With abuse and neglect of the elderly tipped to increase as the country moves toward an ageing society, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is taking a lead in calling for strong policies to address these concerns.
The issue of the elderly facing violence and, in some cases, abandonment is one of seven areas covered by the NHRC’s proposal seeking to better protect the rights of those aged 60 and over.
The others concern their accommodation and living environment; health care; incomes; employment; life-long education; and safety of the elderly during natural disasters.
Abuse and neglect of the elderly were highlighted at a recent NHRC forum which gathered public opinions on the proposal. It will later be forwarded to the government for consideration.
According to the NHRC, there are about 11 million senior citizens out of 66 million people, or about 16% of the total population. The country is expected to reach ageing population status by 2021, when 20% of the population will be elderly.
The elderly’s rights are one of the NHRC’s key issues under the 2017-2022 strategic plan and the body has worked with various agencies to gather information for the government to use to amend laws and guidelines to protect the rights of elderly people.
Prakairat Tontheerawong, an NHRC member, said the country needs strong policies to accommodate the older population and, based on the agency’s study, local administrative organisations (LAOs) have the potential to handle care management.
She said the government can set standards and guidelines, assume the role of regulator and provide a channel for the elderly to file complaints or report ill-treatment.
According to Ms Prakairat, volunteer groups working with the elderly are advised to review their roles and responsibilities and streamline their work to prevent overlapping.
Sappasit Khumprapan, chairman of the Centre for the Protection of Children’s Rights Foundation, said a foster family may be needed to help protect the elderly who suffer from abuse or neglect.
“They may feel uncomfortable living with their families and don’t want to be a burden, so we may consider a foster family or foster home arranged by local communities,” he said.
He said LAOs should provide financial assistance while the government sets standards and makes sure that care-giving services for older people are up to standards.
Praiwan Ponlawan, director-general of the Department of Older Persons, said the department backs the proposal that LAOs should be given the job.
She said the department is also drafting a proposal calling for the introduction of care-givers and physical therapists, two per tambon, to look after the elderly who are bed-ridden.
It is estimated that 2% of older people are bed-ridden, she said.
Several participants have also called for enactment of a law to punish those who abandon the elderly, abuse or exploit them.
Nanthaporn Songwicha, 58, leader of Buri Ram-based “Mae Ying” group, said most of the elderly in the community her group is working with face challenges in fending for themselves.
She said adult children who leave to work in other provinces stop sending child support and without proper employment the elderly get neglected.
“Their children have to leave home for jobs. When they can’t make ends meet, they don’t send any money. Some people just disappear,” she said.
Violence or physical abuse against the elderly is not uncommon, and most cases involve people in families who suffer substance abuse or mental problems, she said.
“Mae Ying” is a group of volunteers who raise funds, make house visits, and coordinate with authorities to make sure the elderly get proper assistance.
Ms Nanthaporn said tackling abuse and neglect of the elderly is complex and challenging and calls for a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach and, in some cases, requires state intervention.
“There is a woman who left her child with grandparents but continued to collect the child welfare subsidy from the state. We contacted officials to make sure the money is paid to the grandparents,” she said.