[Towards a more humane care for the elderly. Ethical reflection]

Care for the elderly needs not only attention, but also reflection. Every future scenario points at a great increase in number and proportion of the elderly. Most discussions focus on (scarcity of) resources and their allocation. In other words: discussions on means. But first, a reflection on values and goals is needed. In this article possible goals for elder care are discussed. Is 'to become as old as possible' a goal worth aiming for? The older we get, the longer the period of morbidity may be, and all we may get are more illness years. If, on the other hand, the goal is to grow old in a healthy way', isn't then health care for the elderly in a way 'too late in the day'? Is the improvement of global (physical, mental and social) well-being of the elderly a realistic goal in the domain of health care? The question arises which motives and values play a part in such goals, especially when the goal is to keep elderly 'active and self-supporting as long as possible'. This article pleads for a moral progress in the care for the elderly. What old people need most, is time, attention and interest from the people around them.