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Elder Rights: United States

Archives: 1995 - 2001

Integration of the Aging Workforce (November 2001)
This is a thematic paper prepared by the European Work Organization Network on the issues concerning the aging of the population in Europe. The report argues that after years of shortsighted personnel policy and prejudices concerning the performance of older workers, new approaches have to be established which foster the integration of an aging workforce.

Group Arming Seniors Against Scam Artists (March 1, 2001)
This article, published in The Washington Post, relates stories of old people being lured and urged to pay extra money for some services. An organization, called Voice of the Elderly or VOTE, endeavors to help seniors avert these tricks. Useful tips are available on the following website: www.geocities.com/heartland/acres/8777/vote.html.

Americans see dream of retirement fading (February 27, 2001)
This article, published in The Telegraph, reports the rising retirement age of American workers. The bar on mandatory age retirement and labor market are contributing to this situation.

As Taxes Rise, Suburbs Work to Keep Elderly(February 27, 2001)
This article, published in The New York Times, reports a new initiative under taken by some politicians, who tend to entice old people to live in suburbs rather than families with children. A new perspective.

Chester Higgins Jr.'s Photographs: A Closer Look at Age  (February 25, 2001)
This article, published in The New York Times, analyzes the concept of age, through the work of a New York Times' photographer, Chester Higgins Jr and more generally speaking how old age is dealt in arts.

Tech ageism works both ways (February 23, 2001)
Forget about thinking about discrimination only against the older but begin to think about the younger’s one. In the most cases, this “new discovered” age discrimination is rampant in the technology industry.

Carrying This Student's Book Is Not a Nicety (February 20, 2001)
In this article, an 92 year-old lady is a college student at the State University of New York. She shares her a feelings about her life to a journalist from The New York Times.

The Fountain of Age (February 4,2001)
This article, published in The New York Times, is a book review. The book "Elder Grace" deals with old age encompassing both texts and photographs. It questions the way old age is perceived, and more generally speaking the book questions life.

Abuse on the Elderly (January 30, 2001)
Information about abuse on the Elderly, extracted from USA Today.

At 40, They're Finished, Television Writers Say (January 30, 2001)
This article raises the issue of age discrimination in the workplace contemplating a particular example: television writers. For those in this field, being 40 may turn out to be a big problem. The New York Times reports.

Des centenaires américains trop occupés pour quitter le marché de l'emploi... (January 29, 2001)
(in French) Many American older persons do not stop working and do not go on retirement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the growing process: between 1988 and 1998, the elderly over 55 represented 12,5% of the working population (17 millions), in 2008 they will be 16,23% (25 millions). A poll, made in 1998 by American Association of Retired Persons, revealed that 80% of baby boomers want to keep working over 65. The Clinton Administration supported this development, along with a growing numbers of organization. Le Monde reports.

Public Lives: An Ex-Ambassador Samples A Simple Life (January 23, 2001)
An article published in The New York Times, which relates Mr Felix Rohatyn's life, who left as US ambassador to France at the conclusion of the Clinton Administration.  Mr. Rohatyn recalls in this article how he started his career in finance as an intern.  He reviewed the assets of elderly women held in accounts with Lazard.  He saw the potential of making substantial sums of money and thus launched his highly successful financial investment career.

Population Projection (January 18, 2001)
The oldest old is the fastest growing segment of the elderly population. The racial and ethnic diversity among the elderly is expected to increase in the future too among the US Census Bureau.

Elder Care: A Growing Concern (January 16, 2001)
According to a Dupont study, this article, extracted from Business Week, shows a significant rise in the number of employees responsible for an older relative -- and the difficulty they have finding services.

Many Poor, Elderly Women Lack Access to Food (January 9, 2001)
This article, extracted from The New York Times, shows that nearly one quarter of about 1,000 disabled women aged 65 years and older could not afford food in the USA. Despite some programs set up to help them, a lot of older urban minority women are still in serious need.

