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What's New? July 2, 2012 |
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Pension | Health | Elder Rights WORLD Spain: Cospedal Eliminates the Assistance to Seniors and Persons with Disabilities (June 21, 2012) (Article in Spanish) The Executive of Castilla-La Mancha, María Dolores de Cospedal, eliminated annual assistance of 400-750 euros to seniors and individuals with special needs. She instituted annual assistances of only 120 euros. Mexico: Estimated 7.1 Million Seniors in Mexico for 2025 (June 16, 2012) (Article in Spanish) Mexico’s senior population will skyrocket between now and 2050. Currently, 5.1 million older adults reside in Mexico. In 2025, some 7.1 million persons will be seniors, and in 2050, 18.4 million individuals will be older adults in Mexico. Although these seniors will have worked for years and deserve a decent retirement, the rapid growth of older people in Mexico may leave them with empty pockets. To prevent widespread poverty among Mexicans who have worked through many years, the program “70 and older” (70 y más) has been re-introduced by the Social Development Secretary (Desarrollo Social), Heriberto Félix Guerra. Thanks to extending the program this year, 3.5 million seniors from rural, urban, and suburban areas will benefit.
Colombia:
Only 5% of Seniors in Cali Receive
the Government’s Attention: Legal
Status (June 15, 2012)
(Article in Spanish) Only 17,500 out of the 300,000 older adults living in Cali, Colombia, receive support from the State assistance programs. The Older Adult programs and National Governmental Social Protection programs (programas al Adulto Mayor y de Protección Social del Gobierno Nacional) cover only 5% of the older population. Some 65,000 seniors have solicited subsidies, but the Social Protection Program (Programa de Protección Social) has helped only 12,000 of them. Another 53.000 are waiting for assistance from this program.
What
the Health Care Ruling Means for Medicare
(June 28, 2012) A
Pioneer in Aging (June 26, 2012) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) delayed the decision to approve (or disapprove) the first HIV prevention drug, Truvada. The FDA will need three more months to review the drug, delaying its decision until September 14, 2012. In May, 2012, a panel of FDA experts recommended that Truvada be approved for the prevention of HIV in healthy individuals who are at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwean Lawmakers Get Circumcised for AIDS Awareness (June 22, 2012) More than Zimbabwean 40 lawmakers have volunteered to be circumcised, as part of a campaign to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS. Zimbabwe reports an infection rate of 15% for HIV/AIDS. Studies indicate that circumcision reduces a man’s likelihood of contracting HIV by 76%. Australia: Lotus Valve May Save Elderly Patients (June 18, 2012) The first trial of the Lotus Valve has been completed in Australia, successfully saving 11 geriatric patients by inserting a synthetic aortic heart valve from the groin and into the heart. The device is unique among heart valves that have been used over the past few years. This valve may be withdrawn and repositioned, if necessary, during surgery. The trial had a 100% success rate. Researchers will now proceed with further testing. World: In Seniors Dehydration is the Cause of 1 in 5 Visits to the Hospital During the Summer (June 18, 2012) (Article in Spanish) Why do some older
adults become dehydrated in their advanced
years? Changes in anatomy, kidney function,
interactions of drugs with nutrients, mineral
absorption, the ability of homeostatic systems
to maintain equilibrium, and the intake of
diuretics or laxatives can precipitate an
occurrence of dehydration. To prevent
such a situation, seniors should take in more
liquids. Water, juices, broths, liquid
preparations of fruits and vegetables, iced
drinks, ice cream, or event Jell-O® can all
help relieve this condition.
Kenya:
People Living with HIV Await Key
Government Word on Drug Successfully Tried
in Kenya (June 15, 2012)World: Broken Heart = Broken Bones in Elderly (June 18, 2012) The journal Age and Ageing in Australia reports on researchers searching for links between falls and depression in participants ages 65 to 91 years. Individuals with depression often fell: some 40% of individuals who repeatedly fell and 28% of those who fell only once had experienced depression. Only 16% of individuals who did not fall had depression. Because the research participants did not take antidepressants during the study, these falls cannot be attributed to antidepressants. A recent study, Partners Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Study, a Kenya determined that two HIV preventative treatments were effective in preventing the spread of HIV from an infected individual to an uninfected individual during intercourse. Tenofivir offers 65% protection while Truvada provides 75% protection in preventing the spread of HIV; PrEP drugs are not vaccines. PrEP would be taken prior to sexual intercourse to prevent the spread of HIV and would be complemented by post exposure prophylaxis, taken after intercourse. Additionally, individuals who are HIV positive would continue with their antiretroviral treatments. As a result, another weapon would be added to the arsenal in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Kenyans await two governmental agencies to determine if costs will hinder accessibility of HIV preventatives, to identify target groups, and to decide if the drug will be provided to specific individuals or to the general population. Aging: A Collective Response (June 25, 2012) In the new book “Independent for Life: Homes and Neighborhoods for an Aging America," writers explore many aspects of aging from economics, finance, technology, architecture, interior design, housing development, city planning and politics. They explore how to put forth perspectives and possible solutions to aging in place. They demonstrate how to make households safer and more pleasing to older people with physical or cognitive limitations. It also investigates how neighborhoods and communities can become more accommodating to the senior demographic. They Still Don't Want to Live with You (June 20, 2012) According to a US survey, the prospect of moving in with adult children does not make aging parents' entirely joyous. People in the sample were asked whether they would want to have a parent live with them. Some 53% of those ages 35 to 64 answered yes. Approximately 43% of those over 65 were accepting of the notion. When asked about their willingness to live with a younger family member, those over the age 65 were less than enthusiastic. Only a quarter said yes. Another 38% said they were not certain. What is interesting to note is that in certain ethnic communities, multigenerational households remain an unchallenged norm.
United Kingdom:
NHS Doctors "Ending the Lives of Thousands of
Elderly Patients to Free Beds" (June 20, 2012) Bolivia: Maltreatment to Older Adults Climbs 244% in 1 Year (June 17, 2012) (Article in Spanish) Reports of abuse and
mistreatment of seniors submitted to the City
Defendor (el
Defensor del Pueblo) sky rocketed by
244% in one year. In 2010, only 355 abuse
reports of older adults were registered in 16
offices. During the past year, 1,154 abuse
reports were submitted. The majority
involved psychological and physical pain caused
by their relatives.
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