Older Persons and Forgotten Rights: Implementing Legal Protection for Older Communities in Kulon Progo Regency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65815/vr2mqh63Keywords:
older persons, legal protection, human rights, public services, Kulon Progo RegencyAbstract
The growing older population creates new demands for legal and social policies at the local level. Older persons may experience multiple vulnerabilities, including limited access to public services, social security, health care, protection from neglect, and participation in community life. This study aims to examine the implementation of legal protection for older persons in Kulon Progo Regency and to identify gaps between normative policies and community experiences. The research adopts a socio-legal approach combining regulatory analysis with interviews involving older persons, family members, local government officials, and social-service providers. Legal protection is examined through human-rights principles, access to public services, and local-government responsibilities. The study argues that protection for older persons should move beyond a charitable approach toward a rights-based and empowerment-oriented framework. Problems may arise when policies focus predominantly on social assistance while overlooking autonomy, participation, dignity, and protection from neglect. Local policies should strengthen complaint mechanisms, service accessibility, safeguards against neglect and abuse, and meaningful participation of older persons in policy formulation. Such an approach would promote more inclusive legal protection and ensure that ageing is addressed not merely as a social-welfare issue but as a matter of rights, dignity, and equal citizenship. The study contributes to discussions on local implementation of rights-based social protection.
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