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What do older people need in emergencies?|The experience in the Philippines after typhoon Ketsana

FORMILLEZA, Sammie P
2011

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This report presents a study on the experiences of older people in 5 rural and urban communities of the Philippines following Typhoon Ketsana. The research methods included key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGD) and a review of secondary materials. The results provide a summary of older people’s needs and problems on the following issues: basic food needs, shelter (including evacuation), water supply, health, clothing, household articles, bedding and livelihood activities. It is recommended that it is critical to work with the older people and their community organisations in identifying ways and means to address their concerns during disaster and recovery situations

Psychosocial care and support for older carers of orphaned and vulnerable children : policy guidelines

MLILO, Ncazelo
MEINTJES, Berenice
2011

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This policy guideline is "intended to offer a concise description of the concept of psychosocial support and how it relates to older carers of orphaned and vulnerable children in a time of HIV and AIDS. It offers recommended strategic focus areas which may be used to influence policies which provide support for older carers. Policy makers may find the guidelines helpful in providing ideas to effect changes that will improve the wellbeing of older carers"

Call for the recognition of ageing, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in the 2011 UN Summit on NCDs

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE INTERNATIONAL
et al
2011

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This joint position paper highlights that ageing and the associated risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is a key factor for the 21st century’s social and economic sustainability and should therefore be an essential component of the UN’s NCD considerations. This paper outlines seven related considerations for the UN Summit on NCDs and highlights eight recommendations. This paper is useful to anyone interested in NCDs and ageing

Ageing and the challenge of non-communicable diseases in low and middle-income countries : a position paper

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
2011

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This position paper presents detailed information to advocate for a "whole life course approach to NCDs, which is inclusive of all ages, should be adopted for any recommendations on detection and diagnosis, and strategies for prevention, management and treatment as well as more effective care." It concludes with key messages and recommendations, and is useful for anyone interested in ageing and non-communicable disease in low and middle-income countries

Social transfers : a critical strategy to meet the MDGs

BOURNE, Astrid Walker
MORGAN, Fiona
August 2010

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"This paper outlines the crucial role that social transfers can play by providing an inclusive framework to reduce intergenerational and chronic poverty and accelerate progress to achieve the MDGs"
HelpAge policy briefing

Caught up in conflict : older people in humanitarian crises in Kyrgyzstan

MIKKONEN-JEANNERET, Eppu
RAYAPOVA, Roza
SCHLAEFFER, Alois
June 2010

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This report presents the results of phone call survey led by HelpAge International with older people affected by the conflict situation in Osh in 2010. "The interviews revealed that two thirds of the respondents were coping badly with the situation, about 60 per cent stated that they found it difficult to get food. While 70 per cent said that they had to take medicine regularly, only about one third had some medication left. It came out that older people in humanitarian crisis often face life-threatening problems. However, there were also positive examples of how older people cope with these threats. They often are, against all odds, still caring for other people and help out each other, regardless of ethnics or religion"

Assessment report : the vulnerability of older people in post-conflict Osh, Kyrgyzstan

MACDONALD, David
2010

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"This report discusses the findings of a survey which was organized by HelpAge International with the intention of evaluating both the social situation and the requirements of vulnerable older people in a post conflict environment. The survey was undertaken in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, following the violent events of June 2010 in south of the country. It was conducted by Luch Lotosa, a local NGO, and the results were evaluated by HelpAge staff. The purpose of the survey and this resulting report was to assess the nature of the specific challenges of vulnerable older people in Osh today in order to inspire action on their behalf on the part of HelpAge’s emergency team as well as all other organizations working in the area. The results of the survey suggest a myriad of problems including those of emotional, social and subsistence nature. However, the greatest challenges older people in Osh appear to be facing are economic. According to this survey, the economic constraints people are facing are significant enough to have a major detrimental impact on the ability of many of the most vulnerable to feed and clothe both themselves and their dependents. The scale of the problems reported in the survey appears rather large; however, it is the prognosis for the future which holds the most concern"

Securing our common future : why investing in reducing age based vulnerabilities is necessary in the global economic crisis : background issues paper

BEALES, Sylvia
September 2009

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"This paper argues that comprehensive age friendly social policy responses to both the financial crisis and to demographic transition are necessary and affordable, and that a focus on investment in the health, livelihoods and economic security of the older poor for the benefit of future generations is more urgent than ever"

Witness to climate change : learning from older people’s experience

BEALES, Sylvia
2009

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"This paper looks at older people’s experience of climate change, their awareness of it and how it makes them vulnerable. It highlights older people’s exclusion from climate change debates, identifies opportunities for influencing policy-making at the national level and makes recommendations for including older people’s perspectives in discussions and adaptation strategies"

Age and security : how social pensions can deliver effective aid to poor older people and their families. Summary report

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
2004

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This is a summary of a report published by HelpAge International, which highlights the benefits of non-contributory pensions for older people. Social pension schemes (either universal or means tested) are in place in a number of developing countries, including Senegal, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh and India and the evidence shows that they are effective means of ensuring that basic material needs are met. The report argues that social pensions will: help achieve the Millennium Development Goals; contribute to the human rights agenda; effectively target aid at minimum cost and improve the life chances of orphans and vulnerable children

Ageways 64 : ageing and disability

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
January 2004

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"This issue highlights the way that society discriminates against people who are old and disabled (focusing mainly on physical disabilities; issue 65 will look at mental health). It suggests how older and disabled people’s organisations can work together to raise awareness of the needs, rights and potential of disabled older people, and it looks at some practical ways to improve the opportunities for disabled older people to participate in society"
Ageways Issue 64

HIV/AIDS and ageing : a briefing paper

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
2003

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This briefing paper outlines the difficulties related to HIV that are facing an aging population. It challenges the notion that older people are not vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection, outlines why they are being missed by information and service campaigns, describes difficulties associated with caring for their children and grandchildren who have become sick with AIDS. It takes a rights-based approach in advocating for the inclusion of older people in awareness and service provision programmes, and calls for more research into the effects of HIV/AIDS on an aging population. It points out the value of older people as agents of change and care-givers and argues for directed benefits to older people. It ends with an agenda for action on recognising the intergenerational nature and socio-economic impacts of HIV/AIDS

Participatory research with older people : a sourcebook

HESLOP, Mandy
March 2002

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This sourcebook takes the belief that participatory research with older people should form a key element of local and national government policy-making in areas such as health, employment and social welfare; programme planning by international aid agencies; and advocacy for and by older people. It has been produced to meet the need for a non-specialist sourcebook to help with all stages of participatory research with older people, and offers a clear overview of the whole process

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