Neglect of older persons a form of abuse

OPINION

In its resolution 66/127, the United Nations General Assembly designated today ( June 15) as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This is one day in the year when the world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted on older persons. Elder abuse can be explained as a repeated act or the lack of appropriate action that causes harm or distress to an older person. 

Elder abuse includes, among other things; cruel and dehumanising language referring to older persons, derogatory comments in the media or anywhere against the dignity of older persons, verbal and nonverbal abuse, discrimination also referred to as ‘ageism' as well as policies based on ageist attitudes. Needless to mention is the shameless and disgusting acts where children have been seen beating their elderly parents, young men raping the elderly, and land evictions that have affected a big number of older persons in our country with reckless abandon.  

You do not need to verbally abuse an older person for you to qualify as an abuser of older persons. Things like denying them freedom of expression are equally bad. Have you ever taken your mother to the doctor, only to have him/her speak about her directly to you, as if she wasn't even there? 

Studies have revealed that approximately seven in 10 older persons in Uganda are lonely, and this loneliness is associated with stress and depression which greatly affects their quality of life.  Elderly people residing in urban areas are more likely to be lonely than their counterparts staying in the rural areas. This is attributed to the gradual weakening of extended family ties as a source of old-age human support

Therefore, taking care of the elderly is our key responsibility and we must be faithful to this generational contract. What makes neglect the worst form of abuse is the fact that it does not occur in the open, but often hidden and invisible to society.

We can pick a leaf from other communities and countries around the globe; Japan has a national holiday (third Monday of every September) called respect for the aged day, designated to honour and show appreciation for the elderly. "Honour your mother and father" is now a law in China; and in Singapore, adult children who do not give their parents an allowance can face up to six months in jail! 

I appeal to the Government to ensure elderly people are accorded the respect and privileges they deserve. Let us all rise up to defend the rights of older persons in Uganda.

Wishing you a happy World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020!

"A society will be judged by how it treats its weakest members." — Harry S. Truman

The writer is a PhD student and a researcher on aging and disability at Makerere University