Promoting Respect & Safety: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

When and Why is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Celebrated?

Every year on June 15, the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) (#WEAAD2023) serves as a global reminder to recognize, prevent, and address elder abuse in all of its forms. Millions of elderly people worldwide are impacted by the distressing and widespread problem of elderly abuse. As our population ages, it is more crucial than ever to bring attention to this issue and take action to safeguard the rights and welfare of our senior citizens.
 

In the previous year, about 1 in 6 individuals aged 60 and older were subjected to abuse in social environments.

The prevalence of elder abuse is high in institutions like nursing homes and long-term care facilities, where 2 in 3 staff members admit to abusing elders in the previous year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in the rate of elder abuse.

Abuse of the elderly can result in severe physical harm as well as long-term psychological effects.

According to predictions, elder abuse will rise as populations in many nations rapidly get older.

By 2050, there will be about 2 billion people in the world who are 60 years of age or older, more than doubling the current number of 900 million.

In this blogpost, we will discuss the significance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the various forms of elder abuse, their effects, and the significance of combining our efforts to fight this major social issue.

 

What color is the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day ribbon?

Purple color ribbons are used for the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Understanding Elder Abuse /What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse includes a range of harmful behaviors or a lack of appropriate behavior that takes place in connections where there is a foundation of trust. Physical, emotional, financial, sexual, and neglectful abuse are just a few of the many types of elder abuse. The use of force that causes discomfort, harm, or impairment is known as physical abuse. Verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, humiliation, and isolation are all examples of emotional abuse.

Financial abuse refers to the improper or illegal exploitation of an elder's resources for one's own benefit. Any non-consensual sexual contact or exploitative behavior towards an older adult is considered sexual abuse. On the other hand, neglect refers to the failure to provide the required care, which may result in harm or deprivation.

Physical Abuse: Intentional acts of causing harm, physical restraint, or physical coercion are all considered to be physical abuse.

Psychological or Emotional Abuse: This is the result of mental torture, which hurts the emotions. This includes making fun of the elderly person, regularly blaming them, using them as a scapegoat, ignoring them, and excluding them from social gatherings and friendships.

Financial Abuse: Financial abuse refers to the improper use of elders' funds and financial resources. This can involve forging elders' signatures, committing identity theft, stealing cash, using their bank account information and financial resources improperly, and more.

Sexual Abuse: Invading an elderly person's privacy is one example of this. These elements may include actual physical sexual activity as well as actions like forcing an elderly person to watch sexual activity or force them to undress, forcing them to view pornographic material, etc.

Healthcare fraud and abuse: These involve unethical behavior on the part of medical professionals, including nurses, hospital staff, and other carers in the field. These behaviours include giving patients improper healthcare services, overcharging for medical treatment or services, over- or under-medicating patients, advising unnecessary and dishonest treatments for their illness, and other allied abuse.

Elder Neglect / or Neglecting Elders: Insufficient care and fulfilment of requirements are examples of this. The mental health of the elderly suffers when they are neglected. It might happen accidentally or on purpose. It is important to remember that more than half of all elder abuse cases that have been reported involve neglect. It is also crucial to keep in mind that self-neglect among elderly people is a problem that is spreading, and that neglect and disregard are to blame for their inability to maintain personal hygiene, live in unhygienic settings, manage their finances, or properly manage their medication.
 

Consequences of Elder Abuse:

Elder abuse has serious effects on older people's physical, emotional, and psychological health. Physical injuries like fractures, bruises, and chronic pain are common among abuse victims. Depression, anxiety, and a decline in self-esteem can also be brought on by the emotional toll. In addition to deteriorating overall health, elder abuse can make pre-existing medical conditions worse.

Elderly people may be left vulnerable and unable to meet their basic needs due to financial exploitation, which can result in significant financial losses. Because victims may withdraw from family, friends, and community activities out of fear, shame, or dependence on the abuser, the social isolation that frequently goes along with elder abuse exacerbates the negative effects.
 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Theme:

Every year, different aspects of elder abuse are highlighted and awareness-raising campaigns are held in honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). The previous years' WEAAD themes are listed below:

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023 Theme: "Closing the Circle: Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Older Age Policy, Law and Evidence-based Responses".

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 Theme: “Combatting Elder Abuse”

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2021 Theme: "Access to Justice"

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020 Theme: "Lifting Up Voices"

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2019 Theme: "Moving from Awareness to Action through a Human Rights-based Approach"

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2018 Theme: "Building Strong Support for Elders"

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2017 Theme: "Understand and End Financial Abuse of Older People: A Human Rights Issue"

These themes highlight the various issues that require focus and resolution and reflect the changing understanding of elder abuse. The chosen theme is intended to raise awareness, encourage discussion, and motivate practical actions for preventing and addressing elder abuse on a global scale.
 

