ELDERLY people sleeping on the streets is an indication that a lot of families are not looking after senior citizens, says Housing Assistance and Relief Trust (HART) CEO Poserio Furivai.
Raising his concern over the issue, he said the neglect of the elderly had become common in Fiji.
“We continue to see some elderly people sleeping on the streets around the city and town areas. This is because they have no other place to go to,” Mr Furivai said.
“That is an indication that we have a lot of families that are not looking after their elderly well.
“So, I would say that there is a lot of work needed for us to do and ensure that our elderly are not being neglected.”
Mr Furivai said in many situations, the elderly were often seen as a burden to the family.
“This is because they no longer contribute financially, they’re not working any more.
“And so in some sad cases, the families send the elderly to the streets to beg as a contribution to the family.
“They don’t sit idle, that’s why they are sent there to do some work, that is to beg.”
Mr Furivai said some elderly people move out of the house because they do not get the love and the respect they deserve.
“Some elderly, because there is no due consideration and respect for them in the house, they no longer feel loved and that itself pushes them out.
“You don’t have to tell the person you need to go out. They know, they sense that they are not welcomed any more.
“Because of that kind of situation, they are pushed out of the family onto the street.”
Mr Furivai said the elderly have sacrificed their life for their loved ones, and they deserve the same in return.
“We do not take into account and into consideration that these are the people who looked after you when you were a baby and (you) depended on them to bring you up.
“And when you are able to be independent and look after yourself, you don’t reflect on those times where you should be giving back to them the love they had given you.”
