What's New? June 29-July 3, 2009

  Pension | Health | Elder Rights | Rural Aging |  Aging Watch | GAA Blog  

PENSION 

US

US House Panel Backs 401(k) Fee Disclosure (June 24, 2009)
The US House Education and Labor Committee backed legislation requiring mutual fund companies to detail clearly all fees charged in connection with 401(k) retirement investment plans. The US Chamber of Commerce, financial institutions and investment advisory companies opposed the bill. The bill would allow the government to impose a $1,000 per day penalty for certain violations. Democrat Herb Kohl is working on a similar fee-disclosure bill in the Senate.

Law Review: As Scams Target Elderly, a Legal Niche also Booms (June 23, 2009)
Financial schemes whereby investment advisers and other professionals targeting older clients are proliferating. Older persons are especially vulnerable because they are physically weakened, emotionally vulnerable, or impaired in other ways that may affect their judgment. According to the insurance company MetLife, people over 50 years old are sitting on 70% of the net worth of US households. MetLife’s research arm concluded that thefts and other forms of financial exploitation of the elderly amounted to at least $2.6 billion a year. 

WORLD

France: The Government Finances Early Retirement Ten Times Less Than Ten Years Ago (June 26, 2009)
(Article in French)
According to a survey from the Labor Department, this trend began in 2002 with a very slight increase of people over 55 years old receiving unemployment benefits. Since the beginning of the current economic crisis, several trade unions have pleaded for a return to early retirement with new formats designed for current needs.

France: The Revolution or the War of Ages (June 25, 2009)
(Article in French)
In 2008, the Foundation for Political Innovation asked young people from different countries this brutal question: “Are you willing to pay enough taxes to pay elders pensions?” Sixty-three percent of young Chinese replied yes, 56% young Russians and 50% young Indians replied positively, whereas in France only 11% said yes. Such a rate shows how the pension system is viewed by young people in France and it shows that neither the 1993 nor the 2003 reforms have enhanced the system. Confronted by the same issue, other countries have decided to extend the length of the professional work life, whereas in France it seems that no serious solution has been found yet.

France: National Public Pension Fund Shrank by 20% in 2008 (June 19, 2009)
(Article in Chinese)
Last September the financial crisis spread to Europe, making the financial market there extremely unstable. An annual report released on June 18 stated that in France the public pension fund dropped from 34.5 billion euros at the end of 2007 to 27.7 billion euros at the end of 2008, shrinking a total of 20%.

Vietnam: New Rules Are Necessary for Older Persons in Vietnam (June 6, 2009)
(Article in French)
During the 5th session of the General Assembly in Hanoi, deputies discussed new regulations for older persons, including women’s retirement age, special prices for medicines and reduced transportation fares. Old people could also receive some advantages in cultural or artistic activities. This session enlightened the very important role of family to take care of older persons before asking for help from social organizations.

HEALTH

US 

New Findings: Social Activity Linked to Motor Function in Older Adults (June 28, 2009)
(Article in Arabic and in French)
Loss of muscle strength, speed and dexterity is a common consequence of aging, yet little is known about how and why it occurs when it is not a symptom of disease. A study of 906 older adults at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL shows that motor decline was more rapid in those who participated in social activities less frequently, with each one-point decrease in a participant’s social activity associated with an approximate 33% more rapid rate of decline. Researchers indicated that participation of older persons in sports and social activities can protect the brain and improve the flexibility and mobility of the body.

Federal Saving From Lowering of Drug Prices Is Unclear (June 22, 2009)
The White House on Monday hailed what it described as a “historic agreement to lower drugs costs” for older Americans, but it was not immediately clear how much the government would save and what could be used to pay for coverage of the uninsured.

PhRMA Statement on Medicare Part D Coverage Gap (June 20, 2009)
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) issued the following statement regarding a commitment made on June 20, 2009 as part of health care reform to help close the coverage gap in the Medicare prescription drug program (Part D): “Specifically, companies will provide a 50 percent discount to most beneficiaries on brand-name medicines covered by a patient’s Part D plan when purchased in the coverage gap.” The new proposed program represents an important first step in health care reform under President Obama’s plan.

