Abstract

South Asian countries are ageing rapidly. With these increases in all countries elder abuse cases are increasing and becoming a cause of concern for governments, civil society members and older people themselves. In these countries, where there has been a tradition of revering older people, growth in cases of abuse of older people is calling for review of existent values and practices at the community and institutional levels. Advocates for wellbeing of older people want these societies to take steps to prevent and respond to the increasing frequency of different forms of abuse. Certain legislative responses along with societal ones have emerged in these countries to tackle the problem of elder abuse. This chapter outlines the situation of elder abuse in South Asian countries and discusses the interventional measures being adopted to combat the problem. With a review of the elder abuse situation in different countries the chapter notes societal and legislative initiatives undertaken and attempts being made by other organizations to give visibility to the problem and give dignity and respect to the number of older persons. This chapter is based on the author’s research through travel as well as by both primary and secondary sources.