Social Services Releases Alarming Statistics on Elder Abuse

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Department of Social Services is shining light on the elderly over the next 30 days – celebrating Older Persons Month and advocating for care and protection of senior citizens in the community.

The World Health Organization defines elder abuse as “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.”

At a press conference on Friday, Social Services Minister Myles Laroda shared some alarming stats.

Laroda says data recorded by the Senior Citizens Division since 2023 shows there were 33 reports of neglect, 1 report of self-neglect, 2 reports of financial abuse, 9 reports of physical abuse, 6 reports of verbal abuse and 1 report of sexual abuse.

“Behind every one of these numbers is a life, a mother, a father, a grandparent, a neighbor – someone who deserves to live with dignity and respect,” Laroda said.

However that’s not all, there’s also been requests for housing.

123 for governmental rental units, 163 requests for group whole placement, with the government group homes only able to hold 40, and 74 requests for geriatric hospital placement has been made.

So where do we go from here, and how can the public help?

You’re encouraged to recognize and observe the signs of elder abuse, check on older persons regularly, and speak out where necessary.

“Where they read they Bible and so just having aid by vision for them to read the Bible makes so much of a positive impact on their life….most people know about the food assistance, sometimes repairs to the home too but simple things like a wheelchair that now I could go to church, now I could go outside…,[makes a difference]” he said.