Dignity and the older European: Policy recommendations

The Dignity and Older Europeans Research Group has produced a series of recommendations on policy. We propose that these recommendations should be considered by European legislators, national governments, professional organisations and all institutions and practitioners who provide services for older citizens.Our policy recommendations are inspired by the data gathered from focus groups, as well as by the theoretical reflections on the concept of ‘dignity’. This article introduces four core policy recommendations. The first reflects the rights of the older person, the second calls for the removal of ageism and ageist practices; the third concerns the regulatory frameworks needs in service provision and the fourth reflects the welfare entitlements of older people.