The Reality Of Elder Abuse In India And Challenges Ahead

Another elder abuse awareness day came and went away last Sunday 15^th June. This is the only day in a year where at least some segment of civil society in India talks about elder abuse including the causes and remedial means. But what is the real impact on ground: negligible at least that is what we see. All research shows that elder abuse is a grim reality in India and very unfortunately, the people who are expected to “take care of elders” become the “abusers”.

Maximum elder abuses are perpetrated by the close family members and the authorities like caretakers of old age homes, etc. And the worst sufferers are the most vulnerable among old people, i.e., the elderly with physical and mental decline. They neither have the energy nor the propensity to speak or revolt; they simply suffer and suffer till the last breadth of life. The situation is indeed alarming.

Mitigating Strategies:

The question arises what can be done to stop this menace of torture (physical / mental / emotional / psychological / sexual / financial) on this most vulnerable section of society. Can anything really be done or we leave them to their fate?

All of us working at the grassroot level with the senior citizens strongly feel that something drastic needs to be done before the situation goes out of control. Look at the scenario of the year 2050 when the elder population is likely to go up to around 350 million (about 20 per cent of total population). And if 70 percent of this large population is subject to physical or mental torture, what will be the future of the country?

In the above context, all of us as sensible people need to explore distinct options to minimize the cases of any case of elder abuse.

The strategies can be at various levels:

Role of Generation Z: This generation can play an important role in mitigating the cases of elder abuse both at home and outside. They are sensible with less greed and are in a better position to ensure that the elderly in their homes are safe and secure. The academic institutions should develop structured courses as a part of which the younger generation can visit the old age homes and try being “vigilant volunteers” against this menace.

One World, One Living: In the divided structure of the world system, one division is today young vs old. This has given rise to a large number of housing complexes exclusively for elderly people. There are also dedicated old age homes. The need for the hour is to build “housing complexes” where a certain percentage of living space is allotted to elderly people; this will help the younger people living in the community to take care of elderly. This concept of one world and one living is steadily gaining momentum.

Strong Legal System: And finally, we need an extremely strong legal protection system for vulnerable elderly. The existing Act for the protection of elders is grossly inadequate; the newly enacted (2024) three new criminal Acts do not have a separate clause for remedy of elderly. Many of us have been demanding dedicated police assistance for elderly in each & every police station. It has not happened in the right sense. Thus, the legal and protection system of the elderly is grossly inadequate. Hopefully, some of these shortcomings will be taken care of by the New Policy of the senior citizens that the Government is currently drafting.

Moving Ahead:

Whatever one may say or prescribe, finally the fate of the elderly depends on them directly. They should, therefore, try to make life plans (from early midlife) in such a way so that they can lead a dignified independent life once they age. Society and government have nevertheless a huge role to play for elderly who are physically and / or mentally vulnerable. In summation, we all need to work together if we are to create an edler abuse-free society.

The article is written by Dr A K Sen Gupta, Chief Trustee, My Retired Life Foundation (MRLF).