Page 12 - BPW-UK-E-news-Edition 112 - May 2023

There is particular derogatory language on social media around older women along
with a lack of good imagery.

She suggested downloading free images from the Centre for Ageing Better’s

website when creating or promoting older people.

https://ageing-better.org.uk/news/age-positive-image-library-launched

The fourth session was

Ageing with Disabilities in the UK & Ireland
with
Dr Ann Leahy (Maynooth University)
Gill Loomes-Quinn (The Open Justice Court of Protection Project).

Excluding figures from nursing and care homes 48% of over 65s are disabled with 20%
experiencing disability prior to 50. Disability is ageing and ageing is disability!
There is a legacy of disadvantage, poverty, being alone and less supported which
breeds fear and damages mental health.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | OHCHR
Is in place but more generally the social model for older people is viewed more as benefi-
ciaries of care and welfare leading to the perception that the old are being supported by
the young.

The purpose of the present Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and
equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disa-
bilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Gill Loomes-Quinn gave an overview of the Court of Protection and its purpose of being
protectors of the individual, whether age based or not, when lack of mental capacity

makes it difficult to make decision based on health, care and living.
They will be the final arbiter as to whether that person has capacity to make those deci-

sions and they are able to make the final judgement as to the right course of action.

Finally, we heard from
Health and Social Care for Older People - A Human Rights Perspective
with
Dr Lucy Series (University of Bristol)

Lucy is a Human Rights, Mental Capacity Lawyer and has been working on Social
Care Detention and Deprivation of Liberty Framework.

In the not-too-distant past older persons and mentally incapacitated individuals
were incarcerated in large institutions and asylums. These were closed and replaced with
Care in the Community with sheltered housing, care and nursing homes. However, there
is a view that in fact individuals are still restricted in their freedom as previously in mental
institutions under the guise of social care and mental health detention.
A sobering fact and something to think about.

Jackie Franklin
VP Media & Marketing