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Pension | Health |
Elder Rights | Armed Conflict and Emergency
Situations | Aging Watch
PENSION
WORLD
France:
Retirement: New Turn of the Screw on Retirement Before 60 (October 19,
2009)
(Article
in French)
Since
2003, thanks to the 'extended career plan,' people who started to work very
young have been able to retire earlier, as soon as they had worked the
required years for retirement. However, last year the government limited
access to this plan. Consequently, the administrator now controls the
number of persons who benefit from the plan. Those who do not match the
criteria risk heavy sanctions.
Switzerland:
Avenir Suisse: For a Gradual Rise of the Retirement Age (October 14, 2009)
(Article
in French)
Avenir
Suisse, a task group funded by major Swiss corporations, has reopened the
debate on the Swiss social security system: AVS (Survivors and Aging
Insurance). In fact, the government wants to change the pension system
because it says that funds are not sufficient to support the aging of the
population. Avenir Suisse puts forward a much- debated program: gradually
increase the retirement age (one month each year) until reaching age 67.
Report: Europe: Correcting Gender
Inequality in Pensions: The Experience of Five European Countries
(September 2009)
It used to be
that activists ignored gender inequality in pensions. However, people are
increasingly seeking divorces. And non-marital unions pose challenges to
the pension system rules. The authors present several approaches that
Germany has undertaken, along with Italy, the UK, Sweden and France, to
reduce gender inequality in pensions and to guarantee that women obtain
adequate pension rights. The nations focus their concern on the idea of a
pension system based on individual rights. Some experts suggest adopting
universal pensions (which are the same amount for everyone) in order to
correct for gender inequality.
Russia:
Retirees in Moscow Better Off Than in Other Regions (May 8, 2009)
(Article in Russian)
Retirees in Moscow will be receiving at least 10.5 thousand rubles per
month at the end of 2009, significantly greater than in other regions of
Russia. This amount will be greater than twice the minimum wage. Moreover,
for retirees with special needs in Moscow, there will also be a 20%
increase to their new pension. However, only retirees in Moscow will enjoy
'high' pensions. The government seems to care more about those living in
Moscow than in other regions in Russia.
HEALTH
WORLD
Report:
World: Cash for Care: Implications for "Carers" (October 2009)
Employing a family member as a care-giver? Many countries have introduced
"cash for care" measures. Thus, instead of receiving services, an
older or disabled person can choose to receive a personal budget of an
equivalent value to purchase care themselves, either from an agency, by
directly employing a carer, or even a family member. Will "cash for
care" become the new universal model for care-giving?
Russia:
Denial of Emergency Help to Retirees is Against the Law - Federal
Department of Healthcare (October 23, 2009)
(Article in
Spanish)
A tragic event
happened in Kurganskaya province. An old person died after doctors ignored
his relatives' numerous calls to the hospital for emergency help. According
to the residents of the village of Glyadyanskoe, local doctors ignored
their calls earlier as well. It was later revealed that the head doctor in
the local hospital decided to save money on gas and make money from his
richer patients. As a result, one of the orders he gave to other doctors
was not to help patients over 70 years old. After this incident, the
Federal Department of Healthcare passed a law that made denial of emergency
help a violation of the law. Even though this new law might not immediately
eliminate the problem, it gives retired people who are dissatisfied with
their medical help an opportunity to appeal to branches of the Healthcare
Department. This new order applies as well to those who don't have Russian
citizenship or medical insurance.
Spain: The Dentists Association
Estimates that 10,000 Older Persons in Spain Will Be Diagnosed with Oral
and Pharyngeal Cancer in 2009 (October 22, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
The Dentists
Association of the Palmas Province in Spain estimated that in 2009, some
10,000 older persons will be diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancer. It
also estimated that the average age when women run the risk of oral cancer
is 67 and men at 61. People who have been smoking and drinking alcohol are
more prone to becoming ill from oral cancer. In recent years, women
suffering from oral cancer have increased. To address this growing problem,
more than 3,000 dentists will offer free oral health exams to both old and
young persons.
Algeria:
Barkat Signs WHO's Initiative On the Right to Sight (October 21, 2009)
(Article
in French)
On
October 21, 2009, M. Barkat, the Algerian Minister of Health, Population
and Hospital Reform, ratified WHO documents to introduce a right to sight
in Algeria: "Vision 2020." WHO launched the program in 1999 as
part of a worldwide initiative to eliminate the major causes of blindness
by the year 2020. Last year, Algeria conducted a substantial survey about
the major diseases causing blindness as preparation for creating this
national strategy to cope with the problem.
