Monday 15 June 2020

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - June 15


World Elder Abuse Awareness Day


World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (Photo Courtesy: Google Images)

What it is?

The UN (United Nations) designated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed every year on June 15. 

Why it is for?

The purpose of any dedicated day is to remind/aware us about the most neglected and important matter that influence our lives and lifestyle. It may be the environment day/mothers day/ocean day and many. Likewise, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is the most important day designated to understand how elders are being abused, understanding human rights for older people.

What is Abuse? According to the definition from the dictionary, Abuse is something "to the use of something in a way that is wrong or harmful"

Agewell foundation

We may not aware that there are seven forms of abuse that elders may face. These are,
  •  Physical abuse
  •  Sexual abuse
  •  Emotional or psychological abuse,
  •  Neglect
  •  Abandonment
  •  Financial abuse
  •  Self-neglect 
It is not surprising that the majority of the elders who have faced abuse at the hands of their own children and grandchildren and their family members, just because they are no longer deemed ‘useful’ or keeping them alive just to benefits from the government (Pensions).

Everyone should remember "oldage is theirs today and yours tomorrow". With the present technology, we are capable of going to the moon and other planets. But birth, disease, old-age and death are inevitable and one can not skip them in their lifetime. And we should remember that children in home good at mimic people around them because it is the learning process for them. If you ignore/abuse elders at home, next is your turn.

Older people face particular difficulties in the following key areas:

  • Physical & Mental Health 
  • Community Care
  • Social Care 
  • Housing 
  • Transport 
  • Employment 
  • Income 
  • Education And Leisure 
  • Safety & Security 
  • Utilities & Consumer Protection 
  • Access to information and Decision-Making

Human Rights of Older People:

What are rights?
  • Right to life shall be protected by law. 
  • Right not to be subjected to inhuman treatment “No-one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. 
  • Right to liberty “Everyone has the right to liberty and personal security.
Civil rights and obligations:
  • The right to respect at home, within family and in private life
  • The right to freedom of thought and conscience.
  • The right not to be discriminated against age 
  • The right to property - everyone is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of his possessions 
  • The right to education
Report from the Times journalist" it has been seen that the main abusers are their own children... there is a law (Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, 2007) under which if children do not look after parents they can be jailed". So there is a legal tool that can be used by the elderly if the rights are violated. But they don't because their rights are taken away by their dear ones (personal observation).

What I am pointing here?

Certainly, there are many things which comes under the above stated 7 abuse types that we may not aware of. Because they seem little things for us but not for them.

Let's take the most general scenario: The Lockdown due to Corona Pandemic, most of us are staying/working from home. We may become an extra load for our parents. Because they are loving us and wanted to make our favourite dishes and recipes. In another way, people in-home may ask them to prepare their favourite recipes (earlier used to order online). I believe this comes under elder abuse.

Working official 8hrs in a day from home will not stop us helping parents/grandparents in daily household activities. Helping parents/grandparents in daily household activities or cooking will help to enrich our bond with them.

Image Source: Eenadu


We are in the age group of the '20s or '30s so definitely we are with our parents or grandparents who are aged around 50s or 60s who have completed all of their responsibilities (personal and professional). Still, it is not their job of looking after grandchildren/great-grandchildren unless it's their free will to do. We should learn how to balance work and family.



Note: Please note that this blog is not intended to offend anyone personally. And feedback will be appreciated.

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A blog by Gnanasekhar Varma
Research Scholar
Photographer (Nature, Bird)
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