FRANCE: Highlights of Trends and Tendencies of Seniors

Seniors Will Spend Average of Euros 1454 This Summer Ouest-France Sunday, which covers part of Normandy, Brittany and Pays-de-la-Lore, conducted a market survey on June 22 and 23, 2006 which disclosed that those between the age of 50 and 64 will spend an average of Euros 1454 on their summer vacation this year. A total of 959 persons were interviewed. And the survey revealed that those between 18 and 24 years of age would spend an average of Euros 618 and those aged between 35 and 49 have budgeted Euros 1398 for their summer holidays this year. This reflects the fact that the summerr holiday budget grows with age. What is noteworthy in the results of the survey is that 72% of those aged over 65 will not go on a holiday this summer, primarily because of financial reasons. Quality of Make-It-Yourself Tools Important for Aged Women Nearly 70 per cent of senior women (between 50 and 64 years of age) who use make-it-yourself tools said the quality of these tools is important for them while 37 per cent say the price is more important, according to a market survey conducted by Ifop for Castorama. For these elderly women, it is also important that the products be non-toxic, environment-friendly and energy-saving. A total of 1003 women were interviewed between April 3 and 5, 2006. Older Women Go More Often to Hair Dressers Women born between 1946 and 1964 now go an average of 6.1 times a year to the hair dresser‚ according to the findings of a study by TNS-Sofres for the National Centre of Coiffure Enterprises and the Group For Promotion of Coiffure. Women of over 65 years of age go to the coiffures an average of 6.3 times a year. The survey was conducted on March 16 and 17, 2006 and covered 311 women. Over 50 per cent of French not in favour of Prime Minister's plan More than 50 per cent of the people in France do not approve of Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin's recently announced plan not to replace government retiring Govrnment employees. According to an opinion poll by TNS-Sofres for Unilog‚ Le Figaro‚ LCI et RTL, some 47% of those interviewed were in favour of the government decision. Some 1000 persons were questioned on June 14 and 15, 2006 for this poll. Only 10 per cent of Elderly Abuse is at home According to the Allô Maltraitance (Alma) network, a body monitoring Elderly Abuse, the majority of cases of abuse of the aged happen in an institution. The main types of abuse: Negligence (23% in institutions against 10% at home‚ Mental Abuse (20% against 10%)‚ Physical Abuse (14% against 16%) and Financial Abuse (6% against 19%). In the year 2005 Alma registered a total of 12,000 calls for assistance‚ 9% more than in 2004. (Le Figaro‚ June 15, 2006) Few French Are Concerned About Neighbours During Summer Heat Since the canicule heat of August 2003‚ one out of every 10 Frenchmen is more concerned about the effect of summer heat on their aged neighbours. However, one of every four inhabitants of the Hexagone housing complex interviewed admitted not being more attentive to the elderly neighbours than before. Some 16% of the French are not at all concerned about their elderly neighbours‚ indicates the poll by TNS-Sofres for the housing trade body Association Immeubles en Fête, for which 1000 persons were interviewed on May 22 and 23, 2006. Society Wants Immortality for the Young, Euthanasia for Very Old "Our Society aspires at the same time, immortality to remain young, and euthanasia for the grand old folk"‚ feels French geneticist and bioethicist Axel Kahn. In an interview given to Sciences & Future, June 1, 2006. "We are building a model which is becoming increasingly incoherent", he states. "Even while we are in favour of extending longevity at any cost – and hence the proportion of the aged – at the same time we are less and less tolerant of the aged." Source: Seniorscopie, June 27, 2006 Translated by Seniors World Chronicle