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Health: World Watch

Archives  2004


Kenya: The Elderly Groaning Under Burden of Aids (December 28, 2004)
Over 500,000 older persons may be taking care of their grandchildren. About 1,500,000 children are orphans because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Bringing them up and feeding them is a real burden for these elderly who reached old age. Besides, they are too poor to support more than themselves and now must buy expensive AIDS drugs. Finally, the national HIV campaigns do not target older persons, even though they take care of ill children and influence their behavior. Elderly themselves may be at risk due to the traditional practice of wife inheritance in some areas.

Ukraine: Prices for Medicine Keep Rising (December 27, 2004)
(Article in Russian)
Among the negative outcomes of the Orange Revolution in Ukraine are the price increases for medicine. First of all, imported products are affected and the prices have gone up 3%. The situation with Ukrainian medical products is different. Their prices have gone up but without any economic reason. The author of the article thinks that some pharmacy industry officials just profited from the current political developments. Elders and pensioners are the main victims since they can hardly meet these medical expenses. 

Cambodia: The Impact of HIV/AIDS on Older People in Cambodia (2004)
This report grew out of a small-scale indicative study in 15 rural villages in Battambang Province to obtain information on the roles of older people in HIV/AIDS affected households. It identifies potential interventions to meet their financial, psycho-social and other support needs.

World: Annual Review of HelpAge International 2003/2004
The 2003/2004 Annual Review from HelpAge International highlights older people's poverty, particularly the impact of HIV/AIDS. It summarizes the progress made through practical and policy development work, towards reducing the poverty of older people in line with the Millennium Development Goal to halve extreme poverty by 2015.

UK: The Parliamentary Ombudsman Report 2003-2004
The Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Health Service Ombudsman undertake independent investigations into complaints about government departments, a range of other public bodies, and the National Health Service. They investigate complaints that injustice has been caused by bad administration on the part of the government departments or other public bodies. Here is the Second Parliamentary Ombudsman annual Report where we can see different complaints against the Department for Work and Pensions: failure to follow procedures, misdirection about retirement pension, etc 

France: Choosing a Nursing Home Needs Time (December 10, 2004)
(Article in French)
Many people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s have full and rich lives and are able to run their own households with little or no assistance. But others have physical or emotional disabilities or are frail; they often require the kind of care beyond the capacity of family or professional home care aides. They need the 24-hour attention that is available in a nursing home. It's best to start researching such facilities before an emergency arises to avoid making a pressured and less ideal choice.

Tanzania: Tanzanian Elderly 'Increasingly' at HIV Risk (December 2, 2004)
A HelpAge International report discovered that today older people are the new victims of HIV/AIDS. Indirectly, older persons must support and care for their ill children and, when they die, the grandparents look after their grand-children who often are HIV positive. Older women spend 88% of their time looking after orphans or invalids. Directly, older persons are increasingly exposed to the virus because of their sexual behavior, their ignorance about the disease and how to protect themselves. Customs such as polygamy and sexual favors in exchange for basic needs make older women very vulnerable to HIV.

Tanzania: The cost of love: Older people in the fight against AIDS in Tanzania (November 2004)
This report presents the key issues facing older women and men affected by HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, including their role in providing care and support to their sons and daughters living with HIV/AIDS and to their grandchildren. It draws on participatory research with older people, community leaders, government officials and young people in five regions of Tanzania.

Taiwan: Taking Care of Elders at Home Using New Technology Gives Elders More Medical Protection (Nov25, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
The new biomedical engineering technology with information, broad-band, and wireless telecommunication technology will add medical protection for elders. The collaboration of these fields will improve the quality of the medical system for the elders.

Shanghai: Shanghai People’s Committee Suggest That Elders Pawn (borrow money) on Their Housing in Order to Get Health Insurance (Nov 24, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
Administrators of the Environmental Protection Committee of People’s Committee suggest new regulations to the Shanghai Housing Management Pension System. They urge that new methods be explored to permit older residents to pawn (borrow on their housing) at the Housing Management Office to pay for medical insurance. 

Latin America: Elderly Women’s Sexuality (November 22, 2004)
There are many myths concerning the elderly and sexuality. This article clears up a good quantity of them. Undoubtedly, old age is the phase in life associated with the most diverse pathologies. Modern medicine contributes in many cases to improving the quality of life, sometimes with undesirable effects on sexual activities. Both the illnesses as well as the therapeutic and secondary effects of medications can hinder a healthy sex life. Both therapists and doctors must study and learn how to treat these cases of sexual dysfunction and understand how they can be cured. Nonetheless, the sex drive among the elderly is latent and present, despite myths that try to indicate the contrary.

China: The Elders at NingBo Will Enjoy the “Six in One” Health Service System ( November 16, 2004 )
(Article in Chinese)
HangZhou – Based on news from Modern Gold Newspaper, the journalist from the National Rural Aging Conference said that NingBo government will provide the elders in rural areas with extra physical examinations. And by the end of 2007, the government will provide the rural elders with the “six in one” health service system.


China: Cataract Cases on Plateau on Rise (November 11, 2004)

Help is on the way for the five million plus elderly cataract sufferers in China , whose ranks are swelled by 8 to 10 percent every year. Now, after similar programs ranging from Beijing to Shanghai , over 30,000 cataract patients in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are receiving free treatment within the course of an year for their vision-clouding ailment. Long Zhihua, chief of the Social Welfare and Affairs Department in the Regional Bureau of Civil Affairs, says the 48 million yuan (approximate USD $5.78 million) needed to fund this rescue effort will come from the public benefit fund of welfare lottery sales in China. 

France: Launching of the Eleventh Reunion of the Parliament “Longevity and Management of the Risk” (November 2, 2004)

The subject of this symposium, “Longevity and management of the risk”, shows very well the vast questions posed by longevity’s revolution and demographic ageing in France. The term “management of the risk” is quite inappropriate to talk about the organization required to meet this new demographical deal. Some specialists estimate that one child in two who is born today in France will live more than a century. Hundred-year-old persons, numbering 6,000 today, could be 150,000 in forty years. Life expectancy without disabilities increases more quickly. But can human longevity go on without limit ? 

World: Super Bugs, Bird Flu Worry Experts (November 1, 2004)
Experts fear that bird flu, in fact avian flu, and human flu could exchange genes which could launch a pandemic avian flu transmissible between humans. No vaccine exists to protect people against the avian strain and only drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors work as treatments. The World Organization of Health held a summit on November 11, 2004 for flu-vaccine makers and nations to prepare to face a possible flu pandemic.

Australia: Menopause Remedy to be Put to the Test (October 25, 2004)
Complementary medicine researchers from the University of Western Sydney are about to start a study on 100 women to test the real impact of traditional Chinese medicines. "Significant numbers of Australian women are turning to complementary medicine to relieve their menopausal symptoms but until now there's been very little research done to test if it works," Ms Patching, a researcher, said. Herb preparations could alleviate symptoms caused by menopause such as hot flushes and night sweats which are felt by 70 to 80% of menopausal women and improve bone mineralisation as well.

The Aging Trend Need not be Frightening: The Younger Generation should Give its Parents more Emotional Support (October 22, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
China is very quickly becoming an aging society. Being born, getting old, suffering sickness and passing away affect every human being. A People’s Daily journalist interviewed Di Wang, Chairman of the China Population Research Committee. Di Wang said that getting old is not scary. But the younger generation should give its elders more emotional support.

China: Shanghai Elderly People Lack Companions (October 21, 2004)
Traditionally, older Chinese persons live with their children who take care of them. But this practice is changing with the country's economic development. Today, just over 23 percent of old people live alone in China and, according to the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, 11,500 seniors live with disabled children or grandchildren under the age of 18. The government would like to attract more volunteers to take care of older persons; it will likely have to find many other ways to respond to the loneliness and isolation that face older Chinese. 

France: To Bound Undesirable Effects of Medicines for Older Persons (October 2004)
(Article in French)
A campaign against iatrogeny or mixed medication has been launched in France. The iatrogenic effects of medicines particularly menace the older persons because they are often over-medicated. Actually, undesirable effects due to a wrong mix of medicines cause 20% of elderly’s hospitalizations. These effects can be uneasiness, digestive troubles, balance troubles that cause falls, confusion, and more.

France: The French Government Plan Against Influenza (October 14, 2004)
(Article in French)
The French Health Minister explained on October 13, 2004, the main measures to take if a new kind of influenza virus appears for which the population is not immunized. Experts think that a world-wide epidemic of a modified influenza virus is possible and could produce a disaster. Nevertheless, Matignon (French Prime Ministry) doesn’t want to terrify people without any reason. During the conference, Mr Douste-Blazy, the French Health Minister, appeared comfortable and self-confident.

World: After the Recall, Merck Talks About a Successor to Vioxx (October 14, 2004)
Merck & Company, which removed its painkiller Vioxx from the market because it could cause heart diseases, just announced on October 13, 2004 that Arcoxia, its successor, was subjected to tests which have been conclusive. Arcoxia is a medicine from the same family than Vioxx : COX-2 inhibitor. So more research is needed to be sure that all the COX-2 drugs don’t provoke heart diseases.

France: Geriatrics and Gerontology : Specialists Work on Ageing in Paris (October 13, 2004)
(Article in French)
Around 1,000 medical doctors, specialists on health, researchers and students, from France and Africa, began meeting October 13, 2004, for an intensive 25 day course from the French society of geriatrics and gerontology. These meetings take place in the French capital. Specialists, who succed each other on the platform, discuss diagnostic and therapeutic, epidemiology and public health, Alzheimer’s disease and aging.

France: Midsummer Heat: Five to Nine Months of Lost Lifes (October 13, 2004)
(Article in French)
More than 14 800 persons, mainly old and ill, died during the midsummer of August 2003. How many weeks, months or years of life was shortened of by this heat wave? Professor Alain-Jacques Valleron, the epidemiologic research and information sciences at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research or INSERM, explained during a meeting at “College de France” October 12, 2004: It was only in June 2004 that the mortality increase of August 2003 has been balanced by a decrease in deaths from January to June 2004.

