World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed worldwide on June 15. Its observation was initiated by the WHO and International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in 2006. Elder abuse is “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person,” as per the WHO.
The purpose of observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is to raise awareness of the different types of unfairness, intolerance, and prejudice faced by the elderly by their caregivers, relatives, and others. This is an issue that is common in both developing as well as developed countries. The different types of elder abuse include physical, verbal, and financial mistreatment, as well as neglect and abandonment. Sadly, most of it goes unreported.
As per existing estimates, elder abuse ranges from 1%-10% in select developed countries [1]. As per a 2017 review that consisted of 28 studies conducted across 52 countries, about 15.7% of people above the age of 60 faced some type of elder abuse [2]. In India, as per a 2020 study, 5.2% of the elderly said they faced some type of abuse in that year. The same study indicates that elderly women, especially those living in rural areas, are more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation [3].
As of now, there is no specific World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 theme, but the focus is on ‘Building strong support for elders.’ This tagline also appears on the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day logo. Read on to learn about the signs of elder abuse and how you can take action.
Additional Read: Why is Buying a Senior Citizen Health Plan for Your Parents Important?
When senior citizens face abuse and humiliation from their close ones, it becomes visible in their appearance and attitude. As we observe another World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, it is important to know how you can identify them in time. Here are the signs that you can look out for.
As elderly people may feel hesitant to talk about the abuse they are facing, you can help them by listening to them in private and helping them raise the matter to local administration, governing authorities, or the perpetrators of abuse. Take the help of doctors and lawyers to go forward. You can also take the help of social media to reach out to people and concerned authorities.
Additional Read: 6 Important Tips to Choose the Right Senior Citizen Health Insurance Policy
Now that you know the signs of elder abuse and how you can make a difference with empathy, do your bit on the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022. If you have elderly people at home, spend quality time with them and encourage your other family members to do so.
To lead a healthy life, be aware of other important days like World Obesity Day and World Environment Day. In case of any age-related health issue, you can speak to the doctors on Bajaj Finserv Health via a teleconsultation. You can also speak to specialists registered with the platform for all types of health disorders. To make sure you and your loved ones are healthy, be regular with health check-ups and doctor consultations.
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