Hints and Information About Caring for Loved Ones Afar (January 8, 2001)
This article underscores a growing tendency among the 22 million Americans who provide long-distance care giving. The Seattle Times lists several examples and highlights some alternatives, such as resorting to home care agencies. These alternatives, though, remain expensive for round-the- clock care. Useful addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses are also given in this article.

'The Full Monty' Been Around? Yep, and Goin' (January 5, 2001)
An article published in The New York Times, reporting the story of Jeanette Burmeister, an old lady in perfectly good health, who is still performing on stage, and lately appearing in the well-known musical 'The Full Monty'. Jeanette Burmeister is an extremely lively woman still active.

Study sees Medicare Costs Rising (January 2, 2001)
This article was published in The Washington Post, following the release of a study reporting a substantial increase in Medicare costs, which may trigger off a  greater financial strain for individuals as incomes tend to increase much slower. Further information can be obtained on the following website:   http://www.urban.org/publications/410253.html

On the Brink of a Brand-New Old Age (January 2, 2001)
This article published in The New York Times pleads for a change in mentality regarding old age. While millions of baby boomers are going to increase the aging population's rate, the author thinks it is a great opportunity to invest in science, technology and cultural change in order to make life for the elderly healthier and richer.

Worker Shortage Worst In Decades (December 25, 2000)
A gloomy report by The New York Times assesses the situation facing America in health fields. New York City experiences the worst worker shortage ever, more  particularly, nurses seem to be the toughest hit occupation. Not only is it observed in the vicinity of New York City but this phenomenon is also spreading throughout the country.

Violent Patients Loose in Homes (December 18, 2000)
This article, published in The New York Daily News, shows that fellow residents have abused elderly patients in nursing homes. Government health inspectors have to cite nursing homes for failing to protect patients.  Moreover, the author reveals that residents are not the only victims. Nurses are often hurt. The Bureau of labor Statistics ranks nursing as one of the most dangerous jobs.

Elderly Suffer Abuse & Worse (December 17, 2000)
This article, published in The New York Daily News, shows that some many New Yorker elderly are neglected and abused in nursing homes because of incompetent staff. The News reveals that some nurses have no training to do the job and are not subjected to mandatory criminal background. The News found that 25% of workers prosecuted for abuse or violence had criminal records. The New York booming economy explains the fact it is hard to find good workers for a job that pays little more than minimum wage.

HCA: to Pay $ 95 Million in Fines (December 15, 2000)
This article, published in The Washington Post, reports a case settlement, which  pitted the nation's largest hospital chain, the Healthcare Company, against the government after cheating federal government health-care programs and providing some doctors with kickbacks.

Many boomers may face old age alone (December 12, 2000)
This article contemplates the likelihood of an eldercare crisis threatening America. Owing to a mounting number of restructured families and a greater stress on health care system, a potential impact affecting care giving is indeed looming. USA Today reports.

Neediest Cases: During a Time of Crisis, a Retiree Gets some Help
(December 12, 2000)

The following article, published in The New York Times, reports the story of a seventy one year-old retiree, living in Queens, who despite his pension and Social Security payments, does not manage to make ends meet. Medicaid being insufficient, he had to turn to the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, supported by the New York Times Neediest Cases Fund.

U.S. Toughens Enforcement of Nursing Home Standards (December 4, 2000)
Following several cases of standards' violation, federal officials have urged nursing homes to pay fines and penalties. This article, published in The New York Times, reviews some examples of nursing homes, which have been under scrutiny. For further information the following website provides evaluations of most nursing homes across the United States: www.medicare.gov

Programs Help Bridge Insurance Gap (November 29, 2000) 
The following article, taken from The New York Times, is about the numerous ways of bridging the insurance gap. It will provide you with useful information on how to get access to the different programs.

