<p>Contrary to the widely-held perception that Indians take care of aged family members, studies are confirming that abuse and ill-treatment of the elderly is rampant in the county. Particularly shocking is the extent of abuse by close relations. A study of complaints registered at the elders’ helplines run by the Bengaluru Police and the Nightingales Medical Trust, for instance, found that of the 393 cases of elder abuse registered in 2015-16, in 188 cases the perpetrator of abuse was a close relative with sons, daughters and daughters-in-law being the worst abusers. Studies of the condition of the elderly indicate that a large number of them (65%) do not have any source of income. They are thus dependent on family members to take care of their daily needs. This makes them all the more vulnerable to humiliation, ill-treatment and denial of basic care. Some 53% of cases of elderly abuse are related to property and inheritance disputes. Elderly women figure predominantly among the abused as do people with disabilities. <br /><br />Many are denied food and medicines. They are humiliated, beaten up, locked up and prevented from <br />meeting others. An increasing number of elderly people are living alone or homeless, although they have relatives. It is sad that in a society that takes pride in its family-centric culture, millions of elderly people live and die neglected, unloved and isolated. Although there is the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 to protect the elderly from abuse, almost 98% of victims do not report their ill-treatment. They are reluctant to shame their families and also fear further abuse by them. The elderly must be encouraged to seek help and people should act on seeing their elderly neighbours being abused.<br /><br />Indian society and values are changing rapidly. The joint family system has broken down and increasingly couples keep their parents and grand-parents only to double up as cooks and baby-sitters. Otherwise, the latter are looked upon as a drain on incomes. It is time we woke up to the reality; Indians are abusing their elderly and the latter have no place to go. Healthcare of the elderly is expensive. One solution to the problem is to set up inexpensive, even free homes for the elderly. The government and non-government organisations must step in to fill this gap. <br /><br />The government could provide free medical insurance coverage for the elderly. The elderly must be made aware of helplines and other support systems.</p>
<p>Contrary to the widely-held perception that Indians take care of aged family members, studies are confirming that abuse and ill-treatment of the elderly is rampant in the county. Particularly shocking is the extent of abuse by close relations. A study of complaints registered at the elders’ helplines run by the Bengaluru Police and the Nightingales Medical Trust, for instance, found that of the 393 cases of elder abuse registered in 2015-16, in 188 cases the perpetrator of abuse was a close relative with sons, daughters and daughters-in-law being the worst abusers. Studies of the condition of the elderly indicate that a large number of them (65%) do not have any source of income. They are thus dependent on family members to take care of their daily needs. This makes them all the more vulnerable to humiliation, ill-treatment and denial of basic care. Some 53% of cases of elderly abuse are related to property and inheritance disputes. Elderly women figure predominantly among the abused as do people with disabilities. <br /><br />Many are denied food and medicines. They are humiliated, beaten up, locked up and prevented from <br />meeting others. An increasing number of elderly people are living alone or homeless, although they have relatives. It is sad that in a society that takes pride in its family-centric culture, millions of elderly people live and die neglected, unloved and isolated. Although there is the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 to protect the elderly from abuse, almost 98% of victims do not report their ill-treatment. They are reluctant to shame their families and also fear further abuse by them. The elderly must be encouraged to seek help and people should act on seeing their elderly neighbours being abused.<br /><br />Indian society and values are changing rapidly. The joint family system has broken down and increasingly couples keep their parents and grand-parents only to double up as cooks and baby-sitters. Otherwise, the latter are looked upon as a drain on incomes. It is time we woke up to the reality; Indians are abusing their elderly and the latter have no place to go. Healthcare of the elderly is expensive. One solution to the problem is to set up inexpensive, even free homes for the elderly. The government and non-government organisations must step in to fill this gap. <br /><br />The government could provide free medical insurance coverage for the elderly. The elderly must be made aware of helplines and other support systems.</p>
