Headlines: Aging in the news

The Dilnot Commission press release

Published Jul 4th 2011

On 4 July 2011, the Department of Health released the press notice (on behalf of the Commission on Funding of Care and Support) announcing publication of the Dilnot Commission’s report of recommendations for improvements to England’s social care systems and processes.

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Councils could offer loans to homeowners in Dilnot Report proposal

Published Jul 3rd 2011

In further coverage of the Dilnot report, The Guardian discusses the possibility of councils providing loans to homeowners against the value of the property, thus making it easier for individuals to avoid having to sell their home during their lifetime.

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To spare youth, elders volunteer to tame a rogue reactor

Published Jun 27th 2011

An amazing story of generosity from Japan – Retired plant engineer Yasuteru Yamada has suggested that older engineers should be recruited to work at the crippled nuclear power plant because “Not only do they have some of the skills needed, but because of their advanced age, they are at less risk of getting cancer and other diseases that develop slowly […]

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Age UK research shows social care funding crisis

Published Jun 27th 2011

Using Freedom of Information requests, Age UK carried out a survey of English councils’ spending plans for social care and found those plans to be wanting.  Full story in The Guardian

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Are 15 minute home visits enough?

Published May 28th 2011

An interesting article in The Guardian profiles the day-to-day schedule of carers and asks if 15 minutes of care per day is really enough for each individual.

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NHS failing elderly patients

Published May 26th 2011

The Guardian reports on the Care Quality Commission’s findings that the NHS is “not respecting the privacy of some senior citizens receiving treatment or ensuring they eat properly.”

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New measure of pensioner poverty announced

Published May 9th 2011

The Department for Work and Pensions announces a new way of measuring older people’s quality of life.  The indicator uses a set of fifteen goods, services and experiences which are judged to be the best discriminators of deprivation – such as whether someone can replace a cooker, take a holiday away from home or go out socially at least once […]

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For women, achieving a comfortable retirement is much harder

Published May 7th 2011

Tough reading for women – the article in Boston.com says that “Women find it significantly harder than men to achieve a comfortable retirement. They live longer, earn less, and typically lag in savings and financial awareness.”

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