World's Oldest Woman Passes away

Yone Minagawa, named the world’s oldest person in January, died of old age (114!) Monday in a nursing home 520 miles southwest of Tokyo. She reportedly had seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Joint Commission on Human Rights Report

Here's a report from England with some interesting reading regarding seniors and their rights released August 17. It seems they've enacted a Human Rights Act with a portion dedicated to seniors and have a follow up report which can be found here, but some key points are at the end of this posting. relating to their recommendations on findings of senior abuse and ageism.

Treatment of older people in hospitals and care homes

1. In our view, elder abuse is a serious and severe human rights abuse which is perpetrated on vulnerable older people who often depend on their abusers to provide them with care. Not only is it a betrayal of trust, it would also, in certain circumstances, amount to a criminal offence. (Paragraph 20)

4. What became clear to us from the evidence is that an older person's age is much less likely to be directly taken into account when decisions are taken about his or her healthcare than in the past. However, age discrimination in both hospitals and care homes is now more subtle and indirect. (Paragraph 47)

5. We consider that the power imbalance between service providers and service users and the strong evidence that we have received of historic and embedded ageism within healthcare for older people are important factors in the failure to respect and protect the human rights of older people. These problems require more than simply action at the local level, but an entire culture change in the way that healthcare services for older people are run, as well as strong leadership from the top. The Human Rights Act has an important role to play in moving the culture to one where the needs of the individual older person are at the heart of healthcare services. (Paragraph 59)

The role of staff in protecting human rights

40. In our view, human rights training should have been provided throughout hospitals and care homes and other public service organisations from 2000. We recommend that all staff working in healthcare (both clinical and non-clinical) receive targeted and regular training in human rights principles and positive duties and how they apply to their work. (Paragraph 222)

44. Whilst we do not want to increase the burdens on healthcare staff, we are conscious that they have a vital role to play in ensuring that all patients and residents with whom they come into contact are treated with dignity and respect and are not subjected to abuse. A duty to report suspected abuse is more than merely a moral duty and we consider that such a duty should be a requirement for all staff working in the NHS and in care homes. We therefore recommend that the Government include a requirement in both the Care Standards for Better Health and the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People (or, as we have already recommended, preferably in one set of integrated care standards) that hospitals and care homes should have a policy requiring all healthcare workers to report abuse or suspected abuse, with protection for whistle-blowing and confidentiality. (Paragraph 232)

Empowering older people

45. We were alarmed and concerned by how little protection care home residents appear to have against eviction, as compared to ordinary tenants in rented accommodation who have the protection of housing legislation, and suggest that rectifying this anomaly be considered as a matter of urgency. (Paragraph 241)

47. We conclude that older people, especially those who are the most vulnerable, would greatly benefit from the assistance of independent advocates in order to secure their human rights on the same basis as the rest of society. We welcome the Minister's support for independent advocates and recommend that he ensures that the Department provides sufficient independent advocacy services to older people, with particular priority being given to older people with mental health problems or who are unable to communicate in English. These advocates should have an understanding of human rights principles and the positive duties of service providers towards older people. (Paragraph 249)

50. It is important that older people and their advocates or carers have sufficient information about their rights, to ensure that they can claim them from service providers if they wish to do so. However, this should be a matter of last resort. Given the power imbalance between older people and service providers, and their resulting reluctance to complain, we do not consider that it is either realistic or appropriate to expect older people to shoulder the burden for ensuring that service providers treat them with respect for their human rights. The primary responsibility for the protection of human rights, as we have repeatedly said in this Report, falls on providers of public services. We have already recommended in Chapters 4, 5 and 6 what the Department of Health, providers of healthcare services, inspectorates and other healthcare agencies should be doing to ensure that older people's human rights are protected in hospitals and care homes. (Paragraph 272)

