"As we get older, we all risk depending one someone’s help. Now, however, we don’t know whether we will be treated with dignity". Vladimir Spidla, commissioner for social affairs, reflects on the situation of elderly people at a conference that has been held today in Brussels by the EU Commission about the level of care for elderly people in the EU member states. The EU Executive submitted a survey, according to which 47% of Europeans think "elderly people are exposed to the risk of negligence and abuse", and that such phenomena are widespread all over Europe. "These are problems that are going to increase with the ageing of the population", explained Spidla. "From now to 2050, people aged over 80 will be three times as muany. They will depend on their family or professionals for help". Since this part of the population is considered more vulnerable, according to the Commission, some initiatives should be planned to provide the highest level of care. Hence the invitation made at today’s conference, which gathered politicians, experts, professionals, welfare and volunteer groups, to do something for "more vulnerable elderly people", as well as reflect on what measures can be taken for training or supporting the families and the industry operators.
