The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse along with the World Health Organization has dedicated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Elder abuse, in simple words, would mean ill-treatment of elders. And usually it happens within the family.
So since 2011 this day is being observed with an objective to pay attention to the issues our elders face – primarily physical, emotional and financial. The day is observed with an aim to understand the opportunities available to the ageing population and the challenges that advancing years puts forward. The idea is to bring together senior citizens, their caregivers, government bodies, academics and the private sector on a single platform to raise voices against incidents of violence and abuse against the elders and what effective measures can be taken to tackle it.
If you think why an international day is observed for the elderly, especially focusing on abuse, then it is to bring to the notice of the general public how our ageing population gets affected. It’s a day to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources and to reinforce the achievements.
Observing the day, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, says “The COVID-19 pandemic is causing untold fear and suffering for older people across the world. Beyond its immediate health impact, the pandemic is putting older people at greater risk of poverty, discrimination and isolation. It is likely to have a particularly devastating impact on older people in developing countries.”
The global body has put up a post that goes on to say, “Older persons may also face age discrimination in decisions on medical care, triage, and life-saving therapies. Global inequalities mean that, already pre-COVID-19, as many as half of older persons in some developing countries did not have access to essential health services. The pandemic may also lead to a scaling back of critical services unrelated to COVID-19, further increasing risks to the lives of older persons. Some older people face additional vulnerabilities at this time. The virus is not just threatening the lives and safety of older persons, it is also threatening their social networks, their access to health services, their jobs and their pensions.”
In a national survey conducted by Helpage in 2018 there was a question about what constitutes elder abuse. Around 51% elders believed that disrespect constituted as elder abuse. It was followed by verbal abuse (42%) and being neglected (32%). One-fourth of those surveyed mentioned economic exploitation. The extreme forms of abuse such as physical violence in the form of beating or slapping constituted for 20%. So in the wake of a global pandemic, the need to hear the voices of the elders becomes even more significant.
The senior citizens, on their part, should know about their rights. Laws like the ‘Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007’ provide a shield to them. It highlights the need for maintenance, medical support, and protection of life and property of senior citizens.
A few pointers on how to make our elders feel loved:
• Treat your elderly at home with respect. Spend time with them, hear them out.
• Let them make their financial choices. Don’t force your ideas on them.
• Try to connect them with their peers over an audio or video call.
• Involve them in the daily activities of the family.
• Plan a role of responsibility for them too. It could be something as innocuous as storytelling time with grand kids or putting forward grandma’s recipes.
• Teach them how to be digitally savvy.