Publications

This report summarises the views and recommendations of older people from 13 countries attending the HelpAge regional conference in Yangon, Myanmar in May 2012.

Ninety per cent of care for people living with HIV is carried out in the home, by family or members of the community. Many of these carers are older people, predominantly older women. This guideline explains the various challenges faced by older carers and the training and specific support they need.

Providing care has a major economic impact on older men and women affected by HIV, at a time when their ability to earn a living is decreasing. Programmes that encourage a range of income-generating activities, particularly small-scale loans accompanied by training in business skills, can help to mitigate the economic impact of HIV on older people.

Older people are at risk of contracting HIV, may be living with HIV, or providing care to children affected by HIV. It is crucial that they have access to information on HIV so that they can protect themselves and others. However, current HIV prevention activities do not specifically target older people. This guideline shows how peer education is an effective way of providing this information to older people.

Inheritance of land and property is one area where older women face significant discrimination and abuse of their rights. This guideline explains that the inheritance rights of older women and children in households affected by HIV can be protected through support from paralegals, writing a will, and creating memory books.

As the current MDGs approach the 2015 deadline, Global AgeWatch Policy Brief 1 presents why ageing and investing in older people must be reflected in the post-2015 framework. It recommends an accountable, rights-based and age-inclusive policy framework that supports people across their life course, and across social, economic and environmental domains.

All over the world, older people are coming together to claim their rights – and becoming a real force for change. Their global grassroots movement, is called Age Demands Action (ADA). It’s the only one of its kind in the world.

This paper describes the different options that have been suggested at the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing about creating and strengthening human rights instruments to better protect and promote older people’s rights.

This call to action outlines ten reasons why the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing should recommend the strengthening of legally-binding standards on the rights of older people.

This paper provides an overview of the scope and rigour of the current international human rights framework with relation to respecting, promoting and protecting the rights of older people.

All over the world, older people are coming together to claim their rights – and becoming a real force for change. Their global grassroots movement, is called Age Demands Action (ADA). It’s the only one of its kind in the world.

This report, from a February 2012 meeting, takes stock of HelpAge’s position and thinking on income security in older age. Acknowledging an increasingly vibrant debate around social protection, growth, employment and poverty reduction, this report discusses work and livelihoods, pension systems and political economy. It also outlines how HelpAge aims to build on the insights and learning in its direct programming, advocacy and policy work.