The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), is the voice of organised civil society in the EU. The organisation representing 350 members which includes employers, trade unionists and representatives of social, occupational, economic and cultural organisations, has an advisory role towards the European Union, the Council and the Commission.
Mid-May the EESC published its own-initiative opinion on “Economic, technological and social changes in advanced health services for the elderly” led by rapporteur Marian Krzaklewski.
According to Eurostat forecasts (2015), over the next decades, Europe’s population will grow slowly from 507 million people in 2013 to 526 million in 2035. This will be accompanied by substantial ageing: the section of the population aged 65+ should increase from 18% to 28%. And by 2060 the 65+ age group will number 149 million.
A series of conclusions and recommendations were made in the opinion paper, on health services for older people. We are especially pleased to read the EESC’s publication and in particular item 1.5 and 1.6 below:
- 1.5 The EESC recommends that the right to dignified ageing be recognised as a fundamental human right. It therefore believes that every effort should be made to promote equal access to high-quality care and services.
- 1.6 The EESC would like the EU digital strategy to take account of the continued use of paper, to make it easier for older people to understand the care they are receiving.
Keep Me Posted EU promotes the citizen’s right to choose how they receive important information such as healthcare statements, medical reports, insurance updates and bills/statements from service providers without any disadvantage. The right to choose will ensure older citizens have access to high-quality healthcare and services. It is their fundamental right to receive the necessary information in their preferred medium at any time.
See EESC
