Senioricide

Senioricide refers to the systematic or deliberate mistreatment, neglect, or killing of elderly individuals, often due to perceived burdensomeness, lack of perceived value, or economic considerations. The term combines "senior" with the Latin root "cide," meaning "killing," and is used to describe both active and passive forms of harm directed toward older adults. While senioricide can occur in various contexts, it frequently manifests in institutional settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, or even within families, where elderly individuals may be overlooked or subjected to substandard care.

Historically, senioricide has been documented in extreme cases, such as genocide or mass killings targeting elderly populations, particularly during conflicts or ideological purges. However, it also encompasses more insidious forms, such as medical neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation. Studies suggest that elderly individuals are disproportionately vulnerable to abuse, with physical, emotional, or financial mistreatment often going unreported due to stigma or dependency.

Cultural and societal attitudes toward aging play a significant role in perpetuating senioricide. In some societies, older adults are marginalized due to ageist stereotypes that associate them with dependency, irrelevance, or economic drain. This can lead to systemic failures in healthcare, social support, and legal protections for the elderly. Efforts to combat senioricide involve raising awareness, strengthening protective policies, and fostering intergenerational respect to ensure the dignity and well-being of older individuals.

Prevention strategies include improving eldercare standards, promoting reporting mechanisms for abuse, and encouraging community engagement to challenge ageist narratives. Organizations and advocacy groups work to highlight the rights of elderly individuals and advocate for systemic changes that prioritize their welfare. Recognizing senioricide as a serious issue requires addressing both overt acts of harm and the underlying societal conditions that enable its occurrence.