All Papers/Social Work with Older Persons (2023-24)/Q11
Q11
15 Marks

Part C (Q11): What are the rights of older persons and how international resolutions benefiting the elders?

Expert Answer

Rights of Older Persons

The United Nations Principles for Older Persons outline the fundamental rights that must be guaranteed to the elderly, categorized into five core areas:

  1. Independence: The right to adequate food, water, shelter, and healthcare. The right to work and live in a safe environment.
  2. Participation: The right to remain integrated in society and share knowledge with younger generations.
  3. Care: The right to family/community care, access to healthcare, and the right to enjoy human rights even in institutional care facilities.
  4. Self-Fulfillment: The right to pursue opportunities for the full development of their potential.
  5. Dignity: The right to live in dignity and security, free from exploitation and physical or mental abuse.

International Resolutions Benefiting the Elders

International resolutions have been critical in shifting the global perspective from viewing the elderly as a "burden" to recognizing them as rights-holders and active participants in development.

1. Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging (1982): This was the first international instrument specifically on aging. It aimed to strengthen the capacities of governments to deal effectively with the aging of their populations and to promote the developmental potential of older persons.

2. United Nations Principles for Older Persons (1991): Adopted by the UN General Assembly, this established the five core principles listed above (Independence, Participation, Care, Self-fulfillment, Dignity) providing a universal moral framework for elder rights.

3. The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA, 2002): This was a watershed moment. MIPAA marked a paradigm shift. It moved away from just focusing on the "vulnerability" of older people and instead focused heavily on "Active Aging" and integrating the elderly into mainstream development.

  • Key Focus Areas: Older persons and development; Advancing health and well-being into old age; Ensuring enabling and supportive environments.
  • Impact: It forced national governments (including India) to rewrite their domestic policies to align with these international standards, leading to stronger maintenance laws and better pension coverage globally.