IFA NEWS-NOV. 2010

Representing Older People at the United Nations

United Nations 49^th Commission for Social Development

Priority Theme: Poverty Eradication, 9^th-18^th February 2011

The Commission for Social Development (CSocD)is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. It consists of 46 members elected by ECOSOC. Since the convening of the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995 , the Commission has been the key UN body in charge of the follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. As a result of the Summit, the mandate of the Commission was reviewed and its membership expanded from 32 to 46 members in 1996. It meets once a year in New York, usually in February.

Each year since 1995, the Commission has taken up key social development themes as part of its follow-up to the outcome of the Copenhagen Summit. In 2011 the priority theme is "Poverty Eradication" and as one of the few organizations focused on ageing with General Consultative Status, the IFA together with other partners (Global Action on Aging, HelpAge International and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse) will lodge individual and joint statements to the Commission.

The provisional agenda of the 49^th Commission which can be accessedhere speaks to poverty eradication in the context of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. 

The IFA has the honour of reading the submitted statements  to the General Assembley during the Commission. Please take the opportunity to view the statements,the IFA Statement and the Joint Statement made with Global Action on Aging, Help Age International, INPEA, IAGG and AARP

Towards a Convention

on the Rights of Older People

The latest development on the move towards new human rights instruments on older people's rights was issued on 19 November 2010.  The Third Committee adopted resolution A/C.3/65/L.8/Rev.1 in which the General Assembly decided to establish an open-ended working group, open to all States Members of the United Nations, for the purpose of strengthening the protection of the human rights of older persons.  The group will consider the existing international framework of the human rights of older persons and identify possible gaps and how best to address them, including by considering, as appropriate, the feasibility of further instruments and measures.  Requests for the Secretary-General to provide all necessary support within existing resources for the duration of its mandate is made.

The open-ended working group shall:

(a) Meet at United Nations Headquarters in New York;

(b) Decide on its calendar and programme of work by consensus at an organizational meeting early in 2011 

You can access the full report here 

Ireland - The National Study of Elder Abuse and Neglect

The National Centre for the Protection of Older People (NCPOP) in Ireland launched a new report (8th October, 2010) entitled The National Study of Elder Abuse and Neglect based on research led by Dr Corina Naughton, and is focused on five forms of elder abuse:

Physical abuse including being threatened or hit with an object, slapped, kicked, being restrained or denied access to equipment such as a walking or hearing aid.

Psychological abuse  including being insulted, excluded, undermined or prevented from seeing people the older person cares about such as grandchildren.
 

Financial abuse   including instances in which money or possessions were stolen or the person was forced to sign over property.

Sexual abuse defined as being talked to or touched in a sexual way

Neglect including the refusal or failure of a carer to help with activities of daily living such as shopping, washing or dressing.

Abuse refers to physical, sexual, financial and psychological abuse while mistreatment also includes neglect.
The 12-month prevalence study defined physical, financial or sexual abuse as one or more incidents while psychological abuse and neglect were categorised as consisting of 10 or more incidents, while the prevalence study of mistreatment since an older person turned 65 covered any incident of abuse. The study involved 2,021 people over the age of 65 being interviewed face-to-face in their homes between April and May 2010.

The average age of respondents was 74 years; 37 per cent lived in rural locations; just over 20 per cent lived in Dublin city or county while the rest reside in small, medium or large urban settings.

Over 40 per cent lived alone, approximately 36 per cent lived with a spouse or partner and the remaining 20 per cent lived in intergenerational households or complex household structures where the older person shared the house with an adult child and their family or other relatives. Read the report summary

New Community and Teen Elder Abuse Awareness Tool Kits Now Available

Toronto, Canada - The fifth anniversary of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) took place on June 15th 2010 at the historic University of Toronto Faculty Club and was attended by one hundred participants.

The program was focused on the launch of two important educational resources. The Community Elder Abuse Awareness Tool Kit, funded by the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and the Elder Abuse Awareness Teen Kit funded by the Public Health Agency Canada (PHAC). Papers were clustered around the theme of intergenerational relationships and augmented by appropriate video clips. The proceedings of the event together

with the English and French versions of Community and Teen Elder Abuse Awareness Kits are now available on the IFA website and will shortly be available on the INPEA Website. You can view the proceedings of the event on 15 June 2010 on the IFA website here. 

