Elder Rights : World
Archives : 2001
Frameworks Matter:
Ecosocial and Health and Human Rights Perspectives on Disparities in
Women's Health-The Case of Tuberculosis (December 2001)
In this article, they present two frameworks-ecosocial and health and human rights
which could prove useful to furthering work on understanding and
addressing societal patterns of health, disease, and well-being.
Cost of developing new medicine
swelled to $802 million, research study reports (December 3, 2001)
According to researchers at Tufts
University, the average cost of discovering and developing a new medicine
has risen to $802 million and the average development time is 12 years.
Pharmaceutical companies are spending more money on research whereas so
many people do not have access to health care and drugs.
Generations United releases data on
grandparent caregivers
According to a new data from the US Census and released by Generations
United, 4.5 million children under 18 are living in grandparent-maintained
households. About 2.4 million grandparent caregivers are responsible for
meeting the basic needs of their grandchildren. The young generation needs
the elderly to grow up in a better world.
Older Afghans ‘could suffer most’ (December 10, 2001)
According to Help Age International “Ageing and development“ newsletter, from December 10, 2001, the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has warned that
older Afghans, both inside and outside their country, could suffer most in
the crisis engulfing the region.
China
wants to set drug-price caps, angering pharmaceutical companies (December
3, 2001)
Chinese officials want to impose
price caps on the drug industry. A maker of patented drug could sell it
for no more than 30 % to 40 % beyond what it would cost a generic Chinese
manufacturer to produce. China’s health-care system needs help and
Beijing is developing new health programs.
Chile's Experience with
Social Security Privatization: A
Model for the United States or a Danger Sign?
In 1981, Chile’s military dictatorship privatized the oldest social
insurance program in the Americas. Workers are required to redirect all
their Social Security contributions to personal pension accounts. But this
system has had bad consequences as reported in this article by the Century
Foundation.
Lonely old people and
orphan children evacuated from Chechnya to Podmoskovye. (November 14,
2001)
Lonely old people and children were evacuated from Chechnya to Podmoskovye
by the Russian Orthodox church and Moscow governing bodies. The problem
facing old people is extremely urgent. Bandits abuse old people
for the sake of profit .by taking away their pensions or financial
compensation.
Une résidence pour les
malades d'Alzheimer (November 13, 2001)
(in French) In the French newspaper, “Le Parisien”, an article describes a new
house will be built for patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s a beautiful, well-equiped house that will welcome people in
September 2002.
Economists appeal for
a new Globalization (November 7, 2001)
Some economists want to introduce some questions concerning the access to
northern hemisphere market and the imbalance existing between North and
South into the discussions which will take place in the next Conference of
the World Trade Organisation in Doha, Qatar between the 9th and
the 13th November 2001.
A pioneer in the battle
to avert needless suffering (November 6, 2001)
Palliative care is the active total care of patients whose disease is no
longer responsive to curative therapy. It emphasizes symptom control and
supportive therapy. Most of the patients suffers from a cancer or an other
disease and their treatments because they do not have access to palliative
care.
Fee structure for elderly care
needs comprehensive review
(November 5, 2001)
Not all of elderly people need a full physical nursing care service. Home
care workers are one type of care workers who help those old people in
Japan. While there are lots of demands of home care workers, there are few
who want to take this job. The reason is low pay. Service providers
have to change their view point now: increasing pay to workers,
hiring more skilled persons, and then they can provide better quality of
care.
Elder Chinese Struggle in US
(October, 21, 2001)
This is the voice of elderly Chinese immigrants who accomplished their
dreams in America; to give their children a better life and bright future.
After their children left home, their parents left their empty nest
struggling to find their own life and feeling isolated from the new
environment where they have never got accustomed. What do they need? Who
and how can these immigrants be helped? Issues these elderly immigrants
seem complicated.
Les retraités apprennent l'euro en
s'amusant (October 10, 2001)
(in French) The elderly learn how to use the new “Euro” currency in an
amusing way. In the French newspaper, “Le Parisien”, an article
describes elderly people who play games in order to learn how to use the
future Euro, when it begins to replace French Francs, January 1st,
2002.
