promoting active aging.

The Committee

European media
4.1.5
campaign to promote an image of old age that acknowledges
the lifelong contribution of older people to the life of society
(including older migrants) and respect for old age.

proposes

a

(35) For example, in Wales there is a statutory Commissioner for Older
People, building on the experience of the Children's Commissioner,
who monitors policy and legislation and advocates and commissions
research.

4.2.5 Creation of a common European Inter net por tal

An internet portal of this kind should make available to the
public and especially older people all measures taken by indivi-
dual directorate-generals relating to old age. The information
should be retrievable via special links.

(36) See http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/families/european-allian-

ce-for-families-en.html.

(37) See the EESC opinion of 24.5.2000 on the Communication from the
Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and
Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — towards a European
Research Area, rapporteur: Mr Wolf (OJ C 204, 18.7.2000).

(38) A recommendation from the Sixth Framework Research Programme.
See also EESC opinion of 15.9.2004 on Research needs in the area of
demographic change, rapporteur: Ms Heinisch (OJ C 74, 23.3.2005).

C 77/122

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

31.3.2009

4.2.6 Creation

of

national
inter net por tals along the lines of the European
Interne t por tal

regional

local,

and

4.2.8
Inclusion of new priorities in the Lifelong Learning
Programme to facilitate the training of support workers to
assist with the transition between various stages of life.

4.2.7 Suppor t for a demography fund as par t of the

Str uctural Funds (39)

In view of the particularly precarious situation of regions with
dwindling populations, the European demography fund should
benefit rural regions and regions with below-average growth in
particular and promote good initiatives.

On the basis of

4.3
the proposed measures, appropriate
concepts can be devised for recommended courses of action and
political measures. The EESC calls on the Commission to take
account of these proposals in the planned communication.

Brussels, 18 September 2008.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Dimitris DIMITRIADIS

(39) See Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 of 11.7.2006 laying
down general provisions on the European Regional Development
Fund,
the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund (EC)
No 1260/1999; see also EESC opinion of 13.12.2007 on the Fourth
Cohesion Report, rapporteur: Mr Derrunine (OJ C 120, 16.5.2008).