Older Persons' Rights to Social Protection, Safety and Participation

Everyone has a right to social protection including access to social security and a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and their families. Among the issues that fall within the umbrella of this chapter are the rights of older persons to an adequate standard of living including food, housing and investment in age-friendly infrastructures for cities and rural areas; income and social security including access to healthcare and related support services (e.g., geriatric services); access to work and productive resources; participation in political, cultural, educational and community activities; and a safe and secure living environment including protection from financial exploitation and other forms of elder mistreatment, violence and neglect. Social protection overlaps with other issues and topics related to older persons' civil and human rights including eradication of poverty; caregiving and strategies for providing affordable high-quality long-term care; and elder law and access to justice. Social protection is not only important for older persons, but also for their family members and the rights and aspirations of older persons on this topic are aligned with those of other vulnerable groups within society including children and disabled persons and all persons who suffer from the adverse impacts of discrimination and exclusion.