The levels of domestic violence and abuse against the elderly are unacceptably high in South Africa, but unfortunately the issue doesn’t enjoy priority on a very long list of social ills and injustices.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day tomorrow, 15 June 2016, provides an opportunity for us to face the issue head-on and consider how to address it.

Older persons, particularly women, often carry the burden of care for orphaned, young or vulnerable children. So the well-being of our older persons is significant as it has a direct impact on the lives of children and young people too.

Elder abuse is the neglect or mistreatment of older persons who cannot necessarily fend for themselves. This abuse cuts across colour and class lines. There are various forms of elder abuse and mistreatment, including physical and emotional abuse, lack of medical care, malnutrition and financial exploitation.

Signs of abuse include physical scars, but also behaviour like withdrawal and feelings of fear, anxiety, depression and helplessness. The abused seldom speak out for fear of further victimisation. Many don’t know where to turn.

The City of Cape Town’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Directorate runs a number of programmes for seniors that focus on healthy living, active ageing, and fostering a sense of belonging and opportunities to make friends.

In the last two years we have rolled out our home-based care initiative where we train hundreds of people each year as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme to interact with and provide care to elderly residents who request assistance. Our caregivers are also trained to identify signs of abuse and to refer such cases for further investigation. We train 400 caregivers each financial year, but we hope to employ as many as 600 in the new financial year to meet the growing demand for the service.

Our caregivers are the City’s eyes and ears, but I want communities to work with us too. Support your elderly neighbour and be the person they can count on should they need it. Blow the whistle on abusive children who never visit their parents in the old-age home or who exploit their pensions. The list of examples is endless.

No one deserves to live their twilight years in a climate of fear or loneliness. Our elders are the reason we are here. They have made sacrifices for our benefit and they deserve our respect. To the elderly who are being abused: there are support groups that you can contact for assistance or you can report the abuser to the South African Police Service or the City’s Public Emergency Contact Centre on 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.

Other useful contacts include:

• Age-in-Action: 021 462 4249
• Action Against Elder Abuse: 021 426 5526
• Halt Elder Abuse Line: 0800 003 081
• Lifeline Southern Africa: 0861 322 322
• Woman Abuse Line: 0800 150 150