Most elderly persons are subjected to abuse in old age: study

A majority of older persons face elder abuse all the time throughout their old age irrespective of their financial or social status, health condition and role in their respective family according to a study.

To commemorate the UN World Elder Abuse Day on June 15, the Agewell Foundation, an NGO interacted with over 3400 old people in 323 districts across India through its network of volunteers to understand the cause and effect of Elder Abuse in Indian homes and sharp focus on needs and rights of old people. "It was found that 65% of old people are poor with no source of known income. 35% have money or properties, savings, investments, inheritance and or supportive children. Irrespective to their financial status most old people face elder abuse in one form or the other," says the study.

According to UN estimates the global population of people aged 60 years and older is set to touch about 1.2 billion in 2025 and globally around 4% to 6% of elderly people have experienced some form of maltreatment at home. 9% of those surveyed said they had been physically harassed or assaulted, while 13% said they were denied basic needs, another 13% quoted mental torture and 20% elders surveyed cited restrictions on their social life. 

Misbehaviour and ill-treatment were cited by 37% while 8% cited other forms of harassment.

Denial of food, medicines, emotional blackmailing, threatening, shouting, abusing and beating besides more severe cases such as being tied up in case of disability are some of the various forms of abuse.