States see Problems with Care at Chain of Centers for Aged.(November,26 2000)
In this article taken from The New York Times, a chain of centers for aged named Alterra is under scrutiny. The journalist, Barry Meier, assesses the numerous flaws of this chain from the inadequate or untrained staff to the lack of safety and emphasizes the financial strains, the managerial turmoil and labor problems, which contribute to questioning the rules currently monitoring assisted living centers.  

See a Specialist (October 15, 2000)
This article, extracted from The New York Daily News, describes how doctors treat elderly patients’ complaints about their health situation. The author advises to see geriatricians, who are more able to understand older people’s maladies.

Life Stories (October 14, 2000)
As life's twilight draws near, many Americans are writing their family history and their own life stories for future generations to learn from.

Panel predicts Shortfalls in Care for the Aged (October 11, 2000)
This article taken from the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) contemplates what the graying of America implies and what kind of challenges are at stake in the forthcoming years.

Enjoying life after death (September 11, 2000)
This article, extracted from US News, shows how widowhood has become a new stage of an older woman’s life. As widows represent 11 million in the United States, they have led the reinvention of old age. They cannot define themselves as wives anymore but they have to figure out who they are as women.

Widowville, U.S.A. (September 11, 2000)
This article, published in US News, describes how widows are organized and contribute to boom the situation of Grant City (Worth County) in which old and lonely women are the most important part of the population.

More Hunger Among Elderly (August 20, 2000)
This article, published in The New York Daily News, shows that many older people cannot afford food in the USA. Despite some programs set up to help them, a lot of urban elderly are still in serious need, because they cannot afford both drugs and food.

PAC's intergenerational work (August 17, 2000)
Estelle Fabbri, a French intern from Global Action on Aging, met Rebecca Hoffman, Institute for Senior Action Project Director (IFSA) in New York, to discuss IFSA's commitment towards older people.

LV seniors vulnerable to gambling addiction (July 31, 2000)
Gambling is an invisible addiction. It is hard to cure a compulsive senior gambler, but there are doctors and counselors who work with people whose lives have been overcame by their quest to win the big one..

What do you call people who used to be old? (July 2, 2000)
Account of a "old" individual doing "un-old" things.

Studies Reveal a Rush of Older Women to the Web (June 29, 2000)

Out To Pasture, Greener Pasture: Older Workers are Thriving In Tight Job Market (June 22, 2000)

Malnutrition and Dehydration in Nursing Homes : Key Issues in Prevention and Treatment (May 2000)
In This Commonwealth Fund Report, the authors describe the high rates of malnutrition and dehydration that occur in US nursing homes and suggest ways these rates could be reduced.

Casino excitement attracts the elderly (March 9, 2000)
Many seniors like to gamble. For some gambling is an addiction, a sickness just like alcoholism or cancer, that can destroy lives.

Romance is for Seniors (2000)
Romance does not need to stop after sixty. Seniors, as much as any youth, can feel closeness through a special glance, a hug, or a kiss.                                                   

Sex after Sixty (2000)
Sex over sixty is not unusual.  Many senior couples enjoy healthy love lives that keep them close. With advancements in medication, men and women both can increase their physical enjoyment.

Day care for Kids--And Grandparents, Too (November 22, 1999)
This article taken from Business week discusses the positive impact of the intergenerational exchanges through the effect of cross-age programs.

Positive Words  Put Pep in Seniors' Step (November 2, 1999)
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, stereotypes about getting old affect the way that healthy elderly people walk. The New York Daily News reports.

Off the road (October 25, 1999)
This article, published in US News, argues about older drivers and their ability to drive safely. According to an economist’s estimate, within 15 years, there will be more elderly drivers involved in car accident than there are drunken-driving deaths. Consequently, the author wonders when deciding if someone is too old to drive. This question raises elderly’ rights, because without cars the older people who could drive will be isolated and even depressed.

