Patna: A new survey urges people to avoid gadget obsession to end the disconnect between the aged and the youth, revealing the impact of technology and social media on the elderly.

The report titled "Elder abuse in India 2018: Changing cultural ethos and impact of technology" reveals that 65 per cent of the survey respondents who were above 60 years of age agreed that their family members disconnected with them due to increased usage of mobile phones and computers.

According to the survey, nearly one-fourth of our elderly population, both men and women, face different forms of abuse. This year the son turned out to be the foremost perpetrator of elderly abuse followed by the daughter-in-law who was the primary abuser as per past surveys. Showing disrespect emerged as the most prominent form of abuse (56 per cent) followed by others such as verbal abuse, economic exploitation and beating and slapping.

Alamgir Ansari, 65, a retired bank employee said adult children are busy on the phone even at home with them and that makes elderly members feel increasingly isolated.

"A terrible feeling penetrates the hearts and minds of old fathers and mothers who expect a least level of care from their children for whom they dedicated their entire life," Alamgir said, agreeing with the findings of the survey.

"Elder abuse starts at home and from people they trust most," said Mathew Cherian, CEO, HelpAge India.

Raj Kumar, 62, of Lodhipur village in Biharsharif in Nalanda district, was abandoned by his two sons. Homeless, he resorted to begging. "When I became physically incapable of working as a construction labourer due to illness, my sons and daughter-in-laws forced me out of home. The government did not do anything for the welfare of senior citizens," Raj Kumar said.

Alamgir, who retired from government service and lives in Phulwarisharif in Patna said incidents of discrimination, abuse by sons and daughter-in-laws have grown due to the destruction of the institution of family. "The exclusion of senior citizens has grown to such an extent that even thinking of retirement arouses a terrible feeling in the hearts and minds of the aged. The elderly are afraid of whether their children would care for them," Alamgir said.

Girish Chandra Mishra, Bihar head, HelpAge India, said: "There is a need to bridge the technological gap between adults and the aged to empower the elders. Inculcating values of love, care and respect in children and young adolescents towards elders so that they don't turn abusers later, would be an effective way to deal with elderly abuse."

Mangalore topped the list where the highest number of elderly abuse happens followed by Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Amritsar and Delhi.