Bhubaneswar, June 15: As the world observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, attention has once again turned to the growing challenges faced by senior citizens who often endure neglect, abuse and isolation during the most vulnerable phase of their lives.

While many elderly people hope to spend their later years surrounded by the love and care of their families, the reality is often starkly different. In numerous cases, senior citizens face mistreatment, emotional neglect and even harassment from family members, including children and in-laws.

Social activists say that many aged parents suffer in silence, hiding their pain and shedding tears away from public view. For several elderly individuals who have nowhere else to turn, old-age homes have emerged as a refuge, offering safety, companionship and dignity.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed annually on June 15, seeks to raise awareness about the physical, emotional and financial abuse faced by older persons and to encourage society to treat them with respect and compassion.

On the occasion, citizens and voluntary organisations have been urged to visit old-age homes, spend time with residents and extend emotional support to those who often feel abandoned and forgotten.

Experts emphasise that ensuring the well-being of senior citizens is not only a family responsibility but also a social obligation, requiring collective efforts to create a more caring and inclusive society.