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October 03, 2010 - Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda

On October 03, 2010 For the 21th consecutive year, COSE will sponsor the “Ten Outstanding Elderly Awards”

The unsung heroes who have spent their lives at the service of others. Generally, winners are less well known outside the groups they serve and come from among farmers and fishermen, tribal and urban poor communities, women’s and disabled groups. The event is the most inspiring celebration of the whole year.
 
Selling longer life — or snake oil?

By Brian Alexander

msnbc.com contributor

updated 4/18/2008 9:57:22 PM ET

 

 

In 1931, Dr. Paul Niehans opened Clinic La Prairie in Clarens, Switzerland. There he experimented with something he called “cellular therapy.” By injecting human patients with the living cells of fetal sheep, he promised, people could be rejuvenated, their body’s tissues literally made young again.

 

La Prairie quickly gained an elite clientele. Actress Gloria Swanson, the King of Morocco, Saudi Arabia’s founder King Ibn Saud, Pope Pius XII and many wealthy Americans and Europeans flocked to Clarens for the treatments, buying into one of the most ancient hopes of man — restored youth. Niehans had joined a long line of would-be saviors who came before and after. Some transplanted monkey, dog or goat testicles into men, or their ovaries into women. Others touted various elixirs, like one called Gerovital, popular in the 1950s. In the 1980s and early 1990s, hopes were placed on dietary supplements like beta-carotene, often in massive amounts. Nothing worked.

 

But not surprisingly, lots of people keep trying. According to the Freedonia Group, a Cleveland, Ohio-based market research firm, the market for anti-aging products exceeds $20 billion per year — and is growing at a rate of nearly 9 percent annually. Whether consumers are getting their money's worth, though, is still highly questionable.


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WHY NOT?

A bill has been filed in both houses of Congress to grant a small pension (1,000 pesos or U$ 22) monthly to the poorest old people in the Philippines. A UN sponsored dialogue between government organizations held in Bangkok early 2007  pointed out that: 

  • There is clear evidence internationally of the positive impact of non-contributory social pensions in the reduction of poverty as well as in social and economic development.
  • The existence of several schemes for delivery of social pensions and other forms of social protection in Asia is a demonstration of the intent and commitment of our governments to ensure economic security for all Asians in old age
  • Recent economic studies, as well as experiences of several countries demonstrate that social pensions are an affordable and cost effective way of delivering social protection to older people.

The dialogue included most countries in Southeast Asia – some poorer economically than the Philippines.  The Philippines was the only country represented without some form of social protection for poor older people. 

WHY NOT NOW???
 
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