Elderly Abandonment: A Growing Crisis in Fiji

There have been reports of children selling land or property titles given to them by aging parents and moving abroad, leaving their elders at a disadvantage, according to Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran. Speaking at the Sathya Sai Service Organisation’s National Ladies Retreat in Rakiraki, she highlighted that a staggering 90 percent of the elderly in state care homes come from the local community.

Kiran expressed concern that many of these elders, who once nurtured their children, are now vulnerable and are often forsaken by their offspring. “Today, we see cases where children receive land or property titles from their aging parents only to sell them off and move abroad, leaving their elderly mothers and fathers in aged care homes or, worse, abandoned and homeless,” she remarked.

Recognizing the depth of the problem, she urged the community to engage in discussions about elderly care, enhance support structures for seniors living alone, and establish preventive measures against family violence. Kiran emphasized the importance of providing support to those in need, particularly in terms of physical and emotional care.

The minister also encouraged people to utilize available counseling resources, such as the toll-free helplines for women, children, and cases of elder abuse, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to tackling these pressing issues through legal reforms and community outreach.

Kiran’s call echoes previous concerns voiced about elder care and elder abuse, which have been attention points during various community gatherings, particularly as Fiji grapples with rising incidents of neglect and abandonment of seniors. There is a growing recognition of the imperative to build strong connections within families and communities to ensure that seniors are treated with dignity and care.

This collective effort to address elder abuse and foster a more supportive environment for elderly citizens indicates a hopeful pathway towards improving the lives of seniors. By reinforcing community ties and promoting compassionate engagement, there is optimism that the quality of life for the elderly in Fiji can be significantly enhanced.