Why are older persons not addressed in the Millennium Development Goals?

During the recent celebration of the 20th International Day of Older Persons in New York, Bridget Sleap, a rights policy adviser at HelpAge International, addressed why the Millennium Development goals did not deal adequately with gender equality and discrimination. According to Bridget, governments are not required to reach the most marginalized people and end discrimination against women, making such discrimination "invisible." Often poverty reduction programs ignore the most marginalized population- older women.

Not only do elderly women comprise 60% of the work force in those countries, but they contribute to poverty reduction by spending the small pensions that they have on food. They are more likely to care for families, especially because the gender gap widens with age. In South Africa, for example, 88% of older people caring for their grandchildren were women. If women are such an integral part of promoting and developing their communities, why are they not protected by the MDGs?

Bridget focused on this question and suggested a number of actions that could be taken to strengthen and empower older women. Non-contributory pensions and a minimum level of social protection are needed as a first step. She suggested that the UNWomen Unit take a life course approach and pay greater attention to ageing. Also, CEDAW should include older women as well. Many older women face discrimination, but their hardships are much less frequently addressed. Last but not least, Bridget stated that governments need to enter a discussion about a human rights convention for older persons’ rights. Older women do a lot to uphold their communities. They need to be heard, empowered, and given the tools to do more.

“Grandmother to Grandmother: New York to Tanzania”

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, AARP and the Fordham University Ravazzin Center on Aging hosted a Film Screening: “Grandmother to Grandmother: New York to Tanzania.”

The film documentary features the lives of grandmothers raising orphaned grandchildren in New York City and also in Tanzania. While seemingly worlds apart, these grandmothers came together in Tanzania and realizeed that their challenges and experiences were very much the same. The film highlights aging as a gendered experience, and the cultural life course trends that converge to create additional vulnerabilities in the lives of older women.

Globally, grandparents are increasingly raising their orphaned grandchildren. Parents are dying due to HIV/AIDs, drugs and violence. Grandmothers, already one of the most vulnerable group in terms of poverty, are relied upon to take care for children without adequate means.

One panelist stated that this global issue is gaining recognition across the world. In New York City, in particular, some low-income housing is designated for grandparents raising grandchildren on $10,000/year or below. The facility provides evening programs, counseling and building security. Grandmothers attend support group meetings that help them adjust to their new task as a primary caregiver and also to express their concerns with a supportive audience. One woman said, “I realize there are others just like me and I don’t have to be ashamed that my child wasn’t able to raise his child”.

A panel of experts on this global trend from New York and Tanzania also spoke. Rimas J. Jasin, Executive Director of Presbyterian Senior Services, discussed New York City’s attempts to alleviate poverty among grandparents raising grandchildren in some of the city’s most at-risk neighborhoods.

While discussing the slow evolution of social change and the changes necessary to strengthen the human rights of older persons, Modest J. Mero, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations said that “Development is a gradual process.”

Alzheimer’s Disease in Belize by Christy Kessens

During the summer of 2008 I had the opportunity to volunteer with the National Council on Ageing (NCA) in Belize, Central America. My time there consisted of developing educational brochures regarding Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and participating in an educational radio program that focused on older adult issues. Throughout the following year I maintained a relationship with the NCA and discovered that the Alzheimer’s disease information I had developed was welcomed with an overwhelming response. For the first time family members were learning the cause behind the unusual behaviors and personality changes experienced by their loved ones.

Aware of the positive impact additional Alzheimer’s disease education could have on those living in Belize, I chose to complete my Master’s degree program by interning with the National Council on Ageing. Between August 31 and October 9, 2009 I had the opportunity to participate in community outreach and interview family members who provide care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.

Using the resources provided by the NCA, I was able to interview several family caregivers while in Belize. They consisted of husbands, wives, adult children, granddaughters, grandsons, sons-in law, and daughters-in-law. They expressed feelings of guilt, helplessness, anger, and frustration. Most were eager to share their feelings and experiences while others refused to acknowledge that their loved one had a memory problem. Regardless of their situation, it was apparent that all of them were facing the challenges of caregiving and doing the best they could given their current situation.

The stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease is very prevalent in Belize. The shame attached to this disease keeps family members from feeling comfortable talking openly about the challenges they are experiencing. It often leaves them feeling frustrated and alone. Through public television programs and local radio stations, we were able to provide caregivers the opportunity to learn about what they are going through, offered tools needed to help them provide appropriate cares for their family member, and hopefully helped them understand that they are not alone.

