An effective approach to the implementation of the European Long-Term Care Strategy
The European population is ageing at a rapidly increasing rate. By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to rise by 41%, and those aged 80 and above will almost double. While increased longevity is a sign of progress in public health, it also brings significant challenges, particularly in terms of the need for long-term care.
This EuroHealthNet brief challenges the assumption that poor health is a natural and unavoidable part of ageing. Instead, it finds that the increasing need for long-term care is not caused by population ageing, but rather ageing in poor health.
There are significant differences in older people's health outcomes, which most-often reflect inequalities throughout the lifetime, such as in education, income level, working conditions, and living environments. This makes vulnerable people more likely to age in poor health.
Acknowledging the importance of healthy ageing, the European Union, through Principle 18 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, commits to ensuring that “everyone has the right to affordable long-term care services of good quality, in particular home care and community-based services.” In support of this, the 2022 European Care Strategy and the Council Recommendation stress the importance of supporting healthy ageing to maintain independence and dignity.
This policy brief presents recommendations and examples of best practices to encourage action for healthy ageing at the national, regional, local, and EU levels. It highlights two practices from the EuroHealthNet Partnership and offers suggestions for improving the implementation of the Council Recommendation, outlining a clear way forward.
Healthy ageing interventions bring considerable benefits in terms of older persons’ wellbeing and increased participation both in the labour market and in non-market productive activities.
