Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, June 14: On the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, HelpAge India today released its nationwide report on elder abuse here at Old Age Home.
The report titled ‘Elder Abuse in India 2018—Changing Cultural Ethos & Impact of Technology’ was released by Ravinder Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur and Pawan Gupta, MLA Udhampur, in the presence of members of Old Age Home Association and HelpAge India, Jammu staff.
The study that aimed at understanding the extent, depth, form, frequency and reasons behind such abuse, revealed that nearly one-fourth of the elderly population experienced abuse personally, and often the main abusers were either sons (52 per cent) or daughters-in-law (34 per cent).
“Unfortunately, elder abuse starts at home and from whom they trust the most. This year, the son has turned out to be the foremost perpetrator, followed by the daughter-in-law who normally is perceived as the primary abuser as per past surveys,” the report said.
Another finding of the report underlined how 82 per cent of the abused elderly do not report the matter to either “maintain confidentiality of family matter” (52 per cent) or “do not know how to deal with problem” (34 per cent).
According to the elders participating in the survey, sensitisation of children and strengthening inter-generational bonding is the way forward.
“38 per cent elders feel the most effective way to deal with elder abuse is to sensitize children. Another way of tackling this increasing generation gap between the young and the old, is bridging this technology gap and empowering our elders,” said Mathew Cherian, CEO, HelpAge India.
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