Elder Rights : World
Archives: 2002
Is the WTO Collapsing Under
its Own Ambitions?
(December 31, 2002)
Focus on the Global South Deputy Director Nicola
Bullard argues that the WTO’s agenda has become so packed that poor
nations can’t afford to hire enough staff to cover all the negotiations.
As a result, rich nations have been able to dictate the key negotiations
in the Doha “development” trade round. (ATTAC)
China: Problems
Facing Older People
(December 20, 2002) (in Chinese)
A survey
showed that older people in China are facing two problems: lack of secure
income support, and loneliness. 30% of the urban elderly and 60% of the
rural elderly are supported by their children or other family members.
Once losing support from the family, older people faces economic
difficulties without proper social security system in place. Due to the
lack of hobbies and social life, many older people feel lonely and
unhappy. (The text is in Chinese.)
Intergenerational conflict and the
prevention of abuse against older persons
Within an intergenerational context, family violence is likely to manifest
itself in elder abuse. This Final Report to Health Canada explores the
status of current theorizing on elder abuse, suggests that this literature
neglects the importance of the ways in which parent-child relationships
are constructed. Society expects that parents will nurture their young
children and that these children will reciprocate with affection.
The 2002 National Survey of
Latinos (December 2002)
The 2002 National Survey of Latinos, a nationally
representative survey
released by the Pew Hispanic Center and the
Kaiser Family Foundation, examines how members of the Hispanic community identify themselves. Nearly one-third
of Hispanics asked in the report said that they or someone close to them has experienced discrimination, 8 in 10 say
Hispanics discriminating against other
Hispanics is a problem.
Future pensioners have been
insured from mistakes (December 11, 2002) (in Russian)
An amendment to the pension legislation, adopted by Russian Duma,
allows citizens to fix the mistakes they made about investing their
pension savings. Everyone can now choose between state and private pension
fund, and also switch from one private fund to another, but no more than
once a year. Opponents says the law favors big corporate pension funds.
Older
refugees face hurdles (December 11, 2002)
Lack
of transportation prevents seniors who want to attend classes to learn
English and become U.S. citizens, two requirements for keeping their
government benefits (The 1996 Welfare Reform Act). In Arizona, such
organizations as the Maricopa County Elder Refugee Program are here to
help the elderly to know their rights.
Sex
change victory after 30 years (December 10, 2002)
Transsexuals
in Great Britain will get the right to change their birth certificate. It
is a result of a 30-year battle against the state, which determines their
right for pension, and, particularly, the eligible age for retirement, by
looking at the birth certificate
Israeli
troops kill Palestinian woman, 95-witnesses (December 3, 2001)
A
95-year-old Palestinian woman, who is believed
to be the oldest Palestinian killed since September 2000, was killed by a
bullet in the back fired by an Israeli solder as she rode in a taxicab.
At the UN’s World Assembly on Ageing held in April 2002 the UN
called for an international protocol to assure humanitarian protection of
older persons caught in situations of armed conflict.
A
Well-Wrinkled Romance (November 25, 2002)
The
stars of a new Korean movie are in their 70’s. When the shooting takes
place in the bedroom, conservative Korea may be surprised to “witness
granny and grandpa having a romp.”
Solomon Islands Begins
Implementing IMF Demand For Severe Job Cuts (November 21, 2002)
After several years of civil unrest and economic crisis, the Solomon
Islands is pursuing a strict IMF austerity package that includes laying
off thirty percent of workers in the public service sector. However,
higher unemployment may exacerbate already-severe social tensions in the
country. How will this social unrest impact vulnerable older persons in
the Solomon Islands?
World: The Toronto Declaration on the
Global Prevention of Elder Abuse (November 17, 2002)
This 2002 Toronto Declaration on elder abuse is a call for action to
prevent older persons from suffering abuse. This paper points out the
crucial need of a legal framework to address the issue. As violence
against women or children was considered a major issue in the 80’s, today elder abuse should be viewed as a social issue of concern to
everyone.
New Older Generation vs. Young Generation (October
30, 2002)
Helen Geffen Roht from the AFICS, the Association for Former
International Civil Servants, invited Benedicte Soilly as a guest-speaker
on October 30. Here is the transcript of her presentation dealing with the
French generation gap.
Canada’s
Aging Population
Canada faces
significant aging of its population as the proportion of seniors increases
more rapidly than all other age groups.
Can
one buy health while on a pension?
(October 16, 2002) (in Russian)
After food, medicine is the second largest expense
of Russian pensioners. It can
take up to one third of the amount of the average pensioner’s income.
The article discusses the rights of pensioners for free and discounted
drugs and notes that expensive foreign drugs usually have cheaper domestic
versions.
The Economic Security of Older Persons
in Japan (October 3, 2002)
Ms Michiko Mukuno presented her country's position during the
International Day of Older Persons at the UN on October the 3rd.
Group
highlights ageism in society (October 2, 2002)
On the International Day of Older Persons, Age
Action Ireland published an official report showing how Irish elderly
suffered from discrimination.
New
challenges for China's elderly (October 1, 2002)
An ordinary day at an
internet and English learning club for senior citizens in Shanghai. The
gap between elderly in rural areas and in towns in China is becoming more
and more important.
