During the 16th annual meeting of the Standing Working Group on Aging (SWGA) of the UNECE, which took place in Geneva from the 20th to the 22nd November 2023, the Walloon Agency for a Life of Quality (AVIQ) had the opportunity of speaking on behalf of Belgium by presenting the Walloon plan on social cohesion and to detail their work in aids and services destined to the elderly.
During the discussion on the fight against inequalities in the context of aging, the panelists Sandrine Boyals and Kevin Van Houter presented to the governmental representatives from the European Economic Commission, how the home assistance system works as the front line of aids brought to families and the elderly.
In terms of mental health, they mentioned services provided to the elderly living in retirement homes such as activities focused on their talents and their expertise.
Finally, they mentioned the importance of taking local actions to reduce the insecurity of the elderly, a point that particularly interested the participants. Among those measures, they mentioned intergenerational activities and visits to isolated individuals, the existence of accessible means of transport, IT consulting and the access to new technologies.
