Tafta initiates sessions to inform elderly of their rights

THE elderly are under attack – and some do not even know they are being abused.

Determined to inform the aged and the broader community about elder rights, The Association for the Aged (Tafta) has been running “Elder Abuse Dialogues” in and around Durban, including Sydenham, Inanda and Bellair.

“The issue of abuse remains a taboo subject,” said Femada Shamam, Tafta’s chief executive. She said it was often described as a “silent epidemic”.

“Our social team is inundated with anonymous calls reporting abuse, but without the knowledge of how to report abuse and fear of victimisation by both complainants and victims, it is extremely difficult for us to ensure perpetrators are taken to task,” she said.

This was why Tafta, with the support of the Department of Social Development and other elder-care organisations, had initiated the sessions to train facilitators about abuse, including investigating the level of understanding among the elderly about the types of abuse.

Tafta and its collaborative partners are calling on the public to join them tomorrow in an awareness walk, starting at the Durban City Hall at 9.30am, to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Friday. Supporters are asked to wear purple.

Physical

Tafta said abuse was not just physical, it was also financial, sexual, psychological, emotional and verbal, and also included intimidation, the violation of human rights and victimisation.

And it can refer to a single act, a repeated act or a lack of appropriate action which causes harm or distress to an older person.

Shamam recalled that Tafta was contacted by a woman living overseas who sought the organisation’s help as she had allegedly been blocked from all communication with her father by his new wife. The man had suffered a stroke, was unable to speak and was bedridden.

He was wealthy and it was alleged his wife had managed to get all his assets signed over to her. The matter between the children and the new wife ended up in the high court.

Tafta was able to assist in asserting the man’s rights and access to his family, and Tafta representatives were present during supervised visits.

“It was a landmark case in that it illustrated the role an organisation like Tafta can play in lobbying for the basic rights of an elder in distress,” Shaman said.

She said that the constitution protected an elder’s right to be treated equally and that “no one can discriminate against you because of your age”.

“If they do, the Equality Court in Durban can help with complaints,” said Shamam.