Elder Abuse: A silent epidemic

By Nathan A. Hinds-Forde

The Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs recently introduced a new national policy on ageing.

Barbados is a rapidly ageing society with almost half of its population projected to be over 65 by 2050.

Our elderly population is a treasure of love, experience of wealth and, of course, irreplaceable history.

Yet, it is quite alarming and disheartening to acknowledge that despite their invaluable contributions to society, some of our elders face a troubling issue – that of elder abuse. I am of the view that this silent epidemic requires urgent attention and action from Government and citizens alike.

As we move forward as a nation, it is only right to confront this issue head on, fostering a culture and mentality where our elders can be not only protected, but revered. This is the aim of the new National Policy On Ageing for Barbados 2023-2028: Healthy And Active Ageing For All, which has elder abuse as a main focus.

Elder abuse in Barbados, as seen in other Caribbean countries, is not just a matter of individual wrongdoing, but a broader reflection of social attitudes and systemic issues.

It manifests in various forms such as physical violence, emotional manipulation, neglect and a big one here in Barbados, financial exploitation.

This abuse is not just an act of mistreatment, it is indicative of a deeper societal failure to uphold the morals, dignity and respect due to our seniors.

Socially, elder abuse reflects an erosion of traditional values that once were the cornerstone of our society and also once emphasised the veneration of older generations. Historically, our elders were viewed as mother and father figures, given their wealth of experience and knowledge.

However, in this day and age changing family dynamics and social pressures have led to a worrying trend where seniors are left exploited to dangers from financial, physical and mental abuse, just to name a few. May I also mention with these dangers our elders face, they more than likely put a strain on the National Assistance Board(NAB) and other service organisations which give our elderly better care as they journey through their golden years.

Fresh look

To address elder abuse in an effective way, we must take a fresh look and reinforce our collective attitudes towards ageing and the elderly. Here are a few ways in which we as young people and wider society can reshape our social norms to ensure that seniors are treated with the respect and care they deserve.

1. Strengthening family bonds which can ensure families are equipped to support their elderly family members.

2. More community engagement involving the elderly such as Q In The Community and Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) events.

3. Strong policies to protect the elderly with legal frameworks that are vigorously enforced.

4. Enhanced care environments for those who are institutionalised, with facilities that adhere to high standards of practice. This requires regular inspections, frequent reporting and rigid staff training to maintain environments where seniors can live with dignity and care.

Kudos must therefore be given to the Ministry of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs which conducted several consultations with various stakeholders towards drafting new legislation to protect our elders.

The current legislation we have is quite old and does not cover the wide range of challenges that exist.

It is my hope that in this new legislation clear definitions and protections would be established, as well as stiff legal penalties and consequences for those who abuse our elders.

This must be supported by intensive training and sensitisation for caregivers, healthcare and law enforcement providers, as well as support for caregivers and victims.

Elder abuse is a serious issue that demands our immediate attention and action.

It is time that we as Barbadians reinforce our commitment to the elderly through both societal change and legislative reform.

By redefining our approach to ageing and implementing comprehensive legal protections, we can certainly create a safer and more respectful environment for our seniors.

Nathan Hinds Forde is a student of the Combermere School and a summer intern in the Elder Affairs programme.