Shanghai
Implementation Strategy (September 23-26, 2002)
This paper deals with the Shanghai Implementation
Strategy (regional implementation strategy for the Madrid International
Plan of Action on Ageing 2002 and the Macao Plan of Action on Ageing for
Asia and the Pacific 1999). Asia and the Pacific is the most rapidly
ageing region of the world. A strategy on how to prepare society for the
challenges of ageing is essential in ensuring that the goals of active
ageing are achieved.
Learning is for Life (September 26,
2002)
Statistics from Learning and Skills Council,
England, show that in the South-East region of England there are 17 per
cent of 60+ learners. The oldest student is Janet Thorpe, 108, who takes Internet Technology
cources and recently sent her first email.
Asia-Pacific
to Deal with Challenge of Ageing (September 23, 2002)
The Asia Pacific Region just met to decide on the
regional strategies to put the new international plan of action on aging
into practice. With most of the world’s
elderly living in this region, their work is very important.
Manitoba
conference told recruiting licensed practical nurses challenging
(September 12, 2002)
Caring
for Canada's aging baby boomers should be a growth industry, but licensed
practical nursing faces problems attracting workers from a shrinking,
aging labour pool, a national conference was told Thursday.
Pensioner Stabbed at Her Home
(August 28, 2002)
4 year-old woman survives brutal attack in her
home in Warrington, Chesire. Police warn elderly women in the area to be
weary for attacker is on the loose.
Social Protection: A Movement to Justice?
(August 22, 2002) (in Russian)
Total amount of subsidies and compensations provided by current
legislation in Ukraine exceeds 18bln grivnas a year. But the real amount
available in the budget for the year 2003 is approximately 3bln grivnas (1 US dollar equals approximately 5.5 grivnas.)
China's Aging Population Expanding
(August 20, 2002)
The 60 something population in China numbers in
at 90 million- one fifth of the world’s total.Experts are urging government to take measures to improve social
welfare for the elderly.
The endurance of Camelia
Sadat (August 20, 2002)
Camelia Sadat, shown here
in 1991, charmed Boston society with her intelligence and grace in the
years after the assassination of her father, Anwar Sadat, in Egypt. In
recent years, however, her life has been a solitary journey, an even
deeper test of her character and determination
Pensioner Breaks High-Flying Record (August 20,
2002)
88-year-old UK man, Lea Salles, breaks world
record by becoming the oldest person to “wingwalk” for 45 minutes on a
plane flying 100 mph. Daredevil
says he hopes to do this every year until 100.
Over 80s Set to
Double (August 16, 2002)
Projections
say UK population will peak at 66 million by 2040. With a huge increase of elderly people, organizations like
Age Concern call for an end to age discrimination – giving seniors the
choice to work in later life.
Afghanistan fights 'lethal combination' of
ignorance, illness (August 15, 2002)
Ignorance and lack of access to health care are
responsible for children
dying from diarrhea, women
dying during delivery, elderly people dying from
malnutrition. Unfortunately , currently mark of Afghanistan are – high infant and maternal mortality and low
life expectancy.
Aged but Not Alone (August 13, 2002)
Joygopal Podder,
assistant director general, HelpAge India, who was in Chennai recently,
spoke about the NGO's initiatives towards supporting and empowering senior
citizens.
At 93, Manoel de Oliveira Makes Each Word Count
(August 11, 2002)
93 year-old Portuguese legend filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira
just attended the Cannes International film festival where his newest
movie, “Uncertainty Principle” premiered.
Japan Marketers Targeting Boomers (August
11, 2002)
Advertisement companies and big business are
starting to pay attention to Japan’s baby boomers who are active, roman
tic, youthful. These boomers
offer a window to a new market focusing on a forty and fifty something
crowd.
Home Dispute "Threatens Well-being of
Elderly" (August 6, 2002)
Elderly of Birmingham, England fight for their
rights to choose where to live. 86
care homeowners, residents and relatives are seeking to overthrow the city
council’s blocking of elder residential choice.
ABD Says Asia Needs to Prepare for Impact of
Falling Population (August 6, 2002)
Governments in Asia need to
start planning for falling birth rates and growing life expectancies. Economies must be more efficient because of a shrinking work force
and an increase in retirees.Countries may be forced to extend the age of retirement in
order to accommodate the situation
Hiroshima Mayor Calls on the U.S. to 'Sever the
Chain of Hatred' (August 5, 2002)
Survivors of Hiroshima remember the horrific day,
57 years later. Prayers were made and a warning sent by Hiroshima mayor, Tadatoshi Akiba, reminding the
USA and the world about the catastrophic effects of nuclear war.
Japan's old shy away from retiring (August 5,
2002)
Japanese babies can expect to live longer than
anyone else on Earth, according to the latest government statistics, but
their extra years are more likely to be spent hard at work than in
leisurely retirement.
Denmark's Hippies Hit Their Golden Years (August
2002)
The residents of Christiania,
where the 1970s never died, face a very modern problem: an aging
population
Easing Palestine's Humanitarian Crisis (July 30,
2002)
People in the West bank and Gaza Strip face a
continued; threatening crisis.
Ariel Sharon, Israel’s prime minister, asked for an international effort
to help the Palestinian people. A
study by the United States Agency for International Development found dramatically increased malnutrition and anemia among
Palestinian children. One can only guess how miserable the condition of
elderly people must be.