Green Tea May Affect Prostate Cancer Progression (June 19, 2009)
According to the results of a study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, men with prostate cancer who consumed the active compounds in green tea demonstrated a significant reduction in serum markers predictive of prostate cancer progression. Green tea is the second most popular drink in the world, and some epidemiological studies have shown health benefits with green tea. However, some human trials have found contradictory results. These studies are just the beginning; a lot of work remains to be done.

Older Adults Benefit from Physical Activity (June 18, 2009)
Regular physical activity has beneficial effects on most (if not all) organ systems, and consequently it prevents a broad range of health problems and diseases. In fact, older US citizens have more to gain than younger people by becoming active. Among other benefits, physical activity can improve the ability to function well and remain independent in spite of health problems.

Colonoscopy Riskier in Older Age (June 16, 2009)
Colonoscopy complication risks rise with age. The tests, intended to detect colon cancer, may be more dangerous than helpful as age increases. People 70 years and older face a higher risk of adverse gastrointestinal and cardiovascular events from the procedure, including GI bleeding or perforation. Because competing causes of mortality often outweigh the potential benefit from detecting colon cancer at progressively older ages, guidelines do not recommend screening past age 75 and recommend against it after 85.

Seniors Warned about STDs (June 13, 2009)
Conversations about sex are still taboo among older persons, putting older adults’ health at risk. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 19% of all people with HIV/AIDS in this country are age 50 and older. The percentage could be higher since older people do not get tested regularly because menopause makes pregnancy a non-issue for sexually active older adults. However, many fail to realize that, like any other population, they are prone to STD exposure.

Filling in the Medicare Doughnut Hole is a Sticky Issue (June 10, 2009)
Beneficiaries hit the doughnut hole once their total drug expenses--both Medicare and out –of-pocket costs--exceed $2,700. After that, they have to pay for prescription drug expenses themselves unless they qualify for a government subsidy. Because of budgetary constraints, lawmakers gave comprehensive coverage only to some Americans. This has proved to be risky at times, with people skipping pills or splitting them, to lower costs.

Program Helps Sedentary Older Women Cut Pounds (June 8, 2009)
In the US nearly 70% of all middle aged and older women are overweight. In the age group of 45-54 years old, around 40% have a sedentary lifestyle that translates into higher risks for cardiovascular diseases. To lower these risks, a community program called StrongWomen-Healthy Hearts has been started in many states in the US to lower these risks by promoting healthy eating habits and regular exercise.

United Kingdom: New Supplement May Help Slow Sight Loss in Older Persons (June 20, 2009)
(Article in Chinese)
Queen's University Belfast academics have helped develop an antioxidant supplement that may slow down sight loss in old people. The supplement may help those affected by the leading cause of blindness in the Western World, according to results of the five-year research project. Professor Usha Chakravarthy, from Queen’s Centre of Vision and Vascular Science (CVVS), coordinated the study, which looked at nutritional supplements for patients with early age-related macular degeneration, and found they helped sharpen vision.

Botswana: More Elderly People Getting Infected with HIV (June 17, 2009)
A Botswana Aids Impact Survey (BAIS) study released this year shows that an increasing number of older people are getting infected, whereas in the past, figures showed youth as the most infected. In past years, campaigns and strategies for preventing HIV focused on youth, expected to be more sexually active. In the process, there was little attention given to HIV prevention for the middle aged and elderly. 

World:Anti-Cancer Cream Fights Wrinkles (June 16, 2009)
Cream used to treat pre-cancerous skin lesions also reverses signs of aging, a study reveals. It improved wrinkles, dark spots, shadows and sallowness, as well as its intended effect of removing suspect growths from sun-damaged skin. Patients with pre-cancerous actinic keratoses can expect younger-looking skin as a side effect of the treatment, the Archives of Dermatology reports. US authors warn that some will seek to capitalize on this cosmetic effect. 

World: Hope for Test to Measure Ageing (June 16, 2009)
Scientists are developing a simple blood test to measure how fast the body's tissues are ageing at a molecular level. They have found that as tissue ages, concentrations of a protein called p16INK4a dramatically increase. Measuring levels of the protein could potentially provide a means of assessing how healthy the tissues are, and how they will respond to surgery or drugs. However, much more work in larger numbers needs to be done to see if p16INK4a is better than the other existing markers or indeed if it is good enough to be useful at an individual level in predicting rates of ageing.

