WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK 13th

June to 19th June 2009 ‘Elder Abuse: The Hidden Health

Aspect’

By Sailesh Mishra

Founder President

Silver Inning Foundation

at

HELP Library ,Fort, Mumbai

On 18th June 2009

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY 15TH June 2009

• On the occasion of 4th Global World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15th June 2009, Silver Inning Foundation, A Dedicated organization for senior citizens and their family members will be commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Week from 13th June to 19th June 2009

• Only in 2006 INPEA recognised Elder Abuse as problem

Elderly in India

• Due to better medical facility, good lifestyle longevity increase

• In 2008 India population of Elderly is around 8% of total population 86 Million

• Average age in 1951 – 42 yrs• Average age in 1986 – 58 yrs• Average age in 2008 - 68.6 yrs• It will be75 years in 2045-2050.• There is 60% increase in 60 yrs of lifespan

We are living more

• Older people today are more visible ,more active and more independent then ever before. They are living longer and in better health. But as the population of older Indians grows, so does the hidden problem of Elder Abuse, exploitation and neglect.

Elder Abuse

• Elder abuse as a social problem remains hidden.• Least researched topic with very little

intervention.• According to pan-Indian surveys, 40% of elderly

subject to some form of abuse• Elderly are equally responsible• We consider it as “Family Matter”• Few Intervention by Government and Society• More abuse done by Family and Relative 55%• More Abuse incase of Dementia/Alzheimer's

What is Elder Abuse

• Single repeated act• Lack of appropriate action• Occurring within any relationship where there is an

expectation of trust • Harming development of his/her personality• Elder Abuse is infliction of Physical, emotional or

psychological harm on an Elderly. Alder Abuse also can take the form of Financial exploitation or intentional or unintentional neglect of an Elderly by the care givers or third party.

Types of Elder Abuse

• Physical

• Sexual

• Emotional or Psychological

• Financial and Exploitation

• Neglect

• Abandonment

Physical

• Physical abuse can range from slapping or shoving to severe beatings and restraining with ropes or chains.

• When a person uses enough force to cause unnecessary pain or injury

• It can be hitting , beating, pushing ,kicking, pinching, burning or biting or depriving of food, medicine and water

Emotional or Psychological

• Emotional or psychological abuse can range from name- calling or giving the ‘silent treatment’ to intimidating and threatening the individual.

• When family member or care giver or other person behaves in a way that causes fear, mental anguish and emotional pain or distress

• It also includes insults and threats• It also includes treating older person like a

child and isolating the person from family ,friends and regular activity

Financial and Exploitation

• Financial exploitation can misuse of an elder’s funds

• It includes fraud , taking money under false pretenses , forgery ,forced property transfer , Scams , using elderly money to purchase expensive items without knowledge or permission , denying the older person access to his or her own funds or home

• It also includes improper use of power of attorney

• Illegal or unauthorized use of a person’s property

Neglect

• Neglect can include to failure to provide food, water, clothing, medication and assistance of activity for daily living

• Avoiding • No paying attention to the psychological and

social needs• Sometime Elderly HARM themselves through

Self Neglect – not eating ,not going to doctor ,not taking medicine, alcohol/drug abuse – Problem – how to respect their independence and when to intervene

Abandonment

• Elder abuse can also include deserting an elderly, dependent person with the intent to abandon them or leave them unattended at a place for such a time period as may be likely to endanger their health or welfare

Effect of Abuse on Health of Elderly

• Abuse creates potentially dangerous situation and feelings of worthlessness and it isolates elderly from people who can help

• Many of us don’t consider Elder Abuse as Health Issue and so we don’t try to intervene as we consider this more as a social problem and not a health care problem

• It affects body, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to varying degrees

• Untreated medical or mental conditions

Physical Health• Elderly are physically weaker and more vulnerable -

their bones are more brittle and healing takes longer• Even a minor injury can cause serious and

permanent damage • Untreated injury and Pain• Sprains, dislocations, fractures, or broken bones• Change in appetite – withdrawal of food or weight• malnutrition, dehydration• Absence of needed dentures, eyeglasses, hearing

aids, walkers, wheelchairs, braces, or commodes• Drug overdose or apparent failure to take medication• Bed sores• Unsafe living conditions

Mental Health

• Sleeplessness• Anxiety• Depression or Psychological distress • More of Psychosomatic problem : associated with the mind, and

some of these problems can become so deep-rooted that they eventually start to affect the body. psychosomatic illness are experiencing pain, nausea, or other physically felt symptoms but with no physical cause that can be diagnosed.

• Thoughts of suicide, death, or suicide attempts• Poor self-image or esteem• Restlessness, irritability• self-destructive behavior• Is emotionally upset, agitated, withdrawn, and non responsive• Psychological distress • Loss of memory, concentration, or decision-making capability

Laws for Elderly in India

• Section 125 of the Cr PC:A magistrate can order the child to maintain his old parents.

• Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act (HAMA) :an aged a parents can demand maintenance from same way a wife can demand from her husband

• Domestic Violence Act (DVA): Lodge complaint with local Police

• Maintenance of Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 (MWPSCA) : Not yet implemented . Tribunal , No Advocate needed,90 days ,3rd Party can do it, Max Rs 10,000/- p.m..Penality Rs.5000/- - 3 months jail

What you can do

• Property… Points to remember MAKE WILL ,Nomination, DO SAVING, DON’T GIVE everything to Children/relative in your life time…

• Learn to identify abuse and neglect. • Share and try not to be discreet about Abuse.• Be a good neighbor. • Take action...don’t wait for someone else to do it! • If you suspect it, you must report it—that’s way you

can HELP• Contact an organization which works for elderly like

Silver Inning Foundation, The Family Welfare Agency, All India Senior Citizens Confederation, Harmony, Dignity Foundation, Helpage India

What we all can do

• Formation of Senior Citizens Committee in every locality

• Multi-Service Gero-Care Center• Four digit national Helpline • National Nodal Agency for Elder Abuse• Fast Track court for Elder Abuse• To appoint Elder Welfare Officer in each police

station• Increase social security pension upto Rs.3000/- p.m.• Immediate implementation of NPOP and the

Maintenance of Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill 2007

What we all can do

• Formation of Vigilance Committee for Elder Abuse in our communities

• Establishment of counseling centers/a platform where elderly can share

• Empowering ourselves through being better informed.

• Intergenerational programs• Separate Ministry for Senior Citizens or

National Commission

Elder Helpline

• Mumbai Police Elder Line: 1090 / 103

• Dignity Foundation: 23898078/79

• Shree Manav Seva Sangh: 24081487

• Silver Inning Foundation: 998710423 

Society for all ages

• Every person-every man, women and child-deserves to be treated with respect and with caring

• Every person-no matter how young or how old- deserves to be safe from harm by those who live with them, care for them or come in day-to-day contact with them

“My World… Your World… Our World – Free of Elder Abuse”

This Programme is organized by Silver Inning Foundation and promoted by INPEA (International Network for Prevention of Elder

Abuse) Indian Chapter through Development, Welfare and Research Foundation (DWARF) and 'Little Things Matter Initiatives' (LTMI), Mahakali Senior Citizens Association, Apne Aap, ARDSI Greater Mumbai ,Cosmopolitan School and AISCCON (All India Senior

Citizens' Confederation).