UN To Resume Wider N
Korea Food Distribution, But Needs More Aid (July 29, 2002)
The United Nations World Food Program says it needs more foreign donations
to continue distributing food to the 1.2 million North Korean teens and
elderly citizens. Without
donations, the program may be forced to shutdown completely.
Elderly
care policy 'unfair' (July 29, 2002)
The elderly in England and Wales
are receiving “unworkable” and “unfair” care provisions compared
to those north of the border in Scotland. In Scotland, the elderly are entitled to receive free
personal care, including dressing, washing and eating.
In England and Wales, however, personal care is not free, and
nursing care is only partly funded.
10 Year Project on Aging to be Launched
(July 27, 2002)
Project to be launched on aging in Pakistan in
collaboration with the United Nations. Plan
upholds belief that senior citizens should and can remain active
participants in the economic, social, cultural, and political aspects of
life.
Japan's Parliament
Approves Health Bill (July 26, 2002)
Japan’s Parliament approved the Health Care Reform policy of Prime
Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The new policy will raise insurance premiums for the elderly
and salaried workers and will save the health care system from bankruptcy. The plan shifts the cost of medical care to taxpayers.
Kabul Residents Struggle to Scratch Out Existence
(July 26, 2002)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is encouraging the
return of 1.25 million Afghan refugees.
The rapid rate of return of refugees is causing overcrowding and
the scarcity of resources is causing internal displacement, including many
elderly.
Denmark Ranks 14th in
Human Development (July 26, 2002)
The UN¹s Human Development Report 2002 ranks 173 countries worldwide in
areas such as life expectancy, education, and economy. Denmark has moved
one place forward to No. 14 in human development since last year. Denmark
does well in income per capita and education, while the Danes¹ life
expectancy is significantly lower than that of people in the countries,
which top the list. 20
percent of the population in Denmark is 60 years or older, and 20 percent
is 80 years or older.
Chavez Creates Floods Task
Force (July 25, 2002)
The floods in Southwestern Venezuela have displaced more than 50,000
people, forcing them to live on the streets, begging for food and clean
water. People are being
forced to bathe in and drink water that is polluted by trash, sewage and
dead animals. Hundreds of
children and elderly have suffered respiratory ailments, diarrhea and
other maladies that doctors blame on the fetid waters.
French Judge Nixes Papon
Request (July 24, 2002)
Maurice Papon, a former Vichy official imprisoned for sending French Jews
to Nazi death camps is requesting to be released on account of his age.
Papon is 91 years old, and his lawyers argue that it is inhumane to
keep him imprisoned because of his age and poor health.
Thieves Strike at Bavdhan Again (July 23,
2002)
Robbers disrupt piece in the mostly senior
citizen residency of Ramnagar colony in India.
The elders are easy prey for the thieves for it takes the nearest
police up to three hours to reach the scene of crime
Faces on the street.
A Photographic Social Document of 104 Women of Launceston
Ruby Gold from Tasmania, Australia, sent her photo report of women, along
with short biographies, who live in Launceston, Tasmania,
Australia. The women range in age from 90’s to 40’s and give a poignant
glimpse of life in this region of the world.
It’s titled Faces in the Street.
They
Fought for the Motherland
( July 19, 2002) (in Russian)
In Ukraine the life of veterans who fought for
their motherland during World War II is extremely difficult now. The
scanty pensions that they receive cover the basic need for food alone.
Even after a 7 percent increase it remains dramatically low, at only 220
grivnas per month (1 USD equals approximately 5.4 grivnas).
Brit
Municipal Strike Prompts Shutdowns (July 17, 2002)
The strike of local government workers over pay
in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has left many elderly without
meals, normally provided by the government-employed social workers.
Vampire youth drank
victim's blood ( July 16, 2002)
A 17 year old stands accused of a “vampire” killing of a 90 year old
woman in a small English town. While
it is clear that the woman died and authorities say that her heart was
removed, no mention is made of the defense arguments.
Protecting
the elderly (July 12, 2002)
Violent robberies of senior citizens in the UK
foster fear within elderly communities. With statistics showing that the
old are 18 times more likely to be attacked than youth, it is
understandable why they feel at risk. These attacks have spurred
communities to use innovative ways to connect the aging population with
youth.
Without distinction attacks
on civilians by Palestinian armed groups (July 11, 2002)
This Amnesty International
document presents and describes the background, current situation of
Israel and the Occupied territories and the Palestinian Authority.
The document demonstrates attacks on civilians by Palestinian armed groups occurs without
distinction. These attacks cause death of old people, children and foreigners.
Dog Helps Master to Breathe (July
8, 2002)
In Hokkaido, Japan, an organization is training “oxy dogs,” which
carry the heavy oxygen cylinders of people with such ailments as pulmonary
emphysema. There are more
than 200,000 people in Japan who require oxygen, and Mr. Toyama’s
organization hopes oxy dogs will be as popular as guide dogs.
DTC
Staffer Told to Take Care of 90-Yr Old Mother (July 7, 2002)
A 90-year-old woman, Munni Dwarka from New Delhi, India recently received
the help of legal aids services after her sons and an “old age home”
threw her out, even after paying Rs 25,000. She asked the local
police for help, but eventually had to resort to the courts’ help.