51. We consider that a dual approach is required: firstly, older people need information about their human rights; and secondly, institutions need to mainstream human rights within their work. We recommend that the Department of Health, the inspectorates, healthcare policy-makers and every provider of healthcare services make a public commitment to: (a) embed a human rights approach in hospitals and care homes across the country and (b) make sure that accessible information on human rights and how to use them are provided to patients, care home residents, relatives, carers and advocates, and the public as a whole. (Paragraph 276)

Seniors and Prescription Drugs

Does your parent need to take prescription medication on a daily basis? If so, there is a genuine need for seniors to understand what drugs they are taking and how to take them. You know, more often than not, seniors rely on their doctors so much; they fail to ask questions when given prescription drugs. They trust the doctors implicitly, but in some cases, it can do them more harm than good. Seniors and prescription drugs have become synonymous as more and more seniors live longer and are prone to more diseases.

If you have a parent who has been prescribed drugs, perhaps now is a good time to research the drug to ascertain what side affects, if any, are associated with it. Some doctors offer medications without completely understanding the side affects they may have on one patient as opposed to another patient. While one individual may have no ill affects, another may feel the full brunt of the medication.

For seniors who have dementia, this is especially true. There is a case of a woman who was given medication to help her sleep. This was due to the fact that she stayed up most of the night serving dinner to people she thought were in her house. While she was constantly being monitored by her daughter-in-law, nonetheless she had days of complete clarity, whereas other days she had the aforementioned dinner parties. The doctor prescribed a medication to calm her and provide a restful nights sleep. Unfortunately, it did the opposite. She quickly became agitated and anxiety ridden. The daughter-in-law called the doctor and explained the symptoms. He immediately changed the medication.

It has become apparent today that the pharmaceutical companies push their drugs onto doctors, who in turn prescribe them to patients. While one cannot definitively say that these drugs are given without consideration to the patient, there is a definite relationship between these companies and the health care insurance companies. Case in point: Escripts is used by some union-based organizations as the company to use for all medications. Unfortunately, however, there are conditions for using this company. Escripts allows members to purchase drugs through their pharmacy for 3 months, at which time one needs their approval to continue receiving the same medication. Furthermore, if Escripts determines the drug is inappropriate, they will change the medication without the doctor’s approval and offer it to the patient. Absurd, but true.

The pharmaceutical companies are out to make money as is Escripts, but what about the patients? Who is looking out for them? Certainly not unscrupulous individuals who want to make a quick buck. Seniors and prescriptions drugs are a major conundrum in this society, and unless and until someone comes up with a reasonable and safe plan to help our seniors afford the proper medication, we all lose.

Neither Wind nor Rain…..

With so many senior citizens living alone in New York City, a new plan has been implemented to “identify signs of distress among seniors and people with disabilities and quickly connect them with social services through the City’s Department for the Aging.” This, according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg is the beginning of a new service called the Carrier’s Alert Program. The postal carriers of New York City will be the champions of this new endeavor.

How will this be implemented? According to Mayor Bloomberg, “the letter carriers, who in many cases are the first people to recognize signs of distress, will now be empowered to act at the first signs of trouble.” Letter carriers know their route and the people they service more than most. Consequently, if a letter carrier notices that an elderly person’s mail has not been picked up, he will be able to act quickly and effectively to determine if the person is incapacitated and needs medical assistance.

This is a wonderful program, and one which prefaces the importance of keeping an eye on our elderly. During times when blackouts occur in certain boroughs or neighborhoods, everyone is encouraged to check on their neighbors to ensure they are okay. In fact in some areas, the police department checks each and every home to determine if anyone is alone and needs assistance. Blackouts are especially difficult for those who are on oxygen or who have no air conditioning units in their apartments.

With this new Carriers Alert Program, seniors can now rest easy that at least one person will always be on the lookout to determine if they need help. In addition, this will empower the community to do their part to become more aware of seniors’ concerns and do their utmost to ensure they are well and safe.

If you are a senior or have an elderly parent living in New York City, encourage them to sign up by contacting the Department for the Aging to enroll in this program. An application is available online. Once the application is filled out with the name, date of birth, address, telephone number and emergency telephone number, the letter carrier will place the Carrier Alert sticker in the senior’s mailbox.

