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 IFA - eNews
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Sharing Stories, Sharing Knowledge |
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Thoughts from the Secretary General
The IFA has now
officially arrived in Toronto, Canada. Setting up the new
Secretariat headquarters is well under way, with extra special thanks to Greg
Shaw for his hard work in such a smooth transition. Also my heartfelt thanks the IFA
Board of Directors, many of whom have been constant and committed in their
personal support and encouragement of Greg, Stephen and myself in undertaking
this endeavour. We have been received with great warmth and generosity from all sectors and all
levels of government. The relocation has helped strengthened many existing
relationships around the world and also created opportunities for new
partnerships and collaborations - it has also moved me to reflect
on the role of IFA.
In my travels to
India in January this year, I
had the privilege of spending time with many inspiring individuals who are
devoted to improving the lives of seniors and also many who are receiving care
and services from providers such as Nightingale Medical Trust in Bangalore. While much of
my travel in India was dedicated to presenting
information and conducting workshops, the time I spent with seniors who lived in
old aged homes; were partaking in income generation programs and in a dementia
care program was amongst the most rewarding. It gave me an opportunity to
interact and connect with the some of the older people that IFA works for and
advocates for on an everyday basis. Each person has a remarkable story to
share, and I was captivated by their unique insights into what it meant to be
old, an older person and to age with dignity.
The
IFA is a resource for the exchange of information and for building connections
between people and organizations the world over. One of our strongest assets is
our membership and our networks - and it is the range of voices and individual
experiences within this network that makes it so valuable and so unique. It is
in bringing those voices and perspectives together, and in being a platform
through which ideas can be shared, that make this organization strong and
relevant. Whether its new opportunities of
professional connections from across Canada, or the opportunity to hear from
residents of a care facility or retirement community in India, the importance of
making connections, and feeling part of a community, has never been more clear
to me as it has been over the first few months of 2009.
I would also like to reflect on several pieces of news at
this time. In one week, we will be
sending out a special edition of IFA-eNews dedicated to information on the
upcoming International Forum on Ageing in Place in Akita.
Also, with April nearly upon us, I would like to remind our members, and
invite people who might like to become members of IFA, that membership renewal
for the new fiscal year is upcoming. Finally,
I would like to highlight that in forthcoming editions of IFA-eNews, we will be taking the opportunity to profile many of the
organizations that have supported us and made us feel part of the community in our new location.
I look forward to hearing from all of you from our new Toronto offices. As always, please do not hesitate to contact the IFA at
any time. We welcome and value your input.
Sincerely Yours,
Dr Jane Barratt
Secertary General
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| Next Edition |
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IFA 10th Global Conference Update
Profiling Our New Partners
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The Financial Protection of Older People
Soon to be Released - New Report from the IFA
A study conducted by the HSBC Bank in 2008 noted a
convergent trend among people in all parts of the world in their approach to
retirement living. For many, retirement
is seen as a time of activity and socializing after many years in the workforce. Retirement in its broadest sense is an
experience shared among nearly all persons throughout the developed and the
developing worlds.
But these are uncertain economic times, and for many people,
businesses, and indeed many governments, preparing for the future has never
been more complex. With growing numbers of
people in or nearing retirement, the importance for many governments to develop effective financial protection strategies for older people is a major policy
challenge.
As a resource for information on ageing policy, IFA is
pleased to announce that our most recent policy publication will be available shortly. Financial
Protection - A Nine Country Policy Review - presents an overview of the highest
level of government policy relating to the financial protection of older peopl from selected countries around the world. While this publication was not initially designed as a
response to the global economic downturn, its release coincides very
appropriately in a time of great public attention to economic issues. An announcement will be made on the IFA website
when the report is available.
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Special Reminder to All Members
IFA Membership Renewals due on April 1 2009
Members are the cornerstone of the IFA: your voice gives credibility to our strategic direction and your membership contributions enable us to carry out our mission. To build on IFA successes and meet new challenges at a time when the world is experiencing a serious economic downturn, building our membership base must be a high priority to continue a strong voice globally. Indeed, in such a challenging economic climate it is often older people who are the first to feel the impact, leading to greater marginalisation and isolation.
The 2009-2010 Membership payments are due on 1 April. Members will be receiving individualized reminders within the coming few weeks. However if you are already a member - or if you would like to become a member for the first time (and check here to find out what you get), we invite you to download the 2009 Membership Form and send it in today! |
New Membership Advantages!
