Elder Abuse - Role of Old Age Homes, NGOs and Senior Citizens Associations

Role of Old Age Homes & Nursing Homes

Old Age Homes need to have staff that is sensitized about the problem of EA. They need to be aware of the consequences of negligence. In nursing homes, Residents who apprehend EA may be accommodated in dormitories than single rooms. Even Old persons need to be taught as how to avoid or report abuse.

Generally a black mailing sort of a situation prevails in cases of EA. For instance a senior citizen being abused can send an SMS to his relatives and delete the message. He need not talk arousing suspicion leading to further harassment. In nursing homes a general practice coming under abuse is to keep the victim sedated unnecessarily so that he does not give trouble. Such unsocial practices can be curbed with proper supervision.

NGOs and SCAs

They can organize centers to accept older persons dumped or deserted by their children. Thereafter find a suitable OAH to re-locate them. This is a great service. During festival seasons where very large numbers of devotees gather, granny dumping is a worry some practice. Senior Citizens Associations can conduct lectures to bring about awareness on: how to recognize EA, how to complain and how to manage the problem.

They should tell old people that it is OK to complain instead of silently suffer endlessly. SCAs may liaise with local leaders, village elders, politicians, police and others to help victims seek remedies. They may take up cases to the tribunal set up under MWPSCA.