The internet website http://www.50plus.gr is in English and Greek and was made 2005 to provide information to people 50 and older about work load, social politics, health, tourism, entertainment and other hot topics. “50+ Hellas” is a nongovernmental organization, which was made to protect the interests of older people by speaking from their point of view. It is a member of AGE – the European platform for older people, which is a network of 144 organizations. This platform represents of 25 million people and influences European politics on topics, which affect older citizens.

The Greek branch was made in 2005 and its offices are in Athens. “50+ Hellas” is the first organization of its kind in Greece, which deals with the problems and excitements of citizens 50 years old or older, and tries to improve the quality of their lives. “50+ Hellas” was founded by Elizabeth Mestenou, Konstantinos Prouskas, Konstantina Safiliou, and Judy Triandafilou – people with who are experienced in scientific research as well as are competent on practical topics connected to older people (www.sextant.gr).

They take over this task because they realize that many people have a hard time to find or keep a job once they have made 50. Besides that, very few have had the equal opportunity to become qualified – one very complicated matter due to new technologies, which lead to changes, and after that to reorganization of the work force. These changes affect everyone differently and cannot be overcome easily. The website strives to always provide information about new developments, and claims that flexibility and constant education are part of the solution for controlling the effect of changes.

The organization says that they are open for suggestions and comments on how to improve the lives of those 50 or older. For more information regarding employment and social insurances, the website forwards to the websites of the governmental organizations: The Unemployment Services (OAED – www.oaed.gr) and the Governmental Insurance Services (IKA – www.ika.gr).

“Very often it is our age and not our abilities that determine other people’s attitude towards us. After making 50, the negative stereotype reactions increase and become a barrier for many activities and the access to important services,” the organization says.

Meanwhile, a research by Eurostat claims, that the percentage of older people in Greece will increase in the next 40 years. Right now they are 19% of the population, and it is expected that during 2050 they will reach 31%. In its Greek economical analysis, The Wall Street Journal declared the pension system to be the biggest problem for the country’s economy because it is “very generous and does not encourage older people to continue working even after their retirement.”