One measure of a state's well-being is the way in which it treats its elderly and the vulnerable within its borders.
Our history has been one in which the grandmother as a primary symbol of nurture and bedrock of the family has been revered and treated with the utmost respect.
Like many features of our national life, this situation no longer holds, and the elderly, whether male or female, are now the subject of the violence, abuse, and crime which pervading the society.
It was heartening to see that the lead article of the Sunday Observer two weeks ago exposed the experience of abuse experienced by residents in the George Abrahams Home for the aged in August Town. While citing instances of verbal abuse and sexual harassment, it has not really made the society aware of the depth and scope of the problem.
In fact, it has presented the nature of the abuse of the elderly as one in which some perverse men are involved but, if looked at in its wide-ranging manifestations, it will be observed that it is something in which operators of facilities for the elderly, paid care-givers in the home, and even family members are involved.
There are, however, manifestations of abuse of the elderly, which are less public and are less the subject of public knowledge because they are too embarrassing for the elderly to share with others or in any open fashion. I speak of the rape of the elderly which takes place with far more frequency than many Jamaicans would care to admit.
The targeting of returning residents, which has been a reprehensible feature of our national life for several decades, represents an attack on and abuse of persons who for the most part are elderly and therefore perceived as vulnerable and easy targets of those with intentions to exploit and abuse. Sexual abuse and rape of these persons are also areas of their experience which are often kept quiet.
Allied to abuse is neglect. Neglect has a more benign ring to it and yet is just as dangerous as its more active companion, abuse.
Here, the person who is guilty of neglect deliberately or intentionally withholds the care and support which is necessary for the well-being of an individual, whether child or adult. There are persons who see the operation of a home for the aged as an opportunity to make some good money, but who do not understand the investment, competence, and love and care for persons, which make for the successful operation of such an undertaking.
While the government has been placing greater spotlight on the operations of these institutions, there are still instances in which the elderly are not receiving due attention and may fall from their beds or be the subject of other accidents because they have been left unsupervised. There are also instances of dietary deficiencies, which have been spotted in such residents because of inadequate nutritional support. These dynamics may also be present in situations in which the elderly are being left in the care of an employed person in the family home.
Neglect may also be the result of the failure of adult children to see to the welfare of their parent(s). The laws of Jamaica make it mandatory for children to take care of parents who may be in need. What is extremely disturbing to some of us in the pastoral office who have to visit and exercise pastoral care of these elderly persons is to see the squalor and level of deprivation in which some have to live. And when they die, the children come forward to bury their parents in the most expensive caskets in order to impress their friends and the community.
The physical and emotional abuse of the elderly is something which takes place at various levels and in various contexts. Most of us would be quick to identify the homes for the aged as the place where this kind of abuse takes place, and yet it is far more frequent in the context of family and the home.
Elderly persons are subject to verbal abuse, neglect such as withholding of meals and leaving the person for long periods in his or her urine and excrement, as well as slaps and beatings, which can leave serious bruises or even broken bones.
Unlike other age groups and persons in other situations of abuse, the elderly usually are dependent, often have limited mobility, and have no alternative to the prevailing situation.
One of the things I have always taught ministerial students is that, when visiting the sick and shut-ins, they should always try to get time alone with the person. The reason for this is that, if abuse is taking place, the family member or caregiver will not want anyone to be alone with the elderly in case he or she should report the abuse.
It is tempting to immediately label those who abuse as wicked persons and the scum of the earth. Unfortunately, it is not quite as simple as that. Those who abuse can be the most dutiful and diligent children and family members.
Caregivers of elderly persons who require total care need to be aware of their limits. It is not unusual to find abuse taking place in a situation in which a caregiver who has changed the bed linen and Pampers several times for the day, and who discovers that the elderly parent has had another "accident" just after the last change for the night, may slap the person out of frustration.
This kind of situation is complicated when the caregiver is the only child of the siblings who has stayed home to take care of an elderly parent while the others are off making life for themselves, even as they send home instructions as to what must be done for the elderly parent.
The situation is complicated by the elderly parent who never really expresses appreciation for the one staying at home and doing everything, but spends waking moments talking about those who are away and wondering what fate may be befalling them at this time.
The point is that abuse of the elderly is not excusable but much of it is avoidable if we can educate persons, especially caregivers, concerning the care of those in their charge and the need for self-care on their part.
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