Introduction
A reflection on aging, the rights of older people, and social and family responsibility for their care during this stage of life, on the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
“We all know that we are going to grow old, but we have never truly become aware that this stage of life must be prepared for.”
A society for all ages… (Political Declaration and Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing). This is the phrase that opens this talk today. Without a doubt, talking about old age will never be easy, as we become aware that all human beings will reach a stage in which autonomy and functionality will be lost. And why hold a worldwide day to raise awareness of elder abuse? What is happening in society that older adults do not enjoy as many rights as children? Where is the support network for older adults? These are the questions that arise today, and we will try to answer them based on real experience.
Inclusion and aging
For several years now, concepts such as inclusion have been discussed, not only in education, with all the strategies designed for children with illnesses, learning difficulties or diverse backgrounds, including ethnic groups, Afro-descendant communities, migrants and refugees. Today we also speak of global inclusion, and this includes everything related to adults over 60, who are classified as older adults.
Aging as a life process
Among the stages of human development, adulthood is the longest. From the moment of conception, throughout the course of life and until death, aging is a heterogeneous process, because everyone ages differently; it is intrinsic and irreversible. We will inevitably grow old, and aging is like a piggy bank where we store lived experiences, needs and frustrations, but also joys, limitations, and many physical and mental changes. Losses accumulate too, not only of loved ones but also of the abilities that keep us functional, and mental losses linked to decision-making and self-sufficiency. When we are young, the world feels too small for everything we can do with our energy, creativity, vision, dreams to fulfill and goals to reach.
Generational and family changes
Over the years, the large families in which father and mother were the center, surrounded by a feeling of protection, respect, strength and admiration, have been eroding. Due to generational changes and external factors linked to modern life, the core of society is much smaller: families of 14 members, including the parents, have become families of 4, and that is now considered a large family. These generational changes and their characteristics have pushed older adults into the background, as millennials and Generation Z feel and think differently from their grandparents. And no wonder: technological progress, the digital age and the chance to explore the world with a click have, to a large extent, led to the loss of values such as respect, tolerance, solidarity, justice and peace.
Of course, we cannot generalize, but in this society, and speaking about our country, the inequality gap is enormous. Poverty keeps rising, young people between 20 and 45 have to go out to work to earn their daily living, dropping out of school is the only option, and older adults are being forgotten precisely because of the pressure to produce. Alongside this, there are also adults over 60 who must work to put food on the table, because they do not have a decent income that allows them to live within the comfortable walls of a home. Perhaps because of lack of knowledge, education and job opportunities in their own youth, they never joined a pension system, and in old age their resources are minimal or nonexistent to cope with a life burdened by illness, loneliness, fear and distress.
Violation of rights
This is where the violation of rights begins. All human beings have universal rights, regardless of sex, race, age, color or social class. These rights do not expire over time, and they are inherent and inalienable, because we are born with them, and they are a constitutional mandate.
Rights of older adults in Colombia
In Colombia, an older adult has the right to:
- Live with dignity and safety.
- Receive comprehensive protection in health and social welfare.
- Be treated with dignity and fairness, equally and without discrimination.
- Take part in the social, cultural and political life of the community.
- Take part in educational, cultural and recreational programs.
Elder abuse
Returning to the article published by the UN for today, June 15, 2022: “Elder abuse is a social problem that exists in both developing and developed countries and is generally underreported worldwide. Prevalence rates or estimates exist only in a few developed countries, ranging from 1% to 10%. Although the extent of elder abuse is unknown, its social and moral significance is undeniable. For this reason, it requires a multifaceted global response focused on protecting the rights of older persons.”
Forms of abuse
Seen from this perspective, an older adult is mistreated when they do not have a decent roof to shelter them from the cold, rain and heat, a place where they are safe from anything that could threaten their life. An older adult is mistreated when they cannot access the health system and/or do not have medicine or specialized care due to lack of financial resources.
