World Elder Abuse Awareness Day today: Lonely in their twilight years

Amit Sharma

Chandigarh, June 14

Elderly people living in Chandigarh are dealing with loneliness and isolation, reveals a study conducted by HelpAge India, which was released today to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which falls tomorrow.

Among the 200 elderly people part of the study in the city, 95 per cent were between 60 and 69 years of age, 4.5 per cent in the 70 and 79 age group and the remaining 0.5 per cent between 80 and 89. While 53.5 per cent respondents were male, the remaining 46.5 per cent were female.

The study reveals that even though 90 per cent of respondents are living with their families, nearly 71 per cent of them want the family members to spend more time with them as they feel lonely despite staying with them. The report also reveals that 62 per cent of the elderly miss staying with their other children with whom they do not stay.

Nearly 17 per cent respondents have expressed the desire to play indoor games with the family members to stay happy. The report further states that Chandigarh has the lowest percentage of elderly people who experienced abuse and reported it.

Only 2.5 per cent senior citizens complained of abuse, which includes disrespect, physical and verbal abuse, economic exploitation, unwelcome or forcible sexual contact and neglect.

As many as 40 per cent of the respondents had to face disrespect, the same number had to go through economic exploitation while 20 per cent faced neglect. However, 84 per cent of the elders agreed that abuse of the elderly was prevalent in society. The study further reveals that 15.5 per cent respondents are not aware of any redressal mechanism. Meanwhile, Dehradun has the highest elderly abuse percentage at 23 followed by Patna at 19.5.

A total of 4,399 elderly people and 2,200 caregivers were part of the study conducted in 22 cities, including Chandigarh. Chandigarh has the highest percentage of elderly using smartphones in comparison to other cities. Here 69 per cent respondents have a smartphone followed by Gandhinagar that has 58 per cent elderly using a smartphone.

As per the report, 65 per cent of the respondents have a smartphone, while 4 per cent use a smartphone of their family members. About 59 per cent use it to access social media, 30 per cent for browsing news and 32 per cent for the camera. Meanwhile, 31 per cent respondents use a normal phone.

Only 2.5% reported abuse

• Only 2.5 per cent respondents experienced abuse & reported it, the lowest among 22 cities
• The city has lowest percentage of elderly who experienced abuse. Only 2.5 per cent complained of abuse, including disrespect, physical & verbal, economic exploitation, unwelcome or forcible sexual contact and neglect

69% use a smartphone

• The city has the highest percentage among 22 cities on various parameters
• At 69 per cent, the city has the highest percentage of elderly using a smartphone followed by Gandhinagar that has 58 per cent elderly using a smartphone
• As many as 91 per cent elderly in Chandigarh reported that they had adequate income followed by Gandhinagar with 82.5 per cent

71% elderly staying with families in city feel alone: HelpAge India report

Those part of the study

• 4,399 elderly
• 2,200 caregivers
• 22 cities where study was conducted
• Sample size of each city: 200 elderly, 100 caregivers