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What's New? February 6, 2012 |
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Pension | Health | Elder Rights | GAA Blog | Aging Watch President
Obama called for proactive government
action to strengthen the economy in
his State of the Union address.
However, he devoted little attention
to Social Security, Medicare and
Medicaid. President Obama did bring
forth the prospect of changes in the
three programs only in the context of
a pact to raise taxes on the
wealthiest Americans. Republicans
oppose these tax rate hikes. The
official GOP response to the
President’s speech emphasized changing
Medicare and Social Security through a
possible means testing, where those
who need help the most would get
assistance, while the wealthiest would
get reduced or no benefits.
WORLD
Côte d'Ivoire: Social Security: Increase of the Retirement Age: The Reasons For the Measure (February 1, 2012) (Article in French) The age of retirement in the private sector in Côte d'Ivoire was increased from 55 to 60 years with a draft ordinance adopted this month by the government. This reform is intended to bail out the social security system’s retirement branch, which has been in deficit since 1999. It now exceeds one hundred billion CFA francs due to the aging population and the decreased ratio of retired to active workers. The contribution rate also increased this year from 8 percent to 12 percent and is set for 14 percent in 2013. France: Lowering Retirement Age to 60 “a Madness” According to Sarkozy (January 30, 2012) (Article in French) President of the Republic Nicolas Sarkozy said in his televised speech on January 29 that the project of socialist candidate François Hollande to lower the retirement age to 60 years was “a madness," "a lie" that "would lead the country to ruin." He praised his pension reform and the law passed on November 9, 2010, noting that every single European country had changed their law and that it would raise 22 billion euros by 2017. Hollande’s proposal would cost 20 billion to the country, according to Prime Minister Francois Fillon. China: Tibetan Monks and Nuns Welcome Government Medical Insurance and Pension Coverage (January 27, 2012) (Article in Chinese) Monks and nuns in Tibet no longer have to struggle with old age, previously a great worry. Those above 60 years now will be able to get pension payouts without paying any premiums. Those above the age of 18 years but below 60 have the option of participating in the pension and medical insurance schemes. The government will match premiums dollar-to-dollar. Nicaragua: Hundreds of Elderly Protest for Pensions with Dances and Music (January 18, 2012) (Article in Spanish) Hundreds of elderly people in Nicaragua protested outside the parliament, asking that pensions be paid for seniors from age 60. The petition is to create a new law that with 250 weeks of contribution would grant a person the right to a pension. One representative said that they understand the reasons for the demands, but unfortunately the government does not have sufficient resources to meet their needs. The unusual character of the protest was that protestors danced with popular music, cumbia and merengue songs. Aging America
Creates Demand for Health-Care Workers
(February 2, 2012) CBO Budget
Report Shows Impact of Healthcare Costs
and Aging Population (February 01, 2012) WORLD France: Retirement Homes: Residents Unhappy With Their Meals (February 2, 2012) (Article in French) A study by the
Confederation of Consumption, Housing
and Living Environment shows that the
quality of meals offered to residents of
nursing homes is poor. Eighty percent of
them complain about the lack of
diversity in menus that are rarely
changed, and regret not having a way to
warm up the food. They have difficulty
eating certain foods such as meat, often
too hard and cooked in sauce. Nutrition
for the elderly still needs to be
addressed as part of the National Health
and Nutrition Plan.
Saudi
Arabia:
About
2%
of
the
Saudi Elderly Live with “Alzheimer's
Disease” (February 1, 2012)
Saudi Arabia: Mamr "Vision" Brings Out the
Importance of Programs for Older People with
Visual Disabilities (February 1, 2012) World:
Vitamins and Fish Oil Prevent the Elderly
from Getting Alzheimer Disease (February 1,
2012) France:
Sarkozy
Doesn’t
Forget Alzheimer’s Plan (February 1, 2012)
(Article in French) A plan for
dealing with Alzheimer’s disease is
very dear to President Nicolas
Sarkozy, who made this project one of
the highlights of the last
presidential campaign. He praised the
results, saying it has "become a model
for other countries" and regularly
advertises it as a success. For the
medical profession, the results are
mixed: On the one hand, the plan has
helped make this little-known disease
more visible and the care it requires
more accessible. In addition, medical
research has evolved on this point
thanks to a budget of 140 million
euros. However, doctors lament late
screening and administrative inertia.
While the overall record is positive,
the next president must place the plan
high on the government’s agenda.
