Senior citizens to demand revision in civic budget

Irked with the paltry provision of 0.008% towards their welfare schemes in the annual civic budget, senior citizens and representatives of several NGOs plan to meet Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief Sitaram Kunte next week.

Of the total proposed budget outlay of Rs 27,492 crore, a provision o only Rs. 2.2 crore has been made for senior citizens. "Senior citizens comprise a significant proportion of our population. I propose to make a budgetary provision of Rs2.20 crore for recreation centres and other initiatives exclusively targeted towards the benefit of our senior citizens," Kunte had said in his speech.

"Senior citizens comprise 10% of the overall population of the city. How can Rs. 2.20 crore be sufficient to meet their demands for the year," asked Sailesh Mishra, founder president, NGO Silver Innings Foundation "The city is not senior citizen-friendly. The existing infrastructure such as skywalks, foot overbridges and markets do not cater to the elderly. So, we need a budgetary allocation of at least Rs500 crore (2%) for them," said Mishra.

Prakash Borgaonkar, director, HelpAge India, said that the civic body should pass the senior citizens' policy at the earliest. "The policy will help the civic body extend several facilities towards senior citizens. It should be cleared at the earliest. We also need additional provisions for the aged in all civic-run hospitals."

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A full life, well lived

A good old age isn't just about national policies; it's also about changing mindsets 

WAS Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw corrects when he said that "youth is wasted on the young"? For the old, looking on the young, it may seem so. Seen in retrospect, the strength, vitality and potential of youth rarely appear to be utilized to their fullest: the wisdom to appreciate the value and joys of youth apparently being something that is attained in later years, through regret over a misspent life. So, the inspiring tales of sexagenarians, septuagenarians and octogenarians climbing Mount Everest, running in marathons, completing triathlons, going back to university and being more active and fitter than "young" people should hardly be a surprising or astonishing feat. Some in society may label such active senior citizens as "trying to be young" or free to pursue such activities because they are now unencumbered with "real responsibilities"; but that's just the envy talking.

What is perhaps surprising is that not more "old" people are seen or portrayed as leading active lives. If the active ageds are covered by the press, they are often presented as something unique: going against the grain. But, often in the media, old people make their appearance to recount some event in history, as sad abandoned inmates in old folk's homes, grateful recipients of welfare aid, or "in memoriam". Certainly, these people do exist, too, and deserve attention; but such portrayals do a disservice to senior citizens because it categorizes them as a phenomenon, or symptom of a social disease, rather than as real people. It gives the impression that old age is a terrible stage in life, to be endured as one waits for death, a corridor through which to pass from one existence to another, rather than a room or dance hall in which to live and exist. And in doing so, it perpetuates the stereotype of "old age": dooming old people to living out their days preparing for death, instead of living life.

But, what is the reality of old age? True, the skin gets thinner and wrinkles, the body less well-toned (yes, even for Russian President Vladimir Putin), and the batteries need recharging more often. But a body is not a life. It is just a vessel to carry life. Treat it well enough, and it will provide transport for many good years. And, whether the body be young or old, how far it travels, and in which direction, depends entirely on the driver. The reality of life, youth, old age, and whether being "old" or "young" is a good or bad thing, is whatever one chooses to make of it. Just as youth can be wasted on the young, old age can be wasted on the old. A person has only this one life to live; that life need not be filled with regret looking backwards, nor dread looking forward.

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The International Istanbul initiative on Ageing (IIIA)

The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) and Turyak Seniors Council Association cordially invite you to the International Istanbul Initiative on Ageing (IIIA), October 4-6, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey!

The IIIA will bring together international leaders and decisions makers, academia, industry and civil society to discuss the opportunities of population ageing to inform the regions of the Middle East, Northern Africa, Eastern Europe and neighboring countries of Turkey. In the next decade, these regions will be highly impacted by global ageing.

The IIIA is an international platform designed to engage delegates in proactive, innovative, and thought provoking discussions to leverage the social and economic capital of an ageing population; critical to ensure economic sustainability and prosperity.

Come and join the IFA and Turyak on this journey! There are many opportunities to participate!

The conference is composed of three key elements within the overarching theme of “Intergenerational Solidarity”.

CONGRESS

The Congress aims to gather together high-level leaders and decision makers and foster meaningful discussions. Don’t miss your chance to participate in our call for papers and abstracts!

