Dear Dr. Sonwane,

In the Philippines, we have laws that are enacted to protect the rights of the senior citizens. Please check out these links:

   http://ncmb.dswd.gov.ph/phocadownload/Laws/ra%207432.pdf 

   http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_9994_2010.html

Hoping these will help you in your current work. thanks!

Nap

dear dr.sonwane

In South Africa, we have the Older Persons Act which is a document that affords guidelines in terms of How our elders can Be protected. Just as a matter of interest also, the rights of the mentally ill are also catered for by the establishment of mental health review boards.these are quite recently established a few years ago...this board runs independent from institutions and also has community representation.

Despite many policies and guidelines, older population faces many problems such as difficulty accessing the health care, financial problems and in some cases abuse and violence. In my opinion proper education is very important. Its vital that elderly population are told about their own rights and there must be strict policy guidelines on how to enable older population to safe guard their rights.

The elderly are humans just like we are, so the issue of protecting fundamental human rights applies to the elderly as well.

Key issues here are:

(1) Elderly

(2) Human Rights

(3) Ethics

(4) Professionalism

Although, concerned here are the elderly, but I would want to say, before I go on, that the elderly are no other than just like "us" and that mostly need our tender and passionate attention, care, security and love.

If we take a look at human rights, we will find out that there are different cadre of rights, of which it is absolutely not explicitly stated "elderly human rights". Therefore, the fundamental human rights covers the elderly, irrespective of health or situational condition.

Ethic plays a very great role when dealing with issues of very eccentric nature, like deep belief, faith, belief, culture, tradition, religion, sexes(sexual orientations) and many more. So, it is a vital ingredient that molds how one behaves or treat others, other than her/himself. Therefore, those that engaged in the care, treatment and support of the elderly should bear in mind, professional ethics and practice. And if otherwise, one should and must also bear in mind that what you send out comes back to you sooner than you expect it.

Moreover, we have to keenly look at and understand abuse in communal settings, intervention in the affected community as well as professional and legal issues. 

Some ill-behaviour could be tantamount to been burned out. A form of non-verbal way of communicating "I need help, I am burned out"

Every profession has its laid down rules and regulations. So long as a professional attains a holistic training and practices according to these laid down rules, there should very little or no rooms for malpractices, maltreatment, abuse of rights and professional sin or crime.

@Tazeen:

"Despite many policies and guidelines, older population faces many problems such as difficulty accessing the health care, financial problems and in some cases abuse and violence. In my opinion proper education is very important. Its vital that elderly population are told about their own rights and there must be strict policy guidelines on how to enable older population to safe guard their rights".

Well done! But Like I have stated in my contribution, it depends on the training, belief and person, else, we will blame elderly insecurity and maltreatment on strategic policy corruption and professional ill. What I can only call strategic and methodical maladjustment in the health care system.

@Napoleon:

" http://ncmb.dswd.gov.ph/phocadownload/Laws/ra%207432.pdf " and "  http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_9994_2010.html "

Yes, thanks!

Think about joining your national gerontology or geriatrics organization. Think about joining INPEA  the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse (www.inpea.net ).  Elder abuse and neglect are global problems.  One person alone cannot effect change at the community or societal level.  There is power in numbers however in terms of raising awareness of the evils of elder abuse and neglect  and engaging citizens and policy makers and opinion leaders to take action to prevent and mitigate the various types -- financial, sexual, psychological, physical abuse and active or passive neglect -- each of which has somewhat different risk factors or combinations or weightings of risk factors.   What @Tanzeen is talking about is systemic abuse. which is another form where older persons are denied access to goods and services and discriminated against -  Its base is in ageism.

I have seen around in India and even in Canada how elderly people are treated badly by their own family members who are interested to get 'will' for property, How family members (brothers and sisters) fighting over not to spend money (Elder's) on their own care since they may not leave much for youngers. Youngers get 'power of attorney' status and than misuse them, sqeeze as much as money from them and leave them to die early due to lack of care they arrange for them. This is happening everywhere. Almost becoming a universal truth which is highly ignored by Governments and very busy society. Elderly are abused by some caretakers also. Elderly people are more vulnerable for robberies in their homes or on the way. SOme thieves only target elderly's homes. There is great need- how we treat our children, we must treat our elders. They are like children- helpless and dependent upon others. After all if we don't we will be next in the row to be mistreated. Law must protect them, this should be number 1 priority. Education to society should be equal priority.

