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Pension | Health | Elder Rights
PENSION
UNITED
STATES
Legislators
Want to Get Their Part-timers Off Pension Rolls (April 14, 2010)
New
Jersey Gov. Christie signed a law last month barring part-time employees from
the state pension system. The new law only affects future hires: State employees
would need to work 35 hours a week to qualify for a pension and local employees,
for 32 years. In recent interviews, Senate officials said that practice could be
changing. With the system facing a $46 billion shortfall, Christie has
criticized part-timers' pension eligibility and has said he wants to take the
reforms--approved by the Senate in February and the Assembly in March--a step
further by kicking current part-time employees out of the
system.
WORLD
South
Korea: Most Firms Oppose Rise in The Age For Retirement (April 15,
2010)
According to a survey of 300 firms conducted last month by the
Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 57.4 percent said they oppose the idea
of extending the retirement age. Among the reasons given were an increase in
labor costs, a labor surplus, labor management problems, lower productivity and
difficulties in recruiting new employees. In a country where the average age of
retirement from local firms is 56.8 years, the issue becomes a major one with
the aging of baby-boomers.
Ukraine:
A Gift from Yanukovych Awaits the Pensioners: the Lowest Pension Amount Will
Rise (April 14, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Ukraine
Cabinet of Ministers plans to increase pensions for more than one million
retirees. According to the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Yanovych Azarov, the
government is consistently fulfilling its duties concerning poverty, an issue
that the President has assigned to it.
Ukraine:
Pensions Might Be Cut for Working Pensioners (April 13,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
The Cabinet of Ministers of
Ukraine decided that reducing the deficit of the Pension Fund may be possible by
reducing the pensions given to currently employed pensioners.
France:
56% Against an Extension of the Retirement Age (April 12,
2010)
(Article in French)
According to an April 12 poll, a
majority of French people don't want the retirement age raised beyond the
current age of 60 years old. Some 56% express their opposition while 39% support
such a measure, and 5% have no opinion. Among the opponents, 38% claim to be
ready to show their disagreement by striking. The poll showed that "left"
voters, workers and employees in the public sector would be more willing to
oppose extending the retirement age than would more "right" voters who tend to
be managers and employees in the private sector.
Russia:
Military Pensioners Cheated (April 8, 2010)
(Article in
Russian)
Pensioners and war veterans have swamped a Russian real estate
agency with angry letters. They all have the same complaint: extremely low
pensions from the government. "Our country's leaders have been promising a 7%
pension increase to begin on January 1, 2010, for two whole years now. Why lie
to the people?" said a colonel from Stavropol, Ivan
Sukhorukov.
HEALTH
UNITED
STATES
Doctors
Show Medicare Patients the Door (April 14, 2010)
Many Colorado
patients are suffering from the recent 21 percent cut in Medicare reimbursements
to physicians that went into effect on April 1. Although the US Senate is poised
to stave off the reduction, it's too little, too late for some Colorado doctors
and their patients.
Team
Discovers New Alzheimer's Risk Gene (April 14, 2010)
People with a
common variation in a gene linked with coronary artery disease have nearly
double the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared with others,
according to US researchers. The gene MTHFD1L helps control production of the
amino acid homocysteine in the blood. Different variations of the gene have been
linked with a higher risk of coronary artery disease.
Lawmakers
Launch Bipartisan Effort Against Medicare Fraud (April 13, 2010)
In
one of the first bipartisan efforts since the passage of federal health care
reform, Florida lawmakers recently introduced the Medicare Fraud Enforcement and
Prevention Act. The bill seeks to rein in fraud and to "put the rip-off artists
in jail," says Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a co-sponsor of the
bill.
An
Insurer's New Approach to Diabetes (April 13, 2010)
United Healthcare
will work with Y "lifestyle coaches" in seven cities to help people who are at
risk for diabetes to lower their odds of developing the disease by losing just a
modest amount of weight. An estimated 25 million people in this country have
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, which generally develops
in adults as a result of obesity and poor diet. UnitedHealth said it was
investing tens of millions of dollars in this initiative, helping the Y develop
an online curriculum and collect the data necessary to track the progress of the
people enrolled in the program.
Anti-Aging
Hormones: Little or No Benefit and the Risks are High (April 13,
2010)
Dr. Thomas T. Perls, associate professor of medicine at Boston
University School of Medicine, has criticized the use of anti-aging hormones. In
an editorial appearing in the Future Medicine journal Aging Health, Dr. Perls
applauds a recently published American Medical Association assessment of the
risks and benefits of growth hormone, testosterone, estrogen and DHEA for
anti-aging.
