Stručni rad
Ageing, health and disability of older people - Europe's health policy challenges
Sanja Ozic
; Zagrebački holding d.o.o.
Sažetak
Summary
In 2018 in the EU-28 lived 101.1 million elderly people, while their share of the total European population
was almost one fifth (19.7%). By 2050 it is expected that elderly people will make up almost a one third
(28.5%) of European population, i.e. 149.2 million of elderly people. Health is one of the key issues of
the European Union in the context of the rapidly aging of European population. Eurostat data in 2017
show that almost three quarters (72.5%) of very old people (over 85 years) had a long-standing illness or
health problem, about two thirds (66.9%) of old people (75-85 years) and more than half (56.9%) of
elderly (65-74 years). Although most elderly people declared that they are capable to live independently,
every fifth elderly person says that they face some limitations in their basic daily activities. The existing
health care organization and models for elderly need to be further reformed on the concept of healthy
aging. Especially important are measures and interventions in the areas of: fall preventions, promoting of
physical activities, vaccination of the elderly and prevention of infectious diseases which must be
implemented in public health policies budget lines. Due to the increasing number of elderly people with
physical and sensory limitations and limitations in daily activities, the health care system should strongly
encourage and support forms of informal care with a focus on home care. It is necessary to support the
increase of social services, especially for home care, because of long-term inevitable integration of health
and social services for elderly people. Preventing of social isolation and social exclusion of elderly people
also requires systematic interventions with a focus on dementia care. The increasing stigmatization by
age, ageism and exposure of elderly people by abusing and neglecting should not be ignored. It is
necessary to enhance capacity in geriatrics and gerontology as also in palliative care for long-term
patients. In order to make a breakthrough in healthy aging in Croatia, additional research on aging in
direct contact with elderly people is needed. The answer to the question of how to finance the growing
needs of the elderly should be sought in the potential of the elderly people, in addition to budget items.
This potential is important for harmonization the growing needs and costs of care and ensuring solidarity
with the elderly people. That is why we need to work together in the community to improve health for
elderly people and facilitate the participation of elderly people in all aspects of society.
Ključne riječi
Ageing, elderly health, healthy ageing
Hrčak ID:
299140
URI
Datum izdavanja:
7.1.2020.
Posjeta: 459 *