Ruée sur le marché de l'or
gris (September 13, 2001)
(in French) Aging of the population improves the sectors of health,
insurance and hobbies. However, only a few French companies have decided
to invest seriously in this sector. For Jacques Bourges-Maunoury, director
of management in UBS (Financial Services Group) in France, 3 big sectors
will benefit from the aging of the population: medical (medicine, private
clinics, …), hobbies (travel, gardening, …), and finally bank and
insurance (some elderly people are active investors).
Seniors and the Law (Summer 2001)
"Elder law", the specialized practice of law which affects the
interests of older adults is becoming more and more important. This
Expression volume presents a glossary of legal terms, offers a list of
resources and suggests avenues of inquiry to find help with many legal
issues facing seniors today.
The Russian Pensioners Became
Slightly Rich: on 10 % (August 1, 2001)
(in Russian) From the 1st of August the average pension in Russia became
1120 rubles (~$37), states RIA News.
Serbs in Orahovac -
"Prisoners" who Depend on Humanitarian Help
July 02, 2001)
In Orahovac, situated 500 meters around the orthodox church, where, in 1999
3,000 Serbs lived, now remains only 500 and they survive solely thanks to
humanitarian help. What hurts them, as well as all Serbs in Kosovo, is the
fact that they are forgotten. The streets around the church are empty. In
front of some houses there are old people playing chess.
Care Work Security
(June, 2001)
Care is one of most essential types of work; however, it is not considered
labour statistics. ILO emphasized this point and held the Workshop called
“Care Work Security” in Geneva.
A flight of fancy for the elderly of Tokyo
(June 23, 2001)
“The Royal Dream Stay Plan” is the package service one Japanese
company sells to elderly men over 65 years old. What elderly people can
get from this package is not home care, not food catering, either. It is
an enjoyable time with a flight attendant. In Japan, flight attendants are
the symbol of young and good looking. Also they are used to taking care of
people according to this company’s comment. This article pointed out the
other face of Japan to live in coping with aging society.
Okinawa weaving tradition dying out
(June 18, 2001)
This article points out technology or values which elderly bring from
previous generations can be quickly lost. But the truth is that the
advanced technology can not replace everything in the society, especially
preserving traditions. This article reveals the problem one of the
villages in Okinawa Pref., has the longest average life span in Japan,
which is caused by that kind of phenomena. Ogimi village faces the reality
that the traditional fabric production called ‘bashofu” has to be
discontinued because of decreasing the number of elderly women who can
contribute to make the beautiful fabric.
Russia's population likely to
dwindle 2.5 times 50 years later (June 14, 2001)
The number of children and young people in Russia has dwindled by six million
in the last 10 years. Moreover 40% of children are born absolutely
healthy, stated Natalya Rimashevskaya, director of the Institute of Social
and Economic Problems of the population.
Considerable Changes to Take
Place in Russia's Social Sphere (June 14, 2001)
The average pension should exceed the living wage in 2001, stated
Putin in his message to the Federal Assembly. Considerable changes of a
liberal nature are to take place in all areas of the social sphere in the
foreseeable future. The article, however, does not mention the amount of a
“living wage.”
Vieillir
et conduire, plus besoin de choisir (June 13, 2001)
(in French) In the French newspaper, “Le Figaro,” an article,
Professor Jean-Francois Caillard, president of the medical council for
Road Accident Prevention, shows that the older one becomes, the more time
it takes to adjust to a road incident. In
some countries, a test is obligatory for older persons to demonstrate
their skill. However, statistics show that such tests are not good
predictors of who will have an accident on the road.
Curar y Cobrar, Una Dificil
Convivencia (June 12, 2001)
(In Spanish) This article, printed in La Nacion in Argentina,
mentions that public health funds are not being efficiently utilized in
Argentina. Lack of laws supporting social security and medical care are
giving way to mismanagement of funds that should go specifically to a
certain portion of the population; mainly the elderly.
Deux Scenarios pour
le Vieillissement (June 11, 2001)
(in French) In this article, taken from Le Monde, two contradictory
scenarios have been established concerning the French economic growth on
the base of the evolution of the demography. While one scenario is focused
on seniors’ needs, the other one predicts a dynamic economy generated by
the new generations. Experts expect an important change in seniors’
saving and consuming behaviors, because now retirement doesn’t mean the
end of life.
