International Conference on Ageing in India

"MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO HEALTHY & PARTICIPATORY AGEING"

Jan 22nd to Jan 24th 2009- Mumbai , India

A silent revolution has been occurring in the last 100 years - unseen, unheard, and yet so close as people 65 years of age and older have been the fastest growing segment of the different countries around the world.

In a rejoinder to this dramatic demographic trend, it is important to focus on the challenges of ageing in the 21st century. To facilitate their active integration in the life of the society, it requires collaborative efforts, which involves not only the family, but also the community and the Government - Consequently it points to the important fact that different groups of people need to network. Keeping with this, S.V.T. College of Home Science has planned for this International conference on “MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO HEALTHY & PARTICIPATORY AGEING” which is also coinciding with the Golden Jubilee Celebration of S.V.T. College of Home Science.

This conference is aimed at engaging the various sectors of the rural and urban community in a process of reinvesting the concept of ageing and rethinking policy, through an intergenerational, cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary approach. The conference hopes to address the many key questions central to the ageing population by bringing together different professionals engaged in working for the elderly to share their ideas and research findings.

The specific objectives of this conference are manifold:

• To review and address the realities and issues related to ageing in the contemporary society.
• To create awareness about the needs of the elderly and also appreciate the contribution that older persons make to own societies,
• To highlight the resources/facilities necessary to deal with the increasing population of the elderly
• To identify the innovations enhancing the lives of older people to ensure independence, participation, fulfillment and dignity.
• To deliberate on the sustainable policies of care for the elderly to ensure that the well-being of elders in need is effectively safeguarded by our society
• To strengthen the networking of different governmental and nongovernmental professionals working in this field so that the beneficiary i.e. the elderly in a country can benefit.

Another highlight of this International conference would be an “Exhibition on different facets of the elderly” for the public to enhance their awareness of the challenges or concerns related to ageing.

Who Should Attend : Professionals from multidisciplinary backgrounds.

• Home Scientists
• Nutritionists
• Psychologists
• Social scientists
• Social workers
• Health/Medical professionals
• Governmental representatives
• Policy maker/Policy implementers
• Volunteers/Decision makers in NGO
• Human resource professionals
• NGO'S
• Senior Citizens Associations
• Students
• Corporate

Dates to remember :

Last date for registration: 30th December, 2008

Proposal of Oral/Poster Paper Submission :30th September, 2008

Notification & Confirmation of Acceptance : 30th October, 2008

Final Paper Submission :30th November,2008

Host:

S.V.T College of Home Science

SNDT Women’s University,

Juhu Complex

Participating Organizations

International Longevity Center - India
HelpAge India

Supporting Organizations

Silver Inning Foundation

Venue:
ISKCON Auditorium

Hare Krishna Land,

Juhu, Mumbai- 400049

Contact:

Secretariat,

MAHPA 2009,
S.V.T. College of Home Science,
S.N.D.T. Women’s University,
Sir Vithaldas Vidyavihar,
Juhu Road, Santacruz (West),
Mumbai , Maharashtra, India
Pin: 400049

Tel: 022-26602504/26608179 ;
Fax: 022-26606427
Email: mahpa2009@gmail.com

Website : http://www.svt.ac.in/svt_portal/www/index.html

Hurry take advantage of Early bird discounts:

http://www.svt.ac.in/svt_portal/www/registrationfees.html

Last date for registration: 30th December, 2008

Organisations working for Senior Citizens in Mumbai / Maharashtra - India

HelpAge India - West zone
Mr.John Thattil / Ms. Neraja Bhatnagar
Guruchhaya Society
Manish Nagar
Andheri (West)),
Mumbai,
Maharashtra 400058
Tel : 26370754‎ / 26370740
Email: mumbai@helpageindia.org
Website : http://www.helpageindia.org/