UN claims proposed rights
watchdog in violation of treaty (July 3, 2002)
An "independent" human rights watchdog body that Japan plans to
set up will in fact be controlled by the government, the United Nations
(UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned in letters to the prime
minister. The Japanese government plans to open a human rights commission
designed to watch over domestic human rights conditions after a UN human
rights conference in 1998 demanded the nation launch such a body.
Elderly 'Witches'
Persecuted in Mozambique (July 3, 2002)
Traditional healers in Mozambique stir up
suspicion of elderly women – branding them as witches.
In a time of increasing rates of death and illness associated with
AIDS, these senior women are alleged to have bewitched their dying
relatives. The accused are
abandoned, attacked, and in some cases murdered.
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Personal Care Law
Boost for Aged (July 2, 2002)
In Scotland, more than 75,000 elderly citizens will receive free personal
care, which includes washing, dressing and counseling, in addition to
nursing care. The new system,
embraced by charities, is described by the First Minister Jack McConnell
as “The right thing to do.”
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Elderly Woman Left in
Lurch (July 1, 2002)
Meekulu Laina Severen of the Oshana Region in Namibia, a 93–year-old
widow, was abandoned by her family in late June 2002.
She claims she was left by her great grandchildren because there
was no food in the house. She qualifies for pension benefits in Namibia, but is unable
to collect them because she is unable to walk.
Evacuation
in Chechnya: 86 old people were saved, 12 were died
(28 June, 2002)
mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">In Mozdok press conference, MES (Ministry of
Emergency Situations) Chief Sergey Shoygu reported to journalists the
details of evacuation of nursing home patients from Grozniy.
Senior Services (June 27, 2002)
Former Prime Minister, Poul Nyrup
Rasmussen’s reaction to senior services.
He is now demanding that those pensioners who are financially well
off should pay for certain social benefits, such as the cleaning of their
own homes.
Palestinians
Suffer Renewed Collective Punishment (26 June, 2002)
As Israel reoccupies villages and towns in the West Bank the
Palestinian population suffers the effects of widespread security measures
such as prolonged curfews, house demolitions or administrative detention
that amount to collective punishment, said Amnesty International today.
Population-Japan:
Elderly Generation Healthiest Ever (June 21, 2002)
In Japan, the elderly are living longer, healthier lives.
The number of elderly, currently at about 18 percent, is expected
to increase to 26 percent by 2015. Japan
boasts of the world’s top longevity as three-fourths of the elderly
population, 65 and older, claim they do not have any physical problems
that affect their daily lives.
60plus women tackle aging (June
2002)
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Three women, Vivienne Poy, a senator in Canada,
Anna Hobbs, and freelance writer, and Judy Cutler, Director of Public
Relations for CARP (Canada's Association for the Fifty-Plus) give accounts
of their lives now that they are over 60, and how they have improved with
age.
Agewell
(June 2002)
Agewell Foundation is a non-government
organization based in India whose endeavor is to bring about a change in
the perception of old age and assist older persons to move surely but
steadily from helplessness and self pity towards confidence, respect and
mutual caring.
Con
men's trade on the elderly
(June 18, 2002)
In
England, elderly people are falling prey to the exploitations of con men
who have begun to trade the addresses of wealthy elderly citizens.
Con men do odd jobs around the house and yard, like cutting trees.
If the elderly person pays in cash, the house is marked, and
thieves know there is cash in the house.
Raising Farm Subsidies,
U.S. Widens International Rift (June 15, 2002)
President Bush signed a new farm bill, raising subsidies for farmers.
U.S. farmers will begin flooding the European market with cheap
produce and European economies will suffer, with small, individual farmers
will suffering the most as they struggle to compete.
Rural area farmers are being forced off their land and into the
cities in order to survive, leaving their elderly behind.
Old people are killed, while doing their service (June 6, 2002)
mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;
mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">In Chechnya unknown criminals killed Shaa Meshiyev, who
was a chief of the pension fund in the Veden region.
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Working differently
for a humane society (June 3, 2002)
Japan should overhaul its old systems to improve the quality of life so
that people can lead a ``humane, leisurely and balanced life. The system
whereby society directly supports individuals is required. Basic
(national) pensions should be paid in taxpayer money, and their amounts
should be substantially increased to reinforce the sense of security. With
the government deficit reaching crisis proportions, spending should be
concentrated in essential areas such as education and welfare.
Grief must lead to change (June, 2002)
This article describes tragic experiences of common people involved
in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Whether in Haifa or Hebron, Jenin or
Jerusalem, soldiers from both sides of the conflict are targeting
civilians, destroying lives and livelihoods and grossly abusing human
rights. On both sides ordinary people are paying a heavy price for the
escalating violence
The Danish Association of Senior Citizens:
Principles and Projects
This article describes the Danish Association of Senior
Citizens, an association of five out of Denmark’s six senior citizen’s
organizations with a total membership of 450,000. This is a very modern, comprehensive association providing
consultancy, training, advisory and information services and arranges
trips and cultural events. The
services provided include “Seniors Assisting Seniors,” telephone
service, health-promoting activities, and Computer Cafés.