@Subhash: "After all if we don't we will be next in the row to be mistreated. Law must protect them, this should be number 1 priority. Education to society should be equal priority".

The whole content of your contribution is pure truism in the light of this darkened and not-want-to-treat topic.Thank you for your entry, it will immensely orient us to want to rethink.

In fact, someone very close to me, works with elderly. And the person has been telling me all along minute details of family member's behaviour towards elderly how they abuse their elders (right in Canada), not only for financial reason, abuse is emotional in many cases, e.g., children not calling their elders in nursing homes, never visiting them, throw them in nursing homes without their permission, and sell their homes and property, never take them to place even one time elders have visited everyday of their whole life. This is very unseen and ignored problem. Even law can not protect this kind of emotional abuse. Elders are dying for their children's one visit or call, but they will appear only once they hear that their elders are at terminal stage. In place like India (including many countries like India) this abusive package comes with verbal abuse also where society is lawless in this regard. Exceptions are there, but in general, problem is huge, And we must be very strong to face this when we become old, we must and must behave if we want the same.

We must advocate for a change, no matter how small it may be, and no matter where we may be. For if everyone does her/his part every little space and every little chance, it will go a long way to effecting that change we so dream to enjoy when we get old.

What we give comes back, soon to us...

Interesting discussion, thank you for calling the topic of old age.

Reading your posts I see that the problem of aid and support for older people is very similar throughout the world, furthermore, I share the views expressed in the discussion. I would add only 2 threads

1. Statutes and statutory law does not guarantee correct never conduct modern society devote more attention to the complacency and help such as animals (which I support), but forget about these most vulnerable that is old and disabled people.

2. Educating young people is an important element, but each of us working with the elderly must be able to give "heart", because they have come to expect and this is not just a financial settlement. Therefore, patience, understanding, openness, warmth of the basic features.

Let us not forget that there is a need for a fair assessment of the situation and translation of bad manners behavior of older people in relation to the environment, should also take place. However, gently and sensitively.

To add to your colletion ( I am not saying, I am afraid, to examples of successful intiatives) you might be interested to know that the Constitution of Kenya 2010 haas the following provision: Article 57 57. The State shall take measures to ensure the rights of older persons––

(a) to fully participate in the affairs of society;

(b) to pursue their personal development;

(c) to live in dignity and respect and be free from abuse; and

(d) to receive reasonable care and assistance from their family and the State.

This is a major issue in many countries. My doctoral work is focused on elder abuse. Grossly under identified, not acknolweded due to complexities of differential diagnosis and social dynmaics.

I think aan empowering of the elderly is important, however, the fear factor of allination and fear of nursing home placement if full disclosure of issues is made are two colliding factors.

You may want to reach out to University of California Center for Elder Abuse and Rights. Dr Mosqueda has done alot of work in the area.

Also, the US Department of Justice, Office of Victim of Crime also has resources, white papers and other applicable information.

When a topic has no meaning or importance to most of society, even in the existence of laws and regulations that protect the elderly's actions do not become concrete.

I think that stimulate the subject of aging and violence against the elderly on the agenda, whether in the media, including representatives of the legislature is an important strategy.

In Brazil this topic is a major challenge.

Luis, stated very well. In the US, the literature and social attention to the issue of elder care and abuse, is not of high interest.

Your recommendations on increasing the visibility and awareness of the issue is so very true.

I think that it may pose an interesting approach to many countries, if we created a collaboration on education and literature that identifes how this violence occurs, why it happens, who is at risk and what can be done about it. The interventions are inter-professional (medicine, nursing, social services, law enforcement, regulatory and legal to name a few). 

All of our countries have this growth spurt happening with the 65 years and older population. As one of the authors (Chism)  in elder abuse has stated, "the face of aging will forever be changed" ... I believe that the time is here for us to do this important work.

In India, the Government has enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. Its implementation is always debated. Yet, studies in the country clearly point out that the family members are the major major perpetrators. Before, we talk about the society, its important that families are made to realise that they cannot abuse their parents, grandparents or elderly relatives. If each of us resolve never to abuse elderly at home, we will make a big impact. There are many studies done on this subject, particularly one by the UNFPA India. It is very useful to read where it is reproted - Maharashtra has reported maximum abuse by the family members. 

It is very interesting discussion  for me too. I'm working on a doctoral dissertation on the topic of Protection of human rights and quality of life of elderly people through the institution of advocacy. Slovenia does not have the institute of advocacy for elderly people, and I think that his acquisition coud be a major step forward for the elderly.