Government Unprepared for "Silver Tsunami"

Geriatrics Physician Dr. Cheryl Woodson Says Families Must Prepare to Give Care and Pressure Elected Officials to Do More for Aging Populations.

In the days since the Democratic and Republican National Conventions ended, enthusiastic delegates have returned home to push their candidates' agendas and the candidates themselves are campaigning vigorously. Yet with all the rhetoric doled out during both gatherings, one Chicago-area physician and caregiver advocate says there was too little said about one of the nation's top issues: healthcare--especially as it relates to caring for people ages 65 and over.

"The silence on these issues was deafening," says Dr. Cheryl Woodson, a practicing geriatrician, caregiver expert and author. "Here we are in the midst of a health care crisis and none of the candidates spoke in detail about how this nation will ensure quality care for older generations," she added.

By the year 2030 more than 57 million people will be between the ages of 66 and 84--that's about 25% of the population. Additionally, reports show that more Baby Boomers are under-insured and worried that they may not be able to afford long-term, rising health care costs.

"These factors, coupled with the fact that people are living longer and are more prone to develop chronic and degenerative health problems confirm that we are facing an onslaught of mature patients, otherwise known as a 'silver tsunami.' There will not be enough advocates to help seniors secure their futures, not enough capable caregivers and not enough of a commitment on behalf of the government to ensure that seniors receive the kind of care they deserve," Woodson states.

"I've seen far too many families stuck with medical bills they cannot pay, because they misunderstood their health insurance coverage. Many have even lost their homes," Woodson recalls, which is why she regularly facilitates workshops at her south suburban Chicago adult healthcare center. Topics include everything from navigating the Medicare Maze to dealing with Dementia.

So what can families do? In addition to demanding that elected officials bring this issue to the forefront, Dr. Woodson says people must first realize that many of them will become the primary caregivers for aging relatives. "That means you can't put your head in the sand if you notice something different about mom or dad," Woodson states. As a geriatrician, she advises families to get geriatrics assessments for their loved ones the moment they notice forgetfulness, personality changes, or other unusual behavior.

Secondly, Dr. Woodson says individual caregivers must also avoid taking on the entire responsibility. "Take the 'S' off your chest, or step away from the Kryptonite! Don't try to be a 'Super Caregiver.' One person cannot do it alone."

Lastly, Woodson drives home the importance of caregivers caring for themselves. "You cannot give care, supervise care or advocate for another's care when you are physically ill, financially strapped or emotionally exhausted," she warns.

After having witnessed primary caregivers literally drop dead, leaving 80+ year-old loved ones behind with no one to look after them, Woodson strongly advises caregivers to exercise regularly, keep doctor's appointments, protect finances and prepare well for their own retirement. "By taking care of yourself you are taking care of your aging loved one."

Source: http://www.blacknews.com/news/cheryl_woodson101.shtml

Don’t insult your servants, be good to neighbours: Guidelines for Senior Citizens

In the wake of increasing number of attacks on senior citizens in their homes, the Mumbai police have come up with a registration form to keep a tab on their servants and other frequent visitors.


The police want the senior citizens to fill in the registration form giving details of not just servants but also persons like milkmen, washer men, electricians, masons, cable operators and plumbers.


The form also asks senior citizens to put an alarm in their neighbours’ houses so that they can be contacted during emergencies. It also says that they should periodically raise the salaries of their servants and never insult them.


The police have asked NGOs for help as senior citizens are often wary of those in uniform and do not share information freely. The new form prepared with the help of an NGO, working for the elderly, is part of a drive to create a database entailing all details of around two lakh senior citizens living on their own in the city. The database would come in handy for the police not only in detecting crimes against the elderly but also to help prevent such incidents.


K L Prasad, joint commissioner of police (law and order), said, “Most of the crimes against the elderly residents are committed by people known to them. And it’s not just servants. We’ve come across cases where painters and masons have murdered the elderly occupants of a house. Thus, with the help NGOs, we are preparing a database of such people who regularly visit senior citizens’ houses.”


