Isolated due to Covid lockdown, loneliness and elder abuse on the rise in Chandigarh

Several senior citizen organisations in Chandigarh have reported a rise in cases of abuse on senior citizens. Many have also been diagnosed with psychiatric issues after being lonely during most part of the lockdowns.

The Covid-19-imposed lockdowns and restrictions have had a detrimental effect on the mental state of elderly people, with the number of incidents of elder abuse increasing during the pandemic. According to a report by Hindustan Times on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, many senior citizen organisations in Chandigarh have reported a rise in cases of abuse on senior citizens. Many have also been diagnosed with psychiatric issues. “Due to loss of livelihood and staying home alone, there are about 300 pending complaints with the UT deputy commissioner ever since March 2020. On my end, I counsel the parties whenever I receive calls like these," the report quoted Gurnam Singh, a member of the Chandigarh Senior Citizens’ Association (CSCA), who coordinates with the administration in cases of elder abuse, as saying.