Both absolute and relative poverty are violations of human dignity, although they also have other significant dimensions, such as social injustice. [9] Absolute poverty is associated with overt exploitation and connected to humiliation (for example, being forced to eat food from other people's garbage), but being dependent upon others to stay alive is a violation of dignity even in the absence of more direct violations. Relative poverty, on the other hand, is a violation because the cumulative experience of not being able to afford the same clothes, entertainment, social events, education, or other features of typical life in that society results in subtle humiliation; social rejection; marginalization; and consequently, a diminished self-respect. None of the residents mentioned how they wanted to be remembered, and they were not observed being active with life projects, i.e., journaling. Hedelin B, Strandmark M. The meaning of mental health from elderly women’s perspectives: a basis for health promotion. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2001;37:7–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6163.2001.tb00611.x Dignity is fundamental to current social care policy. A focus for all adult social care and support was set out in the Care Act 2014. The Act begins by defining the primary responsibility of local authorities as the promotion of individual ‘wellbeing’. Reeves S, Peller J, Goldman J, Kitto S. Ethnography in qualitative educational research: AMEE Guide No. 80. Med Teach. 2013;35:e1365-1379. https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2013.804977

Philosophers of the late 20th century who have written significant works on the subject of dignity include Mortimer Adler and Alan Gewirth. [20] Gewirth's views on human dignity are typically compared and contrasted with Kant's, for like Kant he theorizes that human dignity arises from agency. [21] [22] But while sharing Kant's view that rights arise from dignity, Gewirth focused far more than Kant on the positive obligations that dignity imposed on humans, the moral requirement not only to avoid harming but to actively assist one another in achieving and maintaining a state of "well-being". [21]

4 BASIC IDEAS

Gustafsson AW, Hommerberg C, Sandgren A. Coping by metaphors: the versatile function of metaphors in blogs about living with advanced cancer. Med Humanit. 2020;46:267–77. https://doi.org/10.1136/medhum-2019-011656

In 1984, France set up the National Consultative Committee for Ethics in the Life and Health Sciences (CCNE) to advise the government about the regulation of medical practices and research. In 1986, the CCNE said, "Respect for human dignity must guide both the development of knowledge and the limits or In a decision from 1981-12-15, the Bundesverwaltungsgericht declared that peep shows violated the human dignity of the performer, regardless of their feelings. The decision was later revised. Peep shows where the performer cannot see the persons who are watching them remain prohibited as a matter of dignity. Life goes on, well sort of. I don’t get involved as much these days, I feel like I am done with life. Sometimes you are sad, but mostly you are quite … well, empty. It has just got to end. (Interview with resident, 87 years) According to Arthur Schopenhauer, dignity is opinion of others about our worth and subjective definition of dignity is our fear from this opinion of others. [31] On Sunday, I had an old colleague here with me. It was so incredibly enjoyable! At night I lay down and thought of lots of things, because that’s how memories come to life. (Interview with resident, 88 years)Pallipedia. Palliative care – 2018 IAHPC consensus based definition https://pallipedia.org/palliative-care-2018-iahpc-consensus-based-definition/. Accessed 14 Mar 2022. Oosterveld-Vlug MG, Pasman HR, van Gennip IE, Willems DL, Onwuteaka-Philipsen BD. Nursing home staff’s views on residents’ dignity: a qualitative interview study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2013;13:353. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-13-353 See Adler, Mortimer (1952-10-10). "The Dignity of Man and the 21st century". Archived from the original on 2010-06-20 . Retrieved 2010-06-13. ; Mortimer Jerome Adler (1993). The Difference of Man and the Difference It Makes. Fordham Univ Press. ISBN 978-0823215355. , Mortimer Jerome Adler (1 December 1997). Six Great Ideas. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0684826813. According to residents’ narratives, important dignity-conserving abilities came from within themselves. Dignity-conserving interventions did occur, such as emphatic listening and bodily care, performed in respect for residents’ preferences. However, no strategies for future crises or preparing for death were observed. To protect residents’ dignity, NHs must apply a palliative care approach to provide holistic care that comprises attention to personal, bodily, social, spiritual, and psychological needs to increase well-being and prevent suffering.