Being treated like ‘waste’ during the ‘golden years’: Practical-theological perspectives

Abstract

The South African Government published the Older Persons Act no. 13 of 2006. The objectives of the Act are inter alia to maintain and promote the status, well-being, safety and security of older persons, to maintain and protect their rights and to combat abuse of older persons. This act is indispensable, as the elderly (people of 65 and older) form a growing segment of the South African population (4.767% in 1996 − 5.019% in 2011). They are in many regards extremely vulnerable, as they often face negative views regarding older people, experience discrimination, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Many atrocities are committed against them and one hears horror stories of older people who are abused and/or neglected by their own children and/or other people. One could almost say that these people, during their so-called ‘golden years’, are treated like ‘human waste’. I will investigate this phenomenon and attempt to interpret it within the South African context. I will then identify certain biblical guidelines to orientate one’s attitude towards old age and the elderly. To conclude, I will propose strategies to prevent elder abuse and restore human dignity to them.

Elder Abuse—The Current State of Research in South Africa

“…Old age is easier for some groups in the South African population, but more research is needed into the prevalence and risk factors for abuse in specific groups. Culture, political, economic, and social realities, together with negative societal attitudes toward older persons are exacerbating the vulnerability of the elderly to poverty, abuse, and violation of their human rights (5, 25).…”

Perspectives on Elderly Crime and Victimization

“…On 1 April 2010 the long-awaited Older Persons Act was promulgated (Gazette No. 33075-Regulation 260) (Papp, 2011;Theron, 2014). This piece of legislation aims to give greater protection to the elderly.…”

“…Also the elderly women who live alone are increasingly in danger (Theron, 2014). In Box 5.1, a topical case of elderly rape in South Africa is featured.…”

“…The elderly who are deemed to be in the lower income group has access to a regular social pension income and pensioners are entitled to free treatment at public health-care facilities. However, health care is often unsatisfactory due to poor access and huge demand (Theron, 2014). The elderly in South Africa were more likely to be females than males (60.3-39.7% in 2011 and 59.9-40.1% in 2016).…”