POLICY WATCH
Alzheimer Europe speaks to Vice-President Dubravka Šuica about the EU’s plans on ageing demographics As the population of EU ages and the numbers of people with dementia are projected to rise, Alzheimer Europe spoke to the European Commission’s Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, Dubravka Šuica, about the EU’s plan for a Green Paper on Ageing. In the interview, the Vice-President outlines the focus of the Green Paper and how it will tie into other areas of EU Policy and the next steps for its development and implementation.
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It is crucial that we do not look at the issues of demographic developments, health and social policies in an isolated manner: they are all intrinsically interlinked and condition each other.”
By 2070, more than 30% of the population is projected to be aged 65 or older, compared to approximately 20% now. This has a wide variety of impacts on our lives – both at an individual but also population level, as well as at a social and economic level. Therefore, the Green Paper will not only be about older persons but also about how all of this plays out for the younger generation. It will be about ageing and not only about the aged. We will look at social and fiscal impacts, especially in the care sector and at labour markets but we What can we expect to see in the Green and presenting the evidence on demo- will also approach these issues from a health Paper on Ageing, due for publication 2021? graphic trends and looking at the impact perspective. While we are still in an early phase they have on the lives of European citizens. of preparations, it is obvious to me that this The Green Paper on Ageing is my first policy On average, we live longer and healthier Green Paper will need to clearly address the initiative emanating from the Commis- lives, even if this may sound counterintu- challenges that come with an ageing society, sion Report on the Impact of Demographic itive given the reality of COVID-19. At the as much as pointing to opportunities that we Change, which we published in June 2020. same time, fewer children are being born have not identified or exploited enough so far. This report lays the ground for the Green in Europe, so as a result the overall populaPaper and other future work, by collecting tion is ageing. Alzheimer Europe recently published the Dementia in Europe Yearbook 2019 which showed that the numbers of people living with dementia will double by 2050 due to significantly ageing demographics in Europe – how can dementia be prioritised in the Green Paper?
Vice-President of Democracy and Demography, Dubravka Šuica
16 Dementia in Europe
Dementia is a disease that hits the elderly in particular. It affects their well-being, their quality of life and also takes a considerable toll on those around them, be it family, friends or carers. With the gradually changing age structure in Europe, this is already becoming a key challenge. Yet, we are also making medical and scientific progress and are learning how to better support persons living with dementia. Since the Green Paper will address in particular the needs that arise in an ageing society, we will take a closer look at what this means for our healthcare and long-term care systems but also intergenerational solidarity and dignity.
