At the May Global Ageing Network board meeting, José Luis Pareja, Global Ageing Network board member and president of the Lares Federation in Spain and longtime advocate for elder care, shared updates on Spain’s shifting approach to care—and the global implications of these shifts.
Spain is currently undergoing a significant reform of its 2006 Dependency Law, the national legislation that governs services for older adults and individuals with care needs. Lares, the leading nonprofit in Spain’s Third Sector of Social Action and a member of the European Ageing Network (EAN), is playing an active role in shaping these reforms. With over 800 member organizations dedicated to providing social and health care services to people throughout Spain, Lares represents a collective voice for equitable, person-centered care across Spain.
As Pareja emphasized during the meeting, “Caring—and caring well—costs money.” Despite growing awareness of demographic shifts and the needs of ageing populations, sustainable funding continues to lag behind. Pareja underscored that meaningful investment is not optional—it’s essential to ensuring older adults can age with dignity and support.
He noted that economic constraints—especially in less-developed countries—continue to limit access to even the most basic care. One of the most pressing challenges he highlighted was the shortage of qualified care professionals—a concern not unique to Spain. Countries across Europe are increasingly reliant on international workers to sustain their ageing services. However, bureaucratic barriers such as degree certification and credential recognition continue to hinder this solution.
To address this, Lares is advocating for pathways for international care professionals, particularly from Latin American countries that share language and cultural ties with Spain. The vision includes training programs conducted in the workers’ home countries, with the goal of achieving recognized certification before arrival—allowing professionals to begin work immediately upon reaching Spain or other European nations.
Pareja also emphasized the importance of a broader international commitment to recognizing the basic rights of older people, regardless of geography. He pointed to the disparity between the standards expected in Europe and the daily realities faced by older adults in less-resourced regions, where even minimal social protections may be out of reach.
With more than 30 years of experience in the social care field, including leadership of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of Seville and the Andalusian Federation of Alzheimer’s Associations, Pareja brings deep knowledge and advocacy experience to this work. His leadership is rooted in a vision that values both the individuals receiving care and the professionals who provide it.
As he concluded: “Our older adults are our greatest heritage. It’s essential that we strive—across borders, cultures, and systems—for minimum rights and dignity for all.”
As Pareja continues his tenure at the helm of the Lares Federation, his message is clear: Real reform requires shared responsibility, bold leadership, and a renewed commitment to valuing ageing—not only in Spain, but around the world.
