3 Human rights and older people
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Joan R. Harbison
Abstract
This chapter explores the meaning of human rights for older people, and for the social workers who work with them, within what is often referred to as a human rights and social justice profession (International Federation of Social Workers, 2014). At the outset, it must be understood that although human rights invoke ‘moral obligation’ (Townsend, 2006, p 166) and ‘can provide social workers with a moral basis for their practice’ (Ife, 2012, p 1) they are not fixed. Human rights are both dynamic and complex. They pose complicated and difficult questions, rather than providing answers. The challenge for gerontological social work is to both address that complexity and lend its support to the struggles that diverse older people face in gaining access to their rights.
Abstract
This chapter explores the meaning of human rights for older people, and for the social workers who work with them, within what is often referred to as a human rights and social justice profession (International Federation of Social Workers, 2014). At the outset, it must be understood that although human rights invoke ‘moral obligation’ (Townsend, 2006, p 166) and ‘can provide social workers with a moral basis for their practice’ (Ife, 2012, p 1) they are not fixed. Human rights are both dynamic and complex. They pose complicated and difficult questions, rather than providing answers. The challenge for gerontological social work is to both address that complexity and lend its support to the struggles that diverse older people face in gaining access to their rights.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents vii
- List of figures and tables viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Acknowledgements xiii
- Preface xv
- Social work and critical gerontology: why the former needs the latter 1
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Critical gerontology as guiding principles for social work with older people
- The lifecourse and old age 19
- Human rights and older people 35
- Agency and autonomy 51
- Poverty and late-life homelessness 66
- Sexuality and rights in later life 81
- Ethnicity, race and migrancy 97
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Applying the critical gerontological lens to social work research, policy and practice
- Assessment, care planning and decision making 115
- Elder abuse 130
- Dementia: a disability and a human rights concern 146
- User involvement 161
- Opportunities and future prospects for gerontological social work with a critical lens 177
- Index 192
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents vii
- List of figures and tables viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Acknowledgements xiii
- Preface xv
- Social work and critical gerontology: why the former needs the latter 1
-
Critical gerontology as guiding principles for social work with older people
- The lifecourse and old age 19
- Human rights and older people 35
- Agency and autonomy 51
- Poverty and late-life homelessness 66
- Sexuality and rights in later life 81
- Ethnicity, race and migrancy 97
-
Applying the critical gerontological lens to social work research, policy and practice
- Assessment, care planning and decision making 115
- Elder abuse 130
- Dementia: a disability and a human rights concern 146
- User involvement 161
- Opportunities and future prospects for gerontological social work with a critical lens 177
- Index 192