The Situation of Older Refugees
(June 6, 2001)
A survey conducted by UNHCR in
1997 indicated that older refugees make up a much larger proportion of the
UNHCR caseload than previously assumed. A 1998 UNHCR evaluation entitled UNHCR
Assistance to Older Refugees, identified three crucial factors
all these people have in common: they are in situations of social
disintegration, negative social selection and chronic dependency.
Twee miljard voor arme bejaarden (June
6, 2001)
(In Dutch) According to De Standaard, the Belgian government has
adopted a new law regarding income security for the elderly, replacing the
former system. As such, the new system ensures higher payments and
furthermore eradicates the inequalities between men and women.
No dejar para mañana...(May 25,
2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the Columbian newspaper El Pais,
reports that in Columbia, as well as in Japan, the aging population is
increasing day after day. Governments must become aware of this issue and
reform the whole social security system to assure adequate social
protection.
'Aprender a morir lleva su tiempo'
(May 18, 2001)
(in Spanish) An interesting article, taken from the daily Spanish
newspaper El Pais, dealing with the euthanasia issue in Spain. An
association called “ the right to death in dignity” tries to make this
very Roman Catholic country aware of this real taboo concern.
Fuenlabrada pagará parte de la
limpieza de casas de los ancianos (May 18, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the daily Spanish newspaper Diario
16, reports a notable program financed by a local government and
designated to help on the elderly in their “everyday life at home,
physically as well as psychologically.” Spain, one of the most aging
countries in the world, is making an effort to find some concrete
responses, like this one, to this issue. Moreover, let’s recall that
Spain will be hosting the Second World Assembly on Aging, in Madrid, in
April 2002.Visit our page
on this special event.
Vivre mieux, plus longtemps (May
17, 2001)
(in French) This serie of articles, published in the French magazine L’Express,
is an excerpt from a whole study about how to live better longer. That’s
why the concept of longevity, and not of ageing, is predominant: growing
old is considered as a physical process that medicine tries to prevent and
to repair. In addition, the last part of the report is concentrated on the
centenarians, from which some rules can be learned for everyday life: stay
active by keeping the body and the mind alert, prevent isolation by
maintaining a rich social and familial life, and have a zen attitude about
life and its little worries.
Elderly isolated at home
(May 8, 2001)
Japan is the country where almost 15 percent of the entire population is
65 years old or over. It used to be very common to live together two or
three generations at the same house, however, today there are many elderly
people who live alone or couples. The recent survey being conducted by The
Japan Federation of Public Service Employees’ Union showed that highly
percentage of these elderly people have isolated lives: no one who can
take care of them in the emergency situation, no friends, and no
connection with their neighborhoods.
Pensioners spark race
row at home (May 6, 2001)
An outrageous story about an elderly black man, who has been rejected from
a residential home in Coventry, Great Britain. The family has decided to
file a suit. The Guardian reports.
El 4% de los mayores de 60 años sufre
abuso psicológico (May 2, 2001) (in Spanish) This article, taken from
the daily Argentine newspaper La Nacion, reveals that, according to
a survey, 4 per cent of the elderly suffer from "psychological
abuse." This issue affects more than one and half million persons in
Argentina. Blair
sides with drug giants (March 31, 2001)
This
British article quotes an official report unveiling Tony Blair’s
position concerning pharmaceutical companies’ patents in poor countries.
According to Prime Minister, to protect intellectual property rights is
more important than promote affordable medicines, such as generic drugs.
Actually, it seems that Tony Blair wants, first and foremost, to protect
one of the most important British industries.
'I had to fight for, she
couldn't fight for herself' (April 26, 2001)
This article, published in The Guardian, reports a terrifying case
of an old woman who was raped in a British nursing home,
Buckinghamshire nursing home. Her husband recalls how difficult it has
been to urge the court to take on the case enabling to prosecute her
attacker.
Seuls les députés
socialistes ont voté l'allocation personnalisée d'autonomie (April 20,
2001)
(in French) This article, from Le Monde, shows that only
Socialists voted for legislation concerning the dependant person over 60.
