Welfare Reform on the Web (June 2010): Care of the elderly - overseas
The concept of green care farms for older people with dementia: an integrative framework
S. De Bruin and others
Dementia, vol. 9, 2010, p. 79-128
In the Netherlands community-dwelling older people with dementia can attend regular day care services. Since about 2000, farms (so-called green care farms) also offer day care. This literature review introduces the concept of green care farms for older people with dementia and explores their health benefits compared to regular day care services.
Population ageing and international development: from generalisation to evidence
P. Lloyd-Sherlock
Bristol: Policy Press, 2010
Over the next 40 years the number of people aged 60 and over in the world is set to grow by one and a quarter billion. More than 80 per cent of these people will be living in developing regions, such as Asia, Africa and Latin America. What are the implications of this for the world and what will old age be like for these people? This book provides an analysis of links between development, population ageing and the experiences of older people. Drawing on a broad array of evidence, it challenges a number of widely held misconceptions and generalisations. The book highlights the diversity and complexity of international experiences and argues that the effects of population ageing on development are strongly influenced by policy choices. It argues that pension programmes in developing countries often promote inequality, that health policies over-look basic provision, and that care needs continue to be neglected. It includes country case study chapters which analyse the experiences of India, South Africa and Argentina.
Willingness to live in eldercare institutions among older adults in urban and rural China: a nationwide study
R.J-A. Chou
Ageing and Society, vol. 30, 2010, p. 583-608
Recent economic development and socio-cultural changes have made it increasingly difficult for Chinese families to provide eldercare. Consequently, institutional care has been strongly promoted as the solution to meeting older people's long term care needs. Although it has been estimated that China needs more beds to meet such needs, unfilled beds have been reported nationwide. Based on a national survey of 20,255 older people, this study explored their willingness to live in institutions. It found that in urban and rural areas only 20 and 17 per cent of respondents were willing to do so. Results suggest that as society changes more older urban adults become willing to enter eldercare institutions. This is not the case for older people in rural areas, who continue to adhere to the traditional view that children should look after aged parents.