Elder Rights : World
Archives : 2001
Frameworks
Matter: Ecosocial and Health and Human Rights
Perspectives on Disparities in Women's Health-The Case
of Tuberculosis (December 2001)
In this article, they present two frameworks-ecosocial and
health and human rights which could prove useful to
furthering work on understanding and addressing societal
patterns of health, disease, and well-being.
Cost of developing new
medicine swelled to $802 million, research study reports
(December 3, 2001)
According to researchers at Tufts University, the average
cost of discovering and developing a new medicine has
risen to $802 million and the average development time is
12 years. Pharmaceutical companies are spending more money
on research whereas so many people do not have access to
health care and drugs.
Generations United
releases data on grandparent caregivers
According to a new data from the US Census and released by
Generations United, 4.5 million children under 18 are
living in grandparent-maintained households. About 2.4
million grandparent caregivers are responsible for meeting
the basic needs of their grandchildren. The young
generation needs the elderly to grow up in a better world.
Older Afghans ‘could suffer most’
(December 10, 2001)
According to Help Age International “Ageing and
development“ newsletter, from December 10, 2001, the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC) has warned that older Afghans, both
inside and outside their country, could suffer most in the
crisis engulfing the region.
China wants to set
drug-price caps, angering pharmaceutical companies
(December 3, 2001)
Chinese officials want to impose price caps on the drug
industry. A maker of patented drug could sell it for no
more than 30 % to 40 % beyond what it would cost a generic
Chinese manufacturer to produce. China’s health-care
system needs help and Beijing is developing new health
programs.
Chile's Experience with
Social Security Privatization: A Model for the United
States or a Danger Sign?
In 1981, Chile’s military dictatorship privatized the
oldest social insurance program in the Americas. Workers
are required to redirect all their Social Security
contributions to personal pension accounts. But this
system has had bad consequences as reported in this
article by the Century Foundation.
Lonely old people and
orphan children evacuated from Chechnya to Podmoskovye.
(November 14, 2001)
Lonely old people and children were evacuated from
Chechnya to Podmoskovye by the Russian Orthodox church and
Moscow governing bodies. The problem facing old people is
extremely urgent. Bandits abuse old people for the sake of
profit .by taking away their pensions or financial
compensation.
Une résidence pour les
malades d'Alzheimer (November 13, 2001)
(in French) In the French newspaper, “Le Parisien”,
an article describes a new house will be built for
patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a
beautiful, well-equiped house that will welcome people in
September 2002.
Economists appeal for
a new Globalization (November 7, 2001)
Some economists want to introduce some questions
concerning the access to northern hemisphere market and
the imbalance existing between North and South into the
discussions which will take place in the next Conference
of the World Trade Organisation in Doha, Qatar between the
9th and the 13th November 2001.
A pioneer in the
battle to avert needless suffering (November 6, 2001)
Palliative care is the active total care of patients whose
disease is no longer responsive to curative therapy. It
emphasizes symptom control and supportive therapy. Most of
the patients suffers from a cancer or an other disease and
their treatments because they do not have access to
palliative care.
Fee structure for elderly care
needs comprehensive review
(November 5, 2001)
Not all of elderly people need a full physical nursing
care service. Home care workers are one type of care
workers who help those old people in Japan. While there
are lots of demands of home care workers, there are few
who want to take this job. The reason is low pay. Service
providers
have to change their view point now: increasing pay
to workers, hiring more skilled persons, and then they can
provide better quality of care.
Elder Chinese Struggle in
US (October, 21, 2001)
This is the voice of elderly Chinese immigrants who
accomplished their dreams in America; to give their
children a better life and bright future. After their
children left home, their parents left their empty nest
struggling to find their own life and feeling isolated
from the new environment where they have never got
accustomed. What do they need? Who and how can these
immigrants be helped? Issues these elderly immigrants seem
complicated.
Les retraités apprennent
l'euro en s'amusant (October 10, 2001)
(in French) The elderly learn how to use the new “Euro”
currency in an amusing way. In the French newspaper, “Le
Parisien”, an article describes elderly people who
play games in order to learn how to use the future Euro,
when it begins to replace French Francs, January 1st,
2002.
Ruée sur le marché de l'or
gris (September 13, 2001)
(in French) Aging of the population improves the sectors
of health, insurance and hobbies. However, only a few
French companies have decided to invest seriously in this
sector. For Jacques Bourges-Maunoury, director of
management in UBS (Financial Services Group) in France, 3
big sectors will benefit from the aging of the population:
medical (medicine, private clinics, …), hobbies (travel,
gardening, …), and finally bank and insurance (some
elderly people are active investors).
Seniors and the Law
(Summer 2001)
"Elder law", the specialized practice of law which affects
the interests of older adults is becoming more and more
important. This Expression volume presents a glossary of
legal terms, offers a list of resources and suggests
avenues of inquiry to find help with many legal issues
facing seniors today.
The Russian Pensioners
Became Slightly Rich: on 10 % (August 1, 2001)
(in Russian) From the 1st of August the average pension in
Russia became 1120 rubles (~$37), states RIA News.
Serbs in Orahovac - "Prisoners" who
Depend on Humanitarian Help
July 02, 2001)
In Orahovac, situated 500 meters around the orthodox
church, where, in 1999 3,000 Serbs lived, now remains only
500 and they survive solely thanks to humanitarian help.
What hurts them, as well as all Serbs in Kosovo, is the
fact that they are forgotten. The streets around the
church are empty. In front of some houses there are old
people playing chess.
Care Work Security (June,
2001)
Care is one of most essential types of work; however, it
is not considered labour statistics. ILO emphasized this
point and held the Workshop called “Care Work Security” in
Geneva.
A flight of fancy for
the elderly of Tokyo (June 23, 2001)
“The Royal Dream Stay Plan” is the package service one
Japanese company sells to elderly men over 65 years old.
What elderly people can get from this package is not home
care, not food catering, either. It is an enjoyable time
with a flight attendant. In Japan, flight attendants are
the symbol of young and good looking. Also they are used
to taking care of people according to this company’s
comment. This article pointed out the other face of Japan
to live in coping with aging society.
Okinawa weaving tradition dying out
(June 18, 2001)
This article points out technology or values which elderly
bring from previous generations can be quickly lost. But
the truth is that the advanced technology can not replace
everything in the society, especially preserving
traditions. This article reveals the problem one of the
villages in Okinawa Pref., has the longest average life
span in Japan, which is caused by that kind of phenomena.
Ogimi village faces the reality that the traditional
fabric production called ‘bashofu” has to be discontinued
because of decreasing the number of elderly women who can
contribute to make the beautiful fabric.
Russia's population likely to
dwindle 2.5 times 50 years later (June 14, 2001)
The number of children and young people in Russia has
dwindled by six million in the last 10 years. Moreover 40%
of children are born absolutely healthy, stated Natalya
Rimashevskaya, director of the Institute of Social and
Economic Problems of the population.
Considerable Changes to Take
Place in Russia's Social Sphere (June 14, 2001)
The average pension should exceed the living wage in
2001, stated Putin in his message to the Federal Assembly.
Considerable changes of a liberal nature are to take place
in all areas of the social sphere in the foreseeable
future. The article, however, does not mention the amount
of a “living wage.”
Vieillir et conduire,
plus besoin de choisir (June 13, 2001)
(in French) In the French newspaper, “Le Figaro,” an
article, Professor Jean-Francois Caillard, president of
the medical council for Road Accident Prevention, shows
that the older one becomes, the more time it takes to
adjust to a road incident. In some countries, a test is
obligatory for older persons to demonstrate their skill.
However, statistics show that such tests are not good
predictors of who will have an accident on the road.
Curar y Cobrar, Una Dificil
Convivencia (June 12, 2001)
(In Spanish) This article, printed in La Nacion in
Argentina, mentions that public health funds are not being
efficiently utilized in Argentina. Lack of laws supporting
social security and medical care are giving way to
mismanagement of funds that should go specifically to a
certain portion of the population; mainly the
elderly.
Deux Scenarios pour
le Vieillissement (June 11, 2001)
(in French) In this article, taken from Le Monde,
two contradictory scenarios have been established
concerning the French economic growth on the base of the
evolution of the demography. While one scenario is focused
on seniors’ needs, the other one predicts a dynamic
economy generated by the new generations. Experts expect
an important change in seniors’ saving and consuming
behaviors, because now retirement doesn’t mean the end of
life.
The Situation of Older Refugees
(June 6, 2001)
A survey conducted by UNHCR in 1997 indicated that older
refugees make up a much larger proportion of the UNHCR
caseload than previously assumed. A 1998 UNHCR evaluation
entitled UNHCR Assistance to Older Refugees,
identified three crucial factors all these people have in
common: they are in situations of social disintegration,
negative social selection and chronic dependency.
Twee miljard voor arme
bejaarden (June 6, 2001)
(In Dutch) According to De Standaard, the Belgian
government has adopted a new law regarding income security
for the elderly, replacing the former system. As such, the
new system ensures higher payments and furthermore
eradicates the inequalities between men and women.
No dejar para mañana...(May 25,
2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the Columbian
newspaper El Pais, reports that in Columbia, as
well as in Japan, the aging population is increasing day
after day. Governments must become aware of this issue and
reform the whole social security system to assure adequate
social protection.
'Aprender a morir lleva su tiempo'
(May 18, 2001)
(in Spanish) An interesting article, taken from the daily
Spanish newspaper El Pais, dealing with the
euthanasia issue in Spain. An association called “ the
right to death in dignity” tries to make this very Roman
Catholic country aware of this real taboo concern.
Fuenlabrada pagará parte de la
limpieza de casas de los ancianos (May 18, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the daily Spanish
newspaper Diario 16, reports a notable program
financed by a local government and designated to help on
the elderly in their “everyday life at home, physically as
well as psychologically.” Spain, one of the most aging
countries in the world, is making an effort to find some
concrete responses, like this one, to this issue.
Moreover, let’s recall that Spain will be hosting the
Second World Assembly on Aging, in Madrid, in April
2002.Visit our page
on this special event.
Vivre mieux, plus longtemps (May
17, 2001)
(in French) This serie of articles, published in the
French magazine L’Express, is an excerpt from a
whole study about how to live better longer. That’s why
the concept of longevity, and not of ageing, is
predominant: growing old is considered as a physical
process that medicine tries to prevent and to repair. In
addition, the last part of the report is concentrated on
the centenarians, from which some rules can be learned for
everyday life: stay active by keeping the body and the
mind alert, prevent isolation by maintaining a rich social
and familial life, and have a zen attitude about life and
its little worries.
Elderly isolated at home (May 8, 2001)
Japan is the country where almost 15 percent of the entire
population is 65 years old or over. It used to be very
common to live together two or three generations at the
same house, however, today there are many elderly people
who live alone or couples. The recent survey being
conducted by The Japan Federation of Public Service
Employees’ Union showed that highly percentage of these
elderly people have isolated lives: no one who can take
care of them in the emergency situation, no friends, and
no connection with their neighborhoods.
Pensioners spark race row at home (May 6, 2001)
An outrageous story about an elderly black man, who has
been rejected from a residential home in Coventry, Great
Britain. The family has decided to file a suit. The
Guardian reports.
El 4% de los mayores de 60 años sufre
abuso psicológico (May 2, 2001) (in Spanish) This
article, taken from the daily Argentine newspaper La
Nacion, reveals that, according to a survey, 4 per
cent of the elderly suffer from "psychological abuse."
This issue affects more than one and half million persons
in Argentina.
Blair sides with
drug giants (March 31, 2001)
This British article quotes an
official report unveiling Tony Blair’s position
concerning pharmaceutical companies’ patents in poor
countries. According to Prime Minister, to protect
intellectual property rights is more important than
promote affordable medicines, such as generic drugs.
Actually, it seems that Tony Blair wants, first and
foremost, to protect one of the most important
British industries.
'I had to fight
for, she couldn't fight for herself' (April 26,
2001)
This article, published in The Guardian, reports a
terrifying case of an old woman who was raped in a
British nursing home, Buckinghamshire nursing home. Her
husband recalls how difficult it has been to urge the
court to take on the case enabling to prosecute her
attacker.
Seuls les députés
socialistes ont voté l'allocation personnalisée
d'autonomie (April 20, 2001)
(in French) This article, from Le Monde, shows
that only Socialists voted for legislation concerning the
dependant person over 60. Other political forces (the
Gaullist party, the Green party and the Communist party)
did not support it because they generally think the
financing is uncertain.
Euthanasie: entre crime et
compassion (April 19, 2001)
(In French) This article in L’Express discusses
the new law on euthanasia in the Netherlands, which will
be the first country to legalize euthanasia. Other
countries tolerate euthanasia in specific cases but have
not legalized its applicability. This article discusses
the policy of the different countries and raises other
issues related to euthanasia.
To oldly go into an upbeat future
(April 18, 2001)
This article, published in The Guardian, reports
the wide disparity between the idea of retirement and
reality. The author underscores that despite a European
regulation aiming at banning age discrimination in the
workplace and greater flexibility in the retirement age by
2006, there is still a lot to do.
Here is a dossier in German on the much debated issue
about euthanasia, with an article (the first one below)
describing the unlikely legalization of such practice in
Germany.
El envejecimiento de la población
pondrá en crisis la asistencia a ancianos en 20 años
(April 17, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the Spanish daily
newspaper El Mundo, quotes a survey released in
March 2001 concerning the elderly in Spain. The report
gives us useful information and highlights that troubles
will appear, in 20 years, when “baby-boomers” be
older.
Encuentros en la tercera edad
(April 17, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the Spanish daily
newspaper El Pais, deals with older persons’ new
behaviors in our societies, and more precisely concerning
their sexuality.
Vivent les vieux (April 17,
2001)
(in French) This article reports a new measure proposed by
the French government intended to help older people.
This help will concern 800 000 old people and will vary
depending on revenues. This article is an editorial taken
from the French newspaper Libération.
"Je crois au
lien entre les générations" (April 17, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Libération, is an interview with the
French Secretary of Social Affairs, Elizabeth Guigou,
Ministre de la Solidarité, who shares her point of view
concerning the ageing of the population and how
significant the new state benefit for older people is.
Une
allocation pour le droit à bien vieillir (April 17,
2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Libération, unveils the latest details
about a new state help for the elderly in France. The
article also reviews the reforms, which have been
undertaken so far and explains which changes this new
reform is going to bring in the life of old people.
La ministra holandesa de Sanidad
respalda el uso por ancianos de la 'píldora del
suicidio' (April 15, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the daily Spanish
newspaper Diario 16, deals with the recent Dutch
law concerning Euthanasia and older persons.
Korean Doctors Push for
Mercy Killing (April 13, 2001)
This article, published in The New York Times,
shows that Korean doctors are pushing for euthanasia.
Mercy killings are illegal in South Korean but the example
of the Netherlands, which is the first country to legalize
them, helps to activate Korean Medical Association members
in favor of euthanasia.
Horror Expressed in Germany Over
Dutch Euthanasia (April 12, 2001)
This article, published in The New York Times,
shows that the reactions against the Netherlands’
legalization of euthanasia are very strong in Germany. The
extent of the reaction, far greater than in any other
European country, seems to reflect the tragic heritage of
the Nazi period: between 1939 and 1941 the Nazis proceeded
with the clandestine elimination of thousands of mentally
or physically handicapped-persons.
Switching off gran (April
12, 2001)
At a time when euthanasia is a red-hot topic,
resuscitation, in this article taken form the British
newspaper The Guardian, is a topic issue as well.
After numerous complaints from patients it has been
acknowledged that some doctors have abused their rights
and wrote down the mention DNR, Do Not Resuscitate, on
some patients' records without even consulting them. A
practice which has triggered a general outcry among
patients' families.
Deux
responsables du MNR comparaissent à Versailles, prévenus
d'avoir inscrit contre leur gré des personnes âgées sur
leur liste (April 12, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Le Monde, reports an outrageous
practice by a French racist and xenophobic right-wing
party, the Mouvement National Répubulicain, which urged 39
vulnerable elderly people to sign a list in order to
create this party.
Le tabou de l'euthanasie
(April 12, 2001)
(in French) This article, extracted from the editorial
of Le Monde, shows how difficult and controversial
the debate on euthanasia has become. According to an
individual point of view, the freedom to die in dignity in
order to stop useless suffering could be encouraged. But,
on a collective point of view, the fact to stop a life,
which will have no future, is not acceptable. The large
support in the French society in favor of euthanasia is
due to the message of the consumerist society, which
claims that a life is valuable just because it is
beautiful and useful. The author thinks that a new
conception of mankind is going to be developed.
Netherlands
Legalize Euthanasia (April 11, 2001)
This article, published in The Chicago Tribune,
shows that the Netherlands is now the first country in the
world to legalize mercy killings and assisted suicide. The
article describes also all the necessary mechanism for a
patient and his doctor to be allowed to practice
euthanasia.
Les Pays-Bas,
premier pays au monde à légaliser la "mort douce"
(April 11, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in Le Monde,
shows that the Netherlands Senate has approved the law
legalizing euthanasia. The right wing and the extreme left
wing have voted against the law. The governmental parties
(social-democrats and liberals) were in favor of the
legalization of euthanasia. The Netherlands is now the
first country in the world to legalize definitely this
medical practice.
Les
Pays-Bas légalisent l'euthanasie (April 10, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in Le Monde,
shows that the Netherlands Senate has approved the law
legalizing euthanasia. The Netherlands is now the first
country in the world to legalize definitely this medical
practice.
Législations
et pratiques de l'euthanasie dans le monde (April 10,
2001)
(in French) This short article, extracted from Le
Monde, shows that euthanasia remains taboo around
the world. Countries have different attitudes toward
euthanasia: in France and Great Britain it is illegal; in
Denmark the patient can choose; in Sweden the “assisted
suicide” is tolerated, in the United states it is illegal
but the Appeal Court of New York authorized medical
euthanasia in April 1996…
En France, le
Comité national d'éthique prône une exception (April 10,
2001)
(in French) This article, extracted from Le Monde,
shows that euthanasia is an important debate in the French
society. In a report, the National Ethic Committee wants
to create an “exception” without modifying the Criminal
Code in order to break the hypocrisy of narrow practices.
Tele 5 implica sus
programas en el apoyo a las personas mayores (April 11,
2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the Spanish daily
newspaper El Pais, heralds an original initiative
promoted by the popular TV-channel Tele 5. In April 2001,
the Channel begins to point out some significant issue
about older persons and social protection, pensions and
the elderly’ s difficulties in every day life, in the
basis of short reports.
Aiming
for a dignified death (April 8, 2001)
This article, published in The Observer, a
British newspaper, raises the issue of equal treatment
irrespective of age. It offers a highlight on the
situation in British hospitals and the allocation of empty
beds. More particularly it focuses on protecting the
dignity of older persons.
Older
people get the benefits of new rules (April 7, 2001)
This article, published in The Guardian reports
the positive consequences of new rules for the elderly in
Great Britain. Further financial benefits will be
allocated to old people and initiatives, such as Your
rights week launched by Age concern, aim at better
informing elderly people of their prerogatives and
averting any abuse or discrimination in the
workplace.
Indigenous
S.Africans Demand Rights (April 1, 2001)
This article, extracted from The New York Times,
shows the situation of indigenous, and especially the
Khoisan people, in South Africa before and after
apartheid. For older people, who are very poor, the
situation has not changed. Khoisan people want to have
access to ancestral land, which is denied by the
South-African government, in order not to be dependent on
other people.
Estiman que hay 500
geriátricos ilegales Cerrados (March 29, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the daily Argentine
newspaper La Nacion, unveils that the government
closed 500 geriatric centers since January owing to
unhealthiness. The elderly slept on the ground, sometimes
in the middle of rubbish, were mistreated and abandoned.
These centers were clandestine; nevertheless some were
totally legal...
Il n'y a pas d'âge pour
surfer (March 28, 2001)
(in French) There is no age limit to use internet. In the
French newspaper, “Le Figaro”, an article relates
that elderly people are using the Internet more and more.
They like every kind of website (culture, research, quiz,
game, …), but specifically those about elderly people.
L'Insee prédit un
"vieillissement inéluctable" de la population dans les
prochaines décennies (March 27, 2001)
(in French) This article, published in the French
newspaper Le Monde, reports the demographic
forecasts for France reviewing the basic gauges: fertility
rate, mortality rate... The ageing of the population is
growing at a tremendous pace.
Cada vez hay más
ancianos (March 26, 2001)
(in Spanish) An interesting article taken from the daily
Argentine newspaper Clarin releasing a World
health Organization's survey giving various data about the
graying of the world's population.
Beneficios para 70
mil ancianos (March 24, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the daily argentine
newspaper Clarin heralds a food program for the
poorest old people. Not only does this program provide
them basic food in special centers but also a social
protection in case of disease.
Dos millones de
ancianos necesitan ayuda en su vida diaria (March
23, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the daily Spanish
newspaper Diario 16 discloses a survey showing that
2 million old people in Spain cannot live on their own,
having to be helped in their everyday life. This survey
underscores that this will increase in the next year and
that Spain must become aware of this thorny problem.
"Somos muchos viejos y
no sé cómo lo harán" (March 23, 2001)
(in Spanish) A short interview taken from the daily
Spanish newspaper Diario 16 of a lovely 93 year old
woman giving her point of view about the older person's
conditions.
Elderly Poverty Rates
in Canada (March 23, 2001)
This article provides data on elderly poverty in
Canada. Poverty is measured using Statistics Canada's
LICOs. Elderly refers to people aged 65 years and over.
Any older person
could become a victim of abuse (March 23, 2001)
This article, extracted from the Canadian newspaper The
Gazette, intends to give an accurate definition of
older person’s abuse. It examines also the reasons why the
elderly are often reluctant to talk about abuse.
The
number of retired people is likely to rise faster than
the number in work, cutting the ratio of workers to
dependants (March 22, 2001)
This article, published in the British newspaper The
Times, raises the issue of elderly people and the
workforce. In an increasing world, where the number of old
people keeps speeding up, new regulations, measures or
policies, such as the British Government pension policy,
are heavily influenced by elderly people.
Realizarán una
encuesta popular para la tercera edad (March 21,
2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the daily
Argentine newspaper Clarin, heralds an official
survey promoted by a local government, concerning the
elderly. Every old person, 20 per cent of the population,
will have to answer 20 questions about their feelings,
thoughts or wishes regarding their every day life.
Psychology of
Aging (March 21, 2001)
This article, extracted from Montreal The Gazette,
examines the perceptions and misconceptions about the
aging process. It provides information about culture,
health, way of living and aging.
Report on the
Women's International War Crimes Tribunal
(March19, 2001)
See attached report of elderly women seeking redress
of sex crimes committed against them fifty years ago.
Una señora denuncia
a una residencia de ancianos por desatención (March16,
2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the daily Spanish
newspaper Diario 16, relates the sad story of an
old woman neglected by a geriatric center's nurses, for
one month, in Spain. It illustrates the problems that have
sometimes to face the elderly in such centers.
Una escuela de
abuelos potenciara el papel social de los mayores
(March16, 2001)
(in Spanish) This article, published in the daily
Spanish newspaper Diario 16, relates an original
initiative promoted by the city of Mosteles, in Spain.
Recognizing the rule that the elderly have in families and
society, a school for old persons has been created to
teach them what they can do with and for their
grandchildren, in order to link two very different
generations.
Ministers aim to
keep old people in work (March 15, 2001)
The UK government wants to keep older people at work
proposing to raise the age of retirement at 65. Not only
do British Ministers believe cutting them out of work is a
waste of talent and harmful to the economy. They are
concerned that the population is getting older and there
are not sufficient replacements from younger age cohorts.
The Daily Telegraph reports.
Volunteers or
victims? (March 14, 2001)
This article, published in the daily British newspaper The
Guardian relates various overwhelming stories about
old Argentine people clinically tested without consent, by
their doctors, corrupted by some big pharmaceutical
companies.
El nuevo Plan
Gerontologico, pendiente del Pacto de Tolodo (March 14,
2001)
(in Spanish) This article, taken from the daily Spanish
newspaper El Pais, deals with the aging issue in
Spain. Underscoring that 20 per cent of the population
will be more than 65 in 2020, the article highlights that
Spain must find a new and comprehensive approach regarding
the elderly and the pensions issue.
Doctor dismisses notion
of delaying retirement to 65 (March 14, 2001)
This article, published in The Times, reports the
story of a doctor in Britain, who is about to retire and
who does not want to postpone his retirement while
receiving incentive payments offered by the Health
Secretary. This scheme, lately implemented to avert labor
shortages in the health sector, does not seem to fit to
everybody.
Happy Campers
(March 11, 2001)
This article, published in British newspaper The
Observer, reports the rather unusual way of
living of a seventy three year-old lady, who has decided
to travel and live most of the time in a converted
delivery van. She enjoys her style of living and shares
her reasons.
L'APA concernera 800
000 personnes âgées (March 7, 2001)
(in French) In the French newspaper “Le Figaro,” an
article discussed a French Government law project which
can help people who cannot take care of themselves. When
they retire, these persons will be classified according to
their capacities and how much they earn. In this way, they
will receive an amount which will help to purchase the
caregiving support they need to improve their lives.
Lifetime 9 to 5
forever (February 27, 2001)
This article, published in the British newspaper The
Times, reports a growing trend in the workplace.
More and more old people do not want to retire and the
British Government is thus willing to remove compulsory
age retirement as well as to ban age discrimination within
the companies.
Hidden
plague of sexual abuse grips care homes (February 25,
2001)
This article, published in The Observer, reports
the increase in cases of sexual abuse in nursing homes,
taking for example the Denison House, whose owner faced
many accusations. The articles provides a list of
different types of assaults as well and highlights that
this tendency dangerously sprawls even among expensive
care homes.
Aged
and Elderly Women (February 24, 2001)
This article posted in the “AZG” newspaper,
based on UNDP reports, discusses the issues of aging of
the population in Armenia. During the last decade the
ageing of the population in Armenia became predominant.
The research demonstrated that in terms of their share,
women outnumber men not only among the aged and elderly
but also among the single elderly population, what can be
attributed to a number of reasons such as the overwhelming
emigration during recent years, and socioeconomic
conditions, physical and psychological insecurity.
The bare
necessities (February 22, 2001)
This article, published in The Economist, assesses
the appalling situation in South African countries, where
people lack adequate housing, water and electricity and
food. Though the Government introduced basic pension
plans, too many old people do not get any pensions.
An age-old
problem tests employment boundaries (February 20, 2001)
This article, published in The Times, raises the
issue of the Government code of practice regarding age
discrimination in the workplace. This code, which seems to
be incomplete, will strive to ban age discrimination in
employment and perhaps abolish compulsory age retirement
within firms.
Sing if
you're glad to be grey (February 18, 2001)
This article, published in The Observer, reports
the gloomy situation in Britain for poor old people. While
the rich over-50s are getting richer, the poor are
unlikely to get out of poverty, thus further widening the
gap between the rich and the poor. A grim outlook in a
country where a quarter of Britons will be over 65 by
2050.
Is It Our Care? The
Benevolent Union Is Closed (January 15, 2001)
(in Russian)This article, found in Novaya Gazeta,
is about the Chechen elderly, who as a result of tragic
events have lost everything: shelters, families, and now
are left totally alone and forgotten in the homes
for the aged called “Zabota.” .
Age Forum Annual
Report 1999-2000 (July 2001)
Long detailed article on wide range of topics relating to
aging in Denmark from health related issues to policy
making, with emphasis on health services targeted at aging
disorders. Although the article is a little dated
(annual report for 1999-2000), it is interesting because
it describes future forecasts for aging in Denmark on a
national and global perspective.
La CRI a t-elle détourné
l'argent de ses cotisants? (January 13, 2001)
(in French) This is an investigation made by a French
newspaper Marianne denounces an outrageous
embezzlement by a French pension fund, the Caisse de
Retraite Interprofessionnelle. The investigation unveils
the practices of the fund marred by three big scandals.
A Marseille, les
personnes âgées enrayent la billettique (January 8,
2001)
(in French) This article, published in the daily French
newspaper Le Monde, reports the difficulties
experienced by the elderly people in a French city,
Marseille. Old people find it difficult to adapt to the
modernization of transportation. The new system apparently
does not seem to suit them.
Britain Asks How
Many The Doctor Killed (January 6, 2001)
This article, published in The New York Times,
reports the story of Mr. Shipman, a family doctor, who
would have allegedly murdered 345 elderly women
using lethal doses of diamorphine.
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