3.4. Senior Citizens/Aged

A "senior citizen" means any person being a citizen of India, who has attained the age of sixty years or above. The vulnerability among the elderly is due to an increased incidence of illness and disability, economic dependency upon their spouses, children and other younger family members.

The common forms of abuse of elderly persons are:

Senior Citizens in Numbers

According to Census 2011 there are nearly 104 million elderly persons (aged 60 years or above) in India; 53 million females and 51 million males. A report released by the United Nations Population Fund and HelpAge India suggests that the number of elderly persons is expected to grow to 173 million by 2026.

♤ Physical abuse: Hitting, pushing, kicking

♤ Inappropriate use of drugs or restraints: over- and under-medicating and withholding medication from patients

♤ Psychological or emotional abuse: Insults, threats, humiliation, confinement, isolation and depriving

them of dignity (for instance, by leaving them in soiled clothes)

♤ Financial abuse : Misusing or stealing a person’s money or assets

♤ Neglect or abandonment: Not providing food, housing, or medical care

♤ Sexual abuse: Sexual contact without consent