At the May Global Ageing Network board meeting, José Luis Pareja — Global Ageing Network board member, president of the Lares Social Group in Spain, and longtime advocate for elder care — shared updates on Spain’s evolving approach to care and the global implications of these changes. The Lares Social Group is made up of an Association, a Federation, and a Foundation, and works to defend the rights of older people in situations of vulnerability.

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 1,000 care homes and services from the solidarity-based sector dedicated to providing social and health care throughout Spain, Lares represents a collective voice for equitable, person-centered care across the country.

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 their geographical location. Drawing on his experience in Spain and his work with Lares, he highlighted the disparity between the standards expected in Europe—such as those set out in Spain’s 2006 Dependency Law—and the daily realities faced by older adults in less-resourced regions, where even minimal social protections may be out of reach. His remarks underscored the urgent need for global advocacy and collaboration to address these inequalities.

Looking ahead, Pareja stressed the importance of reinforcing Spain’s 2006 Dependency Law through adequate funding, improved access in rural areas, and a stronger rights-based framework for long-term care. As president of the Lares Social Group, he reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advocating for equitable, person-centered care within Spain’s nonprofit care sector. He considers the signing of a National Pact on Dependency essential to guaranteeing the rights and entitlements of dependent individuals, irrespective of which political party is in power. Furthermore, he believes that extending such a pact to the European level is of vital importance. In his role as a member of the Global Ageing Network board, Pareja also aims to contribute to a stronger international agenda that prioritizes the dignity, inclusion, and rights of older people worldwide.

With over 20 years of experience in the elderly care sector, Pareja has served as Secretary General of Cáritas Diocesana of Tangier and as a board member of the Nuestra Señora del Espino Foundation, where he manages a residential center with more than 140 places. For the past six years, he has been an external lecturer in the Master’s program in Gerontology, Dependency, and Protection of the Elderly at the University of Granada. 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 Social Group, 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.