Being treated like ‘waste’ during the ‘golden years’: Practical-theological perspectives

Petria M Theron

doi:10.4102/hts.v70i2.2636

Abstract

The South African Government published the Older Persons Act no. 13 of 2006. The objectives of the Act are inter alia to maintain and promote the status, well-being, safety and security of older persons, to maintain and protect their rights and to combat abuse of older persons. This act is indispensable, as the elderly (people of 65 and older) form a growing segment of the South African population (4.767% in 1996 − 5.019% in 2011). They are in many regards extremely vulnerable, as they often face negative views regarding older people, experience discrimination, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Many atrocities are committed against them and one hears horror stories of older people who are abused and/or neglected by their own children and/or other people. One could almost say that these people, during their so-called ‘golden years’, are treated like ‘human waste’. I will investigate this phenomenon and attempt to interpret it within the South African context. I will then identify certain biblical guidelines to orientate one’s attitude towards old age and the elderly. To conclude, I will propose strategies to prevent elder abuse and restore human dignity to them.

Highlights

One of the outstanding tendencies of the 21st century is the ageing of the world population
According to the 1996 census, the elderly formed 4.767% of the population; it has increased to 5.019%, according to the 2011 census (Statistics SA 2001:20, 2011:9). This demographic data is important to policy-makers, it is important to know how older persons experience their so-called golden years1
The centre looks after old people in the community who cannot come to the centre due to old age and bad health

Summary

Introduction

One of the outstanding tendencies of the 21st century is the ageing of the world population. The centre looks after old people in the community who cannot come to the centre due to old age and bad health These people often live alone in appalling conditions and are extremely vulnerable to abuse, robberies and violence of all forms, including rape and murder, as their shacks are not secure. Sometimes the centre must cover the cost of the funeral, as nobody else takes responsibility for the deceased She finds many older people who are looking after orphaned grandchildren whose parents died because of HIV and AIDS. She assists the grandparent(s) to register the orphaned grandchildren to receive social grants, in this way alleviating some of the financial pressure to look after them She could take some of the older people to an oldage home in town, but recently, a room is seldom available. A few elderly members are largely dependent on the financial and physical help of the congregation

Concluding remarks

Findings

Conclusion