Prasad suggested that alarms in the neighbours’ houses and CCTV cameras will help prevent crimes against the elderly. “Your neighbour can be your saviour. In times of emergency, you can just push a button and they will come to your help. Also, never insult your servant. There have been cases where servants have murdered their employers out of vengeance,” said Prasad.


While nearly 3,500 senior citizens are currently registered with the Mumbai police’s helpline for the elderly residents, the police have plans reach out to the rest.


Dos and Don’ts

• Be vigilant in case of courier/delivery boys, ask your domestic help to take the deliveries

• Insist on proper identification and contact details of repairmen, milkmen, plumbers, cable operators etc.

• Get household repairs and fittings done through a reputed contractor or agency or through known persons.

• Keep the light at the front door switched on at night so that you can identify visitors

• Maintain cordial relationship with your neighbours

• Always be on the lookout for unfamiliar vehicles, taxis, rickshaws, two-wheelers that are parked at your society premises


Source: http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=2&contentid=200809172008091703253936091a4156b&pageno=1#

National Conference on Dementia & Alzheimer's Care- India 2008: Register to Attend

Dementia Care & Research: A Roadmap for India

Dementia is a global problem and is expected to reach epidemic proportion in Asia in the next decade. Compared to many other countries, India is yet to go a long way in providing adequate care and support to persons suffering from dementia. It’s time for immediate action by all of us – the public, medical professionals, service providers and policy makers to join hands in finding tangible solutions to deal with this emerging epidemic. The conference is expected to evolve a roadmap for dementia care and research in India.

Date: 27 - 28 Sept 2008

Register here: http://www.dementiabangalore.com/8AnnualMeet/Registration_Details.aspx

Venue:

Indian Institute of Science

Bangalore

India

Programme list: http://www.dementiabangalore.com/8AnnualMeet/Programme.aspx

Contact:

Conference Secretariat: ARDSI – Bangalore Chapter C/o Nightingales Medical Trust
337, 2nd Cross, 1st Block, R T Nagar, Bangalore – 560032

Ph: 91 80 23548444/555 Fax: 91 80 23548999

Email: events@dementiabangalore.com

Website: http://www.dementiabangalore.com/8AnnualMeet/Home_8AnnualMeet.aspx

TECHNOLOGY INTERVENTIONS FOR ELDERLY: Send Proposals

Department of Science & Technology

Ministry of Science & Technology

Government of India

TECHNOLOGY INTERVENTIONS FOR ELDERLY (TIE)

Call for R&D and Technology Development Proposals

Department of Science & Technology (DST) has started a new and focused initiative on S&T interventions for benefit of elderly population in the country through its Science and Society Division. DST would like to support R&D proposals on conceptualization, research and development for finding technological solutions to ameliorate problems faced by the elderly population and to improve their quality of life. The possible interventions would include design and development of enabling devices, designs of homes, use of ICT in networking, recreation and entertainment, and health and nutritious food. Some projects already funded by DST under this programme relate to development of devices, launching a portal capturing technologies for elders and related matters, instituting fellowships at master’s level to attract young minds to work on special designs for elderly.

In addition to the above themes, DST would welcome any other novel/innovative idea/concept related to enablement of elderly people. Projects can be undertaken by academic / R&D institutions in collaboration with NGOs or industry, wherever feasible. The proposals should include clearly defined statement of the problem based on identified needs and state-of-the-art survey, objectives focusing on the proposed solution, project deliverables, market potential and well defined tie up with professional agencies for development/testing/verification/adaptation trials of technologies. Networked projects involving a number of agencies will be welcome.

Project proposals (10 hard copies & 1 soft copy) can be submitted in the prescribed format available on the website www.scienceandsociety-dst.org to the address mentioned below. The envelope should mention on top "PROPOSAL UNDER TIE-PROGRAMME”. The proposals can be submitted throughout the year. However, proposals received up to 30.09.2008 can be considered for evaluation in the next PAMC meeting.

