Dublin: Grey Power Wisdom Can Prevent Discrimination In Old Age

We need to tackle age discrimination and recognise the valuable contribution of older people, writes Bette Browne

Grandparents can take heart in the growing clout of one the world’s most powerful clubs — that of global grandparents who run economies, captain industries and wield political power across the world from Ireland to Iceland.

Bill and Hillary Clinton are the latest to join the club even as the former US secretary of state eyes a presidential bid, while here in Ireland grandmother Mary Robinson is busy playing a global peace role and German Chancellor and grandmother Angela Merkel is Europe’s most powerful leader.

Such examples of grandparent power should inspire the older generation, said Eamon Timmins of Age Action Ireland, the organisation behind Positive Ageing Week.
*www.ageaction.ie & www.alone.ie 

“What those examples of Mary Robinson, Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel and others show is that older people have a key contribution to make in bringing to the table experience and knowledge.

“There is an element of age discrimination that associates old age with less activity and less influence and less importance but I think older people are playing a key role. What we’re doing in Positive Ageing week is focusing on the fact that we are all growing older and ageing is something to be celebrated rather than feared.

“We are trying to highlight the contribution that older people have made and are continuing to make to their communities and their families. Much of their contribution in many cases is not paid for; therefore it’s not valued because unfortunately we’re a society that doesn’t value what we don’t pay for.

“This afternoon, if you go out to any national school gates, the number of older people collecting grandchildren, as carers or as neighbours or as friends, are playing a very, very important role in the economy. Those children’s parents in many cases are both working, so grandparents are enabling families to get through the recession and pay big mortgages while knowing their children are being well cared for.”

Ireland could make greater strides by tapping the skills and experience of older people to a much greater extent and this would also help to boost the nascent recovery, Mr Timmins said. He cited the approach to older workers of German carmaker BMW.

“In Ireland older people tend to take the brunt of early redundancies so we are losing a lot of experience. By contrast, BMW have adapted one of their production lines in Germany to cater to older people. About 18% or 19% of the German population is over 65; ours is about 12%, so they are desperately trying to hang on to their older workers.”

Older BMW workers now sit on specially designed ergonomic seats and the plant has enhanced lighting, while mobile trolleys make accessing tools easier. Germany knows it desperately needs its older workers and BMW is painfully aware that the number of its employees over the age of 50 will increase to 40% in the next decade from 25% today.

And the approach has worked out well. Workers on the newly adapted production line have been outperforming the younger workers on other lines, producing as many parts but with fewer faults than those produced by the younger workers. This pattern was borne out in a study by the Max Planck 

Institute for Human Development in Berlin that found workers aged 65 and over are more productive and more reliable than their much younger colleagues.

“Older workers do have a key value and as a society in Ireland we are slowly coming round to that but there is still quite a lot of age discrimination in Irish society,” according to Mr Timmins. “We are also moving the retirement age out much faster than other European countries, so there is also going to be a need for older workers to continue working.”

No doubt to the amusement of many grandparents, some US commentators have wondered how Hillary Clinton would be able to juggle the roles of president and grandmother if she were to run for the White House in 2016. But they needn’t have lost sleep over it. The first President Bush, for example, had 14 grandchildren.

“Hillary Clinton would be a role model if she runs [for the White House] and being a grandmother she would bring extra talents like wisdom and expertise,” says Third Age founder Mary Nally, whose organisation designs programmes and services for the elderly. “Age should never be a barrier for older people.”

Certainly, it was never a barrier to statesmen like the late Nelson Mandela. While he was busy shaping a democratic South Africa, he was both a grandfather and a great-grandfather. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, now a great-grandmother, at 88, is often seen as the glue holding this often turbulent family together.

Former Icelandic prime minister Jóhanna Sigurardóttir, who resigned last year after steering the country towards economic stability, was grandmother to six grandchildren when she came to power in 2009, the same year that Forbes magazine listed her among the 100 most powerful women in the world. Some world leaders have also been raised by their grandparents, most notably Barack Obama, and their world view has been profoundly influenced by the older generation.