The Five Foundational Plenary Sessions of the Congress are:

1) Political Leaders Panel - Ageing in the New World

Presenting:

-           H.E. Mohamed Magariaf, President of Libya

-           H.E. Vladimir Filat, President of Moldova

-           H.E. Malika Issoufou Mahamadou, First Lady of Niger

2) Mayoral Panel - Age-Friendly Cities the Key to Sustainability and Livability

3) Global Business (CEO) Panel - Economics of Ageing

4) World Bank Panel - Economic Prospects of Population Ageing

5) Policy Entrepreneurs Panel - Action on Ageing

CALL FOR PAPERS: Deadline May 31, 2013

-           $5,000USD for the Best Overall Paper

-           $2,000USD for the Best Paper in each of the four themes

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: Deadline May 31, 2013

For paper and abstract guidelines and themes visit the IFA website www.ifa-fiv.org for further information.

EXPO 50+ ISTANBUL

Expo 50+ Istanbul will spark a new wave of innovation and design to improve the quality of life of an ageing demographic!

- 10,000 square meters featuring advances in technology, assistive devices, and innovative designs

- 400+ exhibitors

- 10,000+ individuals walking through

Expo 50+ Istanbul will also feature an “Age-friendly Cities Zone” where cities and communities from around the world will display their age-friendly projects and initiatives and demonstrate the benefits of active ageing and integrating and engaging older people!

This Age-friendly Cities Zone will be the opportunity for your age-friendly city or community to share its work and ideas, but also learn from other communities to promote an integrated network.

Sign up for a booth at Expo 50+ Istanbul Today!

www.expo-50.com

AGE-FRIENDLY INNOVATION COMPETITION

The competition aspires to the prospective creation of new designs and initiatives while promoting a shift in thinking that focuses on the specific needs of an increasingly important population segment.

Here is your chance to show us what your city or community has to offer! We want to recognize the important work of age-friendly cities and communities from around the world; dedicated to improving the lives of ageing residents in their community!

DEADLINE: February 28, 2013

Deadlines are close so enter the competition now! http://www.ifa-fiv.org/ifa-activities/ifa-conferences-meetings/istanbul/age-friendly-awards-call-for-papers/

Two Categories:

Best Existing Age-Friendly Initiative or Design: $20,000

Show us your age-friendly design/initiative! Does it integrate older adults in the community, promote inclusivity and enable through accessible environments? Yes? We want to see you in Istanbul!

Best “Future Vision” of an Age-Friendly City or Community: $20,000

What do you envision for your city or community as the population ages? Do you have a plan for the ageing demographic in your city? Join the competition and showcase what your city or community is planning!

  

Please visit the IFA website www.ifa-fiv.org for more information on the International Istanbul Initiative on Ageing.

You can also subscribe to the IFA eNews for regular updates on the International Istanbul Initiative on Ageing.

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Physical activity benefits young and elderly alike

Physical activity is beneficial for lower leg muscle coordination across both sides of the body in both the young and the elderly, a new study has shown.

Lower limb muscle communication is essential for everyday tasks, such as walking, balancing, and climbing stairs.

"The results of this study suggest that participation in physical activity contributes to greater crossed-spinal reflex stability in both young and elderly subjects," said exercise scientist Rachel Ryder, a visiting research associate in the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington.

"In other words, the two lower legs maintain stable muscular communication patterns, which could contribute to better coordination of muscles across the right and left side of the body. The lack of this coordination or stability could exacerbate fall risk in older, sedentary subjects."

Ryder`s study involved 28 healthy men and women who were sorted by age into two groups: 14 subjects in a group of people 20- to 25-years old; the rest were over 65.

Based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the two groups were divided further into physically active or sedentary.

The researchers tested reflexes by alternately stimulating nerves in each leg with an electrical current while study participants rested in a prone position.

"Participation in physical activity could play an important role in maintaining the muscle reflex system in the lower limbs and assist in coordination throughout life," Ryder said.

"This is particularly important in older adults. While voluntary movement has a large role to play in fall-prevention, the motor systems ``first line of defense`` against a slip or trip is the reflex system. The muscle reflexes are capable of generating a motor response in under 50 milliseconds, allowing the reflex system to quickly correct for a sudden change in body position, or at the least, reduce the impact of the fall,” she added.

