Jo Maher HIV & AIDS Coordinator HelpAge International Intergenerational Poverty

Older people The proportion of older people is increasing Older People are consistently among the poorest Older people are often ‘invisible’ or ignored Increasing interdependence between older and younger people

The impact of HIV and AIDS  90% of AIDS related care is provided at home, often by older women.  Up to two-thirds of people living with AIDS are cared for by their parents in their 60s and 70s.  Over 60% of orphaned children live in households headed by their grandparents in severely affected countries

The Cycle of Care Phase of HIV Generation of Family Children/ Young Generation Parents/ Middle Generation Grandparents/ Older Generation Family life sans HIV School Cared For by parents Warmth & Care Economic Earners Care Providers for elderly & children Retired from work Cared for by Adult children Secure Phase 1 Weakening of family & loss of income School most of the time Caring breaking down Lack of warmth Work on/off Health weakening Concern for children Supplement family income Care for children & sick adults Insecure Phase 2 Morbidity & mortality School absentee Caring neglect Trauma of death of parents Stop Work Sick Stress & physical pain Death Sole economic providers Carers for sick & children Stress of Caring Phase 3 Older person as head of family School on/off Cared for by Grandparents Loss of parents Deceased Earners Carers Worry & weary Phase 4 Grandchildren reach working age Finish school & find work Care for grandparents Pressure to support Deceased Retire Cared for by grandchildren Some security

Older people’s time

The cost of care Rural Mozambique: Cost of caring for a child = $21 Cost of caring for a person living with HIV = $30 Income of an older person = $12 Tanzania: Tanga: Cost of caring for a child TSh25,000 ($19) Pera: Older women spent 80% of their time looking after children 2005: < 10% of households supporting children were reached Declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS: five years later. Report of General Secretary, 2006

Social protection in the form of a social pension Realise older people’s rights Reduce poverty Tackle HIV and AIDS Effectively support the most vulnerable

Older people and decent work Older people work: A high proportion are economically active Older people’s capacity to earn income is often low Often work is under recognised, under valued and under paid

Universal social pensions After a lifetime of work older people have a right to a pension: Pensions reduce old-age and household poverty Pensions are affordable Universal right to social security and to a secure old age

Universal social pensions as % of GDP Source: Pensions Watch, HAI, %2%

Universal social pensions - coverage In 17 countries surveyed, 24.3 million people over 60 receive a social pension. 83% do not receive a social pension because they are means- tested or the age limit is set too high. Source: Pensions Watch, HAI 2006

The impact of pensions Lesotho old age pension Basic consumption, services for older people and dependents, income generation. Ethiopia Meket cash for relief programme Mothers able to spend time with children, livelihoods protected from shocks Zambia Kalomo pilot cash transfer scheme Basic consumption, school related expenditure, investment Mozambique food subsidy programme Income invested in informal saving schemes during harvest

Older Citizens Monitoring: Promoting good governance and uptake of pensions in Bangladesh Older people formed associations Monitored allowances and access to health services Discovered low take up Lobbying improved coverage and delivery

Core recommendations Implement social transfers as a right and entitlement Introduce national instruments with costs integrated into national development plans Incorporate cash transfers into a bigger social protection package Ensure that transfers are regular, predictable and sufficient to ensure the most positive impact on wellbeing Make universal schemes clear and simple

A time of opportunity