Retirement
Patterns in Denmark
This excellent article describes work and retirement conditions for
seniors in Denmark with case examples of two of Denmark’s most
significant trade unions. The
article also includes data collected from surveys.
Note on the Protection of
Refugees in Armed Conflict Situations (2002)
This article represents a background article for protection of refugees in
armed conflict situations . It reflects the principles of the UN Human
Rights Resolution, 20th
Conference of the Red Cross (1965, Vienna),
UN General Assemblies
(1970, 1977)and Geneva conventions protocols ( 1949)
Mavis goes to East Timor (June
2002)
Two years ago, Mavis Taylor, 86, was at the point in her life when many
her age have long since retired. She had raised a family of nine children
and spent years running her own textile business in the small town of
Yarrawonga, Australia.
It was time, Mavis decided, to close shop. So Mavis, who had never been
overseas, closed her shop and took it - piece by piece - to East Timor…
Poll Shows
Danish People Favor Euthanasia (May 21, 2002)
Danes
overwhelmingly support the legalization of euthanasia. Sixty-eight percent
support euthanasia, according to the PLS Ramboell poll
published in the
Jyllands-Posten newspaper. The numbers jump
considerably in the case of
sick or suffering patients: 93 percent favor
ending the suffering of the
terminally ill, and 82 percent support it for
incurable illnesses.
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">
Social and Health-Care
Policy for the Elderly in Denmark
This article provides an excellent review of aging demographics and
policies in Denmark. The articles also describes in good detail the social
and health-care system available to seniors.
Volunteer Elderly
Care Debate (May 17, 2002)
This article describes the
debate as to whether the recent government proposal to integrate volunteer
assistance into Copenhagen Council’s home-help program is a good idea or
not.
Five people in masks robed all old people of Chechnya's Shatoy region (May 3,
2002)
About 916,000 rubles assigned for pensions in Shatoy region of Chechnya, were
stolen by unknown criminals.
José
Lutzenberger, Brazilian Environmentalist, Dies at 75 (May 16, 2002)
Jose Lutzenberger, one of the founders of the environmental
movement in Brazil died of a heart attack at the age of 75. "He was
Brazil's first internationally known environmental activist, and the fact
he was chosen environment minister in Brazil's first democratically
elected government in 30 years was just one indication of the tremendous
mark he made in that area," said Stephan Schwartzman, senior
scientist at Environmental Defense.
U.N. Food Aid to N.Korea
to Be Cut (May 1, 2002)
The United Nations says it will stop distributing food to more than 1
million children and elderly in North Korea because of a shortfall in
international aid, sparking fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis in
the country. Six million North Koreans currently fed by the U.N. World
Food Program -- mainly women, children and the elderly -- ``may face acute
and indeed life-threatening shortages of food, medicines and clean
drinking water.
Ageing and AIDS in Africa (April, 2002)
This article addresses the AIDS pandemic,
specifically in Africa and the effects on societal and familial life for
those affected by AIDS/HIV, including the role of the elderly.
The Graying of the Globe
(April 12, 2002)
A United Nations conference in Madrid has been grappling all week with the
implications of a startling demographic development — a world where
there will be more elderly people than youngsters in coming decades. The
developed nations passed through that transition a few years ago,
prompting today's concerns over the adequacy of social security retirement
programs and of health care for the aged in the world's richest nations.
But now the developing world, poorer and less prepared to cope, is heading
in the same direction.
United Nations Says Elderly
Will Soon Outnumber Young for First Time (April 9, 2002)
A million people now turn 60 every month, a demographic revolution that
will mean older people will outnumber the young for the first time in
history, according to the United Nations' Second Assembly on Ageing, which
opened here today, 20 years after the organization's first conference
addressing the issue.
Ageing
Spain's Dilemma (April 9, 2002)
This is an article written by a BBC reporter, who attended the
Second World Assembly on Aging in Madrid, and explored the ways old people
live in a society which is so famed for its family traditions and
laid-back lifestyles.
Kuwait:
Statement by His Excellency Mr. Talal Mubarak Al-Ayyar at the
Second World Assembly on Ageing Madrid, Spain (April 9, 2002)
As a general background to the issues facing older persons in Kuwait, this
official presentation at the World Assembly on Ageing in 2002 details some
of the key elements that Kuwait wanted to achieve at the Madrid
Conference. The statement also summarizes some social protection programs
available in Kuwait and the national commitment to older persons
Mideast Strife Mars Aging Conference
(April, 2002)
The Second World Assembly Meeting held in Madrid emphasized the great concern about the elderly both in Israel and Palestine who have been harmed and have suffered under the intolerant situation in Mideast crises. The more fragile people are, the easier they get harmed.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says the elderly are the forgotten victims of the Aids pandemic.
(April 8, 2002)
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies points out the serious situation in Africa where five million grandparents have become the primary caregivers for their grandchildren because the children’s parents died from AIDS. The federation emerges mental, physical and financial support for those elderly in Africa.
Esther
"Tess" Canja, President of the AARP : "It should be given a
greater attention to Elderly women" (April 7, 2002)
“It should give a special attention to elderly women because they are
suffering from a double discrimination, because of their gender and
age”, Esther Canja said.
Society should take care of the necessities of the elderly without looking
at their gender. Both elderly men and women have their own specific
strengths.
