Participation of the elderly in sociocultural life: human rights and inclusive practices under residential care

Although there is a growing tendency in academic literature to explore the rights of the elderly, the sociocultural dimension of well-being of the elderly under residential care has not as yet been extensively conceptualized. This is why from the perspective of international human rights law, this article deals with the issues of implementing sociocultural rights of the elderly under residential care. The author analyses legal grounds justifying the existence of state obligations to implement sociocultural rights of the elderly within the institutions. Possible limitations of these rights are scrutinized.

Investigating the issue of state obligations to implement the rights of the elderly to participate in sociocultural life within the institutions, the author refers to legal experiences of Finland. Examining whether Finnish statutory law is sensitive to sociocultural rights of the elderly under residential care, the author analyses the legislation of Finland and reports the materials of Finland, submitted to the European Committee on Social Rights. Prior to this, the author attempts to establish whether such a right as the right of the elderly to participate in sociocultural life has emerged in international human rights law. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.