Ageing in the European Community
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826 VIEW FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Ageing in the European Community Nickg Cogan Issues concerning elderly people are among the Government’s most important priorities and for the Department of Health in particular they come very high on the agenda. It is a welcome coincidence that the implementation of the community care reforms took place during the European Year of Older People and of Solidarity between the Generations. It is apt because of the linking central principle that individuals should be at the centre of decisions made about their lives. Their individual needs should be addressed and their individual voices heard. One of the benefits of an European approach is that we can learn from each other’s experience. The European Year offered an opportunity to highlight innovation and good practice across the member States and a wider Europe including the growing links between the Community and the EFTA countries. There is broad agreement across Europe that the policy that the UK Government has been pursuing over the last twenty years of helping people to live independently in their own homes wherever possible is the right one. Individual Approach The Government has placed much emphasis on individual assessment because elderly people are not an amorphous group. Having enabled the NHS to evolve into a more responsible organisation by developing the purchaser/provider split, the UK is again at the forefront of good practice and care in the community. There needs to be informed discussion throughout Europe about the implications of an ageing society. There are many issues to be considered including employment policy, income levels, transport, housing, and bereavement and support for carers. All Government Departments have a role in ensuring that the particular needs of older people are considered whenever policy is being formulated. The White Paper ‘The Health of the Nation’ took for the first time a long-term view of avoidable illness. Its targets on stroke, heart disease, accidents and mental illness are all relevant to older people. The message is simple: you are never too young, or too old, to start living healthily. In the White Paper the Government recognised that the health of older people is potentially a key area in its own right. Two recent publications will provide a basis for informed discussion about the implications of an ageing society including different models of health promotion activity. Targets can then be set which are specific to older people with measures of effectiveness. Working Together Collaborative work with other Departments includes work with the Home Office in promoting the work of the voluntary sector, a revision of ‘Your Home in Retirement: Housing advice for older people’ with the Department of the Environment, and contributions to the Department of Employment on the best ways of tackling age discrimination in employment. With the backing of the Department of Health, the European Commission has agreed to fund the Centre for Policy on Ageing in the production of a European Community Directory on policies and services for older people to complement its World and UK directories. The DOHhas been able to provide half the total costa of the Open University course ‘An Ageing Society’, which will be available from February 1994, to advance knowledge about later life. The importance of encourag- ing the spread of knowledge is well supported within the Government. Finally, the Government shares the objectives held by the many organisations for this European Year, these being: .To heighten awareness of issues affecting older people. .To promote discussion of the changes required to meet these issues. .To promote better understanding between generations. .To involve older people more in the development of closer European links. There is no doubt that the support is given, that the opportunitiesare there, and that progress will take place. Author and Address for Correspondence Nicky Cogan MCSP is Physiotherapy Officer, Department of Health, Wellington House, 133- 155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 80G. Phyrlotbrapy, December 1993, vol79, no 12
Transcript of Ageing in the European Community
826
VIEW FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Ageing in the European Community Nickg Cogan
Issues concerning elderly people are among the Government’s most important priorities and for the Department of Health in particular they come very high on the agenda. It is a welcome coincidence that the implementation of the community care reforms took place during the European Year of Older People and of Solidarity between the Generations. It is apt because of the linking central principle that individuals should be at the centre of decisions made about their lives. Their individual needs should be addressed and their individual voices heard.
One of the benefits of an European approach is that we can learn from each other’s experience. The European Year offered an opportunity to highlight innovation and good practice across the member States and a wider Europe including the growing links between the Community and the EFTA countries. There is broad agreement across Europe that the policy that the UK Government has been pursuing over the last twenty years of helping people to live independently in their own homes wherever possible is the right one.
Individual Approach The Government has placed much emphasis on individual assessment because elderly people are not an amorphous group. Having enabled the NHS to evolve into a more responsible organisation by developing the purchaser/provider split, the UK is again at the forefront of good practice and care in the community.
There needs to be informed discussion throughout Europe about the implications of an ageing society. There are many issues to be considered including employment policy, income levels, transport, housing, and bereavement and support for carers. All Government Departments have a role in ensuring that the particular needs of older people are considered whenever policy is being formulated.
The White Paper ‘The Health of the Nation’ took for the first time a long-term view of avoidable illness. Its targets on stroke, heart disease, accidents and mental illness are all relevant to older people. The message
is simple: you are never too young, or too old, to start living healthily.
In the White Paper the Government recognised that the health of older people is potentially a key area in its own right. Two recent publications will provide a basis for informed discussion about the implications of an ageing society including different models of health promotion activity. Targets can then be set which are specific to older people with measures of effectiveness.
Working Together Collaborative work with other Departments includes work with the Home Office in promoting the work of the voluntary sector, a revision of ‘Your Home in Retirement: Housing advice for older people’ with the Department of the Environment, and contributions to the Department of Employment on the best ways of tackling age discrimination in employment.
With the backing of the Department of Health, the European Commission has agreed to fund the Centre for Policy on Ageing in the production of a European Community Directory on policies and services for older people to complement its World and UK directories.
The DOH has been able to provide half the total costa of the Open University course ‘An Ageing Society’, which will be available from February 1994, to advance knowledge about later life. The importance of encourag- ing the spread of knowledge is well supported within the Government. Finally, the Government shares the objectives held by the many organisations for this European Year, these being: .To heighten awareness of issues affecting older people. .To promote discussion of the changes required to meet these issues. .To promote better understanding between generations. .To involve older people more in the development of closer European links. There is no doubt that the support is given, that the opportunities are there, and that progress will take place.
Author and Address for Correspondence Nicky Cogan MCSP is Physiotherapy Officer, Department of Health, Wellington House, 133- 155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 80G.
Phyrlotbrapy, December 1993, vol79, no 12