World: Problematic Behavior of Dementia Patients Exacerbated (October 11, 2004)
Dutch researcher Marjolein de Vugt explained that family’s state of mind often shapes how successfully an older person deals with their dementia. Family’s members often adopt one of three strategies counter to the patient: The ‘non-adaptive strategy' which exacerbates the patient's hyperactivity, the 'caring strategy' which treats the person as a child and the 'supportive strategy' which is the more efficient to help the sick person.

Scotland: Healthcare Braced for the Agonies of Old Age (October 11, 2004)
Global life expectancy has more than doubled over the last 140 years and this trend is continuing. This article examines how ageism—age discrimination—figures in current Scottish perceptions of health care rationing. Whose life is valuable? All too often, ageist ideology portrays older persons as users of resources, not as contributors.

World: Old Age 'Treated Like an Illness' (October 11, 2004)
The National Health Service in the United Kingdom and other social service programs often treat old age as "an illness for which there is no cure," according to recent research. They stereotype older persons as ill, vulnerable and helpless. The authors, including some older persons themselves, urge a vast public effort to fight negative images of aging. They recommend that older persons “should have the strongest voice in deciding what makes a good quality service and if it is being delivered.”

World: Experts: Good Hygiene Can Ward Off Flu (October 10, 2004)
Your mother was right: Doctors and nutritionists say careful hygiene methods of washing hands regularly, a balanced diet, and going to bed earlier can protect people from influenza. Especially older people should not hesitate to follow this advice since there is a flu vaccine shortage.

France: UDF and UMP Congressmen Go to the Whit Monday‘s Aid (October 8, 2004)
(Article in French)
The French continue to debate holidays. The French parliament wants to turn a public holiday into a working day with all earnings designated for the aid of older and handicapped persons. Parliament passed the law on June 30, 2004. The debate centers on whether the current “Whit Sunday” (the Christian holiday of Pentecost) should be the working holiday to benefit handicapped and elderly. It’s important to remember that in October 2003, eighty-one percent of Parliament’s members agreed to finance this fund for the elderly and handicapped persons. But in May 2004 only 40% supported the legislation. The issue may be confusion over the law’s implementation rather than stinginess.

World: Aging Blood Vessels Adapt to Exercise (October 6, 2004)
Researchers have found that blood vessels in the legs of older people restrict more than younger men during exercise, suggesting the body makes adjustments for lower cardiac output. The "fight or flight" mechanism, one of the best-known physiological responses, increases human ability to respond to stressful situations. Here’s a new way to look at exercise: it’s a chance to practice a non-life-threatening stressful situation.

Cameroon: Donation Center for Older Persons (October 6, 2004)
(Article in French)
The International Day for Older Persons celebrated on Friday, October 1, 2004, had a great impact on the Charity Center “Mother Theresa” in Simbock, the capital of the Cameroon. The event revived a feeling of solidarity with older persons since medicines, food and clothes from the Red Cross were distributed. Sister Marie Gabrielle of the Charity Center would like to see action like this year around. She argues that old people always need and deserve society’s support because they are included as well.

World: Vioxx, Worldwide Withdrawal (October 1, 2004)
(Article in French)
Suspected of increasing the risk of cardiovascular troubles, the successful anti-inflammatory, Vioxx has been taken it off the market by the manufacturer. Elderly liked this medication because it reduced the pain from osteoarthritis and rheumatism.

World: The Suicide Of Older Men and Women (October 2004)
The elderly have the highest suicide rate. Every year more than 6 300 older adults commit suicide. The death of a loved one, physical illness, uncontrollable pain, fear of dying a prolonged death, social isolation, loneliness and major changes in social roles are as reasons some claim to consider suicide. But suicide is never improvised: it opens a window on a possible help from family and friends.

World: More Walking Less Dementia (September 28, 2004)
(Article in French)
Walking and all other sports are beneficial for health to all, including older persons. Sport helps them to keep their health and to suffer less from dementia as well. For instance, a Harvard study proves that women who walk everyday maintain their memory much better than those who rarely walk.

World: Is It Depression or Is It Dementia? (February 1998)
Depression, dementia and normal aging: all three may have similar neurobehavioral manifestations. So how does a clinician make a differential diagnosis? This article details how scientists are trying to figure it out.

China: Nation Acts to Resolve Nutrition Deficiency (October 12, 2004)
As economies develop, do nutrition problems grow? Currently in China, more than 160 million people are suffering from high blood pressure, 20 million are diabetics, 200 million are overweight and 60 million are obese. In addition, these chronic diseases are increasing rapidly because of the lack of exercise and unhealthy lifestyles. Chinese Vice-Minister of Health, Wang Longde announced that Chinese government will set out relevant regulations, guidance about public nutritional intervention, agriculture, food manufacturing, distribution and marketing. Yes, the government should do something; otherwise, the nation will face a chronic disease crisis due to the rapid increase of the elderly population. Healthy aging is based on healthy lifestyle! 

France: Influenza Is Here (October 4, 2004)
(Article in French)
Influenza has started again this year in the Northern Hemisphere. In spite of the good weather, flu can have deadly consequences for older persons and others who may be weak. The French government has set up a prevention campaign and offers free vaccination.

France: 10 Measures Against Alzheimer’s (October 4, 2004)
(Article in French)
The French minister of health and social affairs presented measures in his plan 2004-2007 to fight against Alzheimer’s which affects about 30% of people after 80 years old. The disease is increasing by 165,000 cases each year and could hit 2 million people by 2030 if prevention and treatment approaches are not developed. The French government has adopted ten measures to help.

Australia: Private Hospitals Back Medicare Gold (October 1, 2004 )
Labor’s plan that provides free hospital treatment to over-75s has won! Julia Gillard, the Australian Private Hospitals Association, said that hospitals would be able to meet the demand of elder patients after the free hospital treatment plan would start in 2006. However, Prime Minister John Howard argues that if hospitals cut waiting list for the over-75s, younger patients will wait instead. But the occupancy of private hospitals is 75 to 80% on average, and Labor expects patient admissions will grow by about 17% in the first two years after the plan starts. 

Bahrain: Health Care Vow for the Elderly (September 30, 2004)
Health Minister Dr. Nada Haffadh announced that caring for the elderly is a top priority at the opening ceremony of a three-day conference on caring for the elderly. This event is organized by Parents Care Center in co-operation with Middle-East Academy for Medicine of Ageing. More than 30 experts from Bahrain and other countries attended the conference. “The elderly have given so much to the country and to the world. We need to give back,” Dr. Haffadh emphasized. “We don’t want them to just live but to live a quality life.”

Ukraine: The Crimean Pensioners will have Free Medical Service for 2 Hours (September 29, 2004) 
(Article in Russian)
100 Crimean pensioners are going to benefit from the International Day the Old Persons and receive 2 hours of free medical service. Considering the critical situation with health care for old people in Yalta, the event only seems to be a drop in the ocean. Due to the lack of doctors in the region the elderly have to wait for months to have an appointment.

Canada: For Alzheimer's Day, Grim Stats, Fresh Hope Disease Incidence Keeps Growing (September 21, 2004)

Alzheimer’s disease starts slowly and its inception is not noticed. But later, a patient loses the ability to talk and to understand words. Then he/she no longer recognizes family or friends, and even forgets how to eat. “People are much more aware of it and prepared to talk about it,” Dr. Peter St. George-Hyslop of the University of Toronto, said. Currently, about 400,000 Canadians 65 or older have Alzheimer’s or a related form of dementia, and that number will reach 750,000 by 2031. Certainly, medical researchers are working hard to develop drugs for Alzheimer’s and to secure earlier detection. But preparations must be made for those who will like have Alzheimer’s and those who will care for them.

World: European Congress of Geriatrics: A Saltless Diet: A Danger for Older People (September 20, 2004)
On the contrary of what is often said, Professor Ingo Fusgen demonstrated to the European Congress of Geriatrics that a saltless diet was pernicious for health, above all for elderly. According to Professor Fusgen, this diet would provoke hallucinations, muscle cramps, incontinence and a moody humor. Consult your doctor.

China: China's City Dwellers in Poor Health (September 20, 2004) 
In China, about 75% of urban citizens suffer from bad health. 75.31 % of Beijing residents are in poor health, also 73.49% in Shanghai, and 73.41% in Canton. Surprisingly, bad health condition are found more frequently among people with higher education. The Chinese Academy of Sciences indicates the average lifespan of an educated person is 58, 10 years lower than the national average. “Bad working habits, poor disease prevention, inadequate government funding and lack of health education are the main reasons,” said Yang Xiaoduo, a healthcare expert.

Russia: How to Live till 100 Years Old in Moscow? ( September 17, 2004)
(Article in Russian)
Despite all the hardships of elder life in Moscow, Nikolay Fedorovich Andreev managed to live till 103. He lost neither his good spirits nor his clear mind. Nikolay Fedorovich shares his unpretentious but wise secret of longevity (to avoid quarrels, drink berry juice, among other practices) with readers. Michael Koryakin, president of the Human Reproduction Center of the Russia Health Ministry gives a scientific explanation to this phenomenon.

Japan: Japanese Centenarians to Hit Record High (September 14, 2004) 
The Japanese Health Ministry announced that the number of people aged 100 or older is expected to be 23,038 by the end of September. This means that 18.05 out of 100,000 Japanese are aged 100 or over. The oldest person is Ms. Ura Koyama who is 114-year-old. Japan’s population has been growing rapidly, and the percentage of population aged 65 or over is about 20%. Also, Japan has the highest life expectancy at 78 years for men and 85 for women. The oldest person in the world is a 114-year-old Dutch woman, Henny Van Andel-Schipper who is senior to Ms. Koyama by two months, and the oldest man is a 113-year-old US citizen.

