The current generation of people over 50 years of age in eastern and central Europe has been cruelly disappointed and disempowered. Basic services are inadequate, social attitudes unsupportive and pensions are often worthless. How can states begin to listen to, respect and value older people? What can older people and civil society do to tackle ageism?

A report from HelpAge International examines civil society’s role in assisting older people in central and eastern Europe. It draws on findings from a conference in Prague which brought together representatives of a network spanning 17 countries. Backed up by personal testimonies, it argues the need for greater appreciation of older people’s human capital. It offers practical advice on how to start putting older people at the centre of services and to motivate them to fight apathy and to get involved in civil society.

Across the region, older people are disillusioned that they are not reaping the benefits of the ‘bright future’ which they played a part in constructing. They remember how the former system provided a measure of guaranteed social solidarity. Retirement benefits linked to the workplace have disappeared as state enterprises have been sold off. Intergenerational solidarity, once fostered by the state, is declining, with older and younger people having less and less contact.

Older people, despite being disproportionately affected by the decline in social welfare, are not consulted or involved in programmes dealing with the side effects of transition. Many are badly informed about their rights, fail to receive their full entitlements to benefits and are vulnerable to scams which may lead them to sell their property to unscrupulous middlemen or relatives. Some are regularly robbed with impunity.

Many older victims of repression have not received promised compensation. In former Soviet Union states, huge numbers of impoverished older Russians have felt forced to move to Russia from their now-foreign birthplaces or homes of half a century, to which they and their parents were forcibly relocated or which were presented as lands of opportunity.

The report also notes that:

• Although Soviet-era rule was characterised by oligarchy (government by a small group of people) rather than gerontocracy (government by a group of elders), many younger people unfairly blame older people for holding onto power and impeding progress.
• Deprived of former income opportunities, the ‘street elderly’ have become an increasingly common sight in cities across the region, and some are apparently forced to pay protection money to local gangs.
• With workplace socialisation a thing of the past, civil society organisations provide a focus for identity and self-help activities to promote self-esteem.

HelpAge International calls on governments to work together with older peoples’ organisations to:

• increase minimum pensions and fund non-discriminatory social security systems for older people
• promote life-long learning and encourage employers to hire older people who wish to work
• implement health systems geared to the needs of older people which allow them to stay at home for as long as possible
• ensure that older people have access to affordable or free healthcare services and medicine
• enforce laws to protect older people from violence and discrimination
• promote public understanding and incorporate teaching about ageing into educational programmes.

Source(s):
‘A generation in transition: older people’s situation and civil society’s response in East and Central Europe’, HelpAge International, by Paul Hinchliff and Céline Hall, 2002 Full document.
Email an order Full document.

Funded by: Community Fund

id21 Research Highlight: 16 April 2003

Further Information:
HelpAge International
PO Box 32832
London N1 9ZN
UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 7278 7778
Fax: +44 (0)20 7713 7993
Contact the contributor: hai@helpage.org

HelpAge International

Other related links:
'Doomed to remain isolated, forgotten and poor? The post-Soviet plight of older people'

'Pensions for life? The rise of pensions as a development issue' Insights #42

'Action against ageism: harnessing the potential of older people for development'

'Including the older poor: challenging assumptions and changing policies on ageing'

'The age of rights? Protecting older people in an ageing world'

See id21's links page on pensions and ageing

Eldis also focuses on Ageing