Over half of all the people on earth
live in Asia. While some growing countries like the Philippines have a
median age of 25, the overall population of Asia
is getting older. In Southeast Asia the proportion of people aged 60 or above is expected to reach
20.3 per cent by 2050.
The Singapore government has been concerned about their ageing population
since the 1980s. In 2022, nearly one in five, or 18.4 per cent, of the nations' citizens were already
over 65 years old.
This demographic shift, sometimes called the "
Silver Tsunami" or "Silver Wave" has drawn attention to many issues faced by older adults. Physical and mental health challenges become a concern. Financial challenges, including unemployment and inadequate pensions, also pose significant threats to
many senior citizens. And unfortunately many older people suffer abuse, either through intentional acts or failure to act.
This has become such an issue that in 2011, the United Nations designated
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed every 15 June, that attempts to draw attention to the many ways the elderly may be harmed.
Elder Abuse: A Global Concern
The
World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that one in six people over the age of 60 experience some form of abuse in 2022. Shockingly, the prevalence of abuse in long-term care facilities like nursing homes is even higher, where two out of three staff members admit to abusing residents or patients.
Elder abuse takes
many forms. Physical abuse or violence that causes bodily injury, pain, or impairment may seem the most obvious. There is also emotional abuse such as verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, and isolation which can harm their emotional well-being. Some older persons are vulnerable to financial abuse when others take advantage of their financial resources without permission. Neglect is another risk, when the failure to fulfil caregiving obligations leads to injury or distress. And non-consensual sexual contact or coercion imposed on the elderly person amounts to sexual abuse.
#ProtectOurElders
The years of the COVID-19 pandemic which began in 2020 saw an alarming increase in the rates of elderly abuse, exacerbated by the isolation and stresses of lockdowns. This period also witnessed "a disconcerting onslaught of racism and xenophobia". That's according to a
study, #ProtectOurElders: Analysis of Tweets About Older Asian Americans and Anti-Asian Sentiments During the COVID-19 Pandemic, co-authored by Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP)
Assistant Professor Reuben Ng and Dr Nicole Indran.
The study outlines how this increase in racial and ethnic discrimination translated to a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States, and 7.3 per cent of victims were over 60. While this may not seem like a large figure, Prof Ng and his co-author counter that underreporting in the Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community is "fairly common". Not only that, "older adults reported being physically assaulted and having to deal with civil rights violations more than the general AAPI community."
Yet, a silver lining emerged from this dark situation. The wave of assaults on older Asian Americans during the crisis spurred society to support them in various ways. Some members of the community distributed safety whistles and meal vouchers to the elders. While on X, formerly known as Twitter, netizens rallied around the hashtag #ProtectOurElders.
The online activity helped raise awareness which led to community support initiatives like daily walking patrols and even
self defence classes.
The study also examined the types of discourse that emerged regarding older adults in the Asian American community and the need to support them.
Four themes emerged from the tweets:
- Older Asian Americans were seen as "vulnerable and in need of protection".
- They were characterised as "heroic and resilient".
- They were portrayed as "immigrants who made sacrifices".
- They were extolled as "worthy of honour".
Ultimately, the COVID-19 crisis had the unintended effect of garnering greater support for older Asian Americans. Prof Ng and Dr Indran concluded that "it is consequential that support be extended to this group not so much by virtue of their perceived vulnerability but more so in view of their boundless contributions and sacrifices."
Preventing elder abuse
Preventing elder abuse requires a multifaceted approach: strengthening legislative and policy frameworks, providing caregiver training, and supporting protection agencies.
Many jurisdictions, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Japan, have enacted comprehensive laws to protect the elderly from abuse. For instance, the US
Elder Justice Act and the
UK's Care Act 2014 mandate reporting mechanisms and outline penalties for abusers. Public awareness campaigns, such as
Hourglass in the UK and Singapore's
Break The Silence, educate the public and professionals about the signs of elder abuse and available resources.
Additionally, training programs for caregivers are crucial in ensuring that those who look after the elderly can recognise and prevent abuse. Support services, including helplines, shelters, and counselling, are provided by various organisations and local governments to offer immediate assistance and long-term support to victims.
Despite these efforts, more can be done to prevent elder abuse effectively. Strengthening legislative and policy frameworks is critical; this includes ensuring that existing laws are adequately enforced and expanding protections where needed.
Providing comprehensive training for caregivers on identifying and preventing abuse can significantly reduce incidences of mistreatment. Continuous improvement and international cooperation are necessary to address gaps and enhance the overall effectiveness of these measures globally.
Making the most of an ageing society
The "silver wave" generates many discussions about the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing demographic, such as how this leads to a shrinking workforce supporting a growing elderly population and the impact on healthcare and long-term care systems, but we must also shine a light on the issue of elder abuse.
Everyone can play a part to tackle elder abuse. As Mr Desmond Lee, Singapore's Minister for National Development wrote in a
Facebook post, "let’s continue to raise awareness about elder abuse, and provide a community of care in all our neighbourhoods."
In the larger picture, it is important to reframe how we look at ageing. Instead of focussing on the burden we can highlight the opportunities and benefits that spring from wisdom, knowledge and experience. Or as Prof Ng and Dr Indran conclude in their study, society can support its older members, "not so much by virtue of their perceived vulnerability but more so in view of their boundless contributions and sacrifices."