Personal Autonomy in Old Age: An Analysis of Legal Practices in the Light of the Act of 5 March 2007 Reforming Legal Protection

Legal protection is used to reduce vulnerability, but, paradoxically, full use is not being made of the legislative measures implemented in 2007, as shown in the results of a field survey. The different levels of personal capacity, used to acknowledge the autonomy of an adult if his or her condition so permits (Art. 459 C. civ.) or to implement basic assistance (even if under guardianship) or, where necessary, representation for administrative and legal procedures concerning the individual, are not being used for people in old age. These results raise questions on the usefulness of the principle of personal autonomy for the elderly. Adapted from the source document.