Latest "Ideas for Intergenerational Living" Newsletter
(From Global Action on Aging newsletter, May 28, 2012) China is facing the challenge of an aging population. Simultaneously, urbanization and industrialization is weakening traditional family support networks, specifically for senior citizens. Many retired older workers have low pensions and often cannot meet some of their most basic needs. As Chinas population ages, the younger workforce available to work is decreasing. This may not only affect the country’s economy but also the quality of life for elders since there will be less support. How will China manage this situation?
(From Global Action on Aging newsletter, June 4, 2012) According to a Government Accountability Office Report, once older workers lose their jobs, they tend to spend a longer time trying to find new work. Using focus groups, it was found that older workers believed that they faced age discrimination and had trouble adjusting to new technological ad-vances, including online job searches. Employers believed that older workers would incur higher health-care costs and would not stay long enough for the employer to reap some benefits.
(From Global Action on Aging newsletter, May 28, 2012) A Center for Housing Policy study shows that one in four adults will likely end up with a mobility limitation that requires some home renovations. This represents a big potential home building and home modification market. Additionally, most elder homeowners say they want to age in place. In response, the National Association of Home Builders has started a Certification Programs in Aging in Place Specialization for contractors.
(From Global Action on Aging newsletter, May 14, 2012) When Dr. Socorrito Baez-Page faced the issue of taking care of her older mother, she found a very interesting and personal option – a MEDCottage. This prefabricated small open-plan home was set up as a free-standing structure in her backyard with special amenities to meet the needs of older people. However, zoning rules create barriers to these structures; only about half of the states allow accessory housing for a family member. These homes allow the elderly to age in place. Additionally, a provision of the Affordable Care Act will pay for health care delivered in the home instead of at the doctor's office, which broadens the capacities of a MEDCottage. Another prefab alternative is Practical Assisted Living Structures. The pod comes with phone and TV cable lines built into the wall (no wires to trip on), a closet with levers that lower the clothes to wheelchair level, motion detectors that automatically turn the knee-high night-light system on, showers with grab bars and various types of no-step entries, wheelchair-accessible sinks and comfort-height toilets.
(From GU’s “Generations This Week” July 11, 2012). Looking on the bright side of the recession, a story by Brian Stoffel in DailyFinance.com
(From GU’s “Generations This Week” July 11, 2012). A well-rounded article by Businessweek's Chris Farrell.
(From GU’s “Generations This Week” publication - May 9, 2012, Vol. 7, 19). by Sherri Snelling, founder of the Caregiving Club. Years ago, they took steps to help working moms. Now it's time to do the same for caregivers. [Twin Cities Public Television]
(From Generation United’s Generations This Week – August 22, 2012, Vol. 7, 34) Stumped as to how to Do Something Grand for Grandparents Day? Get our jam-packed action guide. Also, visit www.grandparentsday.org and be sure to become a Grand Face Grand Voice on behalf of America's young.
In this issue, we discuss a session conducted at the state 4-H Leadership Conference, update of meetings & resources in the Philadelphia area, Better Kid Care's new online training, and University of South Alabama's Center for Generational Studies.
An intergenerational session called, “4-H through the Generations” began with a pre-banquet dinner panel presentation. The five panelists, ranging in age from 13 to 80, provided brief summaries and highlights from their own 4-H experiences.
Overview of Kinship Care Conversations program in Philadelphia
(Report) - a recent survey by Pew Research Center shows a trend of more senior adults going online for fun and to pass time.
(Book Announcement) – edited by Kalyani K. Mehta, University of SIM, and Leng Leng Thang, Na-tional University of Singapore – is the first book to focus on grandpar-enting issues across Asian socie-ties which are facing rapid demo-graphic, social, and cultural transformations.
(News from Audrey Maretzki, at Penn State University). On April 21, 2012, Grandmothers’ Day was celebrated in Ireland. To mark the occasion, Slow Food distributed this recipe for Grandma’s Ginger Beer. This is a great example of the passing down of inherited knowledge from generation to generation.
(Annual report from the Family Caregiver Alliance) The Family Caregiver Alliance released their second annual “Caregiving Year in Review” report during a session at a recent Aging in America conference.
Founded in 2011, the USA Center for Generational Studies (CGS) is a partnership between the University of South Alabama Programs in Gerontology and the Via Health, Fitness and Enrichment Center.
For the latest in intergenerational research, practice methods and policy initiatives, subscribe today to the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships (JIR). For more information about the journal, including the current call for papers on the intergenerational workforce.
(Report from the Center for Housing Policy). This April 2012 report from the Center for Housing Policy (written by Barbara Lipman, Jeffrey Lubell, and Emily Salomon) is now available.
Encore.org is for people interested in encore careers – jobs that combine personal meaning, continued income and social impact. The site is published by Civic Ventures, a nonprofit think tank on boomers, work and social purpose. While Encore.org is not a job placement service, it provides free, comprehensive information that helps people transition to jobs in the nonprofit world and the public sector.
