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#Vaccine4Life - Adult Vaccinations Global Campaign
IFA has created a global campaign to better understand the uptake of adult vaccinations and to promote awareness of the importance of vaccinations throughout the life course.
Follow the steps above and Take the Survey Today for a chance to win $150!
Despite the overwhelming evidence, people still have questions and concerns about vaccinations.
Click below to read this fun and informative comic that discusses the risks, misinformation, and the science behind history's greatest life savers!
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IV. TURYAK International Congress on "Longevity"
 Don't forget to submit your abstracts for the IV. TURYAK International Congress on Longevity being held in Istanbul on 13-14 March, 2015 by TURYAK and YASAM. This is a perfect opportunity to connect with experts across the world and learn about pressing global issues pertaining to ageing. The deadline for abstract submissions that relate to one of the 12 sub-themes is 31 December, 2014 for oral and poster presentations.
"Ageing research plays an important part in improving elderly welfare and quality of life in old age. It also serves to determine current practices, state-of-art and future projections and implications. In Turkey, a lot of scientific activities have taken place on the subject of ageing and they will continue to take place in the future."
- Dr. Erkan Ibis, Head of Ankara University
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Be the Change Our Eyes Can See by Nicole Waldston, Project Officer at IFA
"Diabetic Retinopathy isn't a term that immediately encites an engaged reaction, particularly when you pair that term with the words survey and study. However, what is does in fact represent is what the IFA hopes to be a global movement in addressing vision loss for older adults, particularly those who have diabetes.
The IFA is the coordinating body of a potentially ground breaking study that looks at vision loss due to diabetes (diabetic retinopathy), through the gathering of data via an online survey from patients and practitioners in 42 countries worldwide. And believe it or not, the project doesn't stop there..."
Complete the survey, and promote it on social media by taking a picture of yourself holding a sign with the hashtag #vision4life and the name of your country of residence (see mine above!). But don't stop there - get others involved! Do the survey with a grandparent, and take the picture together; make a contest with colleagues and friends to see who can collate the most pictures and participation...."
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Bayer Pharma AG has funded and facilitated this research, acted as an advisor to the participating organizations and will assist in the dissemination of the research findings. Bayer Pharma AG has no involvement in collection or analysis of data relating to this research. | |
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Technical Officer Position Available at the WHO Kobe Centre in Japan
The World Health Organization Centre for Health Development, also known as the WHO Kobe Centre (WKC) is welcoming applications for the 12 month Technical Officer position. The deadline for the application is 5 January 2015.
Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WHO: To learn more about WHO's operations.
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IFA Patron Members
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The IFA is on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn! Join our Online Community Now !
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Companion Animals and the Health of Older Persons
The International Federation on Ageing's report on Companion Animals and the Health of Older People has received a lot of notice by the public. Reports such as this one are important because healthcare systems and governments are actively working to manage expected healthcare costs in response to the ageing population and chronic long-term conditions that affect older people.
Dr. Jane Barratt stated, "Many studies have broadly discussed how pets, such as dogs and cats contribute to health by reducing anxiety, loneliness and depression, but until today, have not yet been published in a single source. This new report advances our understanding of the value of companion animals in the framework of human health and the broader society."
Recently, more studies have been coming out supporting the evidence found in the IFA report. For example, in one neuroimaging study specifically on dogs, demonstrated that dogs don't just seem to pick up on subtle human mood changes - they actually are physically wired to pick up on them, helping, as Dr. Jane Barratt remarked, to reduce anxiety, loneliness, and depression among older adults.
Read about the specific study about dogs relationship with humans on Science.Mic.
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Gender and Ageing Charter - "Gender Equality in an Ageing World"
As an outcome of the 2nd International Longevity Forum, the Charter on Gender and Ageing highlights the fundamental aspect of the development of a culture of care. The social construction of gender informs all aspects of ageing in every socioeconomic, cultural and institutional context. The longevity revolution necessitates the evolution of a new paradigm which must lead to more active citizenship, greater social and economic justice and a more inclusive and comprehensive culture of care.
In the context of rapid population ageing within an increasingly globalized and migratory world, gender equity is essential to harness the full experiences and capabilities of every person. We must strengthen both international and national laws in relation to the rights of older women and men, seek to refine customary practice at all ages and convene a shared vision of gender equality. Other areas that require attention toward gender and culture include health, life-long learning, participation, and security.
This forum brought together more than 30 experts to debate and provide recommendations on gender and ageing. It was held in Rio de Janeiro on 16-17 October 2014 by the International Longevity Centre (ILC) Brazil.
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Baycrest Poster Day Video
Baycrest is the global leader in developing and providing innovations in ageing and brain health. Baycrest's vision is to transform the experience of ageing through leading innovations in brain health, wellness promotion, and approaches to care that enrich the lives of older adults.
