Posted On: 2021-03-24 04:51:35
Elders make 8.5% of the total population in India. WHO estimated that the count is increasing by 3.5% every year and is expected to be 20% of the total population by the year 2050. Also, abuse against the elderly is increasing day by day. Most of them are disrespected and tortured in cruel forms despite their age. Tortured by the means of harsh words, neglect, and even in some extreme cases the use of domestic violence. At such delicate age, they are traumatized, left alone at old age homes, and even worse they are left on the streets. India holds the highest rank among the Asian countries that face elderly abuse and exploitation. 53% of the cases the abuse is by their son and followed by 23% of the abuse done by their daughter. These statistics are only among the cases which are reported as some of the elders do not report the cruelty they are faced with, out of love and worry about the social stigma their children will face.
According to 'The Hindu' publication, among these old souls, 37% of abusers misbehave with them by back answering, saying hurtful things, and ignoring them. 20% lock them up and restrict them to have a social life so that the victims cannot share their pain with anyone else, 13% go through mental torture done through silent treatments, pressurizing them to die, forcing them to transfer the properties on the abusers' name, 11% are denied of their basic need as they are not provided with water, food, proper clothing, their health and even some of them are sexually assaulted.
Cruelty towards the elderly
Our elders are the people with most of the experience and deserve respect but instead, they have to go through tortures done by their children. With age comes the experience of wisdom, at the same time comes vulnerability. In most cases, once parents grow old, they become financially dependent on their children and are unable to contribute to the family income. This results in, their children neglecting and abusing them and treating them as a burden. They try to get rid of the so-called additional pressure. They forget that this so-called additional pressure is their parents who raised them and made them who they are today. They torture them in the most brutal ways.
The issue of elder abuse backdated since ages where the elderly were abused, though back then it was considered as a private matter, hidden from public view. WHO defines elder abuse as “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older/senior person.” This form of cruelty is increasing every year at a tremendous rate instead of decreasing. This issue needs awareness.
Most of the time, the elderly who want to get help to have no idea about their rights and what step to take against these crimes. Some are not even aware that the torture they are going through is abuse and is punishable by law. As per the law of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Seniors Act, 2007 the parents and grandparents who are not able to maintain themselves as they do not earn a penny, can seek maintenance from their children. In the case of childless couples, they have the right to expect maintenance from their legal heir. In failure to do so, the children or legal heir can face imprisonment for up to 3 months or a fine of 50,000 rupees. But as said, most people have no awareness about these laws. Due to this, the law is known to be bookish instead of being practised to protect the elders from the various forms of torture. Various developed countries like the United States of America, the United Kingdom have strict laws against elderly abuse. It is high time that the laws in our country are upgraded with necessary legislation and awareness is made.
How can you help them?
According to a survey conducted among the middle class and higher middle-class population in the urban cities among the youth-adult class of between 25-45 years all across India. 71% of these surveyed people agree that elder abuse is of genuine concern and awareness should be made about it. Some of them added that abuse can be seen in their locality but as they do not seem sure about it and have no idea how to deal with it.
To spread awareness, some signs identify as abuse and one can do their part by looking out for them in and around their locality. Not to forget that these signs may or may not be of abuse. The signs can be frequent bone fractures, bruises, a sudden behaviour change, unusually depressed mood, absence in regular activities, bedsores, poor hygiene, sudden weight loss, and weakness. If you think they are going through abuse, try to talk to them and make them comfortable. If confirmed that they are facing abuse, make them understand the severity of the situation and help them get out of it. Inform them that they can file a complaint against the abuser, help them make contact with the helplines, and make them feel safe and protected.
Elders are the roots that keep us connected to our ancestral tree. Though the roots are invisible they are the reason for our presence in this beautiful world. They inculcate values in us, teach us about our family traditions and our legacy. They are experienced in all forms of life. They cherish loved ones with love and care. In turn, they expect the same. Their form of showing love is unique, they feed you tasty food so that you can be healthy and happy. They try their best to teach you and make you strong for every aspect of life. Their heart sinks when they see you sad and try their best to cheer you up. They believe in keeping the family together as one big happy family.
