1
Older persons’ views on the
right to autonomy and
independent life
Nena Georgantzi
Legal Officer
UN Social Forum
1-3 April 2014, Geneva
Busting the myth of
ageing
• Dependence is not part of the
normal course of ageing
• Autonomy does not decrease with
age
BUT there is an increased risk of
loss of autonomy and independence
in old age
“What I miss is the freedom to choose, to
choose when I get up, what to have for
lunch, what to wear today”
From Accompanying Guide to the European Charter of the rights and
responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and
assistance
Autonomy/Indep
endence
WHO Policy Framework on Active Ageing (2002)
•Autonomy is the ability to make personal
decisions about how one lives on a day-to-day
basis, according to one’s rules and preferences.
•Independence is the capacity of living
independently in the community with no and/or
little help from others
Autonomy and independence
in the context of ageing
• Distinction between compulsory and voluntary is
blurry
• De-institutionalisation is not a panacea
• Beware of well-equipped prisons
Autonomy
or
Economy?
Saying that the CRPD is enough is abstract
and dangerous.
A comprehensive framework with specific
consciousness of ageing is necessary.
AGE Platform Europe
Rue Froissart 111
1040 Bruxelles – Belgique
Contact person: Nena Georgantzi
E-mail: nena.georgantzi@age-platform.eu
tel. : +32.2.280.14.70
fax : +32.2.280.15.22
www.age-platform.eu