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The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur concedes that in order to be fully successful the right-to-health approach to older persons should be accompanied by a paradigm shift with respect to how society perceives ageing and older persons. The World Health Organization defines ageing as the "process of progressive change in the biological, psychological and social structure of individuals". Throughout the course of one's life, the human body's functional capacity declines from early adulthood to old age. However, increases in longevity also mean that older persons may stay active for a longer part of their lives than ever before, both in terms of occupational and non-occupational activities. Encouraging older persons to remain physically, socially and economically active for as long as possible will have benefits not only for the individual, but for society as a whole.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Long-term care includes a variety of services (medical or otherwise) that help meet both the medical and non-medical needs of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods of time. Long-term care is manifested in the provision of help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing up, cooking and so on. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), long-term care can be defined as "a range of services for people who depend on ongoing help with the activities of daily living caused by chronic conditions of physical or mental disability". In the context of the right to health, long-term care must also be understood as the intervention of skilled practitioners to provide assistance in dealing with syndromes associated with chronic diseases or disabilities impeding personal capacities. They are, nonetheless, medical conditions affecting older persons disproportionately.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Persons with disabilities
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is of the view that a holistic approach to health should also address the process of dying. While this report does not consider issues of patient autonomy in respect of deciding to end life, it is nonetheless necessary to ensure that patients be able to make autonomous, informed decisions regarding the quality of health during the process of dying. That includes choices about access to adequate pain relief and other necessary interventions, location of death, and the ability to refuse treatment designed to prolong life when it is not desired by the patient. This requires clear, candid and non-judgmental discussion with medical practitioners, who should be adequately trained to deal with these delicate issues in order to enable older persons to "die with dignity", as required from a human rights prospective.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 60
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur believes that the end of life of persons forms an integral part of their life. Consequently, he stresses that older persons must be treated with as much dignity during the process of dying as they should have been in the earlier phases of their life course. Palliative care requires important funding and mobilisation of numerous actors and stakeholders within the medical sector, and it is absolutely crucial in order to prolong the lives of older persons affected by life-threatening diseases and to ensure their death in dignity.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Health information needs to be of the highest quality, freely available on a non-discriminatory basis, accessible to the individual's particular communication needs (including special physical or cultural circumstances), and presented in a manner culturally and otherwise acceptable to the person consenting (ibid., para. 23). Informed consent requires that communication is cognizant of varying levels of comprehension and not be too technical, complex, hasty, or in a language, manner or context that the patient does not understand. This is particularly true and necessary for vulnerable populations, such as older persons, who may require additional attention, explanation, or assistance in receiving and adequately understanding the health information that is imparted by the caregiver to the patient prior to treatment.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- Evaluations have consistently found a deficit in the information provided to older persons to help them make an informed decision, in particular those with less formal education. Some healthcare workers can be dismissive of the particular vulnerabilities of older persons, failing to adequately obtain informed consent because it may be more complex than usual to do so. A one-size-fits-all approach is often inappropriate with respect to older persons, A more customized, individualized, age-friendly approach is required to better address the needs of this group. This will imply moving beyond basic health literacy, which does not adequately secure the right to health, into greater health information awareness and education, possibly through peer networks.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 50
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is particularly concerned about unreported violence directed against older persons in care. As with other vulnerable and marginalized groups, special attention is needed to protect older persons from abuse and to ensure that their rights are not violated in settings where they might be especially prone to violations. Abuse of older persons is defined as a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person. It is important to note that abuse is often insidious, limiting the autonomy of older persons in subtle ways. It can take various forms, including physical, psychological, emotional, sexual or financial abuse, or be affected by neglect.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 15
