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HelpAge training portal

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
2019

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This digital learning platform was established for the purpose of remote humanitarian response for hard to reach areas. HelpAge International is utilizing expertise to train international and national organizations, government agencies, and the private sector on Age Inclusive Interventions.

These series of trainings on 'Helping Older People in Emergencies (HOPE)' is designed to strengthen the capacity of humanitarian actors to ensure that their humanitarian action is evidence-based and responds to the distinct needs and priorities of crisis-affected to older men, women, and other vulnerable groups.

 

Modules available are:

1. Age & its interaction with vulnerabilities in humanitarian crises

2. Inclusion of older people in emergency needs assessments & SADDD

3. Health, home-based & community-based care in humanitarian crises

4. Protection of older people in humanitarian crises

5. Food security & livelihoods interventions for older people in humanitarian crises

Older people’s perceptions of health and wellbeing in rapidly ageing low- and middle-income countries

ALBONE, Rachel
2019

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This report presents the findings of an analysis of data collected by HelpAge International and its network members using HelpAge’s Health Outcomes Tool. The tool is designed to collect data to better understand health and care in older age, and to measure the impact of HelpAge’s health and care programmes. It was developed in response to the challenges posed by the lack of data on older people’s health and care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and the resulting lack of understanding about how best to provide age, gender and disability sensitive services for older women and men. The tool was used between 2014 and 2017 in nine low- and middle-income countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America,1 and gathered data from over 3,000 older people. The findings are presented here in the context of the current debate and evidence on older people’s right to health.

This report explores three different areas in relation to ageing and health: older people’s access to health services; availability of care and support; and the impact both health, and care and support services have on older people’s health status, functional ability and wellbeing.

 

 

 

A situational analysis of disability and aging in Myanmar

ZEITZER, Ilene
2018

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The interaction of aging and disability is explored in the context of Myanmar. Blindness and deafness data are taken from the census. Carer givers and the family are discussed. Goverment and civil society responses are also discussed.

A briefing paper is also available.

Global AgeWatch Insights. The right to health for older people, the right to be counted

ALBONE, Rachel
et al
2018

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This report considers the progress being made to achieve older people's right to health amid the global drive towards universal health coverage. It explores how older people are currently accessing health services and what changes need to be made to improve on this. It considers the role of data in driving and informing changes to health systems and the services they deliver. Data must be collected with and about older people to ensure adequate evidence for service design and delivery that is targeted and appropriate. This report explores the adequacy of current data systems and collection mechanisms and how, alongside health systems, they must be adapted in an ageing world. 

 

This report is supported by 12 country profiles (for Argentina, Colombia, El Salvador, Kenya, Lebanon, Moldova, Myanmar, Pakistan, Serbia, Tanzania, Vietnam and Zimbabwe; see Appendix 1). These provide national information on trends in the physical and mental health status of older people, and population-level information on access to UHC. The profiles are supplemented by data mapping, showing the national data available on older people’s health in the 12 profile countries, and revealing the data gaps. The data mapping results are available at www.GlobalAgeWatch.org.

Ageing in the twenty-first century : a celebration and a challenge

UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND (UNPF)
HELP AGE INTERNATIONAL
2012

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"This report, a collaborative effort of the United Nations and other major international organizations working in the area of population ageing, sheds light on progress towards implementing this Plan. It aims to raise awareness about the speed of population ageing and, more generally, about the experience of being old in our changing world. It recommends moving urgently to incorporate ageing issues into national development plans and poverty reduction strategies. It also shows that abuse, neglect and violence against older persons are much more prevalent than currently acknowledged, and points the way towards more effective prevention strategies and stronger legislation that can protect their human rights"

HIV and AIDS strategy for older people

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
2011

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This resource presents an HIV and AIDS strategy for older people. The impact of HIV and AIDS on older people and the challenges for older carers are described. Recommendations are provided for HIV and AIDS prevention, care and support, and treatment strategies for older people

Psychosocial care and support for older carers of orphaned and vulnerable children : policy guidelines

MLILO, Ncazelo
MEINTJES, Berenice
2011

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This policy guideline is "intended to offer a concise description of the concept of psychosocial support and how it relates to older carers of orphaned and vulnerable children in a time of HIV and AIDS. It offers recommended strategic focus areas which may be used to influence policies which provide support for older carers. Policy makers may find the guidelines helpful in providing ideas to effect changes that will improve the wellbeing of older carers"

Psychosocial care and support for older carers of orphaned and vulnerable children : programming guidelines

REGIONAL PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT INITIATIVE (REPSSI)
HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
2011

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"These guidelines were especially developed with the aim of impacting on the wellbeing of older carers living in situations of poverty and in a time of HIV and AIDS. The aim of this set of resource materials is to enable home based caregivers, development facilitators and peer counsellors to have relevant information and guidance on strengthening psychosocial care and support to older carers. The ideas proposed can be used individually or in groups as resource materials...The guideline comes in eight units...Each unit begins with an introductory section which gives community caregivers important background information about the topic being discussed. Each section is accompanied by four types of activities: reflection exercises, case studies, practical application and finally planning exercises and general tips...A range of annexes is appended to this guideline for more detailed reference to issues raised in the unit discussions"

Building bridges: a home-based care model for supporting older carers of people living with HIV

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL (HAI)
July 2010

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This summary guideline describes a model for supporting older home-based carers developed by HelpAge International in Tanzania, which is being implemented in several districts. The model has four elements: collecting baseline data, training older carers in home-based care and counselling, setting up support groups and linking older carers to services. This resource is useful to people interested in home-based care for supporting older carers of people living with HIV

The impact of HIV/AIDS on older people in Cambodia

JOHN, Kylie
SAINSBURY, Candice
2009

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This report presents the findings of a study in 15 rural villages to obtain information on the roles of older people in HIV/AIDS affected households and to identify potential interventions to meet their financial, psychosocial and other support needs. Research methods included case studies, in-depth interviews and focus groups with older carers of children in Cambodia to understand their problems and to explore their support needs. The findings demonstrated that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has led to significant changes in the responsibilities and needs of older people and that older people in HIV/AIDS affected households are vulnerable to extreme poverty, and at times, destitution. The report concludes with recommendations for possible local response interventions to address the needs of older people impacted by HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS and ageing : a briefing paper

HELPAGE INTERNATIONAL
2003

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This briefing paper outlines the difficulties related to HIV that are facing an aging population. It challenges the notion that older people are not vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection, outlines why they are being missed by information and service campaigns, describes difficulties associated with caring for their children and grandchildren who have become sick with AIDS. It takes a rights-based approach in advocating for the inclusion of older people in awareness and service provision programmes, and calls for more research into the effects of HIV/AIDS on an aging population. It points out the value of older people as agents of change and care-givers and argues for directed benefits to older people. It ends with an agenda for action on recognising the intergenerational nature and socio-economic impacts of HIV/AIDS

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