Today, more and more seniors are living longer. It is up to each and every community in New York City to do all we can to make their lives happy and free from worry. For years they have worked and given their time to make our communities safe and friendly; now it is time to give a little something back on their behalf – a moment of your time. For more information, you can go to: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dfta/html/senior/carrier_alert.shtml.

The Zimmers

Been a while since I posted - these guys woke me up again. Betty doing well :-)

Formed in early 2007, The Zimmers are not only the oldest gigging band in the world (with an average age of 78), they are also the most celebrated, having recorded their debut album at the famous Abbey Road Studios, under the watchful eye of Acclaimed Producer Mike Hedges.

Oh and by the way, don't tell them you think this is funny, with more aggression than Nirvana and more talent than The Beatles, these OAP's are here to stay. Their first single 'My Generation' is released on May 14th. Expect it to climb faster than a Stenna Stair Lift!

Other songs in THE ZIMMERS repertoire include 'Firestarter' by The Prodigy, 'When I'm (one hundred and)64' by The Beatles and the live favorite (Jermain Stewarts worldwide hit) 'We Don't have to take our clothes off (to have a good time)'.


MEET THE BAND

Winifred Warburton (99)
Winifred lives in a care home in Derbyshire. When she was younger she did a bit of freelance work as a journalist and also wrote a few ladybird books on how to crochet. She’s a bit of a poet and is writing her memoirs. She also likes reading novels and keeping abreast of current affairs through the broadsheets. She used to play the organ and brushed up on her skills in preparation for the recording of “My Generation”. Winifred finds it hard to settle in a care home or find somewhere that really feels like home. She craves more stimulation and interaction with likeminded people. Not one to sit around doing nothing Winifred likes to take matters into her own hands and has moved care home so many times that she’s on first name terms with the removals man.

Eric Whitty (69)
Eric lives in a care home near Liverpool. He’s like a human jukebox – loves karaoke and singing anything from Beatles to Elvis and he does a great rendition of Amarillo. The Abbey Road session was Eric’s first time in London – with “My Generation” set to storm the charts it probably won’t be his last.

Tim O'Donovan (81)
Tim lives in a care home attached to a convent in Clacton. He’s a man of the church and left Ireland to spend many years working as a missionary in Africa. He has mastered computers and writes articles reminiscing about the people and places he’s come across during his life. Tim also enjoys a pint of Guinness in the local pub. Despite being very happy with the home and mindful of how lucky he is, he’s conscious that he’s somewhat outnumbered – sharing a home with 30 women, there’s only so much chit-chat about knitting and manicures that a man can take. Tim craves a bit more male banter and a good joke over a pint now and then.

Joan Bennett (it's rude to ask a ladies age!)
Joan lives on her own in London. Aside from routine visits to the GP Joan hasn’t been out of the flat for 3 years. A carer does all her shopping – her only contact with the outside world is her radio. She used to play the harmonica but it’s been gathering dust in a cupboard for 20 years – who knows, success in the charts just might re-kindle that musical spark.

Alf Carretta (90 years old – Zimmers lead singer) and Bingo friends Ivy Lock, Rose Dickens, Dolores Murray, Rita, Sylvia Beaton, Sally Page. This group of people met at the Mecca bingo hall on Essex Road and have been friends ever since. Some of them were there the day it opened, but sadly, after 30 odd years they’ve played their final game – according to Rank, who own Mecca, the double taxation on bingo gives them no choice but to shut it down. Alf says these are the only friends he has and he’s worried he’ll lose touch. Their efforts to keep the hall open have fallen on deaf ears and they’re hoping a bit of music might be what’s needed to grab people’s attention.

Gillian (Deddie) Davies (69 years old - Actor)
Gillian’s acting career has spanned decades from rep to TV - She played Mrs Perks in the Railway Children and has appeared in comedy classics such as Waiting for God and Little Britain. Gillian is a trustee of Compassion in Care and has been campaigning about quality of life for elderly people ever since her friend was badly treated in a care home. We’re glad to have at least one RADA-trained singer in the band!

