Resources search

Older people’s perceptions of health and wellbeing in rapidly ageing low- and middle-income countries

ALBONE, Rachel
2019

Expand view

This report presents the findings of an analysis of data collected by HelpAge International and its network members using HelpAge’s Health Outcomes Tool. The tool is designed to collect data to better understand health and care in older age, and to measure the impact of HelpAge’s health and care programmes. It was developed in response to the challenges posed by the lack of data on older people’s health and care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and the resulting lack of understanding about how best to provide age, gender and disability sensitive services for older women and men. The tool was used between 2014 and 2017 in nine low- and middle-income countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America,1 and gathered data from over 3,000 older people. The findings are presented here in the context of the current debate and evidence on older people’s right to health.

This report explores three different areas in relation to ageing and health: older people’s access to health services; availability of care and support; and the impact both health, and care and support services have on older people’s health status, functional ability and wellbeing.

 

 

 

A situational analysis of disability and aging in Myanmar

ZEITZER, Ilene
2018

Expand view

The interaction of aging and disability is explored in the context of Myanmar. Blindness and deafness data are taken from the census. Carer givers and the family are discussed. Goverment and civil society responses are also discussed.

A briefing paper is also available.

“We can also change” Piloting participatory research with persons with disabilities and older people in Bangladesh

BURNS, Danny
OSWALD, Katy
November 2014

Expand view

Sightsavers, HelpAge International, ADD International and Alzheimer’s Disease International worked together with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) to bring the perspectives of those who live in poverty or who are highly marginalised into post-2015 policy making. The aim of the research was to understand better the experiences of social, political and economic exclusion of persons with disabilities and older people in Bangladesh from their own perspectives. Two groups (community and NGO) of peer researchers collected 70 stories from poor and/or excluded persons with disabilities and older people from each of the two sites: Bhashantek, an urban slum in Dhaka; and Cox’s Bazar, a rural area in southeast Bangladesh. From the stories collected and analysed in workshops, the peer researchers identified 13 priority areas that affect persons with disabilities and older people: accidents and disasters; livelihoods; access to education; medical treatment; family support; exclusion and mistreatment; superstition; access to services; mobility; marriage; land; rape and sexual abuse; the role of grassroots community-based organisations. Recommendations from the researchers are made in each area. The peer research programme was evaluated and guidelines for its use are provided.

Disaster resilience in an ageing world : how to make policies and programmes inclusive of older people

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
2014

Expand view

“This publication aims to promote age-inclusive resilience-building among practitioners and policy-makers. It gives a comprehensive overview of how resilience-building programmes should be designed and implemented to ensure the inclusion of older people. It also highlights the benefits of including and empowering older people through DRR and resilience-building activities. By applying an older people lens to DRR programming, which involves assessing the specific vulnerabilities and capacities of older people and encouraging them to take a more proactive role, we can support older people to become more resilient – with wide ranging benefits for themselves, their families, and their wider communities. We have included case studies to highlight good practice, demonstrating what can be achieved by working for and with older people” 

Ugandan memory books

HelpAge International
2009

Expand view

This picture story shows the involvement of grandparents in memory work in Uganda - either in writing memory books for their grandchildren or in reading and updating memory books created by their children, for their grandchildren

Salt, soap and shoes for school: evaluation report|The impact of pensions on the lives of older people and grandchildren in the KwaWazee project in Tanzania’s Kagera region

HOFMANN, Stefan
et al
August 2008

Expand view

This report examines the findings of a project supporting older people and their dependents in Tanzania. It reveals that even small pensions are effective in bringing stability and dignity to the lives of older people and help to improve the quality of life of other household members

Ageways 64 : ageing and disability

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
January 2004

Expand view

"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

Participatory research with older people : a sourcebook

HESLOP, Mandy
March 2002

Expand view

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

The ageing and development report : a summary. Poverty, independence and the world's older people

RANDEL, Judith
GERMAN, Tony
EWING, Deborah
Eds
1999

Expand view

This is a summary of a report on the circumstances of older people in developing countries and countries in transition. It has chapters on economic security, health, family and community life, poverty, gender, and emergencies. It also includes information on demographic trends and ageing in specific countries and regions. It is suitable for planners, managers, trainers and students

E-bulletin