This background document is written in preparation of the sixth conference of European Health Ministers that will be held in April 1999 in Athens, Greece. The subject of the conference is ‘Ageing in the 21st Century: the need for a balanced approach.’
The investigation was carried out by the Verwey-Jonker Institute under auspices of the European Council on behalf of and financed by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in the Netherlands.
The objective of the investigation was to determine to what extent, in realm of health in the countries of Europe, in terms of laws and regulations, in protocols and agreements, and in the daily practice, age limits of older people play a role in terms of access to health care facilities.