Silent Injustice: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Reflections
Heramba Nath
Every year on June 15, the global community observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a sombre reminder of one of the most hidden yet devastating social issues of our time. Despite being one of the fastest-growing demographic groups, the elderly often find themselves marginalised, neglected, and subjected to various forms of mistreatment, sometimes by those they trust the most. This observance is not merely a ceremonial calendar event but a moral call to acknowledge, address, and prevent abuse against senior citizens across homes, communities, and institutions.
Elder abuse manifests in many forms — physical, emotional, financial, sexual, and even through neglect or abandonment. It occurs in private residences, nursing homes, hospitals, and public places. What makes this issue especially tragic is its invisibility; cases frequently go unreported because victims are either dependent on their abusers, ashamed to speak out, or unaware of their rights. Cultural norms and family hierarchies often dissuade elders from protesting against the ill-treatment meted out to them, particularly in traditional societies like India, where respecting elders is a core value, ironically masking the reality of their mistreatment.
In India, the problem of elder abuse is gradually surfacing as demographic shifts and urbanisation erode the traditional joint family system. Rapid modernisation, financial insecurities, and changing social values have altered intergenerational relationships. The once-revered elderly are sometimes viewed as burdens, both economically and socially. Studies and helpline reports from various Indian states, including Assam, reveal distressing figures of neglect, verbal insults, financial exploitation, and even physical assault. Many cases remain hidden within the confines of homes, particularly in rural areas where elders are denied basic care, deprived of their pensions, and excluded from household decisions.
The situation in Assam mirrors the broader national trend but is aggravated by specific regional challenges. Many elderly residents in Assam, especially in flood-prone and remote areas, suffer not only from material deprivation but also from emotional neglect. Economic hardships, out-migration of younger family members in search of employment, and inadequate social security structures have worsened their plight. Several NGOs and social activists in Assam have brought to light stories of elderly individuals left alone to fend for themselves during natural calamities like floods. In char areas and erosion-prone riverine villages, elderly people often find themselves isolated as families move elsewhere, leaving behind vulnerable parents and relatives.
The forms of elder abuse are diverse and often intersect. Physical abuse involves acts of violence causing injury, pain, or impairment. Emotional abuse includes humiliation, intimidation, or threats. Financial exploitation is a growing concern, with elders coerced into parting with their savings, property, or pension benefits. Cases of neglect, perhaps the most prevalent form, involve the failure of caregivers to provide essentials like food, medicine, hygiene, and emotional support. In recent years, instances of cyber-fraud targeting the elderly through online scams and digital financial transactions have also come to light, compounding their vulnerability. Older persons, unfamiliar with online banking protocols or digital safety, have been manipulated into sharing sensitive personal details or making unwise transactions.
The consequences of elder abuse extend beyond immediate physical or emotional harm. Victims suffer from depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and a loss of dignity and purpose. In many instances, it precipitates health decline, loss of independence, and premature death. From a societal perspective, elder abuse weakens family structures, fosters intergenerational mistrust, and undermines the values of empathy, care, and respect that are essential for cohesive communities. Economically, neglect of elderly care leads to increased burden on public health services and welfare programmes, as untreated health issues escalate into chronic ailments requiring institutional care.
An especially sorrowful aspect is the growing trend of abandoning elderly parents to old-age homes, often without consent. In old age, when parents become helpless and frail, some sons and daughters choose to forsake their duty, leaving them in institutions meant for the destitute and neglected. It is a tragedy for society. Where has our love, humanity, and sense of responsibility gone? The very parents who nurtured, sacrificed, and guided their children are discarded in their twilight years. When parents grow old, they feel helpless and solitary in the absence of their sons and daughters. In those final phases of life, what every parent longs for is love, respect, and care from their children — that remains their only unspoken hope. If negligence by sons and daughters occurs in old age, it undoubtedly wounds the hearts of parents, causing them silent suffering that no one can fully comprehend. Every parent needs expected and dignified behaviour from their son and daughter in the age of old, for it is in these vulnerable years that affectionate words, gestures of care, and respectful conduct hold more value than any wealth or possession. Everyone must realise that the cycle of life is unyielding — we all age. The new generation must question what wisdom, heritage, and moral knowledge they stand to inherit if today’s elders are marginalised, insulted, and forgotten. This ignorance not only steals from the elderly but impoverishes the future. A society that disconnects from its elders severs its roots. Every individual should reflect upon their own future through the mirror of present indifference.
