01/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Older People's Platform, AGE, has called on EU Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimir Spidla and the member states to adopt an EU strategy to prevent the abuse of elderly people and to promote high quality long-term care services for older people. AGE made this appeal at a conference organised by the European Commission on 'Protecting the dignity of older persons' in Brussels on 17 March. The conference confirmed the results of a Eurobarometer poll that the abuse of older people is a serious concern for all citizens (see EUROPE 9626). AGE feels that the issue of high quality care for older people and the fight against abuse of the elderly should be an integral part of the renewed social agenda and should be addressed in the framework of the EU demography cycle. Information: http://www.age-platform.org (G.B.)