Barbro Westerholm visits Uppsala Health Summit
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‘Society must see “age rich" (elderly) people as a valuable resource, not as a burden,’ says Barbro Westerholm who participated in the Uppsala Health Summit on 3-4 June. The theme of this international meeting was “Health Care for Healthy Ageing”.
Barbro Westerholm is member of parliament for the Liberal Party, physician and researcher. She was Director General of the National Board of Health and Welfare 1979-1985 and chair of the Swedish Association for Senior Citizens 1999-2005.
What is the position of Sweden, from a European perspective, regarding health care for the elderly?
‘From the studies I have seen and of the reactions I met at international conferences, I would say it is good.’ The fact that half of all people with dementia receive care and attention around the clock, surprises representatives from many other EU countries. In other words, we have it good in Sweden, but need to get better because there are flaws.
She believes questions relating to the health of the elderly should receive more attention outside of health and social care.
‘Health is not only won in the health sector, other sectors of society must become involved.’
What are your expectations for the Uppsala Health Summit?
‘That prominence is given to knowledge which shows age rich people are a valuable resource and that the feeling of being needed is important to one’s health.’
Annica Hulth