Ireland: Research Reveals the Recipe for Staying Sharp in Old Age (June 9, 2009)

A new research study in Ireland pegs the formula for a healthy old age on four pillars--exercise, education, social activity and non-smoking. More than 2,000 men and women in their 70’s and 80’s were studied and it revealed that people who exercise moderately were 30% more likely to resist mental decline. Similarly, people who received a good education were nearly three times more likely to maintain their mental faculties than those less educated.

Taiwan: Dementia Sufferer Numbers Increasing in Taiwan (June 8, 2009)
Taiwan has 2.4 million people ages 65 or more. Of these, around 10% are disabled and around 5% suffer from dementia. The total number of people in Taiwan suffering from dementia is pegged at 160,000 and is expected to increase by 10,000 people every year. In view of these increasing numbers, an online global petition has been started by the Taiwan Alzheimer’s Disease Association calling for dementia to be made a health care priority.

Report: Australia: Making Choices. Future Dementia Care: Projections, Problems and Preferences (April 2009)
This report by Access Economics, Alzheimer’s Australia draws together the various complex issues regarding dementia. This report particularly studies the economic impact of dementia and its future potential workforce impacts. The report recommends that since consumers have to make difficult choices, they should be given good information and flexible and responsive services. Due to the aging population, in the coming decades there will be a greater future need for care services for people with dementia- both formal care services funded by the health system and informal care provided by friends, family or neighbors.

                                                             ELDER RIGHTS

US

When Granny is Your Nanny (June 24, 2009)
Today’s poor economy has forced many parents to turn to their parents for child-care support. According to the Census Bureau, the proportion of preschoolers cared for primarily by their grandparents while their mothers work rose to 19.4% in 2005, from 15.9% in 1995. These two-generational setups can make already complicated family relationships even more challenging due to differing child-care beliefs. However, despite disagreements on child-rearing methods, most parents appreciate the support their parents provide to care for their children, particularly during tough economic times.

New York City: Please Give the Elderly and the Disabled Your Seat, It's the Law (June 20, 2009)
(Article in Chinese)
It is the usual reminder, just a little firmer than in the past. This week--as it has done every couple of years--New York City Transit is starting an advertising campaign asking New Yorkers to “please offer a seat” to elderly and disabled passengers on buses and subways. “It’s the first time we’ve really stressed this,” said Paul J. Fleuranges, vice president for corporate communications at New York City Transit, the largest arm of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Those who decline to give up a seat on request face up to a $50 fine, he said." 

Wisdom Behind the Wheel (June 18, 2009)
Legislation is slowly advancing to establish a commission to study cognitive impairment in older drivers in Massachusetts and to find a fair way of determining if individual drivers are still competent to operate a car. Currently, only New Hampshire and Illinois require road retests specifically for drivers over age 75. All older drivers are not alike, and some are perfectly capable of driving safely well into their golden years. It would be fairer if all Massachusetts drivers, regardless of age, were given road retests periodically, but the administrative costs would be prohibitive.

Stiff Penalties for those who Abuse the Elderly (June 19, 2009)
As the US population grays rapidly, increasing attention needs to be given to cases of elder abuse. This week a four-month jail sentence was meted out to a woman who kept her father in squalid conditions. Her father died in 2006, a week after he was found in his room full of adult diapers, trash, soda cans and animal feces. This case is a cold reminder of the vulnerability of older persons who suffer mental and physical decline.

Early Retirement Claims Increase Dramatically (May 28, 2009)
(Article in Chinese)
Instead of seeing older workers staying on the job longer as the economy worsened, the Social Security system is reporting a major surge in early retirement claims that could have implications for the financial security of millions of baby boomers. The ramifications could be profound for retirees, families, government and social institutions.

WORLD

NGO Committee for Social Development Survey on Social Integration (July 1, 2009) 
The NGO Committee for Social Development, with the support of the United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS), is searching for examples of Social Integration in Action. Thousands of people are providing help and benefit to those in poverty and need throughout the world and we believe that these efforts should be widely disseminated and receive the recognition they deserve. Complete the survey at http://www.un-ngls.org/socialintegration/ to help increase awareness of this outstanding work.