Resources now available include:

Elder Abuse Awareness Community Tool Kit - English

Elder Abuse Awareness Community Tool Kit - French

Elder Abuse Awareness Teen Tool Kit - English  (Note: The French version is due in December)

Additional resources include generic PowerPoint presentations in both English and French and embedded with the Tool Kits you will find links to video's, project examples, photos and other interesting material. Access these here

On behalf of the IFA, our thanks to INPEA for this partnership and in particular Dr Elizabeth Podnieks who identified the need to revise the Community Tool Kit and who developed the concept behind the Teen Tool Kit. Thanks also to the committee members guiding the projects and the project consultants Susan Susskind and Sharon MacKenzie.

An Interview with Dr. Hisashi Hozumi - Japan

Q - You were first involved in the provision of hospital health care in Akita, Japan. Can you tell us about the range of programs and services run through the WITH YOU GROUP?

I am the CEO of With You Group establishment that runs two companies; the

Medical Corporation Junkei-kai and Forever Co., Ltd. The Medical Corporation Junkei-kai operates a number of medical and aged care facilities namely the Sotoasahikawa Hospital with 207 beds in the general unit and 34 beds in the terminal care unit, the Sotoasahikawa Satellite Clinic (SOSAC) that offers services in Internal medicine, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Dermatology, Neurology, Allergy and Dentistry. The Junkei-kai Corporation also offers home nursing services and home rehabilitation including two group homes as facilities

for the older adults with symptoms of mild dementia.

On the other hand, Forever Co., Ltd operates several departments that provide home care services and two fee-based assisted-living facilities each with a capacity of 50 residents. With You Group has a total 409 residents in its facilities and 450 employees.

V Q - In 2007 you formed the organization Friends of IFA (FOIFA) Japan. Can you tell us why you decided to form FOIFA Japan and the activities you are undertaking?

After joining the IFA Board of Directors, the first thing that came to my mind was that IFA activities should gain more recognition in Japan. After thinking on the

best approach to introduce the work and activities of the IFA in Japan, it dawned on me that establishing an NPO or NGO that can work closely with the IFA in Japan is the best option. After submitting this proposal to the IFA Board, the name "Friends of IFA Japan" (FOIFA) was suggested and approved.

FOIFA's activities include introducing to the Japanese people and communities

the work of NPO and NGOs on ageing issues around the world including IFA, participating in the conferences, workshops and events on ageing, providing support to the elderly through the FOIFA Foundation as well as assisting (in various ways) NPO and NGOs in developing countries. Moreover, it was a great honor as well as a wonderful experience to me and my organization to be able to host the 1^st IFA International Forum on "Ageing in Place & Age Friendly Cities" in

October, 2009 in Akita City, Japan.

Q - What is the most rewarding part of running your organizations?

Akita City has now joined the WHO "Age Friendly Cities" program and I am glad to say that the decision was partly inspired by proposals put forward at the IFA

International Forum in 2009 in Akita City. It was immediately after his participation at the forum that the mayor of Akita City created an Age Friendly City Committee within his administration. The committee is now responsible to lead the way through projects that undertake the necessary changes for Akita City to become more age friendly

Q - I understand you have great interest in art. How has this been integrated with your work?

In the past, my interest in art was a hobby but gradually I realized that art, apart

from appealing to the human eye has other useful functions especially its therapeutic effect on people. By using this therapeutic function of art in our hospital and facilities, we help give courage and hope to patients and elderly people as well as eliminate the problem of their isolation from the society. So far,

we have made several presentations on our art projects at IFA Global Conferences in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 as well as other related events.

Moreover, being an art collector, I possess many art works and sometimes rent

them out for exhibitions. One of my paintings was rented out to the Foreign Ministry of Japan which was exhibited in a room used by the Prime Minister of Japan for receiving heads of states during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. The APEC meeting took place from November 10

- 14, 2010 in Yokohama. In newspaper photographs, the painting featured in the background as the Prime Minister of Japan with his guest pose for pictures. The painting is called "Water Fall, Painted in 1994" by Hiroshi Senju

Q - What has been your experience since joining the IFA Board of Directors?

