India is not kind to its elderly

More data on abuse could help tackle the problem effectively

Believe it or not, around one in five older persons experience abuse in India, which is home to close to 110 million persons who are more than 60 years old. Just as abuse takes many forms — psychological, financial exploitation, neglect, and physical — so can abusers, who can be from the family, an acquaintance or a stranger. Strangers are unkind, with close to half of India’s elders facing abuse in public that’s bad enough to make them avoid stepping out. Psychological abuse that undermines self-worth by name-calling or embarrassing is the most pervasive. Other abuse includes refusal to meet basic needs, such as food, housing, clothing and medical care, destroying property or preventing them from seeing friends and family.

The national estimates of the past year abuse prevalence rate varies widely, from between 43.7 in Egypt, 36.2% in China, 29.3% in Spain and 20.8% in India to 2•6% in Britain, said a WHO-supported study, with the rates of abuse being higher for older people living in institutions than in the community. In India, most elders live with their families and within the community – 71% of India’s elders stay in rural areas and 9% in urban, shows Census data – which shows a major chunk of abusers are people they know. With traditional roles crumbling and the old-age dependency ratio climbing from 10.9% in 1961 to 14.2% in 2011, elders past the most productive time of their lives are considered a burden.

Persons who are 60 years old in India on average have 18 more years of life ahead of them. Sixty years is too early to retire, older persons work when they have the option. In rural areas 66% of older men and 28% of older women work, compared to a lower 46% of older men and 11% of older women in urban areas. India must provide them with alternative livelihoods that can make the most of their skill and experience. Elder abuse is one of the least investigated types of violence and the least addressed. Apart from livelihoods, India needs to improve data on abuse, improve response and help rehabilitate those who need support.