Safeguarding the Forgotten: Palliative Care as a Response to Elder Mistreatment

Safeguarding the Forgotten: Palliative Care as a Response to Elder Mistreatment

– Mr. Avtar Singh Cheema, Chandigarh

Elder abuse is a silent yet deeply troubling crisis that affects millions worldwide, including India’s aging population. It refers to any intentional act—or failure to act—that causes harm or places an older adult at risk. Abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial exploitation, and neglect, all of which contribute to premature mortality, early cognitive decline, and immense distress among the frail and vulnerable elderly.

As societies continue to evolve, the duty of care toward our elders becomes an ethical and moral imperative. Many elders suffer in silence, enduring neglect, mistreatment, or financial manipulation at the hands of those meant to care for them. Elder abuse is frequently overlooked, either going unreported or dismissed as an unfortunate consequence of aging. However, mistreatment should never be an accepted norm. Whether inflicted through deliberate harm or systemic neglect, abuse leaves lasting scars—physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

Elder abuse manifests in five distinct forms, each carrying severe risks for the well-being of older adults:

1. Physical Abuse – The intentional infliction of harm through hitting, pinching, restraining, or forced feeding, leading to pain, injury, and disability.
2. Psychological Abuse – The use of verbal threats, intimidation, harassment, isolation, or belittling treatment, resulting in depression, anxiety, and emotional distress.
3. Sexual Abuse – Non-consensual sexual acts or coercion, particularly targeting elders who are unable to comprehend or provide informed consent.
4. Financial Exploitation – The unauthorized use, misappropriation, or manipulation of an elder’s assets, stripping them of financial security and autonomy.
5. Neglect – The failure to provide essential care, whether intentional or due to ignorance, often leading to declining health and increased vulnerability.

At Palliative Peace, we witness the tragic unravelling of dreams that once defined an entire lifetime—dreams forged in the fire of sacrifice, in the unyielding battles of survival waged for the very people who, in their own ascent, now turn away.

These elders, once the architects of another’s future, now find themselves abandoned, their hands—weathered from nurturing, from holding, from giving—left empty. The echoes of their past kindness dissipate into the silence, replaced by the quiet truth that life does not always reciprocate love in the ways it should.

How Palliative Care Serves as a Guardian Against Elder Abuse:  At its essence, palliative care transcends conventional medical treatment—it embodies a profound commitment to honouring dignity, safeguarding respect, and upholding ethical caregiving. It is a sanctuary of compassion, ensuring that aging individuals are not merely treated, but cherished, protected, and heard. Through its holistic framework, palliative care intervenes to recognize, prevent, and dismantle the cycles of abuse that often trap the vulnerable, restoring a sense of security, autonomy, and peace in their final chapters of life.

1. Recognizing and Addressing Elder Abuse: Palliative care practitioners are not just caregivers; they are watchful guardians, attuned to the subtle yet harrowing signs of elder mistreatment. Their expertise allows them to detect malnutrition, unexplained injuries, emotional withdrawal, and financial instability, all of which may signal underlying abuse or neglect.
   
   Through prognostication and individualized care planning, these professionals move beyond observation, acting decisively to shield elders from further harm. With a keen understanding of medical, emotional, and social vulnerabilities, they step in to reshape the trajectory of suffering, ensuring that every elderly individual receives immediate intervention, safety, and compassionate support—restoring the dignity that abuse so often erodes.
     
2. Restoring Emotional and Psychological Well-Being: The wounds of elder abuse extend beyond the physical—they imprint deeply on the mind, leaving lasting scars of fear, isolation, and diminished self-worth. Through trauma-informed psychosocial counselling, palliative care provides a safe, compassionate space where elders can process their suffering, reclaim their dignity, and rediscover a sense of purpose. Healing is not solely found in solitude; it is nurtured through human connection.
     
3. Ensuring Dignified End-of-Life Care: Many elders suffering abuse or neglect face untreated medical conditions leading to premature mortality. Palliative care prioritizes symptom relief, holistic pain management, and emotional support, allowing elders to live with dignity. Advance care planning ensures autonomy, allowing elders to make informed decisions about their medical treatment, finances, and personal care.
     
4. Safeguarding Financial Security and Legal Rights: Financial exploitation is rampant among elderly populations, often overlooked until irreversible damage is done. Palliative care professionals collaborate with legal advisors and social workers to protect elders’ assets, ensuring they retain full control over their financial decisions.  Structured consent frameworks empower elders, preventing coercion or manipulation in healthcare and financial matters.
     
5. Raising Awareness and Building Compassionate Communities: Public education programs help families, caregivers, and professionals recognize early signs of elder abuse, fostering ethical caregiving practices. Elder-friendly policies within hospitals, nursing homes, and community initiatives create safe spaces for vulnerable elders, ensuring their dignity and respect are upheld.

Father’s Day Reflection: Father’s Day is a time for celebration, gratitude, and reflection. It is a day to honour fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who have nurtured, guided, and sacrificed for their families. However, beyond celebration, it serves as an opportunity for introspection—are we truly caring for them as they once cared for us?  Aging should be met with respect, not neglect. Dignity should not diminish with time. And love should never fade simply because one grows old.

Beyond fleeting acts of appreciation, we must commit to safeguarding our elders every day. Palliative care is not just medical intervention, it is a moral responsibility, ensuring that no elder suffers in silence, no wisdom fades unprotected, and no father feels forgotten.

Elder abuse is one of society’s gravest injustices—but it is preventable. Palliative care is not only about easing pain; it is about honouring dignity, protecting the vulnerable, and ensuring that no elder suffers unseen.

Father’s Day is more than a tribute—it’s a call to care. It reminds us to protect and value the elders who shaped our lives, ensuring they are met not with neglect, but with respect and compassion. Through awareness, ethical caregiving, and community support, we can stand firmly against elder abuse.

Now is the time to give back—to those who once carried us. Because every elder deserves not just to live, but to be cherished with peace, comfort, and unwavering dignity

Key Takeaways:

1. Elder abuse is a hidden crisis.
2. Palliative care is more than medical support.
3. Emotional and psychological healing is essential.
4. Financial exploitation must be addressed.
5. Communities play a critical role.
6. On Father’s Day it should be a commitment to protect, support, and uplift them every day.
7. Dignity should never fade with age.

IAPC features this article to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15^th June) and explores the intersection of elder care with Father’s Day celebrations, which also falls on the same day.