When we talk about violence against older adults, many think of blows or shoves. But the reality is much more painful and silent. Abandonment, scams, indifference, and humiliation hurt as much as, or more than, a blow, because they destroy trust, dignity, and the will to live.
October 1st, the Day of the Older Person, should be an uncomfortable reminder to everyone: elder abuse is present and, in many cases, occurs in the closest environments, where care and love should exist.
In Costa Rica, the numbers speak for themselves. In 2023 alone, the Costa Rican Gerontological Association (AGECO) handled 684 cases of violence, ranging from physical and psychological abuse to neglect and abandonment. The Ministry of Public Security reports five scams a day targeting older adults, a form of economic violence that leaves invisible wounds. And as of October 2024, the 1165 hotline received 760 reports of abandonment, an increase that reflects a painful trend.
But beyond the numbers, what is worrying is what these represent for human beings who, after a lifetime of work and dedication, face their final years with fear, loneliness, or mistrust. Worst of all, many remain silent, because they feel ashamed or because they are definitively abandoned, because they don’t want to be in the way, or because the aggressors are their own family members.
Subtle violence
And violence doesn’t always leave visible bruises or marks. It can also manifest itself in a stolen pension, a visit that never comes, constant mockery for speaking or walking slowly, or the contempt of those who think old age is a burden. These silent wounds age more than the years: they generate depression, anxiety, social isolation, loss of autonomy, and increasingly earlier institutionalization.
Abandonment and indifference are also forms of violence. It’s not enough to provide shelter or food; older people need to be heard, acknowledged, embraced, validated, and socialized. Dignity doesn’t expire with age, and the right to a full life doesn’t expire with age. On the contrary, it should be in old age that support, respect, and recognition are most guaranteed for those who have dedicated their lives to their family and society.
What can we do for older adults?
Spend genuine time, not just quick visits.
Observe warning signs and respond accordingly, such as withdrawal, excessive fear, or sudden changes in behavior.
Report any suspicion of abuse. Silence makes us complicit.
Educate and raise awareness among families and caregivers. Respect and tenderness are also learned.
Our country has important legal frameworks, such as the Comprehensive Law for Older Persons (No. 7935) and the Asset Protection Law (File No. 22,244). But no law replaces the human duty to care for and value those who once cared for us.
Aging should not be synonymous with loneliness or suffering. Respect for older persons reflects the deepest values of our society. This International Day of Older Persons should be a clear call: no more complicit silence. Let us protect our older persons with the same strength with which they once protected us.
For those who have experienced shifts in consciousness and know that more peace, joy, and love awaits in a better living environment. A bold shared vision. A living community and hub for innovation. A sustainable ecosystem for living and working. A model for the new future.
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