The Mooroopna Water Tower and the big gum tree in Monash Park, Shepparton, were lit up in purple, in observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2015. Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust. Elder abuse also extends to abuse of Power of Attorney.
The days of the extended family with parents, grandparents and other relations living and cooperating together in the family home are fast disappearing. Such extended family traditions gave much security, trust, a strong sense of belonging and identity in the growing years of yesterday.
In those days, elder abuse did not exist. Elders were respected, listened to and were often a source of wisdom and guidance. For all the ups and downs of life, the elders were there to guide, to comfort, and were a strong sense of security in the family home.
One great spiritual leader affirmed that "Life is change and to be perfect is to have changed often". In this day and age, getting on in the age of smartphones and other personal communication devices, the internet and other rapidly changing domains of life require adjustment, adapting and resilience to change. However, respect for elders is not a matter for change; respect for elders is one of the sacred foundations of inner strength, good character and a firm pathway through life. Hence, these are important reasons for encouraging the young to listen to, and respect the words of elders. As one Australian poet once observed, "there is much to learn, and little time to learn it".
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is also a day of remembering to respect our elders.
Mooroopna Water Tower, lit up in purple in observance
of World Elder Abuse Day, 2015
Amid falling rain, the Big Gum Tree in Monash Park, Shepparton
is illuminated in purple for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2015
