Improving the health status of the rural elderly in Mali

On the basis of a seven-year study, 1984–1991, in a traditional Bambara community in the Sahel region of the Republic of Mali special problems of health in later life are reported against the background of general ecological conditions. Some quantification of age- and gender-specific features of illness is offered on the basis of parasitological and clinical tests administered. This article starts with the premise that the health of all age groups in traditional African society is assessed by their members in culturally specific ways influenced by their social organization and cosmology and by their sociocentric and cosmocentric interpretation of health and sickness.Future health measures in Mali should apply and transform some of these views and practices. On account of the seniority principle which underlies Bambara social organization, the demographically small group of elderly traditionally held a somewhat privileged position. Physical weakness in late phases of life were, and to some extent still are, embedded in strictly regulated kinship and community structures. Traditionally, health and sickness are viewed as related to forces outside the individual, emerging from nature or social conflict. But traditions deteriorate as competition, instrumentalism, person-centered social mobility aspirations, and the quest for individual liberties grow as a result of various processes of modernization (which penetrate even into the more isolated regions and villages). The article shows that certain traditional elements of the rural Bambara way of life (e.g., village committees) permit an organization of solidarity to replace the diminishing traditional social organization under the conditions of the appearance and, in part, availability of certain elements of Western medicine.     

Older Persons: the Case of South Africa

The South African Constitution (Act 108 of 1996) laid the foundation for the transformation agenda of the new democracy to protect the human rights of older persons and to terminate all the forms of racial discrimination and inequality that had been instituted against them by the apartheid state. New legislation was passed in 2006, making provision for the protection of the rights of older persons and shifting services from primarily institutional care to community-based care, with a view to keeping the elderly in the community as long as possible. The old age pension, which is received by the majority of older persons in South Africa, targets household poverty rather than facilitating older persons’ independent living. Recurring themes in qualitative studies conducted in South Africa include the erosion of the traditional extended family, which impacts on families’ ability to care for older people, and the high incidence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Consequently, the elderly have become primary care-givers for sick children and orphaned grandchildren. They now face financial hardship, because they have to share their meagre income with their intergenerational households. In their caregiver role, the elderly experience renewed meaning for their lives in contributing to society, which instils resilience and a sense of empowerment. Despite this, they remain a vulnerable group who can be exploited. The South African government and society are challenged to implement the Act on Older Persons, No 13 of 2006, which forms the cornerstone for services that will facilitate older people’s protection and their full integration into South African society.     

A model of eldercare in the People's Republic of China

Rapid industrialization in the People's Republic of China (PRC) since the late 1970s offers a unique opportunity to explore the relation between the political economy and the social support systems for the growing proportion of the elderly. Four categories of aged are identified and assistance to the aged is provided through three support systems. Analysis reveals that the future of the elderly in the PRC will be greatly influenced by: the political agenda, the degree to which traditional values toward the aged are preserved, the degree to which the eldercare support system continues to be built on the existing social structure, the degree to which the eldercare program becomes institutionalized in the state budget, and the degree to which the elderly continue to be integrated into society.     

THE ETHNIC ELDERLY: COMMUNICATION,LANGUAGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Who are the ethnic elderly? By “ethnic elderly” we usually mean elderly people of non-English speaking backgrounds, and, more particularly, the immigrant elderly born in non-English speaking countries. In a society where social status by and large relates to socioeconomic position and ethnic affiliation, being old and ethnic tends to be associated with low social status. Being old and ethnic also means to be in a relatively powerless position vis a vis dominant social groups.     

The vertical mosaic in later life: ethnicity and retirement in Canada

Given the distinctive historical experiences, cultural features, and status positions of the diverse ethnic groups in Canadian society, we anticipate that these differences will influence the retirement behavior and conditions of their members. This paper examines the effects of ethnic group membership for immigrants to Canada on the timing of retirement and the sources and amounts of retirement income using data from the Public Use Sample of the 1981 Census of Canada. Separate but parallel analyses are conducted for men and women to take into account their distinctive labor force experiences. We find that membership in Asian, African, or Latin American ethnic groups is associated with both later retirement and a lower probability of receiving social insurance and private pension benefits, as well as appreciably lower income among elderly men. This is likely the result of changes in pension legislation in the 1960s and 1970s reducing benefits to recent immigrants.     

Ageing in India

About 7.6% of India’s population is above 60 years old. The elderly in India face multiple social, political, economic and cultural challenges including suboptimal financial security, decline of traditional extended family systems due to rural-urban migration of young people, and increasing costs of health care. In India, as is the case in many developing countries, the health systems are inadequate to promote, support and protect health and social well-being of the elderly due in part to lack of human and financial resources. The elderly find themselves exposed to harsh realities of globalization; changes in cultural values and beliefs, high disease burden from chronic noncommunicable diseases, and weak family and social welfare system. To address the health and welfare needs of this vulnerable section of society, the Government of India in 1999 developed and adopted the National Policy for Older Persons. A National Council for Older Persons and an Inter-Ministerial Committee was set up to implement the policy directions. To date, Government of India with its partners, have introduced various schemes and initiatives to promote and protect the welfare of the elderly. These initiatives include financial assistance for the construction of and maintenance of old peoples’ homes and non-institutional services to the elderly, as well as the provision of nutritious food and appropriate medical services. The Government of India, through the National Rural Health Mission has embarked on efforts to strengthen provision of primary health services and to reorient health care professionals from curative to preventive services at various levels. However, challenges remain for the health system, social welfare and health financing as the elderly population continue to rise.

