Dignity in Old Age

Abstract

This paper analyzes the extent to which, in contemporary society, the elderly are accorded dignity – both legally, culturally, ethically, and philosophically. Within various situational contexts for decision-making, dignity is seen as both a value and/or as a normative standard for acceptable conduct. Although definitional illusiveness of dignity raises issues of its very application, internationally, dignity is accorded the general status of a basic human right. Its recognition and enforcement, however, are less determinative and are often tied to the level of economic and social security of each member state within the transnational community.

There is a growing acceptance of the “right” to be accorded dignity at the end stage of life – both domestically in the United States and internationally. It is this nascent “movement” toward recognition and enforcement of the notion of death with dignity as a fundamental right which is examined here.