Elder on elder abuse a reality in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic

AS the impact of Covid-19 pandemic soars globally, elders are among those hardest hit. The Association for the Aged (Tafta) sheds light on new challenges and concerns experienced by the organization ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed on Monday 15 June 2020.

Tafta has issued a warning that elder-on-elder abuse has reared its head in the context of rights infringement, within the institutional setting, as elders determined to exercise their Constitutional freedoms bring risk to others in care home facilities. For the aged care NPO, which shelters up to 2000 older people in 13 homes in the eThekwini region, CEO, Femada Shamam said the Covid-19 pandemic has unleashed a new set of rights issues the organisation has never had to deal with before.

“It’s an unprecedented set of circumstances for everyone. When we were informed of the National State of Disaster being declared, we took every necessary precautionary measure to ensure our elders, recognised as the most vulnerable age group, were protected from exposure to the pandemic. While some of those lockdown rules did translate to a loss of, and infringement of some constitutional freedoms, the context of a life threat was understood by all.

“In recent days however, with the constitutionality of the lockdown being brought into question, we’ve started to face a new reality; that in fact perpetrators of abuse could be the elderly themselves as those living beside frailer, less fit elders, choose to doggedly pursue their personal freedoms whilst potentially exposing others in our buildings to risk,” she said.

Shamam makes the example of elders leaving Tafta homes, only to return to facilities hours later without taking the necessary precautions to minimise risk of Covid-19 exposure such as the wearing of masks or restricting outings only to essential grocery and medical needs.

“Elder abuse is defined as ‘a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person’. In facilities like our homes, for example, elders enter into a contract with us to provide them with sheltered housing and care. They live in our homes with the understanding that they are allowed to exercise their rights whilst not infringing on the rights of others. But in exercising those very constitutional freedoms in a building where at times, 599 other older people live, this freedom may potentially result in the death of others with severely compromised immunities.”

This new challenge, she added, was cause for several disruptions at Tafta homes as a balance was being sought between those wanting to remain in restricted lockdown and those wanting to exercise personal freedoms. “It is an area of deep reflection I believe for us all as we realise that at times, living in a democratic society, we must consider our own freedoms and rights in the greater context of the wellbeing of all in society and not just ourselves. We are trying to meet the needs of all our residents, but it is a trying time indeed,” Shamam said.

Tafta is also concerned about added stress levels caused by the pademic as well as family dynamics which have altered significantly, possibly leading to far greater numbers of unreported elder abuse cases. “Elder abuse may be escalating at an unchecked rate, with variations of abuse including isolation, neglect, financial and physical abuse increasing at an alarming rate.

“Our organisation continues to fight for the rights of the elder and in the absence of monitoring mechanisms keeping elder abuse in check, we are concerned for the plights of elders facing the stresses and frustrations of lockdown,” said Shamam.

Tafta initiated a conversation in the form of an informal survey to assess the well-being of elders in society during the lockdown period in May. Of the 224 elders who responded nationally, the organization found that increased anxiety and fear were a real issue for older people considered most vulnerable to the Covid-19. Latest statistics indicate that a staggering 56,2% of total Covid-related deaths were in the 60- 99 year age category. For many, increased anxiety translates to physical ailments, making this population even more susceptible to the impacts of the pandemic.

Shamam said while the country as whole was experiencing the impact of the pandemic, older people were in fact the hardest hit. “Think for instance of the elder who lives alone, with no access to media, family or transportation. How would she know of where to access food hampers, grants and other relief aides? Would that elder be trusting enough to hand over their meagre financial resources to a possible stranger to bring them the aid they require for fear of being financially abused? Think of a younger family member who has been recently laid off and goes seeking support from that elder for their own sustenance?”

Shamam said these issues of fear, anxiety, distrust and abuse were all a reflection of the deep seated ageist behaviours we needed to continue stamping out through commemorative activities on days of significance like World Elder Abuse awareness Day. “We are here to assist and there are ways in which we can support elders in our society through organisations like our own. If you do see abusive behaviours displayed against elders in your community, contact us, give them the voice they so desperately require and help us make a difference,” she concluded.

Tafta will be embarking on a two-month long campaign to educate the public on elder abuse and rights awareness and seek public support to reach out to elders in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. With a view to extending into Mandela Month, the campaign aims to bring about conversation on the theme of how our actions impact the actions of others. Included in the campaign line-up is the hosting of an online Facebook live fundraiser and the organisation is seeking local entertainers to support them put this initiative together. If you would like to support them, contact info@tafta.org.za or call Kemmy-Leigh Moodley on 031 332 3721.

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