Accept Ageing and Live Happily

Aging is a natural process of life. It begins the moment we are born. Strangely enough, most of us live under the illusion that we and our loved ones will never become old.

When old age arrives, we are often unprepared. The natural order becomes reversed. The young help to care for the old. Those who need to be taken care of for the first time have a hard time accepting that they need help.

This condition is a product of our culture that does everything it can to conceal the loss of youth. Confronting this reality is the beginning of a healthy relationship to life, aging and death.

Source:
http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/family/aging-poems.asp

Sleeping Easier After Retirement

Study Shows End of Work-Related Stress May Bring Decrease in Sleep Disturbance.

Retirement may lead to better sleep for those who don't retire due to health reasons, a new study indicates.

Reporting in the Nov. 1 issue of the journal Sleep, Finnish scientists say the prevalence of sleep disturbances drops sharply after retirement.

This suggests that tossing and turning results from work-related demands and stress, the researchers say. Retirement has health benefits, they argue, but sleep may improve because stress declines.

However, "in countries and positions where there is no proper pension level to guarantee financial security beyond working age ... retirement may be followed by severe stress, disturbing sleep even more than before retirement," says study researcher Jussi Vahtera, MD, PhD, of the University of Turku in Finland, in a news release.

The researchers analyzed records of employees from the French national gas and electricity company, Electricite de France-Gaz de France, who retired between 1990 and 2006. Employees benefited from a retirement pension of 80% of their salary. Data were analyzed from 11,581 male workers and 3,133 female workers who reported sleep disturbances at least once before and once after the year of retirement. Among the study participants, 72% had retired by age 55 and 99% by 60.

Annual surveys were done ranging from seven years before retirement to seven years after. Participants answered questions about health, lifestyle, individual, familial, social, and occupational issues. The company also collected data on occupational and health data.

Results indicate sleep disturbances increase slowly with age, and researchers say this is evident both before and after retirement. However the overall levels of sleep disturbances were lower after retirement.

Before retirement, the researchers write that 22%-24% of participants reported sleep disturbance in any year, but that decreased to 17.8% in the first year after retirement. Although it increased to 19.7% in the seventh year after retirement, the percentage stayed lower than before retirement of the study period.

The only exception to the improved sleep after retirement was related to the 4% of people whose retirement was based on health reasons.

The researchers say that these days, when people are expected to live many years following the traditional retirement age, steps should be taken to help older workers remain economically active, as long as such steps don't compromise their future health.

However, because increasing numbers of people are living beyond retirement, most Western countries are pushing retirement age higher.

The fact that sleep disturbances tend to decrease after retirement raises the question of whether "the health and well-being of individuals are significantly worse" when they are still working, the researchers write. And that, they say, "presents a great challenge to improve the quality of work life in Western societies in which the cost of the aging population can only be met through an increase in average retirement age."

Vahtera says the study's findings "are largely applicable in situations where financial incentives not to retire are relatively weak."

Source: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20091102/sleeping-easier-after-retirement?ecd=wnl_lbt_111109

More attention to be paid to the impact of the crisis on vulnerable older people

On the occasion of the UN Day of Older People AGE calls for more attention to be paid to the impact of the crisis on vulnerable older people.


The crisis shows that neither banks nor economists nor governments can prevent stock market instability and collapse, with its harmful effects on older people, in particular the most vulnerable. The crisis provides however an opportunity to review the efficiency and goals of our social protection systems and gives a clear warning against unconditional reliance on funded pension schemes. In a brochure entitled “Ensuring adequate pensions for all in the EU - a shared responsibility for society”, AGE members reiterate with new urgency their call for:

- A balanced and diversified pension architecture with adequate and reliable statutory schemes (the so-called first pillar);

- Strengthened security for individual entitlements in funded pension schemes;

- Measures to facilitate the retention of older workers in their jobs and access to quality employment for those seeking work;

- Specific attention to be paid to address the existing gender inequalities in old-age income and avoid creating new sources of inequalities for future cohorts; and

- Support to individuals with shorter or atypical employment careers to help them build sufficient pension rights.

“It is time to promote more solidarity between and within generations to cope with the long-term sustainability and adequacy of our social protection and pension systems”, said Anne-Sophie Parent, Director of AGE. “Solidarity is about sharing the responsibility for everyone’s well being between people of all ages, both active and retired, rich and poor, healthy and sick, and it aims to strengthen links within family, communities and the whole society”.

