The “No Place” of the elderly person: a criticism to Modernity

Abstract

In addition to providing longevity, Modernity brought the imposition of productivity and socialization standards. The present study aimed at thinking about the reflexes of Modernity/Coloniality to human aging. It was carried out an exploratory research with a literature review. Conceptual aspects and issues arising from the Modernity/Coloniality crisis were addressed, which indicates a homogenizing epistemology; dilemma about the (non) place of the elderly; and concepts of Transmodernity and decolonial thinking. It was evident that the elderly person is neglected, being seen as a stigmatized subject and prone to suffer from loneliness and rejection, considered useless to productivist mechanisms, which leads to occupy a non-place in society. It is concluded that it is necessary to think and act in the light of Transmodenity and Decoliality, so that a pluriverse look at aging can be glimpsed in order to break with the reflections of Modernity/Coloniality and it emerges the attention to the formulation, implementation and evaluation of concrete actions that enable the exercise of citizenship for the elderly.