Treat elderly with dignity and respect they deserve
EVERY June 15, Age-in-Action joins the planet in commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Our offices countrywide “take to the streets” to voice disdain of the scourge and to sensitise communities on the invaluable role of older persons in society.
Despite the efforts of national and international NGOs and governments to create awareness on the value of older persons and their human rights, all too often they are mistreated and forgotten, in many instances not seen as contributors to society.
Age-in-Action embraced the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day campaign 13 years ago when International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse launched awareness. Many stakeholders felt this was long overdue as many older persons were not being treated with the dignity and respect they deserved.
Many fought for liberation, yet are still bound by the shackles of poverty, abuse and neglect. Instead of enjoying their twilight years, many are living in fear of victimisation, abuse and neglect, often at the hands of family members.
This year, Age-in-Action hopes to reach as many South Africans as possible with the message that it is not okay to abuse older people.
Since we started our awareness campaigns, more than 40 000 older persons, scholars and toddlers participated in peaceful marches on World Elder Abuse Awareness Days. Physical abuse Acts that cause injury or physical discomfort. Examples are slapping, pushing, hitting, restraining, bruising, burning and cutting. Signs are, among others, bruises, burns, swelling and unexplained injuries.
Emotional/psychological abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse are acts that inflict emotional or mental suffering. Examples of emotional abuse are being ignored, insulted, blamed, humiliated, isolated, blackmailed, sworn at, treated as a child, called names, shouting, intimidation.
Signs are nervousness, agitation, anxiety, low self-esteem, fear and withdrawal, depression. Financial/material abuse The misuse of funds and assets, or obtaining property or funds without full consent, knowledge or under duress. Illegal exploitation of funds, property, assets, pension or other monies as well as theft, fraud and damage are examples of financial abuse. Social/physical isolation Locking an older person away in a room or abandonment. Passive neglect The failure to fulfil care needs. It is the withholding or not providing the care and basic necessities required for physical and mental well-being – this includes withholding of food, warmth, clothing, essential medication and deliberate abandonment.
Signs of passive neglect are untreated medical conditions, malnutrition, dehydration, dirty living conditions, dirty physical appearance. Self abuse/neglect The failure to care for him/herself, abuse of alcohol, drugs and improper diet. Sexual abuse Sexual behaviour towards a person without their full knowledge and/or consent – sexual assault or harassment.
Signs of sexual abuse are bruising, bleeding, pain or injury in the abdominal, anal and genital areas, recurrent bouts of cystitis or venereal disease and/or symptoms of emotional abuse. Violation of human rights The withholding of information or dominating decision making. It is the denial of fundamental rights, for example respect for dignity, personal privacy, freedom of thought, belief, opinion, speech, expression and movement.
Older persons have the right to freedom, security, accurate information and not be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
The key to supporting the numerous challenges older people face as a result of the HIV/Aids pandemic, drug abuse by grandchildren in their care, abuse and financial hardship lies in interventions at familial and community level.
Successful awareness campaigns can only be achieved by collaboration with all levels of society.
Fighting the scourge of abuse and finding interventions that will aid the grandparents to shoulder their quadruple burden of care remains a collective responsibility.