China: Efforts to Combat Communicable Diseases (September 14, 2004)
Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Yi announced that China wants to work with other countries and regions in order to fight against various diseases. In recent years, China has successfully conquered SARS and avian influenza; however, the region still faces other difficult diseases such as HIV/AIDS. A Chinese expert estimates that there are about 80,000 HIV/AIDS patients and 20 million diabetics in China. “The outbreak of new communicable diseases in this region shows that one vital way to tackle public health accidents is to enhance the international co-operation and communication in this region,” Wu emphasized.

Russia: How to Look Like 35 in Your 75th year ( September 10, 2004)
(Article in Russian)
Goldman Igor Lvovich, the strongest grandfather in Russia and possibly in the world, considers old age as relative and an individual phenomenon. He is absolutely convinced that old age is the only time when a person can fully realize himself: Children have grown up and all paid work is completed. In his 70’s, Mr. Lvovich has become the European champion in power lifting (70-74 category) proving that the old age is just the advent to a new life.

Russia: Moscow Donors Infect the People with HIV and Syphilis (September 10, 2004) 
(Article in Russian)
The Moscow medical system has been using the blood of infected donors for the past 8 years. Therefore Moscow and the neighborhood are under the serious threat of epidemics of syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis. 57 year-old Andrey Trofimov ( the name has been changed) died from a blood infection in one of Moscow hospitals where he had surgery. According to the words of his widow, the man died without knowing that the reason for his death was a “dirty blood infection”.

Russia: Russian Orthodox Church has Opened a Hotline ( September 9, 2004)
(Article in Russian)
Among the elderly people of Moscow 31% can not live without the help of others; 50% can hardly move; 8% never leave their houses; 5% never leave their bed. For such persons the Russian Orthodox Church has opened hotline in Moscow. Now everyone who happens to be in a difficult life situation or does not know how to help the elderly person in need can call 107-70-01

Australia: Late Flu Season Hits the Elderly (September 9, 2004)
The flu season runs usually from November to March in the northern hemisphere, but it is from May to September in the southern hemisphere. So far, NSW Health officials have reported that flu or another type of respiratory illness attacked and killed several elderly patients at the Bethel Aged Care Facility at Waratah. If you live in the northern hemisphere and travel to the southern hemisphere, please remember that the flu season is different. If you feel sick, please go to see a doctor right away!

Singapore: WHO Launches Bid to Boost Elderly Health Care (September 6, 2004)
The World Health Organization launched an initiative to improve medical services for a rapidly growing worldwide population, the elderly. At the International Federation on Ageing conference in Singapore, WHO urged retraining primary healthcare workers to focus more on elder care. Alexandre Kalache, the chief of the Aging and Life Course Program (ALC) at WHO, said if primary healthcare workers are well trained, they will be able to prevent many other health problems through early detection. 

Ireland: Irish Cancer Deaths 'Higher' (September 3, 2004)
Irish people have higher cancer death rates than other Europeans do. The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) reported that as people live longer, the risk of getting cancer also increase. This means that the number of people getting cancer is going to rise. Dr. Campbell warned “one third of all cancers are due to diet, not enough fruit and vegetables, too much fat in the diet, too much sweet things, and not recognizing the effects of bad diet throughout a lifetime.” Currently, bowel cancer and cancer of the oesophagus have higher death rates in Ireland as well as breast cancer for women and prostate cancer for men.

India: Smoking, Stress Top Global List of Heart-Stoppers (September 3, 2004)
Cholesterol, smoking, and stress are the top three factors that might stop your heart! One of the world’s widest studies identified nine risk factors on heart attack. The analysis, called the Interheart study, examined 15,000 cases of heart attack in 52 countries, and compared with 15,000 healthy people who had a similar age, sex, and location. The other factors that associate with heart attack are diabetes, a family history of high blood pressure, and abdominal obesity.

Ukraine: Mom, Buy Cardiogram! (September 2, 2004)
(Article in Russian)

Theoretically the citizens of Ukraine who pay their taxes have a right to a proper medical service. Unfortunately, it is far from reality. The medical care keeps transforming itself in a paid service. As a result the majority of the elderly whose financial situation leaves much to be desired, have less and less chance to get quality health treatment.

Canada: Long-Term Care: A Success Story (August 26, 2004) 
Often older persons want to avoid nursing homes. However, in Toronto, Chinese descent seniors enjoy living in nursing homes, eating traditional meals, speaking in their first language and participating in cultural activities at nursing homes. According to Statistics Canada and a review of the number of nursing home beds, 9.5 % of nursing home residents in Toronto are of Chinese descent. Also, 7.3 % of Torontonians age 75 or older are Chinese. Therefore, demand is high for nursing facilities with an active Chinese culture. The author suggests that Ministry of Health’s focus on cultural sensitivity to health and social care can improve the quality of nursing homes.

Indonesia : Nursing Homes Answer Elderly Needs ( August 24, 2004 )
In Indonesia , an average life expectancy increased from 43 in the 1960s to over 64 years today. As the number of elderly people increase, the demand for nursing homes also increases. Erifa, a 71-year-old woman, moved into a nursing home for senior citizens 6 years ago because she valued her independence but also she was afraid of living alone. She moved to Wisma Mulia nursing home for elderly women in Jelambar, West Jakarta , which costs Rp 400,000 (US $43.5) per month excluding the cost of medication. But because of the limitation of the number of beds, some senior women are not able to move into a nursing home. To meet the higher demand, the nursing home planned to expand its capacity.

Japan: Ministry to Establish Centers to Curb Nursing Dependency (August 23, 2004) 
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry in Japan plans to request 22 billion-yen for a budgetary allocation to renovate public and private facilities such as day care centers and city halls. The new centers will hold exercise classes and dietary advice for the senior citizens. This project will educate elderly people on how to maintain good health and prevent them to becoming dependent on nursing care.

Japan: Different Criteria Used for Diabetes Diagnoses in Japan (August 21, 2004)
Health ministry officials said that local authorities in Aichi, Japan, have used different criteria for diabetes diagnoses in annual medical checkups for elderly people and other local residents. Across the country, about 12 million people receive annual diabetes tests organized by local authorities. But authorities in Aichi have used a higher criterion than the one by the Diabetes Society. The health ministry warns that loose criteria could allow diabetes to be left untreated and it is dangerous for a patient at risk. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is planning to consider unifying the criteria.

Russia: Ekaterinburg. Psychotherapy Help is Now Available for Pensioners. (August 20, 2004)
(Article in Russian)

According to World Health Organization’s data elderly suicide cases represent 15% out of the total amount of suicidal statistics in Russia. During the last 5 years these figures have increased drastically. In the attempt to solve the “aged depression” issue, the office that provides the socio-psychological help to elderly people started to work in Ekaterinburg. Highly professional psychotherapists are conducting group-trainings sessions as well as individual consultations for the people of the old age. Will it help?

Canada : Home-Care in Major Crisis, Agencies Say: Small Firms Argue They're Outbid ( August 19, 2004 )
In Ontario , home-care system for ill and elderly people is in “full-blown crisis,” a group of small, local home-care agencies claimed. Since the previous Conservative administration introduced a contract bidding system which supported big home-care companies, a number of small agencies have been out-bit on contracts for years or even decades. In addition, a new Premier Dalton McGuinty’s administration has refused to change this system. Even though small home-care agencies have been helping local elderly people with “family-like” relationships, they have to give up their businesses and lay off their nurses and stuff.

New Zealand: Government Warned on Ethnic Responsibility (August 13, 2004)
Is Race-based funding discrimination against other races? New Zealand government announced that ethnically targeted policies could be in controversy with international human rights obligations. Race Relations Minister Trevor Mallard said that 23 programs and policies would be scrutinized by the first stage of the review selected from the department of health, education, labor, culture and heritage and the education Review Office. The review was mainly clarifying why such programs were necessary. But the Ministry of Social Development expresses concern about the effect of the review despite the fact that other department felt that the programs were justified in most cases. 

Namibia: Nujoma to Relaunch Trust for the Elderly (August 11, 2004)
The Oshipala Trust for Senior Citizens in Namibia launches the organization which supplements Government’s efforts in looking after the elderly. Traditionally, most of the seniors did not have support systems in Namibia. Especially for those living in rural areas, financial and transport constraints prevent them from accessing such support. But this organization initiates the quest to allow senior citizens to spend their later years in dignity. Jako Botha, the administrator of the trust, said that apart from asking for donation, the investment part of the fund sells various products in order to generate its own financial resources. 

Australia: Tackling the Taboo: Sex and the Elderly (August 5, 2004) 
Sexuality is important for a human being regardless of the age! Professor Rhonda Nay, La Trobe University at Bundoora, mentioned that people might feel mortified when the elderly behave sexually. But sexuality is important for a sense of identity of the individual. Professor Nay said if people define senior citizens as asexual, it is easy to define them as non-human. 

Scotland: No Time to Waste in Planning for Our Future Needs (August 5, 2004)
In Scotland, one out of six citizens will be over the age of 75 by 2040. Even though every developed country experiences similar trends and challenges, Scots face a falling birth rate, too. This demographic shift causes the skills shortages in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The Royal Society of Edinburgh reports that they host the senior citizens to contribute to the workplace and in the community. But it is not enough. Before baby boomers become seniors, Scots Politicians, employers, individuals and communities should work together to prepare for the future needs.

Canada: Bacterial Infection Kills 100 Patients at Quebec Hospital in 18 Months (August 4, 2004)
Dr. Jacques Pepin reported cases of Clostridium difficile killed 54 patients in 2003 and another 46 in the first six months of this year at University Hospital in Sherbrooke, Quebec. A lot of victims of C. difficile were elderly patients. The most obvious symptom is diarrhea, which can be so severe that some patients lose too much fluid in their bodies and go into shock caused by plummeting blood pressure and then die. C. difficile, may flourish in Canadian hospitals that need funding to renovate and get better sanitation. Also, anti-bacterial drugs given to elderly may kill off “good bacteria” that fights C. difficile in the body. 

