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Elder Rights: World
Background Documents
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.
World:
Ending
Discrimination
Against
Older
Women
Through
the
Convention
(July
5,
2002)
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women "urges
that special attention be focused on the special needs of older women."
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women "defines what constitutes discrimination against women
and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination."
Africa
Background Documents
Tanzania:
National
Ageing Policy (September 2003)
In Africa, after Mauritius, Tanzania is the second country to have a
developed policy on ageing. Older Tanzanians face many problems
including poverty and inadequate health care and pensions. Elders lack
any meaningful participation in the important national decision-making.
Reports
| Articles
Reports
Africa: The Rights of Older People: African
Perspectives (November 2008)
The African Union, through its African Charter on Human and Peoples
Rights, has developed a broad and impressive framework for the
protection of rights of older persons in Africa. At the domestic level,
however, most African countries still have to develop specific policies
and legislation. Although some 25 national constitutions make provision
for rights of older persons in some form, only three prohibit
discrimination on the grounds of age. The Report suggests developing a
specific treaty that provides a mechanism for implementation and
accountability of human rights for older people which is currently
lacking.
Articles
Africa:
Old and Forgotten, Africa's Elderly Face More Problems (November 16,
2011)
With the number of older people growing in Africa, the continent has to
deal with the problems faced by the aging population. Contrary to
popular belief, families no longer take care of their elders as much as
they used to and older women very often have to care for millions of
orphans who lost their parents to AIDS. In Africa, governments don’t
focus on the elderly, so countries with pension systems are the
exception and older people have very limited access to health services,
a situation that prevents them from contributing to the development of
the continent. However, this might change thanks to the regional
congress on aging that is set to take place in October 2012.
Uganda: Elderly Appeal for
Government Support Amid Difficult Times (October 13, 2011)
Senior citizens said that today’s rapidly changing economy makes them
increasingly vulnerable. Seniors are strained by having to take care of
the youth, and are highly susceptible to chronic illnesses. Last year,
the government proposed to pay a monthly allowance of SHS20,000 to
seniors but on a pilot case. Vice chairperson of Kabarole, Mr Moses
Ikagobya, claimed that they support seniors through community projects
but seniors sometimes act without informing them.
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Americas
&
Caribbean
Background Documents
Peru:
National
Plan
for Elderly (2002-2006)
(Article in Spanish)
The
National
Plan for Elderly was created to lay out action steps that the
government would take on aging issues in Peru. The elderly population
in Peru is 7.2% and could reach 13% by 2025. This plan aims to
integrate the elderly in the society, by increasing the quality and
quantity of health care services, by creating policies of food
assistance and by helping old people enjoy a pleasant life with their
families and in society. Another National Plan objective is promoting a
positive image of older persons.
Mexico:
Law
For
Older
Persons
in
Mexico
City
(Distrito
Federal,
México)
(1999)
(Article
in
Spanish)
A
new
law for older persons in the city of Mexico (Distrito Federal de
México) took effect in 1999. This law affected all persons older
than 60 years old. The law’s aimed to integrate the elderly into
society and to improve the quality of life. The law includes sections
related to health, food, social assistance, participation, and work.
Reports
Canada:
Senior
Population
in
Peel
Region:
Trends,
Characteristics
and
Issues
(March
2010)
This report provides information on trends, characteristics and issues
among the senior population in the Peel Region of Canada. It uses data
from the 2006 Census of Canada and the 1996-2006 Portraits of Peel
reports. The authors want to reach policy and decision-makers in the
government, social services, not-for profit and business sectors,
community groups and founders in the Peel Region. Hopefully, the
readers will find the information valuable in their planning and
decision making on priorities for developing and enhancing social
services, infrastructure and community and recreational activities for
seniors in Peel Region.
Articles
Canada: Strengthening the Rights
of the Elderly - The Commission on Human Rights and Youth Rights
Welcomes the Implementation of New Provisions (December 21, 2011)
(Article in French)
Canadian laws concerning older people has changed to the delight of the
Commission on Human Rights and Youth Rights. Any retirement home
operator that plans to close the institution will now have to give
residents and the agency for health and social services a 6 month
notice. The goal is to allow the residents sufficient time to relocate
into a suitable place. Institutions for seniors must now notify the
coroner of all deaths occurring within their premises; the
coroner has power to initiate an investigation if warranted.
