WHILE there may not be statistics available on the pervasiveness of maltreatment and abuse of the elderly in nursing homes here ('Shocking scenes at nursing home'; June 10), we wonder if this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Having worked with vulnerable elderly people who are victims of abuse in their domestic family settings at Trans Safe Centre - a centre that assists the elderly and families on issues of family violence - we are aware that generally, what we see is only skin-deep.
A study in the United States has estimated that for every one case of elder abuse in domestic setting reported, five go unreported.
With an ageing population and heightened stress in families in Singapore, we anticipate a rising trend of elder abuse here.
In many instances, elder abuse may be related to issues of caregiving and the lack of resources.
When a person becomes infirm, helpless and dependent on others to meet even basic needs, the last thing he would want if he is still cognitive is to be made to feel useless and seen as 'a problem'.
It would be very sad if that last bit of human pride and dignity is robbed by the way the infirm and old are treated, by the very people who are supposed to care for them.
If our society can actively protect the rights of children, we can also protect the rights of the elderly. It is time that policymakers recognised the need for a higher standard of elder care services and trained professionals to attend to the needs of the elderly.
It is our hope that more can be done in caring for the elderly, in particular the poor elderly, so that they can age with dignity.
There is a need to provide additional resources to the elder care sector as a whole so that staff are adequately supported and facilities enhanced.
Let us continue to respect and take good care of our elders as they journey into their twilight years.
Yee-Chow Choy Yin (Mrs)
Executive Director
Trans Family Services
Normally I would have supported this article...
but the 2nd paragraph is not required...
it's just looks like taking this opportunity to advertise and ask for more benefits >___>
It would have been better if the writer left out the company name...
Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:Normally I would have supported this article...
but the 2nd paragraph is not required...
it's just looks like taking this opportunity to advertise and ask for more benefits >___>
It would have been better if the writer left out the company name...
yalor.