The report found that 73 per cent of the respondents reportedly said that cases of abuse against them increased during and after the lockdown period, and among them 61 per cent claimed that interpersonal relationships was the main factor responsible for fast increasing incidences of elder abuse in families. During the survey, it was found that 65 per cent elderly respondents were facing neglect in their life while approximately 58 per cent of the respondents said they are suffering abuse in their families and society. The report also found that approximately every third elderly (35.1 per cent) claimed that older people face domestic violence (physical or verbal) in old age.

 

Himanshu Rath, Chairman, Agewell Foundation said, though the COVID-19 situation and related lockdown rules and restrictions have affected almost every human being, older persons are the most vulnerable so far as the coronavirus threat and its impact is concerned. “There is an urgent need to sensitise the entire community about the growing incidences of elder abuse. Older persons also need to be educated about support systems, legal provisions and non-formal support network, accessible and available to them,” he said.ased during lockdown’