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Internet Use Cuts Depression among Senior Citizens

Spending time online reduces depression by 20 percent for senior citizens, the Phoenix Center reports in a new Policy Paper released today. In addition to the quality of life benefits, the Policy Paper said reducing the incidence of depression by widespread Internet use among older Americans could trim the nation's health care bill.

"Maintaining relationships with friends and family at a time in life when mobility becomes increasingly limited is challenging for the elderly," says Phoenix Center Visiting Scholar and study co-author Dr. Sherry G. Ford, an Associate Professor of Communications Studies at University of Montevallo in Alabama. "Increased Internet access and use by senior citizens enables them to connect with sources of social support when face-to-face interaction becomes more difficult."

The Policy Paper, Internet Use and Depression Among the Elderly, examines survey responses of 7,000 retired Americans 55 years or older. The data was provided by the Health and Retirement Study of the University of Michigan and screened to exclude respondents who were still working and also those living in nursing homes in order to limit possible variations that might skew the findings. These limitations reduced the size of the sample from the initial 22,000 to 7,000, but that is still far larger than all previous efforts to consider the effect of Internet use on psychological well-being of the elderly population. Age 55 is the common age cut off for studies of the elderly. Unlike many existing studies on the benefits of broadband, the statistical methodologies used in the analysis aim to determine causal effects and not simply measure correlations.

Phoenix Center President Lawrence W. Spiwak says, "This is the most advanced statistical analysis on the social impacts of broadband to date, and the most believable. If policymakers want better data analysis, they now have it. The study raises the bar for credible statistical analysis when formulating broadband policy."

The implications of the findings are significant because depression affects millions Americans age 55 or older and costs the United States about $100 million annually in direct medical costs, suicide and mortality, and workplace costs. The Pew Internet & American Life Project estimates that only about 42 percent of Americans aged 65 or more use the Internet, far below the adoption rate of other age groups. Given the relatively low adoption rates by seniors, the study concludes that the opportunity for better health outcomes from expanded Internet adoption is substantial. Further, with billions spent annually on depression-related health care costs, the potential economic savings also are impressive. "Efforts to expand broadband use in the U.S. must eventually tackle the problem of low adoption in the elderly population," says study Phoenix Center Chief Economist and study co-author Dr. George S. Ford. "The positive mental health consequences of Internet demonstrate, in part, the value of demand stimulus programs aimed at older Americans."

Phoenix Center Policy Paper No. 38: Internet Use and Depression Among the Elderly, may be downloaded free from the Phoenix Center's web page at: http://www.phoenix-center.org/pcpp/PCPP38Final.pdf.

The Phoenix Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that studies broad public-policy issues related to governance, social and economic conditions, with a particular emphasis on the law and economics of telecommunications and high-tech industries.

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Concerns over an aging India

By 2050, India will be home to one out of every six of the world’s older persons, and only China will have a larger number of elderly people, according to estimates released by the United Nations Population Fund.

Thirty years ago, there were no “aged economies,” in which consumption by older people surpassed that of youth. In 2010, there were 23 aged economies. By 2040, there will be 89.

Japan is today the only country with more than 30 per cent of its population aged 60 or above. By 2050, there will be 64 countries where older people make up more than 30 per cent of the population.  In simple terms, within a decade there will be one billion older persons worldwide. And by 2050, nearly 80 per cent of the world’s older persons will live in developing countries — with China and India contributing to over one-third that number. 

A report released by the United Nations Population Fund and HelpAge India to mark the International Day of Older Persons — observed on October 1 — suggests that India had 90 million elderly persons in 2011, with the number expected to grow to 173 million by 2026. Of the 90 million seniors, 30 million are living alone and 90 per cent work for livelihood.

The report says the number of elderly women is more than that of elderly men. Nearly three out of five single older women are very poor, and two out of three rural elderly women are fully dependants. There is also an increasing proportion of elderly at 80-plus ages, and this pattern is more pronounced among women.

The study, undertaken in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh by HelpAge, suggests that one-fifth of the elderly live alone. This proportion has registered a sharp increase in the past two decades and is more evident in the case of elderly women.

The housing data from Census 2011 also point out that the number of households has increased substantially in the last decade, and the number of persons per household has come down substantially. Declining fertility, migration and nuclearisation of families are three possible reasons for such reduction in household size.

