HelpAge India releases national report

Visakhapatnam: Assistant Director of Department of Differently-abled and Welfare of Senior Citizens P Venkateswara Rao, liaison manager of HelpAge India, Andhra Pradesh L Mrinal, president of United Forum for Senior Citizens TVS Rao on Friday released national report on the theme 'Elder abuse in India: Role of family in care-giving – Challenges and Responses' in the city ahead of 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day' to be observed on June 15.

The report highlighted the growing concerns of elderly people coupled with poor quality of care provided to them by the caregivers turn out to be unresolved problems faced by senior citizens in various parts of the country.

Focussing on primary caretakers (family members), their opinions and quality time spent with elders, this year's study covered 20 cities across India. While 29 per cent of primary caregivers feel burdensome to take care of the elders, 15 per cent consider it a severe burden.

Up to 62 per cent sons, 26 per cent daughters-in-law and 23 per cent daughters feel the pinch of taking care of their elders. The report stated that on an average, a family spends Rs 4,125 for taking care of senior citizens.

The caregivers felt that the government should lend support to them in the form of subsidised medicines for the elderly, better transport facilities and government-aided old age homes, health cards and free treatments, among other amenities.