Posted On: 2023-06-16 11:46:25
A Parent nurtures and devotes their entire life to their child's upbringing. Their earnings, love, devotion and strength make a child capable of standing on their own two feet. Over time, their kindness and selflessness take a toll on their body, causing them to deteriorate, physically and sometimes even mentally.
To see their own body betray them, the same body which they relied on for time immemorial, can be soul-crushing. During such times, a parent needs their child the most. But when they need their child the most, they vanish, leading to empty nest syndrome (the grief that many parents feel when their children move out of home) and neglect.
Sometimes, it is not even the fault of children, as modern times have made it impossible for them to spend time with their parents. But sometimes, the child views their parent as a burden and abuses their own nurturer, be it physically, mentally or emotionally.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 6 people over the age of sixty face some kind of abuse, bringing the total to 15.7%. This is not limited to domestic spaces, as abuse can be found in nursing homes.
To raise awareness about the plight of elders, United Nations General Assembly recognized 15th June as World Elder Abuse Day, upon the request of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA).
So what can you as an average person do to reduce elderly abuse in your society? While common sense would say that you should call the authorities and report the abuser.
However, it is easier said than done, as most elderly are dependent on their child and they might lose their sole support, which can be harmful. Instead, you can form a committee in your residential society and take a stand as a collective group. Use your voice to call out their action. This would force the child to alter their behaviour and stop abusing their parents.
But this is the answer to physical abuse, what about neglect and emotional distress of the senior citizen?
To make senior citizens emotionally satisfied, you can organize activities for them, like exercise classes, get-togethers, clubs, film screenings, birthday and festival celebrations etc.
You can also take inspiration from the Swedish model of SällBo, and encouraging the younger generation to spend some quality time with the elderly can do wonders to reduce elderly loneliness.
Donation to nursing and elderly homes is also helpful. You can even go beyond the conventional boundaries by paying a visit to them.
Filaantro also raises money for the elderly. You can start fundraisers for treatment, community activity, or even a fundraiser for the elderly and nursing homes. Filaantro raises money for elderly homes and also for medical treatment, business ventures, and educational opportunities. It has also conducted sessions on mental health awareness and organized events at elderly homes.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We hope that you are going to leave this article by learning more about elderly abuse. Remember to share this article with all your friends and family members.
Author: Adil Sayyad
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