France: Nadine Morano for Developing Intergenerational Housing (June 22, 2009)
(Article in French)
Nadine Morano, the State Secretary for Family Issues, is trying to develop the concept of intergenerational housing. This concept aims to anticipate and stop older people’s loneliness, increase their security with a reassuring presence, offer them the possibility of an eventual income supplement and facilitate student access to housing. There is a real need for communication to explain this concept to older people. It will never be a “global” solution but will certainly help a lot of seniors and students to live a better daily life. 

France: Let’s Begin by Giving Jobs to Older People (June 22, 2009)
(Article in French)
In this period of high unemployment and social planning especially focused on people over 55, is it really necessary to continue working? France has the worst employment rate in Europe for older people. Consequently, putting back the retirement age makes no sense. Moreover, it will penalize those who began to work when they were very young. 

Israel: Elder-Abuse Reports Up, Due to Higher Awareness (June 16, 2009)
Public awareness of elder abuse has sharply increased, allowing welfare and health services a better way to tackle the problem, according to a report published by Eshel, the Association for the Planning and Development of Services for the Aged in Israel. The study found that while reports of abuse increased over the past year, this was mainly due to the heightened awareness of those caring for older people and the willingness of the victims to report the abuse against them. Every fifth elderly person in Israel suffers from abuse; more than half of the abusers are family members, and about 75% of them are men.

Report: China: Childcare, Eldercare, and Labor Force Participation of Married Women in Urban China: 1982−2000 (June 2009) 
The following report employed data from the three most recent Chinese population censuses in analyzing married, urban women's labor force participation decisions in the context of their families and residential locations. The researchers are particularly interested in how the presence of preschool or school-age children, elderly and/or disabled in the household affects women's likelihood of engaging in work outside the home. They find that the presence of older persons in the household (any parent, parent-in-law or any person aged 75 or older) significantly increases prime-age urban women's likelihood of participating in market work while the presence of pre-school age children significantly decreases it. The negative effect of having young children in the household on women's labor force participation is substantially larger in magnitude for married, migrant women than for married, non-migrant urban residents. This appears to be explained, in part, by the practice of married, female migrants leaving their children in the care of relatives in rural areas in order to facilitate their employment.

Canada: Purple Balloons to Prevent any Abuse against Older People (June 28, 2009)
(Article in French)
In Quebec, 4% to 7% of people over 65 years old are victims of abuse. That is why members of a Group for Intervention decided to release purple balloons on June 26 during the International Day to raise awareness on elder abuse. The group is responsible to prevent physical, psychological or financial violence against older adults. This initiative also wanted to break the silence about incidents of abuse.

Senegal : Ndieme Diop, 65 Years Old, President of the Association about Elders and Retired People (June 25, 2009)
(Article in French)
Ndieme Diop is 65 and she is the president of the Wakhou Mack Association in Senegal. Through the Association she defends elder rights and urges the government to donate to older persons, increase their pensions and access to healthcare. Some people think she is naïve and idealistic but she knows what she wants and she is not afraid to make strong claims. This older woman is ready to keep fighting to improve life for elders.

Spain: More Than 72 Percent of Older Persons in Spain Care for Their Grandchildren (June 23, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
Six out of every ten older persons have daily contact with their children. Along with some Mediterranean countries such as Greece and Italy, Spaniards have much more contact with their families and live in closer proximity than older persons in other European countries.

Spain: Diet of Older Spanish Persons is More Balanced than Rest of the Population (June 23, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
The results of the National Health Survey show that older persons in Spain eat a more balanced and healthier diet than the rest of the population. For example, 82.4% of older persons recorded that they eat fresh fruit daily. Also, one-third of the older population answered that they believe aging is more a reflection of health than age. The well being of the aging population is evident in the low percentage of Spanish people who require assistance for transportation, eating or dressing themselves.

Spain: Older Persons Over 65 Also Blog (June 22, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
In Spain, older persons at least 65 years of age participated in the first Older Persons National Competition with the initiative of producing creative blogs. The contest sought to recognize initiatives that promote the inclusion of older persons in the Information Age, to help older persons become more comfortable with computer programs and to eliminate the fear and intimidation sometimes associated with the use of high technology.

Cuba: Cuba Predicted to be the Most Aged Country in Latin America by 2025 (June 22, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
The Cuban population will decrease in the upcoming years while the number of aging persons will increase. The increase is predicted to accelerate to the point that Cuba will become the most aged country in Latin America by 2025. The Office of National Statistics is anticipating a 26% growth in the golden age population. However, the increase is not expected to affect the quality of old age of Cubans negatively.

