- The UN establishes that a person becomes an “older adult” when they turn 60 years old.
- The number of older people worldwide is projected to double to 1.5 billion by 2050.
- Every June 15 marks the World Day of Awareness of Abuse and Mistreatment in the Elderly.
The main wish that all people have is to reach old age in the best shape, both physically and emotionally. It is a stage of life that should be enjoyed because it is when everything harvested for decades is harvested. The problem is that many do not get it because of their own relatives. The reason is because there are millions of older adults suffering from abuse And what should be a dream turns into a nightmare.
A date to raise awareness
With this in mind, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly designated the June 15 as the World Day of Awareness of Abuse and Mistreatment in the Elderly. The objective is to express the disagreement about the abuses to which many older adults are subjected by family members, friends, caregivers, acquaintances and even by the general population.
According to the UN itself, an individual is considered elderly when they reach the age of 60. Statistics show that, over the next three decades, The number of older people worldwide is projected to double, reaching more than 1.5 billion by 2050.
This is largely due to the implementation of public health programs, mainly in first world and developing countries, as well as the socioeconomic progress of recent decades. This is considered a great social success, however, at the same time a great challenge because the challenges in terms of Human rights for old age they will require more attention.
Within the framework of the World Day of Awareness of Abuse and Mistreatment in Old Age, we urge to promote a culture of respect for the elderly so that they are guaranteed comprehensive care and their rights are protected. pic.twitter.com/ViV6yUAkDb
— UN Women (@ONUMujeres) June 15, 2022
Elder abuse in developed and developing countries has a prevalence rate or estimates that range between 1% and 10%. However, the magnitude is unknown because, for the most part, aggressions due to discrimination and abandonment are not reported to the authorities. For this reason, a global response to the problem is sought, focusing on the protection and rights of older persons.
For her part, Dr. Mafer Arboleda points out that the Types of abuse that older adults suffer more frequently are:
- Physical abuse: this corresponds to the use of physical force that can result in bodily harm, pain or physical deterioration. Some examples are hitting, pushing, kicking, burning, physical punishment, whipping, pinching, excessive use of drugs, ties, forced eating, slapping, hair pulling. etc.
- Sexual abuse: any type of forced, unaccepted, or consensual sexual contact. For example, rape, rubbing, forced nudity, etc.
- Abandonment: abandonment by the person in charge of their custody or people in charge of their emotional, physical, psychological and health responsibilities. It includes abandonment in hospitals, residences and clinics, as well as in shopping centers, premises and on public roads.
- Economic abuse: corresponds to the illegal or improper use of economic funds, goods, properties and/or possessions of the elderly person.
- Neglect: conduct that threatens the health or personal safety of the older person through restrictions, absences, or deficiencies in the provision of food, drink, clothing, hygiene, grooming, shelter, medication, or security.
- Psychological abuse: use of threats, insults, contempt, disqualification or dominance and discriminatory behaviors.
Abandonment and any type of abuse brings serious physical, mental, financial and social consequences; generating, among others, bodily injury, premature mortality, depression, cognitive impairment and financial commitment.