Addressing elder abuse requires a multidimensional approach. Legal frameworks like the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 exist in India, mandating children and heirs to provide for elderly parents and facilitating legal recourse against neglect or abuse. However, implementation remains weak due to lack of awareness, social stigma, and bureaucratic inertia. In Assam, awareness about this legislation is relatively low, especially in rural areas. Many elderly citizens are unaware of their legal rights and avenues for redressal. Strengthening the enforcement of such laws, expediting case resolution, and ensuring accessible grievance redressal mechanisms are vital.
Equally important is fostering a culture of awareness and sensitivity. Educational campaigns, community-based initiatives, and media advocacy can challenge ageist stereotypes and highlight the rights and contributions of older persons. Schools, colleges, and local bodies should incorporate sensitisation programmes about ageing and elder care. Regular health check-ups, social welfare schemes, and pension reforms tailored to the needs of the elderly, particularly those in vulnerable or remote areas like parts of Assam, are essential to reduce their dependence and susceptibility to abuse.
Families must introspect and revive their responsibilities towards their ageing members. In a society where family ties are considered sacrosanct, the increasing alienation of elders is a moral crisis. Intergenerational dialogue, inclusive decision-making, and respectful caregiving should be nurtured within households. Beyond material support, elders need affection, dignity, and recognition of their life’s contributions. Involving them in community activities, decision-making, and festivals can make them feel valued. Simple acts of kindness such as regular conversations, shared meals, and inclusion in family matters can significantly enhance their emotional well-being.
Voluntary organisations, religious institutions, and local governance bodies can play a pivotal role in identifying at-risk elders, offering counselling, and creating support networks. Community vigilance groups and helpline services should be promoted and made accessible even in interior regions through mobile-based initiatives or ASHA worker networks. Localised elder clubs, peer support groups, and day-care centres can serve as vital lifelines, providing avenues for recreation, companionship, and grievance reporting.
The media’s role is also indispensable. Balanced and responsible reporting of elder abuse cases, combined with highlighting positive stories of elder care, can shift public perceptions and prompt action. Celebrating elders' wisdom, resilience, and social roles helps counter prevailing prejudices against ageing. Newspaper columns, television debates, and radio programmes in regional languages like Assamese can effectively disseminate awareness messages.
Healthcare systems must be sensitised to detect signs of abuse, particularly in cases of unexplained injuries, malnutrition, or untreated chronic illnesses among elderly patients. Training healthcare professionals, social workers, and law enforcement personnel to recognise and appropriately intervene in suspected cases is an urgent need. Primary health centres and sub-centres in rural Assam should be empowered to track elderly health indicators, conduct regular outreach, and intervene proactively in cases of neglect.
Technology can also be harnessed to protect and empower elders. Developing elder-friendly apps, online grievance portals, and digital literacy programmes for senior citizens can improve their access to information, services, and support systems while shielding them from financial fraud or social isolation. In Assam, initiatives to provide smartphones with simplified interfaces and helpline contact numbers have already shown promising results in select districts.
Observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day should serve as more than symbolic observance; it must translate into tangible actions, policy reforms, and cultural shifts. The plight of the elderly is, in essence, a reflection of a society’s moral compass. A nation that cannot care for its senior citizens risks undermining the very values of empathy, gratitude, and social justice. Conversations about ageing, elder rights, and caregiving need to find space in public discourse, policy debates, and electoral manifestos.
India’s demographic profile is rapidly ageing, with projections indicating that by 2050, over 19% of the population will be aged 60 and above. Assam, with its unique socio-economic challenges, must prepare for this demographic transition. Investing in elder care infrastructure, promoting age-inclusive urban and rural planning, and institutionalising support services is imperative. Policy makers must plan for accessible geriatric healthcare, pension portability for migrant families, and community-level senior citizen care centres.
While policy initiatives and legislative frameworks are crucial, the most meaningful change begins within individual hearts and homes. Restoring respect, care, and compassion for the elderly must be treated not as a burden but as a responsibility towards those who nurtured generations. The teachings of our ancient civilisations, which revered old age as a period of wisdom and honour, should be revived to guide modern society’s approach. Schools should incorporate stories of legendary elders, folk wisdom, and moral lessons emphasising elder care.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reminds us of an uncomfortable truth — that despite technological and economic progress, our moral development remains incomplete if it leaves the vulnerable to suffer in silence. The tears and silent agony of countless elders will haunt the collective conscience of society unless urgent and sustained action is taken. It is a solemn duty of governments, institutions, communities, and individuals alike to ensure that old age, rather than becoming a curse, remains a phase of dignity, peace, and fulfilment.
