A group of pensioners took to the streets of Durban's CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban's CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
TO commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June, TAFTA hosted an Elder Abuse Awareness Walk on 14 June, to bring more public awareness to the plight of older persons and sensitise the community on the issue of elder abuse.
As an active NGO, TAFTA continues to play a vital role in the fight against elder abuse and neglect and continues to conduct awareness programmes aimed at promoting the plight of abused senior citizens and the prevention of abuse against the elderly. The Association has seen a notable decrease in the number of abuse matters in the past three years. The figures are based on reported cases through TAFTA’s internal reporting system as at 1 June.
CEO of TAFTA, Margie Smith, said awareness was very important as abusers want secrecy. “This is something that needs to be highlighted and people need to know what to look for to help pensioners find security. We offer a place to go for help whether the abuse is physical, financial, emotional or mental. A lot of pensioners are suffering some type of abuse, and I feel financial abuse is the most prevalent at the moment. The abuser wants money from the pensioner and will do anything to get it, which is linked with physical and mental abuse,” she said.
Smith said neglect was another form of elder abuse, where the elderly are left during the day to fend for themselves. “People need to ask the pensioner whether they can get to the toilet or feed themselves. In some cases the person is left all day and can’t get to the toilet, and is berated by family when they soil themselves. It is huge emotional trauma and is almost more hurtful as family is doing it. In other cases pensioners are lonely and depressed and family don’t ask them how they are. Families need to step up and not leave the pensioner on the last rung of the ladder,” said Smith.
Pensioners took up placards and marched in the Durban City Centre on Tuesday, to raise awareness of the plight of the elderly who are often forgotten and abused.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
The group of marchers get ready to march in the CBD.
Ben and Naomi Stapersma, Fred Till and Alice Gray.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
Poongavanum Govender, Angmma Moodley, TAFTA CEO Margie Smith, Selvie Govender and Leela Surujbali.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
Adelaide Shozi, Shalaza Madlala and Judy Sithole.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
Lorraine Hamiel, Jeanette Bloem and Carol Augustus.
Margie Smith addresses the group about the prevalence of elder abuse.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
Zanele Mchunu, Janet Meyendisa, Umba Nsitu and Jackie Snyman at the walk.
Freedom Zikalala and Nosipho Funeka from eThekwini Ambulance Service with Ateesha Rampersad from TAFTA.
Ben and Naomi Stapersma, Fred Till and Alice Gray.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
Veronica Nduli, Lindiwe Majola, Londiwe Molefe, Ruth Ntaka, Angelica Dlamini and Yvonne Le Roux from The Hills Retirement Centre/Kloof Rest Home
Doreen Harvey, Abe Mai, Liz Solomon and Louis Olivier.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
Pam Alexander, Abel Naicker and Renee Chislett.
Daphne Burns and Mary Ramirez.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
The group of marchers get ready to march in the CBD.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
The group of marchers take to the streets of Durban’s CBD to highlight the issue elder abuse.
A group from the Bluff gathered to support the march.
