1. Older people a resource
– not a burden
Eighth Global Conference on Health Promotion:
Health in All Policies”
Helsinki, Finland 13 June 2013
Barbro Westerholm
Member of Health Expert Group
AGE Platform Europe

2. WHO in “Health Crisis 2000” (1982)
“The elderly have an important social role to play.
They are often the most experienced members of
society.
They may have more physical needs than the rest of
the family but they are often those who demand the
least.
If they are allowed, they can play a positive role
when it comes to upbringing of children, give
stability in the home and give parents possibility to
relaxation from the needs of their children.
They can by means of their life experience be a
psychological anchor in times of stress.”

3. The demographic change
Yesterday To-day To-morrow

4. Some facts about older people in Europe
From the European Review on the Social Determinants of Health and the
Health Divide (Emily Grundy et al 2012)
 Life expectancy: Large differences between countries,
lowest in the eastern part of the region
 Men in Sweden live 17 years longer than men in eastern
Europe, women 12 years
 Differences are found both between and within countries
 Educational, socioeconomic, gender and life style
differences lie behind the figures but scientific data are
sometimes contradictory

5. The most important prerequisite for older people
older people's healthy ageing and quality of life
 To remain a Somebody, not to become a Nobody
 To be a part of society, at work or in a non-profit
organisation
 To be an important resource for family, friends,
neighbours etc.
“To keep your dignity, to be seen and feel important.
It is one of the most important factors for positive
ageing if you ask older Swedes” (H-70 study
Gothenburg 2013)

6. Ageism - age discrimination – an obstacle in the
way of older people to live a life with high quality and
to be seen as a resource
Ageism is defined as preconceived views or stereotype
apprehensions which emanate from a person's
chronological age and which can result in
discrimination
Discrimination is also a risk for mental illness
EU:s proposed broad directive against age
discrimination should be approved

7. To remain a resource,
health promotion the responsibility of all sectors of
society
 Physical activity
 Brain exercise
 Accident prevention
 Nutrition
 Non-smoking
 Respect for alcohol
 Vaccinations against influenza and pneumonia
 Prevention of elder abuse
 Rational use of medicines
 Housing according to needs

8. Physical activity, example from a
municipality outside Stockholm
 A Primary health care centre started keep-fit
exercises for 90+ in March 2011(9 men, 7 women,
90 – 97 years old).
 After two years, all participants are alive.
 Weekly training for free
 Balance, coordination, muscle strength
 Coffee and fruit afterwards
 Most important – the feeling of togetherness

9. Healthy ageing – how to keep older people a
a resource
Action has to be taken at different levels
 Global level
 EU/European level
 National level
 Local level
 Non-profit organisations
and involve all sectors in
society e.g. transport, education,
housing, food industry
The older people themselves

10. Piet Hein (1905 – 1996)
Health is not bought with a
chemist's pills, nor saved by the
surgeon's knife. Health is not only
the absence of ills, but the fight for
the fullness of life.