Special Members Sections coming soon on the IFA Website
To correspond with the new membership year, the
IFA will be offering an incentive to join as part of our Member Benefits. Beginning on April 1 2009, certain sections of the IFA
website will be reserved for 'membership-only' access. While much of the website will be open and
accessible to all site visitors, our members will have exclusive access to certain
IFA publications, presentations and reports.
This includes access to key policy and research documents, conference
reports and other material.
How will it work? IFA will take care of all the arrangements. All members will be sent a
username and password that can be entered in the login form, giving
you full site access with the click of a button.
If you forget your username or password - simply contact the IFA directly directly and we would be happy to assist you. We look forward to continued website enhancements and future opportunities to serve our members. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any
questions. |
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Age Friendly Community Profiles
A New Resource Highlighting Age Friendly Initiatives Online
For people involved in Age Friendly projects, and for everyone that is interested in learning about this exciting and dynamic movement, the IFA invites you to discover 'Age Friendly Community Profiles', a new feature on the Age Friendly Communities website.
This section contains a standardized template that can be downloaded and completed with information about your age friendly project, which can then be 'profiled' on the website.
 If you are involved in an age friendly project, having a community profile will be an excellent way to give the initiative(s) some 'web presence', generate interest through an international platform, and learn from and build connections to other projects and initiatives from around the world. If you are a visitor, community profiles will be an excellent introduction to some of the latest developments in this area!
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NGO Statement on the
Rights of Older Women
An Urgent Call to Protect
Older Women and their Human Rights
Older women
frequently experience multiple and cumulative forms of discrimination and
disadvantages during their life course including: gender, age, illiteracy, poverty, ethnic origin, chronic diseases
and disabilities which all interact.
The IFA has joined with an extensive group of key NGOs in
signing onto a joint statement to be delivered to the United Nations Human
Rights Council, calling for the recognition and the protection of the rights of
older women. You can find the full statement here.
The ultimate
objective is a new convention on the rights of older
women. CEDAW has been working tirelessly since November
2008 to draft a General Comment on the Rights of Older Women. The IFA continues to support
these efforts.
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Jonathan Kaufman and DisabilityWorks, inc.
Innovative Strategies to Enhance Living Environments for All
 Born with Cerebral Palsy, Jonathan Kaufman's
disability has been a profound part of his personal, academic and professional
life. Whether skiing down a mountain or simply tying his own shoes one handed,
Jonathan has pushed the idea that anything is possible with the will to
succeed. With this mission in mind, he focused his studies at Sarah Lawrence
College and Oxford University on disability lifestyle, work, and policy issues.
He continued his graduate work by immersing himself in disability and aging
studies at the University of Chicago and Columbia University.
Jonathan recognizes that disability and
ageing issues affect not just one group of people but have implications for all
members of society. With 56 million Americans with disabilities, and a global
aging population, the concerns of the growing disability community must be
understood as concerns for all people. In 2000, Kaufman founded
DisabilityWorks, inc., a strategy/consulting firm that helps corporations,
government agencies and educational institutions develop strategies and
initiatives that add value to those institutions and improve the quality of life
for people with disabilities.
Along with running DisabilityWorks,inc.,
Jonathan Kaufman helped to spearhead the Graduate Progra m in Disability Studies
at the City University of New York (Graduate Center). In summer of 2005 Jonathan
helped to launch (and now serve as Co-Director from 2005 to 2008) the Adaptations Program, the
first US program that serves young adults with learning disabilities and those
on the autistic spectrum to have the social skills and job development
strategies.
Jonathan continues to be a sought after
commentator on disability and aging issues that impact business, government and
personal lifestyle, and has been a speaker at the United Nations Social and
Economic Development Forum, and AARP's Diversity & Aging in the 21st Century
Conference. His expertise is helping guide organizations like The Society for
Human Resource Management and companies like Monster, Inc. and TMP Worldwide
provide higher levels of services for all. He is also called upon to help
develop policy and practice in the Federal sector with government agencies
including the IRS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and to
advise global agencies like the IFA and AARP's Office of International Affairs
by providing greater insight into the issues that people with disabilities face
and provide strategies toward new opportunities.
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Chairperson's Summary from the 47th Session Commission for Social Development
Social Integration: Challenges, Promotion and Development Strategies
'Social integration is a
process that strengthens the cohesion of societies through the inclusion of all
people in societal decision making... At the same time, inclusion of all population groups
strengthens the development potential of
societies.
