A survey was recently conducted by Help Age India, about physical abuse of senior citizens in India. In this survey Hyderabad got second rank in ill treating senior citizens. The survey stated that 21.7 percent of senior citizens in Hyderabad face abuse at least once in their life time.
The survey was conducted in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Bhopal, Patna, Kolkata and Hyderabad. 1000 senior citizens who have age over 60 years participated in the poll, in that 102 members participated from Hyderabad alone.
One fifth of the senior citizens in city were unaware of constituted abuse and other respondents noted disrespect from children, they faced different forms of abuse like lack of financial support, neglect and physical beating, according to the report.
Children keeping away their parents from basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter fall under emotional abuse, these cases were highest in Hyderabad when compared to other cities. The report found that 33 percent of the elderly gave the police complaints about abuse but there was no use.
Senior citizens are not able to get help at the right time because of lack of awareness regarding NGOs and other senior citizens welfare associations services.
Only 22 percent of the people were aware of Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The survey found that this type of awareness is low at Hyderabad. More than 100 old age homes and 129 senior citizens welfare associations are there present in Hyderabad, but they are not able to use these services because of lack of awareness and the social pressure of living with family.
Source: The Times of India