Questions
Raised About Heart Implants Past Age 80 (April 12, 2010)
People of
age 80 and older who get a pacemaker or defibrillator are more likely to die in
the hospital after the procedure than younger patients, raising questions about
the risks of these implants when used in very old people, according to US
researchers. Most clinical trials looking at implantable heart devices involve
people in their 50s and 60s. However, about a fifth of these implants are used
in people over age 80, a group often overlooked in medical studies, the
researchers said.
Should
Older Men be Screened for Prostate Cancer? (March 31, 2010)
Experts
generally recommend against routinely using PSA blood tests to screen older men
for prostate cancer. Using a strict age cutoff for when to stop screening may
not be the best route either, a new study suggests. Right now, there are
conflicting opinions as to when men should stop being screened for prostate
cancer using PSA, or prostate-specific antigen tests.
WORLD
United
Kingdom: Brown Challenged on Suicide Laws (April 14,
2010)
Right-to-die campaigner Debbie Purdy has challenged British
Prime Minister Gordon Brown to legalize assisted suicide in the UK. Ms. Purdy,
who suffers from multiple sclerosis, is seeking to change the UK laws on
assisted suicide but Prime Minister Brown insists on keeping these laws in
place.
Russia:
Innovated Technologies will Take Care of Kirov Pensioners and Disabled (April
14, 2010)
(Article in Russian)
On April 13-14, 2010, Kirov
held an inter-regional conference called "Innovative Technologies in the
Organization of Home Care for the Elderly and Disabled," reports the press
center of the Kirov region.
France:
Parkinson's: Patients Want to Break Isolation (April 14,
2010)
(Article in French)
Parkinson's disease affects about
150,000 persons in France. Ninety percent of the patients are over 45 years, but
the disease also touches younger people. The disease is incurable, little is
known about it and it is often difficult for patients to maintain a social life.
In addition, the Parkinson's Association in France denounces the failures in
follow-up care for patients. This association tries to increase political
awareness of Parkinson's. Spokespersons presented a report to the French health
minister Roselyne Bachelot to encourage a better understanding of the disease
and to ask for a plan for action.
Ireland:
Special Investigation: Nursing Homes at Centre of New Abuse Scandals (April 12,
2010)
Shocking instances of abuse and serious lapses in care at
nursing homes have been revealed in Ireland 's nursing homes. Among the
documented complaints are incidents of physical abuse of residents, instances
where patients' conditions deteriorated rapidly after admission to a nursing
home and residents' complaints of theft. Responsibility for investigations and
inspections has since been passed to the Health Information and Quality
Authority (HIQA).
Russia:
Officials Have Paid for the Poisoned Pensioners (April 8,
2010)
(Article in Russian)
Many people are concerned about
the mass poisoning of pensioners living in a retirement home in Arkhangelsk. As
the result of an investigation of this horrible incident, the director of the
retirement home, Alexander Chernyakov, and Deputy Minister of Health and Social
Development, Andriy Kalashnikov, have been laid off.
World:
Pharmaceutical Companies Seek Genetic Clues to Healthy Ageing (April 6,
2010)
They may be a little wrinkly, and there may not be many of
them, but centenarians are the fastest growing demographic in the developed
world. Scientists believe people who live to 100 years or more hold valuable
secrets in their genes that can reveal targets for medicines to tackle a wide
range of age-related diseases, as well as improving longevity
itself.
United
Kingdom: Scientists Find Aging Gene is Linked to Immunity (March 31,
2010)
British scientists studying the genetics of aging reported that
experiments on laboratory worms showed that a specific gene is strongly linked
to lifespan, immunity and disease resistance. Since the gene, called DAF-16 in
worms, is found in many animals and humans, the finding could open up new ways
to affect aging, immunity and resistance in humans, the scientists
said.
ELDER
RIGHTS
UNITED
STATES
When
Foreclosure Threatens Elder-Care Homes (April 18, 2010)
Along with
the millions of Americans faced with impending property foreclosures, older
persons are also beginning to feel the effects in the most unsuspecting of
places. Care homes are now being foreclosed upon and residents and their
families are not being informed, finding themselves facing rapidly approaching
eviction. Data pertaining to homes facing foreclosure are not properly monitored
and often result in an abrupt and chaotic situation for both the older person
and their families.
Companies
Target Baby Boomers' Changing Tastes (April 16, 2010)
As the "baby
boomer" population reaches older ages, companies are beginning to target this
demographic through aggressive marketing campaigns. Recognizing the consumer
power of this group, companies are re-identifying products to appeal to this
mass 'aging' audience in hopes of increasing revenues. "As a company which was
traditionally focused on a younger person, we're now learning to set our sights
on the young person and the boomer," PepsiCo Chief Executive Indra Nooyi said at
a March investor conference.
Making
Your Wishes Known at the End of Life (April 15, 2010)
Many older
persons and their families are aware of difficulties looming in the future.