The
Elderly Woman as Agent of Change (April 7, 2002)
AARP presented interesting testimonies of several women from all over
the world who talked about the role the elderly women have as agents of
change and development, specially in less developed communities
A determined rebel's last days (April 5, 2002)
In Japan old people still tend to stick to a traditional stigma that old age is the end of their life. Whereas, Kato
Shizue, who is known as one of the Japanese earliest women’s rights advocates and passed away last year at the age of 104, left her encouraging and positive thoughts to the old people as well as their
caregivers in her recent book co-authored by her daughter. Ms. Kato hired the professional caretakers instead of depending on her daughter. She also kept her daily routine and some project even she was bedridden.
Housing Needs Change As
Boomers Age (April 1, 2002)
In the coming years, the nation's aging
population is expected to surge as baby boomers enter their senior years.
They are now receiving advice from the National Association of Home
Builders to start looking into where they want to spend the second half of
their lives.
Gender
and Ageing Briefs (April 2002)
In
preparation for the Second World Assembly on Ageing, here are series of briefs
discussing key issues on gender and ageing: age, gender and HIV/AIDS ,
participation for older men and women, humanitarian crises (hearing and
understanding older people’s gendered needs)
Beijing Retirees Talk,
Liaoyang Protests Flare (March 28, 2002)
About 100 retirees met with managers of an ailing car plant in Beijing but
failed to resolve a dispute over years of overdue pension and health care
payments. More than 200 pensioners, many of them elderly, had protested a
day earlier, blocking a major thoroughfare in China's capital and snarling
traffic for several hours after they went to the plant for a meeting but
found themselves barred at the gates.
Torture
Law. For the first time in CIS history SBU and prosecutors will be taken
to court
(March 26, 2002)
The
article is about a murder case against law enforcement officers who
tortured to death a 26 years old man in 1996, leaving his old parents
without breadwinner and even without official apologies for brutality of
officers.
Older people 'ignored by TV'
(March 19, 2002)
According to the research done by Help the Aged and the
Independent Television Commission in Britain, older people believe that
producers of news and factual programmes on television ignore their views
and fail to portray them realistically.
Airport Assistance
(March 17, 2002)
This article proposes Airlines provide better assistance
for the elderly while in airport terminals.
Commission on the Status on Women (March 2002)
Urging that special attention be focused on the special needs of older
women, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
made a statement "ending discrimination against older women through
the Convention". Discrimination against women in all areas of their
lives throughout their lifespan has a severe and compounded impact on
women in old age.
Pensioners travel by taxi in
Saratov (March 15, 2002) (in Russian)
The article describes experience of providing social services for older
people in Saratov, Russia. The different social projects in this region
include a ‘social taxi’ for those who live in districts with poor
transportation, and small care homes with flexible conditions, where
seniors can stay permanently, temporarily, or just came in during the day.
Older Women's Health
Ignored at Work (March 11, 2002)
According to a new report published by the Pennell Initiative for Women's
Health and the TUC untitled "The Health and Work of Older
Women", older women work longer hours than younger women, have lower
status jobs and have a higher chance of developing bad backs and broken
bones.
Interdisciplinary course to challenge stereotypes of old age
(March 10, 2002)
Japan is not yet been ready to deal with “Graying society.” Japan has to change its old stereotypes of to aging. One private university in Tokyo will start the country's first postgraduate course on interdisciplinary gerontology for elderly people. Old people have to acquire new knowledge and wisdom, then have to be independent.
Rural regions struggle to stem elderly suicides
(March 8, 2002)
This article reveals the fact of the high suicide rate of elderly people in Japan. Especially old people living in rural regions that have agriculture production but are cold and snowy winter. Main causes are the winter climate makes them unable to communicate with neighbors, younger-generation of lives separately from them, and advanced agricultural technology has taken place of elder people’s role. But the other cause is the Japanese unique history of considering suicide a noble act. It is honorable for older people to die than they feel miserable because of their age.
Older people left 'on the scrapheap' (March 6,
2002)
Older people in Britain face discrimination in health,
employment and social care, according to a study by the charity, Help the
Aged. It calculates that age discrimination costs the government 5
billion
pounds a year in benefits for those who might be working.
Issues of the elderly in
Armenia (March 1, 2002)
Gayane Khachatryan, a former intern at Global Action on Aging, wrote an
article about the issues facing elderly persons in her home country,
Armenia. “Every sixth person in Armenia is a pensioner. The number of
elderly people is growing in Armenia. With the 650,000 pensioners there is
no an explicit social policy addressing the issue of pensions.”
Web Sites Can Help to Ease
Burden of Caring for Elders (February 27, 2002)
Time-pressed working care-givers can easily get lost in the thicket
that is our nation's long-term care system, spending weeks sorting out
their loved ones' housing, financing and medical options. On the Web, a
few sites are starting to fulfill the Internet's vast potential in
supporting the nation's army of roughly 21 million care-givers for the
elderly. In this article, you will find a list of this websites.
Robot care bears for the
elderly ( February 21, 2002)
Matushita Electrics, Japanese major electric company which has recently
turned to the digital care business, invented Teddy bear robots that
monitor elderly residents in their nursing home. Teddy bears carry
microcomputer and local connection in their bodies. Although this is still
in an experimental phase, almost all rooms in Matushita’s nursing home
will be shortly monitored by Teddy bears. Can Teddy bears work better than
human beings? Maybe, maybe not.
