Elder Abuse and Neglect: A Study on Sribordi Upazila in Sherpur District

Abstract

This empirical study focuses the different types of abuse and neglect, health status and the causes and effects of elder abuse and neglect of the people aged 60 years and older in the rural Sribordi Upazila in sherpur district of Bangladesh. The present study attempts to find the abuse and neglect status, issues and intensity of older people. They are abused and neglected physically and psychologically, financially, treatment related issues and other issues based on their basic needs by family members and other care givers. Some of them have challenges of poverty and diseases of old age such as Asthma, hypertension, gastric, diabetics, arthritis, eye problem and fever or headache. Because of their frailty, they depend on their families and other caregivers for care and in the process are abused. Also in the absence of institutional care, adult children who are too busy to take care of their parents hire caregivers who also maltreat them. Unfortunately, the elderly are unable to challenge their abusers and have no way of reporting their abuse and so many suffer in silence. Abuse and neglect situation is very prominent in Bangladeshi society as most of the respondents were found to be neglected in different forms. For now, families continue to bear the burden of caring for their elderly members but this is increasingly difficult for them. The findings of the study should get due attention to provide secured later life of the elder people in Bangladesh and developing nation as well. We also recognize that persons, as they age, should enjoy a life of fulfillment, health, security and active participation in the economic, social, cultural and political life of their societies. We are determined to enhance the recognition of the dignity of older persons and to eliminate all forms of abuse and neglect towards them.