Dignity and Old Age

Dignity and Old Age explores the meaning of dignity and its implications for how we look upon old age and older people. It will give you an appreciation of the multiple meanings of dignity across different sectors of society. The contributors assert that the ideal of human dignity conveys important implications for how we treat older people at the level of practice—for example, in health care or social services—and also for our policies governing work and retirement as well as entitlements and benefits. Individuals and families, as well as philanthropy and government, have a role in assuring dignity in age, and professionals in the aging service network can enhance the quality of their care. This book will give you new and important insight for taking important steps forward in framing the issues and fulfilling a commitment to assuring dignity for all those in the last stage of life.