The purpose of this internship was to develop a support group that would provide assistance to family caregivers who support a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. After interviewing family members, visiting care facilities, and working on public awareness programs, it became apparent that the lack of available respite care services and the stigma attached to AD would hinder the development of a support group at this time. Instead it was determined that a workshop geared towards community advocates would have a greater impact on improving the lives of Alzheimer’s disease caregivers.

The 21 guests who attended the workshop included community nurses, psychiatric nurses, nursing professors from the local college, senior advocates, as well as a social worker and police officer. Over the course of the day participants learned about the impact Alzheimer’s disease has on the brain, took part in fun learning activities, and worked in small groups. We discussed behaviors experienced by AD patients and how to best support families who are struggling with these stressful situations. The group remained focused and open to learning, shared their own personal stories, and discussed ways to use the information gained when working with caregivers.

With the participants’ desire to learn and positive feedback received after the workshop, I believe the Educational Workshop for Community Advocates was successful and will ultimately benefit family caregivers. Working with the National Council on Ageing, I hope to return to Belize in 2011 to conduct additional workshops, allowing caregivers and community advocates the opportunity to continue learning about this debilitating disease.

How I Acquired a new Superpower at Global Action on Aging By Marium Abdul Sattar

From the first day I came to Global Action on Aging in April, I knew that I would be offering my services to help older persons by researching issues concerning them and advocating for their rights. What came as a surprise to me is that Global Action on Aging also helps the younger generations: the interns. The various research topics assigned to us, and the experiences we shared has enabled GAA to change our perspectives.

Finding articles on pensions and elder rights for the global aging website is one of my responsibilities. On my first day, not knowing what pensions were or how they worked presented a challenge for me. I soon realized that pensions support people in their old age when they no longer have a steady income and is often provided by an employer or insurer. Yet, that is just the icing on the cake since there are several more sources of pensions such as the state and unions. While preparing a report on pensions I learned that Germany was one of the first countries to pioneer this practice. In fact, Otto Von Bismarck suggested this idea as early as the 19th century in hopes that it would encourage Germans to work harder and create a stronger national economy.

Spending time at GAA gave me a certain superpower; it enabled me to see life from the perspective of an older person. After reading vast amounts of material about issues affecting older persons, I was able to learn about some of their primary concerns. I learned that society has the potential to be much friendlier to older persons, and that the word ‘elderly’ is a blanket term which categorizes people. For example, although it is used to describe a range of ages, it puts those aged 60 and above into a category despite the fact that it refers to a huge population; one which is ever-growing as the baby boomer generation begins to retire.

One of my most daunting experiences during my time at GAA occurred when I was near our office and I met an old woman who seemed lost. She also seemed to be tired from standing in the summer heat, and was unable to locate her home. When I asked her how I could help her she became more agitated and upset. I realized that I was not prepared for handling the situation at all! In hindsight, I learned that in this situation, it is best to seek out a police officer and inform him or her of the senior citizen who needs help to locate their place of residence. So I feel that we all have the potential to help our elders, as long as we know how to help them.

Another topic which I have researched is ‘Elder Rights’ which monitors some of the rights that older people enjoy but also, unfortunately, describes the infringements on their rights. At this time, I came across several articles that identify the point when a person needs some form of assisted care. One author indicated that immobility experienced during old age causes some people to lose weight due to their inability to even pick up heavy groceries or travel to the supermarket – something most people take for granted. I realize that this is the difficult side of aging, however, society usually only focuses on this bleak side of aging.

For example, did you know that by volunteering with older persons, you are more than likely to have a rewarding experience? Some have even termed it the ‘volunteer’s high.’ During my time at GAA, I have certainly learned to become more aware of my surroundings and older persons which might need help. On my way crossing a large intersection the other day, I noticed an old gentleman using a walker who was having trouble crossing the road in time before the traffic light changed from red to green. I saw through his eyes, and a seemingly normal road suddenly became a rocky path full of hazards. The gentleman said to me: “It feels like each of these potholes is out to get me.” Those who are shy don’t even need to speak to the older person crossing the street, but just accompany or be aware of them to make sure they are able to manage it.

By becoming more empathetic to the needs of older people, and seeing through their eyes, both old and young can benefit from these experiences. The younger generation can learn from the experience of older persons. We need to know how to help older persons and channel our superpower of empathy rather than sympathy.