Neglect is the highest recorded type of elderly abuse in Fiji-Tappoo

Neglect is the highest recorded type of elderly abuse in Fiji.

This was highlighted by Dr Krupali Tappoo while speaking at the Elder Abuse Awareness Forum at Australian‑Pacific Technical College who says that about 1 in 10 older people experience abuse every month.

Dr Tappoo says that rates of abuse may be higher for people living in institutions than in the community and this type of abuse may come from family or other community carers at home or in a residential aged care facility and may include physically restraining patients, depriving them of dignity and choice over daily affairs, intentionally providing insufficient care and over or under medicating.

She says that it was also revealed in a study conducted in 2010 that neglect of elderly persons stands at 58.5 percent, physical abuse of elderly persons is 15.7 percent, financial exploitation is 12.3 percent and emotional abuse is 7.3 percent.

Dr Tappoo says that the study has also revealed that the older population aged 60 and over comprised 8% of the total population and is projected to increase to 17% in 2050 which will be about 170,500 people.

She says that the oldest old population which is 80 years and above, is expected to increase from 5,000 in 2010 to 28,500 in 2050.

While highlighting the statistics at the Elder Abuse awareness forum Dr Tappoo stressed that the elders in any society are to be respected rather than abused.

Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Director, Ashwin Raj says that there needs to be a recognition to the contribution of the older persons to the social, cultural, economic and political sectors of society.

He says that stakeholders need to work to have an inclusive society that instills dignity, respect for human rights and meets basic needs through empowerment of older persons.