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[av_heading heading=’ How widespread is elderly abuse?’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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ILOILO – Senior citizens should report if they are being abused, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6.
If they are ashamed to do so, which is usually the case, they can share the information with their peers for a start, said DSWD-6 social welfare officer Jewel Rose Galila.
To back the passage of a proposed law giving protection to senior citizens, DSWD-6 is hoping to get a clear picture of the extent of elderly abuse. It has started gathering data through the Reporting System and Prevention Program for Elder Abuse Cases (RESPPEC).
RESPPEC is currently being piloted in barangays Gines and Maribong in Lambunao, Iloilo.
Based on the latest statistics, Lambunao has around 11,000 senior citizens; Barangay Maribong has more than 330 while Barangay Gines has 103.
The profile of senior citizens in these areas was taken, to include their skills they could impart on their peers.
A Protective Committee for Senior Citizens (PCSC) was established for a start. It is a multi-sectoral council that looks into the welfare of the elderly.
Galila said the pilot areas were “super active,” especially in Barangay Gines. A core group was created to receive information on cases of neglect, which is a form of abuse.
In Barangay Maribong, they have a case of neglect, although it was unintentional on the part of the family.
Galila said there were families, especially in far-flung areas, not equipped to take care of their elderly.
The case was being monitored and the elderly was provided with a medical assistance.
Meantime, 20 others were given livelihood assistance. They were identified to be on the “red flag for abuse,” specifically neglect, hence as a measure they were provided with livelihood assistance.
DSWD is also considering food support to those identified to be at risk.
Other forms of elderly abuse could be psychological, physical, financial, and even sexual, said Galila.
She urged family members of the elderly “not to let them feel that they are useless because they are old.”
She said that they should understand them because they have a different dynamic.
The pilot testing of RESPPEC will last for two years. A memorandum of agreement was entered into by the local government of Lambunao and the DSWD. (PNA)
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