| Message of hope for 77 million elderly people in India
New Delhi, June 16: Respect is better than food or drink. A message of hope went out to around 77 million elderly people in India as the Second Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was observed yesterday.Almost a third of elderly victims are abused in their own home and almost as many are abused in residential care. The most common type of abuse was physical, followed by acts of neglect or omission.In 20 percent of abuse cases, the victim was abused by a carer, partner or family member.The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) designated 15 June 2006 as the first ever World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.The day, supported by both the United Nations and the World Health Organization, is designed to raise awareness of what elder abuse is and how it can be prevented. Older people perceive abuse as neglect, violation of human, legal ad medical rights and deprivation.Children, mistreating their elderly parents, should not have moral right to stay in house belonging to their parents, said Tejendra Khanna, Lt Governor of Delhi.Inaugurating a symposium on Elder Abuse, jointly organized by United Nations Information Centre and NGO Anugraha, Mr Khanna said, ''Increasing cases of Elder Abuses are largely an outcome of changing global phenomena where the family bonds are not as strong as in the past and elders are being marginalised.'' The Lt Governor asked the elders not to look for the help from others but try to be strong enough to face the jolts of changing social and family equation.
Cost More a Concern than Quality In Future Care for Elderly Parents
Most baby boomers think their aging parents have good options for quality health care when they can no longer look after themselves. But the cost is another matter. Watch ABC News broadcasts and read USA Today this week for reports in the series, "Role Reversal: Your Aging Parents and You." .
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