Occupational
Therapy: Russia and Kyrgyzstan
The purpose of the project is to train up to forty people from Kyrgyzstan
in Occupational Therapy ….and to develop the new profession of
Occupational Therapist (rehabilitation worker) and to provide a centre for
training people for this profession.
Supporting the
Development of Services for the Elderly in Kemerovo and Kemerovo Oblast
In Kemerovo Oblast 630,000 elderly people receive old age pensions. Their
standard of living and their sense of well being has deteriorated
markedly. For those living in the community, inflation and delays in
payment have depleted the value of pensions. In 1999, for the ‘UN
International Year of the Elderly’, Kemerovo regional authorities
identified priorities relating to older people.
One's age is one's
private property
“Age would become information which people would not be required to
give to the State or anyone else, nor others allowed to pass on, except
for census purposes”. Pensions would have to be abandoned along with
age-enumeration, at any rate collectively organised pensions tied to ages
of eligibility; and a social wage would have to be introduced in their
place.
Parent-sitting the
elderly in China
With more children moving away from their parents than ever used to
happen in the past, the elderly are becoming increasingly isolated. A new
service in Dalian, a city in the north-east of China, is solving the
problem by employing retired teachers and students to visit the elderly
for an hourly fee paid by the absent children.
Is ageing necessary?
The author of this article defines some rules of longevity : never
retire but live creatively, harmonious living thanks to music, continuous,
constructive thinking, a good diet…
Gold medals for caring for
old parents
In the past, children were old age insurance for their parents, before
there was insurance and pensions and retirement homes. Many stories were
about very poor people who cared with great sacrifice for their mothers or
fathers. Instead of spending your youth swimming laps seven hours a day,
care for your aged parents and win a gold medal.
Children legally
obliged to support elderly parents
In many countries, there is no way to enforce the moral obligation to
look after one's parents. In Singapore, an elderly person would be able to
apply to the court for maintenance from any or all of his adult children.
The court would have the discretion to refuse to make an order if it was
unjust.
Adoptive
grandparents for single parents
Why not allow not-so-young couples to foster the girl with the
ultimate idea of adopting the mother and taking a grandparents'
role in respect of the child? If the relationship did not work out in the
long run, the mother would be free, at the age of 18, to leave.
A village for midwives
and the retired
Elderly and fragile people can band together to create themselves a
friendly, safe and affordable environment. It is their intention to raise
funds to build low cost, energy-efficient housing for people who might
otherwise be homeless.
The Nine Myths of Aging
The author presents nine myths of aging that he used to believe in but
that actually help to prevent optimal aging.
Plants, animals & children in nursing
homes
The Eden Alternative integrates plants, animals and children so as to
enrich the lives of the elderly residents. Dogs, chicken and llamas can be
full-time residents too.
Workplaces with creche
facilities for old as well as young
People who share their home with an elderly relative can often
encounter difficulties when they need to leave them alone to go to work.
Encouraging employers to provide facilities for the elderly at the place
of work could provide welcome relief for many who either worry all day or
work part-time in order to care for their relative.
Abuse of older persons
goes largely unnoticed, according to secretary-general’s report to be
launched Tuesday 26, February (February 25, 2002)
According to a new report by the Secretary-General, physical, sexual and
emotional abuse of older persons, as well as their financial exploitation,
commonly go unnoticed and unreported, with only the most severe cases
commanding attention. The report emphasizes the need for global action to
combat these serious violations of the human rights of older persons.
Fewer people, more problems
(February 22, 2002)
Aging and depopulation are the major aspects which will affect the social
welfare system in Japan. One Japanese writer points out in his book that
these two issues also greatly influence Japanese economic recovery. He
emphasizes the important role of older people in the communities to
increase economic productivity.
Russian Pacifists Serve in Hospitals
(February 14, 2002)
The Russian military has resisted making alternative service a reality.
The conscripts do everything from pushing gurneys to emptying bed pans.
They help feed and wash patients. Nagornov, for example, spends much of
his time in the hospital helping elderly patients into wheelchairs and
wheeling them to the X-ray room and back again. The patients on his floor
lavish praise on him and the other conscripts."What would I have done
without you?'' 81-year-old Natalya Solodovnikova asked him.
Contest Spurs Older
Japanese Men To Confess Love for Their Wives (February 14, 2002)
In Japanese culture, the older generation people rarely express their
feeling: sympathy, or affection, to their spouses. Recently, however, one
Japanese company had a sweepstakes campaign called “Love Letters by a
60-year-Old.” They got 15,688 letters from men and women in 50’s and
60’s. This gave an opportunity to many old spouses to realize how
important it is to exchange and display their insight and feeling.
Intimate emotional connection is an essential aspect for older spouse
generations to go on their aging together.
Anziani, ma pieni di desideri Sesso e affetto nella terza età
(February 11, 2002)
(in Italian) A new survey from “Ageing society” shows the world
of the “over 60” in which the society and the relationship with the
others are at the first place. They care about love and sexuality but not
about technology...
