Date:23/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/23/stories/2008092357810200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Bridging the gap between the young and the old

Aletta André

— Photo: M.VEDHAN

HAND-IN-HAND: Students accompany an elderly lady at the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’ held at Stella Maris College recently.

CHENNAI: The young and the old gathered on the occasion of ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’ at Stella Maris College recently. Organised by the college’s Department of Social Work in association with the Senior Citizens Bureau, Chennai, the event welcomed senior citizens and students to enjoy a street theatre competition with themes relating to generation gaps, modern life and family.

“For the past 10 years, mistreatment of the elders has gradually been creeping in our society,” geriatric physician and Chairman of the Senior Citizens Bureau V.S.Natarajan said.

He recalled several cases of physical, psychological and financial abuse he had come across in his practice over the past years. In one case, Dr. Natarajan saw a son beating his father during a routine check-up, which the son had requested to find out how much longer the old man could live. In another case, a maid started to steal money from an elderly couple when they became immobile, while their two children lived abroad. According to Dr. Natarajan, more young people migrated abroad for job opportunities, and breaking down the joint family. This makes elderly people more vulnerable, while at the same time their longevity of life is increasing. “Young people feel the elder in their family as a burden and respect them less,” Dr. Natarajan said.

V. K. Subburai, Health Secretary, pointed out that elder abuse is not always physical, but that it can also mean the neglecting of the elder. “With more children wanting to be independent or study abroad, the elder become isolated,” he said.