Head, Science & Society Division, Department of Science & Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi–110016 (Tel: 011-26590241, Telefax: 011-26964793. E.mail: raghav@nic.in

or

vikasc.goyal@nic.in

UMANG -Senior's Talent Show- World Elders Day 2008

"Ageing is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength"

Silver Inning Foundation an dedicated organisation for Elders, Celebrates its 1st World Elders Day on 1st Oct 2008.

To recognise the Talent and Potential in our Elders we are Happy to inform you that we would hold - UMANG - A Senior's Stage Talent Show on 1st Oct 2008 at Santacruz - West, Mumbai,India.

UMNAG will give Platform to all those Seniors who have hidden Talent in them or who would like to Perform.

So we request all those Talented Seniors who are above 55 yrs to enroll for Talent Show. This is not an competition but a Show to reveal your talent. All the Participation will get Certificate of Appreciation. There are No Prizes.

Types of Performance eligible for Entries:

One act Play

Singing

Music performance – Solo or in group of Maximum 4 people

Dance - Solo

Street Play – Maximum 4 people

Mimicry

Drama - maximum with 4 people.

Max entry allowed:

A person can have only one act.

Total 10 entries will be accepted. That means there will be total of 10 act only.

Duration for each act:

Maximum 8 Minutes

Last Date for Entries: 25th Sep 2008

Venue:

Gala Foundation Community Hall Center

Hall no - 2,

1st Floor,

Near Sanatcruz Library

Santacruz – West

Mumbai

Event Date:

Wed 1st Oct 2008

Time of Event:

4pm to 6 pm

Total Seating capacity:

150

Contact:

Amruta Lovekar - Director, Programme and Services

amruta76@yahoo.com and info@silverinnings.com

Tel: 09833136536

So Hurry and enroll to show your talent.

PS: Pls note in case of more then 10 entries, the selection committee of Silver Inning Foundation will have all the rights to select Best 10 for performance. The selection committee will have final say on selection.

--
Warm Regards,
Sailesh Mishra
Founder - Silver Innings,A dedicated Website for Elders and their Family Members

Programme for World Alzheimer’s Awareness Week 2008

World Alzheimer’s Day : Mumbai,India
15th Sep to 21st Sep 2008

On the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day on 21st Sep 2008 ‘Silver Inning Foundation’ in Association with ‘ARDSI Greater Mumbai Support Group’ has planned one week Programme to create awareness about Dementia and Alzheimer’s in city of Mumbai.



Mon 15th – Screening of Film – Burden of Love and Facilitation of Care Givers and programme for Senior Citizens at Harmony – Takurdwar – 4pm to 5.30 pm


Tue 16th - Sensitizing Programme for Para Medical professional at Nanavati Hospital, Santacruz – 11.30am to 1 pm


Thu 18th – Screening of WHO Film , Talk on Dementia for Students at SVT College (SNDT) Auditorium– Juhu – 2pm to 4pm

Sat 20th – Screening of Film – Burden of Love and Sensitizing Programme (Tentative for Mumbai Police Elder Helpline) at H.E.L.P. Library, Fort – 3.30pm to 5.30 pm

Sun 21th – Screening of Film – Burden of Love, Talk on Dementia and Memory Camp for Senior Citizens at ‘’Abhi to Main Jawan Hoon’’ – Senior Citizen Club, Kandivali – 4pm to 6 pm



This programme is organized in association with ARDSI - Alzheimer's & Related Disorder Society of India –Mumbai Chapter , Harmony, H.E.L.P. Library , The Family Welfare Agency, Shree Manav Seva Sangh, FESCOM and AISCCON (All India Senior Citizens' Confederation).



Sailesh Mishra
Programme Co-coordinator, ARDSI -WAD 2008
Founder President, Silver Inning Foundation
Email : sailesh2000@gmail.com
Mobile: 09819819145

Vital Statistics of Senior Citizens & Elder Abuse in India

Aged as per 2001 Census

Elderly Population 7, 66, 22,321: 7.5% of Total population (76 million)

Aged Male 37,768,327: 7.1% of total population (37 million)

Aged Female 38,853,994: 7.8% of total population (38 million)

General population in Rural 72.2% People in Urban 27.8% as on 2001

According to UN urban population in India will increase from 30 % in 2010 to more than 50 % by 2045.

