Centre For Senior Citizens (CSC) today called on the global community made up of governments at all levels, citizens, particularly young adults and the youthful generation as well as relevant stakeholders to translate efforts into concrete action through appropriate policy formulation, firm interventions and decisive actions to ensure the desired commitment in protecting the rights and dignity of older persons.
The call came in the wake of the marking of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) to which the United Nations Organisation (UN) designated June 15 of every year as a day when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted on Elderly persons/Senior Citizens.
The UN also graciously urges citizens to wear purple to demonstrate their support in promoting the safety and well-being of older adults globally.
Executive Director of CSC, Mr. Olusegun Fatuase in a statement in Lagos today harped on the urgent need for a systemic change to redress the human rights, neglect /abandonment, health, physical, emotional and financial abuses of senior /elderly citizens and accord them their dignity and right of place in the society.
While noting that at least 1 in 6 persons aged 60 and above experience some form of abuse in community settings , either intentionally or negligently, Fatuase said concerted efforts must be made to put an end to the abuses in the interest of humanity.
‘We all hope to grow old someday. Today, there is an increase globally in the aging population and there is the need to pay due attention to their care . Some of us are already living the experience. We need to safeguard the rights, safety, and dignity of elderly people in long term facilities, in care homes, hospitals or in the various communities where they reside. There is no need for physical or verbal attacks. There is no need for extortion. There is no need for intimidation or inappropriate use of language. We need proactive policy shifts to ensure an increasing reliance on institutional care, technology adoption by elderly people, flexible labour markets and healthy aging’, he said.