Elderly in Ahmedabad not so neglected, study finds

Yogini Bhatt, 62, is a widow living in Una, Gujarat. Ill-treated by her in-laws physically and mentally as they wanted to get hold of her property, she filed a case at the local police station and local court.

Even after this she was harassed and once even beaten up in the market. On October 13, 2010 she called up HelpAge India. The organisation intervened by asking the police to grant her protection. Her case was taken up by the women's security cell and department of social welfare and today Bhatt leads a hassle free life.  

Are you aware that one-fifth (22%) of the elderly people of our country have experienced some type of abuse with the highest reported figures coming from Bangalore (44%), followed by Hyderabad (38%)? But Amdavadis have reason to cheer as physical abuse of elders is lowest in the city. 

These are some of the interesting findings of a recent survey conducted by HelpAge India on 'Elderly Abuse and Crime-2011' in nine cities.  It was observed that on a national level, abuse of elders is highest among the 70-plus and it's mostly women who face abuse due to dependence on sons.

The survey found that 19% of India's elderly feel neglected. The reasons are that family members are busy in their own lives/work and don't really interact with them. But, while 46% of the elderly feel neglected in Bangalore, the lowest figure is in Ahmedabad (1%).

This positive situation in Ahmedabad is despite the fact that 86% of the elderly in Ahmedabad, the highest figure, are financially dependent on others. Only 4% of elders in the city own property.

The average household income of the elderly is also lowest in Ahmedabad (Rs 3,887).  Another interesting fact is that the percentage of elderly currently married is lowest in Ahmedabad (41%) and 57% of elderly in the city are either widows/widowers, the highest figure in survey.

Around half (51%) of the elderly in the survey felt that there has been an increase in the incidents of abuse of elders in the last three years. Three-fifth of the elderly reported change in cultural values (57%) and lack of economic resources among elderly (56%) as reasons for the increase. More than half (52%) of the elderly feel the trend of 'nuclear family' is another reason for increase in cases of elder abuse.

Verbal abuse, including speaking in loud voice, using foul language, name-calling, accusing and blaming topped (88.6%) the kind of abuse faced by the elderly. According to the survey, nationally the daughter-in-law emerged as the major abuser (63.4%) followed by the son (44%).

Most (98%) of the elderly abused did not register a complaint. They preferred not to do so as the abusers were household members and they felt ashamed to make the matter public.

Another reason was that they felt it would lead to further abuse.