Elderly Needs Box - Introduction Population ageing is a fact. The “graying” of populations is a demographic hallmark of the 21th century, carrying it with a host of significant societal implications. The population over the age of 65 is projected to double, reaching close to 30% of total population by Indeed, it might be argued that no societal institution will be untouched by the consequences of the graying of the globe. Public policy, families, health care, pensions and economic security, and social services – to name but a few sectors – will all be impacted by changing age structures. Although there can be no denying the existence of population ageing, this demographic phenomenon is susceptible to varying interpretations.

Some applaud populations ageing, seeing it as an achievement to be celebrated. In this view, declining birth rates reflect growing individual control over reproductive processes while increasing life expectancy represents the triumph of good health over illness and disease. Still others view population ageing as a significant societal opportunity. Larger number of older persons in better health and with more discretionary time are available to contribute to contribute to the amelioration and solution of social problems. This perspective argues that the social capital represented by the wisdom and experience possessed by elders should be drawn upon for the mutual benefit of older persons themselves and society at large. But perhaps the most prevalent view is that populations ageing is at best a challenge and at worst a major social problem.

Elderly Needs Box SAFETY SOCIAL OTHERS SERVICES HEALTH FINANCIAL ‐ housing; ‐ indoor/outdoor; ‐ personal ‐ to give elderly the opportunity to continue living at home despite their disabilities ‐ mobility (hospital bed, shower chair, lift, tripod etc) ‐ increase the number, quality and efficiency of protected residences ‐ social relations/ social activities (which requires to meet friends/relatives, building relations, be mobile etc.) ‐ social network to be even distributed in the teritory ‐ social home care ‐ senior clubs ‐ financial support for the elderly, especially for the ones living alone ‐ economic support for the families taking care of the elderly ‐ financial motivation and recognition for the social workers ‐ medical services at home ‐ health home care ‐ more long ‐ term care (elderly homes) ‐ psychic/ psychiatric periodically assessment of the ones living independently ‐ maintaining health status ‐ adequate nutrition ‐ mobility CARE ‐ assistance in ADL ‐ health home care ‐ arhitectural enviroment ‐ old ‐ friendly urbanisation ‐ smart home technology ‐ useful leisure ‐ special services that meet the complex needs ‐ institutional care ‐ complex home services for elderly (health & social) ‐ day care services

We should not consider old population as an homogen one; every senior have special needs related to health and social status; a comprehensive geriatric assessment must be considered. Our study uses available statistics for SEE_INNOVA partners in an attempt to map elderly needs in SEE Regions. However we understand that some statistics could be not up to date. Health and social needs have been the most expressed ones. The demographics trends and increase in life expectation most probably should determine a focus on maintaining health status and autonomy as long as possible for improving the quality of life for older people. Some of the elderly needs are common for most of the regions. At the same time, there are also significant differences. There are still economically undeveloped regions where elderly need a direct financial support for basic needs, for managing the everyday life at their homes, especially when they are living alone, and on the other hand there are high developped regions where the needs are related to arhitectural enviroment, old-friendly urbanisation, smart home tehnology, useful leisure, senior clubs, more related to a higher quality of life. GERON Foundation, Bucharest, Romania