Educated Elders are Relatively Safe in their Twilight Years

                                   Educated Elders are Relatively Safe in their Twilight Years

Elder abuse is a complex social issue.  The crumbling culture of the joint family and loss of respect for the elderly have greatly contributed to the problem of the neglected parents and grandparents, by the very children who should support their elders in their twilight years, and it has precipitated many adverse effects that tell on their health and well-being. Verbal abuse or disrespect was the most common form of abuse and is weaponised against the elderly to subdue them.  Often, it escalates to active psychological, emotional, and physical aggression, abandonment, which leads to premature mortality.

They are left with no medication, food, or clothing. Their ATM and debit cards are misused. Property theft with a fraudulent power of attorney is yet another major problem that goes unnoticed by the very victims. They are bullied into stopping communication with their siblings, friends, and cousins, and are kept away from their social circles. This kind of isolation leads to the failure of the discovery of the telltale signs of abuse, unexplained wounds, money problems, and depression.

Unsupported, elderly adults (≥60 years) are vulnerable to scams as they are not very adept at using the internet. They are easy prey to cybercrimes or conmen claiming to be third-party debt collectors.

Children are legally bound to support their parents. India is not culturally ready for the idea of parents taking their children to court. Cases are rarely filed. Even if they are, by the time they are settled, the parents are most likely dead because of the slow pace of the judicial system.

If the older adults and women are reasonably educated, they are actually protecting themselves to a certain degree against abuse. Older adults who live alone, with multiple morbidities, are more likely to fare worse.

The government should formulate protective policies and programs to address elder abuse in India.  
As responsible citizens, we must practice passing on traditional, family, and social values to our children. While they are still young, they are most impressionable. The values are best imprinted in their psyche through parental guidance. Young children are the best mimics. They ape their parents and their peer group. Their young age is very critical, and they are easily influenced. Their parents and grandparents should, as role models, set good examples.