Elderly Abuse and Neglect: The Challenges Ahead

There are 77 million older persons in India today, and the number isexpected to grow to 177 million in another 25 years. As the number and percentage of individuals 65 and over has increased in this country, so has the incidence of elder abuse. According to the Helpage India report on elderly abuse, 2012, 31% of older persons reported facing abuse. More than half of those abused were facing it for more than 4 years and all these were facing multiple forms of abuse. 24% older people faced abuse almost daily. Unfortunately, the prevalence and nature of this growing problem has generally remained hidden from public view. In the light of these facts, it is imperative that both professionals and lay persons become more aware of the scope and many issues surrounding this sensitive topic. Taking this scenario into consideration the present paper attempts to highlight and discuss the various types of abuse the elderly are being victimized to. Furthermore, the paper also provides certain recommendations and preventive strategies to curb the same.