First of all, joining the IFA Board of Directors has given me the opportunity to meet and work with an educated, experienced and dynamic group of people from

all over the world. I recognized the fact that people working for NPO and NGOs pursue their noble aims trying to help people in need. As one of the IFA Directors, I belong to a global network that works to improve conditions for millions of older people around the world. To me, I believe that joining a group to

help reach a future goal that will benefit mankind is the pride of every man. In my experience as an IFA Director, I have had lots of opportunities to learn and share knowledge on ageing and elderly issues, make good friends and create business relationships. I will be forever thankful to the IFA and plan to further my

commitments to the organization in every possible way.

Global Ageing 2010: An Irreversible Truth 

In October a new report "Global Ageing 2010: An Irreversible Truth", was released by Standard & Poor's, a ratings agency. It stated that as people retire over the next two decades, the burden on states will rise sharply. Spending on pensions, health care and long-term care will rise. The report warns that, if policies do not change, six European countries - Belgium, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Slovenia and Ukraine - will be devoting more than 30% of their GDP to age-related spending by 2050.

No other force is likely to shape the future of national economic health, public finances, and policymaking as the irreversible rate at which the world's population is aging. The problem has been long observed and is well understood: U.N. figures show the proportion of the world's population aged over 65 is set to more than double by 2050, to 16.2% from 7.6% currently. By the middle of the century, about 1 billion over 65s will join the ranks of those classed as of non-working age. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services believes that the cost of caring for these people will profoundly affect growth prospects and dominate public finance policy debates worldwide. Read Full Report

Measuring Progress - Indicators for Care Homes

The European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research in cooperation with The North Rhine-Westphalia Government Offices in Düsseldorf and Brussels organised the final conference of the project "Quality management by result-oriented indicators - Towards benchmarking in residential care for older people" which took place at the Committee of the Regions conference facilities in Brussels with the participation of around 130 experts and policy-makers from across EU Member States.

The European Centre has been the Coordinator of the project, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Equalities, Care and Ageing of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the University of Dortmund (Germany), Vilans (Netherlands), City University London and E-Qalin GmbH. The project is co-funded under the Progress programme of the European Commission's DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities and runs from December 2008 until December 2010.

The main objective of the project has been the construction of an international framework of standards including a conceptual analysis for quality of life and a set of result-oriented indicators to define, measure and assess quality in residential care for older people.

View the Handbook "Measuring Progress - Indicators for Care Homes"

Providing and Financing Aged Care in Australia

 by Henry Ergas and Francesco Paolucci

 This article was published in the Health and Ageing Newsletter No. 23, October 2010

On current demographic projections, the numbers of Australians aged 65 to 84 years will more than double and the number of people 85 years and over will more than quadruple by 2051.1 As ageing occurs, the challenge of providing long-term care of and to the elderly will become of increasing importance.

Two facts are central to this challenge. The first is that older cohorts are living longer than ever before, with a corresponding rise in the numbers expected to live beyond the age of 70 and hence to be at material risk of requiring care.2 The second is that younger cohorts are having fewer children, which among other things, means they will have fewer voluntary carers to draw on when they reach old age. These trends alone-the sheer increase in the numbers of the very old, especially relative to the potential population of carers-make large and sustained increases in the demand for aged care inevitable.Read full report.

For those readers interested in further information on the Geneva Association who produces the Health and Ageing Newsletter a visit to their website is recommended . The Geneva Association is the leading international "think tank" of the insurance industry.

Supporting Older Women in Georgia

By: Mrs. Nana Kalandadze, Chairman, "Deserving Old Age"  

The Aged Women's Association "Deserving Old Age" is the only non-governmental organization in Georgia which works on the problems of older aged women. It was founded in 2009, in Kobuleti (Adjara region) by the older aged group of women. The aim of "Deserving Old Age" is to provide older aged women's integration and adaptation to the society through supporting their rights, psycho - social supportand use fluently their resources. The target group is mainly single, disabled and vulnerable elderly women. About 900 older aged women are our association's members.

