VEREENIGING.- The Gauteng Department of Social Development together with the Sedibeng Department of Social Development and other stakeholders celebrated the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) at the Vereeniging Civic Theatre last Thursday.

The purpose of the day was to provide an opportunity for communities to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

Pauline Mokgama, a Social Work Manager from the Older Persons Programme shared insight about services provides by Gauteng Department of Social Development to older persons, and emphasised the need for communities to take care of their elderly.

The message on the day was: “Elder abuse is a crime and if committed it should be reported.”

Older people who attended the event took to the streets of Vereeniging as they marched to highlight World Elder Abuse Awareness Day which is celebrated annually on the 15 of June. The march was conducted in partnership with the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) and other government departments as part of the prevention programmes aimed at raising awareness and reminder about the rights of older persons.

Most speakers made the elderly aware of their rights, with the profile of the victim being:

· Aged between 70 and 80
· Gender: 7 males to 1 female
· The victim is confused, forgetful, vulnerable and depressed

Factors contributing to abuse:

· Limited financial resources
· Lack of social interaction
· Living space
· Physical state of the elderly

Types of Abuse:

· Physical
· Sexual
· Emotional
· Psychological
· Financial
· Physical isolation and neglect

Report abuse of the elderly on (016) 930 2000/1 or 080 020 4190