AGE new publication on Pensions “Ensuring adequate pensions for all in the EU: a shared responsibility for society” is available on AGE website at:

http://www.age-platform.org/EN/IMG/pdf_AGE-pensions-UK.pdf

Six-Month Certificate Course in Geriatric Care 2009-10 (Full Time)

Greetings from ARDSI School of Geriatric Care Cochin, Kerala.


Application from interested candidates is invited for admission to Six-Month Certificate Course in Geriatric Care 2009-10 (Full Time) under Project National Initiative on Care for Elderly (NICE) of National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an Autonomous Body under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India . This course has been conceptualized to develop a cadre of frontline geriatric caregivers (Geriatric animators) and Supervisory Level Personnel to meet the demand for providing skill based, field oriented trained personnel in Age Care in NGO Sector (National as well as International), Government/Corporate Sector, Academic Institutions, etc. The course covers subjects like Social Gerontology, Basic Geriatrics, Applied Geriatrics, and Geriatric Nursing.


ARDSI School of Geriatric Care, a project of Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India is a Pioneer Institute in Geriatric Care. Since 1993 onwards we have been conducting various Certificate and Diploma Courses in Geriatric Care approved and supported by various Institutes like CMAI, RCI, Southern Cross Care Australia, Alzheimer’s Scotland, NISD, etc. The ARDSI School of Geriatric Care Cochin is very proud to conduct the third batch of the course at this time.


Eligibility:
i. High School/Matriculation or any other Examination equivalent to Secondary Examination after a period of 10 years study;
Preference will be given to candidates working as Old Age Care Givers, Health Workers,Counsellors,Social Workers, Home Care Workers, Nursing Assistant or in Age
Care Agencies/Organisations.

ii. Age Limit: He/she should have completed the age of 18 years as on October 1, 2009 and should not be more than 45 years as on October 1, 2009.

No. of seats and Selection Criterion:
There are 30 seats for each Centre. There is no Course Fee.The course is purely non-residential and the selected candidates will have to make their own arrangements for board & lodging.

Selection will be made through a Common Aptitude Test (CAT) to be held at New
Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Agartala, Bangalore, Cochin and Coimbatore on Sunday,
January 10, 2010 followed by Group Discussion and Interview. Interested Candidates may send their application in the prescribed form given in the Prospectus which can be had from Old Age Care Division, National Institute of Social Defence, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, West Block – 1, Wing – 3, First Floor, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066 (Tel. 26106883) from 10.00 AM to 4.00 PM on all working days during November 10, 2009 to December11,2009 by paying Rs. 50/- personally, or by sending Draft/Pay Order/Indian Postal Order for Rs. 80/-. The Draft/Pay Order should be in favour of The Director,National Institute of Social Defence, West Block – 1, Wing – 7, Ground Floor, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066, payable at New Delhi.

Reservation of Seats
Fifteen percent of the seats are reserved for the scheduled caste candidates,7.5 percent seats for the scheduled tribe candidates,27% for the OBC candidates and 3 percent for the following categories of disabled who will be able to take up the job of Care Givers:


1. Persons with hearing impairment or low vision fitted with appropriate aids/assistive
devices to enable them to function with normal hearing, vision, speech etc.
2. Persons with minor disability in one of the lower or upper limb that does not restrict their job of care giving if fitted with appropriate appliances or even without it.



Forms would be available from November 10, 2009 and last date for receipt of the duly filled-in application is December 11 , 2009. Last date for receipt of Application from North – Eastern Region and Andaman & Nicobar Island is December 18, 2009. The forms can also be downloaded from the Website (www.nisd.gov.in) of the Institute. However, such forms duly filled in should be submitted alongwith the Draft for Rs. 80/- as explained earlier. Incomplete applications or the applications received after the last date or without Demand Draft/Pay Order will not be considered.

Application should be sent to Deputy Director, Old Age Care Division, West Block – 1,
Wing– 3, First Floor, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110066, so as to reach latest by December 11, 2009.