Medical Needs
With a growing world population, the elderly constitute a group of more than 200 million people over the age of 60 years. This fact has increased the exposure of chronic-degenerative conditions, as well as the prescription and consumption of medicines. The elderly are particularly sensitive to antagonistic drug events (ADE’s) or interactions with other drugs due to their physiological fluctuations, genetic predisposition, and environmental susceptibility. It becomes essential and important to adjust the health systems with integral and multidisciplinary approaches. Medicines form an important and vital part of treatment combinations for older people. When used and controlled appropriately, medicines can relieve much morbidity and prevent mortality.
Patients may selectively reduce adherence to their medications based on an assessment of their expense and importance. Recent studies show that between 15% and 50% of older adults report monetary hardship due to medication costs and up to 32% take fewer medications than prescribed to reduce their out-of-pocket costs. It is well authenticated that the level of drug cost-sharing, not just having drug coverage, uses a strong impact on medication non-adherence.
It has been noted that about two-thirds of elderly patients receive improper drug doses, and a large percentage of their hospital admissions are probably associated with preventable toxic consequences of drugs. A multi-disciplinary strategy should be adopted to improve the responsibility of nursing home inhabitants and help to reduce the number of drug-induced problems in this population. Older people in nursing homes are an exposed and vulnerable group who deserve the same high-quality clinical care as people of any age existing at home.
Crowdfunding for the elderly
We need to come up with creative activities for raising money for the elderly as it is one of the best ways we can show our gratitude back to them. Such interactions and activities will not raise money but will also comfort the elderly to socialize with society. Most of the time elderly feel trapped, prisoned, and alone. Therefore organizing and creating fun activities for them is imperative.
Culture is changing, and elders are finding themselves alone, most of them are forced to leave their homes and end up on the streets. To avoid these facts, providing financial support to them will help provide for their medical and other needs. Consequently, planning and organizing events that bring joy and happiness to the elderly will be of much help. Multiple Crowdfunding platforms organize such events. Filaantro had organized one such event during the time of Christmas last year. (Read more: https://filaantro.org/fundraiser/view/OldAgeHome)
There are multiple Old age homes also called Senior Citizens Homes present across the country helping and aiding the elderly but during the time of Covid19 these Old age homes ran out of funds for medical supply and basic amenities, in such cases, crowdfunding campaigns work for the benefit of the elderly. For a fundraising campaign to be a success, the individuals or an organization should have good intentions.
The love of elders towards children and grandchildren and the help through crowdfunding can be seen in a post shared by ‘officialhumansofbombay’ on their Instagram page where they mentioned this beautiful and inspiring story of 74-year-old, Deshraj Ji who has been driving an auto-rickshaw in Mumbai for ages. His life has always been full of struggle, as he has been driving a rickshaw his whole life to feed his and his family’s stomach. After the death of his 2 sons in a span of 2 years, his life crumbled drastically. The responsibility of his wife, daughter-in-law and 4 grandchildren was now on his shoulders. He started working longer hours than usual to make ends meet. After his granddaughter completed her HSC she told him about her dream to pursue B.Ed in college at Delhi. To organize funds for his granddaughter's dreams he sold his house and moved his three grandchildren, wife, and daughter-in-law to his village. He worked hard day and night, slept in his auto-rickshaw, struggled but he never complained to anyone about it.
This story has inspired everyone and was shared multiple times over the media. ’Gunjan Ratti’ who read this story got inspired by his courage and started a campaign for him on a crowdfunding platform. The campaign raised over Rs. 24 Lakhs. When Deshraj Ji received this cheque of Rs. 24 Lakhs by ‘officialhumansofbombay’ he was in tears as he couldn’t believe what had happened. With the funds that he received, he built a roof over his head and he can now afford his granddaughter’s dream without any hesitation.
“The final life chapter is always an important one. Bring joy, happiness and love to those who started our book of life and are on their final chapter.”
Author : Hritika Singh & Lubdha Dhanopia
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