Projected Elderly Population in 2008 @ average 7.5% will be 8, 60, 75, 775 (86 million)

According to UN by 2050, nearly 20% of India’s population will comprise of people over the age of 60 years

Elder Population in Maharashtra state as on 2001

Total Population: 96,878,627 (9 million)

Male: 50,400,596

Female: 46,478,031

Population of above 60 yrs. at National Average of 7.5%: 72, 65,897

According to UNICEF Life expectancy in India

In 1970 49 yrs

In 1990 58 yrs

In 2005 64 yrs

In 2008 68.6 yrs

According to UN Global life expectancy at birth, which is estimated to have risen from 46 years in 1950-1955 to 65 years in 2000-2005, is expected to keep on rising to reach 75 years in 2045-2050.

In developed countries, 20 per cent of today’s population is aged 60 years or over, and by 2050 that proportion is projected to be 32 per cent. And by 2050 there will be two elderly persons for every child.

According to World Life Expectancy.Com as on 2008 Global Life Expectancy:

India 68.6

USA 78

Australia 80.6

South Africa 42.5

China 72.9

Russia 65.9

Saudi Arabia 75.9

UK 78.8

France 80.6

Fact about Elder Abuse

Types of Elder Abuse:

Emotional/Psychological

Physical Abuse

Financial/Material Exploitation

Abandonment

Neglect

Self-Neglect

According to pan-Indian surveys, 30% of elderly subject to some form of abuse.

According to a rough estimate, nearly 40 % of older people living with their families are reportedly facing abuse of one kind or another, but only 1 in 6 cases actually comes to light (Helpage India website).

Studies conducted recently among old people show that over 35 per cent of the elderly in urban areas and 32 per cent in rural areas live alone.

Loneliness was, in fact, a common refrain among the elderly from all regions.

Apart from the social and health problems, what also troubles the elderly -- especially in cosmopolitan areas -- is lack of safety and security.

Overall, 500 murders of senior citizens were committed in Delhi in 2005, 511 in 2004, and 547 in 2002.

According to HelpAge India, most elders are ill-treated by their own children, who have emerged as the largest group of perpetrators at 47.3 per cent. Spouses follow next at 19.3 per cent. Other relatives and grandchildren follow at 8.8 per cent and 8.6 per cent respectively.

Neglect is the most common form of abuse at 48.7 per cent followed by emotional/psychological, financial exploitation physical abuse and abandonment respectively.

There is growing number of insecurity, injustice and abuse in Elderly in India.

No specific Law in India for Elder Abuse but there are some Laws that can protect Seniors:

1. Parents cannot be evicted without the due process of law, if they have been staying there from before.
2. There are number of enactment’s which can be applied. Firstly, under Section 125 CrPC, a magistrate can order the child to maintain his old parents.
3. Secondly, Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act says an aged parent can demand maintenance from the same way a wife can demand from her husband.
4. Also, the Domestic Violence Act provides parents with the Rights to seek relief.
5. Maintenance of Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill , Dec 2007 , in this parents can demand maintenance up to Rs.10,000 per month

Each case is a story of abandonment, harassment and torture. Each case reveals glaring violations of HUMAN RIGHTS of the old and the infirm. Each case shows how one’s own children can commit such INHUMAN Acts.

Though Elder Abuse can have perpetrators outside one’s own family too… but then the majority of cases happen when the elderly people’s own family is not treating them well.

Elder abuse as a social problem remains hidden.

Elder Abuse is a frightening reality that is destroying many lives.

Elder Abuse is often so subtle and difficult to recognize that in India, we do not even perceive certain acts as Elder Abuse.

Sailesh Mishra

Founder President

Silver Inning Foundation

www.silverinning.com

References: Helpage India, INPEA, Understanding Elder Abuse by Rajul Mehta