1. There is no denying the fact that Europe is ageing. However, old age must be regarded not as an illness but as a highly complex progressive process requiring a new approach to social policies.
2. Elderly persons possess an extremely diverse range of experience, skills, needs and concerns and constitute a new source of richness on account of their private and professional experience.
3. The Parliamentary Assembly takes this opportunity to congratulate the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe on its proposal to draw up a charter on inter-generational co-operation, aimed at establishing forums for dialogue between the generations.
4. A person’s age is no longer an indicator of health, wealth or social status, and there is a pressing need to change approaches and stereotypes related to ageing and to adjust policies accordingly, notably with regard to the compulsory retirement age. Increased life expectancy also has significant implications for social protection systems in the Council of Europe member states.
5. In this connection, the Assembly refers to one of the conclusions of the United Nations 2nd World Assembly on Ageing held in Madrid in 2002, according to which “Older persons should have the opportunity to work for as long as they wish and are able to, in satisfying and productive work”.
6. Unfortunately, elderly persons still too often encounter discrimination, whether in their daily lives or in a professional context. This discrimination concerns their employment, their access to health care, education and financial services and their involvement in political decision making. In this context, the Assembly considers that extremely rapid action is needed to end, inter alia, the scandalous situations observed in certain institutions or retirement homes and to prevent elderly people from suffering from social exclusion and having to live in unacceptable conditions incompatible with the fundamental principles governing member states. Increased life expectancy must be a blessing for everyone.
7. Bearing in mind Article 23 of the revised European Social Charter (ETS No. 163), which provides that elderly persons shall have access to “the health care and services necessitated by their state”, the Assembly deplores the fact that in some countries elderly persons may be denied treatment because of its high cost.
8. In this connection, the Assembly underlines the need for appropriate legislation or collective agreements, not least in respect of dependent elderly persons living in institutions or retirement homes.
9. The Assembly points out that the majority of elderly persons in the member states are women, who form a particularly vulnerable group which is discriminated against in many ways. Furthermore, the insecurity of elderly women is exacerbated by inadequate social support and their low income. It can also be noted that it is frequently women who have the responsibility of caring for elderly persons, obliging them to stop working with all the ensuing consequences for their income level and future pension.
10. The Assembly draws attention to the particular situation of elderly migrants and elderly disabled people. Elderly migrants face a particular risk of double or even triple discrimination and requires specific policies and culturally sensitive services, as outlined in Recommendation 1619 (2003) on rights of elderly migrants. Moreover, governments should recognise the significant contribution that elderly migrants have made to economic growth in the past and the important role they can still play in helping new generations of migrants to integrate in the host country.
11. The Assembly accordingly recommends that the Committee of Ministers request the member states to:
11.1. regarding social protection systems:
11.2. regarding employment of elderly people and their participation in local affairs:
11.3. regarding assistance and support for families:
11.4. regarding access to health care:
11.5. regarding vulnerable groups: