Top Stories of this Week

Pension
US: Why You May Retire in Poverty (August 7, 2012)
While today's seniors are doing substantially better than the rest of the nation in terms of finances, tomorrow's seniors will be faced with much more struggle. Many private sector jobs have been curtailing benefits, such as pensions. In fact, only 15 percent of private sector jobs provide pensions today; in 1979 that figure was 38 percent. Moreover, with the national retirement age rising to 67, monthly Social Security benefits will fall by 13 percent. Potential reductions in Social Security would significantly contribute to rising poverty rates. In 2010, almost 14 million elders placed above the poverty line due to Social Security payments.   

Health
How Successful is CPR in Older Patients (August 9, 2012)
CPR does not work often and it works slightly less on those older than 70 years. Do you agree to it for yourself or do your relatives? It is a personal decision; even health care professionals do not have a single perspective. Read more to form your own opinion!

Elder Rights
South Africa: Brutal Abuse of Elderly On the Rise (August 8, 2012)
In a recent presentation held at the South African Parliament, elder rights activists revealed startling abuses faced by older persons living in South Africa. The police are not doing enough to protect the elderly -- many officers are not familiar with the stipulations of the Older Persons Act of 2006. Furthermore, money lenders charge elders exorbitant and illegal interest rates -- ranging from 30 to 50 percent. Additionally, many older people who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's are tormented and abused because they are seen as witches who exhibit "strange behavior."

Issues This Week

 

Pension | Health | Elder Rights PENSION US Why You May Retire in Poverty (August 7, 2012) While today's seniors are doing substantially better than the rest of the nation in terms of finances, tomorrow's seniors will be faced with much more struggle. Many private sector jobs have been curtailing benefits, such as pensions. In fact, only 15 percent of private sector jobs provide pensions today; in 1979 that figure was 38 percent. Moreover, with the national retirement age rising to 67, monthly Social Security benefits will fall by 13 percent. Potential reductions in Social Security would significantly contribute to rising poverty rates. In 2010, almost 14 million elders placed above the poverty line due to Social Security payments.    Social Security Not Deal it Once Was For Workers (August 5, 2012) Those retiring today are the first generation of workers who paid more in Social Security taxes during their career than they will receive in benefits. It is a shift that may get change for future retirees. Read on to find out the numbers and estimates! HEALTH WORLD  How Successful is CPR in Older Patients? (August 9, 2012) CPR does not work often and it works slightly less on those older than 70 years. Do you agree to it for yourself or do your relatives? It is a personal decision; even health care professionals do not have a single perspective. Read more to form your own opinion! For the Very Old, a Surprise in Blood Pressure Readings (August 8, 2012) Dr. James Goodwin, a geriatrician at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, recently wrote an editorial piece explaining a little-known fact about blood pressure in older people. He insists that high blood pressure is an indicator of good health and "robustness" in certain seniors 85 and over. As such, there is much debate concerning whether or not doctors should or should not treat hypertension in the very elderly.  A Novel Way to Prevent Hip Fractures (August 1, 2012) According to a new study, cataract surgery may greatly reduce the risks of hip fracture among the elderly. These surgeries help with depth perception and balance which further decreases the risks of falls or other incidents that may lead to hip fractures.  EU: Social Networking Cares for Seniors (July 30, 2012) (Article in Spanish) European Union is working on a project to connect "fall alarms" with social networks.  These alarms will be important for the care of older adults over long distances.  According to a study, the market for the alarms will multiply by 10 in six years. ELDER RIGHTS US    What Happened to the Welcome Mat? Nursing Homes and Gay Elders (August 9, 2012) Many LGBT seniors hide their sexual orientations when living in nursing homes for fear of discrimination and poor treatment. In a national survey conducted in 2010, almost half of 769 gay elders who were interviewed reported over 800 incidents of mistreatment. In order to meet the growing needs of this demographic, more LGBT retirement communities are being created. As of right now, there are close 12 nationwide. WORLD South Africa: Brutal Abuse of Elderly On the Rise (August 8, 2012) In a recent presentation held at the South African Parliament, elder rights activists revealed startling abuses faced by older persons living in South Africa. The police are not doing enough to protect the elderly -- many officers are not familiar with the stipulations of the Older Persons Act of 2006. Furthermore, money lenders charge elders exorbitant and illegal interest rates -- ranging from 30 to 50 percent. Additionally, many older people who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's are tormented and abused because they are seen as witches who exhibit "strange behavior."  Spain: Nursing Home Administrators Alert the District Attorney's Office of Neglect to Seniors for Nonpayment (July 24, 2012) (Article in Spanish) Some older adults and persons with special needs from Catalan did not make their August payments, indicating that they were possibly recipients of neglect.  "Even though the Generalitat (the autonomous government of Catalan) decided to abandon the weakest, we will defend them to the last," explained the Vice President of Asociación Catalana de Directores de Centros de Atención a la Dependencia Gerontológica (Ascad).