HEED THE APPEAL: Participants at a programme organised to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at Kumaran hospital on Saturday. — PHOTO: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: At their 11th Annual Day Conference, the Senior Citizens' Bureau launched a signature campaign against abuse of elders. Students of the Lady Andal School and the Social Work Department of Loyola College participated in it.

The chairman, Senior Citizens' Bureau, V.S. Natarajan, said that they planned to collect about 1,000 signatures to be presented on `World Elders Day' that falls on October 1.

Types of abuse

Dr. Natarajan, who is a geriatric physician, outlined three types of elder abuse. Verbal abuse was the most common, by people who lived with the older person.

Psychological abuse was when the elder was not given respect, was not spoken to and ignored.

And finally, there was physical abuse when the elder person was beaten up.

Dr. Natarajan said that he had come across three such cases in his practice and said it usually happened to elderly people who were disabled in some way. Most of the physical abuse was due to property or financial disputes.

Lectures planned

After the signature campaign to spread awareness against abuse, Senior Citizens' Bureau plans to hold lectures for younger people on how to treat the elderly.

"After all, it could happen to you, when you grow older," said Dr. Natarajan.

The Bureau also honoured 9 persons above the age of 83 — "as they have seen 1,000 full moons" — at the event.

The Bureau consists of 340 members above 60 years of age.

The annual membership fee is Rs. 200 while life membership is Rs. 2,500. Members get free counselling and a welfare programme is held every month.

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