This post was originally published as a press release on 21 May 2018.

Gender equality group AWARE welcomes the introduction of a comprehensive and detailed legal framework that grant the state powers to intervene as a last resort to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect. The Vulnerable Adults Bill is particularly important for women because they are disproportionately likely to be vulnerable adults.

“A local 2009 study found that women form 71% of the population of older adults diagnosed with cognitive impairment. Women are also likely to face limitations in performing their daily activities. These facts, combined with the gendered nature of ageing (women live, on average, five years longer than men) mean that the Bill has the potential to make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable adults, especially older women,” said Shailey Hingorani, Head of Advocacy and Research for AWARE.

“The Bill can protect vulnerable adults in cases of abuse, neglect and self-neglect which cover a range of situations that involve physical, emotional or psychological abuse. However, it does not protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation, such as cases where elderly parents are deceived or coerced to sign a will or deed, or where money is regularly taken from elderly parents without providing support in return,” Ms. Hingorani added.

A 2016 NUS study on cases of elderly abuse flagged financial abuse of elderly by family members a pressing concern. Over a two year period, the study found that nearly 50% of cases of elderly abuse they analysed involved financial exploitation.

Ms Hingorani said, “Now cases of abuse are easier to detect than cases of neglect and self-neglect because the latter involve acts of omission. Neglect could be an unintentional by-product of the physical, and emotional stress that family caregivers experience. In such cases, the Bill should offer support and education to help alleviate stress so that caregivers can provide better care to families. Any punitive measures must only be used in extreme cases of abuse.”

“Finally, we are encouraged that the Bill is meant to be activated as a matter of last resort. This underlying principle should be reflected in how the state plans for the care of vulnerable adults. The finality of a Bill of last resort must mean that state interventions go beyond temporary relocation of vulnerable adults to shelters.

As such all interventions must be designed with a long-term care plan in mind that respect the wishes of vulnerable adults to be cared for at home if they so desire,” said Ms. Hingorani.