World Watch

Aged care qualifications fast-tracked

China intends to fast-track training for people working in elderly care to address an ageing population, with schools advised to tailor programs to regional elderly care needs, Xinhua News reports. Vocational universities not offering bachelor programs in medical and elderly care have been encouraged to create them, as are partnerships with elderly care centers, hospitals and nursing homes. It is hoped the training programs will ensure at least half of all coursework is practical experience. People aged 60 exceed 20 per cent of China’s population, with the number expected to rise to 30 per cent by 2035 – meaning the elderly population will soon exceed 400 million people.

Japan publishes robotics portal in English

An English version of Japan’s Long-Term Care Tech Portal was released on 24 March – providing access to information on state-of-the-art-care technology for the aged care sector. The Agency for Medical Research and Development portal aims to increase uptake of technology and provides a wide range of information from varying stakeholders. The portal also has resources about robotic devices for long-term care and the introduction of project deliverables from AMED projects. For providers, there are several videos of different robotic care devices used in the Japanese aged care sector, along with how to get involved in Japan’s subsidy programs for the development of long-term care technology.

Aged care takes centre stage on podcast

The American aged care sector has welcomed a new means of communicating about aged care, with LeadingAge Ohio – a not-for-profit trade association that represents close to 400 long-term care organisations and hospitals – announcing a new podcast. Hosted by chief executive officer and president Susan Wallace, Another Word for Living will be a platform to discuss the broad spectrum of ageing, the power of advocacy in the aged care sector and the importance of board involvement in shaping a culture of engagement and impact across the sector.

Singapore bank supports seniors

OCBC Bank has committed to assisting over 180,000 older Singaporeans over three years through a new $2 million program, The Straits Times reports. One of the initiatives to be supported is home-based counselling for seniors from underprivileged backgrounds. These counselling sessions will be funded in collaboration with Care Corner Singapore. It is hoped the initiative will meet the practical needs of participants and was built on data and the firsthand experiences of the bank’s frontline staff. Older Singaporeans can also learn more about digital banking and scams through the program.

Neglect of elderly parents in India rising

Indian-based English-language newspapers Deccan Herald and The Hindu have reported a rise in elder abuse after 150 senior citizens were deserted at the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences in Karnataka, south-west India. Five more seniors had to find refuge in a home for elderly people after facing neglect, financial abuse and physical abuse from family members. Deccan Herald notes that South India has the highest old age dependency ratio in the country and that more than half of women over the age of 60 across India do not have an income. Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil has called for authorities to enforce the Senior Citizens Act 2007 and cancel wills and property transfers where children have abandoned elderly parents.

Oldest woman in Spain celebrates 112

Angelina Torres celebrated her 112th birthday on 18 March, making her the oldest woman in Spain and one of the oldest in the world. She told Catalan News Agency she witnessed the construction of the Sagrada Familia almost from the beginning and had a conversation with a construction worker who laid the foundations. She also lived through the Spanish Civil War when she was forced to relocate to Barcelona from her birthplace of Bellvís. She continues to live in her flat in Eixample, Barcelona – close to the Sagrada Familia, which she said she finds beautiful.

Socioeconomic factors may increase dementia risk

A recent analysis from the Gothenburg Mild Cognitive Impairment study revealed lifestyle and socioeconomic factors influence the risk of developing cognitive diseases. Significant correlations were found between cognitive function and multiple lifestyle and socioeconomic variables, including education, alcohol consumption, BMI, and blood pressure. University of Gothenburg research group leader and senior author Associate Professor Petronella Kettunen said the findings underscored the potential impact of modifiable lifestyle factors on dementia prevention. The analysis was presented at the 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease in Vienna.

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