Russia: A Loss of Time, or Who
Earns on the Lines? (October 21, 2009)
(Article in
Russian)
Recently in the
city of Chelyabinsk an old woman died waiting in line for her therapist.
Such cases are not unique in Russia. The average Russian spends from 1.5 to
4 years of his/her life waiting in line. The government has spent 10
billion rubles to modernize healthcare. However, new computers have slowed
down the process because many medical stuff do not know how to use them. It
is important that money be allocated to training medical stuff on use of
new technology. The author suggests that the long lines prevalent in free
medical clinics tend to favor many doctors who have private (for-profit)
clinics, because they encourage their patients to use their commercial
sites.
Mexico: HIV Positive People
Discriminated Against in All Areas (October 20, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
Beatriz Ram�z
Amador, director of the department of HIV/AIDS at the Health Institute in
Mexico, recognizes that Mexicans still discriminate against people with
HIV/AIDS, many of whom have been abandoned by their families. The National
Questionnaire on Discrimination in Mexico establishes that older persons
with HIV/AIDS are among those facing the greatest discrimination. Reports
reveal that the labor rights of people with HIV/AIDS are often violated as
well.
Egypt:
The End Of Shisha (October 20, 2009)
The sun is just breaking across Cairo and few people are out and about. It
is Friday. At a middle-class Zamalek caf鬠older men enjoy the
morning air's crispness as their conversations blossom and they discuss the
week's political and sports stories. At each pause in their chat, a plume
of gray smoke billows from their mouths, pulling in the flavor that
accompanies a drag of shisha--or water pipe--smoke. "The reason shisha
is being cut back is because of the poor sanitary conditions that often are
found in local cafes that people frequent. Swine flu can spread quite
easily in the pipes if they are not cleaned properly" an official
said.
ELDER RIGHTS
US
Quest
for Long Life Gains Scientific Prospect (September 29, 2009)
During a recent conference hosted by Harvard University, Sirtris
Pharmaceuticals presented its anti-aging research to an eager, aging crowd
that included the likes of those cutting calories to live longer and
individuals who strived to live until 120 years of age. The company spoke
of its drug that mimics resveratrol-found in red wine-and activates sirtuins,
which strengthens the body against the degenerative diseases that accompany
aging. In order to test this drug, mice and rats were placed on a 30%
reduced diet, and were found to live 40% longer. The drug, in contrast to
resveratrol, is much more potent and may be issued in smaller doses. While
many people are awaiting its launch on the market, it is currently still
being tested in clinical trials.
WORLD
Argentina:
Proposition to Declare the Program University for Older Persons a
Provincial Interest (October 22, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
The Program University for Older Persons has grown in importance throughout
Argentina. Almost 1,000 older citizens in Argentina have benefited from the
creation of the program. The objective is to generate intergenerational
change, to train older persons and to increase the levels of physical,
mental and social health of the older population. The initiative
demonstrates that every age has the right to education.
Russia:
A List of Foreign Countries known for the Best Retirement (October 22,
2009)
(Article in Russian)
From the magazine Forbes, the best countries for retirees based on safety,
medical and financial services, good climate, rich culture, and visa issues
are Austria, Thailand, Italy, Australia, Panama, France, Malaysia, Spain,
Ireland and Canada. Even though these countries are in the top ranks for
retirement, each has some disadvantages that retired people need to explore
before moving into their preferred country. For example, Thailand is known
for its political instability; Canada for its cold climate; Spain for its
long fiestas. For Russian retirees, however, the option of traveling to
different countries is unrealistic at the moment, considering their pension
level.
China:
34-Year Passion for Clean Environment by 59-Year-Old (October 21, 2009)
(Article in Chinese)
Tiande Zhang has been a street cleaner for 34 years. He loves to drive his
car to work and spends three hours a day cleaning his assigned area. Zhang
has had chances for promotion, but he said he enjoys what he is doing and
so has remained at his job as a street cleaner for 34 years.
China:
92-Year-Old Retiree Loves To Play Stock Market (October 21, 2009)
(Article in Chinese)
Baolin Zhang is 92 years old has been playing the stock market every day
for 16 years. When his daughter bought a computer, he learned how to buy
and sell stocks on line, which means that he doesn't have to get on an
overcrowded bus every day to pursue his hobby. When he makes a small
profit, Zhang often asks his wife to buy some delicious Chinese sweet
treats to celebrate.
