Critical review of literature on the prevalence of elder abuse in India: Sorrow of greying

Abstract

In Quran, Surat Al-'Isra' 17:23-24 states “if a person is reaching towards late adulthood alone or with their partner, shouldn't be ill-treated, abused, offended but supposed to be served with affection, respect, generosity, and courtesy”. Elderly abusing increases but in a hidden way. Elderly abuse is a highly traumatic phenomenon which tormented and arising with severe problems like physical injury, emotional and mental problems, etc. which affects the elderly people life adversely. Most often the victim of elderly abuse did not report it due to family privacy and reputation. It is prevailing in all kinds of socio-economic groups, religious community, and gets across urban-rural areas. This study is performed with a literature search from Google, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Springer, PubMed correlated to elder abuse in India whether inhome, community or institutions. A paper published after 2000 to 2019 was found using the keywords: elder abuse in India, elderly problems, elder mistreatment, abuse against the elder, physical and social abuse of elderly. The literature relevant to the concerned study was reviewed published and peerreviewed journals written in the English language. The researcher also outlook on the latest international and national reports like WHO Report, HelpAge India Report, etc. Elderly abuse results in depression, isolation, injury, neglect, and even death. There were very few empirical studies on elder abuse in India. This vulnerable group needs special attention for their protection and securing their life and well-being. It is an alarming state of public health priority. There should be an urgent need to modify social attitudes, set up separate administration for elderly peoples to report the cases. Social workers, medical workers, and gerontologists, and other administrators work in collaboration for quick and strong implementation of effective practices for them..