Silver Inning Foundation
Correspondence Address Only:
Bldg: C/22
Flat: 303,
Sector:8,
Shantinagar,
Mira Road East,
Pin 401 107
Sailesh Mishra - Founder President
Mobile: 9819819145 / 9987104233
Email: sailesh2000@gmail.com / info@silverinnings.com
Website: www.silverinnings.com



Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India
BMC School Bldg
(II/room 127),
JJ Hospital Complex,
Byculla,
Mumbai-400008.
Tel: 23742479
Hon Secretary : Prof Parul - 9892123773
Email: people4sc@gmail.com / kibli_45@yahoo.co.in
Website : http://www.mykerala.net/alzheimer/ardsi_man_01.html


The Family Welfare Agency
Ms Swati Ingole
Urban Health Center (Chotta Sion Hospital)
Room No - 302,
3rd Floor,
60 Feet Rd,
Shahu Nagar
Dharavi
Mumbai - 400017
Tel : 24015150 / 9833406288 ;
Email: tfwas@yahoo.co.in



Harmony
Mr.Hiren Mehta
Maker Chambers IV
Fourth Floor
222, Nariman Point
Mumbai
Maharashtra 400021
Office- 22785400 / 9323551650
Fax- 2-285-2217
Website : http://www.harmonyindia.org/hportal/home.jsp
Email: hiren.mehta@harmonyindia.org


Dignity Foundation
BMC School Building,
Topiwala Lane,
Opp. Lamington Road Police Station,
Mumbai 400 007.
India.
Telephone: 23898079 / 23841845 / 23814356
Fax: 23898082
Email: dignity@vsnl.com
Website: http://www.dignityfoundation.com/index.php



Shree Manav Seva Sangh
257,
opp M.G.Market,
Sion road,
Sion West,
Mumbai-400022.
Tel: 2409 2266 / 24081487/ 2407 1553
Ms.Vinita / Mr.Kamdar
Email: info@shreemanavsevasangh.org


FESCOM
21, Chandravijay
Lokmanya Tilak Road
Mulund (East),
Mumbai - 400 081
Mr.Viajy Aundhe - 24050075


AISCCON (All India Senior Citizens Confederation)
Dr. S.P. Kinjawadekar
B/8/602, Kaveri Safal Complex,
Sec. - 19/A, Nerul,
New Mumbai.
Tel : 9820639773 / 2771 4240/41
Website: http://www.aisccon.org/index.htm


TISS
The Chairperson / Programme Co-ordinator
Centre for Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 8313 ,
Deonar,
Mumbai 400 088.
Tel : 2556 3289-96, Extn. 5252,/ 5680/5681/5682 or 25225252 (Direct)
Website: http://www.tiss.edu/


College Of Social Work Nirmala Niketan
38, New Marine Lines
(Churchgate-East)
Mumbai – 400 020,
INDIA
Tel : +91 22 2200 2615 / 22067345
Email: colsocwk@mtnl.net.in
Website: http://www.collegeofsocialwork.in/


The International Longevity Centre- India (ILC-I)
CASP Bhavan
132/2, Plot # 3,
Pashan-Baner Link Road,
Pune 411 021
India.
Tel : 91 (20) 65002595
Email : longevetic@gmail.com
Website: http://www.ilcindia.org/


Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA)
“YASHADA” Raj Bhavan Complex
Baner Road,
Pune – 411007
Tel – 020 – 25608000 / 25608142 Fax – 020 - 25608100
E-mail : yashada@vsnl.com
Website : http://www.yashada.org/organisation/org.htm

4th National Conference of Indian Association for Geriatric Mental Health (IAGMH)

4^th National Conference of Indian Association for Geriatric Mental Health (IAGMH) going to be held at Hotel Jaypee Palace and convention Centre, Agra, on 5^th and 6^th September 2008.