Contact:

Babu Varghese
Course Coordinator
ARDSI School of Geriatric Care
Madavana Temple Road, Vennala.P.O
Kochi-28 Kerala, India.
Phone 0484 2808088, 09846198786, 09846198741
web site: www.alzheimer.org.in
E-Mail:ardsicochin@gmail.com

I forgot to live

First , i was dying to finish my high school and start college

And then i was dying to finish college and start working

Then i was dying to marry and have children

to grow old enough

so i could go back to work

But then i was dying to retire

And now i am dying ……..

And suddenly i realized

i forgot to live

Please don’t let this happen to you

Appreciate your current situation

And enjoy each day , each moment

…………………..Silver Innings, a new beginning

Dementia patients' kin need support : Mumbai

It was the illness and subsequent death of her mother, Girija, that made Meera Shyam Narvekar from Borivli , Mumbai ,India want to help others.

Girija was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and suffered from dementia for over nine years. Neither Girija nor Meera could find any help from people they approached in this period.

"There were hardly any doctors who knew about dementia," says Meera. "I had to read up a lot about it to learn. Unfortunately, my mother passed away before I could help her in any way."

It was then that the 49-year-old decided to help other such families by sharing her experience. "It is a very confusing time for the family," says Meera. "The family also goes through different stages with the patient." Today, she is part of the Silver Innings Dementia Support Group and the Holy Family Dementia Support Group.

The Silver Innings support group was started two years ago. It comprises clinical psychiatrists, social workers, and volunteers, and has visited over 60 patients, residing between Andheri and Bhayander, to provide guidance and support.

To reach out to families beyond Andheri, the group recently collaborated with the Holy Family Hospital to start the Holy Family support group. This group meets at 4pm on the last Saturday of every month at the Holy Family Hospital. A doctor, a clinical psychologist, and a social worker are available to help those who attend.

"A support group is a great help," says Dr Charles Pinto, psychiatrist, Holy Family Hospital. "It helps to educate the family about the disorder. Most importantly, you get inputs and emotional support from others."

According to Raheen Jumani, a clinical psychologist, most people who have someone in the family suffering from dementia look for moral support. "Such a group allows them to take some time out to talk openly about their feelings," she says. "They are also able learn through other people's experiences."

The doctors present at the meetings answer queries and clear doubts for over an hour.

Contact Silver Innings Dementia Support Group at 90290 00091 (Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm)

Source:

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_dementia-patients-kin-need-support_1305976

Bollywood film on Alzheimer’s disease announced 2009

Director Brahmanand Singh’s debut film on Alzheimer’s disease will star Naseeruddin Shah. He has earlier in 90's directed India's first documentary on Alzheimer's 'Burden of Love' .

Brahmanand Singh is a risk taker. Tell him that, and he says, “I take it as a compliment.” He’s chosen an offbeat, rather unpalatable subject as the backdrop of his debut film, Surmayee Shaam, which mounts the sets in February. It will deal with Alzheimer’s disease.

In Surmayee..., Naseeruddin Shah plays an Alzheimer’s patient, while Mahie Gill plays his daughter-in-law. Brahmanand has finalised an actor for the role of Naseer’s son and the search for the film’s child artistes is on. Brahmanand hopes he’ll discover another Darsheel Safary on this hunt.

The film, says Brahmanand, isn’t just about the disease, but about human relationships. Naseeruddin is an achiever in the film, an archaeologist who’s lived life king-size. “It’s almost ironic as an archaeologist is a custodian of memory. He shares a very strange relationship with his daughter-in-law, who relates to him. Mahie plays a confident mother of two, who designs out of home. But her husband lives in his father’s shadow and in the complex of being a non-entity. So, I’m concentrating more on the familial drama than the disease,” states Brahmanand.

In recent years, only Black and U, Me Aur Hum depicted glimpses of the illness. “Black, unfortunately, just showed Amitabh Bachchan walking up and down the corridor. As for U, Me Aur Hum, no 25-year-old gets Alzheimer’s; they might just detect the symptoms and take the required preventative measures. I’ll ensure I don’t make a U, Me Aur Hum. I, however, need to show everything in a shorter span of time,” he maintains.
The film will end on a positive note. “It’s about the highs of life, despite Alzheimer’s. It does show the toll Alzheimer’s takes on the family,” shares Brahmanand.


Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/The-B-town-cause-effect/articleshow/5202825.cms