- Paragraph text
- Treating older persons as a homogenous group is incorrect and needs to be rectified. In developing a more comprehensive approach to the enjoyment of the right to health of older persons, it is important to both collect and analyse disaggregated data and develop appropriate strategies for diverse groups.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 28
- Paragraph text
- International human rights law proscribes discrimination and ensures equality on a number of grounds and for a variety of groups, including older persons. Older persons are further identified by general comment No. 14 as a group especially vulnerable to violations. Treaty bodies, including CESCR, have identified older persons as a vulnerable or marginalized group, one that is potentially more susceptible to discrimination and violence. According to general comment No. 14, it is important to ensure the functionality and autonomy of older persons (E/C.12/2000/4, para. 25). This implies promotion of individual choice with respect to models of care, insofar as this is possible.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- Older women are often more disadvantaged because they may suffer from a combination of both gender and age discrimination. Ageing women make up a significant proportion of the world's population, with the majority of older women living in developing countries. A number of life-course events adversely affect the health of women in older age, including discrimination against infant girls in the provision of food and care, barriers to education, low incomes and poorer access to decent work, care-giving responsibilities as mothers and wives, domestic violence (during childhood, adulthood and elder abuse), widowhood, and cultural traditions and attitudes towards health care. Lower incomes, disruptions to work due to family responsibilities, and discrimination in access to the labour force during women's working life mean that women often have less retirement savings and are therefore more financially vulnerable in older age.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Older persons
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- Chronic illnesses and disability increase in prevalence with advancing age. Around half of deaths due to non-communicable diseases occur in persons aged over 70. It is estimated that 35.6 million people lived with dementia worldwide in 2010, which will increase to 65.7 million by 2030 and to 115.4 million by 2050. In light of the increasing proportion of the population who are elderly, it becomes vital that these conditions are managed in an equitable and resource-effective manner. Health systems throughout the world are generally designed to deal with acute medical conditions. They have struggled to re-model and adapt to prevent or manage the increasing number of chronic illnesses. One should also note the importance of the use of evidence-based guidelines and establishment of minimum standards of health care for common chronic conditions, and integration of their management into primary health care.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- Internationally recognized human rights standards and principles as contained in core international human rights treaties cover and protect older persons. Despite this tacit protection, it has increasingly been argued that there is a gap in the international human rights system because there is currently no specific universal human rights instrument on the rights of older persons. Specific provisions focusing on older persons, such as those which exist for some other categories of vulnerable persons such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and migrant workers, are also lacking.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Older persons
- Persons on the move
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- General comment No.14 describes legal obligations of States. The three primary obligations are to respect, protect and fulfil the right to health. The obligation to respect refers to the States' duty to refrain from interfering directly or indirectly with the right to health. In many cases, older persons are the object of State policies which may infringe upon their right to health. Examples include restrictions on the autonomy of older persons in terms of definitions of capacity without an individual determination. The obligation to protect deals with States' duty to prevent third parties, such as corporations, from interfering directly or indirectly with the right to health. This may be relevant, for example, where there is systematic abuse of the elderly in private long-term care facilities. Finally, the obligation to fulfil requires States to adopt appropriate legislative, administrative, budgetary, judicial, promotional and other measures to fully realize the right to health.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- According to general comment No. 14, the right to health contains both freedoms and entitlements. The freedoms include the right to make independent decisions about one's health, which is to say freedom from State interference. For older persons, freedoms regard issues such as informed consent, autonomy and guardianship. Entitlements, which concern positive obligations of the State may, for example, include the provision of primary health care and social protection which recognizes and takes into account age-related elements, States should recognize that ageing is a lifelong process; State policy and legislation should reflect this reality. Investment in health services should be made at various stages of the life course, when risks to well-being and windows of opportunity are greatest.