Although some have taken the initiative to complete advanced directives
regarding their end-of-life care decisions, many have either not done so or
their wishes are disregarded. "We need to take the initiative to document
decisions seriously," said Dr. Maria J. Silveira, lead author of the study and
an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan.
"Every person who comes through the door at age 60 or above has a significant
chance of losing decisional capacity."
WORLD
Canada:
Elderly to Get a Best Quality of Life (April 16, 2010)
(Article in
French)
The Quebec Government will grant up to 11 million dollars a year
over the next three years to encourage and support older persons in this period
of their lives. As the secretary Marguerite Blais says, "ageing is not a
disease" and all must be done in order to help elders stay active in society. Dr
R�mi Bouchard adds that medicine is only a part of elder needs. Projects like
"La soci�t� Alzheimer" or "Carrefour des a�n�s de la capitale" have been created
to take care for them to avoid loneliness. At the provincial level, the
Government will support 200 projects.
France:
Firms are Reluctant to Hire Seniors and to Keep Them (April 16,
2010)
(Article in French)
The employment rate of the 55-64
years old in France is 7 points under the European average (38,9% against 46%).
To solve this problem, a senior plan, registered in the financing law of the
Social Security for 2009 has been set up. Firms with at least 50 employees had
until January 31st to reach a three year settlement with their employees. If
such a settlement could not be found, companies will have to pay 1% of their
wage bill as a fine. Nevertheless, the real utility of this plan still has to be
proved. First, the firms' goals remain modest. For instance, Microsoft aims to
keep 1% of the 55 years old and more as employees in its firm. But above all,
companies neglect to recruit persons in this senior age bracket. Several
specialists point out the fact that it will be difficult to resolve this issue
if firms have no recruitment goals to meet.
France:
Poor Retired People: Associations Sound the Alarm (April 15,
2010)
(Article in French)
A gathering of 37 French
associations battling against poverty and social exclusion ask the government
not to forget older people. They want to raise public awareness about the
poverty touching older persons as more and more live below the poverty level.
The economic crisis has made the seniors' situation worse. They are asking the
government to increase the amount of the retirement allocation.
Sierra
Leone: Pastor Morie S. Ngobeh, "The Joy of Seeing Them Free is What I Love"
(April 13, 2010)
Pastor Morie S. Ngobeh, who puts his age at "over
70," has been spat on and stabbed by addicts at a center for drug abuse and
mental illness in Sierra Leone 's capital, Freetown. In this article, the pastor
tells the story about how he started to counsel drug abusers and of the courage
and patience required to do the work he loves.
Mexico:
GDF Committed to Combating Elder Abuse (April 10, 2010)
(Article
in Spanish)
Marcelo Ebrard, Chief of the Federal District Government, has
created a specific agency aimed at targeting elder abuse. Titled the Specialized
Agency for Defense of the Elderly, this agency will address violations committed
against the older population in Mexico. Ebard recognizes the shift in family
care giving and hopes that programs such as this will prevent future elder
abuse.
World:
The Shock of the Old: Welcome to the Older Age (April 8, 2010)
As the
population continues to become older, nations such as Japan and Germany are
overwhelmed with their status as some of the world's most elderly countries.
Demographically, the world as a whole is becoming older. As fertility rates
continue to fall, it is difficult to predict when and if the population will
rebound. In addition to the increased population it is clear that people are
living longer lives and creating a "silver market." Older persons are remaining
active longer and are continuing to be productive into old age, both
professionally and through education.
China:
70-Year-Old Senior Made 8 "Cell Apartments" to Solve Housing Problem for Youth
(April 1, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
Inspired by Japanese
"Cell Motels," Rixin Huang made 8 "Cell Apartments" in one rented apartment at
Liulang Zhuang, Beijing Haidian District. Although the rent is only 50 yuan per
month, none have been rented. Huang thinks this concept can meet market needs
and that young people will eventually take advantage of the opportunity to live
in a cell.
China:
Municipal Administration Is Rude Again; Who Is Guarding Rights of Seniors?
(March 29, 2010)
(Article in Chinese)
The main character
reported in this article is over 50 years old. She has no husband and supports a
child in college by selling fried yams. While seniors should not move into areas
considered illegal to sell their food items, can't government officials at least
designate places for them to make a living? This question is especially
important if the government is unable to provide social safety nets for
seniors.
Canada:
Prison Population In Canada Is Aging (March 20, 2010)
(Article in
French)
In Canada 22% of prisoners are over 50 years old. The federal
prison of Mont�e-Saint Francois in Montreal has one of the more aged populations
in the country: more than half of the prisoners are over 50. Many of them were
condemned because of sexual abuses. They are often discouraged, don't have any
social life, don't want to think about the future and sometimes cannot work
because of their precarious health. Prisons have to adapt to this growing aging
population and to provide specific services to meet their particular
needs.
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