Rights, freedom and opportunities: how are they experienced by the elderly in an institutional context?

Abstract

The progressive aging of the population has led to a number of legislative measures in this area. However, the way society, in general, looks at aging is also one of the necessary changes. In fact, one of the blocking factors of aging societies is related to the social meaning that is attributed to old age. The strategy of protection for the elderly includes the strengthening of elderly rights, particularly in terms of their independence, active participation, care, personal fulfillment and dignity (Resolution of the Council of Minister no. 63/2015). Faced with an aging society, residential structures are one of the important answers for the elderly population in Portugal nowadays, and should enhance the quality of life of the elderly through the maintenance of their identity, rights, independence and autonomy. This part of the study intends to know the experiences of the elderly in residential structures, identifying their perception about their rights, specifically the decision power, freedom, autonomy and opportunities of their exercise. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 elderly individuals aged 80 to 91 years and treated through content analysis. The elderly consider as important five main rights: the right to care, freedom, health, retirement and active life. More specific rights, such as decision-making and freedom of action and expression, are mainly perceived as non-existent or conditioned in the institutional context. However, the right to autonomy and its exercise are more present. The results show the elderly as a low active part in residential institutions, in which the welfare practices are still dominant.