Policies and Programmes to Prevent Abuse Against Elderly in India

The global increase in longevity and in the proportion of old age in the Populations created new needs and challenges on the personal, familial and societal levels. The Indian traditional family elderly are still respected lot. But due to technical advances, changing value system and emotional and economic dependency on the family members’ elderly are experiencing physical violence, verbal abuse, neglect, disrespect and abandonment. This present study focuses on the policies and programmes to prevent elderly abuse in the socio-cultural context of India. So far the elderly abuse was not regarded as the violence generally it is acknowledges as Maltreatment, disrespect or Neglect and sometimes it is justified by the younger generation.

The Main Objectives of the study are:-to identify the causes and consequences for elderly abuse in the socio-cultural context of India, to examine the policies and programmes and legal interventions in preventing elderly abuse. This empirical study is conducted in Shivamogga city, of Karnataka State, India. 150 respondents in the age group 60-70 were selected on random basis and data were collected interview. It is noted that, the increased dependency of an older person causes stress for the family member’s results in abuse and ill treatment. Due to marginalization they will suffer from loss of self-identity and remain susceptible to discrimination and abuse. Though Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 is enacted under the constitution and The National Policy of Senior Citizens 2011 is implemented to provide provisions for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens, many are not aware of the law. Elderly are reluctant – or unable – to place charges against family members. As long as elder abuse is viewed as a caregiver issue, legal actions and policies are not likely to be effective measures.