Who cares for the carers? This article by the Social Observatory of ”la Caixa” explains the changes that have taken place in the figure of the carer and also the importance of carers receiving care too.

A programme that contributes to improving quality of life for elderly people and that reinforces their autonomy and social participation, above all in situations of vulnerability.

Tine Rostgaard, a lecturer in Citizenship and Elderly People in Denmark, introduces in this interview the concept of reablement and explains how work is being done in other countries to stimulate the elderly people’s independence.

Why is the number of elderly women who live alone continually increasing? The Social Observatory of ”la Caixa” studies the causes of this phenomenon, which has important implications in the design of welfare policies.

The house we live in is closely related with our quality of life and health, especially during old age. In turn, the quality of our home will depend on the municipality in which it is located. At this intersection, we tackle the question of whether it is better to grow old in a village or a city.

How do elderly people contribute to intergenerational care? In 2016, some 35% of elderly people in our country regularly took charge of caring for their grandchildren.

Over the course of the last decade, the number of elderly people who make use of new technologies has not ceased to grow. By 2017, some 28% were sending messages via electronic means.

To what point do elderly people participate in political activities? Some 6.5% of men and 4.3% of women aged between 65 and 74 years in our country participate actively in politics.

With what frequency do elderly people meet with their families? In our country, the minimum weekly frequency amply exceeds the European average for both sexes.

This indicator measures the level of independence in elderly people; this is based on variables such as occupation, social participation, independent living and the capacity for healthy ageing.

How many people aged over 65 years have difficulties in performing some of the basic activities of everyday life? In our country, 33% of people aged over 65 years have problems washing themselves independently.

By 2030, for every 100 people of working age there will be 40 who are economically dependent or at an inactive age. Will this proportion increase with time?

Are there differences between the percentage of men and women aged over 60 years that are at risk of poverty? In Spain gender differences in the poverty risk rate among people aged over 60 years have practically disappeared.

What percentage of public spending is allocated to elderly people? The tendency in European countries has been to increase the weight of the resources allocated to this group.

What are the most common living arrangements for elderly people? In Spain, the percentage of those living alone or with their partner is lower in comparison with our peer countries.

From the age of 65 years onwards, men live healthily for a longer time than women do. What is happening in our peer countries?

The fifth Dossier of the Social Observatory of ”la Caixa” defines the challenges raised by the growing increase in the elderly population in welfare states. This issue evaluates elderly people’s contribution to society and reflects on the evolution of quality of life for this collective. 

What factors affect children’s health? At the Social Observatory of "la Caixa" we analyse how different vulnerabilities affect the physical and mental health of little ones.

Giovanni Lamura, senior researcher at Italy’s National Institute on Health and Science of Ageing (INRCA), shares with the Social Observatory of ”la Caixa” an analysis on the current situation of dependency care systems and the challenges they will have to face in the future.

María Blasco, director of Spain's National Centre for Oncological Research,  shares with the  Social Observatory of "la Caixa" her view on how to extend healthy life years and the possible consequences in society.

Paul Wouters, director of the Centre for Science and Technology Studies at the University of Leiden, talks with the Social Observatory of “la Caixa” about new tendencies in research evaluation.