A Growing Threat for Elders in India.
The number of old people in India is rising significantly. Over 104 million senior adults (those 60 and older) were counted in the 2011 census; by 2050, that number is expected to soar to 324 million. This change in the population brings with it both opportunities and challenges. Although living longer is a good thing, there are significant worries about the security and welfare of the elderly, especially in light of their increased susceptibility to violence, robbery, and fraud.Old age home In kolkata
The Devastating Impact of Scams and Financial Exploitation
Scammers frequently target the elderly for a variety of reasons. Because of their innate trust, ignorance of technology, and possible loneliness, they are vulnerable to attacks from hostile actors. There are many different types of scams, and they all have terrible effects.
Telephonic frauds: Scammers mislead elderly people into divulging personal information or sending money by impersonating as bank employees, government agents, or even family members. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), cybercrime against older adults increased by 71% in just one year, from 2020 to 2021. These calls frequently use fear mongering to coerce elderly people into making snap decisions without doing enough research.
Investment Scams: Con artists entice elderly people with extravagant rewards on questionable investment plans. According to a research conducted by the Confederation of Indian Senior Citizens’ Associations (Cisca), more than 40% of elderly polled had received approaches from con artists. These schemes, which rely on elderly people’s lack of financial knowledge and yearning for safe retirement savings, frequently use complicated financial jargon.
Medical Scams: Disingenuous promotion of phony or exorbitant medical devices or services takes advantage of elderly people’s health anxieties. These con artists can take advantage of elderly people’s worries about age-related illnesses to trick them into buying dangerous or inefficient products.
A Growing Threat for Elders in India. Scams can result in large financial losses, endangering the independence and financial security of the elderly. These frauds not only cost money, but they also inflict emotional pain and a feeling of deceit. Deception can destroy trust, which can result in social isolation and an unwillingness to ask for assistance in the future.
Theft and Property Fraud: A Threat to Security and Wellbeing
Older adults who are isolated or have restricted mobility are especially vulnerable to theft. Typical occurrences consist of:
Home invasion: Thieves prey on elderly people who are weaker than others, intimidating them or using force to take belongings. According to NCRB data, the number of these occurrences has alarmingly increased; in 2021 alone, almost 1 lakh burglaries were reported. The elderly may feel insecure and victimized in their own homes as a result of these home invasions.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching: Seniors are frequently the focus of small-time theft in crowded places and on public transportation. Elderly people may find it more difficult to stop these crimes due to decreased alertness and slower reflexes.
Property Fraud: In order to trick elderly people into signing away their property rights, dishonest people may take advantage of their trust or ignorance. When an elder’s judgment is impaired by cognitive loss, this might be especially worrisome.
These crimes cause anxiety and a feeling of uneasiness in addition to material loss. Elderly people’s quality of life can be greatly impacted by the loss of assets, and their mobility and social interactions may be limited by their dread of further attacks.
The Alarming Reality of Violence Against Elders
Elder abuse can be financial, emotional, verbal, or physical, and it is a cruel reality in India. A startling finding from a 2016 HelpAge India survey was that almost 40% of senior citizens have experienced abuse of some kind. This abuse can happen in a variety of contexts, emphasizing how vulnerable seniors are in society as a whole.
A Growing Threat for Elders in India.
Unfortunately, domestic abuse frequently takes place within families, with adult children or caretakers mistreating elderly people. This can be exacerbated by elements including stress, financial strain, and a lack of knowledge regarding elder abuse. For elderly people, this loss of confidence by close relatives can be very heartbreaking.
Abuse in Care Facilities: Neglect or physical abuse of seniors can result from inadequate regulation and oversight in certain elderly care facilities. The elderly are especially susceptible in these circumstances because they rely on these facilities for basic care.
Street Violence: Older adults who are alone, particularly women, are more susceptible to robbery and assault in public areas. Because of their restricted movement and perceived fragility, they may be simple pickings for thieves.
Violence against seniors has serious repercussions, including not only
not just physical harm but also social isolation and psychological distress. Physical injuries can have a crippling effect on one’s independence and range of motion. Violence can induce psychological trauma that can result in fear, worry, and sadness. This anxiety can make it harder for seniors to move around and engage with others, which perpetuates a cycle of vulnerability and isolation.
Understanding the Underlying Vulnerabilities
Elderly people are more susceptible to these risks due to a number of factors:
Decreased Physical Power: Older people are ideal targets for criminals because of their decreased mobility and reduced capacity to defend themselves. This may increase their reluctance to socialize or leave their homes, which would further isolate them.
Cognitive Decline: Older adults who suffer from dementia or age-related cognitive decline may be more gullible or manipulable. Confusion or memory loss can be used by con artists to trick elderly people.
Digital Divide: Older people who don’t know enough about technology are more susceptible to internet fraud and aren’t aware of safety precautions. Elderly people may feel overwhelmed by the speed at which technology is developing and ill-equipped to use it securely.
Social Isolation: Elderly people who are lonely may be more susceptible to attention from strangers, which raises the possibility of fraud and abuse. Their need for connection may skew their judgment and leave them more open to deception.
Lack of Awareness: Elderly people are put at extra risk by their ignorance of safety precautions and their unwillingness to report crimes out of shame or fear. Elders are left vulnerable by a lack of knowledge about common scams and a reluctance to disclose mistreatment out of concern for social humiliation or family fallout.
These weaknesses underline the necessity of a multifaceted strategy to guarantee the security and welfare of India’s elderly population.
Recommendations for Enhanced Safety: A Collaborative Effort
It takes a team effort from the government, families, and communities to ensure the protection of the elderly. The following are some essential suggestions:
Family support: It’s important to have regular conversations, develop trust, and provide an environment where seniors feel comfortable raising issues. Family members must to be on the lookout for possible con artists and advise senior citizens to exercise caution when interacting with new people.
Financial literacy: It’s critical to teach senior citizens how to handle their money, spot frauds, and conduct safe internet transactions. Elderly people can be empowered to make wise financial decisions and safeguard themselves against exploitation by attending workshops and educational events.
Technological Awareness: Elderly people can assist reduce cyber dangers by being trained on safe internet practices, creating strong passwords, and spotting phishing efforts. Elderly people might be equipped with the essential skills to bridge the digital divide through practical training sessions offered by community centers and family members.
Community Initiatives: Senior citizen facilities that promote social interaction, elder self-defense workshops, and neighborhood watch programs can all help to build a support system. These programs can fight social isolation and promote mental health in addition to increasing safety.
Government Regulation: Tighter legislation against elder abuse, better regulation of care facilities, and public awareness initiatives can dissuade wrongdoers and encourage elderly people to report cases of abuse. Elderly people can live in a safer environment with stronger laws and more enforcement.
Technology for Good: Creating and marketing user-friendly technologies, such as GPS tracking devices and emergency alert systems, can give seniors a sense of security and allow for prompt aid in an emergency.
In conclusion, one of the biggest challenges facing India is making sure its aging population is secure. We can build a society in which elderly people can age in security and dignity by identifying the vulnerabilities they confront, taking preventative action, and creating a supporting environment. To make India a safer place for its senior residents, families, communities, and the government must work together.
M.A.(Hons) in Geography at University of Calcutta.
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