Other political forces (the Gaullist party, the Green party and the
Communist party) did not support it because they generally think the
financing is uncertain.
Euthanasie: entre crime et
compassion (April 19, 2001)
(In French) This article in L’Express discusses the new law on
euthanasia in the Netherlands, which will be the first country to legalize
euthanasia. Other countries tolerate euthanasia in specific cases but have
not legalized its applicability. This article discusses the policy of the
different countries and raises other issues related to euthanasia.
To oldly go into an upbeat future
(April 18, 2001)
This article, published in The Guardian, reports the wide disparity
between the idea of retirement and reality. The author underscores that
despite a European regulation aiming at banning age discrimination in the
workplace and greater flexibility in the retirement age by 2006, there is
still a lot to do.
Here is a dossier in German on the much debated issue
about euthanasia, with an article (the first one below) describing the
unlikely legalization of such practice in Germany.
El envejecimiento de la población
pondrá en crisis la asistencia a ancianos en 20 años (April 17, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the Spanish daily newspaper El
Mundo, quotes a survey released in March 2001 concerning the elderly
in Spain. The report gives us useful information and highlights that
troubles will appear, in 20 years, when “baby-boomers” be older.
Encuentros en la tercera edad
(April 17, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the Spanish daily newspaper El
Pais, deals with older persons’ new behaviors in our societies, and
more precisely concerning their sexuality.
Vivent les vieux (April 17,
2001)
(in French) This article reports a new measure proposed by the French
government intended to help older people. This help will concern 800
000 old people and will vary depending on revenues. This article is an
editorial taken from the French newspaper Libération.
"Je crois
au lien entre les générations" (April 17, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French newspaper Libération,
is an interview with the French Secretary of Social Affairs, Elizabeth
Guigou, Ministre de la Solidarité, who shares her point of view
concerning the ageing of the population and how significant the new state
benefit for older people is.
Une
allocation pour le droit à bien vieillir (April 17, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French newspaper Libération,
unveils the latest details about a new state help for the elderly in
France. The article also reviews the reforms, which have been undertaken
so far and explains which changes this new reform is going to bring in the
life of old people.
La ministra holandesa de Sanidad
respalda el uso por ancianos de la 'píldora del suicidio' (April 15,
2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the daily Spanish newspaper Diario
16, deals with the recent Dutch law concerning Euthanasia and older
persons.
Korean Doctors Push for
Mercy Killing (April 13, 2001)
This article, published in The New York Times, shows that
Korean doctors are pushing for euthanasia. Mercy killings are illegal in
South Korean but the example of the Netherlands, which is the first
country to legalize them, helps to activate Korean Medical Association
members in favor of euthanasia.
Horror Expressed in Germany Over
Dutch Euthanasia (April 12, 2001)
This article, published in The New York Times, shows that the
reactions against the Netherlands’ legalization of euthanasia are very
strong in Germany. The extent of the reaction, far greater than in any
other European country, seems to reflect the tragic heritage of the Nazi
period: between 1939 and 1941 the Nazis proceeded with the clandestine
elimination of thousands of mentally or physically handicapped-persons.
Switching off gran (April
12, 2001)
At a time when euthanasia is a red-hot topic, resuscitation, in this
article taken form the British newspaper The Guardian, is a topic
issue as well. After numerous complaints from patients it has been
acknowledged that some doctors have abused their rights and wrote down the
mention DNR, Do Not Resuscitate, on some patients' records without even
consulting them. A practice which has triggered a general outcry among
patients' families.
Deux responsables du MNR
comparaissent à Versailles, prévenus d'avoir inscrit contre leur gré
des personnes âgées sur leur liste (April 12, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French newspaper Le Monde, reports
an outrageous practice by a French racist and xenophobic right-wing party,
the Mouvement National Répubulicain, which urged 39 vulnerable elderly
people to sign a list in order to create this party.
Le tabou de l'euthanasie (April 12,
2001)
(in French) This article, extracted from the editorial of Le Monde,
shows how difficult and controversial the debate on euthanasia has become.
