A Report on Elder Abuse and Crime in India

As a result of the current ageing scenario, there is growing need for care of the older persons in terms of social, economic, health and shelter. Together with these issues, security of older persons in India is also emerging as an issue. With more old people living longer, the households are getting smaller and congested, causing stress in joint and extended families. Even where they are co-residing, marginalization, isolation and insecurity are felt among the older persons due to the generation gap and change in lifestyles. Increase in lifespan also results in chronic functional disabilities leading for a need for assistance required by the older person to manage simple chores as the activities of daily living. In the Indian context, the cultural values and the traditional practices emphasise that the elderly members of the family be treated with honour and respect. The families of the aged persons are expected to ensure the needed care and support for the aged. However, recent changes in the size and structure of families have caused the rearrangement of the roles and functions of the members in the families.