Please see the Baycrest Poster Day video below that celebrates the great work that is happening.
 | | Excellence in Care and Education Poster Day |
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Older People in Emergencies: Considerations for Action and Policy Development
 Older people have often been overlooked in disasters and conflicts, and their concerns have rarely been addressed by emergency programmes or planners. This analysis seeks to: (1) highlight factors that particularly affect older people in emergencies, especially health-related concerns; (2) propose a strategy to raise awareness about older people in emergencies; and (3) recommend policies and practices to address these considerations.
Until recently, older people's needs in disasters and conflicts were addressed only by broader adult health and humanitarian programmes. This has changed as several recent emergencies highlighted this population's vulnerability.
Some examples, of the 14 800 deaths in France during the 2003 heat wave, 70% were of people over 75 years. Of the estimated 1330 people who died in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, most were older persons. In Louisiana, 71% of those who died were older than 60 years; 47% of this group were over 77 years old.
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Release of National Seniors Council Report on the Social Isolation of Seniors
"Social isolation touches many aspects of seniors' lives, such as active participation, community engagement, healthy aging, income security and caregiving needs. Social isolation can lead to depression and increased vulnerability to elder abuse, among other concerns. The lack of supportive social networks is linked to an increase in the risk of dementia and cognitive decline."
"The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announced today the release of the National Seniors Council's (NSC's) Report on the Social Isolation of Seniors - 2013-2014, which is now available on-line on the Government of Canada's National Seniors Council website."
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Revera, York U form Partnership to Improve Resident Care
 Long-term care provider Revera Inc. and York University have teamed up to provide specialized training for registered nurses who are long-term care home directors of care or wish to one day hold this position.
The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding recently to create a research and education partnership devoted to ageing, and the Director of Care Certificate in Clinical Leadership (DOCL) program is the first step in this process.
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Are Income-Based Public Drug Benefit Programs Fit for an Ageing Population? - IRPP Study
 Up until the late 1990s, people 65 and older received universal, almost first-dollar public drug coverage in most provinces. But with population ageing, the public liability associated with age entitlements has become a major concern for governments. Four provinces have discontinued their age-based programs, which covered most of the costs of medications for seniors, and replaced them with income-based programs, which protect all seniors against catastrophic drug costs. Other provinces have started to move or are considering moving in this direction.
Is this policy sound? Read the report here.
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Irish Family Carer Research 2014 - Care Alliance Ireland
 As 2014 draws to a close, Care Alliance Ireland can say it has been a fruitful and exciting year for family carer research in Ireland. Care Alliance Ireland has updated their database and it currently details 36 pieces of research that are currently being undertaken or have been undertaken over the past 6 years.
Some significant new primary research is being carried out that will strengthen the development of evidenced based supports and interventions for family carers in the future, such as, ground-breaking research on Family Carers of Older People in Relation to Stress, Conflict and Coping, which was completed by The National Centre of Older People (NCPOP) and a comprehensive literature review on the Relationship between Family Carers and Home Care Support Workers.
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Planning for Late Life Transitions Webinar, Presentation by Dr Amy D'Aprix
 | | Dr. Amy D'Aprix |
How do you encourage people to think about the impact of life transitions in Canada and how do we as advocates encourage them to plan their own and upcoming life transitions? On 30 October, 2014 CHNET-Works organized a webinar entitled " Planning for Late Life Transitions". The presentation was made by Dr Amy D'Aprix, an internationally renowned expert on lifestyle issues related to ageing; and currently the IFA Regional Vice President for North America.
Retirement, caregiving, health and mobility challenges, loss of driver's license, widowhood and end-of-life care are all experiences many human beings will have across the life course, and many start in midlife. Factors such as living location, finances, health and mobility, social support or knowledge can directly impact the decisions we take to overcome the life shifts.
Early planning helps us all, but particularly older people to gain and maintain control while choosing what they would like to have and do in their retirement. It is key to be educated about the kinds of resources and services that are available.
One of the main steps to prevent and alleviate the life transitions is encouraging, within families, what Dr D'Aprix refers to as essential conversations. It means talking to the most important people about the most important things in our lives. This is not only about reaching a decision and taking into account financial and practical aspects; it is also about acknowledging and honouring the emotional components of decision-making.
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3rd International Conference on Ageing in a Foreign Land - Abstract Deadline Extended
The School of Humanities at Flinders University is extending the abstract deadline to 30 January 2015 for the 3rd International Conference on Ageing in a Foreign Land: "Real People with Real Experiences being held in Adelaide, South Australia.
This conference will address the needs of migrant diaspora with regards to ageing and health, service provision, language, and cultural identity, and issues of Greek and other Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in Australia and Overseas.
Join in on this unique opportunity for institutions and individuals to be part of a very exciting event, extend learning, share experiences, promote activities, and create a dynamic and vibrant network to further advance knowledge and careers.
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Closing Note
Dear Readers,
If you are interested in submitting an article for a future edition of the IFA eNews or wish to make comments or recommendations on how we might improve this publication please email Greg Shaw (gshaw@ifa-fiv.org) or Izabella Kaczmarek (ikaczmarek@ifa-fiv.org) You can contact us by telephone +1 416 342-1655.
The IFA is now on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn! Join our Online Community!
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