With its affiliation to International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA), the newly established IAGMH has indeed enhanced its scope and activities to international horizons in a very short span of its existence. With the increasing number of geriatric people in the society, an enhanced health service sector for this segment is the need of the hour. However our country is still lacking behind in mental health services for these elderly people. To highlight these issues, the theme of the present conference has been chosen as “Better Mental Health for Older People.”

Website : http://iagmh.org/4th/invitation.htm



Contact:

Conference Secretariat & Correspondence Address :

Dr S P Gupta
2A, Das MArket, Delhi Gate, Agra - 2, (UP.)

INDIA

Phone :
(0562) 2521780, 9837433502

Email :
spgupta_psychiatrist@rediffmail.com

International Conference on Gerontology and Geriatrics in 2008

September 4 - 7
IFA's 9th Global Conference on Ageing Expo Ageing & Design Montréal
Montréal, Canada
http://www.ageingdesignmontreal.ca

September 6 - 9, 2008
Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology
Bristol, UK
http://www.bsg2008.org.uk/

September 8 - 10, 2008
Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting
Melbourne, Australia
http://www.anzsgm.org/asmnews.asp

September 16 - 19, 2008
VII Annual Meeting of the Cuban Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Havana, Cuba
http://www.gerontogercuba.com

September 17 - 19, 2008
First Conference Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease trials
Montpellier, France
http://www.ctad.fr/

October 3, 2008
9th National Congress of the Dutch Society of Gerontology
Ede, The Netherlands
http://www.nvgerontologie.nl/

October 17 - 18, 2008
Annual meeting of the Belgian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Liège, Belgium
http://www.geriatrie.be

October 21 - 23, 2008
29th Annual Meeting of the French Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Paris, France
http://www.ams.fr/ModuleAgenda/indexCategorie.asp?intIdEvenement=48&strFileXML=&intIdRubrique=9

October 23 - 26, 2008
Canadian Association on Gerontology annual meeting
London, Ontario
http://www.cagacg.ca/

October 23-25
XIV National Congress of the Mexican Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Mexico City, Mexico
E-mail: gemac@prodigy.net.mx

New Memory Test Cutoff May Detect College-Educated Adults With Alzheimer’s

Providing a different cutoff point on the Mini-Mental State Exam, or MMSE, a 30-question questionnaire commonly used to suggest a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, may identify more college-educated adults with early disease, a new study suggest. The findings could be important, since disease-modifying treatments, which are now under development, may be most effective early in the course of Alzheimer’s.

Doctors commonly use the MMSE to assess thinking, learning and memory problems. The test takes only 5 to 10 minutes to perform and asks a series of 30 questions requiring math, memory and orientation skills.

Questions are fairly simple, such as what year is it? What season is this? What is the month? What state are we in? What hospital or office are we in? What floor are we on? The test can be administered over time to track the progress of mental deteriorations.

“The MMSE is used to screen patients for cognitive impairment, track changes in cognitive functioning over time and often to assess the effects of therapeutic agents on cognitive function,” the authors write. “Performance on the MMSE is moderated by demographic variables, with scores decreasing with advanced age and less education.”

Currently, a score below 24 out of 30 correct typically suggest serious memory problems that may suggest a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. But people with little formal education typically perform worse on the MMSE than those who are college educated.

In highly educated men and women with more than 16 years of formal education, the study found, a score below 27 may be a better marker of serious memory problems. The findings appeared in the July issue of The Archives of Neurology, a medical journal of the American Medical Association.

Sid E. O’Bryant, Ph.D., of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and colleagues reviewed the MMSE scores of 1,141 highly educated participants (93 percent white, average age 75.9 years) in the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer Disease Research Center and Alzheimer Disease Patient Registry. These included 307 patients with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia; 176 patients with mild cognitive impairment, a less serious form of memory loss that may develop into Alzheimer’s disease; and 658 control patients who were mentally normal.

