Care of Europe's older people

This paper explores dignity from the viewpoint of older Europeans themselves. General recommendations concerning policies for older persons are considered together with commitments included in action plans on ageing, in relation to the question of to what extent these texts can be seen as a means to guarantee the dignity of the older person? The interrelatedness of recommendations concerning health, labour market and those on social protection policies are stressed and the impact on the dignity of older citizens highlighted. The use of language is explored, as is the presentation of older persons in the media and advertising and the impact on dignity. The paper also questions whether dignity, or rather the loss of dignity, is experienced similarly by all groups of older persons. Is there a difference for men and women, for persons from ethnic minorities and for persons with a disability who are becoming old? Finally it considers what kind of care we want when we are old - how do we wish to be taken care of once we are no longer able to live fully independent lives in our own homes?