The elder set has also blazed a trail in the media and entertainment industries in the person of such figures as Rupert Murdoch and, closer to home, Gay Byrne. In the world of literature, some of Ireland’s best works have come from writers like Brendan Kennelly as they moved into their later years, while some of Seamus Heaney’s most moving poems were inspired by his grandfather.

Grandfather Michael Smurfit remains a driving force in Irish industry, while in the United States Warren Buffett, dubbed “America’s grandpa investor,” continues at the age of 84 to make his clients billionaires. But, at the other end of the scale, ageing for large numbers of people in Ireland can be a nightmare.

After a lifetime of working hard and raising families they face grinding poverty in their later years and sometimes even the horror of elder abuse. Their choices are often as bleak as deciding between eating and keeping warm and if they end up in hospital they must wait for hours on cold, uncomfortable trolleys.

“None of these conditions should be acceptable in a wealthy country like Ireland in 2014,” says Age Action CEO Robin Webster.

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ENDS:

Dublin: Working Parents Worst Hit By Harsh Budgets, Austerity: ERSI REPORT

Working parents have been the hardest hit by consecutive harsh budgets and austerity.

According to new research from the Economic and Social Research Institute, households where both parents work have seen the biggest squeeze, with a 13% drop in disposable income since the recession took hold.

 Women have fared worse, suffering a 15% drop - due partly to a 25% cut to child benefit over the five-year period from 2009 to 2013. Child benefit is usually received by mothers.
The ESRI report also found that women were hit harder by adjustments to tax, welfare and public sector pay, because a higher proportion of women work in the pubic service and are more likely to be in receipt of a carers' allowance.

*New research has found that women have been hardest hit by austerity measures over the past four years.

The study, published today by the Economic and Social Research Institute and the Equality Authority, examined the effect of Budgets between 2009 and 2013 on men and women.
The report found that the impact of austerity measures in recent years on single women and men of working age, including public-sector pay cuts as well as tax and welfare changes were broadly similar, with average losses in disposable income of close to 10%.

There were losses of about 5% for single people of retirement age.
Couples of working age lost, on average, 12% of disposable income, while retired couples lost just over 4%.
Women in relationships saw sharper losses in individual disposable income compared with men at all income levels, about 14% for women and 9% for men.
According to the ESRI, a key factor is the reduction in Child Benefit payments, which are typically received by mothers.
Public-sector pay changes and other social welfare reductions also had a stronger effect on women.

 

Keywords: austerity, budgets, esri

 

 

Dublin: One-In-Five Older People Living Without Basic Human Rights: ALONE

Ahead of international Day of Older People, charity ALONE is highlighting the fact that one in five older people in Ireland live in deprivation.

CEO of the charity Sean Moynihan said ALONE www.alone.ie  is in contact every day with people who are “within the 20% of Irish older people that are at risk of poverty or living in deprivation”.

“There is an unacceptable amount of older people within society with very little to celebrate and who are living without a range of basic human rights,” he said.

The number of older people in Ireland who are marginalised or deprived has actually increased from one in ten in 2009, to one in five in 2012. 74,520 Irish people over the age of 65 are suffering enforced deprivation and of these 14,100 of them are also ‘at risk of poverty’.

The identification of the marginalised or deprived is achieved by the CSO on the basis of a set of eleven deprivation indicators which include how frequently a person can afford to eat meat, if they’ve had to do without heating and if they can afford to buy new clothes.

“This government has consistently introduced cuts that adversely affect the most vulnerable in society; home help hours have been reduced, prescription charges have been introduced, the property tax has been brought in, it is harder to qualify for the drugs payment scheme and now they have introduced water charges,” commented Moynihan.

“As well as this rental prices have increased dramatically and yet – there has been no increase to the state pension despite the fact that some older people receive a state pension which puts them below the poverty threshold.”