India: India’s Marathon Man Hits 92 (June 21, 2009)
(Article in Chinese)
India’s grand old marathon man, Ashis Roy, has completed his 92nd long run with another record in his bag, becoming the first Asian above 70 to run four marathons in seven weeks. With an eye on reaching his century of runs by 2010, the long distance runner from New Delhi now plans to participate in the Massey Ontario North marathon on July 19.

France: Checkmate: The Residents of a Retirement Home Compete Against Young Champions (June 15, 2009)
(Article in French)
The Lyon Olympic Chess Club and the retirement home of the Rotonde decided to organize a special day of chess when students and young champions came to the retirement home to challenge the residents. The tournament aimed at opening the home to non-elderly people and to raise awareness for the need for older persons to give their brains a workout every day. Cerebral activities are very good for memory and to fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

China: Money and Rights Should All Be Taken into Account for Older Persons When Seeking Reemployment (June 10, 2009)
(Article in Chinese)
According to a survey conducted in Nanjing City, currently 48% of retirees ages 60-70 would like to work again. Reemployment would not only help older people stay active, but would also facilitate the passage of knowledge and skills from older people to their young working colleagues. However, because of lack of legal protection, older people may be facing challenges to their rights by returning to the work force.

Report: World: Working for Life: Making Decent Work and Pensions a Reality for Older People (2009)
Very little data exists about older workers in the informal sector. HelpAge International conducted research on older people and work in Bangladesh, Peru and Uganda. Among findings was the lack of pensions available to older persons within the informal employment sector, including 90% of workers in Uganda. A universal pension for older people would enable them to have a greater choice of work. It would provide them with money to travel to work, giving them access to loan schemes or simply allowing them to pay for basic goods or services such as food or healthcare.

RURAL AGING

       
France: A National Plan to Fight the Heat Wave (June 25, 2009)
(Article in French)
France set up a national plan to protect older people and other vulnerable groups during heat waves. This plan is very important in the south of France where it can be very hot during the summer. It is based on two main principles: solidarity and prevention. In France, one fifth of the population is over 75. This national plan aims to help older persons protect themselves against the heat and also to make sure they are never left alone.

AGING WATCH

Report: Argentina: 2nd Meeting of the Brasilia Declaration: Towards a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons (May 21 and 22, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
Buenos Aires was the seat of the 2nd Meeting of the Brasilia Declaration towards a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons held on May 21st and 22nd of 2009. Representatives of governments, organizations focused on older persons, civil society, and international agencies of various countries attended the meeting to discuss developments and challenges in the aging field. The meeting was divided into panels in which all participants underscored the need to establish a strategic and binding frame that will guide policies towards older persons while respecting individual cultures. They also stressed that the participation of civil society, including that of older persons, is essential in the creation of a Convention, following the belief that human rights always need to be made from the grassroots up.

Report: World: Report of the Expert Group Meeting “Rights of Older Persons” (May 2009) 
The Division for Social Policy and Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) organized an Expert Group Meeting on “Rights of Older Persons” on 5-7 May 2009, in Bonn, Germany. The purpose of this Expert Group Meeting was to provide the General Assembly with independent expert opinion on questions related to the rights of older persons, as well as inputs into and recommendations for the report of the Secretary-General. The meeting explored how fundamental human rights of older persons could be assured and deepened and how the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing could be better implemented concerning the rights of older persons. In this context, an analysis of the rights of older persons was discussed as well as approaches and documents of rights enforced in the past, and the overall capacity to further implement policies and laws. One of the ideas explored was the possible adoption by the United Nations of a Human Rights Convention on Ageing. 

Report: Latin America: ECLAC’s Book 100: Ageing, Human Rights and Public Policies (April 2009)
(Report in Spanish)
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) released a book examining the ageing phenomenon from the demographic perspective, the guaranteeing of human rights in old-age, and the public policies that the countries of the region are currently employing. The book looks at the status of older persons in terms of income security, access to health and inclusive environments. Research further inspects the impacts of population ageing on social pension systems, health and social services, and even touches upon the legislative rights of older persons in the region. The information is all tied together in the conclusion with an emphasis on the need to move forward in adapting policy responses to the demographic panorama of the coming decades.