Nineteen elderly individuals committed suicide between January and August this year, according to Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran. This statistic was shared during the soft launch of the Golden Age Home in Labasa on Friday, where she highlighted the serious issue of elder neglect.
Ms. Kiran noted that among the suicides this year, two of the individuals were over the age of 60. She expressed deep concern about the reality that many elderly people face abandonment without the assistance of their families or caregivers.
“This troubling trend indicates that our elders may feel undervalued and stressed to the point of taking their own lives,” she stated. She urged families and communities to be more considerate of the needs of older individuals, emphasizing that neglecting them can lead to severe social consequences.
She remarked, “When we neglect our older persons, we risk the stability of our families, as they hold invaluable experience and wisdom that supports family unity.” Ms. Kiran called on the community to recognize the importance of caring for the elderly, noting Fiji’s reputation for compassion.
Currently, there are 112 abandoned seniors residing in government-operated care homes located in Labasa, Suva, and Lautoka. Ms. Kiran also pointed out that 86 percent of these seniors suffer from some form of disability, complicating their lives further.