Abstract:

Part of the Rethinking Ageing Series (Brian Gearing, series editor), this work presents findings from recent policy-oriented research undertaken by the European Union's (EU's) Observatory on Ageing & Older People, which has documented the socioeconomic policies that affect older people & the extent of their social integration in European society. It is generally found that older people are highly integrated in both micro- & macroforms of the EU. Older people are experiencing a relatively high degree of familial & personal satisfaction in most Western European countries, although there is wide disparity between such countries as the Netherlands & Denmark, where older people appear happier, & countries like Greece & Portugal, where they indicate much lower levels of happiness. However, older people are less well-integrated into the major socioeconomic institutions of the EU, largely as a result of four barriers: income, age discrimination, health & social care, & fear. It is concluded that social policies that provide more crime prevention, an increase in home care services, a reduction of labor market discrimination, & the promotion of intergenerational solidarity are appropriate measures for the greater integration of older people into the EU.