The neglect and abuse of the elderly in Cyprus, both in homes and in some nursing homes, has begun to reach alarming proportions, he said in a statement on the occasion of today's publication of the newspaper "o Phileleftheros" on the abuse of an elderly woman with dementia. Cyprus Elderly Observatory.
"The state is no longer entitled to simply monitor events or implement piecemeal solutions because some of the existing structures do not function properly. The State must create special units for the immediate fight against these phenomena and has an obligation to take action for the protection of our elderly fellow human beings. Such behaviors, which endanger the physical and mental health of our elderly, are unacceptable and reprehensible, but we do not see the perpetrators being punished. "People who abuse the elderly are not allowed to go unpunished, either because the competent authorities or our legislation are unable to do the obvious."
It calls on the State to immediately draw up a national strategy for the protection of the elderly, allocating financial and human resources in this direction, while at the same time strengthening the legal framework for combating the phenomenon.
It also calls on the Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights to strengthen the existing structures of her service dealing with the flagrant violation of fundamental human rights and to strengthen her responsibilities in order to act directly and effectively to protect this vulnerable group. .
"As the Cyprus Elderly Observatory we can not tolerate such behaviors and we call on the State to take action to protect our elderly fellow human beings. We have stressed many times that apathy and non-acceptance or recognition of the problem has led many of our fellow human beings to even death. Just as the State has rightly taken care of the protection of minors who engage in similar behaviors, so it must take care of this vulnerable group as well. "There is no other margin," he notes.
At the same time, he calls on the society to wake up, to stop tolerating such behaviors and not to be afraid to report incidents of abuse and neglect of the elderly to the competent bodies. "Apathy is complicity", concludes the Cyprus Elderly Observatory, in its announcement.
Famagusta.News / KYPE