Human Rights - 15th June marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Pat Lingdren – Director of the Action on Elder Abuse South Africa was Instudio. We were talking about their work and the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day that is coming up on Saturday the 15^th of June. This year's theme is "say NO to elder abuse". Elder abuse is a phenomenon, not only in South Africa but globally and is rising as a social problem. Elder abuse occurs across all economic, ethnic, religious, gender and cultural groups. Persons who are engaged in detecting/identifying abuse need to have good skills, knowledge and abilities to do so. Many of the signs and symptoms of elder abuse can be attributed to changes brought by ageing; therefore elder abuse can easily be “misdiagnosed” or not identified at all.  For more information you can contact their offices at (021) 426 5255 or the HEAL Toll Free Helpline on 0800 00 30 81 alternatively visit www.actiononelderabusesa.co.za