Caring for elders

The Association for the Aged (Tafta) and collaborative partners in the field of elder care are calling on Durbanites to join them this Thursday as they take to the streets of central Durban to start their two-day commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, held annually around the world on June 15. The awareness walk, which starts at City Hall at 9.30am, with people asked to wear purple, signifies a stand of solidarity by participants with victims of elder abuse. The event also aims to bring attention to the various forms of elder abuse taking place in society, explained Tafta chief executive Femada Shamam. According to the World Health Organisation, more than one in 10 older adults may experience some type of abuse, but only one in five cases or fewer are reported. Shamam said Tafta would remain committed to advocating for the rights of the elderly through community training initiatives, such as dialogue sessions and other awareness sessions. Pictured are participants in Tafta’s Elder Abuse Awareness Walk last year.