Peter Oakley (Coming up for 80)
Otherwise known as “Geriatric 1927” to regular You Tubers, Peter has become the internet Grandad through his video blogs with his reflections on life. People love the fact that he’s just himself – utterly genuine – as well as being someone who challenges many of the stereotypes of elderly people. In the build up to the Abbey Road session Peter was looking forward to meeting others face to face for a change, and he watched videos of The Who performing My Generation live in preparation for our recording.

see Peter in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqfFrCUrEbY

Buster Martin (100)
Buster works 3 days a week for Pimlico Plumbers. He was recently in the press because he gave as good as he got when attacked by muggers. Someone like Buster who is still going strong at 100 years old is a great example to us all.

John & Bubbles Tree (big jazz fans – used to listen to Chris Walker's jazz show on Radio Solent), Rob Fulford (Used to enjoy Dennis Skillicorn’s sailing programme on Radio Solent), Dennis Skillicorn (Former presenter on Radio Solent) Though they once tuned in on a daily basis to listen to their favourite shows, these former listeners turned off when Radio Solent decided it was time to let some of their more elderly presenters go. None too impressed with the current trend for music and banter geared towards a younger audience, they’re united in their determination to get older voices back on air. If they can get a record in the top 40 they’ll be all over the airwaves.

Grace Cook (83)
Grace entered the world of showbiz at the age of 7 enrolling in an amateur dancing school where she was trained to sing. She went on to perform mainly in pantos and summer shows and she’s been with the Hoxton Singers for about 10 years, performing occasionally to elderly people in care homes. Grace jumped at the chance to lend solidarity to the other band members and break down a few stereotypes at the Abbey Road session - at 83 she’s definitely still got it.

Personal Blog Item

Betty, my mother, had a fall yesterday at the top of the stairs - fortunately, she landed at the top - she fell on a shoe of all things -they took her to hospital at about 10:00 pm, gave her meds to reduce her Blood pressure which was at 220 given the stress of the situation, conducted an examination and concluded she had no broken bones. She twisted her spine and bruised her side badly. She's in awful pain.

My brother Colm acted quickly and set up a bedroom on the ground floor for her . . . she came back today and is resting there already. We had a plan. There's already a shower on the ground floor. We're pretty much shutting off the upstairs and Mum and Dad will live on the ground floor until we can get a stair lift. Betty will need 3 weeks to recuperate - we're setting up support systems.

A fall has real personal meaning when it happens - people are in pain - you need to think about it before hand so that things are quickly put in place - a little thought and preparation before hand are essential to pulling this off.

Wii and thee

Residents at the Sedgebrook retirement community in Lincolnshire, USA have been playing the Nintendo Wii regularly from Christmas. The average age of the residents at the old age home is 77 and majority of the people living here have not picked up a video game controller in their entire life.

Flora Dierbach, 72, says, “I’ve never been into video games But this is addictive. They come in after dinner and play. Sometimes, on Saturday afternoons, their grandkids come to play with them. Many grandparents are being taught by their grandkids. But, now, some grandparents are instead teaching their grandkids we’ll even have a fan for people to dry their hands before they bowl.”

Nintendo is also enthusiastic about it. Beth Llewelyn, Nintendo’s Director of corporate communications explains, “And that’s the whole idea. We certainly are grateful to our ‘core’ gamers and will continue to supply them with games. However, the question is, how do you build a bigger audience. Therefore, the idea was to make the controller look like a remote control with just a couple of buttons. People have no fear of picking up a remote control, but they’re hesitant to pick up a video game controller”

The residents of the Sedgebrook retirement community prefer bowling and they have loved it so much, that on Sunday afternoon there will be a video game bowling tournament in the lounge. Twenty residents have already signed up for the tourney and are all geared up to win the competition, just like the younger gamers who play in WCG and GameBox. The Wii is a couple of hundred bucks and is freely available in Best Buy and other dens of iniquity.