God’s most precious work of art
is the warmth and love, of a grandparent’s heart.
A grandparent’s love is strong and deep,
filled with memories to cherish and keep.

Aren’t these lines so true to the word? I can well relate to them because I have really loving grandparents AND they have a loving grandchild in me. Since childhood, I have always enjoyed spending time with my grans and they have always been my source of wisdom, inspiration and experience. I have like, a million memories with them and all of them are wonderful.

Ours is a close-knit family, where the values of respect, love and compassion is deeply imbibed in us and I really enjoy this healthy and vibrant quality in us, which I may pass on to generations to come.

I have memories of my grandfather, when he was a recently retired SBI Official and would make me and my cousins read newspaper columns to him every morning, over tea, which eventually built our knowledge of the world and also developed our interest in reading. Then there were days when he would help me in solving math problems and since I was the eldest of them all, he would sometimes make me calculate his daily house accounts. Those were some real beautiful and innocent days.

My paternal grandmother- dadi is a lovely and hardworking lady. She used to take me and my girl cousins, for grocery shopping, every weekend. She used to cook for us, delicious foods and we enjoyed her treat, always. During Summer holidays, we would help her in making papads, pickles, murabbas, and this way, we spent some good quality time with our grandmother.

 

My maternal grandma- nani is one humorous and exciting lady. During our childhood days, she would gift me a story book, every year, on my birthdays and they were really one way of helping me built my imagination and reading skills.

I’ve had a great time with my grandparents and despite their weak souls, they are still, a source of inspiration and love for me. I enjoy their company and visit them frequently. Every time, they have a many good wishes and prayers for me and I am always overwhelmed by it.

But!

Beautiful Memories. Wonderful Grandparents. Loving Family.

… is not the case everywhere!

There are places where grandparents or the elderly are treated with abuse and cruelty, killing their true essence and bliss.

What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse is a violation of human rights and a significant cause of illness, injury, loss of productivity and despair.

What are the Types of Elder Abuse?

The National Center on Elder Abuse identifies 6 different types of Elder Abuse

Who commits Abuse?

Why don’t the elderly report abuse?

Elder Abuse Warning Signs

How to help identifying situations involving Elder Abuse?

 

Let not these roses dry
and bury their vintage charm
under abandoned wrinkles of time.
Decipher the overlooked moist in their eyes
which speaks out for mere love and care!

– Amreen Shaikh

 

10 things anyone can do to prevent Elder Abuse

1. Learn the signs of elder abuse and neglect.
2. Call or visit an elderly loved one and ask how he or she is doing
3. Ask your bank manager to train tellers on how to detect elder financial abuse.
4. Ask your doctor to ask you and all other senior patients about possible family violence in their lives.
5. Contact your local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Care Ombudsman to learn how to support their work helping at-risk elders and adults with disabilities.
6. Organize a “Respect Your Elders” essay or poster contest in your child’s school.
7. Ask your religious congregation’s leader to give a talk about elder abuse at a service or to put a message about elder abuse in the bulletin.
8. Volunteer to be a friendly visitor to a nursing home resident or to a home-bound senior in your neighborhood.
9. Send a letter to your local paper, radio or TV station suggesting that they cover World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) or Grandparents Day in September.
10. Dedicate your bikeathon/marathon/other event to elder mistreatment awareness and prevention.

 

A nation’s greatness is measured
by how it treats its weakest members.
– Mahatma Gandhi