Senior Geriatric Consultant, Dr. Zubair Saleem, has expressed concern over the growing incidence of elder abuse and neglect in Kashmir, stating that observations from ongoing interactions and records of nearly 35,000 elderly parents over the years indicate that almost one in every two older persons experiences some form of abuse, neglect, emotional distress, or mistreatment.
Delivering a keynote address at WEAAD-2026 at Amar Singh Club, Dr. Saleem said that while physical violence against older persons is relatively uncommon in Kashmir, psychological and emotional abuse remains widespread and often goes unnoticed.
He noted that many elderly parents report being ignored, humiliated, shouted at, excluded from family decisions, subjected to constant criticism, or made to feel like a burden within their own homes. In some cases, they are denied companionship, spoken to disrespectfully, or left isolated despite living with family members.
“Parents can sometimes be difficult or behave in unexpected ways, but nothing on the face of the earth can justify being rude, neglectful, or uncaring towards them,” Dr. Saleem said. He observed that in a significant number of cases, the distress originates within the family itself, often involving married sons and other close relatives. The resulting emotional trauma can contribute to loneliness, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and a decline in overall health among older persons.
Dr. Saleem emphasized that elder abuse is not always visible and that emotional wounds can be as damaging as physical injuries. He called upon families, community leaders, religious institutions, civil society organisations, and policymakers to work collectively to restore respect, dignity, and security for senior citizens.
