Publications

INIA's principal medium for regular international communication is the quarterly gerontological publication BOLD, the first number of which appeared in November 1990.  BOLD serves to disseminate worldwide, the results of study and research on a comprehensive range of problems and issues concerning older persons with specific references to developing countries.  A regularly updated diary of forthcoming international conferences and training programmes serves as a useful channel of information with specific references to developing countries.

BOLD is distributed internationally to the United Nations and many related organisations and agencies; to research institutes and to individual professionals and bodies working in the field of Ageing, as well as to INIA's Collaborative Network.  

For further details on BOLD, EXPERT GROUP MEETINGS and other Publications, and to order them from INIA use links to BOLD and EXPERT GROUP MEETINGS on a top menu.

THE ELDERLY WOMAN IN ASIA: HER ROLES AND POSITIONS

EDITED BY JOSEPH TROISI AND ANN LENCYK PAWLICZKO

Ageing is an inevitable fact of life. Today, there are more older persons in the world than ever before. One out of every nine persons is 60 years old or over; and the numbers are growing rapidly. By 2050, one in five persons will be elderly. In most societies, women live longer than men and they comprise by far the greater number and proportion of older persons. Asia is no exception.

In traditional Asian societies, both family and community respected the elderly woman. She was cared for within the home. But times have changed. Families are getting smaller. Younger women, who traditionally cared for the elderly, are becoming more educated and increasingly entering the labour force. Where does this leave the elderly woman today? In many Asian societies, she is still respected and looked up to. She cares for grandchildren and performs various household tasks. She may even participate in decision-making. However, it is still a man's world and her position is not always so secure. In many countries, the majority of elderly woman are poor and most depend on the pensions of their spouses or support of their children. If they are widowed or childless, or if family support is not forthcoming, they are left to fend for themselves in a world that does not give priority to the needs of the elderly.

This volume is the first in a series highlighting the important contributions that elderly women make in families and communities throughout the world. It details the roles and status of the elderly woman in twelve Asian countries, namely : Bangladesh , China , India , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Nepal , Pakistan , the Philippines , Singapore , Sri Lanka and Thailand . In line with the multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary field of ageing, each study is written by experts in fields such as gerontology, demography, medical, social work and sociology. The authors present well documented and poignant pictures of elderly women in their respective cultures and countries.

The Elderly Woman in Asia; Her Roles and Positions offers crucial insights into how older persons, especially elderly women, in the most populated region of the world, are facing increasing insecurity due to changing family structures and the lack of social safety net to protect them from poverty, loneliness, isolation and abandonment. In the absence of relatives, they become dependent on the State for their well-being and survival. Hence the growing need of focused policy and programme interventions.

This book is edited by Professor Joseph Troisi, Director of the International Institute on Ageing, United Nations - Malta (INIA) and Dr. Ann Lencyk Pawliczko, Senior Policy Advisor in the Technical Support Division of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

AGING IN TURKEY

 EDITED BY JOSEPH TROISI AND YESIM GOKCE KUTSAL

The well-being and quality of life of older persons often depend on the realization of recommendations based on scientific research. Although considerable progress has been made in understanding the various issues of older persons in Turkey , the need for the multidisciplinary approach is increasing not only in scientific research but also in the areas of policy-making and service planning.

Aware of the fact that policy-makers need better and more realistic data regarding the medical, social and economic situation of the elderly Turkish population, Hacettepe University Research Centre of Geriatric Sciences (GEBAM) has carried out an in depth study of 1,300 persons aged 65 and above, living in various districts of Turkey's capital, Ankara. This study takes into account various aspects of aging including: public health and chronic diseases, drug use, oral and dental health, nutrition risk screening and dietary assessment, physical independence and quality of life, nursing and social work services, as well as social and economic issues. This book does not only contain the results of this research but presents the most frequently met issues being faced by health practitioners and other professionals working in the field of aging and among older persons. It also contains recommendations on how the challenges of the phenomenon of aging in Turkey can be met with.

Should you wish to order this publication kindly e-mail Ms Mariella Petroni at mariella@inia.org.mt. The cost is US$ 20 excluding postage.