Growing concern over elder abuse, especially among visually impaired — The Fred Hollows Foundation

According to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one in six individuals aged 60 or above have faced some form of abuse over the past year.

Ahead of Elder Abuse Awareness Day, The Fred Hollows Foundation is rallying for the establishment of additional community safeguards to protect visually impaired seniors from neglect and mistreatment.

The Fred Hollows Foundation, an international non-profit devoted to eradicating preventable blindness, is operational in 25 countries worldwide, including the Philippines. It highlights that of the global visually impaired population, nearly 33.6 million or 78% are aged 50 or older.

Elder abuse, which can manifest in various forms including financial, physical, psychological, sexual and neglect, poses serious repercussions. The fallout includes physical injury, premature death, cognitive decline, depression and financial losses. It typically occurs within relationships where there's an expectation of trust, inflicting harm or distress upon older individuals.

Senior Adviser for Healthy Ageing at The Foundation, Dr. Vânia de la Fuente-Núñez, characterises elder abuse as a largely concealed societal issue. She emphasises that older individuals with vision impairment are most vulnerable, primarily due to their reliance on others for daily activities, making them susceptible to abuse.

The demographic concern is particularly pressing in the Philippines. As per the Philippine Statistics Authority, the number of Filipinos aged 60 years and above has surged from 4.6 million in 2000 to 9.22 million in 2020.

The Fred Hollows Foundation asserts that tackling the unique challenges faced by older adults with visual impairment can significantly contribute to curbing elder abuse. The Foundation remains committed to illuminating this 'invisible issue' and establishing protective measures for the elderly, particularly those grappling with vision loss.