Norway: Low "Good" Cholesterol May Flag Breast Cancer Risk (August 3, 2004) 
Older overweight women with low level of HDL (good cholesterol) might have higher risk of breast cancer. Dr. Anne-Sofie Furgerg, the University of Tromso in Norway, studies about 39,000 Norwegian women who provided data of lipids, weight, diet, and lifestyle. Researchers have followed the subjects for an average of 17 years, and total 708 of women developed invasive breast cancer. Furberg discovered that when the overweight and obese women were divided in four subgroups with the level of HDL cholesterol in the blood, women with the lowest level of HDL cholesterol had the highest risk of postmenopausal breask cancer. Furberg emphasized she needs more studies of other populations to verify the role of HDL cholesterol as a useful marker.

Japan: Helping Those In Need. The Elderly Must Be Protected From Natural Disasters (August 2, 2004) 
Rushing torrents of muddy water attacked a small town in Niigata Prefecture in Japan last month. 17 out of 21 people who are dead or missing by this natural disaster are senior citizens aged 65 or older. Unlike earthquakes, people can monitor weather conditions and water levels of rivers when typhoons come. Large rivers monitored by the national government have cameras equipped with optical fibers, and evacuation calls are always quick and appropriate. However, prefecture governments manage the small rivers that flooded Niigata. Technology is not the only way to evacuate local people safely and quickly. Local governments should create a flood hazard map identifying evacuation routes and dangerous spots while local community members should establish mutual help programs for quick evacuations.

Scotland: How to Meet Pledge of Free-Care for the Elderly (August 2, 2004) 
Two years ago, the former First Minister in Scotland, Henty McLeish, and the Liberal Democrats pushed "free care for the elderly" legislation. However, the latest figures show that because the population of the age over 75 will rise by 61 per cent over 23 years, the cost of providing care for the elderly rise from £1.4 billion now to £2.5 billion by 2019. Scots must figure out how to maintain the cost of "free" care. 

Europe: Better Palliative Care for Older People (July 23, 2004)
The World Health Organization reported palliative care for senior citizens is growing in public health importance in Europe. Older people have received less palliative care than younger people although some seniors suffer from unnecessary pain before they die. But the relative number of people of working age is declining while the age of potential caregivers is increasing. Therefore, in the near future, European seniors will face the lack of nurses and caregivers. Dr. Agis D. Tsouros, the Head of the Center for Urban Health at WHO Regional Office for Europe emphasizes that policy makers and professionals should consider the needs of older people, using evidence from epidemiology, social studies, and health services research.

China: Shanghai Faces Demographic Crisis As Number Of Elderly Continues To Rise (July 20, 2004) 
China's wealthiest city, Shanghai, lacks resources to meet the needs of its increasing elder population. Shanghai has a population of about 17 million. Older persons make up 14.87% of this population. The Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences report estimates a increase of 10% in the number of elders in the city of Shanghai by the year 2030.

Germany: 'Silent' Stroke Affects Mental Function in Elderly (July 20, 2004) 
German Researchers Dr. Klaus Berger of the University of Munster and others report a link between silent stroke and previous history of high blood pressure and heart disease. The study involved 267 older persons between the age of 65 and 83 years living at home. Researchers used MRI to detect the prevalence of silent strokes and collected data on variables such as self-perception of health, activities of daily living, cognitive abilities and depression.

Sweden: With Sporadic Exercise, Seniors Live Longer (July 19, 2004) 
German Researchers Dr. Kristina Sundguist of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and her colleagues recently released a study indicating exercise leads to longer life. The study conducted over a period of 12 years involved 3, 206 older adults over the age of 65. Older persons who exercised throughout their life course lived longer and healthier than their sedentary peers.

Finland: Veggies Reported to Help Women's Brains (July 19, 2004)
Two studies conducted simultaneously reveal older women benefit from a healthy lifestyle that can, in turn, prevent an early onset of diseases such as Alzheimer's. Researcher Jae Hee Kang of Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital conducted a study that included 13, 388 nurses whose long-term eating habits were assessed and analyzed. Researcher Dr. Miia Kivipelto of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm conducted a study that included 1,449 Finnish women whose body-mass index was assessed and analyzed over a period of 21 years. Results indicated obese participants had twice the risk of developing dementia, high cholesterol and blood pressure levels. 

United Kingdom: Elderly Suffer In Care Shambles (July 17, 2004)

Ann Abraham, the Health ombudsperson, has demanded action for a quick reimbursement for seniors charged incorrectly for services. The ombudsperson has urged health authorities to eliminate errors resulting in the eviction of seniors from care homes. Seniors have also been incorrectly charged for residential fees and misinformed about benefits.

Japan: Therapy Offers Alzheimer's Hope To Japan's Elderly (July 15, 2004)
In Japan, Alzheimer’s disease affects 1.5 million older persons out of the 24 million elders over the age of 65. In Sendai, Professor Ryuta Kawashima of Tohoku University has coined the concept of “Learning Therapy.” Therapy involves performing simple math functions and reading text thought to stimulate the frontal part of the brain. Learning Therapy has been proven to improve the lives of many Japanese elders.

Australia: Residential aged care in Australia (2002–03) A statistical overview (July 2004)
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Ageing and Aged Care Unit released a statistical report on its residential aged care system. The report includes data from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003. The current report is sixth in the Aged Care Statistics Series. The report includes information on population characteristics, service capacities, admissions among other variables.Data collected in this report also includes the number of native Australians using respite, and age care services compared to mainstream Australians.

U.K Red Tape Cut In Care For The Elderly (July 13, 2004)
The Department of Health in Warwickshire recently introduced a new program called, The Single Assessment Process (SAP), for effective delivery of services to older adults. The new program eliminates the repetitive information gathering process to receive services from various agencies.

Scotland: Elderly Care Provision Concerns (July 8, 2004)
A report by a watchdog agency for the Accounts Commission and the Auditor General indicates older persons in Scotland were receiving inefficient care and services. More than 1,800 older persons were on the waiting list to receive services. Scotland is expecting 46% more older persons aged 65 and above by 2027.

United Kingdom: 'UK Elderly Need Better Services’ (July 8, 2004)
The Commons Public Accounts Committee released a report that indicated the government needs to improve delivery of services to older adults. In spite of developing services, older adults are confused on how to access them for their benefit. The report urges officials to launch programs to educate older adults on available services and benefits.

Australia : $4.6 Million for New Dementia Research ( July 7, 2004 )
The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council awarded a grant of $4.6 million to Professors Perminder Sachdev, Henry Brodaty and Gavin Andrews from the University of New South Wales . The  grant  covers a period of five years. Australian researchers intend to use the grant to research, detect and prevent neurocognitive disorders such as dementia and depression affecting older persons.

Uganda: Malnutrition Among Elderly Alarming – Survey (July 5, 2004)
Of the 362 Ugandans over the age of 50 who were surveyed, an estimated 59 percent suffer from poor eyesight; 58 percent have arthritis; 55 percent complained of back and abdominal pains and 39 percent reported coughing. The study, which was carried out by the nutritional department of the Ugandan Ministry of Health, describes the findings as “worrying” and “deserving immediate intervention.” The range of illnesses is evidence of varying diets among the country’s elderly. Other ailments reported include fever, poor chewing, ulcer, hypertension, headache, constipation and scabies. All of the study’s participants are from the Kampala or Soroti districts in Uganda.

Australia: $1.7 Million For Local Aged Care Homes (July 1, 2004)
The Australian government granted $1.7 million in funds to Western Australian Baptist Hospitals and Homes Trust Aged Care homes to help upgrade building structures and safety measures. The funding is part of the government’s initiative called “Investing in Australia’s Aged Care: More Places, Better Care”. The funds are meant to improve the quality of care provided to residents in aged care homes.

Taiwan: With the rapid increase among Taiwan’s aging population, the medical school and hospitals have begun to train more doctors for elders (July 1, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)

TaiPei – There are 2,000,000 elders living in Taiwan. The numerical surge among Taiwanese elderly is only exceeded by Japan. However, there are fewer geriatric doctors compared to the population than in Japan. In fact, there are only 150 doctors for elders. To train doctors for the elderly and to build up the caring team for the elders, the National Health Research Institute recently started a one-year plan to train doctors with a geriatric specialty.

Australia: Elderly are Healthy and Active (June 23, 2004) 
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare recently released a report indicating older Australians were living healthier and happier. Nearly 70 percent of older people over the age of 64 were found to have good health. The average life expectancy of an Australian was ranked fourth in the world. 

United Kingdom: Cigarettes Cut About 10 Years off Life, 50-Year Study Shows (June 23, 2004)
British Researchers fifty years ago indicated in their study cigarette smoking led to lung cancer. In a follow up longitudinal study of the same group of British doctors, indicates quitting cigarette smoking any time has benefits. Cigarette smokers on an average lose 10 years of their life compared to nonsmokers. The study published in the British Medical Journal is the first one to report the damage done over a lifetime due to cigarette smoking. It is never too late to stop smoking.

Canada: Exercise Program for Seniors Improves Balance (June 22. 2004)
The Montreal Public Health Department recently launched a program called Stand Up to teach seniors on how to exercise. The exercise class intends to reduce the number of likely falls and also to improve balance. Montreal seniors are already experiencing an improvement compared to a control group that did not participate in such an exercise class.

Mexico: U.S. Turning to Mexico to Fill Nursing Needs (June 22, 2004)

The United States will face a nursing shortage by 2010 and not able to meet the healthcare needs of its citizens. Currently recruiters hire nurses from countries such as Philippines, South Korea, Nigeria and India to help meet their needs. Recruiters are very keen to hire nurses from Mexico due to the increasing Hispanic population in the United States. On the other hand, the World Health Organization worries about the deterioration of quality health care in developing countries due to the exodus of high quality nurses to developed countries experiencing a shortage.