An older adult is mistreated when they are discriminated against for not being able to do physically demanding activities or for not being able to respond mentally in a quick, coherent and precise way; they are mistreated when they are not taken into account, and when they are left out of technological advances, which were designed to connect cities, cultures and friends, even though not all older adults have the same skills to use these advanced technologies. An older adult who is ill is also mistreated when, out of love, the family decides to leave them at home in the care of untrained people: caregivers with no training in gerontology or geriatrics, let alone nursing knowledge, to provide comprehensive care.
Social responsibility and public policy
The United Nations is clear in stating that the abuse of older adults remains hidden, and this should move all of us who are now at a stage of life where we can do something to change it.
Raising awareness is important not only to care for children in early childhood; it is also necessary to build a support network for older adults, both those who are independent and those who are ill.
Just two and a half years before the end of the public policy for the care of older adults, created in 2014 with a duration of 10 years, the Colombian State still has gaps to close. One of the pillars of this policy seeks to restore rights and guarantee income security, access to health care and all social services for older people, but it has not been able to meet the many needs of this population.
The support network and the legal framework
Within its line of legal protection and regulation, Colombia has issued the following laws: Law 1171 of 2007, which establishes benefits for older adults such as discounts at educational institutions, shows, public transportation and tourist sites, free admission to cultural heritage sites, preferential service windows, preferential seating on public transportation, and priority in medical appointments and legal aid clinics. Law 1251 of 2008, which sets rules for the protection, promotion and defense of the rights of older adults and includes general guidelines for the National Policy on Aging and Old Age. Law 1276 of 2009, which mandates the protection of older adults through “centros vida” or day centers, as institutions that help provide comprehensive care for their needs and improve their quality of life. Law 1315 of 2009, which sets the minimum conditions to guarantee quality, comprehensive care and services for older adults in housing, care, welfare and social assistance institutions (protection centers, day centers and care institutions).
The regulatory decree of Law 1251 of 2008, which established the National Council on Aging and Old Age.
The family as a co-responsible caregiver
On the other hand, there is no doubt that the family plays a very important role in caring for an older adult. It shares the responsibility of recognizing the older adult as a citizen with rights, and also as a human being who is valuable for their whole story and life journey: recognizing them in their humanity and dignity, as a person who contributed and produced throughout their life and who, at the end of their days, needs the affection, tenderness and understanding of those they once helped to grow.
Duties of the family
Below are the duties of the family as set out in Law 1251 of 2008 (unofficial translation):
Of the family
a) Recognize and strengthen the abilities, skills, competencies and knowledge of the older adult;
b) Respect the rights of older adults and create spaces that promote them;
c) Provide the older adult with an environment of love, respect, recognition and support;
d) Provide an environment that meets basic needs for adequate nutrition, health, and physical, mental, psychomotor, emotional and affective development;
e) Create spaces for intergenerational relationships among family members;
f) Protect the older adult from any act or event that threatens or violates their rights, life, integrity, honor and property;
g) Enroll the older adult in social security services and the health system;
h) Provide the older adult with opportunities for recreation, culture and sports;
i) Provide special support and assistance to older adults with disabilities;
j) Respect the experiences, culture, traditions and expressions of older adults;
k) Promote the participation of older adults in the discussion, design, formulation and implementation of policies, plans, programs and projects of interest to the family, society and the State;
l) Accept the exercise of autonomy and personal fulfillment of older adults;
m) Attend to the emotional needs of the older adult when they live in an institution. Under no circumstances may they abandon them and leave them in the care of the institution without maintaining family ties.
Final reflection
Finally, to build awareness of care, respect and support during this stage of life, the family must start by working from values, as well as learning and staying informed about the changes a human being goes through at this stage. It is also important to know about all the available support to ensure older adults have the best possible living conditions.
Geriatric, gerontological and gerontogeriatric centers play a very important role as part of the support network. Of course, those that fully comply with regulations, are legally established, have care protocols and have a qualified, trained team are the best places to entrust with care, always with an ongoing relationship between the family and the center.
Bibliography
LAW 1251 OF 2008 (November 27). Official Gazette No. 47.186 of November 27, 2008, CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
Establishing rules to ensure the protection, promotion and defense of the rights of older adults. Retrieved from: https://www.icbf.gov.co/cargues/avance/docs/ley_1251_2008.htm
