Elder abuse in Guyana

IF you have been following the grim local crime reports this week, it should be obvious why I am writing this column. I must admit that even though I have worked in the local media for six years, I never truly recognised elderly abuse as a widespread issue. Last weekend, however, the gruesome murders of two elder women signalled to me (and I imagine to many others) that elder abuse is indeed a serious issue.

Of course, the two situations, perhaps, were significantly different. On the Essequibo Coast, it is believed that, 73-year-old Agatha Gamell, from Charity on Essequibo Coast, was murdered by her granddaughter, who reportedly experienced post-partum depression. This spotlights other concerns, particularly about mental health. Then, there was 85-year-old Sumintra Sawh from Bushlot, West Coast Berbice, who was allegedly murdered in a plot to steal her money and house.

Different circumstances, certainly, but both cases of elder abuse. Because investigations into both cases, up to the time I am penning this column, are still ongoing, I’d share my general thoughts on elder abuse.

First, for context, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines elder abuse as “… a single or repeated act or the lack of appropriate action occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.”

The WHO acknowledges that many strategies have been tried to prevent and respond to the abuse of older people. Those include caregiver interventions, which provide services to relieve the burden of caregiving; money management programmes for older adults vulnerable to financial exploitation; helplines and emergency shelters; and multi-disciplinary teams, as the responses required often cut across many systems, including criminal justice, health care, mental health care, adults protective services and long-term care. These are all factors to consider.

In addition to those strategies, though, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud said greater community support is needed for the elder folks in Guyana. Speaking days after the two gruesome murders, she emphasised that more people need to report instances of abuse instead of ignoring what happens around us (and the 914 hotline is a good mechanism to do so). She also believes that more people need to be supported in accessing the services and facilities that were created for them.

I agree with her. More support is certainly needed. But there is more to consider, particularly if we want to ensure that our older family members and friends can live meaningful lives where they feel loved, appreciated, and supported. We must not just see them as vulnerable, helpless people because of their age.

It is not just about visiting those older folks in our families or communities now and then or giving them a call ever so often just to ensure that they are alive and well. These are easy things to do (I am guilty of relying on myself), but they are certainly not enough. For me, it is also ensuring that they are living meaningful lives- not necessarily by the rigid capitalist standards we are often confronted by (that is, forcing ourselves to be productive at all times) but by what is meaningful to them.

What does that look like? I am not necessarily certain because “meaningful” has different meanings for different people. But there are some things for us to consider.

Years ago, in 2018, there were reports of a new National Policy on ageing being created. This policy, inter alia, would see more senior citizens integrated into national development priorities- be it through the formal workforce, mentorship, community development initiatives, or other initiatives. Not much has been heard of that policy or any policy specific to older folks in Guyana but perhaps, considering ways in which we can engage our senior citizens can help us understand what is meaningful to them.

Another consideration is that we guarantee that those older folks live in safe spaces -that is, in their homes or the homes, we entrust to care for them. In those spaces, they must have access to the services they need and want. If they do not exist in such safe spaces, it is very easy for criminals to prey upon them and, as seems to be the case of Ms. Sawh, murder them in their own homes.

Whether we think about any of these considerations or consult with each other and think of better initiatives, I am sure that we can agree, at least right now, that much more attention needs to be placed on the welfare and well-being of the elderly in Guyana.

If you would like to connect with me to discuss COVID-19, this column, or any of my previous works, feel free to email me at vish14ragobeer@gmail.com

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.