Recently, the projects "Social Center for Older Aged People" and "Conversation between Generations" are in progress. Project "Social Center for Older Aged People" is funded the Foundation "Open Society - Georgia" (George Soros Foundation in Georgia). There was established psycho - social and medical aid center where the free legal and psychological consultations are holding. The elderly people are coming into the center that have psychological problems, feel alone and vulnerable themselves, and desperately need sympathy. If there are any discrimination cases the association within its scope protects their interests. In the center we organize informational meetings with professionals, special days and charity events. There is very supporting atmosphere. The group of volunteers, where are involved the teenagers as well are making domestic assistance, psychological and moral support to the vulnerable older aged people. 50 singleton elderly women are beneficiaries of this project and they all live in extreme poverty. Their pension is much less than living wage.

At the same time we have the other project "Conversation between Generations" which is funded by the Institute of Democracy" with EU support. The project envisages the discussion meetings between generations. For the promotion of country's history within the young generation seminars are holding in schools, also school contest for the best article about generation connection, and articles in regional media and other events. The rapid changes in our country's historical events caused the public indifference towards the older generation, internal conflicts between generations and alienation. In our opinion the real way of solving this problem is the conversation between generations.

The planned projects of "Deserving Old Age" are organizing a small social enterprise, which its income will use for the Association's missions; opening Regional Advisory Centre for elderly people, organizing conference on the

problems of elderly people, opening long-liver women's club "Turtle" etc. We wish to make the project "Hot Dinner on Wheels" for older aged vulnerable and disable people as soon as possible. We are trying to make our projects with a very modest budget. The older aged people are in need to solve these problems and definitely there is no financial interest, unfortunately on every step of working we are facing to the economical problems. The government does not carrying out any economic and social projects. The issue of older aged people is very unpopular even in NGO's. We, in fact are the only organization who raised the issue for older aged people's rights and who spoke about the discrimination facts against elderly people.

If you are interested in our Association's work and you'll be able to support us in fulfilling our projects, then simply contact us at info@awa.org.ge

 Daily Living/Environmental Adaptation "GREAT GRIPS"  

A finalist in the Daily Living/Environmental Adaptation category, Great Grips slip over round doorknobs, faucets and other round objects to make it easier to grip and turn.  They fulfill all seven principles of Universal Design and are a classic example of a simple, versatile, and low-cost solution to an inherent everyday problem.  In addition, Great Grips were recognized for a 2010 "Caregiver Friendly Award" fromToday's Caregiver magazine.

  

About the da Vinci Awards

The da Vinci Awards is a prestigious international forum established by the National MS Society to recognize individuals and organizations whose innovations reflect the latest products in adaptive and assistive technologies.  These products contribute to the goal of equal access and opportunities for everyone to participate in and contribute to all aspects of society.

Past nominations have come from all over the globe in the engineering, construction and technical fields. A complete list of past award winners can be found atwww.davinciawards.com

If you are interested in more information contact Mr. Patrick Going at pat@greatgrips.com or visit their website at www.greatgrips.com

University of Waterloo - Age Friendly Communities

Launch of the Web-based Tool  

The Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) at the University of Waterloo, and its community partners, have recently launched a new web-based planning tool designed to help guide communities towards becoming more age friendly. An age friendly community enables citizens to thrive throughout the life course as contributing community members. It also promotes the sharing of resources, talents and gifts of all citizens and promotes physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being. "We want to achieve a community whose physical, social and service environment enables older people - and people of all ages - to live in security, enjoy good health and participate in society supported by and in strong relationships," said Dr. Dupuis. "With this new web-based planning tool, interested people will be able to build age-friendly programs, services, organizations and communities that can provide opportunities to engage citizens in a variety of ways." The online tool can be accessed here.

The age friendly community initiative builds on the work of the Roundtable on Future Planning for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. Dr. Dupuis is often asked whyMAREP, an institute focused on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, would spend so much time leading a major age friendly community initiative. According to Dupuis, "It is simple really... communities can dis-able those experiencing illness far more than diseases can. So if we want to enable those experiencing illness we need to identify and eliminate those factors in communities that disable."

