Elder Abuse And The Danger It Portends -By Ike Willie-Nwobu

As the United Nations celebrates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2023,the annual commemoration of what is such a vital day and the people that form such a vital demographic provides an opportunity for reflection and resolution.

Africa is a continent steeped in culture and tradition. Even superstition. Perhaps, it is the way Africa stubbornly clings to the past and her links to the ancient ways that feed the false narrative that Africa is a continent steeped in impenetrable darkness.

In Africa, one key institution that is still approached with much respect and even awe is the institution of the family, which is widely recognized as the cradle of life. In the image of a father, a mother and a child or children as the case may be, life takes off in Africa and had never stopped for many years. The whole talk about polygamy and extended families comes from this concept.

The African family, which comes with a history and is steeped in its culture and tradition, also provides an anchor in the society. Men, women, and their children are all protected within the institution of the family. But so are the aged. Those who have paid their dues and are approaching the end of their lives, having seen time take its toll on their minds and bodies.

For those who are elders, wisdom often comes with age and of age in their lives. But so are challenges. Having lived so many experiences, some good, and some bad, they are usually primed to make worthwhile contributions to the society. However, they are also prone to be neglected and abused.

Between 2000 and 2050,the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will double from about 11% to about 22%. The absolute number of people aged 60 years and over is expected to increase from 605 million to 2 billion over the same period.

Around 6% of older people in developed countries have experienced some form of maltreatment at home. Abusive acts in institutions include physically restraining residents, depriving them of dignity (by for instance leaving them in soiled clothes) and intentionally providing insufficient care (such as allowing them to develop pressure sores). The maltreatment of older people can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences.

In developing countries, the experiences are sobering. The number of older people who can no longer look after themselves is forecast to quadruple by 2050. Many of the elderly lose their ability to live independently because of limited mobility, frailty, or other physical or mental health problems. Many require some form of long-term care, which can include home nursing, community care and assisted living, residential care and long stays in hospitals.

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day(WEAAD) was Initiated by the International Network for the Prevention or Elder Abuse and World Health Organization at the United Nations.

The purpose of WEAAD Is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a deeper understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

In addition, WEAAD is supporting the United Nations International Plan of Action acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. WEAAD serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

The abuse elders suffer from may range from caregiver neglect, emotional/psychological abuse, financial exploitation/fraud, general abuse, neglect, and physical.

In preventing elder abuse, it is important that the fields of medicine, gerontology, health services, psychology, and policy all come together to build a strong support for elders.

In Africa, Nigeria and the world over, it is important that everyone take the issue of elder abuse seriously. If people must aspire to a ripe old age, if the world must become a better place where justice and equity guide the affairs of men, then the elderly can neither be abused nor ignored.
When the elderly are free from abuse, they can contribute their bit to building a world that is in dire need of their wisdom.

To do otherwise and fail to enshrine a culture of love and respect for the elderly would be to risk a demographic disaster that would have far-reaching consequences.
No country in the world can afford it. Certainly, not Nigeria.

Ike Willie-Nwobu,

Abuja