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The European Union (EU) plays an important role shaping policies that affect older people. It has:

• introduced laws to combat discrimination against older people
• worked to improve the portability of pension rights and patient mobility
• developed ways of exchanging information between countries to identify the best policies on pensions‚ poverty alleviation and the long-term provision of health and care services.

To find out more please download the following series of documents (these documents are in the process of being revised so some of the information may not be up-to-date):

• Older People in Europe: Setting the Agenda (2009)
  This pamphlet sets out the key issues facing older people in the EU‚ and the policies that Age Concern is urging all Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to prioritise in the run-up to the 2009 European Parliament elections.
  
• Is the European Union working for older people? (2007)
  This document seeks to set out the place of older people in modern Europe and looks at the way the EU is making a difference for older people‚ with particular reference to the UK.
  
• The European Union‚ healthcare and long-term care (2007)
  This briefing explains how the EU works to improve access to quality healthcare and long-term care services for older people.
  
• The European Union‚ income in later life and pensions (2007)
  This briefing explains how the EU helps to define pension policies and secure an adequate income in later life for people in the UK.
  
• The European Union‚ older workers and employment (2007)
  This briefing explains the EU’s role in defining employment policies towards older people in the UK.
  
• Key facts: Older people and the European Union (2007)
  This briefing sets out some of the key evidence and statistics revealing the situation of older people in the UK and across the European Union. It complements other briefings in the series.

Contact us

European & International Unit
Tel: +44 20 8765 7717
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