Elder abuse is a bit like AIDS in India.

We know it’s a big problem; we’ve even heard it’s a crisis. But most of us, especially in middle class India, insist it doesn’t happen in our families.

M Pradeep (name changed on request), a 73-year-old widower who was staying with his son and daughter-in-law for several years in the city of Bangalore, recently decided to hunt for a rented accommodation and live on his own. The reason: The septuagenarian was regularly abused by his son and daughter-in-law. Pradeep is not alone, as hundreds of elderly face abuse by their family members or caregivers.

The abuse elders report are common across social classes and cities, although there are differences between cities, as Bengaluru and Nagpur report the highest elder abuse and Delhi and Kanpur the least. 4 in 10 old people testify to verbal abuse, 3 to neglect, and one-third to disrespect. Elder Abuse in India, the latest report released by non-profit organization HelpAge India, reveals that one in every four elderly people faces abuse across India. “Sometimes, crime against the elderly is violent in nature, which has led to the deaths of many,” says Kumar, a senior counselor at the Elders Helpline. 65.2% of elderly respondents claimed that older persons face neglect in old age.

Over half i.e. 54.1% respondents said that older persons suffer elder abuse in their families or society. Every fourth elderly, i.e. 25.3% elderly admit that older persons are being exploited by their family members, the study said.

In all, 89.7% respondents out of 2705 respondents facing elder abuse reportedly said elderly face mistreatment in old age mostly due to financial reasons. A total of 96.4% of elderly abused respondents claimed that they face mistreatment due to emotional factors.

In 2050, 400 million people will be over 80 all over the world. 48.1 million of them will be in India. That doesn’t mean India will become a sea of grey. The median age of Indians will still be only 38. But 48.1 million people can’t be shoved into the back bedroom either.

If anyone you know is suffering from Elder abuse- domestic,verbal or emotional abuse, there is a 24/7 helpline – 1091 where you can call for help.

Oscar Wilde once said, “Youth is wasted on the young.” Makes us wonder, have the neglected, rejected and abused elderlies wasted their youth on us?

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