Columbia Pacific Communities’ latest campaign CallOutAbuse calls for support against domestic abuse of senior citizens

Launched around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), the campaign aims to sensitise people and mobilise seniors to seek support against abuse

·         As per the Longitudinal Aging Study in India¹, 77% of the abused senior citizens experience verbal/ emotional ill-treatment, while more than 50% of them felt neglected.

·         The initiative by Columbia Pacific Communities is supported by HelpAge India Elder Helpline number (1800-180-1253) for seniors, to avail professional counselling.

Delhi, June 10, 2021: Shining the spotlight on the predicament of senior citizens experiencing domestic abuse in the country today, Columbia Pacific Communities, India’s largest senior living community operator has launched a three-phase awareness and support campaign #CallOutAbuse on the side-lines of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed on June 15, with the aim to spread awareness on the growing social problem and motivate senior citizens to access right channels of support.

Launched on June 9, 2021, the first phase of the digital campaignaims to sensitise netizens by focusing on the physical and emotional state of senior citizens living with abuse. Phase two showcases the deep-rooted anxieties, fears, and stigma experienced by the elderly, which makes them cover their pain behind brave appearances, self-guilt, and weak reasoning.

Speaking about the initiative, Piali Dasgupta, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Columbia Pacific Communities, said “Elderly abuse is growing at an alarming pace in our country as a result of growing economic pressures and cost of care as well as decreasing sensitivities and selfish motivations of the younger generation. Through this campaign, we want to sensitise the younger generation to shoulder responsibilities of their parents and be more empathetic towards those that brought them up while also urging seniors to break the mould of fear and stigma and seek help against ill-treatment at home. While elder abuse exists outside of home as well, a majority of the cases are at home. Columbia Pacific Communities has always worked towards empowering seniors to take charge of their lives and claim the respect and dignity they deserve. With over 104 million elderly people in India and the demographic expected to triple by 2050, we are committed to stand by those who have nurtured us in life.”

Link to the video: https://youtu.be/VnBZTAroUOQ

As per an Agewell survey, over 71% of elderly people experience abuse at home. Also the Wave 1 report of Government of India commissioned Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)[1] states that 77% of the abused seniors experienced verbal/emotional ill-treatment, 24% dealt with physical abuse, and 27% faced economic exploitation, while over 50% overall felt neglected.

The final phase of the campaign aims to mobilise action amongst seniors to strengthen their resolve and opt for help if they are experiencing any form of abuse or neglect. Offering them a trusted channel for professional assistance, HelpAge India’s Elder Helpline number (1800-180-1253) will be the medium to reach out to seniors to receive support and counselling.

About Columbia Pacific Communities

Columbia Pacific Communities is India’s largest and most experienced senior living community operator with close to 1600 residential units under management in 5 cities and 9 communities across south India. Recently, they launched ‘The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences’, India’s first senior living community designed to international standards. As the pioneers in this category, the operator is committed to redefine the concept of senior living in India and create world-class practices that exceed the expectations of its stakeholders. It is part of the Columbia Pacific group, one of the foremost developers of senior living communities and hospitals in the United States and South East Asia. Founded by Dan Baty, Columbia Pacific Group has more than 40 years of experience and expertise in designing, building and managing senior housing communities around the world. The team, with the expertise of their directors in the United States and their partners in India, brings together rich experience in senior housing design, development and management.