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The feasibility of a universal pension in Belize

KNOX-VYDMANOV, Charles
June 2011

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"This study assesses the feasibility of putting in place a universal pension in Belize. The report is structured into five sections. Section one looks at the situation of older people in Belize today in terms of demographics, health, work and poverty. Section two considers the adequacy of the existing social security system, assessing coverage and, in particular, the effectiveness of the NCP in reaching the poorest older people. Following on from this analysis, section three outlines the rationale for a universal pension in Belize, both in terms of the pension system, and the impacts it would have on reducing the poverty of older people, their families and Belizean society as a whole. Section four then assesses the affordability of a universal pension, and section five considers key issues to take into account in implementation"

Guidance on including older people in emergency shelter programmes

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES (IFRC)
2011

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Given the lack of attention to older people in shelter programmes, these guidelines provide the following five key action points for including older people in shelter programmes: understand the needs and capacities of older people; ensure that older people participate and are represented; target vulnerable older people; incorporate age-friendly in both household and community shelters; and promote coordination, cooperation and sharing. Clear information is provided for each action point action supported by case studies, and the recommendations provide a framework for the different phases of a shelter programme (temporary, transitional and permanent). This resource is useful for people interested in including older people in emergency shelter programmes

Good practice in the development of management information systems for social protection

CHIRCHIR, Richard
KIDD, Stephen
2011

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This paper "aims to fill a gap in the literature by examining good practice in the design of MISs for social protection. Section 2 will describe MISs, pointing out that they are more than systems of computer hardware and application software. Section 3 will discuss the type of information required by social protection MISs, and the challenges in capturing, transferring and processing this information. Section 4 will assess the potential for introducing new technologies into social protection MISs in developing countries. Section 5 will conclude by examining issues around the integration of MISs in countries with multiple social protection schemes, and the extent to which a national Single Registry is an appropriate model"
Pension watch : briefings on social protection in older age, Briefing no 5

Making a living last longer : insights into older people's livelihood strategies

ERB, Susan
2011

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This research report explores the challenges faced by older people in securing a sustainable livelihood in four countries. The research found that older people face significant barriers in achieving livelihood security due to lack of regular, predictable and sufficient cash income such as non-contributory pensions. Gender, destitution, and emergency preparedness emerged as cross-cutting issues that affect older people’s livelihood challenges regardless of location. The research also found that older people have only limited access to microfinance institutions (MFIs) and banks, and therefore to credit and savings facilities. It concludes by highlighting key guiding principles for governments, community-based organisations, NGOs, MFIs and others working to support older people to achieve greater livelihood security

HIV and AIDS strategy for older people

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
2011

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This resource presents an HIV and AIDS strategy for older people. The impact of HIV and AIDS on older people and the challenges for older carers are described. Recommendations are provided for HIV and AIDS prevention, care and support, and treatment strategies for older people

Guidance on including older people in emergency shelter programmes : a summary

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL (HAI)
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESENT SOCIETIES (IFRC)
2011

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This summary provides a brief introduction and recommends the following five key action points for including older people in shelter programmes: understand the needs and capacities of older people; ensure that older people participate and are represented; target vulnerable older people; incorporate age-friendly in both household and community shelters; and promote coordination, cooperation and sharing. This resource is useful for people interested in including older people in emergency shelter programmes

Insights on ageing : a survey report

WILLIAMS, Jennifer
2011

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This report presents the results of a survey administered in 32 countries which highlight the situation of older people around the world today. The information presented in the survey report provides insights into what older people around the world think about ageing and what they would like to see their governments do to make living in older age better. This resource is useful for people interested in the global situation of older people

Overview of available policies and legislation, data and research, and institutional arrangements relating to older persons : progress since Madrid

UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND (UNFPA)
HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL (HAI)
2011

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"The overall objective of the report is to assess and evaluate the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing at national, regional and global levels, highlight good practices, identify gaps, and provide recommendations for further action by governments to mainstream ageing issues into national development frameworks, including laws, policies and programmes; poverty reduction strategies; and budgets to meet the needs of older persons. The information presented in this report is intended to provide the international community with an indepth understanding of the progressive realization of the objectives and recommendations of the Madrid Plan"

Documenting good practices at partner level

MUTUVI, Kavutha
MAINA, Gacheru
LACKEY, Douglas
2011

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This report documents the good practices of HelpAge and its partners while implementing a regional advocacy programme to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS among older people in six sub-Saharan African countries. It presents information about what is working and not working in different situations and contexts by highlighting and documenting the lessons learned and the process of what works, how and why. This resource is useful for anyone interested in the impact of HIV and AIDS among older people in Africa

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"

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

REGIONAL PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT INITIATIVE (REPSSI)
HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
2011

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"These guidelines were especially developed with the aim of impacting on the wellbeing of older carers living in situations of poverty and in a time of HIV and AIDS. The aim of this set of resource materials is to enable home based caregivers, development facilitators and peer counsellors to have relevant information and guidance on strengthening psychosocial care and support to older carers. The ideas proposed can be used individually or in groups as resource materials...The guideline comes in eight units...Each unit begins with an introductory section which gives community caregivers important background information about the topic being discussed. Each section is accompanied by four types of activities: reflection exercises, case studies, practical application and finally planning exercises and general tips...A range of annexes is appended to this guideline for more detailed reference to issues raised in the unit discussions"

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

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