London: Charities Warn Of "Chronic Underfunding" Of Social Care In UK

A coalition of 75 leading charities has warned of a "chronic underfunding" of social care in England, following the largest ever independent survey to be carried out into the subject. The Care and Support Alliance says the poll has delivered a "vote of no confidence" in the system by the public.
www.careandsupportalliance.com 

It finds that seven out of 10 people believe they will be unable to afford care for themselves or a family member, rising to 77% among the over-60s.

Two thirds of those aged 60 and above think the Government should divert funding from other areas to social care, according to the Yougov poll of 4,500 people.

The Care and Support Alliance is made up of a wide range of organisations including major charities such as Age UK, Scope, Carers UK and the Alzheimer's Society.

They say there is now a "dramatic rationing of care".

It comes days before the final verdict of the independent Barker commission, set up by the King's Fund, which is expected to say NHS and social care should be brought together under one fund.

That would end a divide established decades ago that many argue leaves those with Alzheimer's facing inferior treatment to those with cancer.

Kate Barker, the economist leading the commission, provided possible funding options in an interim report, including the controversial idea of NHS charges.

But it is more likely that her group will call for some sort of ring-fenced tax in the final report.

Richard Hawkes, chair of the alliance, said: "Care is well and truly an election issue.

"The message from the public is loud and unambiguous. It's a real vote of no confidence.

"They are worried about who will care for them or their loved ones, if they can no longer do basic things for themselves.

"Above all, they want the Government to invest more money in the system.

"Every day, our 75 organisations hear horror stories of older and disabled people who struggle to get the support they need to simply get up, get dressed and get out of the house.

"This is also putting unbearable pressure on family carers."

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "We have given an extra £1.1 billion to councils to help protect social care services this year, but we know we need to improve the system.

"Our reforms include putting a cap on the amount people have to spend on care and bringing in a deferred payment scheme to help people cover care costs without having to sell their home in their lifetime.

"For the first time the care system will be built around the needs of each person and will focus resources on keeping people living independently for as long as possible. All this will help to create a fairer system that provides people with better care."

DUBLIN: Con Artist At Work: Distraction Burglary: Fraud Against The Elderly: INFO

• REMEMBER - If In Doubt, Keep Them Out:
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• Personal Safety:  Security For The Older Person:
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• DOWNLOAD INFO: From An Garda Siochana Website at: www.garda.ie
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•  www.fbi.gov 

• Dennis M. Lormel
• Chief, Financial Crimes Section, FBI
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Before the United States Senate Special Committee on Ageing
• Washington, DC
• September 10, 2001

Good morning Mr. Chairman and Members of the Special Committee on Ageing. I am pleased to appear today on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and share with your Committee the FBI's efforts to address fraudulent schemes which promise everything from improved memory, sexual vitality, curing of terminal illnesses, relief from chronic pain and, the ultimate promise, a longer life. These schemes target those who are most concerned about reversing the effects of ageing, the elderly.

Combining resources with other federal and state investigative agencies has been a winning formula for the FBI in this and many other types of investigations. The joint investigative approach not only brings additional resources in terms of manpower and investigative tools, but also gives investigators access to expertise provided by regulatory agencies such as the FDA as well as a larger selection of applicable criminal and civil statutes from both the federal and state levels.

Let me first emphasize that the FBI has identified elder fraud and fraud against those suffering from serious illness as two of the most insidious of all white collar crimes being perpetrated by today's modern and high tech con-man. The Internet, high speed dialers, mail drops, and computers are just some of the tools available to the fraudster to separate a victim from his money. Many elderly citizens rely on pensions, social security and life savings to support themselves. The seriously ill and their families are desperate to find some glimmer of hope. The losses inflicted by these unscrupulous con-men and their organizations are both financially and emotionally devastating to these victims.

It has been the experience of the FBI that the elderly are preyed upon by these unscrupulous individuals for several reasons:

1) Older American citizens are most likely to have a "nest egg," own their home and/or have excellent credit all of which the con-man will try to tap into. Fraudsters are very familiar with the old saying, "you can't get blood from a stone." Like any other businessman, the fraudster will focus his efforts on the segment of the population most likely to be in a financial position to buy whatever he is selling.

