World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Neelz Singh, Lami

I was always taught to respect the elders – weren't you? But how many of you are really respecting the elderly people around you? What reasons do you have for not doing so? I ask you because I've often seen many elders in the society not being treated well.

I've even heard of people not respecting the elderly – especially the young generation nowadays.

And that's not all; even family members sometimes fail to spend family time with them, which saddens me.

I strongly feel that respect towards the elderly, their fortitude, wisdom, knowledge, and grace should be instilled in us all, though sadly it doesn't happen.

There may be a few exceptions as I also don't believe that growing old is a sign becoming wiser, but we shouldn't show disrespect for seniors in any case – isn't it?

While the taboo topic of elder abuse has started to gain visibility across the world, it remains one of the least investigated types of violence in national surveys, and one of the least addressed in national action plans.

Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

Elder maltreatment can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences.

The incidence of abuse towards older people is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is commemorated each year on 15 June to highlight one of the worst manifestations of ageism and inequality in our society, elder abuse.

It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted on some of our older generations

“We were taught to respect everyone, especially those who were older and wiser than we were from whom we could learn.” ~ BeNeca Ward. “Karma – What goes around Comes Around”