Italy: Italy to Keep Elderly Cool in Supermarkets (June 18, 2004) 
Italian Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia issued an order to create a list of all older adults over the age of 65 whose health may be in jeopardy due to a heat wave. In response to the World Health Organization's advice, officials intend to carry hundreds of older Italians to supermarkets to keep them protected from the heat wave. Officials expect the number on the list to be close to 12 million. So far 7,500 older adults have died due to a heat wave.

Japan: Nursing Care Insurance Over-assistance Can Weaken the Elderly (June 16, 2004) 
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor recently announced changes for expenses incurred to purchase or rent assistive living products for older adults in the minimal support category. The government claims that older adults in the minimal support category were becoming dependent on assistive technology resulting in a deterioration of their condition. Japanese older adults have been taking advantage of available free technology ever since the nursing care insurance system was enacted four years ago. Is the new policy changed due to over-dependence assistive devices? Or to cut insurance costs?

Canada: Risk of Suicide Higher Among Ailing Seniors, New Research Shows (June 15, 2004)
A recent study in Canada reports older adults suffering from chronic diseases have an increased risk to commit suicide. The study analyzed records of 1, 354 older adults who were known to have committed suicide from 1992-2000. Older women prefer drug overdose whereas older men prefer to commit suicide via using a gun. The study calls for increased awareness and education of professionals and family members of older adults suffering from chronic conditions. 

World: Canadian Researchers: Learning Two Languages Helps Keep a Young Mind (June 15, 2004)
(Article in Arabic)
Canadian researchers found that older people who know several languages have a faster mind than those who know only one language. The researchers also demonstrated that multilingual seniors are less affected by natural factors influencing rapidity of the cerebrum activity, thus keeping them mentally “quicker” than others.


Singapore: New Criteria, Subsidy Cut for Nursing Homes (June 14, 2004)
The Singapore Health Ministry (MOH) recently reviewed the admission criteria and subsidy structure for nursing homes operated by voluntary welfare organizations (VWOs). Many VWOs who raise most of the money on their own in addition to the subsidies from the government are not worried. However VWOs who primarily rely on government subsidies will feel the crunch to pay for services and provide quality care to older adults. 

Singapore: Give Incentives to Keep Elderly at Home (June 14, 2004)
Government officials in Singapore are worried that nursing homes are used as a dumping ground for older adults. The demand for nursing homes is increasing. Government subsidies offered to families to take care of an older adult is expensive compared to the cost when the older adult is shifted to the nursing home. The current subsidy structure has resulted in admission of healthy older adults into nursing homes when they can be taken care of in the community using other resources.

India: Indian Workers' Health Heartache for Economy (June 13, 2004)
A recent report prepared by All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Colombia University of New York, Brazil, South Africa, and Russia indicate cardiovascular disease is widely prevalent among the working age population between 35-64 years. This trend will cause economic costs, especially in countries like India where the population is graying at a faster rate along with high disease prevalence among the working class. The Indian study reported at least 50% of the working population had at least one risk factor. 

United Kingdom: The Medicine Starts to Work (June 9, 2004)
Older adults suffering from minor ailments after surgical procedures have a hard time getting hospital admission for a few days since they do not require acute care. The British City Council and Bristol South and West primary care trust (PCT) two years ago recognized this gap and decided to integrate elder care. The result was the creation of intermediate care services that would provide high level care without hospital admission. This has eased the process for many older adults who live alone and have no one to take care of them.

India: Indian Drug Firms Stand to Gain Much from WTO Talks (June 7, 2004)
Investment bankers JM Morgan Stanley recently released a research report indicating Indian pharmaceutical companies would likely benefit in the US $15 billion generics market in the US and also a part of the US $33 billion market in drug patent arena. Indian pharmaceutical companies have been able to produce drugs for less than one-tenth of the cost in the Western market. A glaring example is anti-Aids drug in Africa made by Indian company sells at US$250 annual cost versus an annual cost of US$15,000 for drugs created by western markets. The upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting is going to be one messy battleground. US and European pharmaceutical companies are going to try their best lobbying to extend the patent periods in order to make more money. 

Canada: Health Canada has Plan for Drug Shortages Caused by Internet Trade: Documents (June 6, 2004)
While United States residents are worried about high cost of prescription drugs, Canadian residents are worried about drug shortages due to the increasing online pharmacy sales across the border. Estimates indicate in four years, about one million uninsured and underinsured Americans have received drugs from Canada resulting in revenue of $1 billion US. Canadian Health officials are discussing the implications of drug shortages for their own citizens. Canada has federally controlled drug prices and hence drugs are cheaper compared to the ones in U.S. Americans save from 30 to 80 percent since Canadian drugs are also priced according to the inflation rate. 

Malaysia: Holding Back the Tide (June 6, 2004)
Malaysia held its first conference on Anti-Aging Medicine in Kuala Lumpur. The conference was attended by about 200 medical scientists from US, Germany, Singapore, Australia and Malaysia. The conference highlighted the importance of anti-ageing medicine for the overall health and well-being of the older adult. The conference also redefined the definition of anti-ageing medicine and clarified its role in early detection, screening, prevention and treatment of age related diseases. Anti Aging practitioners believe aging can be prevented unlike gerontologists who claim aging is an unavoidable process. Please email us your thoughts at globalaging@globalaging.org on what "anti-aging" means to you and its role in our society? 

China: Chinese Experts Suggest Socializing "Mental Support" of the Elders who are Living by their Own (June 2, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
Changsha - With more and more elders living in Chinese society within smaller and smaller family structures, there are more and more problems about their living status. This situation attracts more and more media attention. Among the problems facing elderly in China, "mental support" or "emotional support" of elders gets a lot of news columns. While legal experts agree that it is not practical to legalize "mental support" for elders, they suggest socializing "mental support" of the elders who are living on their own.

France: La Canicule Débute avec 29 °C à Cherbourg, 38 °C à Toulouse (June 1, 2004)
(Article in French)
After the summer 2003 heat wave and the higher mortality among older French people, the existing weather watch map will be restructured. The National Institute of Health Watch and Weather France will join their knowledge to determine the heat wave alert levels. Higher mortality is not the consequence of high temperatures. It is the result of high temperatures during the day and at night over a period of time - generally two-three days. This watch map will be updated twice a day and made available to the public through the media. 

Australia: Elderly Forced to Wait As Aged Care Crisis Worsens (June 1, 2004)
A recent survey of 208 residential care services in Australia show more than 20,000 older adults are on wait lists for nursing homes and aged care hostels. The survey conducted by Aged and Community Services Association found Australians wait an average 24 weeks for a placement in a nursing home and 36 weeks for a placement in a hostel. Australian home and community based services had a waiting list of 1700. Facilities that offer specialized care in dementia had a wait time of two years or more. This survey raises many questions on how Australian elders are coping during this transition period.

Malaysia: Prudential Introduces New PRUsenior Med to Secure the Cost of Old Age (May 31, 2004)
Prudential Assurance Malaysia Bhd (PAMB) recently implemented PRUsenior Med, a new medical plan to provide coverage for hospitalization and surgical expenditures for adults between age 45 and 70. The policy starts at level premium and can be renewed up to age 80. Insurers have to pay a deductible at RM3,000 for RM220 premium per month and another one at RM6,000 for RM 170 premium per month. The policy also offers a benefit of RM5,000 for burial expenses. What are the options for older adults over the age of 70 who have a higher rate of disability and hospitalization charges? 

New Zealand: Vicious Bug Hits Elderly and Hospital Patients (May 27, 2004)
In New Zealand, various rest homes for older adults are experiencing an outbreak of norovirus- a stomach bug that causes diarrhea and vomiting. Norovirus is known for its resilience and can survive on carpet for weeks. Health officials are asking residents to wash their hands thoroughly and disinfect door knobs, bathrooms and toilets.

France: Seules 10% des Maisons de Retraite Climatisées: Le Ministère de la Santé et les Professionnels ont admis, Hier, le Retard du Plan Canicule (May 27, 2004)
(Article in French)
Among the 10,000 nursing homes in France, only 200 bought air conditioners to face a potential heat wave this summer. The Ministry of Health that announced 80% of the nursing homes will be ready by end of June has denounced this situation. The Association for the Nursing Homes Directors (Adehpa) considers this goal unreachable. Moreover, they believe the increase of staff in each nursing home is a priority, but when will this increase happen? 

Singapore: Ignorance about Aids Prevails Among Older Blue-Collar Men (May 24, 2004)
A common misconception is AIDS only affects certain categories of the population. This misconception is evident from the interviews with 10 blue collar men at the Singapore Cruise Centre. Many were unaware of the disease process and their chances of getting it. However, all of them knew the social implications of having the disease. AIDS among older adults is on the rise while many assume it is the disease of the young. AIDS does not discriminate and afflicts everyone if precaution is not taken. Singaporean health officials have a daunting task to educate the general public, especially risky populations, about the disease process of AIDS and prevention strategies.

China: Hospice Care Gaining Popularity (May 24, 2004)
In 1990, China's first hospice care facility was built. Fourteen years later, the number of hospices has grown to 120. Prof Cui Yitai, director of the China Hospice Care Commission, notes that the hospice industry is growing. Families now are more open to overcome taboos associated with accepting hospice care to ensure better quality of end of life for their loved ones. An attitude shift is definitely evident. 

Switzerland: WHO World Health Assembly Adopts Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (May 22, 2004)
Member States adopted The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health at the Fifty Seventh General Health Assembly in Geneva. Non Communicable diseases (NCDs) that include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer are a growing global problem accounting for 60% of deaths. The strategy addresses the health aspects and the types of foods that need to be limited in individual's diets and also the preventative role that various agencies in the private and public sector need to play in order to provide options for a healthy diet and physical activity.

China: Senators Expose a Sinister House for the Aged and the Government Agreed to Investigate it (May 20, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
Huimin Chen, senator from Taipei City and a member of the National Party pointed out that there are a lot of problems in some houses for the aged in Taipei.  He said that  those families who have their elders in the houses dare not to report the problems to the authorities for fear of endangering their elders who live in the houses.

