Healthy ageing is about ‘optimising opportunities for good health, so that older people can take an active part in society and enjoy an independent and high quality of life’ (Healthy Ageing: A Challenge for Europe).
"This website is launched at an opportune moment, as it gives us the valuable opportunity to foster debate on how to advance our goals for active and healthy ageing...
I congratulate EuroHealthNet on this valuable tool for raising awareness, spreading good practice and encouraging policymakers and stakeholders to facilitate active ageing."
John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy.
Ageing is not necessarily a burden, and it does not necessarily decrease a person's ability to contribute to society: older people can make valuable and important contributions to society, and enjoy a high quality of life. But this depends on treating ageing as an opportunity rather than a burden, and taking a so-called 'assets-based approach'.
Only by concentrating on what people can do, rather than what they cannot, can strategies and political decisions be taken which help create the right conditions to promote healthy behaviours amongst older people and provide the necessary opportunities for regular physical activity, healthy diets, fulfilling social relations, participation in meaningful activities and financial security.
By showcasing practical examples of health promotion interventions, identifying initiatives in the European Union, and making available key resources about healthy ageing, we hope that healthyageing.eu builds awareness of the steps required to make healthy ageing a reality, and helps contribute towards a successful European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity Between Generations.
EuroHealthNet is keen to develop partnerships with those who are interested in evidence-based health promotion policy and practice to achieve healthy ageing for all - please contact us if this applies to you.