Reviewing the definition of "elderly"

Conventionally, "elderly" has been defined as a chronological age of 65 years old or older, while those from 65 through 74 years old are referred to as "early elderly" and those over 75 years old as "late elderly." However, the evidence on which this definition is based is unknown. We have attempted to review the definition of elderly by analyzing data from long-term longitudinal epidemiological studies, and clinical and pathological studies that have been accumulated at the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. Our recommendation might be a starting point in developing a strategy for a successful society by reviewing the definition of elderly based on comprehensive evidence in all aspects of social, cultural and medical sciences.     

CARS AND THE SOCIAL NETWORKS OF THE ELDERLY: THE CREATION OF DISADVANTAGE

The eminent economist Galbraith once argued that if you are poor, it is better to be poor in a poor society. His argument was that in a poor society, systems such as the transport system were based on the needs of the poor; in a rich society, where car ownership rates are high, the poor find their needs are not met. By extending this argument, it is possible to hypothesize that the elderly who are a minority in our society, albeit an increasing one, have their transport needs often overlooked, and their rights in this area denied. The focus of this paper is an examination of transport patterns with reference to the lives of the elderly. It is argued that the elderly in our society are one group with reduced access to the motor car. In a society based on the motor car, this results in an induced dependency. Further their social networks are weakened and their social power correspondingly reduced. This paper uses survey data and secondary data sources to examine the limited access of the elderly to motor cars and ways in which this affects their social networks.     

Ageing in Hong Kong

Abstract. Hong Kong has experienced a steady and significant growth in its elderly population. Being essentially a Chinese community, the traditional virtue of filial piety has been upheld and the family is expected to be the prime source of care for its members. However, there has been a gradual increase in the number of nuclear families and a gradual dwindling of the positive image of the elderly person, which threatens the basis for community care for the elderly. About half of the elderly population are living in government rental housing and are receiving public primary medical care. Community support services are not in-home support in nature and are of low levels of care. The professional and social organisations unanimously urge the government to take a more proactive stance in providing services to the elderly and encourage the community to revitalise its traditional Chinese cultural heritage in caring for the elderly.     

Public policy on aging in Korea

Korea has undergone the most dynamic social changes in the world during its modernization in the latter half of the 20th century. During the dynamic modernization period, the traditional rural society has been disorganized, and industrialization and urbanization has rapidly proceeded.
In this trend the traditional family system has changed, and the problem of the elderly has emerged as a social issue. However, public policy on aging has been laggedly developed, compared to the social change during the modernization.
In order to explain the public policy on aging in Korea, this paper examines the social changes and population aging, the family changes and the problem of the elderly, and then the development of the public policy on aging social care programs by stages. and this paper examines the reason why the development of the public policy on aging in Korea has been delayed.     

Integrating Information About Hispanic Elderly into Undergraduate Gerontology:

The underutilization of medical and social services by elderly Hispanics has been partly attributed to cultural differences between the elderly and non-Hispanic service providers. Strategies to overcome barriers to service use include sensitizing non-Hispanic providers to the effects such cultural differences can have on Hispanic elderly. A pilot field placement program involving non-Spanish speaking, gerontology students and a bilingual society service agency was designed to integrate information about Hispanic elderly into undergraduate gerontology curricula. The placement was effective in sensitizing future non-Hispanic service providers to issues regarding elderly Hispanics.     

Work tolerance and the elderly in a post-industrial society

The place of the elderly is reviewed in a society where automation is eliminating the demand for physical work. Physiological and social consequences are examined, drawing upon the experience of populations undergoing particularly rapid cultural change. It is argued that an increase of voluntary physical activity can correct many of the health problems arising in a post-industrial society, increasing both the quality and quantity of a worker's remaining years of life.     

Status report from South Africa

Conclusion In their lifetime, older blacks have experienced discrimination and disadvantages that have discouraged healthy life-styles and economic and subjective well-being. The family support system and a non-contributory pension system have helped overcome some of the negative effects. South Africa’s Reconstruction and Development Program, which tends to favor youth over the elderly, poses a threat to existing service provision but also promises greater empowerment of the elderly and the benefits of a community-driven comprehensive family care system. She is the editor of theSouthern African Journal of Gerontology. Her major research interests lie in cross-cultural studies on aging in Africa. Her major interests are rural development, social security, and the management of change. PhD, is Professor in the Center for Social and Development Studies at the University of Natal and heads the Quality of Life and RDP Monitoring Unit. Her main gerontological research interest is quality of life studies and their application to the lives of older persons in society.     

