Capacity-Building Partnerships Between Indigenous Youth and Elders

Abstract

Various strategies are discussed for creating intergenerational research opportunities that support the rights of indigenous children and youth. These strategies were developed during an international workshop that brought together indigenous elders and youth from 20 nations to discuss a global intergenerational action plan. Specific workshop goals were to (a) explore traditional values and teachings that nurture children, and (b) identify ways in which the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child might support indigenous peoples in developing research and training initiatives for strengthening the rights of indigenous children. The workshop applied traditional methods of mediation and dispute management to discussions of key child-rights issues relevant to indigenous children. The plan of action developed in the workshop included specific strategies for community and national level research based on information provided by Indigenous elders, children, and youth. Issues appropriate for study by inter-generational researchers include those related to discrimination, health, child protection, and increased participation of children and youth in cultural traditions.     

Decisional Capacity and Personality Disorders: Substantially Unable or Substantially Unwilling?

Capacity assessments are performed when there is suspicion that a person is unable to adequately care for their physical, medical, or financial well-being. The purpose of these assessments is to inform the legal system as to whether or not guardianship may be necessary. It is well established that certain mental illnesses, such as neurocognitive disorders (dementia) or psychotic disorders (like schizophrenia), may diminish capacity and, in some cases, lead to the need for establishment of a legal guardian. However, personality disorders are another common category of mental illness which may impair decision-making. There is very little information in the literature about how or why these disorders could impair capacity, and thus, it can often be difficult to discern whether clients with personality disorders are substantially unable to care for themselves—versus unwilling to act in a way contrary to their ingrained habits. We present a series of three cases in which clients are determined to lack capacity primarily mediated by a personality disorder diagnosis. They are demonstrated to have mild deficits in cognitive functioning, but they show impaired decision-making out of proportion to these deficits. In all three cases, it is apparent that the personality disorder is substantially impairing their ability to care for themselves. Discussion includes consideration for ways to incorporate evaluations of cognitive function, activities of daily living, and personality considerations into capacity assessments, and how to approach recommendations (such as guardianship vs. less restrictive option) based on both level and scope of impairment.     

日本老年人犯罪的现状及启示

近年来,日本老年人犯罪数量激增,引起了广泛的关注。而老年人犯罪问题是诸多处于老龄化社会的国家面临的问题,因此准确分析日本老年人犯罪的状况、原因、对策,对于处理我国老龄化带来的老年人犯罪问题有一定的启发意义。     

老年人交通安全问题研究

随着人民群众的生活水平显著的提高,私家车的数量也逐年呈现暴涨趋势,其连锁反应就是道路交通事故的逐年增多,其中老年人交通事故占有一定比例。本文从三个方面阐述了老年人的生理特点和心理特点,老年人交通事故特点和分类,老年人交通安全的对策,用来解决老年人交通安全问题。