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No Respect

The contribution that old people in Switzerland make to society deserves more recognition, according to a Federal Social Insurance Office ageing report. It says policies should be focused on the potential and autonomy of the elderly, as well as on guaranteeing them a dignified life.

The Federal Social Insurance Office noted that the situation of old people in Switzerland was "generally good". It said the increase in life expectancy, the low numbers of old people living below the poverty line and the contribution they make within the family and to society indicated that the negative image of old age was out of date. However, it added the positive picture should not hide the fact that the ageing process was very individual and that policies for old people had to find solutions to pressing social needs, for example care costs. It emphasised that the report was not a plan of action and the strategy was not only a matter for the government, but also for the cantons, communes and other partners.

Five themes were examined in the study – health and care, housing and mobility, work and the transition to retirement, the economic situation, and participation in society. The report comes at a time when there are concerns about how Switzerland will cope with its ageing population.