Seeing the potential of the planning framework and tool-kit developed by the Roundtable, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat provided additional resources to expand the framework and tool-kit into a more universal age-friendly context. The tool was developed in partnership with various community agencies and municipalities, including Homewood Health Centre in Guelph, the Elder Services Advisory in Halton, the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, and the Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton and Pine Ridge Public Health Unit. Developed to compliment other age-friendly community initiatives such as the World Health Organisation Age Friendly Environment Program, this

tool outlines guiding principles and building blocks necessary in making all communities more age-friendly and brings a number of age-friendly community resources together in one place to guide future projects.

MAREP recently partnered with the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat (OSS) to identify and share age friendly community stories from across Ontario. The website is a platform for communities to share their successes and age-friendly strategies with the hope of informing and inspiring others to initiate change in their own communities. MAREP and the OSS will continue to collect and update these stories, so log on and stay tuned!

 Asia Pacific Conference on Ageing 2011

Dignity & Grace Of Ageing

Singapore, March 24, 25 & 26 - Venue: Marina Mandarin Hotel

  

BROUGHT TO YOU BY GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE (GSS)

IN CONJUNCTION WITH ITS 25^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

The Gerontological Society of Singapore (GSS) invites delegates from countries in Asia Pacific and the World to the APCA 2011 Conference.  It is a conference for organisations, professionals and individuals who believe in the Dignity & Grace of Ageing. We aim to bring together people, experiences, and ideas to promote and develop our older adults.

Most of growing number of older adults are relatively healthy and are interested in being actively engaged. Even the frail elderly can be strengthened. Together, they can continue to contribute effectively to the social and economic development of families, communities, and society.

Who should attend? 
This conference is for everyone who has an interest in working for the well-being, care of the elderly, and administration of elder care services.  

• Individuals who have an interest in the well-being of the elderly and ageing in Grace and Dignity
• Press, publicity and corporate communication personnel who wish to keep abreast of the expanding world of caring for the elderly with grace and dignity
• Policy makers who work with the elderly and care for the well being, grace and dignity of the elderly
• Professionals - Managers, Administrators, Social Workers, Therapists, Nurses, and Doctors - who take care of the elderly and ensure that they are given Grace and Dignity

Why attend?

The APCA 2011 Conference has: 

• A one-day Pre-Conference Workshop
• Seven plenary sessions including the 2011 Henry Lim LecturSeventeen symposia
• Four public symposia
• Poster presentations
• Free paper presentations

There is something of interest for every delegate.

For more information visit our website at Click Here

Tor Read Registration Information and the Conference Programme

Global Aging Preparedness Index

By Richard Jackson, Neil Howe, Keisuke Nakashima

The world is being overtaken by a stunning demographic transformation known as global aging. Over the next few decades, global aging promises to affect everything from business psychology and workforce productivity to the shape of the family and the direction of global capital flows. Perhaps most fatefully, it could throw into question the ability of societies to provide a decent standard of living for the old without imposing a crushing burden on the young.

Which countries are most prepared to meet the challenge? And which countries are least prepared? The Global Aging Preparedness Index (or GAP Index) provides the first comprehensive quantitative assessment of the progress that countries worldwide are making in preparing for global aging, and particularly the old-age dependency dimension of the challenge. The GAP Index consists of two separate subindices-the fiscal sustainability index and the income adequacy index. It covers twenty countries, including both developed economies and emerging markets. You can view the full report together with 2 video's here

Report on the state of Public health in Canada

Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer

Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, Dr David Butler-Jones has just released his third annual report in which he illustrates the state of health and well-being of Canada's seniors and identifies some areas of concern where we Canada can make a concerted effort to do better. Areas such as falls and related injuries, mental health, abuse and neglect, social connectedness, healthy living, and care and services are highlighted in the report.

While Canada has laid the foundation for good health and well-being across the lifecourse, further action in these areas is needed to maintain quality of life for seniors as this population grows and resources are challenged. Effective programs and initiatives undertaken now can contribute to the overall goal of healthy aging in Canada, both in the short term and well into the future.  View the Full Report