THAT’S SAD. 44 PER CENT SENIOR CITIZENS HAVE BEEN ABUSED IN PUBLIC SPACES

Gunwanti Paraste (Pune): 44 per cent senior citizens have been abused in the Public space and 64 per cent seniors say it’s easy for people to get away with being rude to the elderly. The HelpAge India survey reveals that nearly 1 out of elders are mistreated. 44 per cent elders say they have been abused in the public space.

“World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” HelpAge India releases a nationwide report on “How India treats its Elderly” at Pune. The 19 city report aims to understand in depth how elders are treated in the public space across the nation. says Mathew Cherian, CEO, HelpAge India.

The national capital is the highest when it comes to Bad Behavior of Govt. hospital staff towards elders with 26%, followed by Bangalore with 22% and 17% of Mall Staff behave badly with elders, the worst in all of the service delivery points. 12% of the elders have been treated rudely by others in a queue while trying to pay their utility bills such as telephone, electricity etc.

While nationally 44%% elders have actually experienced abuse and mistreatment by society due to their age, in Delhi it is 23% of elders, Bangalore turns out to be the highest perpetrator with 70% elders experiencing abuse, followed by Hyderabad (60%) Guwahati (59%) & Kolkata (52%).

Hyderabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar & Chennai in most parameters are amongst the top 5 cities who mistreat elders in the Public Space. says Manjira Khurana, Country Head – Communications & Advocacy, HelpAge India.

CITY-WISE HIGHLIGHTS

Percentage of elders who actually experienced abuse and mistreatment by society due to their age – while in Delhi it is 23% of elders, Bangalore turns out to be the highest perpetrator with 70% elders experiencing abuse, followed by Hyderabad (60%) Guwahati (59%), Kolkata (52%), Chennai (49%) & Mumbai (33%).

Percentage of elders who Perceivethat Indian society discriminates against elders – Highest is Hyderabad with 90%, followed by Kolkata (78%), Shillong (61%) and Bangalore (60%).

While in Delhi, 45% elders feel unsafe with the behaviour of Motorists on the road, Bangalore is the highest with 73%, followed by Lucknow (66%) & Mumbai (59%).

Elders who experienced bad behaviour by Bank staff: Bhubaneswar tops with 21%, followed closely by Mumbai (19%), Chennai (18%) & both Hyderabad & Bangalore with 16%.

Elders who experienced bad behaviour by Post Office staff: Hyderabad leads with 39%, followed by Chennai (21%), once again Bangalore comes amongst the top 5 cities in bad behaviour with 20%, followed by Guwahati (19%).

The national capital (Delhi) is the highest when it comes to bad behavior ofGovt. hospital staff towards elders with 26%, followed by Bangalore with 22%.

Percentage of elders who receive bad treatment from other customers in the queuewhile Paying Utility Bills – Hyderabad is the highest with 32% followed by Chennai (22%), Bangalore (16%) & Bhubaneswar (14%).

Percentage of elders who receive bad treatment by Chemist staff- Bhubaneswar is the highest with 32%, followed by Bangalore (29%), Chennai (17%), Shillong (16%) & Mumbai (14%).

Bad treatment of elders by Vegetable Vendors– Bangalore leads with 29%, followed closely by Chennai (25%), Shillong (22%) while Bhubaneswar & Mumbai the percentage of mistreatment is the same with 17%.

Bad treatment of elders by Mall staff– Bhubaneswar leads once again with 31%, followed yet again by Bangalore at 27%, Shillong (20%), Chennai (17%), Mumbai (16%) & Delhi (11%).

Percentage of elders who feel it is easy for people to get away despite being rude with elders – Bhubaneswar leads with a sharp92%, followed by Guwahati (85%), Lucknow (78%), Hyderabad (74%), Bangalore (71%), Chennai (64%), Kolkata (62%)and Mumbai (61%). Delhi surprisingly is the lowest with 16 %.