5
Jul
2022
Watch
Common European action on care (debate)
Commissioner, I'm sorry. Mr President, thank you very much. The issue of care, in particular care for the elderly, is a difficult, perhaps even the most difficult and urgent social problem. The reasons for this are demographic change, ageing populations, low fertility rates and high dependency rates, often also longer life ages, but with disabilities and dependencies. Another reason is the lack of care staff – low-paid, often illegally employed – and the diversity of health systems, including in rehabilitation. I will address the solutions of this joint resolution. In my view, rapid deinstitutionalisation can only serve the privatisation of the sector, as well as the lack of public services. This will exacerbate staff shortages and, contrary to appearances, may lower rather than raise – which is our goal – care standards. Also, measuring the value of each care indicator is wishful thinking and technical thinking. We also need to be mindful of national competences. We need to combine different forms of care (institutional, community-based, day-care, round-the-clock) and propose systemic solutions.