Taiwan:
Exclusive Trip for Senior Citizens (October 21, 2009)
(Article in Chinese)
The Taiwanese government proposed a tourist plan for retired senior
citizens from mainland China. The theme of this tourist plan is "walk
a little bit slower, eat a little bit softer, cook a little bit better, and
see a little bit deeper." The government of Taiwan is eager to bring
more mainland Chinese citizens over 60 years old to know more about the
beauty of the island.
World:
High Tech Electrical Appliances - Over the Heads of Older Persons (October
21, 2009)
(Article in Chinese)
The words on TV remote controls are too small to read. Microwave
instructions are too "profound" to understand. Sometimes, high
tech electrical appliances do not make life easier, at least for older persons.
It can be hard for young people, too, as functions increase and
instructions become more and more complicated. Special efforts should be
made to enable everyone, including the older people, to enjoy the benefits
of modern technology.
France:
Demography, the French Exception (October 20, 2009)
(Article
in French)
France
faces the aging of its population. The increase of life expectancy and the
post-war baby boom are the two major causes of this aging. Consequently,
the balance between the different generations will be changing: today there
are four middle-aged persons for each older person; within 50 years there
will be only two persons of middle-age for one older person.
France: Seniors Leaving the Employment Market in Masses; In Coming Years
Huge Numbers Will Reach End of Careers, Raising Concerns (October 14, 2009)
(Article in French)
Through the example of a small area in France, the Vaud, the writer
underlines a major challenge: the retirement of baby-boomers. About 40% are
still working and will retire within the next ten years. This cyclical
effect can be positive in some areas where there is a job shortage.
However, in other areas, companies will have to find a solution to avoid
the loss of years of knowledge and skills, especially in sectors such as
health.
Canada: Negotiations in the Public and Para-Governmental Sectors: Retirees'
Voices Should Be Heard (October 14, 2009)
(Article in French)
On September 30, the Quebecois Association of Retirees introduced a
legislative bill concerning the pension system and the rights of retirees.
This issue is a key one in Quebec, where the major pension fund of public
and para-governmental sectors faces an important shortfall. Major trade
unions announced a tour throughout Quebec to discuss the issues,
underlining the need to consult retired persons about their particular
needs as part of the negotiations.
Mexico:
Reynoso Welcomes Older Persons (October 11, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
During a meeting with the president of the Association of Older Persons in
Mexico, Governor Lu�Armando Reynoso expressed his determination to
maintain and continue developing programs and projects related to older
persons. The government, sensitive to the aspirations of older persons,
wants to promote their permanent participation in society through the State
System for Development of the Family.
ARMED CONFLICT AND
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
WORLD
Afghanistan:
Virtually No Safety Net for War Victims' Families (October 20, 2009)
Afghanistan has the highest population of widows and orphans in Asia, according
to government officials. Unfortunately, even with so many victims of war,
Afghanistan does not have a law in place to deal with the hundreds of
thousands of war widows, orphans and disabled people requiring care.
AGING WATCH
Latin
America and Caribbean: Interview with Dirk Jaspers-Faijer (October 2009)
(Article
in Spanish)
Dirk
Jaspers-Faijer, director of Economic Commission for Latin America and the
Caribbean, affirmed the growing awareness of aging as an important issue
for society and its development. He highlighted the notable advances that
the governments and people have put into action throughout Latin American
and the Caribbean that benefit older persons. Although there are still
enormous challenges ahead, he said that older persons and the organizations
that represent them are gaining more and more prominence locally and on the
national scene.
Argentina: Interview with Monica Roque (October 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
Monica Roque, national director of Politics for Older Adults of the
Department of Social Development of Argentina, reported that in Argentina
the paradigm of the rights of older persons has been installed vigorously.
Older people are taking part in many organizations dedicated to their
interests. Roqu頳hared that Argentina has drawn on international law to
demonstrate that Latin America and the Caribbean needs a binding legal
instrument that protects older persons.
Chile: Interview with Paula Forttes Valdivia (October 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
Paula Forttes Valdivia, director of Senama, a large Chile-based
advocacy group promoting the rights of older persons, emphatically stated that
the aging population constitutes a reality that cannot be ignored.
Furthermore, the demographic data and the requirements unique to older
people dictate that their rights and needs be recognized.
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