Research: «Health Rights in the EU: Third Age Citizens in Greece»

05/06/2024 PRESS RELEASES

The Union of Consumer Workers of Greece and the Institute of Innovation and Development Studies,  in a hybrid event on Wednesday 05 June, presented a very important study, with the title “Health Rights in the EU: The Third Age in Greece” for the needs of the project ” Cognitive Enrichment of European Health Rights of the Third Age (EU-Health)” in the framework of the program ” BUILD – Building a robust and democratic civic space“

The aim of the survey was to examine the extent to which senior citizens in Greece are aware of and exercise their rights, as guaranteed at European level, as well as the level of health benefits they receive.

For the study, legislative texts, policy texts and academic publications at national and European level were analyzed. At the same time, a comparative analysis was carried out between Greece and other EU Member States in order to identify differences and similarities in the protection of the rights of the elderly and other best  practices of the collaborating European network of civil society organizations “Active Citizenship Network” were also studied.

Finally, questionnaires were distributed to the following three target groups: elderly people, their relatives and health professionals, with a total sample of 228 people. The survey examined their knowledge of European rights, possible  barriers or obstacles  to the exercise of health rights, the use of digital media, as well as racism, exploitation practices and self-ageism among older people.

Key findings of the survey include:

  • Lack of knowledge of the European framework for the protection of the rights of the elderly by all target groups.
  • The main obstacles in the field of health for the elderly are long waits and the low level of health services provided.
  • Relatives of elderly people undertake their care of them, due to operating deficiencies of welfare institutions and understaffing. Care by untrained people degrades the quality of life of the elderly people in Greece.
  • Health care professionals in Greece have not received formal and specialized training to provide high quality services to the elderly.
  • There is an urgent need to increase funding for health care services, actions to fight corruption and strengthen the welfare framework for the elderly.

Please see the full study here. 

Extended  project information and emerging progress you may see here.

The project “Cognitive Enrichment of European health rights for the Elderly (E-geia)” is implemented in the framework of BUILD program, by the Union of Working Consumers of Greece in partnership with the Institute of Innovation and Development Studies.

The project “Building a robust and democratic civic space” (BUILD) aims to protect, promote and widely recognize the EU fundamental rights and values, through the support of Civil Society Organization in Greece and the Republic of Cyprus and the strengthening of their capacities and sustainability.

BUILD Program cofunding is provided by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, within the framework of the program “Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values” (CERN) the Bodosaki foundation in Greece and the NGO Support Center in the Republic of Cyprus with a funding amount of 2,9 million Euros. . The coordinator of BUILD is Bodosaki Foundation (Greece) in partnership with the NGO Support Center in the Republic of Cyprus.