Australia: Elderly Put At Risk: Nurses (May 18, 2004)
Australian officials passed a new law permitting only registered nurses to administer drugs to older residents in high-care nursing homes. However, this law does not apply to mixed care facilities, where unqualified staff is able to administer drugs such as morphine and insulin to residents. The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) is aware of the implications of the passage of this new law putting the lives of older residents at risk. Cost implications for high-care nursing homes may tempt management to switch to a mixed care facility to be able to administer drugs by staff other than a registered nurse. Australian officials need to confer with experts in the field to make sure mixed care facilities do not serve as a loophole to escape hiring registering nurses. 

China: Sex Education Books Targeting the Aged are Published (May 17, 2004)

(Article in Chinese)
Recently a series of books on Scientific Sex Education for All Age Levels were published in Beijing. Among these books, one is specifically targeted to people who are older than 60. The sex problems among the aged have been social problems. Older people also need more information about sex; this is common sense. However, there are still problems regarding how to make the aged willing to receive sex education. 

France: Ce qu'il faut Savoir sur les Médecins (May 17, 2004)
(Article in French)
The reform of the French Health Insurance also concerns doctors and the question of their liberty of installation. In fact, in France, doctors are allowed to open their cabinet or office wherever they want. Then the distribution of doctors is unequal with a huge number settling in urban areas. Rural areas suffer from lack of doctors. Doctors who work in the countryside complain because they have too many responsibilities. 

Malaysia: "Sorry Doc, We Can't Understand You"(May 17, 2004)
Due to a shortage of qualified physicians in Malaysia, the Health Ministry hires foreign doctors to provide care in their public hospitals. A total of 643 foreign doctors currently work in public hospitals. The majority of the local population speaks Bahasa Melayu. However, foreign doctors are not required to be fluent in Bahasa Melayu impeding the quality of care. Most foreign doctors rely on nurses for translation and educating patients on their treatment plan. Malaysian Health Officials need to take initiatives to either hire doctors fluent in Bahasa Melayu or offer an accelerated language course so that patients and doctors can communicate directly. Of course, the country could educate more Malays as doctors as well. 

Canada: Le Canada facilite l'Accès aux Génériques pour les Pays Pauvres (May 14, 2004)

(Article in French)
In Canada a new law requires drug companies to give their medical formula, in order to create generic drugs. This decision is the consequence of the agreement signed in August 2003 in Geneva by the 146 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This procedure will export generic drugs from developed countries to developing countries in order to fight against aid, tuberculosis and malaria. 

France: Canicule: Un Seuil d'Alerte Spécifique est Fixé pour Chaque Département (May 13, 2004)
(Article in French)
The French government created a plan to fight against a possible heat wave during summer 2004. It decided to control the weather by taking into account the unequal reactions of citizens in heat cases. In fact, depending on the region, the population doesn't react in the same way: up to 10 Celsius degrees of differences among regions exist to determine a critical level. This reform is a huge challenge, after the 15,000 deaths of summer 2003. 

France: Ménopause: Prudence Recommandée dans les Traitements Préventifs (May 13, 2004)
(Article in French)
According to two recent scientific studies, the substitution hormonal treatments could increase breast cancer risks and heart problems. The experts of the French Agency for the Health Security (Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire) advised patients to limit the length of their treatment. However, it's only recommendations.

Canada: Nursing Homes to face Major Changes (May 11, 2004)

After the death of an old pensioner of a nursing home in Ontario, the province Health Minister George Smitherman started enquiry and reforms. He recently announced the province will give $191 million a year to nursing homes, in order to hire 2,000 staff and improve residents' quality of life. The minister promised reforms to prevent abuse, by developing inspections and care control and creating a new legislation. 

Scotland: Rise in Elderly is 'Threat' to Free Care Policy (May 5, 2004)
Scottish population is aging: the number of people over 65 is now 800,000 and will rise to 1.3 million by 2042. These changes require an increase in health care needs and spending. Experts believe this situation will put pressure on the Executive that will have to change its strategy regarding elderly health care. In fact, the Executive - the government - won't be able to pay for free care in the long term. 

France: Santé: Douste-Blazy Défend son Plan (May 5, 2004)

(Article in French)
The new health minister presented, in front of the parliamentary commission, his project for the reform of the Health Insurance. Three principles guided this reform: the solidarity of the Health Insurance, the guarantee to assess care, and the quality of care. This reform is crucial, according to Philippe Douste-Blazy. However, many questions haven't been answered yet, such as the hospital involvement or the lower level of medication reimbursement. 

France: Philippe Douste-Blazy dévoile les Grands Axes et l'Organisation de son "Plan Canicule" (May 5, 2004)
(Article in French)
The health minister and the minister for aging people presented the "Plan Canicule" in order to protect frail persons in case of a new heat wave. This plan contains four levels of alert: the vigilance, the alert, the intervention and the requisition. The National Institute of Health Watch (Institut de Veille Sanitaire) and the French Weather (Méteo France) will work together from the first of June to the thirtieth of September, every year. Moreover, the health minister will be personally informed in case of any risk, and will inform the minister of state and the defense minister. 

World: Coping Without Children: Comparative Historical and Cross-Cultural Experiences (May, 2004)

This report looks at the worldwide climate of aging today-physical aging, spiritual aging, psychological aging as well as other aspects of the process which are commonly overlooked by the younger generations. Cross-cultural and national comparisons are considered, as well as possible similarities and differences between modern aging and aging in the past. Special emphasis is placed on elder persons without children, and how they may experience growing old, in a different way.


France: "Sécu": le Déficit se creuse, M. Douste-Blazy précise la Réforme (April 26, 2004)
(Article in French)
The new minister of health, Mr. Douste-Blazy, will present his proposal for the reform of the health insurance in May. The minister wants to delegate the management of the health insurance to social partners and health professionals. This new policy should change the way of the care-taking, but the minister refuses to create different levels of reimbursement for the same pathology.

France: Mieux vaut Manger Sain que de se "Tartiner" de Crème aux Antioxydants (April 23, 2004)
(Article in French)
To get older and healthier, people pay attention to their food habits. Well-balanced meals and regular exercise are the main conditions for a successful aging process. Baby-boomers seem aware of these conditions. However, some doctors warn people against bad food habits linked to age. In fact, seniors lose hunger sensitivity and sometimes cancel one meal per day.

China: A Trend may be Underway as some Elderly Hong Kong Residents go North to Mainland China to Spend their Last Years. (April 18, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
On the picturesque WuTong Mountain in ZhenShen, Yaozong, Tan, the president of the Aging Committee in Hong Kong Special Administrated Zone exclaimed, "By the end of this year, there will be more than 300 elders from Hong Kong to move here. In the future, there will be more and more elders from Hong Kong moving here." Why do the elders in Hong Kong move to ShenZhen? The elderly in Hong Kong are increasing rapidly. If they stay in Hong Kong, it will take a long time to enter an Elder House; in mainland China, they can enter much earlier in ShenZhen.

France: La Propriétaire d'une Maison de Retraite de Seine-et-Marne écrouée (April 17, 2004)
(Article in French)
The director of a retirement home is in jail after the discovery of infractions in her institution. Old people lived in terrible and inhuman conditions, with lack of health care treatment. According to some witnesses, the food was even stale and rotting. No physical abuse has been noted. The residents should be transferred to other nursing homes quickly. The institution's administrator, 73 years old, is also accused of financial robbery and check falsifications. 

United Kingdom: Elderly no More a 'Burden' on NHS than Any other Dying Patient (April 16, 2004) 
In a recent study among 250,000 patients, British researchers disaproved a prejudice regarding old people. In fact, they were accused of being the burden of the health service, because of the cost of admissions to hospital. The study concerned patients of different ages and proved the healthcare needs increase because people get closer to death, regardless of age. The study was published by the British Medical Journal. 

Australia: Ironing out the Wrinkles of Elderly Depression (April 16, 2004)
Nalin Singh, geriatrician at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, examined on the relation between weightlifting and depression. According to the study, based on 60 male and female in their seventies, exercise has a huge impact against depression. The results showed that 60 percent of the participants lost 50 percent of their depression level. However, it's necessary to follow a medical cure, but at least exercise has good effect since it helps elderly to prevent falls and to control high blood pressure or diabetes. Further studies are necessary to corroborate the discovery.

Bahrain: A New Project to Establish an Aging Arab Information Center (April 14, 2004)
(Article in Arabic)
Mr. Saeed Al Samaak, the Deputy of the Al Hikma Pensioners Association, has calculated the costs for the Wise Arab Information Center .  They figure the immediate cost will be $100,000 to start work.  This funding will pay for a specialist in statistics, a specialist in Internet Technology and for the equipment that they need.  The Center will allow older persons to use the internet to communicate.


France: French Retirement Homes not Equipped for Heatwave (April 14, 2004)

France is not yet ready to face a new heatwave during summer 2004. In fact, despite the government requests, only 12 percent of public retirement homes and 24 percent of private retirement homes had air-conditioned common rooms. Most of the nursing homes promised, few months ago, to be ready by July, but the lack of public financing could be responsible for the delay. 

France: L'Association France-Alzheimer aide les Jeunes Chercheurs (April 14, 2004)
(Article in French)
Alzheimer's disease affects 800,000 persons today in France, 650,000 are over 75. Each year, 100,000 new cases appear. The Association France-Alzheimer supports almost 100,000 families and financially assists the research efforts. The association offered 360,000 euros to 22 young scientists in this field. New discoveries should improve the diagnosis for the early stages of the disease. To answer ethical problems, such as the communication of the diagnosis is one of the priorities. 

China: China Should Complete the Security Protection Network for Elders who are Living on their Own (April 7, 2004)

(Article in Chinese)
Shanghai - Several days ago a seventy-year old man went into shock when he was overcome by smoke as he cooked in his kitchen. Nobody knew that the old man went into shock. Similar things have happened before. This report warns the society that elders who live alone need protection with their health and safety. The government needs to complete its security protection network for elders.

