Giving our senior citizens the care and respect they deserve
Each year, on October 1 which is World Elders’ Day, events, meetings and campaigns are held to commemorate this important day. Sri Lanka is no exception.
These celebrations go back to 1990 when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons to recognise the significant and growing global population of older adults and raise awareness about the issues and challenges they face.
October 1 coincided with the adoption of the UN Principles for Older Persons in 1982 which outlined the rights, dignity and wellbeing of older individuals, emphasising the importance of their full participation in society.
A primary reason for the continued relevance of World Elders’ Day is the global demographic shift towards an ageing population. Many countries are experiencing a significant increase in the number of older adults, which presents both opportunities and challenges.
Sri Lanka is one of the countries with the fastest ageing population in the region. At present, older people constitute around 12.3% of our population and this figure is expected to reach 24% in 2050.
Our ageing population is both our pride and our responsibility. It is our pride because it talks about the efficacy of our health system in both the preventive and curative sectors. It is our responsibility because as a nation we need to ensure healthy ageing devoid of discrimination and ageism, eliminating inequality in accessing health resources and ensuring income security in old age.
I wish to draw attention to the issue of elder abuse in society. Although we do not have proper data to indicate the prevalence of elder abuse in this country, we do see a lot of older people subjected to various forms of abuse.
Elder abuse is a complex and often hidden problem. It refers to an intentional act or lack of action by a person in a relationship of trust that causes harm or risk of harm to an older adult; its sub-types include financial, emotional/psychological, physical, sexual abuse and neglect by others.
In Sri Lanka, such abuse often occurs within
families, where elders are traditionally cared for by their children or close relatives. The abusers may be family members, caregivers or even strangers. Elder abuse is associated with many adverse outcomes, including premature mortality, poor physical and mental health and increased health care utilisation.
Physical abuse: This includes acts of violence, such as hitting, slapping, or restraining the elderly person. In some cases, physical abuse can lead to serious injury or even death. We see reports of parents being assaulted by their children.
Recently there was a newspaper report of a son killing his father as the latter wanted him to lower the volume of the radio. Some of these actions point directly to a lack of values in our society, inability to control a violent temper and many types of stress the offspring or carers undergo.
We also witness an increase in homeless adults on the roads who were evicted from their homes by their own children. The law upholds that such acts are punishable, but only a few parents seek redress being unaware of their rights.
Emotional abuse: Elders can suffer emotional abuse through verbal insults, threats, intimidation or isolation leading to severe psychological consequences.This type of abuse, mainly verbal, either targets and destroys the elderly person’s self-esteem or causes fear and panic. Mocking, humiliating and teasing, calling the person crazy and stupid, slandering or threatening to drive him/ her out of the house etc., are a few examples of mental-emotional abuse. As a result of this type of violence, the victim may lose confidence and self-esteem or live in constant fear.
Financial abuse: Seniors could also be vulnerable to manipulation and fraud, leading to the misappropriation of their assets or pension funds.
Neglect: Neglect involves failing to provide essential care, such as adequate food, shelter, medical attention or personal hygiene. Neglect can result from caregiver burnout or indifference.
Several factors may contribute to the growing problem of elder abuse in Sri Lanka:
Changing family dynamics: Traditionally, Sri Lankan families provided extensive support to their elders. However, as family structures are evolving due to urbanisation and migration, the elderly are increasingly left vulnerable.
Economic stress: Financial strain can lead to elder abuse as families struggle to meet their needs.
Lack of awareness: Many Sri Lankans remain unaware of the concept of elder abuse, making it difficult for victims to seek help or for society to address the issue.
Social isolation: Elders who lack social connections are more susceptible to abuse, as they may not have a support network to turn to.
Addressing elder abuse: A multi-pronged approach is needed to address elder abuse in Sri Lanka. Public awareness campaigns are crucial to educate people about such abuse, its signs and its consequences.
The government and non-governmental organisations should establish support services such as helplines and shelters for abused elders, while strengthening legal protection and ensuring that such cases are thoroughly investigated.
Communities can prevent elder abuse by promoting respect for elders and providing social support.
Preventing elder abuse is a shared responsibility that requires the active involvement of individuals, families, communities and policymakers. By raising awareness, strengthening legal protection, providing support services and promoting a culture of respect, we can create a society where elderly citizens are cherished, protected and able to age with dignity and security.
Together, we can ensure that the golden years of Sri Lanka’s seniors are free of abuse and filled with the care and respect they deserve.