Ageing and Vulnerability: an informative report for approaching age-related issues in an ethical way

Lecturer Itziar de Lecuona, member of NESTORE in charge of the ethical, legal and societal issues in NESTORE and Assistant Manager Bioethics and Law Observatory – UNESCO Chair in Bioethics of the University of Barcelona recommends you the reading of “Ageing and Vulnerability”. The report provides recommendations aiming at improving the quality of life of older people, promoting early decision-making ― both individual and social ― and fostering solidarity and values of non-discrimination.

One of the most important issues that Western societies have to tackle is the ageing. The increase in life expectancy results in an increase in the population with physical and psychological dependencies and with multiple ailments. In a society which idolizes consumption and youth, there’s a lake of awareness about the situation of elderly people and frequently it seems to be a taboo subject. Thus, public policies must address the adaptation of all society to the process of ageing by taking an approach to the issue actively. In order to promote raising awareness on this issue and effective proposals, the Opinion Group of the Observatory on Bioethics and Law has analysed the bioethical issues related to vulnerability and limited autonomy that the elderly face, and presents this "Document on ageing and vulnerability".