With the traditional cut-off score of 24 on the MMSE, 89 percent of the participants were accurately classified in terms of dementia status. This score had a sensitivity of 66 percent, meaning that a person with a score of 23 or lower would be correctly identified as having dementia 66 percent of the time. The 24-cutoff had a specificity of 99 percent, meaning those with a score of 24 or higher would be correctly diagnosed as not having dementia 99 percent of the time.

By raising the cut-off score to 27 for college-educated seniors, the sensitivity increased to 89 percent, and the specificity rose to 78 percent, correctly classifying 90 percent of the participants overall.

“The current findings are not intended to encourage the diagnosis of cognitive impairment or dementia based on total MMSE scores alone,” the authors write. “Instead, these results provide practitioners with revised criteria for appropriate management of highly educated older white patients.”

Specifically, the researchers note, older patients who present with memory complaints -- reported themselves or by family members –- should be asked about their formal education. “Those who have attained a college degree or higher level of education and who score below 27 on the MMSE are at increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia,” the researchers write, “and should be referred for a comprehensive evaluation, including formal neuropsychological studies.”

The authors suggest that use of this new cut-off point may help facilitate early detection of dementia in highly educated individuals. Timely support may be particularly important in this population. When treatments that stem the course of Alzheimer’s become available they may be most beneficial early in the course of the disease. Individuals with more education tend to decline and die more quickly after they are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the authors note.

By www.ALZinfo.org, The Alzheimer's Information Site. Reviewed by William J. Netzer, Ph.D., Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation at The Rockefeller University.

Source:

Sid E.O’Bryant, Ph.D.; Joy D. Humphreys, M.A.; Glenn E. Smith, Ph.D., et al: “Detecting Dementia With the Mini-Mental State Examination in Highly Educated Individuals.” Archives of Neurology, Volume 65, Number 7, July 15, 2008, pages 963-967.

New Drugs for Alzheimer’s Work in Novel Ways

A new class of drugs called gamma-secretase modulators work to reduce the buildup of toxic proteins in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, giving doctors hope that these medications may offer effective new treatments for the devastating brain ailment. Results of advanced-stage testing of one of these drugs, called Flurizan, failed to show any benefit, though this unfortunate failure does not signal that other drugs, based on the same principle – called gamma-secretase modulation -- will fail.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic report that gamma-secretase modulators work to reduce the production of long pieces of a protein called beta-amyloid that builds up in the brains of those with the disease. These drugs also appear to promote the production of shorter forms of beta-amyloid that may inhibit the longer forms from sticking together and forming brain-damaging clumps. The findings appeared in the June 12 issue of the scientific journal Nature.

Doctors have long known that beta-amyloid builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. But scientists still don’t know exactly why or how this occurs, and how it may lead to the onset of memory loss and dementia.

Beta-amyloid by itself it not necessarily bad. It is formed from a larger protein called amyloid precursor protein, or APP, that can be snipped into shorter segments by proteins called enzymes. One of these enzymes is called gamma secretase.

Gamma secretase acts on a fragment of APP, shearing it like a pair of molecular scissors into smaller fragments of beta-amyloid of varying length.

One resulting form of beta-amyloid, consisting of 42 protein building blocks called amino acids, appears to be particularly toxic to the brain. This 42-amino acid form of beta-amyloid is the main form that builds up in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s disease to form plaques. A hallmark of Alzheimer's is the formation of these plaques, which are believed to damage neurons in complex ways that are not yet fully understood.

But beta-amyloid also exists in shorter forms, like the 38- and 40-amino acid segments that appear to be less harmful. These shorter segments may even be beneficial, helping to prevent the longer, and toxic, 42-amino acid form from sticking together to form plaques.

How the New Drugs Work

The new drugs, the gamma secretase modulators, are believed to act on APP, rather than the gamma secretase enzyme directly. As a result, when gamma secretase shears the larger APP protein, it tends to form shorter snippets of nontoxic beta-amyloid. At the same time, less of the toxic form of beta-amyloid is produced.