According to an individual point of view, the freedom to die in dignity in
order to stop useless suffering could be encouraged. But, on a collective
point of view, the fact to stop a life, which will have no future, is not
acceptable. The large support in the French society in favor of euthanasia
is due to the message of the consumerist society, which claims that a life
is valuable just because it is beautiful and useful. The author thinks
that a new conception of mankind is going to be developed.
Netherlands Legalize Euthanasia
(April 11, 2001)
This article, published in The Chicago Tribune, shows that the
Netherlands is now the first country in the world to legalize mercy
killings and assisted suicide. The article describes also all the
necessary mechanism for a patient and his doctor to be allowed to practice
euthanasia.
Les Pays-Bas, premier pays au
monde à légaliser la "mort douce" (April 11, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in Le Monde, shows that the
Netherlands Senate has approved the law legalizing euthanasia. The right
wing and the extreme left wing have voted against the law. The
governmental parties (social-democrats and liberals) were in favor of the
legalization of euthanasia. The Netherlands is now the first country in
the world to legalize definitely this medical practice.
Les Pays-Bas légalisent
l'euthanasie (April 10, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in Le Monde, shows that the
Netherlands Senate has approved the law legalizing euthanasia. The
Netherlands is now the first country in the world to legalize definitely
this medical practice.
Législations et pratiques
de l'euthanasie dans le monde (April 10, 2001)
(in French) This short article, extracted from Le Monde, shows
that euthanasia remains taboo around the world. Countries have different
attitudes toward euthanasia: in France and Great Britain it is illegal; in
Denmark the patient can choose; in Sweden the “assisted suicide” is
tolerated, in the United states it is illegal but the Appeal Court of New
York authorized medical euthanasia in April 1996…
En France, le Comité national
d'éthique prône une exception (April 10, 2001)
(in French) This article, extracted from Le Monde, shows that
euthanasia is an important debate in the French society. In a report, the
National Ethic Committee wants to create an “exception” without
modifying the Criminal Code in order to break the hypocrisy of narrow
practices.
Tele 5 implica sus programas en el
apoyo a las personas mayores (April 11, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the Spanish daily newspaper El
Pais, heralds an original initiative promoted by the popular
TV-channel Tele 5. In April 2001, the Channel begins to point out some
significant issue about older persons and social protection, pensions and
the elderly’ s difficulties in every day life, in the basis of short
reports.
Aiming for a
dignified death (April 8, 2001)
This article, published in The Observer, a British
newspaper, raises the issue of equal treatment irrespective of age. It
offers a highlight on the situation in British hospitals and the
allocation of empty beds. More particularly it focuses on protecting the
dignity of older persons.
Older
people get the benefits of new rules (April 7, 2001)
This article, published in The Guardian reports the positive
consequences of new rules for the elderly in Great Britain. Further
financial benefits will be allocated to old people and initiatives, such
as Your rights week launched by Age concern, aim at better informing
elderly people of their prerogatives and averting any abuse or
discrimination in the workplace.
Indigenous S.Africans Demand
Rights (April 1, 2001)
This article, extracted from The New York Times, shows the
situation of indigenous, and especially the Khoisan people, in South
Africa before and after apartheid. For older people, who are very poor,
the situation has not changed. Khoisan people want to have access to
ancestral land, which is denied by the South-African government, in order
not to be dependent on other people.
Estiman que hay 500 geriátricos
ilegales Cerrados (March 29, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the daily Argentine newspaper La
Nacion, unveils that the government closed 500 geriatric centers since
January owing to unhealthiness. The elderly slept on the ground, sometimes
in the middle of rubbish, were mistreated and abandoned. These centers
were clandestine; nevertheless some were totally legal...
Il n'y a pas d'âge pour surfer (March
28, 2001)
(in French) There is no age limit to use internet. In the French
newspaper, “Le Figaro”, an article relates that elderly people
are using the Internet more and more. They like every kind of website
(culture, research, quiz, game, …), but specifically those about elderly
people.
L'Insee prédit un "vieillissement
inéluctable" de la population dans les prochaines décennies (March
27, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French newspaper Le Monde,
reports the demographic forecasts for France reviewing the basic gauges:
fertility rate, mortality rate... The ageing of the population is growing
at a tremendous pace.
