As World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) dawned on 15th June, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment released a telling report on the state of elderly people in India. This data-packed report, derived from a detailed survey executed by an NGO across 22 Indian cities, sheds critical light on the facets of elder abuse, economic conditions of the elderly population, and their healthcare facilities.
Understanding Elder Abuse
Elder Abuse refers to any single or repeated incident, or lack of proper action in any relationship where trust is expected, causing harm or distress to an older person. This social issue, which spans across both developing and developed nations, affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons globally. While it remains underreported, prevalence rates hover between 1% to 10% in some developed countries. With elderly rights at its core, this issue necessitates a comprehensive, global response.
Highlights of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in its 2011 resolution 66/127, WEAAD is commemorated annually on 15th June. Its 2022 theme focuses on ‘Digital Equity for All Ages’. The day aims to shed light on the issues faced by abused and harmed elderly individuals and heighten awareness about the various factors that contribute to such neglect and abuse.
Key Findings from the Report on Indian Elderly Population
The study shows that 47% of the surveyed elderly individuals depend economically on their families; 34% rely on pensions and cash transfers. A significant 40% expressed their desire to work indefinitely. Despite 71% not working, 36% were willing to work and 30% wanted to volunteer their time for social causes.
The report also highlighted the healthcare scenario. Although 87% of elders reported proximate availability of healthcare facilities, 78% indicated lack of access to app-based online healthcare services. In a worrying statistic, 67% of elderly people mentioned not having any health insurance coverage, with only 13% being covered under government schemes.
Elder abuse prevalence was confirmed by 59% participants; however, only 10% reported experiencing it firsthand.
Government Interventions & Initiatives
To ameliorate these conditions, the government has launched several initiatives, including:
– Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP)
– Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)
– Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)
– Vayoshreshtha Samman
– Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007
– Elder Line, India’s first Pan-India toll-free helpline number (14567)
– SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine) initiative
Towards an Empowered Future for the Elderly
Despite these efforts, there remains a vital necessity to enhance attention towards senior citizens’ social security in India. A comprehensive preventive package entailing awareness about common geriatric issues, emphasis on nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being promotion needs to be urgently addressed.