"So, as these compounds lower the amount of the bad, longer sticky beta-amyloid peptides in the brain, they increase the quantity of shorter beta-amyloid peptides that may protect against development of Alzheimer's disease," said the study’s senior author, Todd Golde, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

"In a very general sense the action of these gamma secretase modulators on beta-amyloid might be analogous to some cholesterol-lowering drugs that can lower LDL, the bad cholesterol that sticks to your arteries, and can raise HDL, the good cholesterol," Dr. Golde said.

There is also some evidence that the gamma secretase modulators actually stick to the toxic beta-amyloid already in the brain, keeping it from clumping together.

"Surprisingly, this means that these compounds may do three things that may be beneficial with respect to Alzheimer's disease: they inhibit production of long beta-amyloid, may block aggregation of beta-amyloid, and increase production of shorter beta-amyloid peptides that may in turn inhibit beta-amyloid aggregation," said the study's lead investigator, Thomas Kukar, Ph.D.

Because these experimental drugs lower levels of toxic beta-amyloid, they are sometimes also referred to as selective amyloid lowering agents, or SALAs.

Read more: http://www.alzinfo.org/newsarticle/templates/newstemplate.asp?articleid=297&zoneid=10

Silver Innings Newsletter August 2008

You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing

-- Michael Pritchard

Dear Friends,

It's our pleasure to bring to you the update of your website Silver Innings. Below are new articles recently posted on various sections in August 2008, to read more you need to visit particular menu on the website www.silverinnings.com .Hope you enjoy this and send us your feedback at info@silverinnings.com . Sorry for delay in posting this News letter.

We also invite articles of interest, inspiring short stories, jokes, reviews, etc. Please note publication is sole decision of web master and as per rules laid down by Silver Innings.

SILVER PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH - August 2008

Mansukhlal .V. Ruparelia – ''Retired'' but "Not Tired"

Ageing:

International

Age and security

MDGs must target poorest say older people

India

Facing the challenge of an ageing population in India: Read an Article by Hendi Lingiah

Facts and Issues

Equal treatment, equal rights

Guidebook for developing and supporting older persons' organisations

UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: Read STATEMENT BY PAUL HUNT

Health/ Fitness

Physical

Ageing and Disability

Eight Steps to Prevent Osteoporosis

Mental

Memory Loss with Aging: What's Normal, What's Not

Dementia & Alzheimer's

Diverse Approaches to Alzheimer's Therapies

Dementia Information Booklet: Read in Hind

Lifestyle

Elders Reveal Keys to Healthy Aging

Poor Memory Tied to Sleep Woes in Aging Women

Medical

Access to pain relief – A Human Right

Milestone Medical Tests in your 50s

Elder Law

Indian

Social security in developing nations and the role of the state

Other Laws

The Paramedical and Physiotherapy Central Councils Bill, 2007

Women Reservation Bill 2008

Salient features of 2007 housing policy

Relationship

Parents and Grandparents

GRAND PARENTS OR GLORIFIED SERVANTS ? – A Study

End of lifestyle

Supporting Friends and Family Who Have Mental Illnesses

Ten Reasons Why Your Parent May Not Be Eating Properly

The ABCs of Grand parenting

When elders get depressed: it's not just "old age"

Grandparents and Grandchildren's

FAMILY PLANNING AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Marriage

The Golden Age of Sex

Hobbies and Activities

Amusement: Book

The Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems

News and Event

Articles

Vedic Way of Life By M.V.Ruparelia

Elderly population boom, AIDS death slowdown by 2050: UN

What can Senior Citizens do for the Society: By M.V.Ruparelia

Why are we, as we are? : By M.V.Ruparelia

Profile of an Indian MP

To guard public health in emergency, Centre plans to change the law

Designs for all – July 2008 Newsletter

Meals for Elderly Summer 2008 Newsletter

Thanks for giving your valuable time, see you soon with next update.

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