Elderly people are an integral part of our society and they form about 12 % of the total population among which females outnumber males. Everyone born in this world has to reach the adult phase in life, as ageing is inevitable. With ageing, different limitations may come particularly physical and mental limitations. The Kashmir valley famous for Kashmiriyat has been grappling with many pressing social issues and one of the most burning social issues is the elderly abuse. Elderly abuse affects the health and human rights of thousands of older persons across the Kashmir valley. The elderly abuse in Kashmir valley has touched new heights and it deserves immediate attention of the government and civilized community. Elderly abuse does not confine to Jammu and Kashmir but also other states of the country. Elderly abuse is the mistreatment and neglect of elderly people causing them harm, pain, injury anxiety or distress. Elderly abuse has many forms including physical, emotional, financial and psychological abuse.The consequences of physical, emotional, financial and psychological abuse on elderly parents are very devastating. Their physical and mental health deteriorates as they grapple with anxiety, depression, and a sense of constant fear. For the past two decades, social transformation due to industrialization, urbanization, westernization, globalization, education, and technology brought ample changes in our society, especially the breakdown of the joint family system and disappearance of some positive traditional cultural values. The change in family structure and erosion of traditional positive cultural values results in elderly people losing their relevance and significance in their own homes. Social transformation has also decreased the number of primary caregivers to elderly in modern society. Elderly people are a great asset and blessing of our society as they play an important role for the betterment and all round development of a society. They carry nectar of knowledge and vast experience and pass on the rich knowledge and vast good experience to the younger generation. Elderly people also share their good experiences on core public issues like education, health, sanitation, agriculture farming etc. Elderly people also contribute selflessly and significantly, in upbringing of children but unfortunately their role is ignored and they are treated as second-class citizens with no honor and respect. In the majority of cases, they suffer from abuse and mistreatment at the hands of their own adult children, especially married sons. Their sons continue to torment them. In present times, elderly are considered a great burden instead of a blessing by the younger generation. They are deliberately neglected, deprived, isolated and kept caged by their children. They have no right to live with dignity and a sense of belonging in their own homes. They have no say in a family and their own children muzzle their voice. Their silent voices are unheard and unaddressed. The physical abuse inflicted by adult children includes slapping, choking, kicking, hitting, and pushing leaving them bruised, battered, and emotionally shattered. Ill-treatment, verbal assaults, berating comments, belittling remarks, intimidation, isolation, and humiliation of elderly people left deep scars and wounds on their hearts and minds. They feel helpless, worthless and hopeless and suffer from anxiety and depression. Elderly people are deprived of necessities of life like food, water, shelter, clothing, hygiene and medical care. This neglect not only compromises their physical well-being but also exacerbates their anxiety and depression. Abandonment of elderly in their own homes and public places alone in unsafe conditions further increases their pain; anxiety and distress.They are highly sensitive and vulnerable. They are prone to heart diseases, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels etc. Vision and hearing impairments are very prevalent among them and even decreased mobility are making it difficult to leave their homes that result their anxiety and depression in an isolation condition.
“Establishment of old age care homes by the government at tehsil level and Geriatric wards in hospitals give new life to dismayed elderly people. Let us create a healthy society where elderly people are highly honoured and respected instead of humiliated, abused, tortured, harassed, and young people are not worried about getting old.”
In Kashmir valley, there are countless households, where elderly parents once acted as pillars of family are subjected to various forms of abuse and their harrowing stories remain concealed. Their mind is always preoccupied with negative thoughts and are feeling most vulnerable and lonely. Elderly people once acting as managers for their families have been reduced to helpless due to social changes. The modern and younger generation people fail to understand their role that they too have to reach an old age stage and become partly or wholly dependent on others. Treating elderly as inferior, useless and worthless is strictly forbidden by the religion of the Islam and is a big sin. The responsibility of children to take care of their own old aged parents and treat them kindly have shown great changes. Respecting and honouring the elderly by the common people and even some of their own children hardly matters. Lack of old age care homes either at community level or at the government level is another challenge for elderly people because there are many elderly people who are either childless or have lost their children or whose children do not care for them. In such a situation, it becomes the responsibility for the government and a society to take great care for elderly people in old age care homes. There are a number of measures by which elderly abuse can be reduced in a society. Education and awareness among the young generation about the importance of respect, empathy, and compassionate care for elderly parents will reduce elderly abuse. Imparting moral and religious education among the younger generation will develop moral values among them that will prove fruitful for priceless elderly people. Religious teachings emphasize the importance of honoring and respecting one’s parents, regardless of their age or circumstances. It promotes love, care, sympathy, empathy, kindness, compassion and support to elderly people. Moreover, religious communities play a vital role in fostering a culture of respect for the elderly. All major religions strongly advocate kindness, respect, and care for elderly parents. We need to create a good and healthy society where elderly people do not feel worried, disturbed tortured, humiliated, scorned and mocked, but they should feel proud and honour due to great care and respect by the younger generation. Helping, respecting, caring and showing kindness to elderly people in different situations is a token of respect and honour to them. It is our moral duty and responsibility to respect and take care of elderly. They are priceless assets and the need of the hour is their social care, psychological care; health care, economic care so that they can live dignified lives along with the younger generation irrespective of age, health problems etc. Establishing support systems in every community particularly helplines, counselling services, medical and financial assistance and shelters, can provide safe havens for elderly parents in abusive situations. These resources not only empower victims to seek help but to escape the cycle of abuse. The Government of India has launched many welfare schemes for the welfare of the elderly people like Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) etc. Education and awareness among elderly people about the importance of welfare schemes and their inclusion at doorsteps by the concerned department will resolve their financial and health issues to some extent. Enhancement of monthly pension funds, free health check-ups in their homes and distribution of free medicines reduce their anxiety and bring a sigh of relief. Enacting and implementing strict laws and regulations for protecting the rights of elderly parents and deterrent punishment to persons who perpetrate elder abuse. Legal frameworks should provide swift justice and support for victims, ensuring their safety and well-being. Establishment of old age care homes by the government at tehsil level and Geriatric wards in hospitals give new life to dismayed elderly people. Let us create a healthy society where elderly people are highly honoured and respected instead of humiliated, abused, tortured, harassed, and young people are not worried about getting old.
(The author is a teacher at Govt Boys Higher Secondary School Beerwa, Budgam . The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Mushtaq Ahmad Wani
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