June 2017
Special Briefing
 eHealth : a solution for sustainable public health in Europe?
The issue of e-health is gaining more and more importance in European policies as it is seen as a way to make our health systems more sustainable in an ageing Europe while offering new opportunities for economic growth.
This briefing will help you know more about eHealth, the barriers to its development, the EU data protection directive and the work of AGE in this area.
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In its 7th session, which took place in December 2016, the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) of the United Nations decided to discuss during its next meeting scheduled for July 2017 the topics of age discrimination and elder abuse. Member States, NGOs and National Human Rights Institutions were asked to reply to list of questions discussing elements that could be included in a new UN convention on the rights of older persons.
The European Commission has just closed a public consultation on the rights of passengers in multimodal transports, i.e. when passengers are using different transport modes during a single journey.
In April 2017, as part of the EU Pillar of Social Rights, the European Commission released a legislative package on work-life balance which proposes measures to support working parents and carers with dependent relatives. This package includes a 5-day care leave, the right to request flexible working arrangements and a protection from dismissal when they apply for or exercised the rights referred to in the directive. 
The rapid ageing of the population and growing inequalities in Europe make the issue of accessibility a major challenge. In a time where Europe needs to reinforce its common values of democracy and solidarity, this is a key moment to stress the importance of mainstreaming accessibility in European policies so as to make sure noboby is left behind.
Good news in Spain! The Spanish Congressional Commission on Health and Social Services has approved the proposal of AGE's Spanish member organisation CEOMA asking for the elimination of mechanical and chemical restraints in all geriatric centres and residences in a gradual but timely manner.
In the Netherlands, following the elections of the new Dutch Parliament on 15th March, national NGOs sent a joint letter to the informant Mrs. Schippers stressing the importance of inclusive policies towards vunerable groups in the Netherlands.
Research shows that pets can be part of the solution to the challenges raised by population ageing, and even lead to healthcare cost savings while improving older people's quality of life. This was highlighted at the Pets are good for EU conference on 4 May 2017 which gathered researchers, practitioners, politicians, NGOs and industry representatives. 
In Deventer, in the Netherlands, the senior residence Humanitas provides free accommodation for students. In return they commit to spending at least 30 hours of their time every month with their older co-residents.
The goal of Fit2work is to foster long-term employment in line with the worker’s health needs. It provides free advisory services if your job is at risk because of health problems or if you have difficulty finding work. It is also aimed at people who have been/are in hospital for a long time and who want to minimize the risk factors on their way back to work.
Care farms are extensively used in the Netherlands as an alternative to day care centres for people in need of care, including people with dementia. They aim to offer new care concept directed towards small-scale and homelike environments.
AGE work is supported by grants of the European Commission. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of AGE Platform Europe and cannot be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.