Older people as assets – Boosting employment and mental health in an ageing Europe

It’s a fact - Europe is getting increasingly older. With the average European living to be almost 80,  governments need to plan ahead for changes in public health and social systems, labor markets and public finances. Anticipating the upcoming challenges, as well as the future opportunities, Mental Health Europe (MHE) is urging European leaders not to overlook the mental health aspects of employment in older people, while also fighting the stigma and stereotypes associated with older workers.

Welcoming the launch of the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity, MHE would like to remind Member States that increasing the employment rate of older workers is crucial to attaining the goal of the Europe 2020 Strategy of achieving 75% overall employment in the next eight years.

For older people, staying in employment contributes not only to an increased level of financial security, but also to a more fulfilling social life and a stronger sense of belonging to community. At the same time, employers can greatly benefit from hiring older workers, who may have a more holistic approach due to the knowledge and expertise accumulated during their working life. Through life-long learning measures, employers can develop the existing skills of older persons, enabling an efficient combination of acquired working competences and new working methods. Therefore, recognizing that older workers are assets and thus supporting them to stay longer in employment is a clear win-win situation.

As older people are not a homogenous group, flexible retirement schemes should be developed, allowing older people to work longer on a full-time or part-time basis. Moreover, volunteering initiatives should be fostered as valuable alternative to employment, allowing older people to engage in meaningful activities which can boost their wellbeing.

Staying active in later life is crucial to maintaining good physical and mental health. Mental Health Europe thus expects real commitments from the Danish Presidency, under whose auspices the European Year will be launched. MHE will be present at the launch conference in Copenhagen on January 18-19, ensuring that mental health is clearly reflected in all policy outcomes.

“Mental health is a crucial element to active ageing, and should not be overlooked. Still, it is important to recognize that while most older people would benefit from employment or volunteering, mental health problems such as dementia or Alzheimer’s might prevent some from doing  so,” MHE President Nace Kovač said. “However, older people with mental health problems should also be given the means to lead an active life, included in society through adequate and dignified support measures, adapted to the individual needs,” Kovač added.  

For more information, please contact Mental Health Europe, at info@mhe-sme.org or +32 2 280 04 68