Why World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 Matters ?

Recognised officially by the United Nations General Assembly on June 15th every year, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 urges people worldwide to identify and work towards eradicating varied forms of abuse faced by some of our older generations.

What Is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse refers to any act or omission that results in harm to an older adult, regardless of whether there is financial gain involved. This includes neglect, exploitation, abandonment, mistreatment, and even death.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, “Elder abuse is any act or omission that results in harm or distress to an older person.

Why Do We Need To Know About This Issue?

There are several reasons why we need to learn more about elder abuse:

it affects millions of people every year

it is often underreported because victims fear being blamed for the situation

it is difficult to identify because some forms of abuse are not obvious

it is hard to prove because there are no signs of abuse

it is expensive to treat because it requires medical attention and counseling

Who Is At Risk For Elder Abuse?

Anyone who has an elderly parent or grandparent is at risk for elder abuse. This includes children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, friends, and even strangers. It also includes adults with disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.

What Can You Do To Prevent Elder Abuse?

There are several things you can do to help protect yourself against elder abuse:

talk to your parents about any concerns you might have

Make sure you have a will

Keep track of your parent’s financial accounts

Make sure you have power of attorney

Check up on them regularly

Ask your parents’ doctor to monitor their health

Report any suspicious activity immediately

Why Does This Matter?

Elder abuse affects millions of people worldwide every year. It’s also an issue that disproportionately impacts older adults who live alone. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, one out of five victims of elder abuse are over age 65.

To put some light and spread awareness on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022, take care of the elders around you and provide them with a life full of love and dignity that everyone is entitled to.

*At our old age home, Mann ka Tilak, we ensure that our ammas and uncles get proper balanced diet.*

What is the significance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022?

Elder abuse is an issue that persists both in developing and underdeveloped countries yet is commonly reported globally. Only selected developed countries have reported its prevalence, ranging from 1% to 10%. Elder abuse was considered a private matter until recently.

According to the UN, “Between 2019 and 2030, the number of persons aged 60 years or over is projected to grow by 38%, from 1 billion to 1.4 billion, globally outnumbering youth, and this increase will be the greatest and the most rapid in the developing world,” which calls for greater attention and care for the challenges faced by older people.

Globally, a multi-faced response is required that protects the rights of older people, protecting them from all kinds of abuse, be it neglect/physical abuse/sexual abuse/abandonment/emotional or psychological abuse/ financial abuse/ self-neglect. A system that defines, recognises, and addresses elder abuse should be introduced in accord with cultural, social, economic, and demographic contexts.

According to research, elder abuse has grave consequences: abused older adults are twice as likely to be hospitalised, four times as likely to go into old age homes and three times as predisposed to die. Even though studies show that 60% of abusers are family members, abuse may happen in any other way.

On account of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022, one can focus on activities that promote care, love, and respect towards the elders and support them during their advanced ages.

Various sectors, NGOs, government bodies, and community organisations can join to conduct World Elder Abuse Awareness Day activities such as:

pledging support,
introducing a play/film/music that encourages prevention of elder abuse,
wearing themed merch, and using social media to spread positive messages about elder care, wearing purple to honour the day,
hosting lectures/presentations/discussions, and more such informative and exciting activities.

Statistics on Elder Abuse in India

According to the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), at least 5% of Indians aged 60 and above stated to have experienced ill-treatment in 2020. Misconduct has been reported to be frequent towards older women and rural women. 77.3% of those ill-treated have complained of verbal/emotional misbehaviour like name-calling, being locked up, destroying property, etc., which causes harm to a victim’s self-worth or emotional well-being. Almost a fifth and a close quarter of the ill-treated face physical and financial abuse, respectively, and more than half experience neglect.

*Sundays at Mann Ka Tilak always include some bonding sessions over a game of ludo!*

Old Age Homes in India

LASI 2020 reported an estimate of around 18 million homeless elderlies in India, set to rise to 20% by 2050. Abandonment of the elderly population could be a severe threat to our society’s well-being. Old age homes, which are housing facilities for the elderly who need support and assistance, are a budding concept in India. Traditional to the Indian culture, many elderlies live their advanced ages with their sons and daughter-in-law.

Paradoxically, many elders in middle-income families have become victims of abuse by their own families, with the financial aspect as the most perceived reason for this. Factors such as modernisation, urbanisation, the shift of younger generations to metropolitan cities, increased literacy rates, and more now contribute to the growing establishment of old age homes.

*Here’s a glimpse of our Ammas and Uncles dancing with the Team Wishes and Blessings on the occasion of our 8th birthday!*

Currently, India has 728 old age homes, but these are not enough to accommodate even half the abandoned, homeless elderlies. With an increase in the population of the elderlies and the growing demand for elder care, old age homes are gaining more prominence by the day.

With private and public facilities, old age homes provide various services, including nursing homes, in-home care, hospice care, hourly adult care, and more. The government and other affiliated organisations have devised policies, schemes, and provisions intending to secure the advanced ages of the population.

Amongst one of the many organisations that work towards elder care, Wishes and Blessings, a Delhi based NGO, is one such. As its pilot project, to provide the elderly with a new lease of life, the NGO established its first old age home called ‘Mann ka Tilak’ (MKT) in 2018 in Delhi.

Here, facilities like housing, medical services, boarding, food, entertainment, and recreation are provided free of cost. After four years of its successful establishment and inauguration of a new wing on the MKT premises, the organisation is set to expand the project pan India.

On account of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on the 15th of June, Wishes and Blessings aims to promote action against elder abuse and neglect and support elder care with the inauguration of a new Mann ka Tilak, Vrindavan, a free-of-cost housing facility for 15 widows. The NGO also works towards elder care by supporting other old age homes across the country through its Daily Meals Programme, under which 3 hot and nutritious meals are provided to the beneficiaries.

Conclusion

“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honours.”

– Tia Walker

As is said, old age and childhood are the same. Old age is a susceptible phase for elderly individuals who require tender love and care. A lack of awareness of their changing needs and conditions may result in abuse towards them. With old age comes psychological changes, physical issues, and behavioural changes that result in instability. Hence, elder care is a necessity and must be taken seriously.

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022, take a step forward to support the elders around you, become their pillar of support as they were for you and choose the best care services to ensure them a higher quality of life and good health.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day FAQs

What month does World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 fall on?

Elder abuse awareness month is June.

What is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day?

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 is recognised to encourage communities and individuals to better understand abuse and neglect towards the elderly by raising awareness on all the demographic areas affecting elder neglect and abuse.

Which colour is elder abuse awareness colour?

Wearing Purple is a reminder to treat elders with respect and dignity. Wearing purple ribbons or decorating surroundings with purple symbolises support.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day quotes:

The wiser mind mourns less for what age takes away than what it leaves behind.

– William Wordsworth