Sources of support and forms of satisfaction of the elderly in Ghana

The living conditions and sources of support for the elderly in Ghana are examined. Beginning with a brief survey of the status of old people in traditional tribal structures their present situation is described with recourse to the economic problems and social changes. Based on the results of 7 studies carried out between 1962 and 1985 the position of the elderly is described within the social roles of parent, kinsman, spouse, member of the household, worker, friend and citizen. For each of these roles the author discusses the sources of support and possibilities of the elderly fulfilling what they regard as the most important requirements made of them. Finally attention is drawn to the limits of the family support system and to the necessity of further investigations, including the problems experienced by the welfare workers.     

Predictors of use of traditional Korean healers among elderly Koreans in Los Angeles

Many ethnic groups are known to use traditional healers often in conjunction with Western biomedical medicine, thus combining treatment regimens and medical advice as they see fit. Awareness of the use of traditional healers is an increasingly salient issue due to the growing diversity and aging of the U.S. population. To explore the determinants of use of traditional healers, we studied demographics, health status, and social support networks of a representative sample of elderly Koreans in Los Angeles County, California. The results revealed that chronic conditions such as arthritis, lung disease, and stomach pain, fewer depressive symptoms, availability of health insurance, and stronger social networks were significant predictors of use of traditional healers. Better understanding reasons for and patterns of health care use may enhance the delivery of care to the heterogeneous elderly population by preventing potential treatment complications and increasing health providers' cultural sensitivity.     

Volunteering among older people in Korea

OBJECTIVE: Faced with aging societies, there is an immense need to better understand the nature of volunteering outside advanced Western industrial countries. As a case of a rapidly aging society, we identify robust factors associated with elderly volunteering in Korea in terms of a resource framework. METHODS: Data were derived from the Social Statistics Survey conducted by the Korea National Statistical Office in 1999 (N = 7,135) and 2003 (N = 8,371). We first determined overall and age-related volunteer rates for Korea compared to the United States. Using logistic regression, we then examined the effects of human, cultural, and social capital variables on volunteering. RESULT: Approximately 6% of Koreans aged 65 years and older participate in volunteer programs. All human capital variables are positively related with volunteering. For cultural capital, those who identify their religion as Buddhism or Catholicism are more likely to volunteer than those who have no religion. But surprisingly, Protestantism does not consistently promote volunteering across both years. For social capital, older adults who live alone or with a spouse are more likely to volunteer than those living with both a spouse and children. DISCUSSION: In contrast to human capital, cultural and social capital on elderly volunteering appears to be contoured by social contexts.     

Health status prediction for the elderly based on machine learning

Health and social care services are crucial to old people. The provision of services to the elderly with care needs requires more accurate predictions of the health status of the elderly to rationalize the allocation of the limited social care resources. The traditional analytical methods have proved incapable of predicting the demands of today's society, compared to which machine learning methods can more accurately capture the nonlinear relationships between the variables. To ascertain visually the performance of these machine learning methods regarding the prediction of the elderly’s care needs, we designed and verified the experiment.     

What is ‘social integration of the elderly’ in small-scale society?

Social integration of the elderly is a key analytical concept in both Western social and cross-cultural gerontology. While generally understood to describe the fit between the elderly and society in industrial nations, this construct should have utility for Third World societies as well. I argue that the concept is useful insofar as we clarify several antecedent considerations. These are, specification of (1) the model of integration being used; (2) other social distinctions besides age which affect the elderly; (3) the analytical level used; (4) underlying values leading to or away from integration; and, (5) the referent moment of time for society. These notions are discussed with reference to old age in one small-scale Melanesian society, Malo, Vanuatu.     

Attitudes and perceptions concerning elderly Samoans in rural Western Samoa,American Samoa,and urban Honolulu

Samoan cultural values place a high emphasis on respect and obedience toward elders. However, modernization and migration have caused changes in traditional social structure, social organization, household composition, economic opportunities, and health care systems. This article reports results from interviews on attitudes and perceptions of the elderly administered to 137 young adults (aged 18–37) and 106 older adults (aged 41–82) in rural Western Samoa, modernizing American Samoa, and Samoan migrants in urban Honolulu. The results indicate there are significant signs of both change and stability in the status of elderly Samoans. Over 75% of Samoans report that the elderly are respected, obeyed, and consulted on important decisions. However, Samoans in American Samoa and Honolulu report that the status of the elderly has declined over the past ten years. Older Samoans in Honolulu emphasize the maintenance of traditional norms rather than changes in the behavior toward the elderly.     

Intergenerational Differences in Perceptions of Heritage Tourism Among the Maasai of Tanzania

Besides wildlife tourism in the African savannah, cultural heritage tourism (sometimes known only as heritage tourism) is a big draw in Tanzania. In order to attract cultural tourism dollars, Maasai communities have established cultural bomas, typically pseudo Maasai villages where they display cultural performances and crafts before tourists. Such cultural contact has resulted in the growing influence of globalization that challenges traditional ways. The economic, social and environmental impact of heritage tourism on intergenerational relationships and community well-being has not been examined among the Maasai people. In this study, focus groups were conducted with different age-groups of Maasai people residing in Esilalei and Oltukai villages. Results suggest that for the Maasai, heritage tourism appears to be a double-edged sword. While tourism results in some trickled down economic benefits for the Maasai community, economic change appears to have created a social distance between generations.