France: M. Falco présente son Plan de Prévention contre une Nouvelle Canicule (April 6, 2004)

(Article in French)
Mr. Hubert Falco, delegate minister for old people, met the representatives for the nursing homes, the associations and the private insurances on April 6, 2004. He presented his plan to prevent the effects of a heat wave and to care for frail elderly. The plan will be effective by June. People have to remain mobilized to avoid a new catastrophe, after the one in summer 2003 that caused 15,000 deaths. 

France: Comment la Société Assumera-t-elle le Coût du Vieillissement ? (March 30, 2004)
(Article in French)
The persons in charge of the National Fund for the Health Insurance (CNAM, Caisse nationale d'assurance maladie) worry about the consequences of an aging population: in 2010 the first generation of the baby boom will be 65 and over, and in the same time many doctors will retire. Society will have to support overwhelming health spending while demands for medical staff will increase. The chief executive of the Center of Sociology and Demography, Mr. Bui Dang Ha Doan, thinks France will have to choose between an American Health system, with little coverage, or a British Social Security System, with less health possibility. 

UN Health Agency Seeks to Combat Dangerous Misuse and Overuse of Medicines (March 29 2004)
All over the world, misuse and overuse of medicines, that represent half of the global prescriptions, is an increasing problem. To prevent it, the United Nations Health Agency called for partnerships in order to educate people to the use of drugs and the effects of them. A meeting on that topic began on March 31, 2004 at Chiang Mai, bringing together WHO, governments' representatives and NGOs. They have four days to find out how to improve use of medicine in developing countries. In fact, irrational use of medicines can lead to drug resistance and death. This problem concerns also the developed countries, where the antibiotics are often given without reason.

United Nations Issues: "World Population Policies 2003" (March 24, 2004)
A report on World Population Policies was recently published by the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs at the United Nations. This report addresses the challenges face by developed and developing countries, about health issues, such as HIV/ AIDS, rate of population growth, demographic transition and the ageing population. 

HK takes Initiative in Tackling Elderly Suicide Problem (March 24, 2004)

The Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Prevention of Elderly Suicide opened in Hong Kong. The Secretary for Health Welfare and Food of the government, Mr. Yeoh Eng-Kiong, expects to find solutions on that topic, since the elderly suicide death rate in Hong Kong is the highest among the population. In order to reduce it, the government supports several services to the elderly. The Healthy Aging Campaign, started in 2001, aims at opening public minds to the importance of healthy aging. Moreover some private organizations promote physical health among the elderly. 

England: The Battle for Elderly Care (March 24, 2004)
Since 2002, in England, free long-term care for the elderly is considered as a priority of the National Health Service, since many old people face overwhelming situations when they get sick. This article presents the story of Mr. and Ms. Brett, 77 and 85 years old. Ms. Brett had a stroke last October, and is now unable to do anything by herself, not even eat. For 10 weeks, the hospital wants her to go into a nursing home, but the huge price frightens her husband. Expecting the NHS to support the expense, he refuses to bring his wife into a nursing home. The NHS is not healthy enough to pay for elderly in long-term care, but considering the money they contributed to National Insurance, Mr. Brett expected to be covered.

China: Service First: The Form of Chained-Service for Caring the Elders (Mar 18, 2004)

(Article in Chinese)
Nanjing - PinMei Han, the teacher at the center for the professional training, the manager for the Elders' House, the administrator for the community service center, the president for the Elder's College, is running three Elders' Houses, one professional training center, one community service center as well as the Elder's College. She said, "we gradually formed the chained service for the elders."

China: The Training for Nursing the Elders ABC (March 18, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
With the development of Chinese economy, there are more and more elders who need taken care of by their non-family members. It was released by some insiders that more and more elders pay attention to the nurses' quality. LianDi Zhang, the manager for NanJing XieHe professional training center, said that participants for these trainings want to learn family nursing skills and get a certificate so that they can serve for the elders as a professional family nurse.

France: Craignant un Nouvel Eté Caniculaire, les Directeurs de Maisons de Retraite fustigent l'Inaction du Gouvernement (March 17, 2004)

(Article in French)
Directors of nursing homes accuse the French government of getting rid of its responsibilities by not giving financial means to face a new heat wave in summer 2004. They ask for the creation of 250,000 jobs, in order to reduce the gap between France and other European countries. The government already announced the creation of 15,000 jobs in a five-year-plan. Moreover the financial support from the government may not be available before September 2004. Directors of nursing homes are disappointed and don't want to also be seen as responsible for last summer's drama. 

France: Social: le Recours aux Ordonnances va être Etendu (March 17, 2004)
(Article in French)
A unique social security plan should be created for independent workers. This reform aims at simplifying the current social security system. The decision will be taken in agreement with all the social partners before January 2006. However, liberal workers, like lawyers, will keep their specific funds for old age guarantee.

Bermuda's Island: Bermuda's Elderly to 'Fight for their Rights' (March 15, 2004)
Louise Jackson, the opposition spokesperson for seniors in Bermuda , urged the Island 's government to provide decent healthcare services and facilities for old people. She denounced old people's living conditions, and argued that after all their life working for the country, they deserved a better health care system. Many old people are victim of "staph infections" when they go to the hospital and most of the time, they are not fed enough. According to her, the government is responsible for not providing enough resources: "We don't have a doctor or nurse problem. The money needs to be put in the proper place." 

France: Canicule : "Nous restons Vulnérables face aux Dangers Environnementaux" (March 11, 2004)
(Article in French)
The French Health Minister, Jean-François Mattei, announced the reorganization of the General Department of Health (Direction générale de la santé) during a government meeting. William Dab, director of the General Department of Health indicated to the newspaper 'Le Monde' the main points of the reform. Increasing collaboration among the different departments is a key point. 

China: As it gets Warmer in Beijing, Doctors are Reminding Elders to Exercise in the Evenings instead of in the Mornings (March 8, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
Today in Beijing the temperature climbed to 20℃, the highest temperature this spring and about 7℃ higher than the average March temperature. The reporter learned from Xiang Shan Park and Tao Ran Ting Park that there are about twice the number of older people doing morning exercises than that of two days ago. 

China: Family-based House for the Aged will be the Respect-for-the-Aged model for China (March 8, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
DaLian - Guoying Yang, the 44-year-old resident at MingQuan St. ShaHe District, had been worried about job-hunting. She had never expected that she would be the first five-star attendant for family-based housing for the aged.

China: More and More Men, who Challenge the Traditional Roles of Career, join the Team of Tending the Aged. (March 7, 2004)

(Article in Chinese)
TianJin - Data from organizations devoted to Tending the Aged indicated that more and more men, who challenge the traditional roles of career, join the team of Tending the Aged.

France: A Partir de 50 ans, il Faut être Attentif aux Risques d'Altération de la Vue (March 5, 2004)

(Article in French)
For people over 50, regular vision exams are necessary, in order to prevent any huge disorders. Many of the eyes' ailments are not even discernible by the patient. A medical exam is the best way to take care of one's vision. Ailments, such as the glaucoma or the muscular degeneration linked with aging, could lead to total blindness if not treated in time. 

Malta: Commission for Social Development Report on the forty-second session (February 2003 - February 2004)
The Commission for Social Development of the United Nations held its forty-second session in February 2003 and February 2004, and representatives of 45 States members attended it. A senior person's monitoring project was held in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Jamaica, Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania to see the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. This project figured out that in order to improve the senior's quality of life, to use and strengthen existing structures where older people live is more effective than developing a new structure of participatory assessment. The Commission adopted a resolution on modalities for review and appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.

France: Canicule: le Rapport Accusateur qui Ménage M. Mattei (February 27, 2004)
(Article in French)
The French Parliament Enquiry Commission gave its report regarding the summer 2003 crisis, in which it underlined the Health Ministry incompetence. However, they did not accuse directly the Minister, Mr. Mattei. The report is a compromise between the right and socialist deputies. In the report, the Commission criticized the unacceptable lack of cooperation among the different departments in the Health Ministry. 

France: La Commission propose un " Plan Canicule" (February 27, 2004) (Article in French)
The Heat Wave Crisis Enquiry Commission proposed the creation of a « plan canicule » to help old people in case of a new crisis. The main reforms suggest installing air conditioners in the rooms of nursing homes and modernizing the health care system. The relations between the National Institute of Health Watch (Institut de veille sanitaire) and the General Department of Health (Direction Générale de la santé) should also be reorganized. 

France: Le Ministre Consulte pour l' Assurance-Maladie sous le Regard de Matignon et de l' Elysée (February 27, 2004)
(Article in French)

In the course of the reform of the French Health Insurance, Mr. Mattei met with the trade unions representing doctors. The Health Minister wants social security's expenses to increase less than 5% per year. He also favored negotiations between the various social partners. Consequently, all of them have accepted the reform of the "liberté d'installation" (in France a doctor can open an office wherever he/she wants).  

France: "Une DGS Inconsciente de la Gravité de la Situation" (February 26, 2004)
(Article in French)
The French Parliament Enquiry Commission just wrote a report regarding the summer 2003 heat wave crisis. This report underlines the main factors responsible for the crisis development. First, it points out the fact that neither the National Institute of Health Watch (Institut de veille sanitaire), nor the General Department of Health (Direction Générale de la santé) took into account the weather alerts. The report also denounces the lack of communication between the different administrations and the slow reaction of the responsible officials.

India: Counseling for the Elderly (February 22, 2004)
The Indian government decided to set up 6 pilot centers in which health care and psychiatric counseling would be provided to the elderly. This new project is needed because older people do not always benefit from adequate health care and relatives do not have the capacity to know what is wrong. The health department will provide the health professionals, while NGOs will provide counseling. 

China: The Government Urges Local Communities to Take Care of their Elders (February 21, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
The City Civilian Department is planning ways to take care of the 1,000,000 elders who live by themselves in China. The Civilian Department encourages families as well as community members to take care of elders. The Department wants to build up an organized network to assist and relate to elders. 

