South Africa under democracy has paid particular attention to the need to fight the abuse of the elderly. Our Constitution states clearly that everyone has the right to the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. And that in order to promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken. It is in pursuance of this constitutional injunction that the national Parliament, working together with provincial legislatures that are located in the capitals of the nine provinces, considered and passed the Older Persons’ Act in 2006. The Older Persons’ Act, okungumthetho oqingqelwe ukunakekela abantu abadala, is there to protect the elderly against physical, emotional and financial abuse. The main objective of the legislation is to among others, maintain and promote the status, well-being, safety and security of older persons, recognise their skills and wisdom and promote their participation in community activities. It also looks at issues to make it possible for older people to live in communities independently, functioning at their highest potential.