Across the States, there is a substantial variation in the type of living arrangement, particularly in the proportion of elderly persons living alone. The percentage of those living alone or with spouse is as high as 45 per cent in Tamil Nadu, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Kerala. This indicates that with a demographic transition under way and youth migrating out for economic reasons, there will be a drastic change in the living arrangements of the elderly in rural and urban areas. The large segment of the elderly, those living alone or with spouse only, and the widowed who are illiterate, poor and particularly those from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families, low wealth quintiles will definitely require various kinds of support: economic, social and psychological. These, at present, are woefully lacking.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment put in place the National Policy on Older Persons in 1999 with a view to addressing issues relating to aging in a comprehensive manner. But the programme failed at the implementation level. The Ministry is now formulating a new policy that is expected to address the concerns of the elderly. The idea is to help them live a productive and dignified life. There is a scheme of grant-in-aid of the Integrated Programme for Older Persons, under which financial assistance is provided to voluntary organisations for running and maintaining projects. These include old-age homes, day-care centres and physiotherapy clinics. While the scheme, indeed the concept, is still alien to India, the Ministry is considering the revision of cost norms for these projects, keeping in view the rising cost of living.

The most recent intervention has been the introduction of the National Programme for Health Care for Elderly in 2010, with the basic aim to provide separate and specialised comprehensive health care to senior citizens. The major components of this programme are establishing geriatric departments in eight regional geriatric centres and strengthening health care facilities for the elderly at various levels in 100 districts. Though the scheme is proposed to be expanded during the Twelfth Five Year Plan, the regional geriatric centres are yet to take off because of lack of space in the identified institutions.

The enactment of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, was a legislative milestone. However, its implementation has been poor.

With poor social security arrangements for the elderly, it is not surprising that around 37 million elderly in India are engaged in productive work, according to NSSO data for 2004-05. A majority of these workers are illiterate or have limited levels of education. Half the women elderly workers are from the two poorest consumption quintiles. This indicates that illiteracy and poverty push them to undertake work outside as a survival strategy, or out of compulsion.   

Keywords: The Sunday Story, India population, India elderly population, senior citizens, elderly persons, health care for elderly, social security, old age homes, elderly care

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First robot rollout to 'assist' the elderly

It can be a difficult decision as to what step to take next when our older loved ones begin needing assistance in their daily lives, but a recent study from the Georgia Institute of Technology may make the choice easier. The idea of adding a robot to someone's household might seem far-fetched or futuristic to some, but after this study, it's clear that robots could soon be computerized family members.

The Georgia Institute of Technology asked about two dozen adults aged 65-93 to watch an eight-minute video about Willow Garage's Personal Robot 2. They followed the video by asking the participants about their preference of robot or human assistance in completing 48 unique tasks. The tasks ranged from such things as entertaining guests to setting the table.

The responses from the participants show that the older generation may not be as "behind-the-times" as some might think. Overall, they showed a preference to a robot's assistance in necessary activities in their daily lives, such as changing light bulbs, cleaning the house, washing dishes, making the bed, taking out the trash, and reminding them to take medications. Human assistance; however, was preferred for social and decision-making activities: cooking, entertaining guests, grocery shopping.

Additionally, activities of a personal, intimate nature remain in humans' hands. The participants were resistant to having robotic help with things like bathing, walking, shaving, getting dressed, eating, and brushing their teeth.

The researchers note that these results may be impacted by the lack of friendly interaction between person and robot. The Personal Robot 2 (PR2) is meant to perform specific tasks, and that's that. However, in the case of "social robots," such as MIT's Leonardo, people develop personal relationships with their assistant. They name their robot, dress it, and address it with greetings and farewells.

Another study called the Companion Able Project created Hector, a similar robot to PR2. Hector is guided by remote control and smart home compatibility, and he displays capabilities that are of great assistance to the elderly. He comes when he's called, reminds you of your daily schedules and routines, tells you when to take your medicine, and will even keep your glasses safe in his pocket. He is also a safety addition to the household with his fall detection capabilities. In emergencies - like a fall - he is connected to a remote control center, and he can assess the seriousness of the fall and evaluate what sort of help is needed.

It might be mind boggling for many to think of adding a metal member to their family, but the robotic technology is advancing rapidly and could prove essential to some households.

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