EU cash to help older people stay independent

12th March 2008

EURO cash is to be invested in ensuring older people in Wales can lead independent and active lives while living in their own homes.

Labour Euro-MP Glenys Kinnock today joined her European Parliament colleagues in voting to make €150 million available to research ways to improve independent living for older people.

The new European initiative will develop technologies to help older people in their daily living and working environment. The aim is to enable people to stay active longer in the workplace, remain socially connected and live independently into old age.

GLENYS KINNOCK said:

"Everyone, whatever their age, should be able to choose to live in dignity and safety in their own home. Yet, increasingly, older citizens who live on their own are faced with challenges not only to their health and safety but also to their mental and social wellbeing.

"We know that new technologies can help older people who want independence and to stay in touch with friends and family as well as maintaining an active social life. That's why the European Parliament has today decided to invest in researching these new technologies - to ensure that older people can lead independent and active lives, while living in their own homes."

The UK is among 23 EU countries who are to pool funds to speed up research into how we meet the needs of our ageing populations.

The EU-wide programme for independent living will focus on developing new technologies and exchange knowledge with other EU countries. Technologies being developed will assist with challenges older people face such as loss of memory, vision, hearing and mobility.

ICT for independent living can be as simple as an alarm button reminder to take medication or a sophisticated system that can predict when an older person is at risk of falling or a heart attack.