Chile: Elderly Tourism Program
Participants (December 21, 2011)
(Article in Spanish)
More than 100 older people in the Aysen Region participed in this
year's Program of Social Tourism developed by The National Service
for elderly (SEMANA).The social tourism program is aimed at older
people with vulnerabilities. It aims to improve their social and
personal well-being. Residents of long term care institutions can also
participate in the program. The program has different community based
approaches for organized or unorganized local networks.
Colombia: Older People Will
Receive Subsidies but Not Food (December 13, 2011)
(Article in Spanish)
About 153,000 older people qualified as level 1 and 2 within the food
program called Juan Luis Londono; they will receive an allowance rather
than food aid. More than 400 Colombian municipalities including the
departments of Atlantico will benefit from this subsidy. The
authorities changed the plan as the food program could not provide
coverage for other old age expenditures. The Ministry of Labor along
with Pension Solidarity Fund are administered by the consortium
Prosperar.
Canada: Traveling One of the Most
Popular Activities Among Retirees, but the Number of Snowbirds Staying
in the Country is Increasing According to a Survey (December 13, 2011)
(Article in French)
A recent poll
found that three-quarters of pre-retirees intend to travel after their
employment ends. However, only 58 percent actually put their plans into
action when they retire. The major obstacle is usually the absence of
funds and an unrealistic idea of after retirement. These
disappointments can be avoided by preparing a financial plan that helps
forecast one’s future income.
Canada: Older Women Lead Pack in Job Gains (December 11, 2011)
An interesting trend has emerged through Canada’s recession
and recovery: Employment levels have increased among workers aged 55 or
older, specifically women. Factors including growing life expectancy,
financial needs and a willingness among employers to hire these
experienced women are encouraging this change. Health care, government,
social services and entrepreneurship have been exactly where older
women’s employment growth is. This shift will have a particular effect
on how employers manage their workforce.
Chile: Araucania:
New Version of Links Program (December 2, 2011)
(Article in Spanish)
Elders from communities like Angol, Galvarino, Pitrufquen and Renaico
gathered to kick off a new version of a Links program developed by the
Ministry of Social Development, National Senior Service and
municipalities. Elders met with the program coordinator, mayors and the
leadership of organizations for the elderly, expressing a commitment to
improve services to this sector of the population. The launch ceremony
included a theatrical presentation by young adults with disabilities,
demonstrating the effort to integrate all the various program
outreaches.
Canada: Elders
Vulnerable to Financial Abuse (November 29, 2011)
The police, public guardian and trustee, as well as support and service
groups who work closely with seniors are aware that elder financial
abuse is a growing problem. The public guardian has seen the number of
referrals to the office for investigation increase to 1,456 this year
from 1,333 three years ago. But the police and support services for
seniors claim that statistics are sketchy because most cases go
unreported out of embarrassment or unwillingness to bring the family
into disrepute.
Canada: Experts
Recommend Legalization of Euthanasia (November 15, 2011)
(Article in French)
The Royal Society of
Canada (SRC) has called on the federal government to reconsider the
legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide. However, experts
stressed the need to regulate these practices strictly to prevent any
abuses. In their argument, they highlighted the good examples given by
countries that have already decriminalized the practice, such as
Belgium and the Netherlands. They also said that legislation on the
issue is the only way to frame an already existing phenomenon,
practiced illegally. Finally, the experts noted that if the federal
government continues to ignore the issue, the decision could be made at
the provincial level.
Mexico: Fight the
Unemployment of Older Adults in Nuevo Laredo (October 13, 2011)
(Article in Spanish)
Authorities of the
Integral System for Family Development (DIF) are trying to build
partnerships with various public and private agencies to ensure that
older adults are integrated into the productive sector. Martha Alicia
Aldapa, President of DIF, said that in order to support this sector of
the population, they will offer job training, self-employment
techniques and finding job opportunities in public and private
agencies. With the program “Elderly, Full Grandparents,” more than 400
grandparents have already been placed.
Mexico:
Older
Adults
Face
Difficulties Due to Lack of Jobs (October 5, 2011)
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