Cada vez hay más ancianos (March
26, 2001)
(in Spanish) An interesting article taken from the daily Argentine
newspaper Clarin releasing a World health Organization's survey
giving various data about the graying of the world's population.
Beneficios para 70 mil ancianos
(March 24, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the daily argentine newspaper Clarin
heralds a food program for the poorest old people. Not only does this
program provide them basic food in special centers but also a social
protection in case of disease.
Dos millones de ancianos
necesitan ayuda en su vida diaria (March 23, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the daily Spanish newspaper
Diario 16 discloses a survey showing that 2 million old people in
Spain cannot live on their own, having to be helped in their everyday
life. This survey underscores that this will increase in the next year and
that Spain must become aware of this thorny problem.
"Somos muchos viejos y no sé cómo
lo harán" (March 23, 2001)
(in Spanish) A short interview taken from the daily Spanish newspaper
Diario 16 of a lovely 93 year old woman giving her point of view about
the older person's conditions.
Elderly Poverty Rates in Canada
(March 23, 2001)
This article provides data on elderly poverty in Canada. Poverty is
measured using Statistics Canada's LICOs. Elderly refers to people aged 65
years and over.
Any older person could become a
victim of abuse (March 23, 2001)
This article, extracted from the Canadian newspaper The Gazette,
intends to give an accurate definition of older person’s abuse. It
examines also the reasons why the elderly are often reluctant to talk
about abuse.
The number of
retired people is likely to rise faster than the number in work, cutting
the ratio of workers to dependants (March 22, 2001)
This article, published in the British newspaper The Times, raises
the issue of elderly people and the workforce. In an increasing world,
where the number of old people keeps speeding up, new regulations,
measures or policies, such as the British Government pension policy, are
heavily influenced by elderly people.
Realizarán una encuesta
popular para la tercera edad (March 21, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the daily Argentine newspaper Clarin,
heralds an official survey promoted by a local government, concerning the
elderly. Every old person, 20 per cent of the population, will have to
answer 20 questions about their feelings, thoughts or wishes regarding
their every day life.
Psychology of Aging (March
21, 2001)
This article, extracted from Montreal The Gazette, examines the
perceptions and misconceptions about the aging process. It provides
information about culture, health, way of living and aging.
Report on the Women's
International War Crimes Tribunal (March19, 2001)
See attached report of elderly women seeking redress of sex crimes
committed against them fifty years ago.
Una señora denuncia a una
residencia de ancianos por desatención (March16, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the daily Spanish newspaper Diario
16, relates the sad story of an old woman neglected by a geriatric
center's nurses, for one month, in Spain. It illustrates the problems that
have sometimes to face the elderly in such centers.
Una escuela de abuelos
potenciara el papel social de los mayores (March16, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the daily Spanish newspaper Diario
16, relates an original initiative promoted by the city of Mosteles,
in Spain. Recognizing the rule that the elderly have in families and
society, a school for old persons has been created to teach them what they
can do with and for their grandchildren, in order to link two very
different generations.
Ministers aim to keep old people
in work (March 15, 2001)
The UK government wants to keep older people at work proposing to raise
the age of retirement at 65. Not only do British Ministers believe cutting
them out of work is a waste of talent and harmful to the economy. They are
concerned that the population is getting older and there are not
sufficient replacements from younger age cohorts. The Daily Telegraph reports.
Volunteers or victims?
(March 14, 2001)
This article, published in the daily British newspaper The Guardian
relates various overwhelming stories about old Argentine people clinically
tested without consent, by their doctors, corrupted by some big
pharmaceutical companies.
El nuevo Plan Gerontologico,
pendiente del Pacto de Tolodo (March 14, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the daily Spanish newspaper El
Pais, deals with the aging issue in Spain. Underscoring that 20 per
cent of the population will be more than 65 in 2020, the article
highlights that Spain must find a new and comprehensive approach regarding
the elderly and the pensions issue.