2) Individuals who grew up in the 30's, 40's and 50's were generally raised to be polite and trusting. Two very important and positive personality traits, except when it comes to dealing with a con-man. The con-man will exploit these traits knowing that it is difficult or impossible for these individuals to say "no" or just hang up the phone.

3) Older Americans are less likely to report a fraud because they either don't know who to report it to or are too ashamed at having been scammed. In some cases, an elderly victim may not report the crime because he or she is concerned that relatives may come to the conclusion that the victim no longer has the mental capacity to take care of his or her own financial affairs.

4) When an elderly victim does report the crime, they often make poor witnesses. The con-man knows the effects of age on memory and he is counting on the fact that the elderly victim will not be able to supply enough detailed information to investigators such as: how many times did he call? What time of day did he call? Did he provide a call back number or address? Was it always the same person? Did you meet in person? What did he look like? Did he/she have any recognizable accent? Where did you send the money? What did you receive if anything and how was it delivered? What promises were made and when? Did you keep any notes of your conversations? The realization that they have been victimized may take weeks or, more likely, months after contact with the con-man. This extended time frame will test the memory of almost anyone.

(5) Lastly, when it comes to products that promise increased cognitive function, virility, physical conditioning, anti-cancer properties and so on, older Americans make up the segment of the population most concerned about these issues. In a country where new cures and vaccinations for old diseases has given every American hope for a long and fruitful life, it is not so unbelievable that the products offered by these con-men can do what they say they can do.

Those suffering from cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, HIV, Parkinson's disease and other serious illnesses are targeted for one simple reason. The con-man knows that many of these individuals are desperate to find some reason to believe that a "miracle cure" exists. These people, many of whom are elderly but some who are not, are willing to pay whatever price is asked and subject themselves to whatever risk is required to gain an advantage over their disease. Regrettably, in most cases, it is the con-man taking advantage of these individuals. In addition to the financial loss, these patients often lose valuable time away from conventional medical treatment which could have resulted in a higher quality of life and/or prolonged life. Although the FBI has identified several instances where dietary and nutritional supplements promise anti-aging effects have been utilized to defraud American citizens, the number of complaints and related dollar losses have not indicated a substantial crime problem falling within the jurisdiction of the FBI. However, the FBI has been involved in several investigations concerning "miracle cures" in which the bureau has joined forces and shared resources with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and others.

Several examples of previous cases are as follows:

In March 2001, Gregory E. Caplinger, DBA, International Institute of Medical Science hospital and clinics, was indicted in the eastern district of Pennsylvania on 39 counts of wire fraud. Caplinger had falsely represented himself to be a British and U.S. trained physician with a doctor of science degree who was board certified in internal medicine, immunology and oncology. Caplinger used these false credentials and other misrepresentations to convince seriously ill patients to travel from the United States and Canada to the Dominican Republic for treatment. He convinced patients to travel to the Dominican Republic to participate in his immunological protocol at his clinic which used an medication called "Immustim." Caplinger claimed that "Immustim" was a medication effective in the treatment of cancer, HIV/Aids, Epstein-barr virus, hepatitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies and other immunological dysfunctions. Caplinger received in excess of $500,000 from patients and approximately $2,000,000 from investors he conned into providing him funding for his "clinic".

Caplinger fled the country on the seventh day of his trial and eventually turned himself in to authorities in the Dominican Republic. Investigation in this matter also determined that Caplinger was not a doctor and had been sited for practicing medicine without a license in 1984 in Florida. He also plead guilty to charges of practicing medicine without a license in the state of North Carolina in 1988.In 1993 he plead guilty to theft charges in Florida for taking money from the elderly after promising to treat patients for Alzheimer's disease. Caplinger is awaiting sentencing and could receive 195 years in jail and a fine of $9.75 million.