Social integration is
thus a pre-requisite for fostering stable, safe, harmonious, peaceful and just
societies to create an optimal basis for dynamic development and progress.
Integration policies promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Social integration and the cohesion of societies can only be achieved if
development is just and sustainable economically, socially and environmentally.'
To read the full summary of the Chairperson's Report, please find it here.
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Diversity Our
Strength
A Toolkit for creating culturally competent care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender (LGBT) Persons
Studies conducted by the Toronto Long-Term Care Homes and
Services revealed that many LGBT seniors did not consistently feel safe in
disclosing their sexual identity or orientation to mainstream healthcare
providers due to a fear of discrimination. Understandably, this reality is affecting
their sense of personal well-being.
 There have been a number of initiatives to understand the issues facing LGBT older people, however less has been done specific to LGBT experiences in care facilities. In response, the Toronto Long-Term Care Homes and Services set
out to reduce this barrier within the long-term care profession by working with the
community - including directly with LGBT individuals and agencies - to more
fully understand community needs and to create a care and service culture and
model in which all residents' histories and traditions are honoured and
preserved. The primary outcome of these efforts was the creation of an innovative toolkit, which includes resources, activities and training programmes to
help care providers deliver respectful and inclusive services. Click here to access the toolkit. Toronto
Long-Term Care Homes and Services has a track record of over 30 years
of innovative programming and services to help older people remain
active. They have been working since 2004 to ensure that their services were inclusive and responsive to the needs of all older people of all backgrounds, and the Diversity Our Strength Toolkit represents a culmination of that commitment. |
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Call for Lecturers
Inter-cultural Dialogue on the Human Rights of Older Persons
Expert lecturers are being sougt to participate in a key workshop as part of the European Conference on the Dignity and Hazard of Elderly, to be held the 25th and 26th of May in Prague, Czech Republic. Participants in this workshop will assemble for inter-cultural dialogue on the position and the rights of older people from minority groups in Europe. While the conference will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, this workshop will be supported by video-conference feeds in such places as Brussels, New York, Kiev and Tel Aviv.
Mr. Alexander Sidorenko of the United Nations will serve as moderator, with key discussants including Mr. Dirk Jarré, and Dr. Grace Clark, IFA Director.
If you would like to be involved or if you can recommend an appropriate speaker, please contact the IFA Secretariat and we will put you in touch with one of the event organizers, IFA Director Mr. Jan Lorman of ZIVOT-90. For more information about this conference, please visit the event website.
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Counselling with
Caregivers
 "For some caregivers it is literally a matter of life or
death...when they finally access the help they so desperately need, they are at
the end of their rope and completely depleted...'
As increasing numbers of families are confronted with caregiving
obligations, there is a corresponding need for health and social service
practitioners to offer emotional and psychosocial support to those providing
regular care to someone with a loss of autonomy or disability.
Counselling with
Caregivers: A Guide for Professionals is intended to sensitize healthcare
practitioners to the challenges faced by caregivers and to provide a practical
and accessible guide for responding to their needs. You can find out more details, including how
to purchase this publication, please visit here.
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The Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care
 The Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care (ACEBAC) is an independent evidence-based research centre at La Trobe University in Melbourne which aims to improve the care of older people through:
- promoting, supporting and conducting evidence-based research into aged care within a person-centred care philosophy
- acting as an agent of change and leader, both nationally and internationally, in aged care including dementia care
- facilitating practical and beneficial changes to care practices, particularly for residents in nursing homes
- acknowledging and engaging all stakeholders, including care staff and family/carers, in facilitating positive change in aged care
 facilitating and conducting an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to aged care If you would like to find out more about ACEBAC, their current research projects, publications and links to other evidence-based sites, please visit their website. |
More ways to Keep Informed
A New Electronic Newsletter from the World Health Organization
The WHO - Noncommunicable
Diseases and Mental Health - have released their first newsletter of 2009, and invite you to subscribe to get future updates. To receive information in the fields of in the areas of mental health, nutrition, violence and injury prevention, please send an email (with no signature) to LISTSERV@who.int with the words 'SUBSCRIBE
NMH_NEWS_LETTER' in the body of the text.
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Coming Soon - IFA eNews Special Edition - Ageing in Place.
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