4. INTRODUCTION
u Ageing is the process of becoming older. The term refers especially to humans.
It is a particular length or stage of life. Today, people are living longer than ever
before due to advances in education, technology, medicine, food distribution,
and sanitary conditions. So, nowadays, it is not unusual to meet people who
are in their 70s, 80s, 90s, and some who are close to 100 years old. Aging is a
lifelong process of growing up and growing old. It begins at conception and
ends with death. So, in this sense, we are all aging from the time of birth. In our
younger years, aging is called by other names. For example, in our infant
years, we call aging “growth and development.” In our teenage and young
adult years, we refer to aging as “maturation.” After age 30, our physical body
begins to wear out and our functioning declines. This is called “senescence.”
5. FACTS
u The world population is rapidly aging. Between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the
world's population over 60 years will double from about 11% to 22%. The absolute
number of people aged 60 years and over is expected to increase from 605 million to
2 billion over the same period.
u The need for long-term care is rising. The number of older people who are no longer
able to look after themselves in developing countries is forecast to four-fold by 2050.
u More children will know their grandparents and even their great-grandparents,
especially their great-grandmothers. On average, women live six to eight years longer
than men.
u As people live longer, worldwide, there will be a dramatic increase in the number of
people with forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease.
u Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years will
nearly double from 12% to 22%.
u In 2050, 80% of older people will be living in low- and middle-income countries.
6. DEFINITION
u Aging may be defined in two ways that could be considered equivalent :
u The first describes the phenomenon as an age-related decline of biological
functions, e.g., “progressive loss of function accompanied by decreasing fertility
and increasing mortality with advancing age” (Kirkwood and Austad 2000); “a
persistent decline in the age-specific fitness components of an organism due to
internal physiological deterioration” (Rose 1991); and “any time-dependent
change which occurs after maturity of size, form, function is reached and which
is distinct from daily, seasonal and other biological rhythms” (Rockstein et al.
1977).
u The second way describes the phenomenon as an age-related increase in
mortality, i.e., “increasing mortality with increasing chronological age in
populations in the wild” (Libertini 1988,) or “actuarial senescence” (Holmes and
Austad 1995,), or “age-dependent increase in the risk of death”.
7. TYPES
u Chronological Aging : Chronological Aging is the number of years a person has lived so far.
An 85-year-old lady is chronologically older than a man who is 75 years old. However,
chronological age may not match a person’s biological, psychological, or social age.
u Biological Aging : Biological Aging involves the loss of cells over time. With biological aging,
tissues and organs are less likely to function efficiently, the body’s ability to repair itself slows
down, and the immune functions decline, making the body more prone to infection.
u Psychological Aging : Psychological Aging involves changes in memory, learning,
intelligence, personality, and coping.
u Social Aging : Social Aging refers to changes in roles and relationships as we age. For
example, it is not unusual for older people to gain new roles, like becoming grandparents. Or
they may change roles, from an employee to a retiree.
u Functional Aging : It is related to how people compare psychologically to others to similar
age.
8. CAUSES
u Collagen breakdown : Represents 75% of the skin’s dry weight. The quantity and the
quality play a major role in the skin’s appearance.
u Oxidation : This process starts with free radicals which are highly reactive small
molecules that can damage virtually any molecule in the body, including the
important cellular structures found in the body’s largest organ – the skin.
u Inflammation : This is the skin’s first line of defense against foreign invaders such as
bacteria and viruses.
u Glycation : Sad to say sugar does make you age faster. Glycation occurs when
excess bodily glucose molecules link to the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers.
There might not be any adaptive reason for an individual to age.
9. EFFECTS
u Aging bones, muscles and joints.
u The Emotional Side of Ageing.
u Depression.
u Physical problems with heart, digestive system, kidney and urinary
tract, brain and nervous system, eyes, ears, hair, skin, nails.
u Weight.
11. SCHEMES
u Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Scheme
u Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
u National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE)
u Senior Citizens' Welfare Fund
u Varishta Mediclaim Policy
12. Initiatives of NGO
u Manavlok
u HelpAge India
u Abhay Mission
u Shraddhanand Mahilashram
u Asha Kiran
13. SUGGESTIONS
u Visit often.
u Check their medications.
u Make modifications in their home.
u Take care of the important paperwork.
u Keep them active.
u Supply healthy meals.
14. Role of a Social Worker
u Making the aged understand the problems of the younger generation and adapt to
the changes taking place in the society by peer counseling.
u Running an awareness campaign for the aged regarding balanced, nutritious,
regular, timely digestible diet/food.
u Creating awareness about suitable eating habits and the importance of inculcating
healthy food habits in the young age itself to dismantle the ill health impact in
subsequent stages of life.
u Sensitizing younger generations about their responsibilities towards the elderly
through the mass media, street plays, school education, and so on.
u Starting a strong nationwide School Education Programme that focuses on bringing
children closer to the aged, and coordinate schools children visits to old age homes
to bridge up generational gap.
16. INTRODUCTION
u Abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a
caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a
vulnerable adult. Elder abuse can take various forms such as financial,
physical, psychological and sexual. It can also be the result of intentional or
unintentional neglect. Many victims are people who are older, frail, and
vulnerable and cannot help themselves and depend on others to meet their
most basic needs. Abusers of older adults are both women and men, and
may be family members, friends, or "trusted others." Elder abuse is an
intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an
older adult. An older adult is someone age 60 or older. The abuse often
occurs at the hands of a caregiver or a person the elder trusts.
17. FACTS
u Around 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in
community settings during the past years.
u Rates of elder abuse are high in institutions such as nursing homes and long-
term care facilities, with 2 in 3 staff reporting that they have committed abuse in
the past year.
u Elder abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological
consequences.
u Elder abuse is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing
rapidly ageing populations.
u The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than
double, from 900 million in 2015 to about 2 billion in 2050.
18. DEFINITION
u Elder abuse (also called "elder mistreatment", "senior abuse", "abuse in later life",
"abuse of older adults", "abuse of older women", and "abuse of older men") is "a
single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any
relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress
to an older person.“ This definition has been adopted by of the World Health
Organization (WHO).
u The NYC Elder Abuse Centre defines elder abuse as a single or repeated act, or
lack of appropriate actions, which causes harm, risk of harm, or distress to an
individual 60 years or older and occurs: within any relationship where there is an
expectation of trust; within an intimate partner or familial relationship; when the
targeted act is directed towards an elder person by virtue of age or disabilities.
19. TYPES
u Physical Abuse
u Sexual Abuse
u Emotional or Psychological Abuse
u Neglect
u Abandonment
u Financial or Material Exploitation
u Self-neglect
20. CAUSES
u Understaffing as a Cause of Elder Abuse
u Neglect Due to Understaffing
u Abuse Due to Understaffing
u Personal Issues Among Caregivers
u Cultural and Familial Differences
22. APPROACHES
u Self-help groups
u Safe-houses and emergency shelters
u Psychological programmes for abusers
u Helplines to provide information and referrals
u Caregiver support interventions
23. LEGAL PROVISIONS
u Maintenance of Parents Act (2007)
u Parents and Senior Citizens Act (2007)
u Parents and Senior Citizens Amendment Bill (2019)
u Article 41
u Article 46
25. SUGGESTIONS
u The problem is that most of the times many senior citizens do not report any abuse,
due to fear of their family’s reputation, as well as fear of their financial dependency
on their children or relatives. Hence there is a need to create community
sensitization programmes regarding such issues. Another viable solution is of
community policing, that can decrease the dread of wrongdoing of the older in
three different ways. The police should bring out neighbourhood programs crafted
by the city police. Police watch ought to be increased in wrongdoing inclined
regions. The police, with the assistance of the volunteer segment, ought to
recognize regions and settlements where the retirement of more aged individuals is
higher and they live alone or with a life partner. Ordinary checks ought to be
sorted out in business sectors, open parks and neighbourhoods of these states.
Older individuals should be educated about potential dangers so they can make
preventive move. The police should set up a more established phone line where
senior citizens can record their issues.
26. Role of a Social Worker
u Listen to older adults and their caregivers to understand their challenges and
provide support.
u Report abuse or suspected abuse to local adult protective services or the police.
u Educate oneself and others about how to recognize and report elder abuse.
u Check-in often on older adults who may have few friends and family members.
u Provide over-burdened caregivers with support such as help from friends, family,
or local relief care groups; adult day care programs; counseling; outlets intended
to promote emotional well-being.
u Encourage and assist persons (either caregivers or older adults) having problems
with drug or alcohol abuse in getting help.
27. Statistics
u An estimated 5 million seniors suffer from abuse each year.
u Two out of 3 elder abuse victims are women.
u According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, elder abuse complaints
include the following percentages:
u 27.4% – Physical abuse
u 22.1% – Resident-on-resident abuse (physical or sexual)
u 19.4% – Psychological abuse
u 15.3% – Gross neglect
u 7.9% – Sexual abuse
u 7.9% – Financial exploitation
28. Statistics Cont.
u According to a 2017 study, 15.7% of people over age 60 experienced some type of
abuse, but it is likely underestimated since only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse is
reported.
u Family members are responsible for 60% of elder abuse and neglect incidents. Adult
children and spouses account for ⅔ of perpetrators.
u About 2 in 3 staff in nursing homes or long-term care facilities report they have
committed abuse in the past year.
u According to the National Centre for Victims of Crime, 60% of self-reported elder
abuses are verbal, 14% are neglect, and 5-10% are physical.
u About 5.2% of older adults report financial exploitation from a family member.
u A 2009 study found that close to 50% of people with dementia experience some kind
of abuse.
29. HelpAge India
HelpAge India is a leading charity in India working with and for disadvantaged elderly
for nearly 4 decades. It was set up in 1978 and is registered under the Societies’
Registration Act of 1860. There are an estimated 106 million elderly in India. HelpAge
advocates for their needs such as for Universal Pension, quality healthcare, action
against Elder Abuse and many more at a national, state and societal level with Central
and State governments. HelpAge’s focus over the years has moved from Welfare to
Development. It provides elderly relief through various agecare interventions such as –
it runs one of the largest mobile healthcare programs through its Mobile Healthcare
Units spanning the country providing free healthcare services to destitute elders, it
helps elders earn their livelihood through the formation of Elder-Self-Help Groups
making self-reliant, it conducts cataract surgeries to restore their sight, looks after their
basic needs though its Support-a-Gran program, runs Elder Helplines across the
country, provides relief & rehabilitation for elders post disasters and provides active-
ageing opportunities.
30. REFERENCES
u https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/elderabuse/fastfact.html
u https://www.onlinemswprograms.com/careers/geriatric-social-work-elderly/
u https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2020/jun/22/the-silent-evil-of-
elder-abuse-in-india-2159626.html
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u https://www.giveindia.org/blog/top-5-ngos-helping-senior-citizens-in-india/
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