Protecting the Elderly Against Abuse and Neglect – Legal and Social Strategies

The issues pertaining to the elderly started to receive attention from the society when it was highlighted via the media. Yes, it does occur in our society. It is a fact that we have to accept. To many, this is something that is very difficult to believe, the reason being that the elders in our society, be it Malay, Chinese, Indian or other ethnics, are highly respected. This was what been inculcated in our society for generations. Unfortunately, unwanted acts take place and we have to put an end to such acts. What more, we are heading towards an ageing nation by the year 2035. In order to ensure that we are able to obtain more ideas and input regarding issues on the elderly and also to take a step towards addressing the urgency of the matter, a seminar was convened in November 2015 by Sub-GC 5 (Law), under the Prevent Elder Abuse and Neglect Initiative (PEACE) Research Project, University of Malaya.

This book is based on the papers that were presented at the seminar. These papers explored the issues concerning the elderly from the legal and social perspective. In addition, a comparison was made between the local spectrum and the international as well as the Islamic spectrum. Further thereto, the seminar addressed the rights of vulnerable adults and senior citizens as well as matters pertaining to finance, welfare, maintenance as well as the characteristics of elder abuse and neglect. It also included the discussion on the duties of family members, caregivers, public authorities towards the elderly, apart from how elder abuse and neglect can be prevented through collaborative efforts.

The members of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine have contributed to a couple of chapters in the book.

Chapter 2: Prevent Elder Abuse and Neglect Initiative (PEACE)

Chapter 6: Elder Abuse in a Rural Community in Malaysia: The Who and the How.

Editors: Siti Zaharah Jamaluddin, Jal Zabdi Mohd Yusoff, Usharani Balasingam, Zulazhar Tahir, Sridevi Thambapillay, Muhammad Abu Taher.
Publisher: Universiti Malaya Press (2017)
Details: Chapters 16, Pages 284.