The FBI is also involved in a number of on-going cases which I am not at liberty to discuss in detail at this time. However, I can provide you with a summary of several cases without identifying the subjects of these investigations.

In September 1999, the Salt Lake City office of the FBI initiated a joint investigation with the FDA. This investigation centered on the activities of an individual treating seriously ill people with an "all natural" product he produced, the ingredients of which he has advised came to him in a "dream." According to the subject of this investigation, this product was effective in treating migraine headaches, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, spinal cord injuries and other illnesses. The subject advised patients that his "all natural" product contained botanical extracts, B vitamins and amino acids. Extensive chemical analysis of the product performed by the FDA determined that among other things, it contained procaine and lidocaine. The cost of these treatments, when performed in the subject's clinic, was $10,000 each. Information developed through investigation determined that the subject had contracted with a pharmacist to mix his product and paid the pharmacist $15.00 per vile. The cost to patients was $500.00 per vile. Hundreds of victims sought treatment from this individual with many parents bringing paraplegic children, who had suffered spinal cord injuries, in the hope that treatment by the subject might result in their being able to walk again. Many of the victims didn't have the financial resources to pay for the treatments and resorted to mortgaging their homes and borrowing from relatives. In one case, a church mobilized its parishioners and through fund raising activities, were able to pay the cost of the treatments for one child. Many of the patients learned of this "miracle treatment" through chatrooms on the Internet frequented by those suffering from specific and serious diseases and ailments. Search warrants were executed at the subject's home, one clinic in Salt Lake City as well as the home of the pharmacist who resided in California.

In November 2000, the Richmond office of the FBI initiated a wire fraud investigation against an individual residing in Henrico county, VA, who was representing himself as a doctor and a surgeon. This individual claimed to have found an herbal cure for various terminal cancers. He was selling a medicine "soup" which he created and claimed would cure cancer. The charge for a 45 day supply of this "soup" was $10,000. The subject of this investigation advised prospective clients that he had cured the queen of Thailand of cervical cancer and cured his own wife of stage IV brain cancer. He also claimed to have cured more than 100 others with his "soup". One victim, identified through investigation, paid $85,000 for "soup" and a skin treatment to cure his skin cancer.

Some of the "patients" learned about the "soup" treatments by word of mouth and others via the Internet. Some of the patients were told that their medical diagnosis was wrong and they did not have cancer. He told them they were only suffering from a virus which, not coincidently, his "soup" would cure. In some instances, victims were instructed to discontinue their conventional medical treatment and to rely solely on his soup. To date, investigation has determined that the subject received over $350,000 from the sale of his soup and bogus medical treatments.

The subject was arrested on 2/16/2001 after investigation determined that he had begun to liquidate various bank accounts. Approximately $207,660 and two vehicles were seized at the time of his arrest.

In April 1999, the San Diego office of the FBI initiated an investigation of an individual who advocated a regime of herbal concoctions, the use of an electric device referred to as a "zapper", and the removal of all metal from the patients mouth, to cure cancer. One of this individuals patients had been diagnosed with breast cancer through conventional medical procedures. A malignant tumor, approximately 1.5 centimeters in size, was discovered and the patient's medical doctor recommended surgery to remove it. This patient, convinced that the subject of this investigation could cure her cancer and on his recommendation, had all of her teeth containing fillings removed by a dentist. Following treatments and tests costing several thousand dollars, the subject advised the patient that her cancer was "healing". At the urging of family members, the patient returned to her regular physician and learned that the tumor was not healing and had actually grown to 14 centimeters.

This investigation determined that the subject was already wanted on a state arrest warrant in Nashville, Indiana, for the unlawful practice of medicine. He was arrested on the outstanding warrant and returned to Indiana for prosecution.

The FBI is also involved in several other on-going investigations which, due to the sensitive nature of these investigations, can not be discussed at this time.

The FBI will continue to identify, investigate and work to prosecute those who would take advantage of the elderly and the seriously ill. At this time I would be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you.