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur points to the importance of increasing awareness and empowering of older persons in order to strengthen their participation in health policymaking and build networks of older persons through which health information can be more easily accessed. It is also important that older persons are in a position to fully understand health information and make voluntary and informed decisions based on that information. It is the duty of the State to find and implement new and innovative ways to reach out to older persons, identify age-friendly means to disseminate health-related information and encourage their participation.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 70
- Paragraph text
- In a report of this length, it is impossible to address all of the important issues, but the Special Rapporteur notes with urgency the present demographic changes leading to a rapidly increasing number of older persons. Society should move beyond seeking simply healthy ageing for its citizens, and begin working towards active and dignified ageing, which should be planned and supported just like any other stage of the individual's life course. Planning for old age implies putting in place diagnostic and prevention services at the primary healthcare level long before ageing sets in. The pursuit of active and dignified ageing for older persons requires re-framing society's concept of ageing to focus on the continued participation of older persons in social, economic, cultural and civic affairs, as well as their continuous contributions to society longer into their lives. The promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons should be of concern to everyone because ageing is a process which everyone will undergo. Older persons are especially vulnerable as a group because of stereotyped perceptions of the group as a "lapsed" segment of society. However, as life expectancy increases and medicine improves, older persons stay active longer than ever before, both in terms of occupational and non-occupational activities. Encouraging older persons to remain physically, politically, socially and economically active for as long as possible will benefit not only the individual, but also the society as a whole.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 8
- Paragraph text
- Developing countries will be predominantly affected by the resulting epidemiological transition, when non-communicable diseases amongst older persons increase. The broader population will however continue to struggle with communicable diseases, particularly infectious diseases and other illnesses related to poverty. Developing age-friendly services and settings, and promotion of health care and preventive medicine among older persons will strengthen the efforts of developing countries to deal with the complications of chronic and terminal non-communicable illnesses. In order to address the challenge adequately, it is essential for States to prepare themselves to meet the needs of older persons, train health professionals in old-age care, and formulate sustainable policies for long-term care.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Right to health in conflict situations 2013, para. 37
- Paragraph text
- States should give particular attention to persons rendered vulnerable by conflict, such as women, children, older persons, people with disabilities and displaced communities. This requires States to address marginalization arising from social, political and economic exclusion; discrimination against persons belonging to or perceived to belong to a specific community; vulnerability due to ill-health; and conflict strategies that deliberately render certain communities vulnerable. These factors, individually or in combination, may expose certain groups to multiple vulnerabilities and an increased risk of violation of their right to health. Recognizing the diverse vulnerabilities in different communities and empowering them to participate in all decision-making processes that affect their health enable States to fulfil their obligation under the right to health during conflict and also promotes a sustainable recovery from conflict.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Older persons
- Persons on the move
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- The right-to-health requires active and informed participation in policy decisions by those populations that are affected by them (E/CN.4/2006/48, para. 25). Effective provision of health services can only be assured if the participation of affected populations is secured by States (E/C.12/2000/4, para. 54). It is notable that the United Nations Principles for Older Persons encourages the participation of older people in the formulation and implementation of policies which affect them.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur notes the importance of monitoring progress in ensuring progressive realization of the right to health of older persons using indicators and benchmarks as part of the right to health framework. General comment No. 14 identifies the failure of States to monitor the realization of the right to health at the national level, as well as the resulting insufficient or misallocated expenditure, as examples of violations of the State's obligations (E/C.12/2000/4, para. 52).
