In India, persons aged 60 or above are considered elderly or senior citizens.

The
United Nations Organization also treats persons aged 60 years or more as elderly
(Group for Economic and Social Studies, 2009). In recent time, there has been a
spurt in crime against older citizens as they become an easy target of criminals.
Problems manifest in the form of abuse and violence against the elderly. Their
vulnerability makes them soft targets for crime.
Against the above backdrop, the present paper seeks to address the concerns about
the crimes committed against the elderly people.
The very first part of the paper deals with the history of India with regards to the
family structure, how earlier joint family system dominated over the nuclear family
tradition. The nuclear family system is dominating over the joint family system and
the size of the family has reduced from many members to only the parents and
children.
the second part of the present paper deals with the issues, causes and effect of such
change faced by elderly people. Science and technology (industrialization),
expansion of towns and cities (urbanization) and employment of men and women
both have nowadays resulted into disintegration of joint families into nuclear
families. Greater affluence, geographical and occupational mobility and economic
independence of people are the main contributing factors for the change in patterns
of residence and family life. The old people have not only been thrown out of the
mainstream and relegated to the end but are left with no resources and are seen as a
burden by the young. due to cultural misconceptions, older people can be targets
of ridicule and stereotypes.
And the last part basically deals with the legislation. It deals with the provisions,
act and steps taken by the government and those taken by the ngos of the country.
old people mostly depends on the government or ngos like HelpAge india for their
rights and survival. They fear crime, especially violent crime, and that fear causes
many to remain in their homes. Abuse of the elderly may take place in a variety of
forms, such as physical, sexual, emotional and financial. Neglecting an elder is a
form of abuse that should be reported.

gradually there arises a reason for the children to perform their moral obligation
towards their parents and to minimize the agony and suffering of this vulnerable
section of society.
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, enacted in 2007,
initiated by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
This Act also provides simple, speedy and inexpensive mechanism for the
protection of life and property of the older persons.
By bringing out the Maintenance and Welfare of parents and citizens Act, the
Government has taken a small step towards bringing a smile to the faces of the
elders of our society. As a nation, it is every citizens duty to ensure that Senior
Citizens live a happy, healthy and secure life.