The elderly: prosperity and intergenerational solidarity

The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Mrs Luciana SBARBATI (ELDR, I) that seeks to set out a strategy for tackling the problem of an ageing population. In particular, the paper seeks to offer the elderly a better quality of life by putting forward ways to adapt employment, social protection and health protection strategies to the needs rising from demographic trends. The resolution calls on the Commission to explore better ways of making use of the vast experience and skills of older people and of promoting information campaigns that can spread this philosophy. There is a call for the EU to develop special policies and specific programmes for each category of older people - particularly the poor. The resolution also calls for measures to be taken against age-based discrimination and for the monitoring of Member States compliance with recommendations in this field. Moreover, the Commission and the Member States are called upon to introduce innovative models for urban planning, transport and housing to ensure the quality of life, enabling them to maintain their independence and self-reliance. Lastly, the resolution calls on the Commission to collaborate closely with the candidate countries, particularly those with similar demographic trends to the European Union, in order to collaborate closely to promote the professional and social integration of older people.