Conservative MP supports campaign but fails to endorse it

Wise Owls received a response today from the Conservative MP for Cardiff North Jonathan Evans. The letter, which is in response to our Equality Impact Assessment Campaign agreed with the sentiment of our campign, but failed to go that step further and support the suggestions made within it.

The campaign asks the government to assess the implications of the cuts to those most in need that come under the equality banner. In addition Wise Owls are asking for the government to measure the cuts on the workforce - taking a measurement of exisitng employees, those recruited and those made redudant by age.

It is our understanding that until we have a baseline figure, we are unable to tell whether staff are being targetted because of age when it comes to employment. Therefore it has been left to us to accumalate these statistics and that is what we are in the process of doing now.

Last year Wise Owls embarked on a research of all employees in the London borough councils and the Englsih National councils using the FOI Act. Our results and conclusion can be viewed here. Ageism in the public sector workforce - Wise Owls Age Audit

The Age Discrimination Act introduced in 2006 and updated in 2010 though welcome, will fail to be as protective as it need be unless statistic ananlysis is included iwithin its framework.

For the full letter from Jonathan Evans - click here.

GP's Guilty of Age Discrimination

A new report has revealed that older people are less likely to recieve referals from thier GP than younger people with similar symptoms.

In a study contucted by a team from the King's Fund and University College London, which compared referal for three common symptoms in patients of different ages, sex and wealth, people aged over 85 were found to be 61% less likely to be refered for postmenopausal bleeding and 32% less likely to be refered for hip pain. The team analysed data for 130,000 patients from 326 practices throughout the UK over a 6 year period.

The report published yesterday in the British Medical Journal did not examin the reasoning behind GPs decision, however Michelle Mitchell of Age UK stressed that "A doctor's decision to refer patients must be based solely on the patient's clinical need, not their age. Age discrimination in health provision will be unlawful from 2012 and it can't come a moment too soon for older people in need of medical care."

Royal Wedding Day Will Fall On European Day Of Solidarity Between Generations

The wedding day of Prince William and Ms Middleton, announced yesterday, will take place on the 3^rd European Day of Solidarity between Generations and will give a special dimension to the numerous activities organised on that day across the European Union.

AGE, together with 13 EU NGOs, has been running a campaign to promote greater solidarity and cooperation between generations. On 29 April 2009, this NGO coalition launched the first EU Day of Solidarity between Generations which was celebrated across the EU.

More information on the European Day of Solidarity between Generations can be found at:

http://www.age-platform.eu/en/age-policy-work/solidarity-between-generations/campaign.

"Addressing Dementia Should Go Beyond The Strictly Medical Approach" Says AGE EU

“With the rapid demographic ageing, the prevalence of dementia is expected to increase sharply in the near future. A better coordination of social and health policies on old age dementia is therefore needed to tackle mental health diseases and to ensure a decent life to all patients with dementia and their families. We need a holistic approach to create a dementia friendly society”, highlighted Anne-Sophie Parent on the eve of the EU Presidency Conference on Dementia

In the last few years, the European Union has acknowledged the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and has called for coordinated action through initiatives, such as the Joint Programming Initiative on Alzheimer and other neurodegenerative diseases launched last April to boost research in that area.

AGE Platform Europe has just issued a position paper stressing the need to tackle all dimensions of mental health diseases, from prevention to measures in support of informal carers, and suggesting seven recommendations to EU and national policy makers:

1. Create an “Alzheimer friendly” environment;

2. Improve quality of life of patients without relying only on medication;

3. Support informal carers;

4. Ensure adequate financing to tackle inequalities and ensure quality;

5. Change the way society looks at dementia;

6. Promote healthy ageing and well-being of older people;

7. Use the Open Method of Coordination to develop and exchange good practices.

This position paper entitled “Position on Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias: Widen the debate beyond care and treatment issues” can be accessed on the AGE website at: http://www.age-platform.eu/images/stories/AGE_PositionPaper_Dementia_Nov10.doc.

European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing Conference Announced

The draft agenda for the upcoming Stakeholders Consultation Conference on European Innovation on Active and Healthy aging was released today. The conference, which will be held this Friday in Brussels will feature a series of speechs, as well as open discussions with the expert panel and audience

Click here to view the full draft agenda

Another Wise Owl Enters The Jungle

Comedian and novelist Jenny Eclair has become the latest over 50 to enter I'm A Celebrity

Her arrival brings the number of over 50s in the camp to 5, only just shy of the 50% mark. This strong representation is extremly encouraging and proves that the babyboomers are just as capable when it comes to extreme survival as younger generations!

Informal Guide to help the elderly avoid accidents

Winter is a particularly difficult time of year for everyone, but particularly for senior citizens. As the temperatures drop and the nights draw in the likelihood of accidents and injuries increase. An informal guide has been produced to help the elderly stay safe and avoid accidents during winter and here are just three of their tips:

1) Not to walk on icy/snowy paths – instead look for routes which are dry or have been cleared

2) Wall mounted heaters are preferable to portable ones as they do not pose a tripping hazard

3) Replace old slippers and canes as these can become worn out and smooth, offering little protection to winter conditions

To download the guide click here