Dignity has no age

"Discriminatory policies towards elderly people must stop" stated Thomas Hammarberg, outgoing Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe in the "Human Rights Comment", published in 2012, "European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations". In his statement, Hammarberg recalls that the privatisation of institutional care for older persons in Sweden has recently been marked by scandals. He also underlined the violations of their rights in hospitals of the United Kingdom, and failings of the English national health system towards older patients. However, there are not only shadows: the Commissioner also mentions the Irish coalition of non-governmental groups, "Older & Bolder", that is campaigning for "positive ageing" policies. Violation of the rights of old people in Sweden… As regards the privatization of health care centers of the elderly in Sweden, "Media have revealed that a business company running a number of such institutions has prioritised profit making and bonuses for top managers over decent care for the residents", reports the Commissioner, who added that "Cases of urgent health conditions were mishandled" as "there were too few nursing personnel". Existing staff "were asked to find ways to limit costs even on food, diapers and protective gloves". For this reason, local authorities have cancelled contracts with this particular company and the Swedish government has stated that the control of such institutions will be improved. … and in the United Kingdom. "Such violations of the rights of older people are not unique to Sweden or the system of privatised care", said Hammarberg, referring to the report, "Care and Compassion?" published by the Health Service Ombudsman Ann Abraham in England on the failings of the English national health system towards older patients. Michelle Mitchell, of Age UK, said: ” ‘The inhumane treatment of older people described in this report is sickening and should send shockwaves through the NHS and government", while Katherine Murphy, chairperson of Patient Association, asked: “How many more reports are needed before something changes and the patients stop suffering?” “My findings – said Ann Abraham – present a picture of NHS provision that is failing to respond to the needs of older people with care and compassion and to provide even the most basic standards of care". Changing attitudes. "Investigative journalists and active Ombudsmen have discovered and reported on such problems in other countries as well – Hammarberg said -. Still, it is my strong impression that these situations are grossly under-reported" as "elderly themselves hesitate to complain fearing a negative reaction from staff – or are unable to raise their voices because of their disability". Elderly people have been disproportionately victimised by the ongoing economic crisis", continues the Commissioner, "Many elderly live in abject poverty; old and lonely women with little or no pensions are particularly vulnerable". While acknowledging that "attempts have been made in several countries to protect vulnerable groups from the consequences of austerity budgets", Hammarberg cautions: "the combined effects of the cuts – on nursing personnel, pensions, allowances and also on monitoring bodies – have hurt the weaker brackets". It is also "a question of attitudes: Older people are often seen as unproductive and merely a burden". “Positive ageing” in Ireland. But there’s some good news: it’s the coalition of non-governmental groups in Ireland, "Older & Bolder", aimed at combating "stereotypes and petty humiliations poisoning the daily lives of older people". One of their messages, Hammarberg said, "is that we should stop talking about the elderly as a separate group – old age is a phase in all our lives. The problem is not that many people live longer nowadays but that society as a whole has not come to terms with the increasing average life span". “Older & Bolder” is campaigning for "positive ageing" policies, based on views expressed by older people themselves. The coalition refers repeatedly to the United Nations Principles for Older Persons adopted in 1991 – elaborated under the headings of Independence; Participation; Care; Self-fulfillment; and Dignity. "This document makes important points, but the fact is that neither the UN, nor any other intergovernmental body, has done enough to protect the rights of older people" for whom there is no special "treaty" or "agency". The Commissioner said he hopes that in the course of the year, notably at the UN ministerial conference due to be held in Vienna in September 2011, will be seriously addressed the urgent challenges Europe is called to face: "how to allow for a longer working life for those willing and able"; "how to prevent discrimination and promote social inclusion; and on how to create an environment enabling independence and healthy ageing in dignity".