'Oldish' and Vital, Bea Arthur Returns to Live
Theater
(February 10, 2002)
Mrs Bea Arthur, 78, is opening her new shown “ Bea Arthur on Broadway:
Just Between Friends, this Sunday for the next six weeks.” I'm an oldish
lady but I'm a very vital lady," she said."I figured since I'm
not going to retire because I'm old", that rather than wait around
for the next great role, which may or may not ever come around again, I
thought, well, we'll do this."
Adventures of an Indie Gem on Its Way to the
Screen
(February 10, 2002)
The Sleepy Time Gal, is a film by the writer-director Christopher Munch In
the film, Frances is a mother who tries to come to terms with her life
after learning she has terminal cancer. Over the course of the film,
Frances makes peace with life and death without an ounce of
sentimentality.
Eurostat,
nel 2025 boom di anziani in Italia (February 2, 2002)
(in Italian) According to Eurostat, Office for the European statistics,
Italy will face the largest decrease of the active population from 2010 to
2025 in the EU. A report on the development of the regional labor force in
the EU shows that the countries in the European Union will have to cope
with the “pressione grigia” (“grey pressure”).
Ageing
and Health Care Costs (January 2002)
Western countries are spending more and more money in health-care. Total
health care and long-term care for the elderly represent around 9 per cent
of GDP (gross domestic product) averaged over some 20 OECD (Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries.
Amid Banking Troubles, Low
Interest Rates, Japanese Still Move Money to Bank Accounts (January 29,
2002)
Most Japanese banks have been forced to the edge because of bad debt;
meanwhile, Japanese people are still keeping their saving at those banks.
Total Japanese household asses is 1,400 trillion yen($10.36trillion), and
half of this wealth, 716 trillion yen is kept in regular bank accounts and
the post office. Japanese people believe their savings will be protected
whatever financial crises happen. Can the government and the banks keep up
with people’s expectation? Now the government is limiting up to 10
million yen per deposition.
Digital Old Age Home in
Japan (January 28, 2002)
In spite of the fact that Japan is facing a serious economic recession,
this article reports that Matushita opened a new private care facility for
old people last December. This new nursing home is designed with the
advanced digital technology which gives residents 24-hour satisfied care.
The cost to register in this nursing home is 18 million yen($135,000) and
monthly fee is 250,000 yen($1,900).
New
Website on Seniors Issues (January 28, 2002)
This new website is dedicated to social, legal and ethical issues
affecting seniors in Canada. The purpose of the site is provide
information and raise awareness of key issues to help advance their rights
as full citizens in Canadian society .www.canadianelderlaw.ca
UK
Case studies show value of older workers ( January 28, 2002)
Case studies from eight United Kingdom companies show how age diversity
can improve business performance, reduce costs, and increase employee
effectiveness.
More information: www.efa-agediversity.org.uk/case-studies/index.htm
94-Year-Old
Becomes Case Study in British Health Care Woes
(January 26, 2002)
Mrs. Rose Addis is the latest high-profile example of the problems
confounding Britain's creaky National Health Service. Her family has
accused the hospital in North London of mistreating and slandering her,
and the government of invading her privacy. The Tory leader, Iain Duncan
claimed that she was treated worse than a dog.
Professor hopes to
help caregivers of aging parents (January 22, 2002)
Caregiving responsibilities often prompt
workers to quit their jobs or to step down from a supervisory role into a
more flexible but lower paying job. There is no legal obligation for
children to help parents or grandparents but many people feel a moral
obligation.
Jitters in Japan for Savers and
Banks (January 23, 2002)
Abnormal economy requires special measures (January 16, 2002)
The Japanese government announced that the guaranteed payoff time deposit
amount from any single bank will be up to 10 million yen ($75,466) as of
April 2002. Ordinary saving accounts will be treated in the same way
beginning April 2003. “Recession is not an appropriate word any more.
“Crises” might be the one unless the Japanese government finds
emergency recovery procedure. Here are two article which were written from
an outsider point of view and an Japanese economist one.
Responses
to Afghanistan war (January, 2002)
These three articles taken from Russian News Service contain several
accounts from different sources that highlight the treatment of vulnerable
persons in the Afghanistan war. Impoverished and weakened by a 25 year
long war, older persons, women and children are dying because of bombings,
hunger and drought.
In one article the chief mufti of the Asian part of Russia, N. Ashirov,
said, “The US and the USSR caused the situation of what is now happening
in Afghanistan . Now people are being punished”
In another article appearing in the Russian Ria Novosti, an unknown
correspondent said, “For more than a month, the US bombers flattened
Afghanistan’s land and killed thousands of innocent old people, women
and children”.
Is it not a time for the political authorities to think about their
actions.
Japanese Elderly to get
chance to turn table on debt (January 17, 2002)
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan introduced an idea for
limited income elderly homeowners who have financial difficulties. This
system is called “reverse mortgages", in which low-income elders
take out loans using their property as collateral and the loan will be
paid after they die. Will elderly people to get benefits from this new
system? The government cannot say “yes” yet.
Minority patients face
barriers to optimum end-of-life care
(January 10, 2002)
According to a review article in
the January Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, minority groups in
America have less access to many medical treatments, one of which is
end-of-life care. The authors have some suggestions to tackle the problem
of discrimination in health care.
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