Costa Rica: Classes for Elderly (January 31, 2012) (Article in Spanish) On February 13, personnel in the hospital will teach older adults ways to prevent hazards and accidents to which they are exposed. The goal is to help older adults have a better quality of life physically, mentally and spiritually. Golden school of Geriatrics and Gerontology Hospital will provide classes on every second Monday of the month. The director of the medical center will also insist on check-ups to help prevent serious diseases from developing. France: Tanakan Will Not be Reimbursed (January 30, 2012) (Article in French) The French government announced that Social Security will no longer reimburse Tanakan, a drug prescribed mainly for the elderly to fight against memory problems and dizziness, as soon as May 1, 2012. Available since 1975, the drug was judged ineffective by the French High Authority of Health for the third time since it was released on the market. This follows a decrease of the reimbursement rate from 35 to 15 percent, which was decided in 2010. World: Long-Lived People Distinguished by DNA (January 30, 2012) A group of researchers have identified a set of 281 genetic variants that together identify people who live to be 110 or more from the rest of us with about 85 percent accuracy. Additionally, there could be different ways to live beyond 100. There is criticism about the findings; there is a possibility that the results may be skewed by ancestry. World: Sex is Recommended for Seniors (January 12, 2012) (Article in Russian) According to a study by US researchers, sex is a great way to enhance the quality of life and improve communication for people over 60. The study showed that older people who regularly make love have a stronger, more harmonious relationship than their peers who do not engage in the physical intimacy. World: For an Active Aging (January 11, 2012) (Article in Russian) Researchers from the University of Bremen analyzed how different types of physical activity affect the mental abilities of the elderly. The experiment involved 90 men and women aged 65 to 75. Three methods of exercise were compared: ski pole walking, motor coordination and balance exercises, relaxation and stretching exercises. The results showed that those who engaged in walking or coordination exercises were able to improve not only their fitness level but also mental performance. Canada: Marathon Records (January 11, 2012) (Article in Russian) At a recent marathon in Toronto, a British citizen of Indian origin, Fauja Singh, ran 42 kilometers, 195 meters in 8 hours, 25 minutes and 16 seconds. Even though Fauja was one of the last ones to cross the finish line, he set a world record. Singh is 100 years old and is a first person in that age group ever to compete and successfully complete such a challenging marathon. His accomplishment will surely serve as an inspiring example for millions of marathon enthusiasts around the world. Special Report:
Human Rights Watch on Old Behind Bars
(January 27, 2012)
Between 2007 and 2010, prisoners aged 65 or older increased by 63%; the overall population only grew by 0.7%. This phenomenon is largely driven by longer sentences and life sentences without parole. States spend more money on older prisoners especially since insurance companies do not insure inmates. This report highlights how prisons are ill-equipped to deal with an aging prison population and catalogs the ways in which elder rights may be violated, for example being housed in the same cell as violent younger inmates. The report concludes with recommendations such as a review of sentencing laws. US: Elderly Inmates: Aging Prison Population Strains Tight State Budgets (January 27, 2012) States are struggling to deal with an aging prison population. Some have already started early release programs and specialized care and even retrofitted cells. States are legally obliged to provide decent medical care to inmates; however, prison personnel and facilities are ill-equipped to deal with older inmates. Why is this happening? More persons are receiving longer sentences and life sentences without parole. Millions Now Manage Aging Parents’ Care From Afar (January 27, 2012) The National Institute on Aging estimates around 7 million US people are long-distance caregivers. They experience greater stress and incur more costs. In 2007, the National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare reported that long-distance caretakers spent an average of $8,728 annually. The numbers of caregivers are likely to increase sharply as the population ages and lifespans lengthen. Study Finds Aging Baby Boomer Generation Without Living Wills (January 25, 2012) It is estimated that approximately 64 percent of baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) do not have a living will in place. A living will specifies medical care instructions or health care directives they wish to receive in the event they are unable to speak for themselves because of an illness. It also contains details about burial wishes, physicians and location of care. A health care power of attorney is also assigned and he or she will have the responsibility of making sure the details of the living will are carried out. This simple document could save years of court battles or unsettling uncertainty. WORLD India: In India, Young and Old Live Under Same Roof (February 2, 2012) (Article in French) India is a country still very much influenced by the patriarchal system and the notion of respect for elders, particularly within the family. Intergenerational cohabitation is very common, especially in the countryside. Parents usually live on the first floor, called the “masters' floor,” and the eldest son lives with his wife and children on the second floor. Women still prepare for childbirth at their parents' home, benefiting from the future grandmother's support and experience. She is the one who deals with care giving for grandchildren. With a population of 80 million seniors, expected to reach 179 million in 2026, the Indian government passed measures to limit poverty among seniors. A law was passed in 2007 requiring children to look after their parents. Egypt: Unidentified Robbers Broke into a "Nursing Home" in Helwan and Stole 100,000 Egyptian Pounds (February 1, 2012) (Article in Arabic) On Wednesday morning, unknown robbers broke into a medical center attached to a old age nursing home in the Helwan area. They took all the money from the nursing home treasury and escaped. European Union: Increase of Employment Rate of Older People in Southern Europe (January 31, 2012) (Article in French) The population of the European Union is the oldest in the world, and this raises the issue of how to fund pensions. Older people are now working longer, and the employment rate among the elderly has increased dramatically over the last decade. Indeed, it has jumped by 10.6 percent (from 50.3 percent to 60.9 percent) for people aged 55 to 59. As for the 60-64 age group, the results are mixed depending on countries: only 14.2 percent of them work in Malta, Greece is in a good position with an employment rate of 30.5 percent and Portugal and Cyprus peak, scoring respectively 40.2 percent and 41.9 percent. China: Elderly in Beijing Seek "Second Springs" (January 31, 2012) (Article in Chinese) By 2011, 13.7 percent of China’s population was above 60. In Beijing, older people gather in parks to seek new partners. However, the success rate is low. With increasing income inequality, women demand that men be better off, with desirable housing, than in the past. Society is unable to provide for an aging China. Nationwide, there are 38,000 elder care organizations with 2.6 million beds, representing a lack of more than 5 million beds. Palestine: “The Center of the Allegiance to Care for Older People" visited “Let’s Develop Together Center” in Gaza (January 30, 2012) (Article in Arabic) The visit began to develop cooperation, coordination and communication with local community institutions to serve older persons and provide a decent life for them. Palestine: “So that We Don’t Forget Organization” Assembled an Entertainment Day for Older People in Palestine (January 28, 2012) (Article in Arabic) "So that we don’t forget organization " put together an entertainment program for elders living in Jenin. The project offered psychological support to these residents who lives are often threatened by attacks; volunteers, groups of children and women from the refugees camp took part in the happy event. |
