a. What issues do these case studies raise for you about human dignity? About the relationship between human rights and human needs? Between rights and responsibilities?

b. Do these factors affect the making of local and national policies aimed at helping the elderly achieve full human rights? Consider other factors.

compassion

consensus

social class attitudes

economic/financial considerations

silence/invisibility

media treatment

c. Would Raffi Hagopian, Laura Templeton, and Jose Flores (the cases in Handout 2, Three Case Studies) find support for their needs in your community?

Are there people with similar concerns living in your community? What support do they get and from whom?

Are there elderly clients of social services agencies who can help them assess the services from a human rights perspective?

Is there anything that the participant group can do to promote and defend the human rights of the elderly poor in their community?

Source: Written by Sushanna Ellington, Human Rights Educators Network, Amnesty International USA, and David Shiman. Adapted from F. Pratt, Education for Aging: A Teacher's Source Book (Acton, MA: McCarthy-Towne School, 1981).

ACTIVITY 6

THE ELDERLY POOR

Handout 1, Facts about the Elderly Population in the United States

Handout 2, Three Case Studies

Handout 3, Questions on Human Dignity

This activity focuses on some of the human rights concerns of those who are old and poor in the USA. It draws on data from US Census and case studies to highlight the issues and provides opportunities for local interviewing and the development of participant action projects.

1. This activity assumes some understanding of human rights and the UDHR. See above link.

2. Move deeper into the topic through the following questions:

In what ways might income level, sex, race or ethnicity, disability, age, location of residence (urban/rural) affect the sorts of concerns that an elderly person might have?

Would the list of concerns generated above be any different from the list one might develop for people in their thirties or forties? Explain.

What kinds of services (e.g., medical, housing, transportation) do people tend to need more often as they grow older?

What special kinds of living conditions (e.g., buildings with elevators, wheelchair access, social support) are older people more likely to need?

Which of the human rights identified above are in danger of being violated, of being denied, and in need of protection?