In the era of the “silent revolution” of an unstoppable aging of the world’s population, there is a question regarding the appropriateness and desirability of establishing a legal category called “elderly individuals” to address the gradual decline in physical and mental abilities associated with aging. This essay explores the potential designation of older people as an independent category under the law, considering that linking changes in their socio-legal status solely to the passage of time has been viewed as a form (...) of “subjective discrimination” by civil law scholars so far. While labor and social welfare laws have long recognized the “special status” of elderly individuals, and the EU has increasingly referred to them in recent consumer-focused legislation, the prevailing view in Italian civil doctrine opposes the creation of an “old subject” category, arguing that vulnerability cannot be considered an intrinsic and defining characteristic solely based on age. Notwithstanding that, the essay suggests that creating a group or category for vulnerable (elderly) individuals could have several advantages, including recognizing their rights, assigning obligations, implementing tailored procedures, and providing forms of protection. Moreover, it would offer an opportunity to reflect on the importance of empowering individuals and promoting their autonomy in using legal instruments to plan their future. (shrink)

Disinformation poses a significant challenge to contemporary society, as it has the potential to undermine the stability of democratic systems, put public health at risk, and undermine the credibility of science. We explore the question of whether certain groups of people are especially exposed to disinformation and, in particular, we focus on older people. We examine the purported impact of cognitive and linguistic factors, such as source amnesia and the need for consistency, the decline of pragmatic skills in recognizing intentions (...) and decoding figurative language, as well as motivational factors like the need for affiliation. Taken together, these empirical data suggest that there may indeed be specific vulnerabilities associated with older age. This hypothesis calls for finding ways to protect a category of people who already suffer from numerous other vulnerabilities. (shrink)

Universal health coverage (UHC) is the condition in which every member of a certain community have access to essential, effective care without financial hardship. Increasing older adults suffering from chronic morbidities and/or social isolation struggle to receive the care they need precisely when they need it most. These patients need care personalization, multidisciplinary integration and professional cooperation more than high-tech biomedical treatment, as plenty of social determinants frequently hamper the effectiveness of each single treatment received. If the health inequalities resulting (...) from suboptimal organization of care can be reduced, taking action becomes a question of social justice. This paper aims to 1) describe some relevant determinants of health that prevent many older adults from receiving the care they need, 2) outline some policies to avoid ageism and minimize rationing. (shrink)