Free choice in residential care for older people — A philosophical reflection

• Most choices to move were made under highly determined health circumstances.
• Post-move the perspective changed to a libertarian or compatibilist interpretation.
• Restricted choices were transformed into free choices to restore personal agency.

ObjectiveFree choice in elderly care services is a debated issue. Using the theoretical support of philosophers of free will, this paper explores free choice in relocation to residential care. The three dominant perspectives within this field of philosophy, libertarianism, determinism and compatibilism, are applied from the perspective of the older individual to the process of moving.MethodEmpirical data were collected through qualitative interviews with 13 older individuals who had recently moved into residential care.ResultsThese individuals had made the choice to move following either a health emergency or incremental health problems. In a deterministic perspective they had no alternative to moving, which was the inevitable solution to their various personal problems. A network of people important to them assisted in the move, making the choice possible. However, post-move the interviewees' perspective had changed to a libertarian or compatibilist interpretation, whereby although the circumstances had conferred little freedom regarding the move.ConclusionsThe interviewees reported a high degree of self-determination in the process. It appeared that in order to restore self-respect and personal agency, the older individuals had transformed their restricted choice into a choice made of free will or freer will.