Doctor dismisses notion of delaying
retirement to 65 (March 14, 2001)
This article, published in The Times, reports the story of a doctor
in Britain, who is about to retire and who does not want to postpone his
retirement while receiving incentive payments offered by the Health
Secretary. This scheme, lately implemented to avert labor shortages in the
health sector, does not seem to fit to everybody.
Happy Campers (March 11, 2001)
This article, published in British newspaper The Observer, reports
the rather unusual way of living of a seventy three year-old lady, who has
decided to travel and live most of the time in a converted delivery van.
She enjoys her style of living and shares her reasons.
L'APA
concernera 800 000 personnes âgées (March 7, 2001)
(in French) In the French newspaper “Le Figaro,” an
article discussed a French Government law project which can help people
who cannot take care of themselves. When they retire, these persons will
be classified according to their capacities and how much they earn. In
this way, they will receive an amount which will help to purchase the
caregiving support they need to improve their lives.
Lifetime 9 to 5 forever (February
27, 2001)
This article, published in the British newspaper The Times, reports
a growing trend in the workplace. More and more old people do not want to
retire and the British Government is thus willing to remove compulsory age
retirement as well as to ban age discrimination within the companies.
Hidden plague of
sexual abuse grips care homes (February 25, 2001)
This article, published in The Observer, reports the increase in
cases of sexual abuse in nursing homes, taking for example the Denison
House, whose owner faced many accusations. The articles provides a list of
different types of assaults as well and highlights that this tendency
dangerously sprawls even among expensive care homes.
Aged and Elderly
Women (February 24, 2001)
This article posted in the “AZG” newspaper, based on UNDP
reports, discusses the issues of aging of the population in Armenia.
During the last decade the ageing of the population in Armenia became
predominant. The research demonstrated that in terms of their share, women
outnumber men not only among the aged and elderly but also among the
single elderly population, what can be attributed to a number of reasons
such as the overwhelming emigration during recent years, and socioeconomic
conditions, physical and psychological insecurity.
The bare necessities
(February 22, 2001)
This article, published in The Economist, assesses the
appalling situation in South African countries, where people lack adequate
housing, water and electricity and food. Though the Government introduced
basic pension plans, too many old people do not get any pensions.
An age-old problem tests
employment boundaries (February 20, 2001)
This article, published in The Times, raises the issue of the
Government code of practice regarding age discrimination in the workplace.
This code, which seems to be incomplete, will strive to ban age
discrimination in employment and perhaps abolish compulsory age retirement
within firms.
Sing if you're glad to be
grey (February 18, 2001)
This article, published in The Observer, reports the gloomy
situation in Britain for poor old people. While the rich over-50s are
getting richer, the poor are unlikely to get out of poverty, thus further
widening the gap between the rich and the poor. A grim outlook in a
country where a quarter of Britons will be over 65 by 2050.
Is It Our Care? The Benevolent Union
Is Closed (January 15, 2001)
(in Russian)This article, found in Novaya Gazeta, is about the
Chechen elderly, who as a result of tragic events have lost everything:
shelters, families, and now are left totally alone and forgotten in
the homes for the aged called “Zabota.” .
Age
Forum Annual Report 1999-2000 (July 2001)
Long detailed article on wide range of topics relating to aging in Denmark
from health related issues to policy making, with emphasis on health
services targeted at aging disorders. Although the article is a
little dated (annual report for 1999-2000), it is interesting because it
describes future forecasts for aging in Denmark on a national and global
perspective.
La CRI a t-elle détourné l'argent de
ses cotisants? (January 13, 2001)
(in French) This is an investigation made by a French newspaper Marianne
denounces an outrageous embezzlement by a French pension fund, the Caisse
de Retraite Interprofessionnelle. The investigation unveils the practices
of the fund marred by three big scandals.
A Marseille, les personnes âgées
enrayent la billettique (January 8, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the daily French newspaper Le
Monde, reports the difficulties experienced by the elderly people in a
French city, Marseille. Old people find it difficult to adapt to the
modernization of transportation. The new system apparently does not seem
to suit them.
Britain Asks How Many The
Doctor Killed (January 6, 2001)
This article, published in The New York Times, reports the
story of Mr. Shipman, a family doctor, who would have allegedly
murdered 345 elderly women using lethal doses of diamorphine.
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