China: 171 Elder Houses remodel their buildings and added 13,000 beds (February 17, 2004)
(Article in Chinese)
Before the Chinese New Year, the elders who are living in the Elders House in TaiHu Town Tong Zhou District happily moved the newly-remodeled building. The elders in the House were happy because they are living in the ancient-style architectures, and using the newly multimedia hall and library. The officer at The City Civilian Department said that the city has remodeled 171 Elder Houses and the majority of the elders celebrated the Chinese New Year in the new House. 

Vietnam: Vietnam's Elderly Population on the Rise (February 16, 2004)
At the "Actions for the Elderly" conference in Hanoi, officials from national and international health organizations discussed how to address rising numbers of older persons in Vietnam. By 2014, elderly people will represent 10 percent of the Vietnamese population. Conference participants suggested means to improve elderly people's lives with specific health care improvements and a special nutritional diet. 

France: Equiper les Maisons de Retraite contre "la très Forte Chaleur" (February 13, 2004)
(Article in French)
Hubert Falco, the state secretary for the elderly, issued an official paper ordering nursing homes to improve security and comfort for the elderly. Each nursing home will have to create "pièces rafraîchies" (cooling rooms equipped with air conditioners), as well as atomizers or fans to help residents through a heat wave. The department prefect officials will enforce these measures. The two representative trade unions for nursing homes, the Adehpa and the Synerpa, denounced the lack of funding plans to support the orders.

France: Obésité: les Français doivent réapprendre à marcher (February 12, 2004)
(Article in French)
Obesity is one of the biggest health problems in developed countries. Bad food habits, like consuming saturated fat and sugar, contribute to obesity, and lack of physical exercise may also lead to coronary thrombosis, diabetes and osteoporosis. French officials have created the "Programme National Nutrition Santé" (National Program for Health and Nutrition) in order to promote physical activity and reduce obesity risks.

France: Pour Assurer le Financement de l'APA, le Gouvernement Débloquera 1,7 Milliard en 2004 (February 11, 2004)
(Article in French)
The State Secretary for the Elderly, Hubert Falco, says the government will still finance the Allocation Personnalisée d'Autonomie (the "Personal Autonomy Allocation," a fund that helps older people remain autonomous) with 1.7 billion euros this year. Falco made the announcement after the release of the Senate Information Mission's report, "France and the French Facing the Heat Wave." The report denounces the French system's inability to respond adequately to a health emergency. In order to improve the system's capacity, the Senate Mission wants the regional prefect officials to have more liberty to make decisions in a crisis involving elderly persons. 

France: Assurance-maladie: M. Mattei Appelle à la "Responsabilisation" (February 11, 2004)
(Article in French)
On February 9th, French Health Minister Jean François Mattei gathered together 57 employer and employee representatives' delegations to discuss the reform of the French health system. Mr. Mattei hopes to stick to advice from the High Council for the Reform of Health Insurance to control expenses, and the key word of the reform is "collective responsibility." The minister argues that all parties, including the state, private insurance companies, doctors and patients, must make changes in their health assumptions and practices in order for the reform to succeed. 

France: Maisons de Retraite : le Scandale Continue (February 10, 2004)
(Article in French)
During the heat wave of summer 2003, 4,610 elderly persons died in French nursing homes. The French Parliament Enquiry Commission just finished its enquiry into the deaths, but nursing homes have made no significant changes in the meantime. The General Inspector for Social Affairs (IGAS) underlined the causes of the situation: old buildings, inefficient and inadequate staff, and lack of space. 10,000 beds will be available in the next couple of years, but the need is urgent: by 2020, 4 million people in France will be over 80 years old.

Prévenir les maladies coronariennes et l'obésité (February 3, 2004)

(Article in French)
Every year, one third of deaths all over the world are caused by arteriosclerosis disease, which is hardening of the arteries. The illness is caused by bad food habits, including too much sugar and saturated fat, and plagues both developed and developing countries.  The risks of arteriosclerosis increase with age, as well as with diabetes, obesity, and smoking. The International Arteriosclerosis Society (IAS) was created in 1979 to prevent the global spread of the disease, but governments must be held responsible to urge the food industry to inform consumers about the risks of a poor diet.

France: La crise de la canicule met en lumière les graves carences de la prise en charge des personnes âgées (January 31, 2004)
(Article in French)

The General Inspector for Social Affairs (IGAS) released a report about the elder care system in France, and submitted it to the French Parliament Enquiry Commission. In its report, the IGAS underlines the poor conditions of hospitals and nursing homes and the lack of sufficient facilities. From 1996 to 2001, while the population over 75-year-old increased by 3%, the number of available beds only increased by 1%. The waiting lists are long for these ill-equipped establishments. 

France: Le Haut Conseil pour l'Assurance-Maladie Parvient à un "Diagnostic Partagé" sur les Maux du Système (January 24, 2004)
(Article in French)
According to the High Council for the Future of Health Insurance, the need for French Health Insurance reform has reached emergency proportions. Social representatives unanimously approved the report given by Bertrand Fragonard arguing that the entire health system has to improve in order to support Health Insurance. Fragonard proposes that the state must draw from the "Contribution Sociale Généralisée" (CSG), forcing the government to increase retirement and unemployment contributions to the CSG.

Canada: Nursing Homes Getting Surprise Checks (January 23, 2004)
Ontario's health minister, George Smitherman, ordered surprise annual inspections of the province's nursing homes after the release of a scandalous Toronto Star report on nursing home neglect. Smitherman also demanded additional reforms, including increasing the number of registered nurses in each home and the time devoted to each patient. Moreover, the ministry plans to force nursing homes to become more transparent so that patients and families can assess a nursing home's reputation before choosing to live there.

France: Le Rapport suggère de mieux rembourser les Assurés qui ont une démarche de Prévention (January 23, 2004)
(Article in French)
In its report, the High Council for the Future of Health Insurance suggests ways to reform medical and drug coverage in France. In one proposal, drug reimbursements would be linked with the safety, efficacy, and efficiency of the drug. The proposal would also require a stronger cooperation between the national Health Insurance and the private insurance companies.

United Kingdom: Half Care Homes Fail Drug Safety Test (January 22, 2004)
According to the UK National Care Standards Commission (NCSC), almost 45% of older people's care homes do not administer drugs to their patients safely. NCSC inspectors also uncovered many forms of elder abuse and neglect, responding to 1,278 complaints of abuse last year. Another commission, the Commission for Healthcare Inspection (CHI), also pointed out "serious service failures" such as staff problems or bad governance in UK care homes. 

France: Sept syndicats mobilisent contre le "désenchantement hospitalier" (January 21, 2004)
(Article in French)

Doctors' and other health workers' unions have decided to demonstrate on  January 22, 2004, in part of a huge national action day to protect the French public hospital system. The unions denounce the difficult working conditions and the lack of adequate health care for patients. Health workers in the psychiatric, pediatric and geriatric fields have particularly mobilized for the demonstration, which will bring both doctors' and other health workers' unions together for the first time in 15 years.

France: Assurance-maladie: Le Haut Conseil juge prioritaire d'améliorer l'organisation et la qualité des soins. (January 15, 2004)
(Article in French)
Bertrand Fragonard, Presidentof the High Council for the Future of Health Insurance, will present the Council's recent report to the French government on January 23rd. Fragonard argues that France should not go into huge debt to support health insurance; an older population will already raise health demands and spending. In order to finance Health Insurance, he argues the state must draw from the "Contribution Sociale Généralisée."

Canada: Overhaul nursing homes, Toronto says (January 13, 2004)
The city of Toronto's citizen's advisory and community services committees are pressuring Ontario Minister of Health George Smitherman to improve the province's care system for the elderly. A recent report on nursing home neglect, based on the ministry's own data, shows widespread abuse of older people and lack of information for families to protect their aged relatives. Toronto citizens request that Smitherman improve transparency and community involvement in elder care and increase funding for staff and resources. However, some area nursing home supervisors denied allegations of neglect.

France : Assurance-maladie : la cruelle leçon américaine (January 8, 2004)

(Article in French)
 France 's health insurance system faces a turbulent period of inevitable change, and drug companies are lobbying for changes that would strengthen their influence over the system and increase their profit margin. Proposed changes would shift health insurance in  France closer to the American model, at the risk, some argue, of eroding the traditional French system's foundation of social solidarity. Wealthier people could apply for private insurance, but people who can't afford that would have little support. The winners of such a system would be the pharmaceutical industry and private insurance companies.

Elderly Fall Victim to Heat Stress (January 7, 2004)
A severe heat wave in Australia is putting older people particularly at risk. Many seniors suffer from dehydration as temperatures and humidity rise, putting stress on the heart and respiratory system. To prevent complications, older people should drink a lot of water and stay in an air conditioned or cool room; exercise in the middle of the day should be avoided, as should alcohol, tea or coffee.

Germany's Bayer Wins Right To Limit Supply to Discounters ( January 6, 2004 )
The EU's highest court ruled that the German drug company Bayer can legally limit sales to wholesalers to prevent them from exploiting price differences between countries, representing a major victory for the pharmaceutical industry. During the nineties, Bayer limited its sales to French and Spanish wholesalers, where drug prices are regulated, to prevent them from re-selling the medications to Great Britain at a higher price. Wholesalers fined the company twice for violating anti-cartel laws, but the European Court of Justice recently ruled the practice legal. The decision may create a precedent giving drug companies control over where and to whom they want to sell their products.

Report: Middle East: The Middle East Academy for Medicine of Ageing (2004)
The first session of the Middle-East Academy for Medicine of Ageing, the MEAMA, started with a focus on the demographic situation in the region and the problems the participants meet in their own countries related to older peoples’ access to health services. Although the number of participants was small, the participants were highly engaged in the problems of health related problems of older patients. Perhaps MEAMA could be forum for stimulating the development of services for older people in the Middle-East area.