The increasing life expectancy of people and the corresponding rise in the proportion of the elderly in society is a topic at the forefront in EU countries. This is evident from the European Congress of Local Government, recently held in Poland, where thousands of participants from different countries and communities gathered.
The European Congress of Local Government is a massive event often referred to as the Polish Davos. It serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and a meeting place for leaders in local government, representatives of regional elites, members of state administrations, the civil sector, and EU business. On March 4 and 5, a part of the Starenki team participated in this event.
Among numerous panel discussions, at least two were entirely dedicated to the theme of the elderly: ‘Active Aging and Dignified Longevity as a Challenge for Local Government’ and ‘Policy Challenges Regarding the Elderly at the Local and Regional Levels.’ Varvara Tertychna, CEO of Starenki, took part in the latter discussion.
A pleasant realization was that at the national level in Poland and other EU countries, there is a clear understanding of the importance of working with the elderly, recognizing demographic trends and forecasts. Strategic and proactive actions are seen as necessary.
It is crucial for individuals over 60 to remain actively engaged in societal life, realizing their potential and feeling their relevance, including in the job market. The Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Policy is actively working on this, as there is a clear understanding that the longer older people can lead fulfilling lives, the less burden there will be on the healthcare and social care systems.