"Srebrna gospodarka" i miejsce w niej sektora zdrowotnego. Koncepcja i regionalne przykłady zastosowania

The aim of this article is to explain the concept of silver economy and present two examples of its implementation into the strategy and regional development programmes in Europe: North Rhine-Westphalia and Małopolska region. The concept of silver economy is based on an assumption that population ageing is not exclusively the burden to the economy but it contributes to its new growth factors. However, it is conditioned by an increased activity of senior citizens in labour, consumption and social fields. Prolonged ability tolead an active life of good quality demands investment in the health of population in general, not only of senior citizens. Healthy ageing requires an early intervention process. In the strategy for Małopolska,(differently than in the case of North Rhine-Westphalia), health sector is plays an important role in the economyas a place of healthy ageing interventions carried out as part of chronic diseases preventions, health promotion, rehabilitation, geriatric medical care and long-term care. It is because of the potential generated by the medical labour resources and rehabilitationfacilities for health-oriented silver economy strategy prepared for Małopolska region.