City to mark ”Elder Abuse Awareness Day” today, June 24

City to mark ”Elder Abuse Awareness Day” today, June 24

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 24, 2016:  In a media release, Vishwas Trust for the Elderly has informed that in collaboration with Mangalore Lion’s Club,  supported by  Ashraya. a KMC Senior Citizen Association and Age Mangalore is set to have  a presentation ”Elder Abuse Awareness Day” declared by the United Nations. To be held today Friday June 24th 2016 at 5 pm at the Lions Seva Mandir, Mallikata (adjoining Kadri Market) Mangalore.  Ln. A. Suresh Shetty will facilitate the meeting.

Every day, the helpline at Pandeshwar police station manned by Vishwas Trust,  an organisation caring for disadvantaged senior citizens, receives between 10 -15 calls. Of these, at least 10 calls seek help from the organisation, according to the co-ordinators. This is despite the fact that Mangaluru has many organisations to care for the aged.

There are instances where there is nobody to take an elderly person to a hospital or for any essential work or even get food.  “Loneliness affects them all,” says Sr. Olinda, a 90 year old pioneer in relief to the elderly in the city.

Physical and emotional problems are interlinked,  Seniors are not mentally healthy, they get physically affected. And an illness can lead to depression.

Children moving away from home and the resulting loneliness, retirement leading to financial problems, health ailments, feeling unloved and unwanted at home and bereavement are issues that need to be addressed through more awareness, instilling of values in school children and attempts to bridge generation gaps, say experts.

The younger generation is always blamed, when it comes to not being sensitive to the needs of senior citizens, but the elderly too, can make an effort. They should stay involved with the family and help out in the household too.

Even in schools,  children must be taught about the needs of the elderly. The younger generation should utilise the rich experience of the older members of the family and make an effort to spend time with them. For this, awareness needs to be created in the community.  Most of all, everyone should realise that senior citizens have the right to being respected and lead their lives with dignity.