Promoting Awareness and How to Prevent Abuse Against Elders?

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a crucial forum for bringing together people from different groups, communities, organizations, and governments to raise awareness of elder abuse. The main objective is to arm people with the information and tools they need to spot the warning signs of abuse, act appropriately, and stop further harm.

1. Education and Training: Programmes for education and training are among the most efficient ways to stop elder abuse. We can raise awareness of the warning signs, risk factors, and preventative measures associated with elder abuse by educating the general public, carers, and professionals working with older adults. Initiatives aimed at educating the public should cover topics like reporting procedures, legal rights, and available support services.

2. Support Services: Elder abuse prevention and treatment are greatly aided by readily available support services. For seniors who are being abused, governments and community organisations must set up hotlines, counselling services, and safe housing options. These services ought to be available in a variety of communities and should be specifically designed to meet the special needs of senior citizens.

3. Strengthening Legislation: The protection of senior citizens from abuse is greatly aided by legislation. Governments must pass thorough laws that make elder abuse illegal and establish a framework for gathering evidence, bringing cases to court, and punishing offenders. In addition to serving as a deterrent, strengthened legal systems will guarantee that victims have access to justice.

4. Encouraging Reporting: To end the cycle of abuse, it is essential to promote reporting of elder abuse. Campaigns to raise awareness among the public should stress the value of reporting suspected cases and offer details on reporting procedures. To make the reporting process easier, reporting channels should be user-friendly, private, and considerate of cultural differences. It's critical to allay any worries or fears prospective reporters might have, such as those related to retaliation or the effect on their relationship with the abuser.

5. Collaboration and Partnerships: The prevention of elder abuse necessitates the cooperation of numerous stakeholders. To create comprehensive strategies, share information, and coordinate services, governments, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and local leaders should collaborate. For a comprehensive approach to elder abuse, forming partnerships can increase the effectiveness of prevention and intervention efforts.

6. Age-Friendly Communities: Elder abuse must be avoided by building age-friendly communities that promote the security and well-being of senior citizens. These areas ought to offer easy access to social services, recreation opportunities, and medical care. Age-friendly neighborhoods can lessen the risk factors for elder abuse by promoting social inclusion and engagement.

7. Caregiver Support: It is essential to acknowledge the crucial part that carers play in the lives of older adults. Inadequate support and resources for carers can contribute to the reduction of abuse cases brought on by stress, burnout, or ignorance. The burden on carers can be lessened, and the risk of elder abuse can be decreased, with the help of support groups, respite care services, and carer training programmes.

Laws to Protect Elders from Abuse in India:

Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956: The law gives elderly people the ability to formally request support from their children. Furthermore, it states that if a person's elderly parents are unable to care for themselves, it is their responsibility to do so. It is important to note that only Hindus are subject to the law from 1956. Christian, Muslim, and even Parsi law all contain similar provisions.

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: Every citizen of the nation must abide by this law known as the Criminal Procedure Code. Indirectly covering the interim maintenance of elderly parents and ensuring their financial security is Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which permits maintenance to parents and the wife. It is necessary to demonstrate that the parents are being mistreated and do not have enough income to support themselves in order to receive maintenance under this law.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents Act, 2007: Prior to 2007, there was no distinct or legislation addressing the problems faced by elderly people. The 2007 Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act aims to make it a legal requirement for children and heirs to provide adequate maintenance to senior citizens. It also includes provisions for state governments to establish old age homes in every district.

According to a 2013 amendment, the sons could be legally held responsible for not providing for their parents. Parents could file complaints against them. The 2018 amendment added the obligation for sons-in-law and daughters to help support their parents.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that parents can evict their children from their home if they abuse them while they are living there. The court ruled that parents are legally entitled to evict their violent adult children as long as they are in possession of the property.
 

Final Words:

Elder abuse is a serious global issue that requires our attention and response, and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day serves as a potent reminder of this. It is an appeal for people, groups, and organizations to work together to stop and address elder abuse in all its forms. We can build a society that respects and defends the rights and dignity of older adults by increasing awareness, advancing education, strengthening legislation, encouraging reporting, and fostering collaboration.

We can all make a difference by educating ourselves, spotting the warning signs of abuse, and reaching out to support and fight for the older people in our lives. We help end the cycle of silence around suspected cases of abuse and make sure that victims get the support they so desperately need by reporting these cases. Together, we can bring about a world free from elder abuse, allowing our senior population to age with the dignity and respect they are due.