9.4.6. Future developments

The improvements in standard of living, the availability of healthcare intervention and innovations in medical care over the past 50 years have led to a steep increase in life expectancy for both men and women throughout Western Europe. However, this increase in life expectancy has also led to an increasing number of older people living with some physical or cognitive impairment as a result of the ageing process or due to a chronic illness (Mukaetova-Ladinska, 2006). Such physical or cognitive difficulties may interfere with the person’s ability to live in his/her own home independently and as such, may require home care or - in a more severe case - may lead to moving into residential care homes.

This has economic as well as quality of life related consequences not only for the older person affected but also for his/her family. For example, the financial cost of placing people with dementia into residential care amounted to over 66% of the total budget for dementia (Gray et al, 1993). Although clearly some people with a chronic condition such as dementia need residential or nursing home care, some people with milder symptoms may be able to remain at home with appropriate aid and support for helping them to live independently. With a move in some European countries such as the UK, towards an emphasis of independence and choice for older people and those with chronic conditions (UK DoH, 2005), the development of policies and programmes that allow older people to remain independently at home appears essential.

Top priorities / key areas for a European action plan:

·          Treat the older population as a diverse and growing group with individual rather than homogenous needs who can make a positive contribution in Europe

·          Focus on quality of life initiatives that support healthy lifestyles and healthy ageing (determinants of health ageing, minimizing the impact of chronic illness, social supports etc..)

·          Plan integrated systems across all sectors (health, environment, social, financial etc…) for the changing population shift (more older people, less young to middle-age, stable child / teen numbers)