Nineteen elderly individuals have taken their own lives between January and August this year, prompting concern from Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran. Speaking at the soft launch of the Golden Age Home in Labasa on Friday, she highlighted that last year, there were 60 recorded suicide attempts among the elderly during the same timeframe.
Among the individuals who died by suicide this year, two were over 60 years old. Ms. Kiran expressed her alarm over the prevalence of neglect towards the elderly, noting that many feel abandoned without support from their families or caregivers. She referred to this as a troubling trend and emphasized the emotional toll it takes on older individuals.
Kiran called on families and communities to pay attention to the needs of their elderly members. She explained that neglecting older persons can lead to broader issues within families and society, contributing to the unraveling of familial relationships.
Emphasizing the importance of elders in family dynamics, she stated that neglecting them results in the loss of valuable experience and support they provide. Ms. Kiran reiterated that Fiji is recognized for its compassion, and if communities could refocus their attention on elderly care, these individuals could continue to contribute to building strong communities and guiding younger generations.
Currently, there are 112 abandoned elderly people living in three government-operated aged care homes located in Labasa, Suva, and Lautoka. Additionally, she mentioned that 86 percent of these seniors experience some form of disability, significantly affecting their quality of life.