Browse Ageing Policies

The National Dementia Action Plan aims to make Denmark dementia-friendly, provide personalized care, and actively support relatives. The plan focuses on prevention, early intervention, and research to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their families. The plan was developed through a broad and inclusive process involving the Danish government, local municipalities, citizens with dementia, their relatives, and various experts and professionals. The plan targets people with dementia, their families, healthcare professionals, and local authorities across Denmark. It aims to create dementia-friendly municipalities and improve the quality and consistency of care nationwide. The plan includes three main objectives: 1. Making Denmark dementia-friendly with 98 dementia-friendly municipalities. 2. Ensuring more people with dementia are diagnosed and receive the care they need. 3. Reducing the use of antipsychotic medications by 50% by 2025. The action plan outlines five focus areas: 1. Early detection and better quality in investigation and treatment. 2. Improved quality in care, support, and rehabilitation. 3. Support and advice for relatives. 4. Creating a dementia-friendly society and housing. 5. Increasing knowledge and competence in dementia care. From 2016 to 2023, significant steps have been taken to promote health, prevent dementia, and improve care. The action plan has led to the establishment of dementia-friendly municipalities, improved diagnostic rates, and efforts to reduce antipsychotic medication use. The implementation of these measures aims to reduce geographical disparities and enhance the quality of life for people with dementia.

The Charter for a Dignified Elderly Care in Denmark is a white paper that aims to improve the quality of life of elderly citizens through a citizen-centered approach and targeted efforts. It addresses the challenge of ensuring that the older adults are involved and empowered, considering their individual needs and preferences. The charter was developed by the partners who collaborated on the Senior Summit of 20211: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Senior Citizens have in collaboration with FOA (trade union and unemployment insurance fund), Local Government Denmark (KL) and DaneAge (Ældre Sagen). The charter targets the older population in Denmark. Healthcare Denmark is responsible for the publication of the white paper. It is a national-level policy and is cross-sectoral in scope, involving multiple stakeholders in the field care for older persons. The charter sets out three main landmarks. The first is securing welfare: this involves ensuring that the basic needs and welfare of the older adults are met. The second is care for older persons with a focus on presence, quality of life, and care: this emphasizes the importance of providing care that enhances the quality of life of older persons and ensures their well-being. The third is good solutions must come from practice in everyday life and must be disseminated: this underscores the importance of learning from practical experiences in everyday life and sharing these insights to improve elderly care practices. This charter represents a significant step towards dignified care for older persons in Denmark. It reflects a commitment to learning from practical experiences and sharing best practices to ensure the welfare and quality of life of the older persons.

The Act on the Board of Equal Treatment aims to address complaints of differential treatment based on gender, race, color, religion, political opinion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or national, social, or ethnic origin. The Board of Equal Treatment, comprising a chairman, two deputy chairmen, and nine other members, is the main institution in charge of its implementation. The Minister for Employment, the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, and the Minister for Gender Equality are key stakeholders. The policy covers complaints related to differential treatment in Denmark, affecting various sectors including employment, social security, and childcare. It targets individuals facing discrimination based on the specified grounds. The Board can award compensation, invalidate dismissals, and consider complaints that may not be brought before other administrative authorities. It operates with a secretariat provided by the National Social Appeals Board and can obtain expert opinions. The Act came into force on January 1, 2009.