India has always valued the blessings and respect of elders but unfortunately this value system is getting eroded due to high nuclearization of families and differences amongst family members.
The cultural fabric is getting faded due to which problems related to elder abuse are on the rise. Senior citizens are facing different types of abuse like physical, emotional, financial etc. Elderly women in rural areas are the most affected due to their financial limitations and dependence on family.
Though there have been research studies by HelpAge India (HI), Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) and others but somehow the findings have been quite different. I guess larger sample size, demographics and socio-economic strata needs to be well defined for an elderly population size of 140 million.
HelpAge India study of 2014 reports, 77% of elderly people lived with their family, 14% with their spouse, 7% lived alone and only 2% lived with their relatives.
It was found that 50% of the elders have experienced abuse personally while 83% of the elders reported that abusing is prevalent in the society.
HelpAge India study also reported that 72% of the abused elderly people belonged to the age group 60-69 years & 25% between 70-79 years.
The main reasons of elderly abuse are “emotional dependence of the abused (46%)” followed by “economic dependence of the abused (45%)” and “changing ethos (38%).
Among those who experienced abuse, only 59.47% people made an attempt to report the abuse while 40.53% people didn’t report about the abuse that they were facing.
Verbal abuse (41%) is the most common type of abuse faced by elderly followed by disrespect (33%) & neglect (29%).
Nationally, daughter-in-law is reported by 61% as the main perpetrator of abuse & followed by sons at 59%.
46% of elderly have been facing abuse for 3-5 years, 25% for 1-2 years, 21% stated that the duration is approximate 6-10 years.
It is high time that Central and State level authorities start taking elder care and wellbeing seriously rather than overlooking the silent disease called elder abuse.
Time has come to draft national standards and guidelines to sensitise and train all stakeholders for better management and reporting of abuse.
Government notified the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 with amendment in 2019, which has given some teeth to the elder care sector, however it is still a long way to go w.r.t complete adherence and reporting.
Resource document by Ministry of Health, New Zealand on “Family Violence Intervention Guidelines – Elder Abuse and Neglect” is a good reference guide.
Document can be accessed on the website https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/ or downloaded here (Promoting Emotional Health and Preventing Suicide) or can be read below