Protect the elderly from abuse

09 June 2011  I  For immediate release

South Africa is faced with the issue of hundreds of senior citizens who are neglected and abused in their own homes and by professional care givers daily. This has become one of the pressing issues in today’s society but is still treated as an unspoken problem.

Captain Thataetsile Piet Semeno, Public Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army said elderly South Africans are victims of being harmed physically, emotionally or being preyed upon financially by those who are meant to be caring for them.

He said: “These days a lot of attention is being given to HIV/AIDS, youth and drugs. As a result, many people forget the importance of taking care of the elderly as well.”

Applauding the care givers employed by The Salvation Army for their input in all its senior homes around South Africa, Captain Semeno said that special days like the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June 2011) are very informative to people with regard to this sort of abuse.

Considering the many different forms of elderly abuse like psychological, sexual, physical and unauthorised use of an older person’s finances, Semeno believes that elderly abuse should be considered a public health and criminal justice concern like any other form of family violence.

“We are not only interested in working to help bring recognition and ultimately an end to elderly abuse and neglect, but we have established homes to accommodate homeless and frail elderly people,” added Captain Semeno.

The Salvation Army’s homes in and around South Africa accommodates these elderly people’s needs with qualified staff looking after and caring for them on a daily basis.

Captain Semeno pointed out that the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the huge contribution older people make to families and communities around the world.

“Above all, this day also seeks to ensure that everybody in society, regardless of age, feels part of society,” he said.

Beside the work The Salvation Army does for the elderly, they have homes for babies and children with HIV/Aids, pre-schools, shelters for the homeless, emergency services, feeding schemes, centres for abused women and children, homes for abandoned children, prevention of human trafficking, the protection of the victims and the lawful prosecution of the perpetrators.

To assist in supporting The Salvation Army’s work with the elderly, please contact their offices on 011 718 6746.

Financial donations can be made by depositing contributions directly in the following account:

The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal,

First National Bank, Braamfontein branch (251905),

Account number 50540087604.

Deposit slips should be faxed to 011-718-6796.

Alternatively, credit card donations can be made by calling 011-718-6750, while cheques should be made out to: The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, and posted to PO Box 32217, Braamfontein, 2017. Online donations via EFT are also welcome. Details can also be found on www.salvationarmy.org.za.

Donations to The Salvation Army are exempt from donations tax. This means that members of the public and companies wishing to make a once-off or regular donation to the Army are able to make claims for rebate from the South African Revenue Service.

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The Salvation Army is an international movement and evangelical part of the universal Christian Church and has a professional record in rehabilitating and accommodating trafficking trade victims and addressing social injustice in a systematic, measured, proactive and Christian manner through its International Social Justice Commission.

ISSUED BY QUO VADIS COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE SALVATION ARMY

Media Contact: Ulwazi Mgwadleka
Tel: 011-487-0026
Cell: 083-998-8380
E-mail: click here to email Ulwazi Mgwadleka
Client Contact: Captain Piet Semeno
Public Relations Secretary
Tel: 011-718-6745
Cell: 082-994-4351
E-mail: click here to email Captain Piet Semeno