Old & Hungry in a Booming City (October 17, 1999)
According to the Community Service Society, this article, published in The New York Daily News, shows that, in 1998, 22%, or 216,00, of the 970 000 New Yorkers over 65 were living at or below poverty level. Despite some federal, state and city programs set up to help them, older people are more and more victims of malnutrition.

Setting a Progressive Agenda for Social Security, Health Care, and Care giving (September 1999)

Man Nabbed in Push-In Robberies (March 5, 1999)
This article, published in The New York Daily News, shows another example that old people are targeted by thieves, because they are supposed to be without defense.

Grief Over Elderly Woman's Stabbing (February 22, 1999)
Harlem residents shocked over the brutal stabbing of their elderly neighbor. The New York Times reports.

Polite Thief Preys on Elderly (February 19, 1999)
This article, published in The New York Daily News, shows that elderly people (and in this case older women) are always victims of thieves, because they are supposed to be without defense.

Killings of 2 Elderly People Have Police Seeking Pattern (January 23, 1999)
This article from The New York Times shows a possible link between the slayings of two elderly people in Orange, N.J. 

John Glenn's mixed message on aging (November 16, 1998)
This article, published in US News, shows that Americans celebrate rapidly heroes who defy stereotypes about aging. Gerontologists talk about “productive aging”. But unrealistic standards of vigor could be regretful because many elderly could feel the limits of age. In fact, the author concludes that old age means to live with both vigor and limits.

The Remaking of a Counterculture (November 15, 1998)

Florida Files Suit Accusing Sweepstakes Company of Preying on Elderly
( November 7, 1998)

New Sexual Education Program Launched for Seniors (September 28, 1998)
The National Council on Aging has put forth a sexual education program for the seniors of America.  Love & Life: A Healthy Approach to Sex for Older Adults emphasizes that sex can remain an integral part of an elderly relationship as well as increasing awareness about medical solutions to sexual dysfunctions.                                                                                            

Mean Cabbage (September 27, 1998)
A spiritualist robbed an elderly invalid of her savings. The New York Times reports.

Scammers Net Victims (August 2, 1998)
This article, extracted from The New York Daily News, describes a financial scandal that hit many elderly, who invested in an offshore bank hyped over the Internet.

Man Faces Charge of Abusing Mother and Keeping Her in Filth (July 20, 1998)
This article, extracted from The New York Times, describes a case of elder abuse in Newark. 

A Plan to Halt Mistreatment Of the Elderly (March 8, 1998)
This article from The New York Times describes a plan to deal with the rising rates of violent and sexual crime suffered by the elderly.

Are We Tarnishing Their Golden Years? (February 12, 1997)
This article, extracted from The New York Daily News, describes how difficult it is for older people to live in a big city. Older people feel particularly vulnerable in New York City in which an increase in disrespect for elderly seems to be underway.

A Visionary Poet at Ninety (June 1996)
This review combines biography and poetry of Stanley Kunitz. Born in 1905, he became America’s 10th poet laureate at the age of 95:           “The way I look
at it, I'm passing through a phase:
gradually I'm changing to a word.
Whatever you choose to claim
of me is always yours;
nothing is truly mine
except my name. I only
borrowed this dust.”

The Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Older Persons (December 8, 1995)
A general comment on the rights of older persons by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 

Break the Mirror (1987)
Japanese poet Nanao Sakaki uses his mirror to define “age.” To him, being elderly is simply accepting one’s wrinkled reflection in a mirror, accepting the physical, while not considering the role of memory and imagination in the aging process. Sakaki decides to “break the mirror” rather than resign himself to old age. His poem of that title refutes what the world considers to be “old,” showing that older people have both right and reason to preserve their youth, if only in their imagination.

Elder Abuse:
Some statistics and information from the National Victim Center.  

Older women suffer most domestic abuse
This article from The Times which reports on an English study called "the Needs of Older Women", conveys that domestic violence against women can worsen with age.

Reports of Abuse of Elderly Are Ignored, Panel Is Told
There is deep concern regarding the treatment of nursing home residents.