1. ACTIVE AGEING Definition: Giving opportunities to the millions of healthy older people to take an active part in society and use their experience to the benefit of younger generations (Mrs. Trama – Zada)

2. Impact of an Ageing Society 1) Life Expectancy is Increasing 2½ in every 10 years. As a result of economic, social and medical progress we are presently living in better health As a result of economic, social and medical progress we are presently living in better health 2) At present baby-boomers are reaching retirement age.

3. Opinions Opportunity for young people just starting their career. Opportunity for young people just starting their career. A burden on the younger generation to pay for their pensions and healthcare because of a higher dependency ratio. A burden on the younger generation to pay for their pensions and healthcare because of a higher dependency ratio.

4. Dependency Ratio The number of People Aged 65 and above relative to those aged from 15 to 64. The number of People Aged 65 and above relative to those aged from 15 to 64. To Double and Reach 51% by 2050 To Double and Reach 51% by 2050 Means that for 4 of working Age will dwindle to 2 for persons over 65. Means that for 4 of working Age will dwindle to 2 for persons over 65.

5. Negative Side Fears that: i) Jeopardize public investment in the younger generation. the younger generation. ii) Hinder longer-term growth of ii) Hinder longer-term growth of the economy. the economy.

6. Positive Side Problem should be looked at as a challenge. Problem should be looked at as a challenge. i) Europeans over 50 can contribute so i) Europeans over 50 can contribute so much in diverse ways. much in diverse ways. ii) Older people should not be considered as ii) Older people should not be considered as a problem but part of the solution. a problem but part of the solution. Therefore Active ageing is a pre-requisite for greater solidarity. In 2009 46% of the 55-64 years olds were in employment – nine percentage points higher than in 2000. Therefore Active ageing is a pre-requisite for greater solidarity. In 2009 46% of the 55-64 years olds were in employment – nine percentage points higher than in 2000.

7. Key Issues in Active Ageing 1) Retirement Age should be voluntary and not mandatory. not mandatory. 2) Foster opportunities. 3) Goods and Services need to Be Adapted in an Ageing Population. an Ageing Population. 4) Stronger rewards for staying on the Labour Market thus reducing the risk of poverty in old Market thus reducing the risk of poverty in old age. age. 5) Need to find ways to increase healthy years. EU objective is to increase it By 2 years by 2020. objective is to increase it By 2 years by 2020.

8. 6) Importance of Life Long Learning so as to match the needs of today’s labour market. match the needs of today’s labour market. Less than 5% of 55-64 cohort in training in Less than 5% of 55-64 cohort in training in 2008. 2008. 7) Many Carers are elderly – need to reconcile work with caring responsibilities. work with caring responsibilities. 8) Promotion of healthy life-style and give more emphasis on preventive measures. emphasis on preventive measures. 9) Adopting our urban environment and housing to allow older people to remain autonomous for much longer. older people to remain autonomous for much longer. 10) To Monitor all these opportunities – Huge inequalities still exist to access to jobs and healthcare. exist to access to jobs and healthcare.

9. Active Ageing in Employments 1) To continue to work. Stable Income and possibly increase in savings to cover the period when income decreases. 2) Beneficial from the social inclusion aspect as it means interaction with more people. as it means interaction with more people. 3) Mandatory Age should be abolished. Full pension is to be maintained when pension is to be maintained when pensioners opt to continue to work. pensioners opt to continue to work. 4) Experience of the Elderly transferred to the younger generation i.e. preservation of crafts. younger generation i.e. preservation of crafts. 5) Provision for flexi-time and tele-working should be also introduced for elderly persons.

10. Volunteering A vital role in fostering the participation of older members of our society. Volunteering and Education enhances mental and physical health and reduces mortality rates. Many elderly help a lot in the upbringing of grandchildren.

11. Silver Economy Demand for new products and services. Ageing societies bring new opportunities to innovative firms through the demand for new or adopted goods. Results in: Job creation as new opportunities for qualified jobs develop.

12. Sectors Involved in Silver Economy include: Construction, housing, public sector, health and leisure, sports, culture, tourism, new media, telecommunications and financial Services.

13. Pensions and Benefits System The combination of ageing and low birth rates poses major economic, budgeting and social challenge. Cost is projected to just under 5 percentage points of GDP by 2060. President Barroso commented in his political guidelines: We need to leisure that pensioners do the job intended of providing the maximum support to current and future pensioners including for Vulnerable groups. A Green Paper on Pension Reform is expected to be published by the end of the year.

14. Health Care Systems and Long-Term Care An ageing population will also require increased public spending on long-term care and this is projected to increase by over 1% of GDP by 2060.

15. Points to be Considered 1) Practical Delivery and Organization of care is crucial. is crucial. 2) Role of Informal Care (often family members) needs to be looked at with great care. needs to be looked at with great care. The objective is to improve the co-ordination of long-term care policies, with a particular focus on access, quality and sustainability.

16. Age-Discrimination Issues An equitable labour market and society also means tackling negative stereotypes of older people and age discrimination. 58% of Europeans perceive age discrimination to be widespread. Age discrimination often occurs in accessing goods and Services (insurance products, healthcare) and has negative effects on individuals on health and life satisfaction. A new Directive is being proposed to also ban discrimination based on age in social protection, education and access to goods and age in social protection, education and access to goods andservices.

17. Conclusion Persons over 60 are not just passive recipients and make an enormous contribution to society that is too often disorganized and neglected. Solidarity between generations should also mean helping older people who need assistance. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION