BARP: Greater effort needed to combat elder abuse

As this island joined with other countries in commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) called for a greater effort to deal with the problem of the abuse of the elderly here.

In an address to mark the day, BARP president Marilyn Rice-Bowen said elder abuse is “one of the most hidden and under-reported epidemics in many countries, including Barbados”.

“While we have no register of complaints and reported cases that we can turn to and compare statistics from year to year, we do know from anecdotal evidence that the problem exists in Barbados, and we also have anecdotal evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year, which led to greater social isolation among the elderly, exacerbated the situation,” she said.

Rice-Bowen said BARP wanted an agency created in the Office of the Ombudsman focusing on the issue, to “look at it not only as a violation of human rights but also in the area of conflict resolution”.

“In order to deal with a problem you must find out the extent of it through research and analysis. With this in mind, the mantra, ‘if you see something, say something’ is very relevant; you are not intruding if you speak out but, rather, carrying out your civic duty. We also urge you to use the hotline set up to deal with issues of elder abuse,” the BARP president urged.

Rice-Bowen also encouraged Barbadians to “break the cycle”, reminding them that the youth will eventually become elders.

“….And the abuse they mete out to their elders will in turn be meted out to them, because our children learn from us. Lest we forget, a society is measured by the way it treats its elders, so we must ensure that our seniors live a life of independence and dignity,” she said. (DH)