The lifecycle has no halt; it does not stop at any phase or age. One has to be young and to be old as well. Reaching old age needs proper attention, care, love, and other medical demands. Elderly people are those assets of our society who pass on their experiences, their truths, cultural values, and utmost their love to us. Regrettably, in present times, elder abuse has become a common norm in the US, and 1 in 10 elderly people are facing abuse.
What is Elderly Abuse?
Putting elder people at risk or harming them in any way comes under the cruelty of elderly abuse. Elders are not getting the attention they are supposed to have but instead getting abused most likely at their safe places i.e. homes. Elderly abuse also often happens in nursing homes, caregiving institutes, and hospitals.
Types of Elderly Abuse with Consequences
This elderly abuse can be in different forms like financial, physical, psychological & emotional, sexual, and deficit in basic needs and attention. This is happening around the world at a rapid rate because of the rapidly aging population. This rate has specifically increased during COVID pandemic days.
The global report by WHO suggests that the aging population (people aged 60+) is supposed to get double its estimated at around 2 billion in 2050. Elders should not be abandoned and must be kept with family members in proper attention and care. If not possible then one must need to be careful if found chain of injuries, regular fear attacks, and improper health conditions and inquire to the caregivers immediately.
Elderly abuse can cause some serious consequences including homicide, long-term mental illness, premature mortality, suicide and depression.
Preventions
It is not right to mistreat the elders as karma comes with more major adversities than you do to others. Treat elderly people in a good way and seek their blessings.
Every country has assigned legal regulations for the prevention and actions to be taken in case of elderly abuse and so does at US laws.
Proper guidance should be given with appropriate checks and balances in caregiving institutions to elder people as well as to individuals too.
Proper funding needs to be restructured for elderly people for meeting up their medical demands at such an age so they won’t be considered a burden to anyone.
Awareness needs to be created within society. Check on your elderly friend or neighbor. Pay attention to not seeing them as often as you used too. Do not be afraid to speak up, and call the authorities if you think someone you know may be a victim of elder abuse.