(Editor's note:  READER INFO:

Dublin: Government's Austerity Cuts A "Disturbing Disregard" For Older People's Well-being: AGE ACTION

The Government’s apparent disregard for the hardship caused to older people by austerity measures is "disturbing", Age Action said yesterday.

The older peoples’ charity described last year as the busiest in its 21-year history, with support given to thousands of older people.

“As we marked our ‘coming of age’ anniversary, it was clear there has never been a greater need for the work being done by our staff, volunteers and members across Ireland,” said Age Action chief executive Robin Webster.

“It was a very difficult year, especially for the majority of older people who are dependent on the State pension and other statutory benefits.”

Mr Webster described the Government’s apparent disregard for the extra difficulties facing the poorest and sickest of all ages when making reductions in public expenditure as “disturbing”.

Tomorrow, Age Action will launch a campaign against any plans by the Government to cut back on free travel.

The Government is reviewing the free travel scheme for older people and people with disabilities.

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Protection said the review would be finalised shortly.

The review will be presented to Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton and Transport Minister Leo Varadkar for their consideration. The charity said the scheme was playing a major role in helping older people to remain independent and want it to remain unchanged. The scheme entitles people over the age of 66 to use public transport free of charge.

With cuts already made in telephone and fuel allowance, funeral grants, and medical cards, there are fears that the travel scheme is next on the Government’s hit list.

The €77m free travel scheme provides free passes to more than 700,000 people to use Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Luas, and many private transport services.

Age Action’s annual report for 2013 shows that almost 300,000 people used its services, read their publications, visited their website or charity shops, or helped with fundraising.

More than 22,000 older people used Age Action’s Care and Repair home visitation and DIY service.
www.ageaction.ie & www.alone.ie 

Almost 4,000 older people were taught to use a computer and more than 2,000 used the charity’s information service.

Mr Webster said they needed to focus on public fundraising so that they could continue with and expand their work with older people. Like a lot of charities, it has suffered in the wake of Rehab and Central Remedial Clinic controversies. Age Action welcomed the establishment of the Charities Regulatory Authority

Mr Webster said the charity intended achieving the highest standards of best practice in corporate governance so that everyone involved in the charity would know that it was spending money wisely and well.

Travel Pass

Support Age Action’s Hands Off Our Travel Passes Campaign


The travel passes which older people are entitled to in the Republic of Ireland are a highly valued and important support.  They enable older people to live with dignity and independence.  We vigorously oppose plans to negatively alter the scheme.
The Government is currently reviewing the travel pass scheme and a decision is expected in the near future.  It is considering one of three changes:
·         To introduce an annual charge for the travel pass;
·         To limit the times at which it can be used;
·         To restrict the forms of transport on which it can be used.
We have surveyed 500 of our members across Ireland who have told us how important their travel passes are for carrying out everyday tasks such as getting their shopping, collecting their pensions, attending medical appointments, visiting family and friends, social activities.
Significantly, without their travel passes they said they would not be able to attend medical/health appointments (57%), shop (55%), carry out personal journeys (eg to the bank or post office, 43%) or visit family or friends (61%).
For further survey findings and to read a more detail briefing document about the travel pass scheme click here.
How you can help
This campaign aims to rally political support to protect  the travel pass scheme.  We need your help to get the support of our 166 TDs.  We are asking every TD, Senator and councillor to confirm their support to protect the travel pass scheme from any negative changes.  They can confirm their support in two ways:
·         Email handsoff@ageaction.ie , stating their name and constituency;
·         Download the “I Support” poster here,  print it out,  take a photograph of themselves with it and email that photo to handsoff@ageaction.ie  We will post it on our Facebook page.
Each week we will provide an updated list of who is supporting the campaign.  IF YOUR TD, SENATOR OR COUNCILLOR IS NOT ON THAT LIST, ASK THEM WHY!
  
You can also spread the word about the campaign by downloading, printing and distributing the campaign poster here.  You can also follow and support this campaign on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
We need YOUR support to protect the travel pass for older people. Thanks!
For further queries please email handsoff@ageaction.ie