When in September 2020 Minister Speranza appointed the Commission for the reform of health and social care for the elderly population, the epidemiological picture of the Covid 19 pandemic was dark and full of unknowns. Above all, the worrying observation that dominated at a global level was that the elderly, particularly those in residential facilities, represented the main victims of the disease. In nursing homes, retirement homes and RSAs, a real massacre was taking place, aggravated by the conditions of isolation in which the sick lived and, unfortunately, died. Therefore, it is also a tragedy for families, children and grandchildren who would not have been able to see and hug their loved ones again due to the separation imposed in these environments.

A new approach was needed and a new look at that age of life which everyone now reaches, a happy but challenging goal of human progress and development of the last two centuries. For this reason it was decided, in tackling the program of a radical reform of assistance, to start from a review and enunciation of the principles for the defense of the rights and the respect due to the elderly - a population now well above 20% of the population. total in Italy and Europe, but growing everywhere in the world.

Hence the need to write the Charter of the rights of the elderly and of the duties of the community, so that all generations could find themselves in an alliance for a future guaranteed in dignity and future services which we will all arrive at tomorrow, even today's young people. The Charter had to inspire the reform and had to become, in our intentions, the cultural, political and programmatic vehicle for a radical paradigm shift, which placed the elderly at the center of social and collective life.

For this reason it was placed at the beginning of the entire substantial document produced by the Speranza Commission and delivered to President Draghi in September 2021. Furthermore, it was a question of proposing to the entire society, to all generations, their duties so that the rights of the elderly. Hence the union, in the title, of "rights" with "duties". The Charter, also in this respect, wants to inspire a new way of conceiving society in an articulated way between generations. The prime minister, on that occasion, declared: "The work carried out by the Commission is extraordinary" stated President Draghi. “This is – he added – an initiative of enormous social and ethical importance. Italy must guarantee the rights of the elderly, respect for the dignity of the person, in all conditions. Social and health care must be adequate and responsible. Therefore the Government will support the intervention proposal presented today."

In fact, in the following months, the Commission for policies in favor of the elderly population was born, chaired by the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council Garofoli, with headquarters in Palazzo Chigi, in order to give substance and concreteness to the proposed reform. The reform is inspired by the principles of the Charter and aims to involve young people and all generations in a battle that restores a new dimension to living as an elderly person in respect, dignity, but also in a less marginalized and less isolated life.

Ultimately it is a precious message that Italy, one of the oldest and longest-lived countries, transmits to the whole world for a common destiny that is more humane and respectful of those who are older.

Vincenzo Paglia