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- Several obstacles have been identified in relation to older persons' access to primary health care and to the quality of health-care services provided. Discrimination against older persons on the basis of their age is a major barrier to access primary care and prevention of chronic illness. . There is a pernicious and deeply ingrained notion that once a person ages, he/she becomes incapable of contributing to society, chronically ill and/or frail. Such prejudices often lead to a conclusion that not much can be done to assist them.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 11
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur believes that the promotion and protection of human rights of older persons is not only in the interest of senior persons, but should also be of concern to everyone, because every person ages. The right to health will not provide a magic solution to these multifaceted challenges, but it will allow shifting the discourse on older persons from a needs-based approach to a rights-based one, and enable greater articulation of the rights of older persons. Health is a fundamental human right, indispensable for the exercise of many other rights. It is necessary for living a life in dignity. This is especially true for older persons, who are often perceived as a "lapsed" segment of society and are particularly vulnerable to infringements of their right to health.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- States should take measures to ensure that older persons receive age-friendly health care of a quality commensurate with that of other age groups. Examples of improved quality goods, services and facilities for older people would include greater numbers of geriatricians and improved training in geriatrics across all specialties to ensure that needs of older persons are recognised and attended to. There is also a need for improved communication across specialties, including allied health professions such as dentists, pharmacists etc in order to adequately address the treatment needs of older persons with multiple chronic illnesses.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- General comment No. 14 notes that the right to health should be understood in broader terms, which include the underlying determinants of health, such as access to water and sanitation, food and nutrition, education and housing. An example of this would be the sub-optimal nutrition of older persons, which is commonly linked to circumstances under which older persons are isolated, immobile and live in poverty. Education is another relevant determinant for the health of older persons. A recent study in the United States of America showed that older persons with limited literacy had a higher risk of death, compared to those with adequate literacy.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Poverty
- Water & Sanitation
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 68
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur believes that the issue of informed consent of older persons is increasingly important given global ageing and the consequent societal challenges. He further believes that international guidelines and national systems should be developed to regulate practices and ensure that older people are supported in making informed health-care decisions. It is also desirable to establish peer groups who would provide older persons with information before their visit to a doctor or other care provider for treatment, which might help overcome immediate problems such as lack of training.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- Access to primary healthcare services is also impeded by both physical and financial obstacles. Healthcare facilities might be situated too far from older persons' place of residence, with transport proving to be too expensive, inadequate, or simply unavailable. Compounding this problem is the limited mobility of older persons. They may be unable to drive, have no access to transportation, or have physical impairments that reduce their movement. Physical difficulties to access health for older persons are further reinforced by their socio-economic vulnerability, especially as access to health care is often subject to receiving a pension or to paying out-of-pocket fees. Living in poverty can also be a root cause of deterioration of older persons' health: with limited access to safe drinking water or adequate nutrition, older persons face a high risk of contracting diseases. Even where health services are accessible to older persons, they are not always adapted to their needs.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- It is also important that primary care and prevention of chronic illness is promoted and strengthened in the developing world. A paradigm shift is necessary to detect diseases early and mitigate their effect, rather than wait until the onset of health problems. More needs to be done to stress the importance of prevention efforts, regular contact with a general practitioner or other primary health-care provider, and early diagnosis and treatment. Prevention is extremely important, as it allows reaching the individual before the disease takes hold. It needs to be emphasized that early diagnosis and prevention, long before a person grow older and preferably at the primary health-care facility, is one of the key elements in ensuring good health in old age.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur stresses the impact of institutionalization on the autonomy of older persons and its often harmful effect on their dignity. Loss of full independence, restricted freedom of movement and lack of access to basic functions would cause feelings of deep frustration and humiliation to any individual. Older persons are no exception to this. It is essential that complaints mechanisms are put in place to address practices that unnecessarily restrict liberty and autonomy of older persons and to enable them to reclaim their dignity.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
The realization of the right to health of older persons 2011, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- Various initiatives have been adopted in the area of domestic violence, particularly in respect of violence towards women, which could be drawn upon to raise awareness of abuse of older persons amongst medical professionals and the wider community. In addition to increased training, procedures need to be put in place for reporting abuses and addressing the consequences. For example, the 2006 Older Persons Act of South Africa, inter alia, requires a person who may witness the abuse of an older person, not only physical but also psychological, sexual, and economic abuse, to report the violation. The Act also establishes a system in which abusers of older persons are investigated and registered with a view to prohibiting them from operating or being employed in a residential facility or community-based care for older persons.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Older persons
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Right to health in conflict situations 2013, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- The health needs of certain groups are often overlooked in conflict due to limited or suspended services. Older persons are more at risk in conflict due to poor mobility and are less able to travel to health facilities. They may be unable to carry heavy packages of food or containers of water, and often live without family support, which renders them vulnerable to higher levels of malnutrition and disease. Similarly, persons with disabilities, often abandoned by families fleeing conflict, may face greater health and safety risks. Many facilities are unable to provide children with disabilities with the treatment and care suited to their physical developmental needs, hampering their ability to enjoy their right to health.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Families
- Older persons
- Persons on the move
- Persons with disabilities
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph